5-Am I Aging?

Nicky worked on the 24th floor of a hi-rise building in Midtown Manhattan. Her marketing firm, Global Images, had the biggest named clients: Nike, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Armani.

Nicky started with the firm right out of college, and moved her way up the ranks faster than anyone in her corporate class. She was the youngest marketing executive to get her own office, the youngest to successfully nab the highly sought-after demographics.

And when it came time for annual bonuses, Nicky got larger paychecks than even some of her more seasoned colleagues. Of course for Nicky, the money wasn’t a big deal. She spent it like she made it. She also worked harder than everyone else, and her coworkers –men and women—respected her for it.

Nicky was on the phone, typing furiously, when her coworker, Alex Garcia, walked into her office. He waited patiently at the door, while Nicky finished up her conversation on the phone. When Nicky hung up, she let out a big sigh, and allowed her posture to hunch in a relaxed kind of way. She looked relieved to see a familiar face.

“I tell you if I smoked, I would want a cigarette right now. This client is playing hardball, even though he belongs in the minors,” Nicky said. She took a drink of her oversized Starbucks coffee.

“Hey Nick, I need your help.” Alex pulled up a chair and sat down.

“Is everything okay? Shut the door.” Nicky sounded concerned.

“No, it’s not that. I have a wedding to go to in three weeks, and if you’re not busy, it would be great if you could go with me. Again, if you’re not busy.”

“As your date?” she asked, wryly.

Alex and Nicky had been friends for nine years. They both started at the firm the same day, and faced the same challenges every other young person faces in corporate New York.

But as Nicky’s career with the company took off, Alex was left flat-footed. He still had decent clients, but he was never as quick or sharp or as fast as Nicky was in meetings. And even though there was never any competition between them, when it came time for business, Nicky turned into the sun, while Alex looked more like a moonlight.

“Well, we’re coworkers, so I wouldn’t call it a date. I mean, if you want to call it a date, we can call it a date for a wedding,” Alex shuffled his polished Kenneth Cole shoes on the carpet. Nicky smiled at him in an endearing way.

“I’d be happy to accompany you, but,” Nicky was a natural when it came to delivery. She raised her index finger, like she was about to scold someone. “I’m not bringing a wedding present.”

“Don’t worry, I already took care of it,” Alex said, winking at her.

“So who’s getting married?”

“A friend of the family. We’re not really that close, but I guess I’m close enough for a wedding invitation.”

Nicky crossed her legs, her skirt casually shifted up with the move. Alex unconscious looked at her long legs. Nicky caught his glance, but pretended like she didn’t see it.

“So tell me Alex, you think your buddy will have any other single guys at this wedding, looking for pretty single women?” Nicky lowered her head. She had mastered the flirtatious dance.

“You never seize to spot an opening, Nick. I’m not sure who will be there, but if there are any men you want to meet, I’ll be your wingman and help with any and all introductions.”

“And if you see a skirt you want to chase, just let me know,” Nicky said. “I’ll pump you up to her in the ladies room.”

Alex pretended to shoot a toy guy at her and started walking away when Nicky called his name. He stopped and turned around, waiting for her to speak. Nicky hesitated, looked down at her coffee, and took a drink.

“These years have gone by fast, huh,” Nicky said, with a tone of reflection.

“I know,” Alex sat down again. “Remember our first week when I asked you where the bathroom was and you led me to the janitor’s closet?”

They both laughed.

“Well I didn’t want you to know that I was new, and didn’t know what I was doing,” Nicky said. “You looked to me for advice, and I didn’t want to let you down.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“No, I’m serious.”

“I always thought you did that as a joke,” Alex said, as he broke into laughter, again.

“No, I wanted credibility with you.”

“So you spent 15 minutes, pretending you knew where you were going, when you didn’t know anymore than I did?” Alex tried to hide his smirk.

“Yup, I had you fooled, huh.” Nicky pretended to buff her nails, like it was no big deal. “Can I ask you something Alex?”

“Of course.”

Nicky leaned back into her chair. There was an utter familiarity between them.

“Have I aged since then?”

“Are you kidding me?” Alex pulled his chair closer. “You’re even prettier now than you were then. Every guy in this office worships you. You’re gorgeous.”

“But I can’t find the right person,” Nicky pushed her coffee away. She swung her legs back under the desk. “I just want to find that person while I’m still pretty.”

“Well where are you looking?” Alex asked.

“Everywhere. And I’m getting older. I can no longer fit into my size two jeans.”
Alex interrupted her, “You are crazy. You have the body of a model.”

“But I am aging, and I worry men don’t find me attractive anymore,” Nicky took in a deep breath and slowly released it. It was her subconscious way of keeping composure in moments of vulnerability. “I see the way men look at me. It’s different. They don’t look at me like they look at the interns anymore.”

Alex walked over to Nicky and put his arm on her back.

“Thank you for sharing that. I’m here for you when you need a hug,” then he stopped speaking.

Nicky flicked his ear with her finger.

“That’s from a Budweiser commercial, you moron,” Nicky said. They both burst into laughter.

“Nick, we’re all aging, but that’s a fact of life. Time doesn’t stand still for anyone. No one.”

Nicky looked at Alex, trying to figure out if he was quoting another commercial. They both worked on beverage marketing campaigns, and knew the best slogans.

“When the time is right, you’ll meet the right person,” Alex said. “And I will be there at your wedding, giving the toast.”

“Alright, but promise me you won’t quote any beer commercials,” Nicky said.

“I promise.”