Part 840 – For A Moment

Clarice watched her daughter walk back to the car.

The black clouds of tension had rolled away from Elsie, leaving a bright happy glow behind. Firework-like bolts of colored energy shot out around her.

Elsie got into the car.

“So. You either had a good talk with your dad or Hot Stuffin’ In The Microwave Oven gave you a really good talking to.”

“If Hot Stuffin’ In The Microwave Oven is supposed to be Hildreth, then yes. I talked to him and he made me feel so much better.”

Clarice smiled and started the car.

“I don’t know how he does it, but he has a way of pulling me out of even my worst funks.”

She pulled out of the parking lot. “I said it before and I’ll say it again: Don’t let him slip away from you. Hold on to him, Elsie. It isn’t all that often a girl finds a great, hot, sensitive guy like him.”

“Especially if she doesn’t take the time to look.”

Clarice reached over and squeezed her daughter’s hand. “You deserve a good man like him.”

She thought about the wonderful, complicated mess that was Gerald and squeezed Elsie’s hand just a little tighter.

***

Barbara walked into Sammy’s Place and returned to her desk. She took her phone off forward, rebooted her computer, and sat down.

The phone rang before her computer was even done loading.

“And I’m back to work.”

***

Postcards and kittens and puppies and fluffy bunnies and ginseng tea with lavender water ice cubes and tourmalines and rubies and diamonds and—

Sammy’s phone rang. “Hello. Sammy Borscht speaking.”

His wooden pencils turned into a punch of daisies. “Miss Addleston. Thank you for returning. I was wondering if you would.”

He picked up one of the daisies and admired it. “Will Mr. Smith be returning to work soon? Only one more night? I’m sorry, Miss Addleston. Is there anything more I can do for you? You’re welcome, but what can I do? How can I help you?”

The daisy in his hand spontaneously lost its head. It just popped right off. “Of course, I’ll continue to  hold his position for him. Of course.” He set the beheaded daisy on the desk. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I insist. No. It’s fine. It’s fine. I’ll forward my phones and man your desk. Just leave your computer up and running. Not a problem, Miss Addleston. You’re welcome, Miss Addleston. Have a good day, Miss Addleston. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Miss Addleston.”

He hung up his phone and put it on forward.

He picked up another daisy.

It changed into a white rose as he thought about her.

***

Barbara put her jacket on.

For a moment, she could have sworn she felt Ambrose’s hands on her shoulders. She glanced back, but he was not there.

I won’t be able to see him tonight.

She fastened her jacket’s buttons.

For a moment, she could have sworn that she felt Ambrose’s arms around her.

But he wasn’t there.

I’ll get through it.

I am tough.

I am bold.

I am…

For a moment, she could have sworn that she heard his voice whisper, “Let’s dance.”

She sighed.

It’s going to be a long, hard night.