To Color Your Life

Emily looked up and closed her eyes. The sun was bright today. The weather was great too. Still, Pharaoh was located in a good place. The park across the street from the building was cozy and clean.

She was sitting on the bench, right on the one where she had spoken to her boss a few days ago, and listening to the rustle of the leaves overhead. At least in those moments when she could hear it.

All the rest of her attention was focused on the redhead girl staring at Emily from the phone screen at the moment.

"So you and Evans are doing great," Kelly concluded after Emily gave a detailed account of everything that happened during her friend's absence from town.

"Uh-huh," Emily smiled and took a bite of the hot dog. Obviously that was not the healthiest choice of food for her lunch break, but it was very delicious. Also, Justin promised another fancy dinner in the evening in a new place.

"Wow, I just remembered..." Kelly tapped her chin with a manicured finger, "That's right! It was definitely him!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Do you remember the time when we were preparing for the first performance? By that time, you used to have purple hair for a week or so."

"It was lavender color," Emily corrected.

"Oh, it could be the color of fuchsia! I'm not talking about that! Do you remember we had to move the instruments from one classroom to another, and one guy helped us? I bet it was the boss! I'm sure! He stared at you all the time back then. I thought because of the hair color, but it turns out that because of you!"

"Hmm, I don't remember. It seemed like there was something like that, but I don't remember what that person looked like." Emily shrugged and looked at the remains of the hot dog. Damn, she should have bought two.

Kelly rolled her eyes, "Of course you don't remember! With your memory of faces, you won't even recognize me if I dyed my hair a different color."

"Not true! I would recognize you!" Emy wanted to object, but her friend's skeptical look spoke volumes. "Well. Maybe not right away. And in general, I have poor eyesight, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course, the eyesight is the issue. Okay, everything is clear with personal life. Why did you decide to leave the publishing house? It's a great job, ain't it? Or is there anybody who's pissing you off? Maybe Barkens? You just tell me, I'll come over and deal with him."

"You don't have to deal with anyone, Kel." Out of the corner of her eye, Emily saw someone else sit on the bench next to her.

Damn, the headphones stayed in the office. She did not like to talk about personal topics in front of strangers.

The girl turned off the video and brought the phone to her ear. "Nobody is pissing me off. And even if they did, I would not involve Justin in this. I can figure it out myself. Gregor is a great person. You shouldn't hold much against him."

Emily was sure Kelly wrinkled her nose at her last phrase. "This is your rose-colored glasses because of the candy-bouquet period with Evans, so you fancy all sorts of things. Ha, just listen to yourself! Talking to Barkens is sheer torture.

I am saying one thing to him, and he goes something like - think again, Miss Ohara. I'm saying something else then, and he goes like - make some changes here. I bet this guy's a pure robot! He probably can't even laugh!"

Oh, this is where you are wrong, friend. Gregor Barkens has such a contagious laughter that even I get chills in my stomach, Emily would like to say, but she didn't.

"Or maybe it's just that your crazy temper is too much for him? Maybe he perceives you as somebody who's so furious, ready to knock everybody down with your raging energy."

"What?! Whose side are you on, Hayes? I see that you completely got out of hands there without me, right? That's it, I'm buying tickets today. Screw the Hawaii! It's time to go back."

"But what about your Marco or whatever the name of that Italian guy?" Emily laughed into the phone. If Kelly arrives early, it will be great.

"Oh, this one? We kinda broke up last week." Ohara's response sounded like a weather forecast.

We met, we dated, we broke up, the temperature outside is over thirty degrees Celsius, enjoy your stay. This girl could clearly have gotten the motto of Julius Caesar, but in a slightly modified way. Instead of "I came. I saw. I conquered" she would probably say "I met. I dated. I broke up".

Emily was not surprised. Kelly's boyfriends didn't stay long. Either they could not stand her fiery temperament, or Kelly herself did not really understand them, the result was one: a week or two and Ohara was free like a bird for a new flight.

"I have to go back to the office. Swim there for me before leaving."

"Will be done, Mrs. Evans."

"I'm not Mrs. Evans yet, so hold your horses," Emily laughed back.

"You would not be Mrs. Evans without me! When I'm not there, do not even think to arrange anything, all right?! You are my only single friend, so I have to catch this damn bouquet!"

"I'll save you a spare one," Emily reassured her. At all the weddings where she and Kelly were guests, Ohara stood in the front row, but never caught the bride's bouquet. "Okay, bye, Kel. Talk to you later."

Hayes hung up and stared with a smile at the phone screen for a few more seconds. Still, it's great when in your life there are people with whom you can cry, and laugh, and drink too much. Sometimes.

"What a good weather today, don't you think so?" a man sitting next to her suddenly asked.

Emily turned her head and saw an old man. His hair was ash white and slicked back neatly. A white shirt and light blue jeans created a stylish and unusual look. The black lacquered cane added nobility and presentability.

Perhaps this was one of the most unusual senior aged men she had ever seen. He could easily argue with her grandmother, well, in terms of style.

"You're right, the weather is great," Emily agreed. She was about to wish him a good day and leave, when the next question immediately followed.

"Do you work for the Pharaoh publishing house?"

"That's right. But how did you... Ah, exactly." It is not surprising that the man guessed the place of her work. Everything was indicated on the badge that was hanging on Emily's chest.

"What a great coincidence," he peered at her badge, "Oh, Miss Hayes. Indeed, a wonderful coincidence."

"Excuse me, can I help you with something? I have to get back to work." Emily tried to be polite, but she would rather turn around and run into the office as fast as she could. She absolutely hated to be late.

"As I said, a great coincidence. I am going in the same direction. Will you help an old gummer get there, Miss Hayes?"

Uh, sir, you don't look like an old gummer. But who is Emily to argue with the elders?

"Of course, let's go." She obediently placed her hand on the man's elbow.

Shouldn't it be the other way around so she would be supporting this old dandy?

"Still, the weather is great today, Miss Hayes."