NOTICE:
Cash donations
for Annie's baby shower
(Wednesday at noon)
and
the American Cancer Society
(in memory of Deirdre's mother)
should be submitted to Marie by October 9, 1999.

"I brought you coffee, Deirdre."

I shoved the canary yellow sign and two push-pins into my drawer.
"Thanks, Marie."

A pendant dipped into the V of her sweater as Marie set the cup down. I
was overwhelmed by random thoughts: (1) My secretary had bigger breasts than
me, (2) I was an orphan, and (3) how much did Marie collect for my mother?
I followed her back to her desk. "Here," I said, pressing a bill into Marie's hand. "For Annie's shower."

"But Mr. Lowenthal said that he'll reimburse me for ..."

"Extravagant promises. I insist, Marie. Please."

"Well. . .I put a stroller on lay-away. And Annie's going to love
this!"Marie handed me a gift bag. "Open it," she said. "What do you think?"

"I think that you should borrow from Peter to pay Paul, and get Annie
that stroller, too."

"Nooo . . ."

"Yes." Then I whispered into her ear, "My mother's dead. She won't ever know."

Marie's face reddened. "But, Deirdre," she stammered, "I only have
fourteen dollars and fifty cents for. . ."

..........

When I returned to my office, Marie was still weeping. I patted my
secretary on the shoulder and sat down. The pale blue nursing gown felt good against my bare skin. The cloth caressed me again and again as I began to type.