Free Devin-2 by Kathi S. Barton

hate that man. He did everything but call me a slut, Austin. I’ve never even been with a man and he is the first...the first one that I...oh, Austin.” Sobs tore from her throat and her heart.
    “Want me to beat him up for you? Or could I have a few of our friends make a pass at him? Hum, I think I like that one. Let me do it, please?” In the end she, would not let Austin do anything to Devin, even as much as she wanted to herself. He had hurt her. More than she had thought possible. Her entire life she had avoided men and the one time she found herself wanting go get close to one, he turned out to be a prick.
    On Wednesday morning, Ronnie was at the Grant building early. Mrs.
    Justice took Ronnie around and showed her were everything was and then led her to a room so that she could work in quiet.
    The room was beautiful and Ronnie fell in love with the huge desk that took up most of the room. It sat in front of the window that looked over the skating rink below. The desk was made of a light walnut and the drawer pulls were brass-colored. The antiqued-looking green lamp in the center looked regal and warm.
    There were several files on the corner closest to the door and a large box filled with office supplies—pens, folders, a stapler, and other items that one would need to work.
    On two of the walls were wall to ceiling book shelves filled with beautiful law books. Most of them look to Ronnie as if the binding had never been broken; others looked well loved and used. Some of the shelves had small items, a framed picture, and a couple of ceramic pieces. A few of those she recognized as a favorite artist of Austin’s. The third was the window and it was massive in its size and view. Looking down there was the rink, but out the vista was expansive as well as beautiful. Ronnie imagined, in the spring, the view would be spectacular. The fourth wall was blank other than the door they were standing in and another one that was closed just down from them near the corner.

    “Mr. Grant called and said to have you look over these files there on the desk. He said that if you need anything just to let me know and I’ll make sure you have it. There is a computer being set up in here later this afternoon and a printer will be delivered tomorrow. Your extension is four. Oh, I’m supposed to ask you what your cell phone number is and to make sure you have Mr. Grant’s.
    Is there anything else that I can answer for you now, Ms. Frey?”
    “No, I’m fine. I don’t have a cell phone. I need to leave at eleven today; I have a class. He knows that, right?” She was not going to ask where he was just as long as he was not around. She really didn’t care.
    “He is aware of your schedule, I believe. I’m not sure about the cell. I’ve actually never known anyone...it doesn’t matter. I’ll be here until you leave. The office will be closed on Thanksgiving and Friday after for the holiday. If there is anything you can think of, just jot it down and I’ll take care of it for you.”
    “Thanks, Mrs. Justice. I’m fine.”
    Ronnie moved to the desk, picked up the first file, and started reading. It was not long before she was making notes in her steno pad and pulling down books.
    At ten forty-five, Ms. Justice knocked on the office door and called out for Ronnie. She was on the floor behind the desk. She popped her head up and grinned at the older woman.
    “Ms. Frey?”
    Ronnie sat down on her knees and started pulling the large tomes into a pile to be returned to the shelf. “I’m coming. Thanks for reminding me. I get caught up sometimes in what I’m doing. I should bring in the timer I use at home.” Ronnie finished putting the books away and gathered up her things for class.
    Picking up two of the files on the desk, she handed them to the older woman.
    Ronnie had left sticky notes on the folders and copious notes on the inside. She knew they were thorough, but did not know what Mr. Grant would think about her work. And