Run Away Baby

“These are very nice. Expensive,” she said. She looked worried.

“Please, I want you to have a pair. They’ll fit you. I noticed we wear the same size. Which do you like better?” Abby asked.

“You don’t need to do this. Mr. Randall would not like me to take these.”

“I’m your boss, too, and I insist,” Abby said forcibly. Then she smiled and added, “So, please, choose a pair.”

The housekeeper pointed to the pair with Coach logos all over them.

“Fabulous. You deserve them for all the hard work you do.” Abby placed the box on top of a stack of towels and tapped the lid a couple of times. “They’re going to look great on you.” Before she could argue, Abby took the other box and her purse and disappeared into the bedroom. She closed the door and locked it, and lowered the shades until it was nearly completely dark, in case there were cameras she didn’t know about. Then she returned the wig to its place, slid the manila envelope behind a pile of jeans on one of her closet shelves, and crawled into bed.

Chapter 37

“Abby, I don’t need you up here. You can go,” said Danielle. “And Sharlene, please stop eating my lemon dr

ops. I brought them from home. Just because they’re in the company snack dish doesn’t really mean they’re for everyone.”

“We apologize for being so hard to deal with,” Sharlene said to Danielle with an offended sniff. “Don’t we, Abby?”

“For sure,” Abby said, not bothering to move. It was Thursday afternoon. 1:05. Time for her to leave. Only she didn’t feel like going home.

“So, anyhow, Danielle,” Sharlene continued, already unoffended, “I’m up here because I need to pick up my crockpot that was in the break room for the last month. I damn near forgot it and I need it for the beans. Have you seen it?”

Danielle rolled her eyes. “I was wondering who left that filthy thing there. Do you know I eventually had to wash it myself to keep the break room from stinking? It’s in the cupboard above the fridge. Why didn’t you respond to the memo I sent out about it?”

“I guess I missed that. Anyhow, I’m about to leave since I’m only working a half day today and I’m out tomorrow, and I’m not coming back until Tuesday. I’m gonna check my email right now, then I’m out of here. We’re going to Dwayne’s family reunion that’s all the way up north in Kentucky. The kids are staying with friends, it’s gonna be a real vacation. We’re leaving as soon as I get home. Woohoo!”

“I really don’t know why you’re giving me all these details,” Danielle said to her.

“Because you’re the frickin’ receptionist. In case someone calls for me. Duh!”

“So this is why you’re standing around talking instead of working?” asked Danielle. “I’m glad to hear you’re not on the clock right now.

“Who’s Dwayne?” Abby asked, making herself comfortable in the middle of Abby’s desk.

“My gay husband. I never mentioned Dwayne to y’all?”

“Does Dwayne have kids?” Abby asked. She shoved Danielle’s keyboard out of her way, trying to really savor these last moments.

“Five. All from different women. It took him years to figure out he’s gay. But now that he figured it out, he’s a hundred percent.”

“Seriously. I have so much work to do,” Danielle said.

“I’ll tell you about him next time you’re in,” Sharlene said to Abby, ignoring Danielle’s pleas. “He taught me how to make soufflés and he’s the reason I don’t overpluck my eyebrows anymore. You’d love him.”

“I’m warning you both…” Danielle said. Her fists were clenched into tight little balls now.

“Cool, I can’t wait to hear about him. Have a fun weekend,” Abby said, heading back to her office before Danielle had a meltdown.

“You have a good weekend, too,” Sharlene called after her.

Abby stood up and took a good look around her, focusing on the tasks before her, shelving her emotions for another time.

Aside from a cup with pens and pencils and a stapler, this portion of her big, L-shaped desk was completely clear. She wasn’t tempted to take any of the pictures on her desk. They were meaningless props. She took her expensive lip gloss, but left a cheap one in its place. When they checked her desk drawer, all the proper traces of her everyday life would be there.

She wrote Tuesday on a sheet of blank paper and wrote Don’t forget ~ Last day of Clinique Sale!!!!! beneath it. She set the note where no one could miss it.

She went down the hallway to the supply closet to grab a new box of tissues, stacks of Post-its, and some pens. Someone about to disappear certainly wouldn’t replenish her office supplies.