Walking into my office, I passed through the sitting area where an empty desk stood. Usually my personal secretary would sit at the 'L' shaped mahogany table and the record keeping would be kept by them. The responsibilities are on myself, as the previous secretary quit to open an ice cream parlor downtown. Placing my coat and my keys on a hook by the door, I eyed the tedious, boring stack of paperwork which needed stamped and retained.
' I wonder what Kay is doing right now...'
My hand picked up the handset of the phone, which laid on my desk, and began to enter Midway's number.
"Operator speaking!" A voice called from the other end.
" Could you put me through to Commissioner Hadee, please? This is Chief Finn of Bay City."
"Right away, Sir!"
There was several minutes of silence before I heard a burly voice answer. " Yeah, this is Commissioner Hadee."
" I have a question for you, Sir."
"Make it quick, I am doing an onboarding event for your station."
" I met a woman last night who would be a perfect fit as my secretary."
" Last night? Is this some bar maid?"
"No..." My eyes rolled sarcastically, " She's a responsible, respectable woman who I believe is very smart."
" Do you know her or do you know her?"
Conscientiously, I cleared my throat." S-she's just a friend."
" Good! Remember what happened with Victor and Misty..."
"Yes, sir. Nothing of that! I mean it."
"Alright, bring her in. Do you have time today? If you could train her, that would be the best in this situation."
Straightening my back, I added. " Wait, she should start today?!"
" Onyx, we are understaffed! Yes, if she could start tonight or tomorrow that would be ideal."
" I understand, sir."
"Good day, Chief." Hadee gruffly ended the conversation.
" Good day, Comissioner." I hung up the phone gently and dashed for my keys and coat. 'I hope she likes this idea.'
Several officers watched me leave my office, each with similar puzzled looks. One of them spoke up as I was about to open the front doors. " Good morning, sir. You're in an awful hurry this morn."
" Yes- I have to go get a new recruit."
" Why?"
" Couldn't they walk or drive?" Another asked.
I shuffled my feet, purposely avoiding their ridiculous gaze. " Well, I suppose... but it's a woman."
" Why should you be the one picking her up?"
My head began to ache as I rubbed my temples with my thumb and index finger. " It is just a courteous gesture."
" Is she single? Is that the target, sir?"
' Of all the things anyone can possibly say, why do you need to know if she's single?'
My lip curled to him in disgust.
He snickered. " We're pulling your leg, Chief! Lighten up!"
Shaking my head, I pulled out a cigarette from my pocket and stuck it in my mouth. " I need these because of you all."
They laughed loudly.
I continued out of the building and got into my car.
***
Upon entering the house, my ears were pleased as I could still hear music from the phonograph playing.
Stepping through the front door, immediately, I thrown back into my childhood. My eyes shut and pictured before me was my father and I coming in after our long days. Mother would then walk down the stairs with open arms to greet us. Everyday.
"Onyx?"
I squinted to her figure before me, instead it was no ghost of my mother, but Kay. She was dressed in women's clothing- in one of my mother's dresses.
Furrowing my brows, I could not seem to recollect where my mother's Sunday clothes were placed after she passed.
" W- Where did you find that, Kay?"
She shriveled back. " Oh, I could take it off- I-I mean I could put the other clothes back on-"
" No- no need. It's fine. Really."
" I did not mean to overstep your boundaries."
I placed my hand on her shoulder. " Kay, my mother is gone. She can't wear that anymore. You look wonderful."
She sheepishly clasped her hands together. " Thank you. I promise to give it back as soon as I find a job and get something else to wear."
" Well, that's actually why I'm here." My hand reached for hers. " But first, can you spin around for me, please?"
The pale pink dress belled out as she spun around in the doorway. A vision of my parents dancing together flew past my eyes as I once saw it as a boy.
She broke my imaginative ideals like a bubble. " What were you saying earlier?"
I shook my head with a grin. " Oh! I was wondering if you would ever consider being my secretary at the police station. You would have to start immediately, like tonight."
" Tonight?! What about our plans when you get off work?"
" We will still be together, I am the one training you."
She rubbed her arm. " I-I don't know. I never want to see Ivan or any of his corrupt friends again. I'm sure those bastards get arrested all the time."
" No one will see you. You'll be tucked away in my office working for me."
Kay nervously smiled. " Okay, I'll try it."
" Good, I'm excited to have you onboard."
With my hand held out for a handshake, she placed hers on top. Possibly not understanding what I meant?
We made eye contact as I lifted her hand to my lips and gently kissed.
A sigh came from my chest as my hand slipped away from hers. " Forgive me, but we have to get going. Technically, I wasn't supposed to leave work at all. I'm kind of the boss."
" Is it okay if I wear this to work?" She gestured to the long dress.
" Tomorrow I'll help you get some more professional clothing. But honestly, no one is going to notice. It's a bunch of men."
We got in the car together and began driving down the road.
" I am really nervous, Onyx."
" Don't be nervous. This is a step in the right direction."
" I'm not used to being in regular society. What if someone recognizes me from The Ginger Snap?"
"I'll pop them in their mouth!"
She laughed.
" I'm just kidding."
She looked over at me warmly.