Cracked Ice - Part 8

“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2013 Part 8 {Week 2, Monday} 

On Sunday evening after supper, the Temp Agency called me and stated that I should be at the Archers' office by 8 am. I had the realization that Ms. Roy must have suggested to them that I have Friday off, so I could have a few days to adjust to this experience. The time off helped me feel more grounded. 

Through the reflection and rest during the weekend, I felt reconnected to myself. I felt confident as I walked into the office Monday morning. I sat at my desk and set my satchel on the floor next to the desk. I found a letter to work on and started typing. Henry rushed out of his office to find out who was making the noise. 

“Oh, so you decided to join us this morning,” Henry remarked to Leora, while rocking back and forth on his heels. “What made you think you could skip Friday?” 

I looked at him calmly. “The Temp Agency told me to stay home on Friday. I thought you asked them to get rid of me. Imagine my surprise when I was called to come back.” 

Henry remembered the friend who suggested using the TTTA had stated that sometimes the Agency would be unpredictable, but it was worth it due to having a highly qualified employee. 

“Well, I suppose you can continue working this time. Next time, I might not be so understanding,” Henry stated. 

I smiled, “Do you think there’s a whole line of goofy people willing to work in these conditions?” 

“What conditions?” Henry asked. 

“Work being impeded by card games, chair races and other distractions,” I claimed. Of course, I wasn’t going to mention that my main distraction was standing right in front of me. 

“I’ll need to supervise you more closely to make sure you get your work done,” Henry suggested with a smile. He looked at Leora for a moment, thinking of a few different ways he’d like to supervise her. He was about to mention one way when Leo barged into the office. 

“Hey,” Leo exclaimed. “She’s back! See Henry, even though you tried, you didn’t scare her away.” 

I smiled at Leo. “Good morning. I’ve been through scarier things than last week and survived.” Henry stepped back into his office as I talked with Leo. 

“Yah, you’re a smart cookie,” Leo stated. “Much smarter than Henry’s used to.” 

“Do you want some coffee?” I asked Leo. “Sure,” Leo said. 

I walked into to the next room, where there was a small aluminum coffee pot on a hotplate. I found a white coffee cup, poured some and brought it to Leo in his office. 

Leo smiled, “Glad you’re back. Henry was extra cranky on Friday.” 

“With the Temp Agency telling me to stay home, I didn’t know I’d be missed here,” I answered. 

“No problem. Work any day should be optional,” Leo stated. 

 It was strange how everything fell into a comfortable pattern. In the morning, I prepped the letters, organized things, and answered the phone. The morning went by fast. When it was noon, I went outside and read a book while eating a sandwich. After lunch, I went back to work on the letters. Occasionally, I found myself staring at Henry’s office door, wondering what was keeping him so busy. 

On Monday afternoon, Art walked into the office. He noticed Benson was lost in thought, staring at Henry’s office door. Art didn’t think too much of it until he walked into Henry’s office. Henry was leaning on his desk and staring at the office door, but shook himself out of a trance when Art walked in. 

Art smiled to himself as he decided to have some fun with Henry. “I’m going to ask Benson out for dinner tonight. Where should I take her?” 

Henry looked at his brother, not sure he could believe what he just heard. “You mean Leora, out there?” Henry pointed towards the door. 

“Yah,” Art smiled. 

Henry’s mind was quick. “I’ll need her to take notes at a dinner meeting with a writer tonight,” Henry stated. “You’ll have to go to your little black book for a dinner partner.” 

“Oh. No problem,” Art said, feigning slight disappointment. “I’ll have to go make some calls.” 

Art walked out of Henry’s office and shut the door behind him. He started whistling, but stopped after he passed her desk. “Hey Benson,” Art said, smiling. “Hope you’ll enjoy dinner tonight.” He thought she looked puzzled. 

I was making edits on a letter when Art said something about enjoying dinner. I didn’t know what he meant, and didn’t get a chance to ask him before he was out the door. 

A moment later, Henry stuck his head out of his office. “Leora, can you work tonight? I need you with for a dinner meeting with a writer.” 

I looked at him and answered, “Yes Mr. Archer.” 

He looked at me slyly and whispered, “Weren’t you going to call me Henry…or Tiger?” He went back into his office to make a phone call.