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“Well, then,” he says thoughtfully, drawing out the words and see he wants to say, before he finishes with, “Good night, Ms Miller”
“Good night, Mr Ward”
Neither of us hangs up Seconds tick by, and I think we both expect sooes dead and the call is over, unfinished in soht Despite all that has happened today, I have this sense that I aht I have before the shadows of slumber overcoht me
Part Four
What just happened?
Morning coreat first day at work By seven forty-five, I am at the human-resources office The receptionist, a rather standoffish twenty-soht-brown hair, offers me coffee I decline, and she points ht-thirty, I reconsider the coffee At nine, I a antsy when a slender wo a fitted navy dress walks down the hall A curvy, very Bette Midler–ish redhead is on her heels
“I really need to go to my desk and pick upto the other woman “They’re very personal and sentimental Irreplaceable in every way”
“I’ll see what I can do,” the redhead says, giving her si that screams of irritation “Have a seat and I’ll be with you”
The brunette’s back is toand walking to the coffee et a cup for herself It is an obvious act of rebellion, a stateh, and I alares at the other woaze to me “Ms Miller?”
“Yes” I pop tofor my purse and briefcase “That’s me”
“Actually,” the wo her pale complexion, “I need to take care of another matter before we meet”
It is all I can do not to sluy No real explanation Just basically sit and behave “Can I start working and come back later?” I ask hopefully
“No You need clearance from me or someone in HR first And I’m the only one available”
Except that she isn’t available But I nodaway by the time I sit down My attention returns to the receptionist’s desk, where I find the brunette resting a hip on the desk and the tomen’s heads dipped close The rasp of whispers I can’t ut feeling that I am their topic is impossible to shake
I glance at the hallhere the redhead has disappeared, and gri left toin discomfort She did not even introduce herself to me Note to self for my analysis of the staff, I silently say The redhead is not a woman who makes new employees feel war to give him the benefit of the doubt