by Luvchanges » Sat Jan 15, 2022 4:59 pm
End of Week 38 - Elizabeth
I am excited to be going home after a long boring week. Work has been a pain. I did deliver the big presentation to my boss, Henry Kempski, Stephanie Jamison, a few project managers, and the right out of MBA school new girl, Olivia Montgomery. Laura was also in attendance by my request. I made sure everyone knew how important Laura was for the content. I was super duper nervous, but got through it. Henry was so sweet, and kept telling me how good I was doing. Laura even chimed in a bunch of time to clarify points so we didn't leave anyone unclear on what we were proposing. Stephanie asked me zingers with her patented "this is great Liz, but have you thought of. . ." at least 3 times in the meeting. It was scheduled for an hour, but 25 minutes in, Henry stood up and said, "I think we are good. It is a small project anyway, so we may as well try it. Nothing bad will happen if it fails or is late". I was so happy to be done. When I asked Laura what she thought, she was negative. She told me I was fine, but she's mad that they are so dismissive and don't see any of this as important. I don't agree with her, and think she is just being negative. Hopefully Henry, Stephanie, and Olivia think I did a great job, and spread the word. I was thinking of going to each and ask them what they thought, but Laura told me that I should never do that. I took her advice, except for the new girl Olivia. I knocked on her office and asked if I did a good job. She responded, "I think you as trying so hard, and it isn't a project most people wanted, so that is a good thing. You really challenged yourself speaking in a group, and I am proud of you." That was sweet of her.
Anyway, I'm going home to change into bar clothes, and I'm meeting Zoe for a big night out. Tomorrow I am hanging out with Laura and Jenny for dinner and girls night. I am so excited. This will be my first time with them on a weekend. I am nervous that they will like me socially. I am their boss, but they know I am not a jerk or anything.
I need to keep this weekend cheap. I told Zoe that, and she said we'll take some pills and have guys buy us drinks, so it will be free. I am financially in trouble. My credit cards are maxed out over $30K and I'm barely making minimum payments. Any time I try to use them now and they are declined. I tried opening a new card with a $3,000 limit and I was rejected. I now need to wait until payday for cash for groceries, gas, and emergency clothes. I found that Target and Walmart, the butt of my former distain and jokes, actually make cute outfits. I hate their shoes, but luckily even with all the weight gain, shoes fit, maybe just a little tighter. I got a few pairs of leggings, a pack of cotton underwear, two tops, two slacks and three blouses for work at Walmart, literally for under $200. At Target, I got 2 full sweatsuits, more cotton underwear, some cute cheap flats for work, and 2 skirts for under $120. And they all look cute and are sized up so I am not conscious of my extra weight, which I will try and lose. This will get me by. Unfortunately, this is still $300 spent that I need to watch. I intended to go back to Whole Foods for healthier food, but I just can't afford it with my expenses. Walmart has been my best bet, but even there, I need to be frugal. Produce is just too expensive and doesn't fill me up. I avoid the big name brands and try to get the bigger sizes since they are more cost effective. I don't buy much meat. I got over there on Thursday for hot dogs, baked beans, mac and cheese, white bread, soda, chips, donuts (on sale), and some ingredients for two nights of tacos. I find that the large generic cheese whiz is much more cost effective than shredded cheddar, and it actually tastes better. It goes on hot dogs, pasta, tacos, and toast. I need to talk to Laura to see if she has ideas on how I can downsize and not be in such a mess financially. She may even have ideas on how I can sell some clothes that don't fit, and also sell things I no longer need.
I did get some weird and sad news from my mom. I got a crappy note from her that she has been seeing an older Asian guy, and she's moving to Singapore for good. I know I was mean, but she says I 'm dead to her. I did something I regret, but can't take it back. There was $20K that was in some weird escrow, and everyone forgot about it. It was rightfully hers, and literally the only money she had. It was all cash, and an ex family lawyer came to me with it last year, and asked me to pass it on to her. He wanted nothing to do with us anymore. Well, I took it and used it to help finance my car, the apartment escrow and my new wardrobe for my job, last year. I never told Mom about it. She called me a few months later after finding out about it, and was livid I stole it. She asked for it back because she desperately needed it. She was being evicted from her apartment, and needed $10,000 immediately. She asked me for help and I laughed and hung up. Now I am realizing how mean I was. My mom is a horrible person, but I am now realizing I was wrong. I told her on text, and she laughed and said, "too late kiddo, we are done. I have my lifeboat now and you better find yours." She was my only family left. My dad is dead, I had no siblings, our relatives ran for the hills when the news hit of all the crimes my dad did. I called my aunt and tried to ask for help last week and she laughed saying, "I wouldn't lift a finger for you if God almighty himself commanded me to do so". And she was the only relative I thought I had a chance with. They all got run through a mess with my Dad's legal issues, as the Feds assumed all family and friends could have been recipients or holders of his ill gotten money. They will all be audited for the rest of their lives, and everyone of them had 5 and 6 figure legal bills for crimes for which they had nothing to do. I never kept up with friends, and now I am alone. I thought Spenser was my future husband, but he is using me. I just want to hold on to the fantasy and believe he wants me, but he is just using me like a whore. Last week I told him I want the old Spenser back, and he said, "lose the wight, stop smoking, sound more intelligent so you don't embarrass me in front of family and friend, and learn how not to be a loser. Otherwise, let's just stick to some sex once in a while, ok?". When I started crying, he left without saying a word.
Anyway, that's kind of a depressing set of things. I will worry about all this stuff after the fun weekend. I'm off to party with my girl Zoe.
Week 39 Tuesday - Laura
Ok, this has been a weird week. Elizabeth blew us off on Saturday, so we chalked it up to her adding a party night with Zoe. When she didn't show up to work on Monday, I was scared. Jenny, Mary and I tracked down Zoe, and we got the scoop. Zoe said she was arrested for DUI. We were stunned. We asked how it happened. Apparently Zoe and her "friend" Jake needed a ride across town after their evening in the bar. We asked why she let her drive, and Zoe was like "beats me. Do you have anything else or shouldn't you be filing papers or getting coffee for someone instead of annoying me?" I got in her face and told her I would kill her if she doesn't stay away from Elizabeth from now on. She laughed and said, "no worries, she is no longer a good "wing girl", and blackmailing her now would probably help her reputation since Michael is way out her her league". I restrained myself, from punching her, but asked, "tell me this one thing, bitch, is she ok, and where is she?". Zoe responded, "that is two things, so f-off." I did get out of her that she is still in county jail, so Jenny, Mary and I left the office to go see her. When we arrived, they were processing her release. She was in lock up since 5am Saturday between the hospital handcuffed to her bed, and then the county jail, so she served more than the 48 hour guideline the police follow in her circumstance. After she dropped off Zoe and Jake, she was going home, nodded off and went into a tree. No one was hurt, but her car, a big gash on her face and forehead, a broken arm and knee. She called Zoe from jail on Sunday morning, but Zoe told her she was too busy to visit. I asked if she got a lawyer, but she says she is too broke. They did come to her with a deal if she pleads guilty. I read you should try to fight, but without a lawyer, it is hopeless. I do know our company doesn't fire people for DUIs since several employees had them in the past. That said, I know it can be very damaging for future jobs, and it is extremely costly. The deal she told me is an immediate one year suspension of license, a $5,000 fine, a permanent misdemeanor on her record, and she needs to attend classes for 6 months. Luckily, she can go back to work. I know our HR person really well, so I'm going to get in front of it for her now so no more damage happens. Her car is impounded, and we need to figure out the damages, and if her insurance company will even pay for it, or her medical treatment. The hospital patched her up as an ER would, but she needs to see an orthopedist for her breaks, and a doctor for her facial wounds so everything heals up as good as before. Elizabeth told me she was terrified of losing her job, the $5,000 fine, not being able to drive, and what to do about the car. Mary joked, "you should worry about your face since that's the only thing a fat girl has left". Too soon. Elizabeth was bawling and demanded a mirror. She cried even louder. Thanks Mary. I told Elizabeth, she wouldn't be fired and I would talk to HR and Henry today when I'm back in the office. I also told her we needed to restructure her life, since her finances are a disaster. I wanted to intervene sooner, but it can't wait with her pending bills. Mary, Jenny and I all agreed to help her. Finally we told her the car and transportation to work is a pickle, but we could put our heads together and come up with a solution. Mary joked, "I was going to suggest biking to work, you could burn off your fat ass, but with your busted knee, you probably will just get a fatter ass". Too soon. Elizabeth was bawling again. Thanks Mary.
When I spoke with Henry and HR, they were concerned, and I thought maybe I was wrong about her employment. They told me it really doesn't involve me, but I told them in her current state, I can be helpful until she comes into the office. Since they know me well, and trust me completely, they bent the rules. They informed me that the DUI cases that they overlooked were with people in the warehouse, and lower level office jobs. Higher profile roles, and executive training candidates are held to a higher standard. Henry did confide that her performance wasn't good enough anyway, so they were in no danger of having a junior executive with a public DUI. In essence, he let it slip she was going to fail her one year evaluation in 3 months. I asked if she was going to be fired, and he said, probably not, but we do often shift people who don't make it, and most times, they choose to leave within a few months of knowing they won't become future executives. Their egos can't handle it according to him. I will miss her if she leaves. Belinda from HR did tell me, if she had another DUI, she'd be fired on the spot, otherwise, if she keeps clean, does nothing else bad, and follows the state program for education, she won't be terminated for the event. I can't wait to tell Elizabeth. She will be relieved. I will leave out the part about her executive pathway detour.
When I got to her apartment that evening, she was eating hot dogs cut up into a big bowl of mac and cheese. She asked if I wanted her to make some for me, I declined. I don't do the Beachbody diet completely, but hot dogs and mac and cheese will not help me. I’ve lost more weight, and I’m stronger than ever. I told her the good news about work. She was overjoyed. Mary got her two appointments for both an orthopedist and a plastic surgeon. Elizabeth's apartment was amazing! It was my first time in it. I heard she pays $2,000 a month for it, but around here, that is a lot of money and none of the people I know have one this nice for a single gal. There are two problems with it. One, it is way too extravagant for a girl making $90K, and is most likely going to be downwardly mobile in the future. Her $90K/year was based on a future performance my little chubcake friend will never perform. Second, it is a pigsty. I asked how often she cleans it, and she said she had a Guatemalan lady come in once a week, but let her go 3 months ago when her bills became too much. I then asked how often she cleaned it since, and she embarrassingly said never. Elizabeth has apparently never cleaned a toilet, shower, bathroom or kitchen floor, windows, countertops, or carpets in her life. I offered to help but she has no broom, vacuum, or cleaning supplies. I asked about her bedsheets, and apparently she has thrown them into the washer a few times in the past 3 months. Ewwww. I told her, "ok Miss Liz, from now on you are listening to me, since your judgement and life skills suck. One, you need to lose this apartment and downsize asap. Two, you are going to learn how to grocery shop correctly, cook better meals, clean house properly, and run your own finances. Finally, you are done with both Zoe and Spenser forever. You call them both and tell them to leave you alone." She agreed to all of it but the Spenser part. She says she thinks he still loves her deep down, and he will see how great she is. I bluntly told her, "at one time he was smitten by your beauty and seemingly powerful bitchiness, but the real you emerged, and he doesn't like it other than to abuse you. Trust me". She finished her dinner, I helped bathe her, and change her into PJs she bought from Walmart. They are very cute, but not sexy at all. Cotten flannel PJs with hearts all over them. Good for her - sexy is out for her and comfort should be her friend for a while. Her body keeps growing. When I helped bathe her, her thighs and ass are just riddled with cellulite. Her milky white, and ever drooping belly has a new feature as well - angry red stretch marks that are never going away. Poor thing, I didn't get them until Amber. The other interesting addition is her surprisingly big fupa and wild hair growth from her knees upward, unchecked in her vaginal area, and a small trail leading to her deepening navel. Hopefully future male sexual companions are ok with working through the hair and fat. When the alcohol wears off, and the morning light illuminates to the male her ever-downward glide into frumpiness, the poor man who thought he had a score late at night, wracks his brain on the best way to bail on breakfast and escape back to the safety of their homes, chalking it up to drunkenness. The number he provides as an emergency peace offing is inevitably the phone for the all-you-can-eat buffet.