Chapter Text
"I Just wanted everyone to be aware that Chuck's younger brother will be joining the mailroom this next week. I expect everyone to welcome him with open arms and with the utmost respect.” Howard talked to the mailroom Staff, Almost lectured.
Kim noticed the room shift and eyes rolled as Howard delivered this news. As Hamlin exited the room there was a collective groan from the staff.
"Just what we need, A chuck down here with us. People scoffed in agreement before returning back to work.
Kim didn't really mind, all she was concerned about were her studies and working. She knew she had nothing to worry about. Time went by and after a few days rumors began to spread. Kim sat at the break room table, eyes tied to her bar textbook, slowly chewing her sandwich.
"Maybe we should have one of the guys move to our section, Y'know, Just in case. For Safety.” Two women walked in, Clara and Janet.
“I Already asked. They are all up to their heads over there." Janet responded.
Kim wasn't one to pry but she looked up at them with a furrowed brow as they sat at the table with their lunch.
“didn't you hear?” Clara looked at Kim with wide eyes.
Kim shook her head silently, curious about what the huge deal was.
"Apparently Chuck's brother is working here because Chuck bailed him out of Prison." Janet whispered this, leaning forward as she spoke.
“Where did you hear that?” Kim asked nonchalantly, looking back down at her book.
"Through the grapevine." There was a long beat of silence. “Let's just keep an eye out for each other,” Clara added.
Kim, who had no patience for rumors, sighed and continued eating, Although a small part of her couldn't help but wonder if this information was true. What kind of person was Chuck's brother? These thoughts went as fast as they came.
Twenty minutes early. Kim carefully maneuvered into a parking space. She always gets to work twenty minutes early so she has time to study before one gets to work. Stress was overtaking her as she walked toward the door. Her eyes burned from the all-nighter she pulled the night before. She closed her eyes for a moment as her heels clacked against the hard parking garage floor. It was then that she slammed into what she thought was a wall. Her books fell to the floor in a frenzy and her eyes shot back open.
“Shit! I'm so sorry!'" a voice spoke, soft and gravely at the same time.
She looked up. A man only a little taller than her was fumbling down, picking up her books for her. He had brown, hazelnut hair and his dress shirt was untucked and sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“Oh... Its okay. I wasn't paying attention.” She bent down at his level and collected the rest of the scattered books and papers.
“Heh, me neither.” he chuckled as he stood and handed her the books.
His hands and forearms were large and he had a weak grin on his face as he held out the books. She took them and politely smiled back, too worried about getting her study time in to pay him any attention.
“sorry again." He said quietly as she walked past him into the building.
He watched as she hurried inside. She was beautiful. Jimmy began to rethink his doubts of moving to Albuquerque. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all. Quickly he nipped this thinking in the bud. So what if a beautiful woman is working here? not like she would ever glance at him anyway. Especially since his daydreaming tendencies caused him to run Into her. He sighed and walked to the car. His first day already beginning to be unpleasant. He looked at his watch as he got into the Passenger seat, Twenty minutes. He closed his eyes after setting his alarm for twenty minutes. Something is better than nothing, he thought.
People began entering the break room as Kim skimmed through her chapter for what had to be the 20th time. She looked at her watch and It read 9:00. She signed and closed her book right before Howard walked In. Chatter halted at the presence of the boss.
“Kim! Can I talk to you for a minute?" Howard gestured for her at the door. As She stood she smoothed out her skirt and walked over.
"Hey Howard, What's up?”
“Chuck's little brother Jimmy is starting today and we need someone to train him…Just for the week until he gets the hang of things down here.”
Kim looked at him waiting for his point.
“So I was wanting you to train him! You're the best on the team, You'd make a great example.” Howard reiterated enthusiastically.
“Oh! Yeah that’s not a problem.” Kim replied, although she couldn't help but remember the rumors that had spread around the office.
Howard Peeked into the break room looking for Jimmy but with no luck he returned back to Kim.
“Well... just when he gets here you can start, thank you Kim."
Thirty minutes Passed and still no sign of a new employee. Kim gave up on looking out for him and searched her purse for her Cigarettes. As she walked into the garage, Cigarette and lighter in hand, She noticed someone sitting in a car a distance away. Reluctantly she walked over only to see the same man she bumped into almost an hour ago. This must be Jimmy, She thought. He was sleeping, His head was rested on his shoulder and his arms were crossed to his chest.
Kim knocked on the window lightly but was met with no response. She knocked a little harder causing him to slightly jump. He opened his eyes and looked up at her. She watched as he stretched and looked at his watch and then the look of panic on his face. She chuckled slightly to herself. After he gathered himself he exited the car in a frenzy.
“Are you Jimmy? She asked.
“Uh... yes! yeah." he held out his hand and she shook it
"Kim."
“Kim. Nice to meet you Kim.”
“I'm training You this week.”
“Okay great uh.. Sorry i'm late.” he gave an awkward chuckle and looked to the ground.
“It's no problem.”
Kim walked Jimmy through the ins and outs of the mailroom. Jimmy listened closely and quietly enamored by her intelligence. He wanted to do a good job for Chuck but he couldn’t help but have all his attention on her. She seemed so serious and smart. He watched her face as she broke down the intricate details of getting the copier to work.
Jimmy was nothing like she was expecting. He was quiet and soft spoken. He was also younger than she was expecting although she could tell he was older than her. She wondered if the rumors were true. He didn’t seem like a dangerous guy. He had a polite grin on his face the entire time she had been training him.
It was 12:30 now. Kim settled in her seat of the break room debating which chapter she should study. The white lights were blinding and the hum of the fridge was distracting. She sighed quietly and rubbed her temple with her finger.
Jimmy sat a few chairs down and rested his head on his hand. He had forgotten his lunch so his break was now simply devoted to staring at the wall. He tiredly glanced over at Kim as she flipped through her book. Discreetly he tilted his head to look at the cover of the textbook. NEW MEXICO STATE BAR. He chuckled to himself and looked down at the table, a small grin on his face.
“What?” Kim was now looking at him.
“Oh..nothing.” Jimmy hadn’t realized his laugh was audible. “I just… I remember Chuck reading that. For hours it seemed like.” He continued.
Kim smiled and took a quick look at the cover then looked back at him. He looked tired and solemn. Jimmy examined the grainy pattern of the table as if it were a piece of artwork. It was then that Kim realized she was never able to have her morning smoke before she had found Jimmy asleep in his car. She sighed and reached for her purse taking out her box of Marlboros. It was then that Janet and Clara walked in.
Clara and Janet’s chatter halted at the sight of Jimmy and they slowed their pace into the break room, giving Jimmy side eye. Jimmy lifted his head and gave them a polite smile as they stood by the sink. Kim stood and smoothed out her skirt.
“Clara, Janet. This is Jimmy, the new employee Howard told us about.” Kim gestured toward Jimmy.
“Nice to meet you.” He said softly with a smile.
The two women looked at each other hesitantly then back at Jimmy. They simply gave an awkward smile and nod before turning their backs to him and talking amongst themselves.
Kim then removed a cigarette from the box and walked into the parking garage, exhausted and overwhelmed by all the tasks of the day that were yet to be completed. Jimmy awkwardly sat at the table and fidgeted with his fingers. The sight of Kim’s cigarette made him crave the stress relieving smoke himself. The two women kept looking back at Jimmy and whispering. Perks of being the boss's brother, he thought.
Slowly he scooted out from under the table and made his way to the parking garage. Once he entered he saw her leaning against the concrete wall. He could barely see her face through the shadow and smoke flew from her lips. Am I being too clingy? He asked himself.
After a moment he walked over and leaned a few feet away from her. She didn’t look at him or acknowledge him. He turned his head and struggled to get any words out. She really is one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat before finally working up the courage to speak.
“Do you think I could snag one from you?” He pointed at her cigarette and tried to seem jovial.
“Sorry, I didn’t bring the box out with me.” She finally looked over at him.
“Oh, that’s alright. Just thought I’d ask.” He chuckled and peeled himself off the wall, about to go back inside.
“Here, we can just share one.” She held it out waiting for him to retrieve it but Jimmy simply stopped and stared, surprised by the offer.
“Really?” He spoke softly and hesitantly like a child. There is no way this guy was in prison, Kim thought.
Kim raised an eyebrow in response and Jimmy chuckled and walked back over to her. This time a few feet closer. He took the cigarette out of her hand and took a small drag before handing it back. He planted himself back on the wall and closed his eyes.
“You should go to bed earlier.” Kim broke the silence. Jimmy’s eyes opened at her statement and he exhaled a small laugh and agreed.
“Thanks for all the help today.” He took another puff right after her. Kim nodded and took the smoke back after him.
“I mean. I know you have to but… I’m sure there are other things you could be doing so…” she shrugged and looked down adjusting his tie.
“It’s no problem.” She watched his face as he looked the the ground. “It’s been a nice break actually.”
Kim finished the smoke and dropped it to the ground, stepping on it. Jimmy watched as she walked away, heels clacking against the cold cement.