Self Service

Georgy Porgy

Priscilla walked into work Wednesday morning, asking herself if this was what she was going to do, or if she was going to take her resignation to her boss. Sitting in her office, she contemplated doing so. This was a real thing. She wasn't happy in her position, but it was a damn good place to be in life. It was successful. Was she ready to sign that away?

Sharon knocked on the door. "Miss Holcomb, do you have a moment?" she asked.

"Come in," she told her, her pen hovering over the signature line on her letter.

Sharon approached her shyly, and Priscilla looked up. That wasn't like Sharon at all. She was usually brisk and straight to the point. This was how Priscilla knew it was a favor. Which, she wouldn't mind doing depending on what it was. She actually liked Sharon.

"Yes, honey, what do you need?" she asked, setting the pen down.

"I have an opportunity to move to California and put my son in a really great preschool program," she started.

"Skip the preamble, honey. What do you need?"

"A letter of recommendation," she said meekly.

"I can do that. Just give me the information, and I'll write it for you. Is it for school? A new job? What?"

"Job," Sharon mumbled. "But, Miss Holcomb—"

"It's fine, Sharon. I think right now, better than anyone else, I understand needing a change in occupation. When do you need the letter by?"

"August."

"That's awfully far away," Priscilla told her, frowning.

"Well, I know you're a busy woman, and I wanted to give you ample time if you said yes."

"Why wouldn't I say yes to you, Sharon? Denying you a letter is not going to keep you away from doing what you want to do. If you want to take your kid to California and get him into some great school, you're three steps ahead of most mothers my age. Just give me the information and I'll have the letter to you before the day's end."

"Thank you, Miss Holcomb."

"You're welcome."

Sharon passed her a small index card and practically skipped out of the office. Priscilla shook her head, moving to get started on the letter. She would rather sing Sharon's praises than think about putting her signature on her own letter.  She was sure that she would do well wherever she went. She was a hard working employee, but Priscilla hoped the girl wouldn't be depriving herself of meals. Or that her next boss was human enough to have the girl take her lunch to eat and not work.

Before Priscilla could get through her second paragraph, she heard Sharon out in the hall. The tone and loudness of her voice told her there was a problem. "You can't go in there without an appointment, sir."

Priscilla got up to see to whom she was speaking. She knew it wasn't Scott or any of her other bosses. Sharon wouldn't be telling them they couldn't go in. Especially not so passionately. If she was with a client, then she would tell her bosses that. Otherwise, she didn't try to stop them.

Upon stepping into the doorway, she saw the face of whom she liked to call the Devil incarnate. "It's fine, Sharon."

The woman beside him sneered at her poor secretary as the two entered her office. Priscilla closed the door and offered them seats. She took a deep breath before she sat in her seat and tucked a strand of hair, looking at the two people she liked least in this world.

"What can I help you with?"

"Kima wants to be a singer."

"Great. So did Nelly. Why are you here?"