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