Priorities

“Yes, and how’s the progress on Project 100RAY so far?”

She grabbed a diet cola from the fridge as she listened to the response from the other line. Her hand paused as she listened to the voice on the other line. She frowned.

“No, that’s not acceptable!” She slammed the glass door and moved away, glancing blankly at the people who turned to glare at her. “We can’t-“

She stopped talking, and walked to the counter purposefully. “We have to get this project done. Destroy anyone and everyone who wants to shut it down.” She looked up to see the surprised stare from the cashier, so she smiled amiably and paid for her drink. The girl shook her head and took her cash.

“I know it sounds impossible, but it’s not. We have- I have worked too hard on this to-“

She walked out of the convenience store and down the steps, careful not to step on the tail of a cat curled up by the entrance. The voice on the other line echoed slightly in her ears, and she looked for a place to sit down. There was a seemingly clean spot on the staircase, so she sat there and adjusted the phone.

“Yes, okay, I understand that it’s not a priority, but it’ll really-“

She pulled on the can’s tab, watching the soda bubble up to the surface. After a long pause, her voice came through, defeated and tired.

“All right, I’ll reassess the project and put it on the back burner if necessary. But I really think it’s important to- oh, he hung up.”

She looked down at her drink, and at the cat that apparently moved closer to her. It meowed a bit, then rubbed its head on her leg. She smiled, and stroked its head before taking a sip.

“Guess it’s really about priorities, isn’t it, cat?” The cat purred at her motions, and settled comfortably at her feet. “Priorities,” she mumbled, as she took a drink of her cola and continued stroking the fur of her newfound companion.

–

Image source: deviantart.com/alaskaland/art/Curled-up-cat-2-208903624
First written April 8, 2018.
#183