Third Month.
I was late. I was attempting to slip into the office undetected through the side door and froze dead in my tracks. A lump formed in my throat the size of a walnut.
Mr. Sanders. In my office. In my chair!
I lick my lips, suddenly gone dry.
"Mr. Sanders," I said shakily, my fingers tightly gripping the handle of my briefcase.
"Good Morning Torah James. Kind of late this morning, aren't we?" Mr. Sanders asked with a pleasant smile.
I open my mouth to speak and blurt out, "First time late." In panic.
"It's OK, relax," he calmly said rising from my chair and walking towards the door.
I nervously chew my bottom lip.
"That's a very nice suit you have on this morning," he said turning the knob and opening the side door next to my office.
"Thank you sir," I sighed releasing my in-drawn breath.
I was still on probation. Damn. I wish he hadn't caught me sneaking into the office like that.
"Oh why him – of all people?" I moaned to myself.
"What was he doing in my office anyway?"
"Maybe I should tell Vickie before he does," I thought.
"Maybe work through lunch to make up the time."
While I fought with the notion of whether to tell Vickie about being late, my computer beeps.
It's a message from Mr. Sanders.
FROM: Phillip Sanders
TO: Torah James
RE: Books
Message: Torah James did you get those C books, I left in your
office.
What C books? I thought.
I look around my office. Three books on C programming are stacked in a pile at the edge of the desk. I e-mailed Mr. Sanders a response to his question and ask him if I should inform Vickie about being late this morning.
FROM: Torah James
TO: Phillip Sanders
RE: Books
Message: Yes. Thank you for the books. I have never been late
before, should I fill out a leave slip and inform Vickie?
Mr. Sanders responds with another e-mail message.
FROM: Phillip Sanders
TO: Torah James
RE:
Message: You were late this morning????
Huh? Was he serious? I was forty-five minutes late this morning. My computer beeped again. Another message from Mr. Sanders.
FROM: Phillip Sanders
TO: Torah James
RE:
Message: No. You're OK!
"I guess it's all right," I silently said.
