A Dancing Monkey Read online

  A Dancing Monkey

  by C. T. Michael

  -Chapter 1-

  “Dammit!” I look down towards my keys dropped on the welcome mat next to my feet. Taking a small step backwards off of it, I try balancing a box on my left arm. Letting out a sigh, I struggle to bend down and retrieve them.

  My right hand is still shaking and damp from wiping tears off my face. The drive home, from what used to be my job, was absolute torture. I was laid off earlier this morning due to company downsizing. We all knew something was going to happen. I honestly didn’t think it was going to affect me, but...I guess I was wrong. Even though I’m one of the higher-ranking people there, that just meant that I was one of the last ones to get my severance package and my “Good luck out there”. That tone of disdain in their voices still lingers in my ears.

  After retrieving my keys, I finally get the front door open. From out of nowhere, my tan and white colored dog quickly rushes to my feet.

  “Hey there, girl.” I whisper quietly closing the door behind me while she’s jumping up and down and sniffing at my ankles. The stubby legged canine is named Cookie, and she must be surprised to see me home at only eleven in the morning.

  No one else is home. My boyfriend Demi, won’t be home until much later. I left him a voice-mail on the way home with my bad news. He’s been very busy with his new promotion as District Manager. I told him that we’ll talk about it when he gets home.

  Slipping my feet out of high heels, I sweep them aside towards the wall with my feet. I guess I won’t be wearing those for a while. I think to myself as I wipe a new tear as one escapes my eye. Cookie sniffs at my shoes for a second, then follows me as I continue to walk through the house. Although I stand 5 ft. 8 inches, for some reason I always feel so much shorter after taking off my heels.

  Being home this early in the day feels so strange and quiet. The only sounds I can hear right now are coming from the ticking wall clock and the humming refrigerator in the kitchen.

  Demi and I have lived in our modern style townhouse for about 3 years now. It is admittedly a small space, but it is more than enough for the two of us. We don’t consider our lifestyle the most expressive. The walls are a Summer Beige with Egg White trims. We arrange simple patterned furniture. The floor is made of oak wood panels. The wall decorations are landscape paintings we’ve picked up from local art shows. We even have a neat little electric fireplace, which is amazing at how real they look!

  Cookie was adopted into our modest little world about 2 years ago. Demi surprised me for my birthday with this little Welsh Corgi puppy. She’s been an absolute dear ever since. Even despite her habit of dragging toilet paper into the living and tearing it to tiny pieces, leaving a mess for us to find. Regardless, she’s been a good dog. Cookie loves following me around the house, always curious about what I’m up to.

  Today is no exception, as I travel towards our bedroom. I easily love this room the most. On the weekends, I spend almost all day in bed on my laptop. The furniture is a darker color along with the sheets for our king-size bed. Last year, we put in brand new high-end carpeting which still feels new to the bottom of my feet. Folded stacks of laundry are neatly organized on Demi’s desk.

  Cloudy daylight is beginning to peek through the thick blinds of the window allowing just enough light to barely see anything, which is appropriate to my current mood: dismal.

  I set my box onto the carpeted floor near the dresser as I flip the top open. There isn’t much in here and all of it has dust on it. I slowly take out each item from the box as I arrange them next to each other on top of my dresser. As I empty the box, there are five items standing next to one another, which looks like a police line-up.

  I move over to the bed and sit down on the edge facing the dresser where I just placed the items. As I let out a sigh, I gaze at each of them one at a time. Not noticing at first, but Cookie is on the bed next to my hip looking up at me, looking a little confused and being adorable as always. I turn down at her as tears begin welling up in my eyes again. I wipe them away with one hand while I pet her pointy ears with my other.

  “These were all on my desk at work, Cookie.” I say to her and motion towards each item with an explanation. The first is a framed photograph, which sat near my office phone. “That’s Demi and me at the Manderville Zoo when they first opened.”

  The next item is a snow globe. “This was when we went on our first vacation for Christmas.” That was the only time I had ever requested vacation time off. I really should’ve taken more vacations.

  The third item is my honored name plaque that sat on the most noticeable area of my desk, the middle front edge. “Melissa Landry, Regional Director of Marketing.” The large text is engraved on a golden chrome plate sitting on a mahogany base.

  I then point towards the fourth item: a red silk rose in a tiny red pot. This was kept next to my monitor. “Demi gave me this when I got promoted to corporate.” Just looking at this flower reminds me of all the other people I was up against for the position of director.

  The last item on the far left is a small plastic figurine of a monkey. It has a light panel on its base so that when it was bright, the monkey would dance by waving its arms back and forth. “Demi gave me this when I first started working for the company. I thought it was cute and hilarious. He told me to look at it dance if I ever felt the pressures of work getting to me.” I sure did watch it dance when I was stressed. But those occasions became fewer and fewer as time went on. My job eventually became who I was and what defined me. I loved it.

  Cookie rests her head on my lap. I reply to her by scratching the back of her ears. I smile as I look down at her. She always knows when I’m upset or feeling depressed.

  I look back up at the items on the dresser which was about five feet away from where I am sitting. My glances soon turn into a blank stare, eventually becoming a daze. From this distance, I can almost see that little monkey waving his arms at me just like it did every day.

  But it wasn’t dancing this time. There wasn’t anything to dance for. And of course, I haven’t turned on any lights in the house yet.

  I notice my reflection in the mirror just behind the lined objects. A stressed and defeated Melissa Landry stares back at me. She has long black hair tousled over one shoulder. The mascara is blended into a mess from her tears. Her red lips are stuck in a pursed manner. The thoughts of work are still rushing around in the back of my mind. Feelings and questions keep on harassing my mind: I’m already 28, what am I going to do for a career? Will Demi’s new position be enough to support us? Was I that useless that the company decided to give me the axe? What did I do wrong?!

  I suddenly snap out of my trance when I hear my all too familiar ring tone from my phone tucked in the back pocket of my designer pants. It was a text message from Demi: “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You know that I’ll always be here for you. This is just a door closing in your life. Soon a new door will open. Promise me you won’t go losing yourself to this transitory stress. I’ll bring home a movie for us tonight. And, I’ll get your favorite meal for dinner. I love you so much Mel. Also, I remembered to get more toilet paper.”

  Reading his text makes me feel warm and at peace. I smile as I lower my phone.

  My eyes slowly shut as I’m left trying desperately to think of anything else. I open my eyes looking back down towards my phone, to Demi’s message. “Favorite meal, huh? I don’t expect him to remember what it is.” I question to myself which made Cookie raise her head to look at me. The change of tone in my voice is probably making her curious. All my crying and self-loathing has made me forget that I haven’t had anything to eat all day.

  After a few moments I finally decide to text him back: “I bet yo
u can’t remember what my favorite meal is! Lol” I add a few silly heart emojis as I send it to Demi.

  I really don’t have much of an appetite right now. Hopefully, by the time Demi gets home, I will.

  I move myself further up the bed as I lay down on my back, closing my eyes again. After a few moments I roll to my side curling up in a fetal position. Cookie comes up just behind my back and settles in next to me.

  Gradually, the paranoia of not having a job subsides and recedes into the back of my mind.

  I’m not used to hearing birds chirping outside as I try to fall asleep, it feels kind of nice. Tranquil.

  It’s barely noon now, and already I’m feeling exhausted. Both physically and emotionally. I don’t want to think anymore.

  But all that’s left on my mind is a not-so-simple question: “What do I do now?”

  The question floats in my mind like a man-o-war until an unfamiliar ringtone starts barking from my phone. I don’t bother reacting. I remain still in my victim posture refusing any further human contact. It's probably just a random overseas telemarketer anyways.

  Eventually, it goes quiet after a dozen rings.

  I close my eyes in relief as I’m ready to finally relax. After about five seconds, my phone goes off again with the same tone.

  “Oh, my God! Leave me alone! I don’t even know you!” I say putting my hand up to the side of my head, tightly closing my eyes. After a few more rings, I sigh in frustration, losing all patience as I sit up to grab it. Ugh! Someone really wants to get a hold of me.

  I finally decide to press ‘talk’ as I hold the phone up to my ear.

  “WHAT!”

  -Chapter 2-

  “Hello?” The timid sounding voice on the other end asks.

  “Yes?” I sigh with a tired and shaky voice.

  “Mel! Oh good, I was hoping this was still your number.” The voice on the other end brings me back to reality. It’s my friend, Liz. She’s 27 years old but has the high-pitched tone of a 19-year-old girl who just noticed her best friend across the room.

  “H-hey, Liz.” I say clearing my throat.

  “Demi sent a message about what happened. I’m so sorry about your job.” Liz explains softly, breaking from her usually peppy attitude that I’m used to.

  Liz and I met in college. We were both going for our bachelor’s degrees in business. I remember the first day of the semester when we met. I first noticed her when she was in a heated break up with her boyfriend over the phone. That phone call left her in tears. I approached her slowly, with concern, and asked to buy her a coffee if she needed someone to talk to. Even though it wasn’t any of my business, Liz had no problem opening up to me. Ever since then, we’ve been good friends. We had even taken several classes together. She had eventually gone down to a slower pace, taking a couple of semesters off to get her life in order, but did eventually graduate.

  It’s rare for her to call, she usually just texts me whenever she wants to talk and we’ll end up meeting at Jimmy’s Gourmet Coffee Shop while we discuss her drama and/or sex life. So...no wonder I didn’t recognize her call’s ringtone.

  Liz is the type who goes through different guys all the time. Unfortunately, each one of them is sleazier than the last one. She is also on every online dating site and social media outlet, often playing more than one man at a time. Truth is, Liz is a good drama-sharing buddy. Sometimes, the stories can get ridiculous, though. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the stories were exaggerated.

  “I’m doing okay. They let me go earlier this morning.”

  “Don’t you usually get some kind of compensation if they lay you off?”

  “Yeah, I received a severance package that’s going to be paid out over four weeks. Plus, my vacation hours are being cashed out.”

  “Well there you go. That’s awesome!” Liz says with a celebratory pitch in her voice. As I think about it, Liz is right. I do admit, it is a pretty good size compensation. It could be worse. But I still can’t seem to let it go: all the work and dedication I put into my job, on top of all the amount of time I spent there.

  Liz continues: “I say, screw them. You’re better off walking away from that sinking ship anyways. You should be focusing on yourself now. Do some self-care. Take care of Melissa for a change. Unwind!”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” I reply begrudgingly.

  “Mel, you have what, a month to do whatever you want? You should party, girl! This month is all about you.”

  She wasn’t wrong and I can tell she’s looking out for me. “I know, Liz. It’s just... today I just need to get my head straight. That’s all.”

  “That’s my girl! Hey, I’d better get back to this lame conference call. Text me later. We have to hang out ASAP.” Liz quickly says before she ends the call.

  I smile as I turn to lay flat on my back. My eyes slowly begin to close.

  Outside, the sound of a car door closing shut can be heard, followed by an alarm’s beep.

  “Demi.” I whisper to myself softly.

  Cookie’s head perks up as she jumps off the side of the bed. I listen closely without moving. Sounds of the front door can be heard as Demi enters the house accompanied by his voice talking on his phone. Cookie dashes out of the bedroom towards him.

  “Yeah that’s correct, sir… it won’t be a problem. I’ve got it covered. I’ll be there first thing in the morning… Thank you, sir. Bye.” Demi had a semi-deep voice with soft tones that I could recognize from anywhere. “Hey, Cookie! What’d you do today, girl? Did you eat your new food?... Please eat your new food, it was expensive… ugh, you never listen to me. Where’s mommy?” Demi says, still out in the living room, it sounds like.

  I can’t help but smile when those two are together, they are so adorable. Cookie’s always looking at Demi with a tilted head and a confused expression.

  I hear him eventually as he’s approaching the bedroom.

  Demi softly knocks on the door frame as he quietly peeks inside to see me. “Hey there, beautiful. Looks like you beat me home for once.”

  I turn my whole body away from him. The tears are welling up in my eyes, making me sniffle as I’m trying not to bawl in front of him. I don’t want to ruin his first day as district manager. It’s his proud day, while being my worst.

  “H-how was work today…” I say with a deep congested tone.

  “It was alright. They showed me around the office. It was super bright inside there. They definitely don’t want anyone to fall asleep. Everyone was nice, but I can tell there’s a few people I’ll need some time to warm up to and- Hey! Oh my God, I remember this!” Demi must have noticed my line of desk ornaments atop the dresser.

  My back is still turned to him, so I’m left guessing that he’s looking at the framed photo of us, remembering that day at the zoo. I smile thinking of how much fun we had there that day. It was the first time we talked about moving in together. It was also the day I was behind on my huge quarterly report, making me glued to my laptop for the first half of the day. But Demi still put up with me, no matter how busy I was. Even now, he’s trying to cheer me up when I’m at my lowest.

  I take a deep breath as I finally decide to turn around and sit up on the bed to face Demi… but… he isn’t looking at the framed photo like I presumed.

  “This is so awesome. I love it.” Demi chuckling while looking at my dancing monkey figurine, trying to mock how the monkey waves its arms.

  I can’t help but let out a giggle wiping my tear stained face.

  “There’s that pretty smile.” He says as he glances over at me.

  Demi is 5 ft. 10 inches, 190 pounds, with dark brown short hair. His 5 o’ clock shadow is already growing in, when just this morning he had his clean-shaven baby-face. The jade colored shirt and tie I picked out for him, brings out his hazel green eyes, while the black jacket and slacks complimented his dark hair.

  “You look like an executive hot shot, baby.” I compliment sarcastically.

  “Hah, well I’m not qu
ite there. Hopefully next week.” He jokes as he fixes his tie. “Come on, let’s eat. I guess we’ve got some things to talk about.”

  My nose is all stuffed up from all the crying I’ve done today, so I didn’t notice the smell Demi brought home with him until now. He remembered I loved Italian food. But more specifically, spaghetti from my favorite place: Salvador’s Ristorante’.

  I quickly hop out of the bed and walk up to Demi giving him a hug. Demi hugs me back as he whispers in my ear: “I’m sorry, honey. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I replied.

  He grabs me tightly around my back as he starts pulling me out of the bedroom. I keep holding onto him as I let my legs go limp, playfully letting him drag me along. It doesn’t take much, Demi’s strong and I’m only 120 pounds. After a few feet, I laugh and start walking upright, letting him go.

  We move into the living room where I notice the dining table is fully arranged with a variety of to-go food containers. The smell is making me weak with hunger and anticipation.

  “So yeah, they got rid of my whole department. Over 30 people were let go today.” I explain while opening the pantry and reaching in to grab Cookie’s can of dog food.

  “I didn’t think it’d be that bad. What was everyone else’s reaction?” Demi asks as he opens the large container of spaghetti. Steam blooms up from it releasing its aroma all around us.

  “We talked in the parking lot near our cars for a little while. Some of us were crying, others were mad. Everyone said their goodbyes as we exchanged contact information, just in case something comes up.”

  I pop open the can of discount Dog Chow and pour it into Cookie’s dish over the Blue-Ribbon food that was already there. Cookie sticks her face right into it chomps away with her tail wagging behind her.

  “Weird dog.” Demi scoffs as he sits down at the table.

  I giggle as I toss the can away and take my seat next to Demi. I lean over to him and kiss his right cheek. “Well, you totally shocked me. I am very impressed that you remembered what this girl’s favorite food is.” I say teasing him. Demi responds with a cute, satisfied smile.