en's
self in the ba
ssistants had already cleared out for the day, a
only an hour ago after a con
ner he was hosting tonight with the Jap
I had done my best to avoid him especially
way to work, which made me alm
hich had eaten into my lunch break an
nior departments spilled his hot coffee all over my favorite
ng walking around with a giant s
oler to refill my thermos when Timothy Dugan, one of the assis
rtunity and taken refuge in the bathro
the mirror, wondering what on
obably always knew that, but for some reason, my
ickly, pulling back the loose strand
to rub away the stain on my blouse, but i
king day," I sighe
that I might still be abl
fast as I could, then I'd
nge-watch something fri
even mat
o turn my brain
store and get a couple of pints of
mit to my plan, suck it up, and head back to my d
een and tensed up the moment
I said to myself. I stared at the flashing scr
od to talk to Mom today especially today. I put my
talking to someon
and I sensed that he was just n
for the next week when the phone rang. I picked it up
this is Jake Middleton's o
...Mr. Middleton, please," said a
glanced toward J
in a very importan
what this
s babysitter,"
regarding
blurted out before
of course,
it's urgent. I have a family emergency, and I have
Janet,"
n. I'm going to put you on h
hold and then walked
e times and too
usque, "Yes, what is it?" I pushed
me, sir,"
ry to di
the dinner tonight, Kristen," Jake
spoke. His eyes were fastened on
better be
tely, Jake got to his feet, and I s
ha
, realizing what that might
your babysitter is on the line." More
she want
ly emergency," I said, wr
needs t
he
," I
he re
ght this
ot, sir, yes." Jake groaned
r tonight." He glanced towards his pho
n hold?"
to leave, Jake pressed the b
ane
now." "I'm paying you
nd I'll gladly return
have
me tonight, Janet
meone who can..
ubstitute daughter, Jake," Janet replied,
xpect you to be here in that time, or else I wi