Esmeray

Esmeray Aslan Osman

Thirty years old (June 26th 1991)

Queens, New York

Co-owner of 10 Pin Plaza

Peter let out a laugh of his own and nodded his head in agreement. “Of course, that makes complete sense to me. Otherwise it’s not really worth it.” As she motioned to the bag in his hand, Peter followed her gaze. “Oh, just some light shopping, at least so far. I’m thankful I didn’t have that much to pick up tonight at least.”

Thinking for a moment, the answer was a definite no. “I can’t say as I have. What is it that makes it a Korean corn dog?” Peter tried to remember if he’d ever so much as seen one on a menu before, but couldn’t really think of a time. “And where would you be able to find one?”

-

Esmeray nodded smiling when he said he was grateful he didn’t have much to shop for. Some  quick last minute pick ups I completely understand.” She smiles. She assumed that he already did his main shopping and now was simply grabbing for the few people he might have forgotten or simply hadn’t known what to get for them. 

“Oh my gosh do I have something that will blow your mind.” She chuckles “So you know how the corndog we all no and love is a hotdog covered in a simple cornmeal and flour batter? Well a Korean corn dog is either sausage or mozzarella, sometimes both, enclosed in a sweeter batter and rolled in a topping such as bread crumbs, fries, spicey Cheetos or really anything you can think of. They even have dessert options like cinnamon or chocolate.” She grins. “I used to get them all the time in California but have yet to find a place that sells them here in the city.” She says with a small pout. 

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy’s got several years of history working for Esmeray’s father. He and the man get along swimmingly, and always have. It’s part of the reason Tommy stayed put at 10 Pin for so long – out of respect for the old man. He was like a father-figure, even though Tommy had a great dad, the man still reminded him of Tom Kane, and it was nice to talk to someone who didn’t know all the shit Tommy had done to tarnish his own name at home.

That made Esmeray like a sister, he guessed. One he’d only met recently. But he was grateful for her behavior and her understanding nature.

“Thank you.” He says, reaching out to put his hand on top of hers just for a beat. Tommy wants her to know how much it means to him that she’s been so kind and accommodating. After a moment, he leans back in his seat, eyebrow arched. “What? Y’ain’t gonna hire a woman to replace me?” He teases with a grin.

-

Esmeray moved her hand away from Tommy’s and instead stood up, walking around the desk and hugging the older male. Perhaps if they were out on the floor in front of the other employees she would have settled for the hand touch but Tommy was more than an employee in her eyes and a hug seemed appropriate for this matter. 

She laughed at his comment about hiring a women “I mean if a women applies and is capable of doing the job I wouldn’t be against, however I don’t think there will be many females running to apply for picking up trash and heavy lifting.” She chuckles. 

She found herself walking back behind her desk, sitting down to continue on the work that she had been doing before Tommy walked in, glasses returning to her face before she glanced back up at him “Now get out of here I have work to finish.” She tells him, the smile never leaving her lips. 

Maisy brings her lips to her glass and immediately has to pull it away to give a soft snort at the woman’s response. Well, at least she wasn’t the only one. Her eyes raked over the male in question once more with a displeased look before turning back to Esmeray. “Oh, we could for sure take him. I have pepperspray in my purse and these stilettos could probably kill a man.” It’s a joke…sort of. They were pointy and could very much harm someone, but Maisy was hoping that wasn’t something she had to actually test out. 

This time when she brings her glass to her mouth she gets to take a refreshing drink of it. “Jameson, on the rocks. I’m a simple, easy to please kind of gal,” she jokes with a grin. “What about you? What’s your pick of poison tonight?”

-

Esmeray glanced down at the stilettos in question and couldn’t help but agree that the shoe could probably become a deadly weapon in the right situation. She hoped that that situation never actually presented itself but you never could be to careful in todays society. The women did inform her that she carried pepperspray however which did make her a little more comfortable. Esmeray herself usually had at least a pocket knife on her at all times, something that her father had insisted on when she had started to go out with friends at night as a teenager.

“Jack and Coke.” She chuckles softly, ordering her own drink and than another Jameson on the rocks for Maisy. “Honestly though I’m like a garbage disposal when it comes to drinks, anything with a little alcohol in it is enough to please me.” She admits. Usually people had very specific taste in drinks but she could go for wine, beer, liquor, she wasn’t picky. “Those are nice shoes by the way.” She chuckles “Glad to see that you have good taste.” She hums. 

Alexa continued taking notes, grinning as she heard the woman spoke. This was a common thing she came into contact with; someone getting another someone flowers and not having a damn clue. She almost loved those customers more cause they were less picky and more open to letting Alexa and her team take artistic liberties. “Well then, its a good thing you came to me cause I am an expert.” She winked over at the woman playfully and continued writing and then began sketching.

“I can definitely use that color scheme, no worry at all.” She took the card and placed it with her paperwork. “I think we can definitely make something gorgeous. I’ll come up with something and once you come and pick it up, then you can pay. That way you can wait and see how you like it. When do you need them by?”

-

Esmeray smiled at how helpful the women was being and how she didn’t seem to be judging the fact that Esmeray was completely at a loss when it came to this sort of thing. She was reassured when the women informed her that she was an expert. Glancing around at the few premade bouquets that were scattered around the shop she had no doubt that she was going to love whatever this women drew up for her.

“Oh thank you, you have no idea how big of a relief that is.” She chuckles softly “I don’t know what I would have done, probably plucked a dandelion or two and called it a day.” She laughs. “Oh uh if you could have it by tomorrow or possibly Friday?” She asks her, wincing slightly because she knows that it was extremally last minute “I would be willing to pay extra for a rushed order or whatever it is you guys call it in the flower buisness.” She informs her, now chewing at her lower lip because she know this could be a whole new issue for her. 

She isn’t sure how the floral industry worked. She didn’t know if Alexa had all of the flowers needed in the back or is she had to get them shipped in per order. Maybe they grew them themselves in a little greenhouse on the roof? She really had next to zero knowledge in their field. 

“Hustling men at pool? Well, that makes sense. You’re gorgeous and men are idiots. I know this. I am a man and also an idiot most days,” he winked, chuckling softly as he looked back at her. “You’ll have to show me some of your tricks sometime. I’m horrible at pool.”

When she divulged that one of her hobbies was painting, he nodded and stayed quiet for a second and then spoke. “That fits you for some reason. Just your essence and all. You have a very creative energy about you, its hard to explain. Also that’s way classier of a hobby than mine.” He sipped his drink and then continued. “I collect Star Wars figurines.”

-

Esmeray chuckled at the guys are idiots comments. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She smiles. leaning in as if she is about to confide a secret in Silas “Most of us women are idiots at times too, we just know how to hide it a little bit better.” She chuckles gently. 

She listened to him inform her about the type of essence she perturbed and she couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to listen to someone compliment you. “Thank you.” She grins “It started when I was younger, guess sitting around a bowling alley for hours on end gives you two options, bowl or get creative.” She smiles. Don’t get her wrong she loved spending her time at the bowling alley with her father growing up but sometimes you just weren’t in the mood to throw a ball and knock over a few pins. 

She chuckled when Silas mentioned Star Wars “That really is a thing that all men were into huh?” She asks him, remembering how Tommy had made her sit through one of those movies and than dress up as Leia for their Halloween event at Ten Pins. 

-

Arthur knows not to believe that it was blessed by fairies, he does, but the joke has him perking up a tad anyway. “Magic in its own way,” he decides a moment later after he hears the sentiment behind the bowling ball in question. Sentimental stuff is far more special than the silly, whimsical stuff by far. When directed, Arthur heads over to the wall of bowling balls available to him. He chooses a ball with exactly no consideration given to the weight, but rather a bright blue color instead - his favorite. He’ll make it work, he figures. He cradles the ball in his hands in front of his abdomen and turns back to face her. “You said this is your parents’ place, right?” he asks, eyes dancing around the room momentarily. “Have they had this place for a long time?” 

-

Esmeray can’t help but watch Arthur as he chooses a ball with next to zero thought behind it. Believe it or not that’s usually how people chose their balls, it was also the reason that most people decided that they didn’t like the activity after a single match because they couldn’t manage to control their throws. She doesn’t say anything though, figures that it’s probably best he figures this out on his own. She doesn’t want to come off as a ‘no it all Nancy’ after all. She types their name into the system to set up their first game, allowing Arthur to go first out of generosity. She grins at Arthur’s question of how long her parents had owned the place. “Since I was three years old.” She laughs gently. It’s crazy to think that it has been so long “Although my father had to put a lot of work into it so the doors didn’t officially open until I was six.” She admits. “He always tells me it was his second greatest decision, behind having me of course.” She chuckles “Mom always used to ask where their marriage ranked on that list of his.” She grins at the memories. 

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy sits a little anxiously, trying to ease the discomfort he feels in the air – though it might just be in his head. He’s always found these situations more than a little uncomfortable. It brings back too many memories, and he’s already dreading the week-long stint in the hospital. He offers her a sheepish little smile, “Yeah, go ahead. Do what you gotta do. I know there’s a lotta legalities to it and whatnot.” He sniffs, then, scratching at his ear.

When Esmeray hands Tommy back the papers, he straightens them a little and then looks up at her. “I might not be back to my regular self for up to three months. Just want to make that clear up front.” He’s no spring chicken, after all. He’s been unkind to this body. “But I’ll be back to work in six.” A pause, “Hopefully.” Tommy offers her another crooked grin, “Sure it will… I’m fuckin’ irreplaceable, ain’t I?”

-

Esmeray chuckled at the mans comment about him being irreplaceable. She waves him off with a slight eyeroll, although it’s an affectionate gesture and not an annoyed one. “You’ll have a place here when you’re ready to come back.” She assures him “Take all of the time that you need though, there’s no rush at all.” She assures him She doesn’t want him rushing recovery in fear of losing his position or anything like that. 

Even if when Tommy does come back she knows he’ll need to be on light duty and she is more than happy to accommodate those needs. Besides her father would never forgive her if his prized employee was harmed on the job instead of given adequate time to recover. Sometimes she thinks her father might have handed over the company to him if she hadn’t made the move back to the city. 

“I’ll fire someone as a tempt to fill your spot while they are gone and depending on how you feel when you are able to return to work maybe even keep him on for a bit to help out with the more daunting tasks.” She assures him wanting to make sure that he was aware she was with him through this. 

Beck had never been the best at bowling. in fact, he was downright awful at it. but Nola loved it. she even marked every Wednesday on the calendar in the family room with “Famly BolliNg” with about a dozen exclamation points. she always started to get giddy in the parking lot, before Beck had even gotten Dylan out of his car seat, Nola was pulling at the arm of his jacket.

“Nola, Princess!” Beck exclaims, partially exasperated as he pulls the younger child into his arms. “The lanes will still be there when we get inside, won’t they?”

Nola pouts, giving her father a heavy sigh, but she still takes his hand when it’s offered so they can cross the parking lot. “Yeah, but what if someone is using ours? We always play in the same lane! Always!”

Beck chuckles, shaking his head, “Then, we’ll play in another one. What have we talked about sharing?”

“Hmph. That we have to share and be nice.”

“That’s right.”

the bowling alley was surprisingly full for a Wednesday, which made no difference to Beck, but he felt Dylan’s meek grip on his shoulder tighten. Nola, on the other hand, was practically dragging her father to the counter, and shouting for Esmeray. Beck offers an apologetic smile when they reach the counter; Nola was extremely social, and seemed to be drawn to Esmeray, even going as far to follow her to her office on some nights.

“Yes, yes we are.” Beck laughs softly, mimicking a bicep curl while Nola hangs on his wrist with both hands, bending her knees as he playfully lifts her up. once the shoes are presented, he gestures to hers, “Get your shoes, because I know you want to go first.”

“Yeah, thanks so much.” guard rails. it was just a little embarrassing that he was a thirty six year old man who still used them, but he tried to laugh it off with a nod. “Yep, especially for daddy, otherwise he might throw the thing into the neighbor lane, right?” he ruffles Dylan’s hair while he jokes back with Esmeray, only for his son to try whispering something to him.

Beck’s brow quirks curiously, his son looking to the woman behind the counter before whispering again, and he looks to Esmeray, too, hesitant for a moment before chuckling softly. “No, Kiddo, she’s working… maybe next time, okay?”

-

She smiled when Nola grabbed her shoes off of the counter like her father had instructed. She seemed overly excited as she kneeled down to slip off her own shoes and replace them with the bowling shoes. Through the months that they had been coming to the bowling alley Esmeray had learned that although Beckett wasn’t the greatest at the activities he continued to do it for his children, something that she could really appreciate about his character. 

Esmeray chuckled softly at Nola’s comment. The little girl reminded her so much of Asli, so much so that it hurt at times but at the same time it was refreshing, a nice presence to effect the way she thought about her own daughter. Perhaps it was that same fact that caused her to care so deeply for this family even though they were simply customers. 

“Well perhaps we should sign him up for lessons.” She tells Nola, the both of them sharing a giggle between themselves. 

She was distracted with helping Nola slip on her shoes that she almost missed Dylan and Beckett’s side conversation. 

She smiled as she turned her attention to the two “What are we whispering about over here?” She asks. Maybe she shouldn’t have interrupted. She knows by simply watching that the boy is shy and kept to himself. It’s one of the main reasons that she has always assured that the last lane was reserved for the family on Wednesday nights. Even though Beckett had never asked for such a thing and she would probably never admit the little bit of knowledge to him or anyone else who asked. 

She couldn’t miss the small pout on Dylan’s face as he looked at his father, obviously upset by whatever Beckett’s answer had been. 

Maisy offers up the stranger another warm smile before slipping in to the vacant seat beside her. She tossed one of her box braids over her shoulder as she settled in and took another long sip from her drink. Wednesday or not, it was a long ass day and phone calls home always made it seem so much longer. It was hard to keep up with expectations and what no one else knew was that from time to time she’d send money back home to help. Phone calls meant expectations and money, both of which Maisy was quite tired of.

“Thank you,” she mumbled and then turned towards her. “I’m Maisy. Sorry to barge in on you like this, but –” she pauses and thinks for a moment as to why exactly she came over here and then just decided the truth was easiest to let go of. “– you looked lonely, I’m lonely, and it was either this or the creepy dude at the end of the bar was going to try to stalk and murder one of us tonight.” The young woman blushed lightly. “Sorry, that’s probably not true, but I listen to far too many podcasts to think otherwise.”

-

Esmeray can’t help it when her eyes nonchalantly glance over to the man in question. “No no you’re probably right.” She informs the women “He defiantly looks like the type... that mustache definitely isn’t doing him any favors.” She says, adding a little grimace to the end as if to make her point. “Although I think we could take him, that’s his eighth whiskey so far, I think that we could easily take him.” She informs Maisy as if that will be enough to comfort the women. “Although I could completely understand not wanting to get stuck in a conversation with him.” She laughs softly. 

She hold her hand out with a smile “M’Esmeray.” She informs the women “What are you drinking?” She asks her, already waving the bartender over to top off her own drink, might as well buy this women something as well. Although she was wrong in the fact that Esmeray might have been lonely she wasn’t about to send her away after fully admitting that she herself was in fact lonely.

𝕥𝕜~

Tommy’s grateful that Esmeray came into his life when she did – she’s more than just a professional contact these days, but that doesn’t make talking to her about this any less awkward for him. He shifts a little in his seat as she looks over the papers.

“Yeah, it’s my heart.” Tommy thumps his chest and offers her a little smile. “I’ll probably have upkeep surgeries for the rest of my life.” However long that is, that’s not tacked on anymore because he’s already way out lived expectations, and he suddenly has things to live for. He’s always been a fighter; still is. “Valve replacement, actually, if you’re wondering.” His brows go up and he offers her another smile, this one a little more genuine, hopefully on the right side of reassuring. “I don’t mind that you ask, and I don’t think it’s unprofessional. Or insensitive, in case you went to that next.”

-

Esmeray smiles when Tommy assures her that she isn’t overstepping her bounds in anyways. “Yeah you had told me.” She tells him, referring back to the conversation that they had when he had first confined in her about his medical condition.

She continued to sign and initial the paper before standing up and walking over to the printer “I’ll have to make a copy for our records.” She informs him before running it through the copier. She leans against it before looking at Tommy. She isn’t going to overwhelm him with how she hopes that he heals quickly and all that jazz. She knows that Tommy is much like her in the sense of he isn’t one for peoples pity or worry. 

Once the paper is copied she hands him back the original “It’ll be tough to find someone to fill your shoes while you’re gone.” She informs him even though she’s sure he already knows that. Of course she’s only messing with him, no guilt trip in her voice at all however. 

Ten Pins

Esmeray’s favorite part of working at the bowling alley had always been the regulars, that was probably the reason that she spent nearly as much time behind the front desk as she did in her office. Something about getting to know the people that came in and out of the bowling alley made the connection feel like more than a simple buisness exchange, even if the relationship was something as simple as knowing if they used guide rails or not, the size shoe that they wore, or if they preferred hotdogs or nachos as their designated bowling snack.

One of those regulars was Beckett Carter. He came in every Wednesday to take full advantage of their kids bowl for half price night. Although she tended to stay away from families with children she couldn’t exactly ignore when his daughter Nola had wondered into her office, somehow completely avoiding her fathers careful eye.

Esmeray smiled when she saw their three familiar faces enter the plaza. “Ah back for another bowling date I see?” She asks with a smile, already grabbing their shoe sizes off of the wall. She set them on the counter, tapping away at the computer “Two rounds, guide rails for all three?” She asks, raising an eyebrow up at Beckett teasingly. 

𝕥𝕜~

He offers her a strangled sort of laugh and shakes his head when she says it better not be his resignation. He grips the papers a little tighter, “It’s not like that.” He says, and he shifts his weight from foot to foot until she tells him to come in and shut the door behind him. He does as he’s told and hovers in front of her desk before plopping in front of it.

It’s been awhile since he’s had to do this.

“I got all this paperwork filled out, here.” Tommy slides it across the table to her – it’s paperwork from his doctors and insurance companies approving and detailing his time off and why it’s necessary. “I need to get a surgery for a preexisting condition, gonna be out for like… six weeks? The surgery’s in the beginning of February. Anyway, it’s all right there. Sorry to put you out like this.”

-

Esmeray allows herself to give the papers a quick glance over. She trusts that Tommy has taken all of the proper precautions and steps before he came to her but in all honesty that isn’t what matters to her at the moment. Yes on the buisness side it will make things much easier but on a personal side she’s worried about him and couldn't care less if all of the i’s have been dotted and t’s crossed. 

She knows that the next question that she is about to ask is completely inappropriate and completely against any HIPAA laws but Tommy isn’t just another employee to her, he has become a friend. “It is to do with your heart?” She asks him, remembering the conversation that they shared about him having a congenital heart defect.

She’s already signing off on the time off when she asks the questions.

“Feel free not to answer.” She tells him “It’s extremal unprofessional to ask.” She says, informing him that he doesn’t have to feel the need to answer if he isn’t comfortable with it. She knows that the line they have been towing lately has been a little thin when it comes to work and personal life. It had never really been a problem before however, at least not in her eyes. 

Instantly remorseful once he realized he was in the way, Peter stepped to the side and offered apologies. After a moment or two the woman accepted it, and he gave a quick nod of the head. “It’s true, I guess I just got a little too wrapped up in the decorations and everything around here.” To his relief, she seemed to accept the explanation, not holding it against him.

As she continued, answering Peter’s question by admitting that she’d been able to get what she was looking for at the stores tonight before the crowds had descended, he laughed. “Oh then good choice there, not much beats a good corn dog does it?” He’d actually not had one in a while, but as far as food-on-a-stick went, a corn dog was right at the top of his list. “That’s probably the worst part about Christmas too, all the fist fights. It’s worth a little celebration to come away unscathed.”

-

Esmeray nodded with a chuckle “I have to reward myself somehow you know? Trick myself into venturing out into these types of crowds.” She notes. She can’t help but notice that the man only has a single bag in his grasps “Not so lucky or only some light shopping?” She asks him. She can’t help but be a little nosey, her mother had always informed her that is was a curse passed down between all of the women in their family.

“Have you ever had a Korean corn dog?” She asks him when he says that not much can top a corn dog. “Honestly makes ours look pitiful.” She laughs gently. The cuisine that she had experienced was definitely up there on the list of things that she missed about California. She would pay an arm and a leg for the food trucks that lined the streets of the city to start selling Korean corn dogs. 

𝕥𝕜~

She’s a little dreamy, he thinks – kind of dazed, maybe, like the things she’s shown him have taken her out of this place and somewhere else. He hates to interrupt, and it’s getting late anyway.

He offers her a small, sympathetic smile. “Well, maybe you’ll consider it again.” He says, just as a suggestion. Tommy rubs his hands on the knees of his jeans and shakes his head. “Naw… it’s just a hobby. I don’t even really like to show my stuff to people.” That’d recently changed, with Brody. But he’d always shown Brody before – even if things were different now.

“It’s getting late, isn’t it? We both gotta work in the morning, maybe I should get going?” He thinks he’s maybe overstayed now, even if the conversation about art is nice, he feels like that last piece put her in a different frame of mind. “I can bring something in to work tomorrow, show ya?” He says with a grin, “Get your critique.”

Esmeray nodded. Se can’t lie she’s thankful for Tommy excusing himself. As great as his company has been she isn’t sure that she can keep up the light banter for much longer, not with her reality quickly seeping back into her headspace. However she manages to keep a smile on her face as he informs her that perhaps he’ll have to bring in some samples of his own work tomorrow “That would be great.” She nods.

She stands up with him, figuring that she should at least walk him to the front door. She knows that him leaving will have no effect on the was she sleeps tonight, or the lack there of really, but she is more than happy to allow it to be the excuse here. 

Once Tommy has left, the door of her apartment shutting behind him she finds herself grabbing the remainder of the bottle of wine and going to sit on her couch, the drawing he was never meant to see in her grasp.