Page 10 of Grounded
“We managed to save her and a few others who speak two languages.” Bob poured a cup of coffee from a dirty Mr. Coffee carafe and handed it to her. “I’m sorry, Annie. I hate doing this. As far as work ethic, you’re at the top, but between seniority stuff and Patriot wanting dual language speakers, I could only keep a small percentage. Take time off to enjoy life for a few months. I’ll call as soon as I can get you back.”
When Annie called Janice after leaving Bob’s office, her friend insisted on her coming to stay with her in Brooklyn for a few days.
“Janice, you don’t have to do this. I can stay at the apartment with the girls. Prema said there’s an empty bed until the weekend.”
“Mama DeVechio doesn’t arrive until Sunday. I have an empty room until then,” Janice said. “Please come.”
Janice met her at the door and took the peace lily from her without asking questions. Her brown eyes were full of sympathy as she set the plant down in a corner of her dining room and then went to get water for it.
“What happened to Prema and your other roommates?” Janice asked.
“She’s still on. Like you, the second language helped her. Kate and Evie don’t work for TransAir, so they’re not affected.”
“That’s good. Do you want something to eat?”
“No, not now.”
“The kids have strict instructions not to bother you. If you need anything, let me know.”
In the spare room of Janice’s house, Annie waited for Stuart’s return call, trying to calm herself in the storm of emotions that raged from anger to grief to disbelief. Her phone rang a little after eight.
“Hey, you’re back!” His words were slightly slurred.
“Yeah, where are you?”
“On the patio of the golf club. It’s beautiful down here. Wish you could have come with me.”
“Sounds like there wouldn’t have been room. When did Martha quit?”
Silence. “Did I not tell you about that? Yeah, she decided to go work for some charity uptown.”
“Stuart, I lost my job today.”
“What? You got fired?” He sounded incredulous.
“No, I got laid off.” She felt irritation rising up. “Patriot bought us out.”
“Babe, I am so sorry.”
“I can probably go back in a few months.”
“Good. You don’t have to worry about paying rent. I can take care of you until you get back on your feet.”
She took a deep breath and plunged in. “I met Sandy’s aunt on the plane today. She told me all about you and Sandy. I remember you talking about the girl before me. I didn’t remember the part about you living together, or the part about the cat being hers.”
Silence. Then she could hear his hand muffle the phone. “Hey, guys, wait one minute.” Silence again. “Honey, I’m sorry. I should have told you.” His words lost their lazy slur.
Another deep breath. “Why would you lie about that, Stuart?”
“I was planning to tell you. It wasn’t that big of a deal with Sandy.”
Not a big deal. She could almost hear him talking to his next girlfriend about her. “It wasn’t that big of a deal with Annie,” he would say.
“Come on, honey, let’s not mess things up while they’re so good. We can talk about this later.”
“I haven’t messed anything up. You have.”
“Okay, you’re right, but we’ll work it all out when I get home on Friday. I’m not thinking clearly right now.”
