Daphne

(19) Monday: Into the Light

After filling out forms in H.R. for what seemed like all morning, Daphne settled into her office, which was, surprisingly, on the top floor, and was, amazingly just two doors down the hall from the CEO – one of those doors was a conference room. Something unusual was happening and she was in the middle of it, that was for sure. She decided to trust Sam and wait-and-see where this ride would take her.

A memo had arrived an hour before lunchtime announcing a mandatory unscheduled meeting for the entire executive staff in two hours. Daphne was rushing to get downstairs for a quick lunch when Mrs. Flynn poked her head in. "Got a minute?"

"I'm running out to grab a quick bite right now. What do you want?"

"Do you mind if I join you? I just want to talk. I can talk and run at the same time."

"Sure!"

The ladies found an outdoor table at the Deli on the ground floor. After getting comfortable, Daphne unwrapped her sandwich. "So, did you hang around and enjoy the sights of my old college town or did you run right back here?"

The elder woman blushed and smiled. "No, we didn't see any sights, but we sure enjoyed ourselves. We unwrapped your gift, quarantined ourselves in our hotel room, and re-kindled our marriage. We really appreciated your gift."

"You're welcome, from all of us!" Daphne said. "Besides, it sounded like Sam needed remedial instruction..." She picked up her sandwich. "Lessons turned out OK, did they?" Daphne winked.

The woman leaned closer: "When I first heard about you I hated you. I thought that you threatened my marriage, that you were a cheap floozy using your vulgar charms to get into my husband's pants to get him to hiring you, or worse, into becoming your sugar daddy." She laughed inwardly. "And if I was any less polite, It'd tell you how I really felt." Daphne grinned at the comment, nodding, understanding what the older woman had probably thought.

"Daphne, I owe you so much more than my deepest, most sincere apology. You didn't threaten our marriage – you saved it. The romance is back, thanks to you. And Virginia. And that crazy place. I owe you so much."

Daphne's mouth was full of sliced turkey and Swiss on a bun. With lettuce, tomato, shaves of red onion, mayo, and a touch of Dijon mustard. She uttered an unintelligible noise that could have been 'You're more than welcome.' Or 'That's OK. My pleasure.' Or 'Turn left in three blocks.'

Nancy leaned back and sighed. "Oh, we did get out a little. We came up for air sometime around four or five on Saturday afternoon. We were exhausted and after showering together for another hour." She paused, giggling. "We decided to take a break and invite you out for dinner. We couldn't find you. We dropped by Leo's – we didn't know anywhere else to look – but found Ginnie and Terri instead. Sorry we missed you. But we did get to watch a sweaty woman in stocks get her derriere whacked purple and later suffer her intimate spots getting painful electric jolts. Ginnie said the girl's name was 'not Tamara'. I understand you know her..."

Daphne was surprised and smiled.

"And they couldn't make you cry. We were all impressed. You reinforced everything Ginnie already believed about you. I guess you didn't see us, facing the other way like you were, but we applauded you."

Daphne's face said 'Thank You' without uttering a sound.

"So, tell me, how are you able to sit at your desk today?"

Daphne grimaced. "Ooooh!"

And Nancy giggled: "I thought so..."

"Actually it's not so bad. I had all day yesterday to recuperate – watched movies on the hotel's cable all day – so I wasn't terribly sore this morning. I took a 6AM flight back this morning and came directly here. My overnight bag is up in the office as we speak."