Her deep frown gets me every single time. Carla’s downturned lips always force me to picture a gargoyle’s mouth chiseled from smoothed granite inside my head. Does she make a game out of waiting for me near the employee entrance? All I want to do is to sneak over to my cubicle with the stealth and fluidity of a mountain lion.
“Third time this week.”
Carla cast her medium brown eyes at a digital clock hanging on a nearby wall. They trailed back down to me and hardened into a fierce stare. My throat tightened as I swallowed. I stole a quick peek at the clock.
Two minutes past nine.
That’s it? She’s freaking out over two lousy minutes? God, I can already tell this is going to be another long morning.
“You wouldn’t believe the shit show I endured to get here,” I said. “I’m lucky to still be in one piece, you know.”
I sidestepped Carla, intending to squeeze past her and get to my cubicle. She slid her feet over and promptly blocked my only path forward. Carla crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m listening.”
Wheels turned in my head while I contemplated what I should say to extract myself from this situation. I couldn’t let Carla impede me from fulfilling my purpose for being here. I glanced over my shoulder at the sealed back door.
“It all started after I caught my vactrain this morning.” My eyes settled on Carla again. “I tried so hard to mind my own business, but an idiot panhandler refused to leave me alone and let me ride in peace.”
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