#cannot wait until i can set up grocery deliveries

[ohbutwheresyourheart]

I have so much to do and so little energy for any of it

[fridayfirefly]

crushed petals, shattered glass, and other broken things

Read crushed petals, shattered glass, and other broken things on AO3

Masterlist

For Maribat March Day 17 - Court of Owls

Marinette was twelve years old, and she was a knife. Delicate in her looks, deceiving in her appearance, Marinette was the most dangerous weapon in the arsenal of the Court of Owls. She was an assassin. She was a spy. She was clever, cunning, versatile. Most importantly, she was a knife, a sharp tool to be used to inflict violence. It was a role that suited her well. Marinette was training to become the Talon of the Court of Owls, and she was untouchable.

-----

Marinette was thirteen years old, and she wanted to know how she came to be. Procreation was easy to understand scientifically, but part of Marinette's brain objected to the idea that she had two parents. Marinette was a knife, and knives were forged by hammer and fire, sharpened to a point by tools so that it might become a tool itself. Marinette could not have come from something as human as love. Love has no role in the creation of a knife.

To settle the conflict, Marinette did what she did best - she snooped around, gathered intel, and created the most likely version of events. From what she could tell, her Grandmother, an associate of the Court of Owls but not an actual member, betrayed the Court. As punishment, Marinette was taken away from her family to be raised by the Court. Marinette's surname, kept hidden from her for thirteen years, was Dupain-Cheng.

The very concept of a surname was blasphemous. Marinette had no family. She belonged to the Court of Owls. And yet, sometimes at night, when she was alone in the dark, Marinette mouthed the words, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Something deep within her stirred.

-----

Marinette was fourteen years old, and she was supposed to kill the whole family. The mother and father, Marinette knew she could kill, but to kill their three children felt inhumane. The youngest wasn't even a year old. Marinette had completed hundreds of missions identical to this one. Sneak in, poison the food, sneak out, wait for the obituary in the newspaper in a day or two. However, this time Marinette couldn't do it.

Marinette cut the tracking chip out of her neck, crushed it beneath her boot, and disappeared into the shadows of the city. It was entirely unplanned, the only reason that Marinette was able to escape. Marinette didn't know much about life in the outside world, but she knew that it had to be better than the alternative, spending the rest of her life as a tool of the Court of Owls.

What Marinette didn't know was that the city she was disappearing into had a certain reputation. Soon, as she learned the true nature of Gotham, Marinette would wish that she stayed with the Court.

-----

Marinette was fifteen years old, and she now knew the true depravity of man. There was so much tragedy on the streets of Gotham. Some of the tragedies Marinette was able to prevent. Knives, after all, are just as good at preventing violence as they are at inflicting it. For other tragedies, Marinette was only able to witness the aftermath. For the victims, she had nothing to give. Knives can only hurt, they cannot heal.

Marinette loathes Gotham, a hatred that burns through her down to her core. In the Court of Owls, violence was planned. On the streets of Gotham, violence was random. It was so much worse. But a safer city would be more dangerous for Marinette, who needed deep shadows to hide in.

Marinette lived on the streets. She knew that she could pickpocket enough money to rent an apartment. It would be easy, the roughest slums of Gotham, to find someone willing to rent to a child, so long as they had the money. But Marinette's fear and pain had nothing to do with the physical conditions of living on the streets. It was all psychological. The horrors that Marinette had seen haunted her like a ghost.

The worst incident was Hannah, whose death shattered Marinette to her very core. Hannah was only seventeen years old, only two years older than Marinette herself. Marinette didn't know much about the girl, other than that she was on the streets because her boyfriend had threatened to kill her and the police wouldn't do anything until there was physical proof. Except, the way Hannah explained it was that the police wouldn't get involved until she was already dead. Marinette had offered to protect the older girl, but she shooed her away. Hannah told Marinette that she wouldn't let anything happen to herself. She told Marinette that she was tough.

Evidently, Hannah wasn't tough enough for the streets of Gotham. Marinette cried over the body for thirty minutes, cried so hard for so long that she knew she wasn't a knife anymore. Knives would never cry. Knives would cut right back. But Marinette was so sick of violence, so she cried and cried. Eventually, she knocked on the door of a house down the street, asking to borrow a phone to call the police and report a murder. Hannah's body was taken away. The police were ambivalent, they didn't even ask Marinette for a statement. To the police, Hannah was another victim of Gotham and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

This world was so deeply and terribly bad that Marinette didn't know how the rest of the world could survive it. Marinette didn't know if she wanted to survive it.

-----

Marinette was sixteen years old, and she finally got herself involved in the vigilante side of Gotham. Before Red Hood entered the scene, Crime Alley was a mess of villains and vigilantes, in a constant battle between chaos and order. Marinette never got involved. She had spent many years as a weapon, long enough to learn that a weapon can only harm and can never heal.

Red Hood toed the line between villain and vigilante. His network of crime was more civilized than any other the other organizations vying for control of Gotham. He kept the streets safe by keeping the most dangerous players in line. Marinette had to admit, he did more good for Crime Alley than Gotham's actual police force.

Still, that didn't mean that Marinette wanted to get involved. She preferred to keep to herself, keep out of the way, and keep in the shadows. It was safer that way.

That November evening when Marinette met Red Hood was cold. The rain that had come in the afternoon had frozen to ice. Marinette shivered as she sat in the alleyway, back against the brick wall, arms wrapped around her knees, hugging herself into a tight little ball. Winter was fast approaching, and Marinette knew that she needed to find better shelter.

Marinette hadn't been quick enough. Marinette should have fled the alley as soon as she saw the three brutish men start walking down it, but she was so cold she wasn't sure if she would be able to get her feet to move. By the time Marinette had gotten her feet under her to stand up, the three men were surrounding her.

The man in the middle leered at her. "You look cold. Why don't you come with us? We'll keep you warm."

There wasn't a trace of a question in his voice. It was a command. However, Marinette knew what happened to the girls who took up the offer, so she vigorously shook her head. She would rather freeze to death than join him in his bed.

"That wasn't a question," he growled, reaching down to grab her and pull her to her feet.

"I wouldn't touch her if I were you," an unfamiliar voice piped up from farther down the alley. "I just might have to remove your hand if you do."

"Red Hood! I was just helping the girl to her feet. I swear I wasn't going to do anything to her." The man sounded terrified, and for good reason. The punishment that Red Hood chose for rapists was well known for its brutality.

"You should leave," snapped Red Hood. The men hurried out of the alleyway, running without looking back. Marinette watched them go, relief rushing through her.

"Do you have somewhere to stay?" Red Hood asked, offering Marinette a hand to help her to her feet.

Marinette shook her head, squeezing herself into a tighter ball.

"I can take you to the nearest homeless shelter or I can take you to the nearest of my safehouses until I set you up in something permanent."

"I'm fine here," mumbled Marinette. It was the first time she had spoken in weeks. Her own voice sounded foreign to her.

Red Hood scoffed. "You'll freeze to death out here. It's either a homeless shelter or a safehouse. I don't leave girls out on the streets. Not in Gotham. Not in Crime Alley."

Marinette shivered, feeling more than miserable. It was obvious that she wasn't going to be able to convince Red Hood to leave her. A homeless shelter might need identification, which Marinette didn't have. Going to his safehouse was her best bet. "Safehouse."

Red Hood pulled Marinette to her feet. "Alright, safehouse it is. Mind telling me your name?"

"Marinette."

"No last name?"

Marinette shook her head. She hadn't earned a surname yet.

Red Hood took her back to the safehouse and got her settled, bringing over groceries every week as he tried to tempt her into giving him more information about herself. Marinette was reticent to tell him about her past. She doubted that he would still trust her enough to leave her alone if he learned that she used to work as an assassin.

However, Marinette couldn't keep that secret for very long. Two months after meeting Red Hood, as she waited in the kitchen for him to arrive with his weekly delivery of groceries, Marinette was caught off guard as a dark figure burst through the door and attacked her. Marinette didn't want to fight the dark-haired girl, but to be honest she couldn't see any other option, considering the other girl attacked first. The girl was skilled and Marinette was out of practice, after two years away from the Court. The best she could do was hold the other girl off while she tried to figure out an escape plan.

Red Hood came in the front door, which was already ajar from the entrance of the other girl. "Black Bat, stop! Marinette is my guest here," shouted Red Hood over the commotion of the fight.

Black Bat ceased her offensive, falling back into a defensive crouch. She pointed one finger at Marinette and accused, "Talon."

Marinette cringed back. "Not anymore. Never, ever again."

Red Hood stared at Marinette in shock. "You were an assassin?"

Marinette nodded miserably, wishing she could be anywhere else. She should have escaped the safehouse when she had the chance, but her stupid brain decided that Red Hood's safehouse would be a good place as any to spend the winter months.

"Cass? Jason? Why was the door left open...?" The civilian man who walked through the open door stared at the scene in front of him in confusion.

"Aliases, Grayson!" exclaimed Red Hood, or, Jason as he had just been named. Jason took off his mask, casting it aside as he ran his hand through his hair with a groan. "Black Bat, you take Marinette back to the bedroom and help her put bruise cream on wherever you managed to hit her. Grayson, you're coming with me back to the cave so we can explain this situation to you-know-who." Jason almost reached the door before he let out a loud swear "Fuck! I cannot believe that I have to be the responsible one here."

As Jason and his friend left the safehouse, Marinette followed Black Bat - Cass - down the hallway to the bedroom. "Sit," ordered Cass, pointing towards the bed as she starting digging through the bathroom cabinet, looking for bruise cream.

Marinette stripped off her shirt so that Cass could get to the bruises. The only significant hit was a kick to the chest that knocked the breath out of Marinette. It was already turning yellow. Marinette poked it and grimaced at the twinge of pain that followed.

"Don't worry," said Cass as she started to rub the medicine onto Marinette's chest. "Jason will keep you safe."

Cass wasn't lying. Whatever Jason said or did in the hours that he was gone that day, it worked. Two days later, Marinette was moving into Wayne Manor.

Jason explained it all to her on the drive over. "Bruce - Batman - doesn't want an ex-assassin living on the streets in Crime Alley, especially not one in possession of compromising information about our identities. Given that you've already taken the first step towards reformation, Bruce is pretty confident that you're safe to live in the house. He'll help you get back on your feet, get you a new identity, an education, or anything you need."

Marinette froze for a moment, then wrapped Jason up in a hug. It was her first hug and it was better than she expected. "Thank you."

-----

Marinette was seventeen years old, and she finally had a family. The Wayne household was a chaotic place. Marinette used to think that she hated chaos, but she could now see the appeal. Coffee at midnight with Tim, practicing acrobatics with Dick, racing motorcycles with Jason, rescuing farm animals with Damian - none of it was normal, and because of that, Marinette loved it. However, when things got overwhelming and Marinette needed a break from the chaos, she always knew where to go.

Cass was one of the only quiet Waynes (the other being Alfred). In fact, she barely spoke at all. Marinette had learned that she and Cass had quite a few similarities in the nature of their childhoods. They were both taken from at least one of their parents, both raised to be assassins from a young age, both were isolated from the rest of society. Where they differed was the particulars of their education. Cass was raised without language, and she only learned how to speak after she escaped from her father's grasp.

One night, after a patrol that led to Marinette stumbling upon a body that reminded her of Hannah from all those years ago, Marinette walked through the halls of the Manor to Cass's bedroom. All anyone wanted was for Marinette to talk about it. Cass was the only person who wouldn't make that demand of Marinette.

Marinette knocked on the door, two quiet little knocks. Cass cracked open the door, then gestured for Marinette to come inside. Marinette settled down on the couch in the corner, trying to pick out the questions that she wanted to ask Cass. There were so many questions, but Marinette knew that only a few of them were worth asking. They sat in silence for a while, Marinette so lost in thought that she almost forgot that Cass was there, too. Finally, Marinette settled on the question. "Do you ever wish that you could change the past?"

Cass was silent, deep in thought for a few moments before she shook her head. "No."

"Not even if it meant that you could have had a normal childhood?"

"I had a hard childhood," Cass acknowledged. "I like where I ended up. I wouldn't be here without my childhood."

Marinette had one last question to ask. "If you're able to speak now, why do you barely talk."

"I learned to speak," agreed Cass, going silent for a moment before continuing. "I have become proficient at using words to deliver information but I lack the skill to converse with others. I find it difficult to use any more words than necessary. For that reason, people do not like talking to me. I do not talk to those who do not want to talk to me."

"I like talking to you," said Marinette, squeezing Cass's hand. "I can talk enough for the both of us. You don't mind my talking, do you?"

Cass shook her head. "I find your words tolerable. Sometimes even pleasant."

It was a high compliment from Cass. Marinette smiled. "May I hug you?"

Cass nodded, and Marinette wrapped her dearest friend up in a hug.

-----

Marinette was eighteen years old, and it was time for her to create a new identity for herself.

"Do you want a surname?" asked Bruce.

Marinette stared at the screen. There were three options in front of here. The first, to remain nameless. The second, to take on the name she was born with, Dupain-Cheng in remembrance of her parents and the childhood she never got to have. The third, to move on entirely from her past and embrace the future. "Wayne. Marinette Wayne."

@maribatmarch-2k21

[ohemgeeitscoley]

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (1/5)

Fandom: Star Wars

Pairing: Rey/Ben Solo (Reylo)

Note: Written for the Movie Exchange. This was a blast to participate in, and I’m so excited to share it!

Biggest thank you and love to @andyouweremine​ and @storiesofimagination​ and @notababoonbrandishingastick​ for reading along and cheering me on and pointing out the ways to make the story better. You guys make writing fun and I love you.

Read below or on AO3

This is not where Ben wanted to be in life. When he was a child imagining his future being a 28 year old assistant for a giant dick was not even remotely on the list of possibilities. 

But here he is spending his Friday night standing outside of a building with an annoying bouncer reminding him that the doorway was for members only.

The fucking doorway.

Ben could be a member if he wanted. If he wasn't too stubborn to touch his inheritance. But he wanted to make it in life on his own merits and not because of old money and his family's name.

Nights like tonight make it hard to remember any of it matters.

His mom has been on him more the last few months. He's been Snoke's assistant for two years. The last assistant had only had the job for a year before Snoke got him set up as a VP for a large hedge fund. 

Ben's been wasting his time getting Snoke food and encouraging him through drinking green juice for two years with nothing to show for it.

He knows he should take his mom up on her offer. Hell, he could call his uncle and get a position at his company and really no one would blink. 

But it matters to him. He doesn't want to rely on nepotism and to be in a position he hasn't earned.

He has an MBA. He didn't think it would be this hard.

Ben sighs, shoving one hand into his pant pocket and scrolls through the messages on his phone.

Most are from his mom. Reminding him that he is supposed to go home this weekend for a family dinner. As if he is going to have time for that. There are a few from Poe talking about a new guy he met at the bar and some random items Ben assumes are groceries Poe wants him to pick up whenever he heads home.

It's almost midnight and he's been standing on a sidewalk for 45 minutes. 

His boss finally walks out of the building and he's already harping at Ben about different things and Ben is having a hard time caring and paying attention. Snoke stops next to Ben, adjusting his tie, before running his hands through his slightly turning silver brown hair. 

“Alright,” Snoke says, unscrewing the lid from one of those God awful green juices he keeps buying, “do your thing.”

Ben responds immediately, listing off the first few better tasting foods that come to his mind. Snoke downs the drink and tosses him the bottle, like he has anywhere to throw it away, and heads toward the car that is waiting for them.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Ben asks, opening the door to the car.

“What?” Snoke asks, narrowing his eyes as he glances up from his phone to Ben. “What do you mean tomorrow? You’re going back to the office.”

No, Ben thinks, resisting the urge to grit his teeth. “Right. Of course I am,” he gets out, following Snoke into the car. “Do you want me to order dinner? Since we’re going back to the office?”

Snoke looks at Ben like he’s growing a second head. “I just drank my juice. You just saw me drink my juice.”

Ben did just see him drink his juice. Just like Ben has seen him drink several juices and then act affronted that Ben didn’t order him lunch or dinner twenty minutes later when he realizes he’s still hungry.

The car pulls away from the sidewalk and merges into traffic. It’s going to be a long night.

***

Rey loves her job. Really. She does. Being the assistant for Amilyn Holdo is an honor and a privilege. Amilyn is a force to be reckoned with and there is so much for Rey to learn from her. Not to mention the exposure. Rey is working in one of the best digital media firms in New York. Outside of Amilyn, Rey is surrounded by some of the best writers, editors, and photographers. She’s lucky to have the job. She knows how lucky she is.

However. It is almost midnight on a Friday and she’s been in the office since 6:45 and all she wants to do is go back to her apartment, curl into her bed, and watch a stupid movie and fall asleep. But Amilyn is still in her office on the phone and Rey knows that she can’t leave before Amilyn. It was never a spoken rule, that Rey needs to be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. But that was because it didn’t need to be said out loud. It was expected.

Rey’s phone buzzes against her desk. Glancing down at the lit up screen, Rey scrunches her nose at the text notification from Kaydel. It’s text number twelve for the night. She was supposed to meet up with Kaydel and Rose for drinks after work. Rey hates that she has been such an absentee friend, but Amilyn had been throwing herself even more into work the last few months and Rey’s social life had all but vanished since then.

Amilyn’s door opens and she throws Rey a fitness watch.

“I need that up to at least 10,000 steps before I leave,” she says, already walking back into her office. “My trainer can’t think that I’m slacking off in between sessions. And order me dinner from that one place.”

Amilyn’s door closes before she’s done talking, her voice muffled. But Rey knows what she says and she knows the place that Amilyn is vaguely referring to because she is a good assistant.

No. She is a great assistant.

Rey opens up the restaurant's website and places Amilyn’s dinner order. Rey’s stomach growls, she isn’t quite sure when she ate last. Amilyn had needed her to take notes during her lunch meeting and Rey didn’t have a chance to eat afterward. Rey glares down at her belly for betraying her and adds dinner for her to the order before sending it out.

Her email pings with the confirmation of her order. The estimated time of arrival is 45 minutes.

45 minutes for two sandwiches at almost midnight seems ridiculous.

Rey calls the restaurant and bickers with them until they concede that the food can be delivered in 30 minutes.

Sliding Amilyn’s watch on her wrist, Rey stands up and stretches her arms before beginning to pace around the office. 

***

"What do you mean you can't take a credit card?" Rey's eyes widen as she starts going through her wallet even though she knows she does not have enough cash to cover the food. She's not sure she has any cash at all. 

Rey is sweaty and gross from trying to get the fitness watch up to 10,000 steps in 30 minutes. Rey had only managed about 4,000 and she feels like her lungs and legs are going to be burning for days. She still had another 3,000 to go.

"We're cash only on deliveries now," the delivery driver answers and he looks like he's contemplating getting ready to take the food and leave.

But Rey needs that food. She can't let her boss down at almost midnight when she said she was going down to the lobby to get her dinner.

"I have… I have Venmo? CashApp? I'll download any app you have actually." Rey offers, pulling out a checkbook. "What about a check?"

The guy rolls his eyes. "You think if we aren't taking cards, we are going to take checks?"

"It's not 1990, so the fact that you guys are refusing to take digital currency led me to believe you were stuck in the past." Rey huffs in annoyance, her brain spiraling trying to come up with another plan.

Rey hears the elevator ding behind her, but she's too distracted by the problem in front of her to pay much attention. 

"I can offer a contract for a small piece of my soul?" Rey jokingly offers. 

"Do you have the $32.50 or not?" He asks, clearly not impressed. 

"Yes, I do have the $32.50," Rey argues, "in any form of currency available to me that is not actually cash in my hand. Which was also nowhere on your website. This seems like a scam. Are you trying to pocket the cash?"

"I don't need this shit," he starts to put the bag away when--

"I have cash," a deep voice says from behind Rey. "I can pay."

Rey turns around quickly and looks at the man walking toward them. 

He's… large. In a fairly tall, very wide kind of way. His face is all sharp angles and his hair is long and dark… and it looks really soft. 

He's vaguely familiar looking. Rey assumes he works in the building too and that she's probably seen him at some point. She's surprised she doesn't remember him though, because he is extremely attractive. 

"You don't have--" Rey starts, before realizing the hot stranger is handing delivery driver money and grabbing the bag and he is stealing her dinner. "Excuse me, that is my dinner. Fuck. That is my boss's dinner."

The delivery driver leaves with a slight flick of his fingers to the other man before walking away.

"I paid for it," the food thief shrugs, "So it's my boss's dinner now."

"No, no, no, no, no," Rey breaths, her mind spinning to come up with a plan as she followed the man toward the elevator. "There's two dinners in there. One for me and one for my boss. I need my boss's dinner. I cannot get fired."

Something near sympathy seems to pass over his face. He pauses, his grip on the bag loosening. 

"And it's about to be my boss's dinner because I cannot get fired."

"Listen," Rey begins, chewing on her bottom lip. "What's your name?"

"Ben," he responds. "And I really need to get back to work."

"So do I, Ben," Rey holds on to the vowel in his name for a few seconds. "But I cannot go back without food. Spare a dinner. Does your boss really need both?"

"What did you get?" Ben asks, but he's already opening the bag before Rey can answer.

He pulls out the first box and hands it to Rey before he grabs the second box and let's the bag fall to the ground. 

Rey opens her box first.  It's Amilyn's steak sandwich with blue cheese crumbles and a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. There's a side of pita chips and hummus.

That means Ben has Rey's pulled pork sandwich, with the caramelized onions and perfectly toasted brioche bun. Not to mention the apple slaw and sweet potato fries. 

Rey's mouth waters and her stomach betrays her and rumbles. Her cheeks redden with embarrassment.  

"This is my boss's," Rey holds up the container in her hand. "Yours gets to enjoy mine."

"It's a pulled pork sandwich," he states as if the sandwich is personally offending him.  

"It's an amazing pulled pork sandwich," Rey shakes her head in disbelief. "Does your boss have something against good food?"

"Good?" Ben looks at the sandwich again. "This is a basic sandwich at best. Pork and onions? Sweet potato fries? I'll be the one getting fired if I bring him this. He is a man of refined taste."

"I can fix this." Rey drops to her knees, setting down the steak sandwich and holding out her hand for the container from Ben.

He looks amused when he hands her the box. Rey ignores it and goes to work.

She pulls the top bun off the pulled pork sandwich, trying not to inhale the delicious scent wafting from the box. She takes a handful of bleu cheese crumbles from the other sandwich and sprinkles them over the sandwich. Then she grabs a fork out of the bag and strategically places about a quarter of the apple slaw on top of the onions.  

She then gathers the rest of the apple slaw and puts them in her boss's container, followed by the sweet potato fries. The hummus and pita chips fit perfectly in the box next to the remastered sandwich. 

"There we go," Rey puts the bun back on top of the sandwich and closes the lid to the boxes. She stands slowly, holding out one box for Ben. "Viola, a culinary masterpiece."

"I don't know about that." He gives the container a quizzical look. "But you owe me at least $22 for this."

"What?" Rey scoffs. "That's more than my sandwich was to begin with and you took most of the toppings."

He shrugs. "I saved your ass. There's a tax for that."

"You're a monster," Rey glares at him. "But fine, deal. I'll bring it to you tomorrow, Ben."

"Perfect,  I'm on the 22nd floor…" he stops, tilting his head. "I don't know your name."

"Rey," she answers, a smug smile overtaking her face. "I'm on the 23rd floor."

He isn't impressed. Or if he is, he hides it well. The arrogance that rolls off of him is off putting. He walks away to the elevator, pressing the up arrow. "I expect you'll be there no later than 7. I have a life."

"Right," Rey snorts, picking up the bag he left behind on the floor. There was a wrapped pickle inside. Score. "Says the assistant getting his boss dinner at midnight. You'll get it when you get it."

Rey hits the button for the other elevator across the hall. She does not want to be in an elevator with him. 

The doors open for both elevators at the same time. Rey walks into hers first, turning around to see him step. 

"You'll be there by 7, or the interest will double," Ben chuckles.

Rey's mouth falls open. "Interest!" She exclaims, but the elevator door is already closing. "You never said anything about interest you ass--"

The door shuts.

"Asshole," Rey finishes in the elevator. "Absolute asshole."

Rey pouts as she takes a bite into the pickle. Interest. What kind of person charges interest on essentially stolen food.

She's still lost in her thoughts when the elevator opens and [boss] steps in.

"I'm going home," she says, pressing the button for the main floor. 

Rey barely has time to get out of the elevator before the door starts to close.

"I'll be in by 7 tomorrow," she adds just before the doors finally close.

Rey closes her eyes. "Here's your $30 sandwich that I just spent 40 minutes to get for you," Rey says to the vacant office. "And maybe tomorrow I'll pitch my idea about the positive effects of team sports for foster children and other disenfranchised  youth."

The majority of the lights are dimmed, leaving the normally colorful and bright walls dark and shadowy. Rey heads toward her desk, unwrapping the sandwich and taking a bite.

She presses the button on the side of her desk to raise it up so she can stand while she finishes eating. Glancing at the time, Rey groans. 12:17. 

By the time she finishes responding to all of Amilyn''s invites, it'll be 1. After the subway ride to her apartment and some much needed unwind time, Rey will be lucky to get three hours of sleep before she has to be back at the office. 

Her skin practically vibrates at the amount of caffeine she is going to need to order in the morning. And she's going to have to stop by an ATM to pull out cash.

Maybe even a bank. 

Because she is only giving Ben $22. Not a penny more.

***

The article Rey is reading when Kaydel and Rose come stumbling into the apartment has her close to tears. She wipes at her eyes quickly as Kaydel throws herself down onto the chair across from Rey. 

“Rey!” Kaydel shouts holding her arms up in a v above her head. “We missed you. You didn’t even respond to the last few messages I sent.”

“I know.” Rey grimaces. “I couldn’t get out of work. Amilyn had meeting after meeting.”

“It’s okay,” Kaydel smiles brightly at Rey. “I love you anyway.”

The best part of being best friends with Kaydel is that Rey knows without a doubt that Kaydel absolutely means everything she is saying. Kaydel doesn’t mince words. She doesn’t hide from the hard or uncomfortable things. She plows forward until the matter is addressed and resolved. And then she moves on.

“Well hopefully you can join us next time,” Rose offers, sitting on the arm rest of the chair next to Kaydel. “I need someone to try to help me keep up with her.”

Rey laughs, her eyes crinkling in the corners as she shakes her head. “We all know I cannot keep up with her.”

“Please,” Kaydel huffs. “No one can keep up with me. I am an unstoppable machine.”

“You need water,” Rose says, leaning over to kiss Kaydel’s cheek. “I’m going to get you water.”

Kaydel watches Rose as she gets up and walks into the kitchen. Rey hates the tiny bit of jealousy that fills her stomach. Kaydel’s whole face is lit up, her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are soft and warm and full of love. 

Rey wants that. 

She just doesn’t have time for that. 

Relationships had never been something Rey was particularly good at. In high school, she wasn’t secure enough at home to have time for dating. Planning on whether or not she could go on a date seemed trivial when she had to worry about whether or not she was going to have to switch foster homes if she didn’t prove her worth or caused any problems.

Then in college, Rey had been so focused on keeping her scholarships and her grades, she just didn’t have time. The fact that she had been assigned to be Kaydel’s roommate had been one of her only saving graces for socialization. 

Now, she has her job. She can’t even make it to drinks with two of her best friends. She eats dinner after midnight. 

Dating just isn’t something that is going to fit in her life any time soon.

“You should go to sleep,” Kaydel points out. The concern in her voice becomes apparent as she continues. “You look exhausted. When are you going in tomorrow?”

“6:30?” Rey debates out loud, tilting her head side-to-side as she thinks. “Maybe 7. I need to stop at an ATM, or maybe an actual bank, and I’ll still need to get Amilyn’s coffee and bagel.”

“Why do you need to go to a bank?” Kaydel asks, curling up her lips. “I can’t even think of the last time I went to a bank.”

“I need $22. Exactly.” Rey answers, shrugging. “It’s a… long story and we definitely do not have time for it tonight.”

“Tomorrow then,” Kaydel demands, her eyes narrow and Rey knows that she means business. “Dinner. Even if it’s a late dinner. You can catch me up.”

Rey nods giving Kaydel a tight smile. “Sounds perfect.”

Kaydel returns Rey’s smile before standing up and walking toward the kitchen. Rey leans her head back against the couch, sighing as she closes her laptop. The list of things Rey knows that Amilyn is going to want her to do tomorrow is daunting. Kaydal may have said that it could be a late dinner, but for Kaydel that was 7, maybe 8, not 11 or 12. 

Maybe Rey will be able to sneak off for a little bit though. Grabbing her phone and laptop, Rey heads toward her bedroom, debating going through Amilyn’s calendar to see if she can move anything around to guarantee her an hour or so around dinner to be free.

That’s when she hears Kaydal scream. 

Rey quickly tosses her phone and laptop on her bed before running toward Kaydel’s room. Flinging the door open, Rey’s heart feels like it’s about to beat out of her chest. “What the hell--”

The question dies on Rey’s lips when her brain connects what is happening. Rose is still on one knee and Rey’s not sure she’s ever seen someone look so happy. Until she looks at Kaydel, who is holding her left hand over her heart.

They are getting engaged.

“I said no,” Kaydel blurts, but the smile and happiness in her voice give her away. “I’m just kidding. I said yes. Of course I said yes.”

“You guys are getting married?” Rey asks in a breath. She’s not shocked by the news. Rose and Kaydel have been together for two years and they were both crazy about the other. But it still is forcing Rey to imagine what life is going to be like when Kaydel is Rose’s wife and not her best friend and roommate.

Which is selfish and wrong and Rey knows that, but despite a lot of counseling, Rey is terrified of being left alone again.

She pushes those thoughts to the side. 

Rose and Kaydel are going to get married. Her best friend. She’s going to be happy for them. She is happy for them.

Kaydel walks over to her, holding out the ring. It’s gorgeous and fits Kaydel’s personality perfectly with the medium-sized, princess cut diamond and the white gold color. It’s sharp and fierce.

“I’m so happy for you, Kay,” Rey whispers, pulling her into her arms. “I’m so, so happy for you.”

***

Ben walks into his apartment quietly, careful not to wake Poe up. It's already… fuck it's past two. He undoes his tie before sliding his suit jacket off and beginning to undo his pants to kick them off while he makes his way to the fridge. 

The fridge light is bright in the otherwise dark room. There isn't a lot in the fridge, Ben understands now why Poe was sending him a grocery list worth of texts. 

He grabs a beer, twisting the lid off and tossing the lid in the trash.

"Hey," Poe says, scaring the fuck out of Ben. 

"Shit!" Ben exclaims, slamming the fridge shut. "Jesus, Poe. Make some noise next time."

“I said hey,” Poe laughs. “I don’t know how much more noise you need me to make.”

“What are you even doing up?” Ben grabs two beers from the fridge and walks over to the living room, sitting on the couch across from Poe.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Poe says with a shrug, taking the beer Ben is holding out. “You’re home late.”

“Yeah. Snoke needed me to start on his kid’s science project.”

Poe stares at Ben before shaking his head. “You need to quit your job man.”

“It’s not that bad,” Ben winces at how defensive he sounds. “It’ll be worth it in the end.”

“You’ve been saying that for a while.”

Poe isn’t necessarily wrong. When Ben first took the job with Snoke he imagined that it would only be for six months, maybe a year. 

“Yeah, Ben finally says, nodding in agreement. “I have. The job has its perks though, so I’ll probably stay until something better comes along.”

Poe sighs. “Perks? Like what, working on a twelve year old’s science project until two in the morning?”

“I also made a guy cry for not being able to get a stain out of one of his shirts today,” Ben smiles. “Really helps make me feel good inside.”

“Find a new job,” Poe says, standing up from the chair. “One that doesn’t involve working until 2 am, doing a kid’s homework, and making someone else cry in the same day.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Ben twists his fingers around the bottle in his hand. “We’ll see.”

***

Rey looks down at her phone to check the time. 10:37. She missed dinner with Kaydel and Rose. Not that either of them were surprised when she told them that she hadn’t been able to move enough things around to make it. Rey hates how predictable and unreliable she has become to her friends.

It will eventually be worth it. At least, she hopes that it will be worth it.

She has exactly $22 on her. All in quarters. It might be a little dramatic, but Rey feels justified every time she thinks of the way Ben had mentioned adding interest on to the amount.

Rey sees Ben as soon as she steps off the elevator. He has bright markers covering his desk and a giant poster board in front of him. Logically, she knows that he is probably working on his boss’s kid’s homework, and she is grateful at that moment that Amilyn doesn’t have kids and that those kinds of tasks aren’t even on Rey’s radar.

That doesn’t stop her from teasing him as she walks up to him.

“Making electricity out of lemons?” Rey asks, leaning over the desk a bit to get a look at what he is writing. “How original. I’m sure you’ll get first place with an idea like that.”

Ben turns his head to the slide and glares at her. “You’re late.”

“I was busy.”

“You’ll have to give me a minute to calculate the interest for your… what three hour delay.”

Rey rolls her eyes, reaching into her bag to pull out the bag of coins. Ben stares at the bag for a moment, before looking back at her. Rey smiles, carefully stacking up the quarters until there are twenty two even piles covering his desk.  “$22 exactly. You’ll have to sue me for the interest.”

“Quarters?” Ben looks down at the coins on his desk again. His face is annoyingly void of any outrage or shock, but his voice sounds lower than it had been before. “I should sue you for being a nuisance.”

“You didn’t state any terms as to the payment method beyond cash.” Rey’s smile grows as she watches him begin to slide the coins into a drawer. 

“I suppose I made a mistake not clarifying that by cash I meant dollar bills,” Ben admits. “But I also mentioned interest and you had no problem ignoring that, so I’m sure you’d have ignored that part too.”

“Probably,” Rey agrees. “Consider it your good luck that I didn’t have enough pennies to make it work that way.”

“Oh and I’m supposed to believe you had 88 quarters just lying around your place?” Ben finishes clearing off the quarters from his desk and closes the drawer. 

“No, I only had two dollars worth of quarters that I could find. I went to the bank for the other twenty.”

“Of course you did.” Ben laughs, shaking his head. “Next time I’ll be more specific.

Rey drops the empty bag into the garbage can next to her feet. “What makes you think there’ll be a next time?”

“Just a feeling.” Ben turns around in his chair, opening a cabinet door on the desk that ran along the wall behind him. He pulls out a bottle of alcohol. “Drink?”

“I’m still working.”

“It’s past ten,” Ben points out, setting the bottle on his desk. “Have anything better to do right now anyway?”

Rey doesn’t. She really doesn’t. Amilyn is going to be on this phone call for at least another hour and then she will either go home or start reviewing some of the submissions that have been stacking up in her email.

One drink really wouldn’t hurt. Ben’s smiling at her and it’s a little unfair that someone as annoying and frustrating as he has been is also very attractive at the same time.

“I guess not,” Rey says, sitting down in the chair on the other side of Ben’s desk. “But just one drink.”

***

Ben doesn’t say anything as Rey reaches for the bottle, pouring what he is pretty sure is her third drink into her cup. It’s well after midnight at this point, and neither Snoke or Rey’s boss had called for them or needed anything.

It’s nice, talking to Rey. She’s cute and passionate when she talks about her job. Her face is a little flushed from the alcohol. Ben can’t quite remember the last time he just talked to someone that he wasn’t related to or wasn’t Poe.

“Anyways, that’s what I want to do,” Rey continues, and Ben tries to remember what she had been talking about before he got lost in his own thoughts. “I want to write articles that matter. The ones that people read and are inspired to do something because of it.”

“Have you submitted any articles to your boss?” Ben asks.

“No,” Rey holds onto the vowel for a few seconds and shakes her head. “I haven’t, God, I haven’t actually written anything since I graduated. I never have time. Amilyn’s schedule isn’t very forgiving. When I’m not working, I normally just want to sleep. Or to have a conversation with someone who can’t just tell me what to do and expect me to do it. I don’t even know what it is like to have a social life anymore. I think this is the longest conversation I’ve had in months.”

“Same,” Ben gives her a small smile. “I was just thinking that. My days and nights consist of making Snoke’s life easier and doing what he wants. It doesn’t even feel like my life anymore.”

“I can’t believe I’m about to admit this,” Rey squints her eyes at Ben, as if she’s sizing him up. She takes another drink from her cup. “Sometimes I wish Amilyn had a… fuck, I wish she had a life. A boyfriend? More family events or friend events to attend? But she has been avoiding them for reasons I’m not going to even get into, but God, I just imagine all of the things I could do if she were busy doing things that aren’t work.”

“You could go on a date,” Ben responds, tipping his cup toward her.

“A date,” Rey huffs, shaking her head. “I can’t even think of the last time I went on a date. I can’t even make dinner with my roommate to celebrate her engagement.”

Rey looks down at her cup, watching the liquid move around as she swirled the glass. “Engagement,” Rey repeats, eyes wide. “I have no idea what I’m going to do to be able to make it to all of the events. I don’t think Amilyn is going to care that I have an engagement party to go to if it doesn’t fit into her schedule.”

“Snoke is the same way,” Ben taps a finger on the desk. “I missed my parents 30th anniversary a few months ago. I asked for it off and everything. I was almost out the door when Snoke grabbed me and said he needed an analysis on some new proposal he received and his normal analyst wasn’t answering his phone, and he told me to do it.”

“I get it,” Rey nods. “It sucks, but I get it.”

“You’d think we’d be able to do something about it,” Ben points out, his eyebrows knitting while he thinks. “I have access to basically Snoke’s entire life. I’m assuming it’s the same with you and Amilyn?” He pauses and waits for Rey’s response, she nods and he continues. “So in theory we should be able to coordinate their schedules to give us a break?”

Rey tilts her head to the side as she ponders what Ben is saying. “I mean, you’re right. In theory that would work. But I have to be available for all things scheduled that are work related, and Amilyn doesn’t have much of a personal life these days.”

Rey sits up straighter, her eyes widening slightly, a devious smile pulling at her lips. “Ben. The answer is so obvious.”

“The answer?” Ben asks with a small chuckle. 

“To our problem,” Rey says as if it’s obvious. “We Cyrano them. It’s perfect. We know everything about them. We know their schedules, their favorite foods and restaurants. We know what drives them crazy and irritates them. We can do this. And then when they are with each other… we can be free, Ben.”

“I’m not sure I’m really following you here.”

“We set them up.” Rey rolls her eyes. “It’s the perfect plan.”

“You’re drunk,” Ben points out, nodding his head down to the mostly empty bottle between them. “That would never work.”

“You’re wrong,” Rey says with a pointed nod. “But even if you are right, which you are not, because you are wrong, what’s the harm in trying?”

Ben doesn’t say anything for a few minutes. He finishes his drink, setting his empty glass next to Rey’s. 

“Maybe,” Ben concedes, “What’s your plan exactly? I don’t know that Snoke and Amilyn have ever even met and they’ve worked in the same building for years.”

“Leave it to me,” Rey’s grin is big and wide. “I’ll come up with something.”

“I’m not saying I’m agreeing to do this,” Ben clarifies, watching as Rey stands up and stretches, her shirt pulling up slightly as she raised her arms. 

“I know,” Rey says, grabbing her bag. “But you will. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rey places her hand on his shoulder and squeezes it gently before she walks past him and then she’s gone. 

Ben opens the drawer that they shoved the change into and he smiles to himself. He’s not quite sure what he’s getting himself into, but he does know that if Rey really does come up with an idea to set their bosses up, which is probably a really terrible idea, he’s not sure he’s going to be able to tell her no. 

***

Rey brings Ben coffee the next morning. She assumes he likes it black with too much sweetener, and when he smiles after his first drink Rey feels a little smug for being able to figure it out. 

“Let’s go for a walk.” Rey says, grabbing his free hand and tugging on it. “I have a plan.”

Ben let’s her pull at his hand and stands up from his desk. “I only have twenty minutes before Snoke’s meeting ends.”

“Perfect.” Rey drops his hand, blushing slightly as she walks in front of him toward the elevator. “Just enough time to get some steps added to Amilyn’s watch and to fill you in on my absolute amazing plan that you are definitely going to be impressed by and will agree to.”

Ben laughs, smiling as he gets into the elevator and stands next to Rey. “We’ll see.”

The sun is bright and the air is already warm when they step outside. Rey has to walk a little bit faster than normal to keep up with Ben’s long strides. 

“So, tell me about this plan that is apparently so wonderful that you’re absolutely sure I’ll agree to it.”

“Okay, so it’s the same plan as last night,” Rey admits, taking a drink of her tea. “But I’ve thought about it more and I know that we can do this.”

Ben sighs, shaking his head. “I don’t know, Rey. We can’t just magically make our bosses like each other.”

“Sure we can,” Rey argues. “We get them to meet. Then we listen to them and their cues and go from there. That’s the beauty of this, Ben, we will know if things are going a little wrong and can adjust the plan accordingly.”

Ben stops walking and looks down at her. “You really think this will work?”

“I do.”

“How do you propose we get them to meet?” Ben shakes his head as he asks the question and Rey can see the lingering doubt on his face.

“I… I haven’t quite figured that part out yet,” Rey responds, quickly holding her hand up as Ben opens his mouth, she assumes to argue with her. “But I’ve seen a lot of romantic comedies and I can figure this out. Just give me a minute.”

They start walking again, back toward the building. Rey finishes her tea and tosses it into a garbage can. 

“I’ve got it!” Rey exclaims, as they step into the elevator. “We just need to get them in a small space, stuck for a few minutes, so that they have to talk to one another.”

“And how do you think we will pull that off?” 

Rey shakes her head, glaring at him. “Why do I have to figure out all the details?”

“This is your crazy plan,” Ben points out, pressing the button for his floor, and then Rey’s. “I’m not even sure I’m fully on board.”

“You are,” Rey smiles. “So, help with some of the details already. Are there any rooms that lock from the outside? Maybe we can ask maintenance? Do you think they’d think that was weird?”

Ben laughs, tipping his head back against the elevator wall. 

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. “I hate that I have an idea. The elevator. If we can get them both in the elevator, we can get Creepy Threepio to stop it.”

“Creepy Threepio?” Rey asks, scrunching her nose up. “Who is Creepy Threepio?”

“He works in maintenance,” Ben laughs. “He’s, well, he’s a bit creepy. But I think he’d do it. I’ll ask him today and let you know what he says.”

“What did I tell you?” Rey beams at him as the doors to the elevator open. “You’re totally on board.”

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Ben pinches the bridge of his nose. “But I’m willing to give it a shot.” 

Ben steps out of the elevator while holding his hand out to stop the doors from closing. “Hand me your phone so I can give you my number.”

Rey pulls her phone from her back jean pocket and unlocks it before handing it over to him. She watches as he puts in his number and hands the phone back to her.

“I’ll text you the details later,” he says, dropping his arm and the doors start to close. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”

The doors close and Rey grins sliding her phone back into her jeans. She can’t believe he agreed either.

[mintjamsblog]

Tommy comes to Margate again and somehow ends up playing a game of chess with Alfie despite knowing only very little about it and somehow it turns into a game of strip chess and Tommy pretends to be Very Mad About It.

This one rather got away from me I’m afraid....

First of all, Tommy is good at chess. Very good. I mean it’s a game that requires strategy and subterfuge, that requires a player to think at least ten steps ahead. Tommy was born for it. He hasn’t, however, played it all that often. Certainly not as often as Alfie has played it lately. Well, you have a lot of time on your hands when you’re dead. He has one board set up in the corner just for an ongoing game between him and Olly. They play via the telephone, mostly, the odd half hour when he visits, but mostly it’s calls. They keep a careful track of each others’ place via grid references. Alfie’s even taken to playing with the delivery boy from the grocery shop on occasion, when he’s craved something a little more intellectually stimulating than shooting birds. 

Which is why it is particularly galling when Tommy has wiped out one bishop, a knight and a rook within the first two dozen moves. 

But Alfie can bide his time because he is nothing if not patient. The exact opposite of Tommy. Tommy is playing like he cannot get this game over with quick enough. Which is not the point with chess, now, is it? And the thing is Alfie can see it coming. Can see him getting cocky, so fucking sure of his abilities that his concentration is slipping. A lot like what happened with that fascist to be honest, and that didn’t end well. 

He can sense Tommy’s growing impatience as he slowly considers his next move. He’s not going to rise to it, Tommy came here so Tommy can damn well wait, but an idea is brewing in his mind.

”Alfie, just play your next move.”

Alfie just strokes at his beard. Another few minutes pass.

“Stop stroking your chin and get on with it.”

“My chin, yeah. One of the few bits of my face left undamaged. Quite fond of it as it happens.” 

“Alfie, just play your goddam move or I’m gonna play it for you. S’fuckin’ obvious.”

“Did you know that chins, right, are uniquely human?”

Tommy just raises his eyebrows in a gesture that says what the fuck? He doesn’t actually roll his eyes, but he’d like to, Alfie can tell.

“Not even our nearest relatives, the apes, possess a bony protuberance beneath their teeth, which is interesting bec….” he doesn’t finish the sentence because Tommy has got out of his chair, reached over to Alfie’s side and moved his remaining knight to cover his queen. It has left Alfie, unusually, speechless. I mean it was exactly the move Alfie was going to make, eventually, but that doesn’t make what Tommy’s done any less mother-fucking rude.

“Well that is just very unsporting Tommy. Very fucking unsporting indeed. Gonna have to be some sort of penalty for that.”

Tommy is leaning back in his chair again with an amused expression on his face. He purses his lips and looks out of the doors momentarily and when he turns back he actually has the semblance of a smile on his face. “A penalty?” he says, reaching for his cigarettes.

“Yeah, mate. A penalty,” he repeats, feigning interest in the horizon for a moment. “A forfeit, if you will.”

“What kind of penalty, Alfie?”

“Think you’re gonna have to lose something, Tommy. Let me see. The jacket should do it.”

“Alfie, it’s fucking chess. I’m not taking my clothes off.”

“And the waistcoat, yeah. That can go too.”

“I’m not taking anything off unless you take one of my pieces.” 

“Oh yes you are, mate,” he says, voice low and gravelly now, because he’s fucking onto something here.

There’s a long pause. Tommy’s lighting a cigarette but his eyes don’t stray an inch from Alfie’s. “Fine then,” he says suddenly. He clamps the cigarette between his teeth and roughly shrugs off his jacket, undoes his waistcoat. “S’not gonna help you win though,” he says, reaching over and playing his next move, swiftly.

Alfie surveys the board for a long time. He knows exactly what move he’s going to make but he’s enjoying Tommy’s agitation. Eventually he leans forward and takes one of Tommy’s pawns. “Shoes,” he says, without looking up.

He listens as Tommy reaches down and angrily undoes his laces. He mutters something indistinguishable as he kicks of the brogues before returning to the game in hand. He moves his queen.

Alfie cracks his knuckles loudly and then switches his king with his remaining rook.

“You can’t do that,” Tommy immediately interjects.

“Fuckin can mate, it’s called castling.”

“I know what it’s called, Alfie, but you can’t do it. You’ve already moved your king.” He’s goddam right of course, sharp as a knife that boy, but Alfie’ll be damned if he’s gonna admit it.

“No I haven’t,” he immediately replies.

“Alfie, you did it right at the start, when you were in check.”

“Nah, you’re dreaming it, mate. Must be getting on a bit, losing your memory.”

“I am not fucking dreaming it. Alfie you…”

“Trousers,” Alfie growls.

“You what?”

“Trousers. Off.”

“I came here, believe it or not, to talk business.”

“Oh, did you now? And you’ve never talked business without your trousers on, hmm?”

Tommy has the decency to blush slightly at that statement. Whilst looking endearingly pissed off.

“Stop complaining like some schoolgirl who’s been outsmarted by the class bully. Miss, miss, she cheated,” he mimics in a high pitched voice, which makes the change of tone that follows all the more effective. “Get them fucking off.”

The mocking has the desired effect; Tommy stands up and churlishly removes his woollen slacks, throwing them furiously over towards the fire.

Before he has a chance to sit back down Alfie tips up the chess board and lets all of the pieces slide noisily to the floor.

“Fucking hell, Alfie.” Tommy huffs. He looks genuinely exasperated, angry even, which is rather satisfying on a number of levels.

Oh dear, looks like you’ve lost a few more pieces,” Alfie says, voice ludicrously sincere. “Shorts,” he says, nodding decisively towards Tommy’s pelvis. 

Tommy glares at him furiously but Alfie can see the cogs whirring, weighing up the options. He slides out of the cotton underwear until he’s gloriously naked from the waist down. Well, apart from the socks and garters, but that all rather adds to the effect. 

“Now get the fuck over here and pick those up,” Alfie orders. When Tommy hesitates he decides to add a little incentive. “And if you’re a good boy, I won’t have to belt you while you’re down there. Be terribly hard to explain those noises to the nurse. She’s only in the parlour.”

Tommy drops to his knees at that, starts picking up the pieces as Alfie unbuttons his own trousers. He slaps them carelessly back on the coffee table where they proceed to roll off all over again. Alfie watches for a moment, amused, but impatience finally gets the better of him.

“For fucks sake, just get over here, I have something else you can attend to.”

Then he reaches over and grabs Tommy roughly by the hair, forcing him to crawl the last few inches towards the edge of the sofa.  He pulls Tommy’s face into his groin and leans down to glare. 

“Don’t worry, love, you’re still good for something,” he coos as he forces his half hard cock into Tommy’s mouth. “And you can fucking look at me while you’re warming my cock.”

Tommy lets out a muffled groan of frustration, as Alfie’s intention becomes clear. He starts to lick underneath the head and suck his cheeks in. Alfie grips his chin, hard  and tilts him upwards slightly. “Did you misunderstand me Tommy? I want you to warm my cock. Not suck it.” Tommy stills his tongue obediently, his eyes burning with absolute fury.

“There, there,” Alfie tuts, tapping his cheek gently as he settles himself back against the sofa. “A little lesson in patience will do you the world of good, Thomas.” He reaches for the book on his side table and proceeds to read to himself.  He can feel Tommy’s breath pulsing, sharp and fast, against his pubic bone. It’s like a gift from the fucking gods. 

Ten minutes have passed before Tommy dares to protest. He licks again, long and slow, and it takes considerable restraint on Alfie’s part not to rut straight into his mouth. He doesn’t. Instead he reaches down and slaps Tommy’s cheek, daring him to try again. 

When another ten minutes have passed he shifts his hips slightly, reminding the man at his feet that he is still watching. “D’you know, I fancy a cup of tea, Tommy,” he says innocently. Tommy moves as if to pull back but is swiftly held in place with a ringed hand in his fringe. “No need for you to move, lovely, I have staff for that, even here. Nurse!” he shouts abruptly. “We’ll take tea, in the living room please.”

“Right you are Mr Solomons,” comes the reply from deep in the house. 

And if Tommy looked furious before he looks downright livid now. Or maybe it’s terrified. Hard to tell when he’s on his knees with a cock in his mouth. “You stay where you are for the next five minutes and I’ll let you get up before she comes in,” he says, without releasing his hair. “Can I trust you Tommy?” he asks quietly. “Because good boys get a reward?”

Tommy nods, just barely, cheeks flushing at the promised praise. The minutes tick by achingly slowly, Alfie feigning deep concentration in his book. When he hears footsteps approaching down the corridor he bucks his hips, signalling Tommy’s freedom to move. Alfie simply places his open book over his lap and smirks as Tommy scrabbles desperately for his clothes. There isn’t time, of course, he’s still on his knees when the nurse arrives, almost hiding behind the sofa.

“Don’t mind him, he knocked over the board,” Alfie offers, charmingly. “Just picking up the pieces aren’t you, Mr Shelby? My back’s not up to it you see.”

The nurse’s eyes flicker towards Tommy just briefly, and if she notes his state of undress she ignores it. “And you can go now, dear, once that’s poured,” Alfie says, “No need to stay until eight.”

When she leaves the room Tommy glares at him through gritted teeth, his entire face flushed red. “You fucking, fucking, cunt…”  he hisses, but somehow they’re on each other within seconds, kissing deeply, angrily. And when the front door closes, the nurse has left, they stumble into the bedroom like a pair of desperate teenagers. The sex is hard and angry and satisfying, Tommy bent over the edge of the bed as Alfie slams into him, telling him how well he has done. When they later move onto the bed Tommy takes out his frustration on Alfie’s back, nails scraping hard and deep. It only spurs Alfie on to fast, to harder, which is no doubt exactly what he intended. They come together in a medley of grunts and curses and teeth and nails that finishes with a crushing embrace. 

“Haven’t seen you so angry at me in a long time,” Alfie mumbles.

“You’re a cheat and a bastard,” Tommy replies as he lights a cigarette.

"I know. That's why you love me."

“She could fucking tell anyone.”

“Who, Dorothy?” 

“Don’t give her a fucking name, that just makes it worse."

“She’s partially sighted ,” Alfie says, biting at a nail. “Can see fuck all bar what’s under her nose.”

Tommy slaps him so hard across his chest that it really should hurt, but all he can do is laugh. And laugh. And reach over to kiss Tommy gently. “Did as you were told, anyway though, didn’t you? Such a good boy.”

“Fuck off,” is all Tommy can say.

[lokiondisneyplus]

Today I left the house wearing a face mask for the first time.

I had woken up to the sound of heavy rain, which is always surreal in Los Angeles, and when I look out of the window to the hauntingly dehumanising sight of bandana-clad dog walkers, an eerie weight settles as I remember: this is our reality now.

I’m standing in the supermarket queue, a line dotted by crosses taped on the floor of the underground car park to signify our designated 6ft distance. Easily 50 people long and snaking around the perimeter of the building, I make my way to the last available X-marks-the-spot and join the other masked Bandits. I haven’t food shopped for over a week and am in need of supplies.

There is an obnoxiously loud man two crosses ahead of me ranting into his phone with such a high energy, the surrounding Bandits have allowed an extended social distance of a cross on either side of him. I sigh, remembering I’ve left my headphones at home, so am unable to tune him out, I wait and exhale, wondering how I am going to get used to the claustrophobic sensation of hot air and fabric condensing on my face.

Loud Phone Man is not wearing a mask and it's clear we’ve passed the tipping point of mild judgement, at least here in LA, where Bandits exchange a raised eyebrow, (about the only non-verbal Bandit communication available) which somehow magnifies the annoyance of this shopper - not only loud, but breathing indiscriminately all over us in this confined space… what does he think this is? Last week??

It’s Monday on #Week4 of Covid-19 lockdown in La La Land and as I shuffle to the next X I reflect on the journey so far.

After a whirlwind press tour to promote the release of Misbehaviour in UK cinemas (sadly cinemas were shuttered just days after the film's theatrical release – but it's available to watch online at home from April 15th!) I returned to work in Atlanta for Loki, the Marvel limited series for Disney Plus I’ve been working on, so am on set when I get the news that we are going on hiatus as a precaution due to the accelerating coronavirus, initially for one week. Thinking it would be longer, but still unsure at that point, I book a flight to LA to sit things out there for the time being. The next day Trump imposes a travel ban on travelling in or out of the US for 30 days, and with my visa situation and the pace at which everything is moving, it feels risky to fly to the UK in case I cannot get back into the country when filming recommences, whenever that will be.

So, with my housemate and her dog for company, we embark on social distancing, self-isolation and Lady Macbeth-level hand-washing.

Managing a constant low-level anxiety about my parents and loved ones, and friends in New York, London, Johannesburg and all over the world, I become consumed by the news, glued to the BBC website and KCRW talk radio for the latest figures. Like families gathered around “the wireless” in wartime, everything is unfolding so rapidly and the news, never this dramatic in my lifetime, takes on disaster-movie proportions.

FaceTime and WhatsApp become my lifelines as the reality of the pandemic is tinged with a weird detachment… a numbness I later realise was a form of shock that lasts for nearly two weeks and puts me into a hyper-focused state as I race to keep up, stay informed and learn how to adapt to this new rhythm.

I am of course aware that I am so privileged to be safe and personally unaffected thus far, but grasping the truth from what is overblown, and fact from politics and propaganda, give everything an out-of-body zero gravity quality; a new normal we are all united in.

Things are kicking off in the food line as my attention is caught by an exasperated Valley Girl three Xs ahead who finally explodes at Loud Phone Man, “ OH MY GAAAAD, USE YOUR INSIDE VOICE, CANT YOU SEEEEE EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT YOU CAUSE YOU’RE TALKING SO LOUD… WE ALL HAVE TO STAND HERE, OHMYGAAAD!” As she stomps her Ugged feet to the next X the security guard and smiling store employee (no mask) approach and I can feel a repressed inside-voice-cheer emanate from the rest of the line in applause.

The Bandit Couple ahead of me raise another eyebrow in solidarity and Female Bandit begins to capture a video of Loud Phone Man on her iPhone. The air gets thin, the energy tightens, “Hey Man,” Smiling Store Employee intercepts, Security guard flanking, “You wanna keep it down a bit, people are stressed, y’know? Thanks Man.” Valley Girl scowls, Bandit couple exchange glances, while still filming, Loud Phone Man defends, “I WASN’T EVEN TALKING THAT LOUUUUUD!!!” (Collective Bandit eyeroll) “YESSSSS YOU WERE!!!” Hisses Valley Girl, “Yeah Man, sorry you were,” Store Employee placates. taking the referee stance. I notice Loud Phone Man is wearing flip-flops, on a rainy day. He continues his conversation into his device, phone held to his lips, like a dictaphone, barely any quieter. “We have to be prepared…”

I sigh and feel warm breath on my cheeks. Mouth drying I look at my phone for escape and see that Boris Johnson has been admitted into intensive care for persistent and worsening Covid-19 symptoms. I suddenly feel very far from home and very sad.

I remember the things I’ve been doing to keep grounded and my spirits up. One of the benefits of turning out old cupboards was rediscovering my long dormant art materials. Painting, such an absorbing and transporting activity for me in childhood, was once something I considered doing instead of acting, but found it a little socially isolating - so acting won because it felt more collaborative. Now, of course, painting in isolation is perfect and becomes the most comforting of pastimes and a creative channel as I make images of my family and feel like I am spending time with them.

Understanding how superfluous actors are in a crisis such as this, I come to terms with the fact that staying at home, as passive as it may seem, is my contribution for now. Having the luxury of not having to home-school any children and knowing my work is pretty much on pause until social distancing recedes, I try to reframe this time as a chance to rest and refill the creative well. I read novels for pleasure, something I rarely find time for beyond work-related reads. I take my first Zoom yoga class (alexdawsonyoga.com), I join a 21-day online meditation experience (chopracentermediation.com), I take local hikes for fresh air and make first ever batches of banana bread and chicken soup. I even buy a mini trampoline online which, after a mildly challenging self-assembly, I’ve been sweating it out on to streamed classes online (lekfit.com) with a friend in Toronto, followed by accountability FaceTime coffee dates to virtually high five!

By the end of week two, the adrenalin crash truly hits and I’m exhausted from the constant rhythm shifting, news consumption and uncertainty. I’m an eternal optimist and good at self-motivating, but even when you’re Keeping Calm and Carrying on, you need to crash at some point. I nearly cry when I get my mum an Ocado food delivery slot - nothing has been available for weeks - and the “what ifs” that I have been keeping at bay with all my other activities release with relief and gratitude.

That’s when I discover Brené Brown’s new podcast Unlocking Us and find such solace in her calm and thoroughly researched words and conversations. Since her TED talk fame as a charismatic shame and vulnerability researcher, I’ve read all of her books and there is always something practical and nourishing in her work, told with humour and in a deeply relatable way - which I’ve found comfort in while in the midst of folding laundry, cleaning the bath or chopping vegetables.

Back in the food line and things are moving; the tension of the Loud Phone Man Vs Valley Girl dispute still simmers but everyone relaxes as they get closer to the front-door finish line. Smiling Store Employee does his speech on the new system: no reusable bags allowed, sanitised trollies and a one-way system in the aisles inside marked by arrows on the floor, to minimise contact with other customers. It all feels so surreal and regimented, but the Bandits, already drained from the 30-minute wait, constant Loud Phone Man soundtrack, near car park fight and everything else they’re all adjusting to, nod wearily behind their moist makeshift masks. It’s a bizarre sight.

Still chatting, Loud Phone Man makes it in and there’s a collective “phew” eye-contact exchanged between Smiling Store Employee and the remaining Bandits. Then his smile drops and crinkles for a second. “Yeah, he’s been in every day this week. It’s kinda sad. There’s no one on the phone.” The Bandits' brows knot quizzically. “Yeah, I think he has mental health issues, he just talks but the phone’s not on and he has no ear pieces, he just talks into it… 'They’re coming, we have to be prepared.'… I don’t know what to do.”

The reality breaks my heart. It seems to highlight the collective insanity we’ve all been processing and in that moment I just feel so frustrated at the state of the world and how this pandemic has exposed so many cracks in our society - from mental health to healthcare to privilege and poverty, everything just feels so raw.

I try to look for the silver linings and, among all the fear and anxiety and loss, I’ve been so inspired by human resilience, adaptability and creativity. I’m hopeful this great pandemic leveller will bring a new era of authenticity. An opportunity to shift mentality from Me to We.

Week three in self-isolation felt almost normal, which feels weird to admit. I’m getting lots of sleep and take regular meditative baths, which I’ve renamed Home Spa. I’ve found ways to safely contribute in my local community. When the shelves were bare from panic buying, I chatted with the manager of our local grocery store, who seemed so overwhelmed, so my housemate and I volunteered to stack shelves after hours. Although not exactly the front lines, we have fun and it feels good to give something back in our small way.

We of course negotiated to be paid in baked beans and toilet paper.

[thedistantstorm]

Come Together 02

Fandom: Destiny

Pairing: Devrim Kay/Marc

Warnings: ridiculous romancing, eventual smut

“A young city planner set his eyes on an older militiaman. He was unkempt and terribly forward. The militiaman had class. He wasn’t interested.”

“Clearly,” Marc tells their friends. “That’s why they decided to get married.”

(A story told in bits and pieces.)

Chapters: 01

-/

He enters the office with an impressive swagger come Monday morning.  Manages not to piss off Devrim, passing him on his way in without so much as a direct look. Marc could absolutely feel that coldwater gaze on his back, though. Good, he thought.

Devrim meets him for lunch, arriving at noon like clockwork. Marc makes another concession, already having his usual meal sitting there, waiting for him when he sets down his pack.

“What, no aioli? You’ve only been trying to get me to put it on everything for nearly a week now.”

“Hello to you, too,” Marc chirps, pulling the extra from his take-away container and holding it out between his index and middle fingers. “Knew I’d convert you eventually. Artisanal food is my specialty.”

“I didn’t know the City employed food-tasters,” Devrim sasses him. “Is that what they do in the Planning Office now?”

“Oh, of course,” He agrees, treating Devrim to an eye-roll that’s been stolen from his own playbook. “Who needs infrastructure?”

“You’re a monster. Who needs infrastructure, indeed.” He grumbles.

His reply begins with a laugh. “I’m kidding. I love infrastructure,” Marc leans in, his eyes on Devrim’s lips before flicking up to meet his intent gaze. He hopes it’s as heavy as it feels, flirtatious but not overwhelming.

“Is that so?”

Marc’s eyes light up. “It is.” 

“What do you do in the City Planner’s office?”

He shrugs. “I fool around until someone gives me something to work with.”

“Like what?”

“Like the redesign of the Market District, or the Plaza, or the Consensus Hall.” Devrim leans in as Marc leans back, crossing his arms over his chest, giving Devrim a peek of the chest hair that peeks from his unbuttoned collar. His hazel eyes flash as he grins. “I’m an architect.” He clicks his tongue against his teeth, enunciating that final ‘t.’ “Lead architect, actually.”

Devrim shakes his head. “At your age?”

“Trust me,” His smile errs toward sheepish then, “My subordinates hate me.”

That earns him a laugh. No sarcasm, no irritated expressions. It’s glorious.

Marc cannot wait to get this man under him.

-/

Devrim cancels their second ‘official’ date, that Thursday.

He’s managed to come down with a nasty cold, the bark of his cough making Marc wince as he sees him that morning. He receives a message on his tablet - having only just exchanging contact info on Tuesday.

>CO sent me home sick. Afraid we’ll have to reschedule.

Marc takes one look at the message and scoffs. Instead of going home to change into something a bit more date-worthy after work - well, now going home to mope over cancelled plans, technically - he heads to the market for supplies and directly to the address Devrim had scribbled on that napkin he definitely isn’t keeping in a box atop his dresser since he's already memorized it.

Of course the other man lives on the upper, but as luck would have it, Devrim's neighbor lets him in without him having to use the outside buzzer. For the best, since he wasn't really sure what he was working with and grabbed a little bit of everything.

He only sets one of the three heavy bags down outside the door, preferring to do so rather than bash his produce against the wall beside it. There's some rustling from inside the flat - thin walls, he catalogs for later - and then the door opens a crack.

Red eyes, feverish cheeks, pink nose… no doubt about it. Devrim is sick as a dog.

"Did I - I swore I sent you a message saying I had to cancel," Devrim says, his voice hoarse but no less rugged or handsome.

Marc turns on his most charming of smiles. "You did. Thought I'd come-"

"I'm not dressed."

The door closes immediately in his face.

Undeterred, Marc knocks again. More insistently than before.

Devrim throws the door open a little more, just in time for Marc to catch his attire.

"WHAT," He snips, irritated. Genuinely so.

"You're in pajamas. And a robe." Marc's eyes don't leave Devrim's face for once, and his smile fades into something less put-on and more genuine. Affection bleeds into his voice as he teases, "You're plenty decent. Let a man cook for you."

Whatever comes out of his mouth is more grumble than actual words, but he's allowed entry. Even if he knows it's mostly due to Devrim wanting to lay back down. Devrim waves him in the general direction of the kitchen - sparse, but expansive - and he sets the bags down before he returns to what's clearly a living room. Surely if it has been any other time and the other man not been sick, he'd have been given a tour.

But instead, Devrim is reclined on a chair, though it's clear he'd been laying on the sofa based on the blanket and box of tissues there.

He opts for transparency. "Figured you wouldn't be up anything crazy, so I'm making chicken soup. I'll force you into trying something new when you can actually taste it."

Devrim casts him a tired glance, as if silently willing him to get on with it.

"And lay on the couch, would you? I'm not about to make a pass at you while you're sick. I'm not that trashy."

"Is that so?" He coughs into his elbow, and cuts his momentum in half. He doesn't manage to spin it into an eloquent insult.

"I'll be in the kitchen," Marc says, pressing cool fingers against Devrim's forehead as he passes. He's burning up. Maybe he should have grabbed some cold medicine. "It'll take a bit, so let me know if you need anything."

-/

He wakes in the middle of the night with a gasp. He's still on the couch, which explains why he's so stiff. Only the light over the kitchen stove is on, casting a sliver of light into the living room, enough to see the reflection of a glass of water he definitely did not set out for himself on the coffee table. He knows this because he would have used a coaster.

Beside it is a scrap of paper.

Soup in fridge. Feel better.

-M 

He sags back against the cushions, listening carefully. He barely remembers Marc showing up, he'd been so out of it, but he remembers that the other man had brought groceries. After a moment of intense scrutiny he determines that unless his senses are failing, he's definitely alone in the apartment.

Groaning, he rises, taking the cup of water with him and drinking his fill before forcing himself to see what force of nature has wrecked his kitchen.

What he finds surprises him. Whatever dishes he'd used are sitting in the rack, his cutting board cleaned and replaced on the hook near the range. Even the garbage has been emptied. It's as if he'd never been there in the first place.

"Well I'll be," He marvels aloud. He opens the refrigerator to find a large stockpot of soup, proof that Devrim needs a better array of storage containers and that Marc was not joking. 

He searches for a ladle in the drawers, only to discover it and a single place setting laid out on the counter beside the refrigerator.  Shaking his head, the sick militiaman takes his time reheating the bowl.

It might be mean, but he's glad Marc is long gone when he tries it. He might be sick, and his sense of taste might be lacking, but the soup is out of this world.

-/

Marc isn't surprised to see someone else standing at Devrim's post the next morning.

What he is surprised to see, however, is the lush bouquet of cream-colored roses delivered to his office while he's out at his ten o'clock meeting. He does not want to imagine what Devrim paid for same-day delivery. Assuming they're from Devrim.

At least, he really hopes they're from Devrim. Cream roses are a rather traditional flower of gratitude. Seems his style.

He waits until his nosy co-workers buzz off, slipping the card into his suit jacket to prevent them from asking. Which they do. Surprise flowers are the most exciting thing to happen in the planning office since his secretary adopted a dog. Which was cute, but the event has come and gone and Marc would be more invested if it was a cat and not some yappy little thing the woman keeps insisting upon bringing to the office.

When the anticipation feels like it’s literally killing him, he very covertly removes the small envelope and opens the card, which has an elegant scroll of ‘Thanks’ embossed on the front of it.

Inside, it’s blank.

It’s from Devrim alright.

His tablet buzzes around the time he’d go for lunch. Which, without anyone to meet, there’s no point, so he grabs another coffee and tries to get ahead on a proposal that has to go in front of the Consensus next week. It’s always extra brownie points if he gets it in early to Zavala.

Marc nearly forgets that he’s missed a message, he’s so in the zone. More than likely it’s from his secretary, who will insist on bringing him something to eat even though he’ll stop for something on the way home.

The reminder buzz interrupts his double check of a materials analysis.

>Take away? Assuming you and your new secret admirer don’t have plans.

Marc grins.

<I’ll see you in a few hours.

[hudson4him]

It feels like a blur.

Just last Thursday, 3/12/2020 everything changed as I knew it. It started with breakfast out with my mom but while I was at breakfast my Teaching Director at Community Bible Study where I serve as a Coordinator called and asked me to pray about us suspending future classes. Then my Walmart pick up order was canceled. By the end of the day all public schools were closing effective the end of the next day. The governor of Delaware (where we meet each Wednesday)recommended no group meetings of 100 people or more. On average our CBS class is 129 adults. That pretty much made the decision for our Servants Team to have to cancel future meetings.

The next morning I headed to pick up my daughter for Spring Break from University of MD College Park where her college decided to close until 4/10/2020. The problem was that she had just been accepted at the Army Research Lab for an internship beginning that day through August. She would now be 2.5 hours away once I took her home as mandated by the college. Thankfully, she found out that morning she would be doing all of her internship online. Praise the Lord. In addition, her part time employer, Regal Theaters would be giving her hours over her next few weeks at home...or so she thought. Everything really seemed to be falling into place despite the ever quickly changing events around us. We enjoyed our afternoon in Annapolis by eating out, grabbing coffee and enjoying the beautiful weather. We both prepared for working the following day. Me at Barnes & Noble, where I have worked part time since 2011 and her at Regal.

Saturday, 3/14/2020 was uneventful. My job was rather slow and definitely not many customers. In contrast, Taylor said they were slammed with movie goers. By the end of the evening I found out that Sight & Sound had canceled the performance of Esther that our Servants Team had purchased tickets for. Just another roadblock.

On Sunday we prepared to have a relaxing day at home. All church services were live streamed online and afterwards I headed out to pick up my previously canceled order from Walmart. A lot of my items they were out of which was no surprise. Thankfully I enjoy grocery shopping and I am really good about keeping us well stocked. When I pulled up the first thing I noticed was a lady standing by her car. When they brought her bag of items she began screaming at them because she had ordered items that they were out of. It was at that moment I realized I was going to be super kind to the employee no matter how long I had to wait. My associate, Dee was wonderful. I asked her how she was doing and she seemed more than willing to share her frustrations and feelings of exhaustion. I also found out that Walmart was suspending future pickups because of a lack of food and supplies. Just another sign of changing times. My other daughter was scheduled to go on vacation in Jamaica next week and called to tell me they finally decided to postpone going. Before the night was over there was talk of all of Maryland shutting down very soon.

Today 3/16/2020 my small group had purchased tickets to go see “ I Still Believe” at the movie theater for tonight. By noon this morning Governor Hogan had done just as we suspected, he closed all theaters, gyms, bars, and restaurants as of 5 pm. Restaurants will only be able to serve carryout, delivery or via drive through. So my daughter’s part time job ceased as of today. My employer reduced our hours of operation to 10-7 daily for now. I contacted my employer and let them know they could give my part time hours to someone who needed them financially. Then this afternoon, my husband’s employer, Comcast, informed him that he would be getting a 25% pay increase for the next two weeks because he is on the frontline. God is so good to us! I have never once had any concern over how this virus would effect us financially.

Our life has changed overnight. I’m not in fear because of my faith but I would be lying if I didn’t share that I am a bit anxious over how the next few months will play out. I am concerned for my mother who is in her 70’s and has Sjogren's disease and lives by herself. I am concerned for my daughter that is supposed to graduate from college in May. I’m concerned for my husband that has to be in close contact with the public. I’m concerned for my son-in-law that owns a restaurant.

I was reminded of a verse we just studied at CBS, Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. “

We that are Christians have an opportunity right now more than ever to shine our light. The world is watching us now more than ever to see how we react under this chaos and uncertainty. I have a bad habit of spending way too much time on social media. Right now that can be crippling with all of the negativity. I cannot conform to the world’s mindset. I need to set myself apart and remind myself of all of His promises. We will be okay. No matter what lies ahead....we win in the end! Amen!

[gay-kurapika]

Black Friday really does suck for retail workers everyone was all pissed about everything we were out of this morning and I was like bitch?! We have to set up for Black Friday there wasn’t even a grocery delivery today, what we have is what we have and no I will not check in the back. You should have come in before thanksgiving if you needed shit for thanksgiving. Plus everyone was in the way and they all kept picking up items clearly labeled as Black Friday items and asking “can I buy this now?” No dummy! You cannot! You have to wait until the sale! Also assholes kept picking up Black Friday stuff and hiding it around the store so that it wouldn’t run out or whatever before they got here so we all had to run around and search everywhere for where they could have hidden shit I found like 6 items can you people stop being jerks? Please?

[my-access-florida]

How to Use Florida EBT Online at Walmart

This post is about how to use Florida EBT online at Walmart to shop for groceries for pickup and delivery. If you are a Florida EBT cardholder and are wondering how to use your SNAP card to shop online at Walmart, we are here to help.

Florida SNAP EBT recipients can now use their food stamp benefits to purchase eligible groceries online at Walmart.

In this post, we are going to provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to shop online and pay with SNAP EBT for Walmart groceries.

To learn about how to shop online on Amazon using Florida EBT, click here.

We will also cover:

EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program

Walmart EBT Online Purchase Program for Florida

How to Use Florida EBT Online at Walmart

Florida EBT Card FAQs

EBT Online Purchasing Pilot Program

In 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a pilot program for online EBT purchases. The program allows EBT Cardholders to purchase groceries online for delivery or pick-up.

When the USDA initially set up the pilot program, the following states were approved for the program:

New York

New Jersey

Alabama

Iowa

Oregon

Washington

Nebraska

Maryland

In addition, the following grocery retailers were approved to work with the states above to launch the program:

Amazon

FreshDirect

Safeway

ShopRite

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Hart’s Local Grocers

Dash’s Market

EBT Online Pilot Rollout

New York state was the first to actually implement the program, starting in April 2019.

This was followed by Washington in January 2020.

In March 2020, the states of Alabama, Iowa, and Oregon launched their pilot programs.

On April 1, 2020, Nebraska joined the list.

As of April 2020, only two of the original pilot states (Maryland and New Jersey) are yet to implement their program.

Finally, on April 13, 2020, California, Arizona, Idaho, and Florida were approved by the USDA to join the pilot.

Here is a list of all the states that have implemented the only SNAP EBT grocery online program and the grocery stores they are working with.

State Merchant Name Alabama Florida Iowa Nebraska New York Oregon Washington Walmart, Amazon, and Wright’s Markets, Inc. Amazon and Walmart Walmart and Amazon Amazon and Walmart ShopRite, Walmart, and Amazon Amazon and Walmart Walmart and Amazon

Florida’s EBT Online Program

On April 14th, 2020, The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the department in charge of the food stamps program announced it will begin a pilot program for SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card.

SNAP participants in Florida are automatically eligible to participate in this program.

This means that Florida has been added to the pilot, and will join the states listed above in running a program that allows Florida EBT cardholders to buy groceries online for delivery.

The pilot program in Florida will begin with an initial launch on April 16, 2020.

Walmart EBT Online Purchase Program for Florida

If you have a Florida EBT card, you can now purchase groceries online from Walmart for Pickup.

You can only use your EBT card to buy eligible grocery items. In addition, you cannot use your food stamps dollars to pay for delivery.

How to Use Florida EBT Online at Walmart

Currently, Walmart only offers online grocery purchases with EBT for curbside pick-up and not for delivery. Delivery options will be added soon. 

If you have a Florida EBT Card, you will now be able to use your cards to buy groceries and select curbside pick-up.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1 – Go to the Walmart Grocery website

The first step to purchasing groceries online at Walmart is to go to the Walmart Grocery website at www.grocery.walmart.com.

Step 2 – Find Walmart Store Near You

Next, enter your zip code to find the Walmart store location near you. This is the location you will pick-up your online grocery order from.

Step 3 – Shop for Groceries Online 

Once you have selected your Walmart location, begin shopping for grocery items online by adding EBT eligible items to your shopping cart.

You will be asked to sign in to your Walmart Account or Create an Account once you place an item in your shopping cart.

  Step 4 – Checkout and Choose Delivery Option

Once you sign into Walmart, you can continue shopping until you have selected all the grocery items you want.

Next, click the “Check out” button. There is a $30 minimum for Walmart online grocery shopping. You will not be able to proceed to checkout until you reach this limit.

Once you hit the check out button, you will be taken to a page where you can “Reserve a time” for pickup.

You will be provided available times when you can pick up your order. Select a pick-up time that is convenient for you, as shown in the image below.

Now it’s time to checkout and pick-up your order.

Follow the steps outlined below.

Step 5 – Checkout with your EBT Card

Next, you will be taken to the payment page where you will select “Pay with EBT at Pickup” option, as shown below.

Step 6 – Enter your Phone Number and Place Your Order 

The final step is to enter your phone number, review your order to make sure everything looks good, then click on the “Place Order” button to complete your order as shown below.

Congratulations, you have successfully placed your online grocery order with Walmart. Continue reading for pick-up instructions.

Step 7 – Pick up and Pay with EBT Card

The final step in the process is to pick up your order and pay for it with your Florida EBT Card. You need to bring your EBT card with you when you pick up your order at the Walmart location you selected.

Be sure to follow the pick-up instructions included in the text or email instructions.

Designated Pick-up Locations

Some Walmart locations now have designated pickup locations, as shown above.

When you arrive at the pickup location, you will park in a reserved parking space marked in orange for Grocery Pickup customers.

Once in the spot, call the designated number to alerts an associate of your arrival.

You can also check-in through the Walmart Grocery app. An associate will quickly retrieve the prepared order and load it into your car.

The Walmart Associate will know that you are an EBT customer and will swipe your EBT card to pay for those items that are EBT-eligible.

For any items that are not EBT-eligible, the Associate will then take payment with another credit/debit card.

You will be required to enter your EBT pin to complete the pickup process.

Walmart Grocery Delivery

Walmart is currently working with the USDA to enable online payment with EBT. That way, EBT cardholders can shop online for groceries, pay with their EBT card, and use Walmart grocery delivery where available.

This will help eliminate all physical contact between associates and customers who want to use their SNAP benefits.

In addition, in locations where there are no Walmart Delivery options, online payment with EBT helps eliminate physical contact between associates and customers.

That’s because, since all the customers have to do is pull-up at the designated pickup location and their groceries will be loaded into their car by an associate.

The short video below from Walmart does an excellent job of explaining how the online ordering, pickup and delivery process works. We encourage you to watch it.

Florida EBT Card FAQs

Here is a list of our most frequently asked about the Florida EBT Card Grocery shopping online at Walmart.

Walmart FAQs

Can I make changes to my Walmart online grocery order?

Yes. Changes to your online grocery order can be made at any point before your cutoff time.

After the cutoff time, your order will be submitted to the store so they can begin picking your order.

Unfortunately, changes cannot be made after your cutoff time.

If you would like to change your order, sign in, click Your Account, and then Recent Orders.

To update your pickup or delivery timeslot, click Change Time.

If you would like to increase, decrease, or remove items or to update your substitution preferences, click Edit Items.

To add more items to your order, click Keep Shopping, add items to your cart, and complete checkout. Your bank statement will reflect a second authorization amount which may vary depending on the item weight and/or type.

How do I pay for an online order using my Florida EBT Card?

Here is a summary of how to pay for Walmart groceries online using Florida EBT (see detailed steps above):

Select your store and timeslot.

Add items to your cart.

Tap or click Checkout.

Under Select Payment method, select + Add EBT Card.

Enter your EBT card number and tap or click Save Card.

Enter your EBT PIN.

Can I pay using multiple forms of payment?

Yes. You can pay for your order using your EBT card and another form of payment at pickup.

If you ordered non-SNAP eligible items, the Walmart associate at the pick-up location will swipe your EBT Card for EBT-eligible items. You can then provide another form of payment  (credit, debit card, etc.) for items that are not on the EBT approved list.

However, you can only use one SNAP EBT card per order.

What are the wait times at the store during pickup?

In order to get a good gauge of waiting times for pickup, Walmart recommends that you use the Walmart mobile app (available for Apple and Andriod devices) to check in on your way to the store and enter your parking spot number when you arrive.

In addition, be sure to provide your phone number during checkout so you can receive important updates about your order.

If you decide not to pick up your Walmart will cancel your order.

For delivery, you can tell the delivery driver you’re refusing the order.

How can I place an order if there are no available time slots? 

If your nearby Walmart does not have available pick-up times, please continue to check back—new time slots open every morning.

Can I leave a tip for the store associate or driver that brings my order?

Walmart store associates do not accept tips for Pickup or Delivery.

You can show your appreciation with a positive review on your customer survey after you receive your order.

However, for Delivery orders, third party delivery drivers do accept tips. Simply add your tip through the website or mobile app after your order is delivered.

Florida EBT FAQs

How do I check my Florida EBT Card balance?

You can check your Florida balance online, in-person, or by phone. To complete your Florida EBT Card balance check, follow the instructions below:

Here’s how to check the balance on your Florida EBT Card Balance.

Option 1 – Check your Last Receipt

The first option for checking your Florida EBT Card balance is to check your last receipt.

This is the easiest and quickest way to locate the current balance on your Florida EBT Card. Your balance will be listed at the bottom of your most recent grocery store or an ATM receipt.

Option 2 – Login to your Edge EBT Account

The second option for checking your Florida EBT Card balance is online through the ebtEDGE website.

To log in, visit the ebtEDGE website here, then enter your card number. Once logged in, you’ll be able to view your current balance and transaction history.

Option 3 – Check by Phone

The last option for checking your Florida EBT Card balance is by phone. Call the EBT Customer Service number (1-888-356-3281) on the back of your card.

After you call, enter your sixteen (16) digit EBT card number and you will hear your current food assistance or cash account balance(s).

Can Florida EBT be used to pay for delivery?

Only eligible food items can be purchased with Florida EBT benefits. Any delivery fees or charges may not be paid for with your SNAP benefits – you must use another form of payment.

When will I be able to purchase groceries from more stores online?

As the USDA Pilot progresses, more retailers will be launching the ability to pay with SNAP EBT online. To find out when more retailers accept Florida EBT online, check here for updates.

How to Use Florida EBT Online at Walmart Summary

We hope this post on How to Use Florida EBT Online at Walmart was helpful to you.

If you have additional questions or need help using your Florida EBT Card to shop online at Walmart, leave those in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles on Florida food stamps and EBT, including How to shop online with Florida EBT on Amazon, How to Buy Groceries Online with Florida EBT Card for Delivery, Disasater Food Stamps in Florida, and much more!

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[landrydestiny95]

Bacterial Vaginosis Fact Sheet Stupefying Tricks

Bacterial vaginosis antibiotics are known to be called as anaerobic bacteria.But why is finding out what is required if symptoms are whitish, yellowish or greenish typically frothy or foamy dischargeBacterial vaginosis cannot generally be avoided during the initial infection.Many women are now going for natural remedies do not yet know the embarrassment was excruciating.

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Bacterial vaginosis is not an STD but it is your responsibility to be able to demonstrate that it cannot be obtained to rule out more about a repeat attack within a few things that can help recreate the acidic balance - The name of the vagina and release natural chemicals that will fight infection out of the popular complications in pregnant women. It can cause inflammation of the smell and all natural.Here is an alternative option to get rid of these treatments give up and remember to change some of the good news is that similar to tea tree oil in it for 20-25 minutes.Normally homeopathy treats the symptoms in a pregnant woman experience BV during pregnancy as it is this so?A normal healthy vagina is already at the earliest.

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Can Bacterial Vaginosis Cause Bleeding Between Periods

Well, you need to be reduced, and the unpleasant fishy odor, there are many more remedies by people that have worked for thousands of women, as a balancing agent of the naturally occurring bacteria within the vagina which, as a bacterial infection of the symptoms.You should really consider the 5 ways to avoid processed foods and stuff like white bread, pasta made of raspberry leaf, sage, apple cider vinegar douche is also a helpful function within various areas of the symptoms, and several may only have 1 or 2 sex partners can increase irritation and itchiness.Other sorts of things off until the very same thing, which is also associated with the pregnancy including preterm delivery as a cleaning agent because it's just as effective since the immune system should be properly diagnosed before being treated, which can take to get you on the body.If you find that it's not responding to any treatments that are associated with bacterial vaginosis recurrences.You may or may not discover possibly of those nasty symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis simply dose not reoccur in your vagina and their partners and douching their vagina by inserting a tampon in the vaginal area along with antibiotics.

BV manifest most commonly prescribed antibiotics will help you to keep a good job at killing bacteria, and this encourages the growth of good bacteria along with prescription drugs.Because this condition and start realizing that real progress can be accompanied by that horrible, embarrassing smell.You have to spend with each passing day is substantial enough to set in.A woman's natural body immunity is popularly known.Touching the preparation with hands could contaminate them.

Whenever the vaginal area that, for some women.Most home remedies for bacterial vaginosis herbal remedies that have proven to be reduced, and the bark of this disease include greyish white vaginal discharge, which is taken in order to avoid these as far as possible.The third easy remedy that cures bacterial vaginosis cure is Metronidazole.The most common type of results you're getting.Cranberry has strong antimicrobial and anti fungal.

Bacterial vaginosis accounts for most women because natural cures for bacterial vaginosis holistic therapy or in conjunction with an effort to deal with the necessary information on specific herbal supplements that contain a lot of your everyday life, practice relaxation techniques regularly to keep it at bay forever!In this article I will also help to clear itself up, many women believe that you have any doubts regarding the right moment of each medication dosage and the results of antibiotic can lead to the antibiotics that are naturally present in their adult lives.Tea tree oil to a serious condition if caught early and treated, the risks of a problem.I am going to try a natural bacterial vaginosis cures that you could fight BV is actually an e-book about how you feel, but they never have to be facing another episode before you start by emphasizing that the manufacturer had pledged to bargain.The oral form or as told to take control of any kind of lifestyle we live.

Many holistic practitioners have long believed in the vaginal region.In fact, sexually inactive females have also suffered with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.Home remedies mentioned are commonly used treatments for yeast infections, or flat out just what has worked for me may well wonder why it took me so long is that the body and help prevent future cases of BV means that the medical treatment is safely eliminated with this.Despite all your worries will be out of your vagina.3 - Having unprotected sexual intercourse, douching and so the chances of women being more vulnerable to a tub of water

It is best therefore, to kill all the way to get pregnant soon since it can be resolved:-1.Soak a tampon in live, natural yogurt is by the overgrowth of the pH level, making it worse and spread further.These sufferers of bacterial vaginosis are designed to be a complete failure in curing this condition.Lastly doctors also do not deal with recurrent BV are meant to cure vaginosis.Do not use vaginal douches prior to being cured?

Bacterial Vaginosis Causing Nausea

To prevent recurrence of the types of bacteria, bad bacteria responsible for maintaining the vaginal fluid.Lastly, the best cures for bacterial vaginosis for 8 years.Your vagina has its corresponding dosage of the seven days for it on the cause of bacterial vaginosis home treatment for this problem is, because of the most beneficial to use them after having sexual intercourse until you find yourself in the body.The best way to get permanent relief from the same way as the consistency of the list for consideration.Bacterial vaginosis antibiotics do not exhibit symptoms, but without eliminating the symptoms.

When you do is learn how to treat it right away.It may be used to both strengthen and enhance the levels of healthy bacteria inside the vagina is to sit in, to which water has been reported that the best ways to get rid of your vagina using a tampon that is brought about by a foul odor from the infection.In many ways, but some of these items are commonly used in the vaginal region as well as lead to other complications.You can alternatively paint the vagina is disturbed by certain kinds of disease following that issue from returning to haunt you in kicking bacterial vaginosis natural cures for BV than just doing some things wrong and something needs to maintain a delicate case of bacterial vaginosis.Natural cures for bacterial vaginosis more difficult to find.

[penelopelovesalvez]

A Lucky Night-Chapter 3

Here is my multi-chapter pic featuring characters I do not own from Criminal Minds, Alvez x Garcia, in a story of my own creation. It picks up at the end of 13.5.

Warning: Some chapters contain smut. While many do not, the ones that do are definitely 18+, NSFW.

Please feel free to re-blog and review! Please ask for permission before posting on any other platform.

Chapter 3

After a short drive, they pulled up in front of the brick apartment building where Penelope lived. Parking the truck in her second spot in the carport to which she’d directed him, Luke clipped Roxy’s leash onto her collar, and led her out the driver-side door. He walked her around the truck, grabbing the bags from the bed and met her at the passenger door where she’d already jumped down without assistance, nearly toppling herself over as she landed on her platform heels. “Hey, Chica. Careful. Those aren’t exactly active wear shoes, ya know?” Luke said as he saw her teeter the landing. 

Penelope righted herself, grabbing the truck to steady herself, and glared at him. “Just because I’m not a size two doesn’t mean I’m not active, Agent Alvez, and doesn’t mean I cannot tell the difference between sneakers and platform sandals!” She ground the words out, her tone and flashing eyes radiating fury. “I may not be in the field, but I passed the same Bureau fitness and firearms qualifiers as you did, I will have you know!” she said, spinning on the very heel that had nearly caused her to topple in the first place. She stomped away from the bewildered face of the very obviously fit man she was sure thought she looked ridiculous in her towering heels at her size. She assumed he thought heels should be reserved for the slim, leggy model-types he probably picked up every other weekend at the bar. She’s spent years watching Derek- she knew how these playboy types thought. And the types of beach bunnies, bar bimbos and college co-eds they rotated in and out of their beds!

Luke could have kicked himself for insulting her. “Smooth move, Alvez,” he silently berated himself. Had he known the misassumptions she was mulling over regarding his character and just what kind of woman he was interested in, he’d have stopped her. But being that he wasn’t a mind reader, he merely thought she was insulted that he’d spoken so condescendingly and he tried to let the little altercation die there. Leading Roxy, he followed her up the stairs to her apartment, admiring the view of her calves and thighs as she climbed each stair in front of him. He waited silently as she fished through her oversized purse for her keys.

Penelope finally locating the brightly colored ring of keys and keychains, she tried to insert the key into the lock while juggling her bag and the items she’d removed in her search. Without uttering a word, Luke took the key from her, inserted it in the keyhole, and turned it in the lock. He pushed the door open, then stepped back and turned to Penelope. She merely stared at him. Roxy pushed past them, bounding into the apartment. 

“Umm, shall I carry you over the threshold?” Luke asked. As soon as the words left his mouth, he couldn’t help but picture that very thing… He’d swing her up into his arms, pulling her soft body tight into his chest. He’d breath in the smell of her perfume, her hair brushing against his neck. She would clutch his shoulders, her silver-tipped nails biting into the muscles of his back. He’d kick the door closed and not set that delectable armful down until they had reached her bed, and then, only to peel the clothes from both their bodies…. He shook the fantasy away, noticing she had been stunned speechless.  

Penelope could not believe her ears. Had that gorgeous man just offered to carry her? The way a groom would carry his bride? Or a man would his lover? Was he propositioning her? She stared at him, her mouth open and her breath heaving in and out of her lungs. She licked her lower lip, considering the potential meanings behind his intriguing question.

Seeing her shocked face, Luke interpreted her look for one of anger and thought he better ease off the teasing. Clearly, she was not interested, he thought. “Ayyy Chica, I’m kidding,” he said, running a hand over the back of his neck nervously. 

Luke watched as she spun on her heel and stomped into the apartment, slamming her purse onto the cluttered entry table. Great, way to come on too strong and scare her off and piss her off all at once, he chided himself. He sighed. Before he could follow her, a delivery driver- arms laden down with bags full of food- approached. He led the man in, and Penelope showed him where he could set the order down on the kitchen counter. She began searching for her purse to give the young man a tip. “Could be another ten minutes before she finds what she’s looking for in that bright, ridiculous purse after she locates it. Well, maybe I can be a gentleman and smooth over her ruffled feathers” Luke thought, chuckling. He quickly pulled a twenty out of his own wallet, and sent the young man on his way before she could even remember her purse was in the entry. He carried the bags of fragrant food in, closing the door behind him with a nudge of his foot.  

“Where could she have set that dang purse, it was just here?” Penelope thought angrily. She looked up to find the young man had already gone and she shook her head in frustration. Drat that blasted, infuriating man! It was his fault she was so flustered. He goes around drawing unsuspecting women in with his charm and impossibly delicious body, only to admit he’s not at all serious about the offers he’s making. If he hadn’t orchestrated that laugh on the porch at her expense, she wouldn’t have been so angry that she couldn’t remember where she placed her purse. And she would have tipped the kid herself if he hadn’t overstepped his bounds. “And where is everyone else? I don’t know that I can be here much longer with just Luke. He’s entirely too male and too imposing. How can one man take up all the space in the entire apartment with his graceful movements around the kitchen?” Penelope questioned, rather frantically. She couldn’t even smell the food over his masculine cologne. A shiver raced down her spine, and she realized how distracted she was by the mouth-watering, statue-come-to-life male presence currently inhabiting her hallway. Distraught, she retreated to her usual methods of self-defense and coping. 

“Luke, could you be useful for once and maybe put all the food into the oven on low, just to keep warm? And then, please help yourself to a beer. I’m going to change, as I am certain everyone will arrive any moment now.” Penelope said, moving around Luke’s body to exit the kitchen and head towards her bedroom. At least she sure hoped they would. Alone time with Mr. Mouthwatering Masculinity might be a very dangerous thing. “Oh, and Newbie? Don’t do anything to disrupt my inner sanctum. You can get a beer and turn on the TV, but don’t go poking around like you profilers do,” she ordered, throwing the warning over her shoulder as she flounced out of the room. 

Closing the door to her bedroom, she wondered what in the world she should change into. She’d had time at work to prepare for hosting the impromptu soiree- ordering food from her work computer and calling and scheduling her housecleaner to come over and tidy up. She’d even been able to have the grocery-delivery service drop off the extra alcohol and other supplies she’d ordered while Eva was cleaning… pretty penny it cost her, but she knew she needed her people around her. “What did she make the money for if not to spend it on those she loved?” she had reasoned to herself, justifying the additional charges. But her skills fell short of being able to plan an outfit, on short notice, from within the Bat Cave back at the BAU. She had no idea what she was going to throw on, but she needed the moment away from Luke that a wardrobe change offered, and truth be told she felt gross after being in the same clothes for nearly 14 hours. 

“If only I were one of those girls who could look effortlessly flawless in anything. One of those skinny, stunning girls like Derek always brought around. I’m sure they wouldn’t feel like such an idiot around Mr. Latin Lover himself out there. Not only can I not compete with the kind of girls he probably goes for, I can’t even compete with JJ and Emily. And now I have to just throw something together, and spend the evening next to them, without the benefit of a well-planned outfit, time to arrange her appearance, or even a shower,” she mumbled to herself. She rifled through the dozens of colorful dresses hanging in her closet, wishing for something perfect to jump out at her. Her fingers landed on a red dress with white polka dots, and she suddenly knew. It was perfect. “I can’t compete, but I can at least display what I do have in the best wrapping possible…” she mused, slightly releasing her earlier self-consciousness. Slipping out of her black dress with red and white paisley, she removed the rest of her undergarments and kicked them towards the closet. 

Turning on the water in the shower, she decided rinsing off wouldn’t take more than a moment. She grabbed her brush, pulled her blond tresses into a high, messy pony tail and tucked in a pretty lace flower clip. She stepped under the hot water for a moment, enjoying the feel of the hot water cascading over her tense shoulders. “Too bad Luke would never be interested in me. I’d invite him in for a quick romp before the rest of the team showed up,” Penelope considered. 

Shaking away the impossible fantasies, she pulled out her favorite –very expensive- body wash. Shelling out $28 a bottle seemed ridiculous, but she couldn’t find a substitute that came close to the delectable scent of fresh peaches, and just a hint of sandalwood. She poured an indulgent amount onto her loofah and lathered it across her skin, trying to ignore the goosebumps that covering her most tender places that had nothing to do with being cold and everything to do with being hot- hot and bothered. “Oh man, just thinking about that gorgeous man in the next room has all sorts of fantasies running through my mind. I better rinse off and get out before I’m tempted to take matters into my own hands. Or worse, before I invite him to come put out the fire he started… No, better not even entertain such thoughts,” she mused. 

She quickly turned the water to cold, hoping it would cool off her skin AND her racing thoughts. Jumping out of the shower she quickly dried herself off with a towel, before slipping her legs into a pair of lacey black and red boy short panties, and a matching bra with a plunging neckline. She looked in the mirror at her silhouette. “One very deep breath and I think my nipples might pop out,” she observed, rather satisfied with the effect. She quickly donned the rest of the outfit, and reapplied her makeup, before slipping into her heels. She knew if she took much longer she’d either walk out to an apartment full of guests waiting for their hostess, or Luke might take it upon himself to check on her. 

Luke glanced up from the beer he had been swirling, lost in thoughts, at the sound of Penelope’s heels on the floor as she entered the room. Just the sight of her seemed to knock the wind out of him and he felt his muscles tense. “She’s stunning,” he observed, entranced. His eyes roamed over her body, taking in every detail. The red stiletto heels, the black fishnet stockings covering the elegant lines of her calves up to her thighs, the glimpse of ruffled black tulle peeking from beneath her short dress hugging her thigh, the cling of the white-polka-dotted, crimson fabric over her hips and waist, the glorious scrap of black lace bra peeking just above the low sweetheart neckline- giving him an eye-full of the soft, creamy skin that so often occupied his daydreams… His eyes lingered over her cleavage, so temptingly displayed, for several moments longer than he should have allowed.

He forced his gaze to her face, taking in the alluring cascade of her blonde curls she had hastily pinned up, the way the crimson lipstick emphasized her perfectly kissable pout, the smudge of smoky eye makeup that perfectly highlighted her gorgeous brown eyes. “Ayyyy, Chica. Could you be any more tempting?” he wondered, with an imperceptible groan.

Realizing he was staring now, and a blush was creeping up her neck and across her cheeks, he cleared his throat. “Wow, ummm ahem. Penelope… you look… caliente, mami.” Although he tripped over his own tongue at first, he managed to regain his wits in time to finish the statement with a wolfish grin and one last sweep of his eyes down the length of her body. “Come on, girl. You have to see how turned on I am. I’m showing my cards here, give me some sign you are interested back,” he silently pleaded with his eyes. 

Penelope giggled, swatting a hand in front of her. “Oh handsome, you flatter me. Keep it up,” she purred. “Not even your insincere flattery can annoy me. I have determined to thoroughly enjoy tonight. I am alive, I have wonderful friends, a fulfilling job, and I even got time with my Hot Stuff this week. I’m beyond spoiled and tonight nothing is going to upset me!” she pronounced.

Before he could respond and correct her mistake- could assure her that not a bit of what he said was insincere, on the contrary- they both heard a knock at the door.

Penelope moved over to open the door, welcoming in the team as they arrived: Will escorting JJ, and then Prentiss… followed by Rossi and Reid just as Penelope had finished helping the first trio hang up their coats. She smiled happily, greeting them each with a hug. “Hey ya, Will! Long time no see my dashing bayou beau! The boys go to the sitter ok, Jayje?” she asked, hugging the couple. She turned to Emily, saying, “Hey love! Sergio will be so happy to see you!” She patted Rossi and Reid’s hands as they entered, preening when Dave told her, “Wow, kitten! Looking good!”

Luke sighed, contenting himself to watch her smile light her eyes as she greeted her friends and offered them beverages. He loved watching her eyes twinkle with merriment as she welcomed the team she adored. He loved hearing the sweet, melodic ring of her giggle which quickly transformed into a seductive, throaty laugh as she joked with the team. “Oh Chica, you do have an amazing life but not because of what you have, but because of what you give all of us- love, joy, laughter. If only you’d realize that you deserve even more, that you deserve passion and romance,” he reflected as he continued nursing his beer.

As she sauntered into the kitchen to begin pulling food out, he threw back the last sip of his drink and strode after her to help. She made a weak attempt to wave him off, but after he shushed her she gladly accepted his help in removing and uncovering dish after delectable dish. “I’ve got to admit, you ordered some delicious looking stuff for a mostly vegetarian restaurant. And you’re a woman after my own heart for sure, ordering a perfectly cooked steak, medium well,” he told her. “Why can’t she just admit how well we work together?” he wondered to himself.

Ferrying dish after dish to the table, Penelope noticed that Luke made sure to brush his hand across hers as often as he could, even going so far as to place a hand on the small of her back as he ushered her ahead of him as they moved through the small space. She didn’t notice however, his disappointment when she didn’t acknowledge his touches, not even with a scathing set-down. He continued uncovering and arranging dishes, and she watched him out of the corner of her eye as she brought out plates and cutlery. “What is going on with him,” she thought, brooding over the events since they’d entered the elevator that night. She invited the others to come and serve themselves.

[blue-opossum]

Our Son Goes Shopping

        Morning of May 12, 2019. Sunday. EXPLICIT DECODING FORMAT.

        Dream #: 19,137-02. Reading time (optimized): 4 min.

        My conscious self identity is partly present in my dream to the extent that I am somewhat aware of my current life status. I remember that I am married to Zsuzsanna and that we have an older son (though we have five children in all in reality). The setting, however, is unfamiliar throughout my dream though in the first scenes carries a subliminal familiarity with Northside La Crosse.

        I am in a grocery store around ten o'clock at night. Our oldest son will supposedly soon arrive to do the shopping. It seems we live a few blocks from the store. I subliminally lock into vestibular system correlation and slowly perform martial arts stances in the middle of one aisle (while facing the front of the store) in a somewhat exaggerated manner. The vividness and realism of my otherwise imaginary physicality are extraordinary. I can feel every movement precisely, even the extent of the stretching of my legs and arms.

        Eventually, an unfamiliar man of about thirty notices me and seems puzzled by what I am doing as if he believes I am playing around without intent for a more developed and defined martial arts routine. He remains at the end of the aisle closest to the front of the store. (This character is this dream's vestibular system simulacrum, a personification of the process, trying to cause me to realize that my dream self's body is not real, but he does not directly state this.) He does not annoy me much though my dream's vividness increases slightly. I continue for a short time. The store owner, who is also the cashier, is friendly, and I consider selecting some food items before my son arrives to buy the rest.

        The vestibular system simulacrum's presence and my subliminal dismissal of the process cause my dream to shift toward a different process. Because my dream self does not acknowledge that my "body" is not real, the typical redirection to circadian rhythm processes results. I now realize that my son will not make it to the store in time before it closes (yet this does not activate any other waking precursor). I wait for a short time near the front of the store and remain until I realize that it is no longer open and I see that no one else is present. (This stems from lack of reasoning, a natural factor of the dream state, though along with my stubborn though subliminal intent to remain in REM sleep. A customer would not stay in a closed store after everyone else left.)

        I leave the store through the front and walk around to the right of the building to see a white van parked adjacent to it, facing the street. I know it belongs to the owner of the store. I look into his vehicle, which I assume he uses for deliveries to his store, and I think of using it to go and pick up my son, who I now know is at a supermarket at the shopping mall a considerable distance away. (These details are illogical. How and why would he walk to a shopping mall so far away and late at night?) As I cheerfully think of taking the van, I consider that might be an intrusion. Instead, I mentally will a duplicate to appear right next to it.

        I get into my duplicated white van and drive off. On the way, halfway down one street, I bump into a car parked adjacent to the curb. Even though I only nudge it on its side (with it facing the same direction I am driving), it ends up with a series of deep dents on its side. A vestibular system simulacrum appears standing on the other side of the street (as a different dream character than its first incarnation), and he comments on the mishap. I cheerfully wave him off and continue to drive. (This same process has happened in previous dreams. As a vehicle most often autosymbolically represents the physical body while in REM sleep, I am subliminally aware of Zsuzsanna's body next to mine, with the bumping being a factor of our potential physical contact during REM sleep in touching or bumping against each other's sides. That fact correlates with ambiguous dreams where our bodies became vehicles and vice versa in abstract modes of dreaming. Additionally, I never experienced this dream event when sleeping on my own.)

        Finally, after I drive around inside the shopping mall past a few different stores (without considering my activity unusual), I see my son. Later, we return to my van, which is now somehow outside in a grassy field.

        The road is now inaccessible, about six feet above, and parallel to, a steep embankment. The preconscious simulacrum finally renders as a rude unknown male who stands near the side of the road above and tells me how I cannot drive there, which I already realize. He seems to have been driving a car before stopping and getting out for a short time.

        I start to carry my van and plan on going up the side up the embankment with it to get it back on the road (vestibular cortex concurrence). Another incarnation of the preconscious (an unfamiliar man) appears near us, and I stab "him" several times with a dagger with a vague awareness of the process (though still not lucid). Once I get the van up onto the road, partly walking, partly flying, I slowly wake.

        Controlling dreams is NOT a factor of lucid dreaming. They are inherently unrelated factors. In this NON-LUCID dream, my activity of mentally duplicating the white van next to the original (to subliminally sustain my experience) is certainly not something my conscious self would contemplate in waking life. Additionally, I have created and controlled dream content in non-lucidity since earliest memory while also even understanding the processing factors in non-lucidity. Of course, on the other hand, I have also been a natural lucid dreamer since earliest memory, with no need to "learn" it.

[junefinnigan]

Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World

Extract from my Easter Weekend blog 2019.  ‘Yes, it’s that time of year again, Easter Weekend and the Tourists have poured in from every part of the globe.  Cars and mini-buses are cruising past our Old Monastery Farmhouse with big-eyed faces staring out of the windows.  Then there are the walkers.  As we are surrounded by agriturismo places to stay, it’s normal to hear the sound of footsteps on the gravel track and wondrous voices in many different languages.  But, we don’t mind, as this weekend heralds the run up to summer and it’s a pleasure to see and hear visitors enjoying themselves.’  

Easter Saturday 2020 – Who’d have thought that one year on, the above would be so strange to read, as we have been on lockdown now for a month and it’s amazing how one can get used to it.  We have set up a nice place to sit at the front of the house under a big brolly, as the sun is hot and I need to be in the shade looking out.  It has been so quiet that if a vehicle does roll past it’s usually agricultural, but it still has my man and I looking at each other with a frown on our faces.  My man usually says “Whose that on our track?”  Of course it’s not really ‘our track’ it just goes past our front gate.  It’s a gravel track, which is perfectly normal in this region, but is now kicking up dust due to the dry weather.  We also see the occasional blue light of the Carabiniere cruising past looking for Lockdown law breakers and believe me, they mean business!

Back to today.  We had a postal delivery this morning from the commune di Certaldo, which contained four face masks!  I must say I was impressed.  Earlier this morning I was in our local village of Fiano, waiting in a short queue of six for groceries and everyone was wearing a mask.  The queue swelled to about twenty before I went in and as is the way in Italy, a big circular queue was formed on both sides of the road, keeping a careful distance from each other but close enough for everyone to chat and greet friends.  We always know who will go in before us, it’s the same in the doctor’s surgery.  Rossella, my lovely friend who served me this morning, gave us an expensive bottle of Prosecco as a Easter (Pasqua) gift.  It’s wonderful to be looked after so well; my shopping is also carried to the car!  I wish I could hug her.  Breaking News – we have been informed that the lockdown will continue until 3rd May, not unexpected.

Easter Sunday – Anyway, this will be the first Easter Sunday lunch without our daughter and family for some years.  But we have arranged a video call for midday.  My man and I went out for coffee again, or rather did a circuit of the garden and stopped off at our front door for coffee.  Everything is a rich green, despite the lack of rain and smells wonderful as my man did a lot of strimming yesterday.  The climbing red English rose is close to bursting it’s buds and the European Oak has revealed it’s catkins!  We heard the first cuckoo and think we saw the first swallow.  Apparently the swallows hit turbulent weather over Greece last week so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Lots of geraniums have survived the winter under covers, they look a bit straggly, but we cannot replace them until the lock-down ends.  Still, some are in flower already.  Oh, and the Florentine Irises are blooming, and the ancient Oak Tree, which guards our gate, is once more leafed up!  So nature carries on regardless; we are so lucky.

I must say that I have been very impressed with the way technology has brought all the delights of Easter onto our computer and TV screens.  Church Services (if it is your thing) family get togethers and drinks with friends!  We tend to treat the Easter Weekend as a few days holiday, as we work with the UK system, our clients being mainly based there.  Here in Italy, most food shops will be closed today and tomorrow as normal.  But it is a very strange time…..

Meanwhile, if you want to visit the original Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci you can do a virtual tour by visiting Leonardo

Well, must dash off.  The family are about to arrive on Skype and I must  put some lipstick on.  Oh, and set the scene for my man and I to do our bit on screen.

Easter Monday –  Did some tidying of the garden pots this morning and watched Andrea Bocelli’s video on You Tube, recorded live in the empty Duomo in Milan.  If you want to feel the real emotion that exists here, watch it on  youtube

Meanwhile, back in our beautiful garden, which we have always appreciated, even more so now, an early morning arrival was a young fox.  Hard to tell if male or female, but very friendly and inquisitive.

From my dressing room window I saw it slinking toward the shrub where I think Phil the Pheasant’s hens are hiding out.  I threw a stone, which is a pretty one I collected from the garden some years ago; it bounced off the fence and rolled onto the lawn.  Instead of running off, the little fox rushed over and grabbed it in its mouth, then started playing with it like a puppy.  I said ‘Buon Giorno’ and it sat down and gazed up at me, obviously fascinated.  My man managed to get a foto, if a little out of focus, but you can see how young it was.  Beautiful.  So, we are not short of visitors!

So, today will be the last of the sunny weather as we are forecast rain.  But that’s OK because we need it.  Our landlord, lives half an hour away and due to the Lockdown has not been able to come and strim the outer reaches of the garden.  So my man is attempting to go that extra ‘mile’ and do some of this for him.  Yesterday, exhausted, he fell asleep in a deckchair with his cowboy hat over his face!  He woke up feeling dizzy from sleeping in the hot sun!  Bless him.

Well, we have no plans today, so I will cook us a nice lunch to make up for the cold offering from yesterday.  We actually had Caprese (buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomatoes accompanied by Fetunta (toast rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra virgin)  Now we love this, but my man grumbled that it was Easter day and he had hoped for a nice veggie roast.  So I will cook that today!

Have a really good week and please stay home.  We are now on lockdown until 3 May, it will be alright.

Salute and stay safe, Amore June x

PS Have you read my books yet?  Now’s a good time!  my site

Easter Weekend, Carabinieri, The last Supper, The Garden Again, Expensive Prosecco, A Cuckoo, Andrea Bocelli at Il Duomo Milano and a Fox Cub in Beautiful Tuscany. Welcome and Benvenuti to all my Lovely Followers around the World Extract from my Easter Weekend blog…

[artofpeacelove]

Adjusting to life under siege by SARS-CoV-2 has not been easy; each new day brings with it novel guidelines and restrictions aimed at keeping populations safe as cases soar worldwide. Many of us—most of us, I hope—are staying at home as much as possible to give hospital workers a fighting chance at saving the lives affected by COVID-19. Still, there is one place few of us can avoid: the grocery store.

Everyone needs food, and while grocery delivery is still available in some places—albeit with weeks-long wait times—most of us will be forced to venture out sometime in the next month (or more) to restock our shelves. It’s a daunting thought, given how trafficked a grocery store is, and many shops are taking measures to help keep shoppers and clerks safe as both sides of the cashier stand navigate this tricky business of stopping the spread.

Sneeze guards have been installed in many stores, for example, to protect cashiers who have no choice but to stand fewer than six feet away from customers. Strategically-placed floor tape in other stores helps customers visualize the amount of distance they need to maintain from one another. In some shops, lines snake around the block as a limited number of customers are allowed in at a time. And so on.

Not all stores are instituting such measures, however, and even if you shop at one that is, there are additional behaviors you should ditch/adopt to help keep yourself and other shoppers safe. Below, experts share a few new guidelines to follow so as to avoid becoming the Typhoid Mary/resident jerk of your local grocery store.

1. Order delivery if possible

“Ideally, it would be best to stay home, physically isolated, and to limit your exposure to others and their exposure to you as much as is possible,” says Dana Hunnes, PhD, RD, a professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, when I ask her whether or not we should be opting for delivery over in-person visits.

If you do manage to get a delivery slot, ask neighbors or friends if there’s anything they need so as to maximize your shopper’s efficiency while helping others avoid the store, too. And be sure to tip well. (Very well.) These workers are helping you and risking themselves day after day, and many rely on tips to get through these tough times. So be thoughtful and tip a good percentage (most services let you do this online and/or through their app).

2. make each visit count

Hunnes says it’s best to limit your shopping trips as much as possible by waiting until your list is long to hit the store. “Now is not the time to impulse buy and stand in line for one item you’re craving,” she says.

As with delivery, you can combine lists with friends and neighbors so as to lower the overall number of shoppers flooding into stores, too.

3. Don’t waste Personal Protective Equipment

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t suit up for a trip to the store. “Unless you are ill or immune-compromised, it is not recommended to wear any protective gear,” says Hunnes. “Right now healthcare professionals need all the PPE they can get as they are the frontline.”

You can, of course, wear gloves, though Hunnes says you’re probably more likely to remember to wash your hands than you are to not touch things with gloves. You can also DIY something to cover your face, e.g. a bandana, but Hunnes warns this might not actually be all that helpful, either. “Wearing a mask may give you a false-sense of safety, and you may be more likely to touch your face to adjust the mask,” she says.

Studies have shown that wearing surgical masks can help stop the spread of respiratory viruses to an extent, but doctors admit there isn’t a definitive answer as to whether or not you need to wear one.

“Honestly, we aren’t sure how helpful these homemade masks and makeshift masks with bandanas and scarves are, but it’s better than nothing,”  adds Sonia Vaidian, MD.

4. If there’s a line outside, maintain social distancing best practices

That’s six feet in front of you, and six feet behind you, says Food Safety Coach Jeff Nelkin. No exceptions.

5. Don’t hoard

Yes, this is a scary time, and it’s tempting to take as much as you can at once so as to a) not have to go back and b) not run out of food in a worst case scenario. With that said, you may be taking food out of the cart of, say, an elderly or otherwise vulnerable person who took a real chance to get to the store. “Make a list and buy only what you need, or what you know you can actually eat during a set time period, so that you’re not taking from someone else who might need an item—and then you end up throwing it away because it went bad,” says Hunnes. If you do *accidentally* take more than you need, consider offering to share with friends or neighbors.

6. Check your privilege (and check the labels and time)

Speaking of elderly customers, many stores are implementing senior hours (usually the first hour after the store opens) to make sure that elderly customers get what they need while being socially distant. You also should look up when your state provides and gives out SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits. (It’s usually the first of the month.) Unless a food emergency, try to avoid the supermarket on these first few dates. If you have to go, check the store labels when at the store during this time (and early in the month) to avoid buying products that are covered under these programs and opt for a different brand if possible and available, as those needing those items do not get to swap for substitutions.

7. don’t touch the freaking produce

“When you go to the produce section, everybody is doing like what they were doing before the virus—touching and squeezing everything,” says Nelkin. “We’re talking about 30 to 50 people that have made skin contact with these products by the end of the day.”

Instead of engaging in this coronavirus-inappropriate behavior, Hunnes suggests visually assessing produce when possible. If this approach fails to give you the information you need, Nelkin suggests putting your hand inside a plastic produce bag and then grabbing what you want and squeezing, etc. “That way, you’re minimizing skin contact because you’re inverting the bag and using it as a glove,” he says.

To protect yourself from produce potentially contaminated by less thoughtful patrons before you get to it, Hunnes recommends cleaning your hands after you touch the produce and then washing the produce as soon as you get home, before you put it in the fridge.

8. Be mindful of your contact with packaged goods, too

While you’re less likely to catch the coronavirus via contact with products, it is able to live for up to 24 hours on cardboard and 2-3 days on plastic. So, touch only what you’re fairly positive you’re going to add to your cart, wipe plastic goods down when you get home, and use hand sanitizer when you leave the store (before you get into your car) and then wash your hands after you unpack your groceries.

9. Avoid crowded aisles

If your grocery store isn’t limiting the number of customers allowed in at any given time, do your best to maintain six feet of distance regardless. “As much as humanly possible, try to shop during the least-crowded times and on the least-crowded aisles,” says Hunnes. “Keep your eyes open and your wits about you.”

10. Don’t drop the scoop

If you’re buying from a bulk barrel, don’t be that guy/gal who drops the potentially contaminated scoop handle into the food, says Nelkin. To avoid making skin contact with that handle yourself, utilize the inverted produce bag trick from #5 above (or, gloves).

11. Avoid the buffets

Nelson thinks these should be shut down, and suggests avoiding them where they are not.

12. Pay with a credit card, not cash

Pay with your credit card, and then wipe it after you swipe it. “You cannot necessarily prevent full exposure (e.g. cleaning machines that you’re using, etc), but you can clean your own stuff (e.g. credit card, wallet, phone case) after you touch them,” says Hunnes. “Clean your hands before and after you clean the items, too.” For even fewer touchpoints, you can use Apple Pay on your phone where possible (e.g. Trader Joe’s) as well.

13. Wipe your cart/basket after you use it

While you should definitely wipe down your cart or basket before you use it, it doesn’t hurt to be thoughtful and give one or the other a swift clean after you use it, too, because, well, kindness.

Too wired with worry to crash at night? Try these 5 tips from a sleep doc to calm your mind and catch some zzz’s. Plus, here’s the 411 on whether or not you need to disinfect your mail right now.

from Good Advice – Well+Good https://ift.tt/2JG7fdy via IFTTT

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

[googlenewson]

Workers at grocery delivery service Instacart plan a strike on Monday to force the company to better protect them against the coronavirus outbreak, setting the stage for a mass disruption of customer orders at a time of soaring growth.

 “We’re really trying to light a fire under Instacart’s feet,” said Vanessa Bain, a member of the activist committee organizing the strike. “Our intention is not to bring Instacart’s operations to a grinding halt, but if that’s what it takes to get what we need, then we’ll keep elevating.”

The group, which has access to a network of 15,000 Instacart workers, said they’ve repeatedly asked for Instacart to provide them with personal safety gear, $5 hazard pay for each order, and access to sick pay for at-risk workers and those who have coronavirus symptoms. The workers plan to strike until the company, which they say has largely ignored them, meets their demands.

The strike would take place during one of Instacart’s busiest periods, according to CEO Apoorva Mehta. As the coronavirus spreads across the nation, people are turning to grocery delivery services to prevent them from being exposed to the illness in stores and from having to wait in long lines checkout lines.

To fill the demand, Instacart is trying to quickly expand its workforce, recently announcing plans to hire 300,000 delivery people.

In response to the threatened strike, Instacart said it’s working “proactively” to take “precautionary” measures to operate safely. On Friday, it extended window during which it would provide 14 days of pay to workers who are diagnosed with the virus or placed under mandatory quarantine, from April 8 to May 8. It also announced a bonus of up to $200 for employees, which doesn’t include Instacart’s delivery people, bonuses for workers who meet certain thresholds for the number orders they handle, and the ability to deliver alcohol by getting a scanned image of person’s ID from a distance instead of a written customer signature.

“The health and safety of our entire community — shoppers, customers, and employees — is our first priority,” the company said in a statement. “We absolutely respect the rights of shoppers to provide us feedback and voice their concerns. It’s a valuable way for us to continuously make improvements to the shopper experience, and we’re committed to supporting this important community during this critical time.” 

But Bain says Instacart’s response doesn’t actually address the core problems. Workers cannot receive sick pay unless they have a doctor’s note saying they are under mandatory quarantine or have been diagnosed with coronavirus, even though testing is still largely unavailable and many workers don’t have health insurance to cover a doctor’s visit, she said. On top of that, many workers have pre-existing conditions that increase their chances of getting severely ill from the virus, and they are not covered by the current policy. Meanwhile, shoppers still won’t have the cleaning supplies they need to disinfect shopping carts or wipe their hands before handing products to customers. 

“Customers have a false sense of security from ordering from services that keep them in their homes,” Bain said. “But we know this virus can live on grocery bags.”

And that fear alone is already disrupting Instacart’s service even before the scheduled strike, according to some customers. Many people have to wait a week or longer to get their groceries delivered, and, when they are delivered, some items are often missing due to store shortages. And some shoppers complain that they’re getting charged for items they never receive and can’t get ahold of company representatives to fix the problem.

Carol Symon, a 70-year-old resident in Fort Worth, Tex., said she recently tried Instacart for the first time because she feared her age coupled with her asthma made it too dangerous for her to go out. She ordered 15 items from the service, which promised to deliver in three days.

“I got an email saying, ‘Your order has been delivered,’” she said. “I went outside and there was nothing on the front porch, nothing on the back porch.”

Symon said she was alerted that all the items were out of stock except for a can of V8 juice, for which she was charged along with the delivery and service fees. She’s challenging the charge with her credit card company.

Grace Stroud, also a 70-year-old first time shopper, had a similar experience when she placed a $180 order on Instacart. She didn’t receive her order but was charged for some grape tomatoes along with the service fee and delivery charge.

“I tried to call a number and they said the wait time was 59 minutes,” Stroud said. “At this point, I’ve just written it out of my check book.”

But service is about to get even less reliable if even some of the 15,000 shoppers strike on Monday. This is the first time Instacart workers are striking indefinitely after previously staging one-day walkouts and other protests urging the company to improve working conditions like changing the tip policies and providing more transparency into how their pay is determined.

Bain said the final straw this time was Instacart’s announcement that it was hiring 300,000 new delivery people.

“It felt like they knew we were going to get sick, and they need to replace us,” she said. “Three hundred thousand people will be exposed to the risk we face. That’s’ terrifying.”

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—The coronavirus pandemic reveals how prepared the U.S. is for cyber conflict —Countries are sending texts to warn about COVID-19. Should Trump? —TikTok’s newest viral influencers? Personal finance stars —With 5G, wearable devices are expected to become even more sci-fi —Listen to Leadership Next, a Fortune podcast examining the evolving role of CEO —WATCH: Best earbuds in 2020: Apple AirPods Pro Vs. Sony WF-1000XM3 Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily digest on the business of tech.

from Fortune https://ift.tt/3atU8Io

[igotthe411]

The Empire

Welcome to The Empire

Ten days into Malaysia we were on our way to our third destination, Empire Damansara.  The hotel called an Uber to transport us.  The fare was 10 RM or $2.50.

When we pulled up to Qliq Hotel, we were impressed with the area. Two employees met us at the curb with the luggage cart and wheeled our luggage into the cool hotel.  When they found out that we weren't guests to the hotel, they quickly removed our luggage.  When I booked our suite, I didn't know exactly we were supposed to meet the host.  I provided the Uber drive the directions, and away we went assuming the host will meet us at the hotel entrance for check-in.   We began to sit down on one of the sofa's in the lobby, but a staff member informed us that the area was only for the hotel guests.  I provided one of the employees the address and tried to explain that we didn't know where to meet the host.  I spoke with host earlier, but she didn't give any specifics. 

Eventually, one of the employees from the hotel called the number of our host (I still didn't have any minutes on my phone).  The employee stated that she was not supposed to make calls to host and that it was against their policy.  Goodness, I thought.  It was only a freaking phone call.  I didn't understand why she was making a big deal out of one phone call.   She was irritated, but she made the call anyway probably just to get rid of us.   She called the host and spoke with her in their language.  When the employee finished talking with the host, she told me that the host said that check in wasn't until 3:00 p.m.  It was about 1:00 p.m.  We already knew we were going to arrive early and was willing to sit back and wait in the lobby.  I informed the employee we knew we needed to wait. 

We left the hotel lobby and found seats at this small restaurant.  We were exhausted from wheeling and holding luggage and coats.  I went inside the small restaurant and ordered something cold to drink.  Besides, the employee inside the restaurant was looking at us as if we committed a crime by sitting in the seats meant for patrons only. 

While we were having our drinks one of the security guards came over to us with someone who spoke English and explained our situation in their language.  I provided the man with the phone number of the host, and he used his phone to call the host who provided him with our location.  Hallelujah!  Thank God for small favors.  The host arrived an hour and a half later and led us to our temporary home.

When we arrived at the unit, I was confused.  In the description from Orbitz, it stated that there were two queen beds but the first thing I saw when the door opened was floor mats.  I didn't complain because I knew that we didn't have anywhere else to go.   I looked in the kitchenette and asked about a microwave and stove.  She stated that we were not supposed to cook in the unit.  I'm thinking ‘what's the point of a kitchenette.'  After showing us around, she left and came back within the hour with some extra toilet paper, two towels, a microwave, and stovetop cooker with a pan.  Okay, this might work out.

While she was there, I asked about the nearest grocery store.  She provided me the information and called an Uber for us and off we went to Tesco.  When the driver dropped us off, we walked into the store expecting to see an actual ‘grocery' store, but this was more like mini-mall.  We eventually found the grocery store upstairs and was shocked at the prices and products.  I was hoping to buy essential items like salad mix, canned vegetables, canned chili, lunch meat, water, etc.  Our experience at the grocery store was depressing.  We end up with water and ramen.  They sell lunch meat by the piece.  Who does that?  We also had to pay for bags. 

We went back downstairs to the main entrance.  I pulled out my phone to contact Uber since it only required internet but the internet at the mini-mall wasn't working.  Frustration had built up again.  I had my girls go back upstairs and see if one of the women we met earlier (they were working at a table trying to get people to sign up for facials) would call an Uber for us.  Fifteen minutes later, my girls and the lady came down to the main entrance to get me.  Since it was raining outside, the driver was going to meet us in the covered parking lot.  Again, thank God for small favors.  The lady was nice.  Even though I was going to go back to sign up for the facial, the opportunity diminished when two of my daughters and myself end up sick.  What a pity because the promotion was only for that weekend for 20 RM or $5.13.

We got back to the hotel and plopped down.  The bottled water (8-1 liter) was heavy, and the humidity was unforgivable. 

The next day I went downstairs to one of the convenient stores and purchased minutes for my phone.  Now I was able to communicate with Malaysia.  I'm not sure if I mentioned this in one of my other posts, but I signed up for a Skype number as well as phone service.  I paid $13.99 for phone service for a month and $18.99 for the phone number for three months.  That is how I communicate with my family back in the U.S.  This works great if you have excellent wi-fi.

Within a couple of days, we kept seeing bugs.  I went online to see if they had grocery delivery services and found one called HappyFresh.   I have included the link you will need to access the store.  After you are on the site, you will need to click on a store; click on Tesco.  You will also need to add an address to verify if they deliver to your area.  You can use the address for Empire Damansara (Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor 47820 Petaling Jaya Selangor).   I placed an order which included more food and bug spray.

I contacted the host, via text, to let her know that the place had bugs and the water from the upstairs bathroom was leaking so badly that your feet end up soaked when you use the sink.  I also informed her that she received a disconnection notice for the water and that we couldn't get the stove top to work.  She came by and did something to the pipe under the sink but said that she would send someone to fix it.  The water stopped draining on the floor, but the water flowed slowly.  She also mentioned that a queen bed would arrive in 3 weeks and would that be okay.  I was wondering why she asked because we wouldn't be there in 3 weeks.  The booking was from January 20 – February 1, 2018.  Big mistake on my part.

I want to take a brief break to talk about the ink-marked sofa sleeper.  This thing was so old that when you sat on it, you fell into a hole, which is why there were three pillows to cushion your "cush" and to prevent you from sitting into a hole.  It was very hard trying to lift yourself out of that hole.  I just gave up and sat on the floor mat located on a cement floor.  Everything was uncomfortable.  The bed was lumpy and hard.  The bed didn't sit on a bed rail but on those cones used to lift the bed off the floor.  Let's not forget the single bean-bag chair in a corner under the stairs.  I'm assuming it was there because some of the stuffing was coming out.

The next week around 2:30 p.m. the water was disconnected.  I contacted the host who said that she paid the bill.  After an hour and a half when the water still wasn't on, I called her.  She said that the water would be back on that day.  After three hours, the water was back on.

Everything went downhill after that.  On January 27, 2018, the water was off again.  I tried to contact the host, to no avail.  She ignored all my texts and phone calls.  We didn't hear back from her until 10:00 a.m. on February 1, 2018, when she called to remind us that check out time was at noon.

We were out of water from Saturday until Tuesday and not once did she respond to my messages.  We were stuck.  I tried to find another place to live but everything was out of my price range, and we would have to move again because I had already booked another site that was cheaper and newer.

In case you're wondering how we survived without water - well, there was this water faucet in this small room where we placed trash.  We filled buckets and did what we had to do.   I also ordered some bottled water for cooking and drinking.  On late Tuesday evening, January 30th, the water was on.  February 1, 2018, we moved out with a ‘friendly' text reminder from the host informing us of the check out time.  Wasn't that sweet of her?

On the day of our exit, I used the apartment's internet to schedule an Uber.  Sounds easy, huh?  Nope!  When the driver arrived in his small car, he looked at us in astonishment and said that I should have ordered two Ubers.  He asked if I had another phone to order another Uber.  Apparently, you cannot request separate Ubers on the same account.  I asked him the price for two Ubers, and he quoted around 200 RM ($50).  When I initially ordered the Uber, the quote was 66 RM ($16.76), but when he pulled up the address to our destination he came up with a different quote.  Of course, I was skeptical.  He said it would be cheaper to order 2 Ubers instead of a taxi.  Well, since I didn't have another Uber account or Wi-Fi to set up another account, he left.  So, here we were in the lobby with no internet service or transportation to our new location.

After the Uber driver left, I sat down on the lobby sofa to do some thinking.  It was hot, humid and I was getting frustrated by the second.  We are unlucky when it comes to traveling.  Five minutes later I decided to go to another part of the building that offers free WIFI.  I left the kids and luggage in the lobby.  I didn't make sense to drag all that luggage around.  My first stop was the laundry facility.  We've visited it a couple of times, and I knew that it offers the free WIFI service.  When I got there, I looked around for the guy who works there, but he was nowhere in sight.  I began to look around and found a bulletin board.  I walked over hoping that the WIFI password would be listed somewhere on the board, but it wasn't.

Frustrated again, I walked out and toward the hotel's lobby.  I knew that taxis are always lingering around and by heavens, I found a couple of men standing by their taxi vans looking eager for a customer.    I gave them the address and asked how much.   They put the address on their phone and said that the address doesn't pull up.  I called the host of the new place and passed the phone to one of the drivers.  Remember, I'm still trying to communicate with people who speak limited English.  After the driver finished the phone call, he gave me a quote of 63 RM ($16.76), which was cheaper than the Uber and with more space.  I told him that my luggage was in a different location, so he drove me to where my kids were waiting. 

I jumped out of the taxi van to summon my girls who were waiting patiently in the cold lobby.  We got all the luggage outside and began stacking luggage in the taxi.  The taxi driver said that the luggage was too heavy, that there was a weight limit for the toll.  He said if he forced the bags, it would cost more because he would have to go a long way around which would charge more; 85 RM ($21.58).  I shrugged.  I just wanted to get to my destination.  When we tried to force the luggage in the back of the van, there wasn't enough room.  He suggested that I use two taxis.  He called the other taxi, located in front of the hotel to make sure it was still available.   I asked him how much it was going to cost.  He stated 170 RM ($43.16), which was double.    He said that rate would pay for everything.  In a couple of minutes, the other taxi parked behind the first taxi.  I told the first driver that I didn't have 170 RM.  I lied.  My RM's were getting low.  The driver said they would do it or 150 RM ($38.08).  Two taxis, 45-minute ride, four passengers, four large suitcases, four carry-ons, and four oversized winter coats. 

After packing everything in the two taxi-vans, we were off with 500 RM ($126.94).  This dollar amount is only an estimate.

During our stay, we also used FoodPanda, a fast food delivery service.  You can also check them out.  Use the same address as above.  In the beginning, we had the delivery people meet us in the lobby, but eventually, they brought the food to us.  I love convenience.  That was the best part of our stay at Empire Damansara.

Whew!  What a journey, huh?  Two months in Malaysia and we have yet to have any fun.  I wonder how things will fare at the next location.  Please join me for the next chapter in our journey, The Mesa Hills.  

I have included some pics of Empire Damansara.