The Horse Farm - Chapter 2-3

Louise was at her desk when Walter called. 

"Hey! What's up?"

"Is this a bad time?" he asked.

"No. My nine o'clock meeting was cancelled, so I'm just working on a spreadsheet."

"Okay, well, I wanted to give you some good news."

The pitch of Louise's voice pitched upward with excitement. "You got the promotion?" 

"Yes, I did!"

"Oh! Congratulations!"

"Thank you!" 

"That's awesome!"

"It is pretty cool, right?"

Louise was visibly excited. She was bouncing up and down in her chair. "We have to celebrate! Is your team taking you out after work?"

"No, it was just announced," Walter replied. "I should be home at the regular time tonight." 

"Okay, well, we can make a plan and celebrate then," Louise suggested.

"Okay! Sure!"

Beth, a CPA from the accounting department, stopped at the entrance to Louise's cubicle. Louise held up a finger to signal that she would be off of the phone in a moment.

"Hey, I have to go," Louise apologized to Walter. "Sorry!"

"That's okay," Walter assured her. "I'll see you when we get home."

"Okay!" she said in a breathy voice. "Congratulations again!"

"Thanks!"

"Was that Walter?" Beth asked. Beth was tall with broad shoulders, a round face, and a blond bob cut. She was wearing a gray pantsuit with a pink blouse.

"Yeah!" gushed Louise. "He just got promoted - VP of Engineering!"

"Oh, that's awesome!" Beth exclaimed. "Does that mean that he has to travel more?"

"I'm not sure," Louise answered cautiously. "He'll probably have to visit clients more often."

"Well, it sounds like a great position," Beth added enthusiastically.

"Yeah, he's worked really hard," Louise said. "I'm so glad that they're recognizing him!"

"Yeah!" Beth confirmed. "By the way, did you hear that Antonio is coming back?"

Louise felt a powerful shock rush through her body. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

"They're starting a new project," Beth continued. "He's going to be here for a couple of months."

"Cool..." Louise muttered as she began to regain composure.

"He is SO good looking!" Beth bubbled through a wide grin.

"Yeah. He's hot." Louise felt sick to her stomach. She needed to get up. "I'm sorry, Beth. I'll have the spreadsheet done by this afternoon. I'm almost done. I just have to run to the bathroom."

"Oh, sorry!" Beth responded. "You can just shoot me an email when you're finished."
"Okay, thanks!"

Louise tried to call Terri on the way to the ladies' room, but the call went straight to voice mail. "She must be with a client," Louise thought to herself. She hesitated for a minute and then dialed Jo.

"Hey, it's me!"

"Are you okay?" Jo prodded. "You don't sound good."

"Are you free for lunch?"

"Yes! Of course!" Jo said.

"I need an emergency shopping trip."




 

'The Horse Farm'

Copyright © 2015 Daniel R. South

All Rights Reserved