4 Positive Power

I unlock the stall door and slowly peek out to see Tamara still staring at the mirror. She looks like she is trying so hard to keep herself together which made me unsure of what to do. Should I go up to comfort her? Should I shove the teddy bear in her hands or tell her she has done nothing wrong? I could feel my palms start to sweat as I clutch the teddy bear's chubby arms.

Tamara sees me step out from the bathroom stall, and started wiping water off her face with a long strip of paper towel. She turned around and I can see her clutching the shining counter until her knuckles became snow white. I do not know if I was seeing things but her eyes looked puffy and dull, as if they lost their life. Her once lustrous hair looks dry even under the bright light. She took a big hit from her boss' scolding.

"Here, I am kind of socially awkward so I cannot make you feel better with words. This teddy bear is named Daff, short for Daffodil. He represents new beginnings so if you ever feel horrible after being yelled at, he can help. I think." I scratch my neck, realizing how childish I must seem. I am in a washroom, giving a grown woman a stuffed animal. One that I created.

"Daffodil, I wish I can make a new beginning for myself. I used to enjoy being a secretary but I was laid off at the previous company. After so much I finally made it here but the boss is as you saw, a big jerk." She adjusts the crooked tag on her clothes before taking the toy with a brighter smile. She touched the fake daffodil as if the flower had more meaning to her. "Where did you get this? Was this in your tote bag the whole time?"

I nod like I always do whenever I get the skeptic question. I grin as I pat the bag, glad to see the light in her eyes have returned. "I carry weird things in here. My customers gave me my name which is Genie since I always have miscellaneous items on hand. The name is nothing close to Vivian but I like it anyway. It sounds magical, doesn't it?"

"The teddy bear does feel magical." Tamara stares at the bear's beady eyes and strokes its silky 'fur'. She smiled as if nothing was wrong in the world which made me feel as if my job is finished. I may not have gotten money for drawing but Tamara could be happy for even a minute. "Thank you Vivian. I will continue the tradition and carry it around with me."

All of a sudden my phone blared my ringtone which broke the emotional moment. Tamara motions for me to answer, busying herself with flapping the bear's arms like wings. I felt sad to see her do this as if all she wanted was to fly from her mundane life as a mere secretary. I take my phone out, not expecting to see a number I recognize. The caller ID read: LORENZO MY BF.

My eyes widened and not because of the words at the top of my screen. I did see Lorenzo sneakily holding my phone yesterday but I did not check if he was on a 18+ site or something. I assumed that BF means best friend because him being my boyfriend? That would be too much for the both of us. I tap the screen three times, missing the green button due to shock. I forgot to call him to tell him I arrived safely.

"Vivian! Why didn't you call me? Why did it take you more than three seconds to answer? Where are you and with whom?" Once I brought the device to my ears his voice thundered and I wonder if Tamara heard the hyena screaming. There was a short pause and I hear him take a deep breath before continuing his shouting. "Wait, are you even Vivian? My friend, what did you do to her! Hello? I will find you!"

"Lorenzo, it's me. I was caught up with a situation so I forgot to call you. Do you know that you nag me more than my mother used to?" I had to pull the phone away from my ear as he inhaled. That was a sign he would yell even louder than before so I wanted to save my ears before it is too late. Lorenzo must be lecturing me about road safety and stranger danger.

"Lorenzo, I'm almost thirty! I know what to do if something happens on the road and the situation is not what you could possibly imagine. I just did not get the customer and I am currently preparing to leave." Tamara and I start moving out of the bathroom. She is holding the bear in one arm, inviting stares from passing workers. "I will be home soon."

I ask with my eyes if Tamara would be fine if I leave now, pointing to my phone. She nods so I return the visitor card and I also gave her my business card so she can call me whenever she wants. Who knows, the next time I see her we may be working partners. I retrieve my bike from the bike rack beside Tamara. I wedged my phone between my right cheek and shoulder, focusing on pulling the bike along.

"What? Did your customer tell you it was a prank call? Did they try to make a deal that made you uncomfortable?" Lorenzo rambles on and on about all the possibilities for my customer rejecting my work. I think he needs more interesting events in his life if he only conjures different scenarios in his head. "No, don't tell me he did not like your art!"

I shook my head but I know Lorenzo would not see the gesture. "No, he was just not the person I wanted to work with and I am sure he can find another artist. I hope he does not call me back so I can work with nicer clients. Do you want a custard bun for a snack? I am close to Hao's Bakery and you know how delicious their pastries are."

"Good, pricks should not work with you. I love custard buns, you know that. Get me two of them and a bubble tea of any flavor. I will pay you back when you get home." Lorenzo sounds like an excited child until Brett's voice interrupts his happy session. "Brett! I am talking to Vivian, take it down a notch? Thank you. Viv, if you are going to ride your bike to the bakery now, I will hang up."

I was close to telling him I did not hit the road yet but he hung up anyway. I only realized he left when I could not hear his replies after saying I will also buy the book he had been searching for. Was it called Magic and Art? Magical Art? I shook my head but I do remember the title mentions art and magic. Just like my secret powers.

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