Free The Trouble Way by James Seloover Page A

said as Ann left. Candy looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, flipped the Kleenex in the trash, applied some lipstick, ran a brush through her hair and left the girl’s restroom.
    “ Candy!” Ms. Becky called to her as she passed the personnel office. “Your mom called a few minutes ago. I paged you but you didn’t answer. She wanted to know if you need a ride home from work.”
    “ I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the page, I was in the little girl’s room. I’ll call her when I go on break. Mother is such a bother sometimes. She treats me like a child. I can get my own ride home. Thank you, Ms. Becky,” Candy said and walked toward the stockroom.
     
     
    “ I am ever so grateful. You are such an angel, Ann,” Candy said as she carried her suitcase into the apartment. “Thank you so, so much. Like I said before, I just need a place to stay for two weeks max, I promise.”
    “ I just have the hide-a-bed for you to sleep on.” Ann said. “There are some extra sheets in the hall closet. There are some blankets there too. You can use one of the pillows from my bed.”
    “ Do you think I could use just a little shampoo,” Candy said,” my roommate … ex-roommate made off with mine. I promise to buy some as soon as I get my paycheck on Friday.”
    “ Sure, help yourself.” Ann said. “There are extra towels in the bathroom closet. Are you sure you’re going to have enough saved up to get your own apartment after only two weeks? It took me over two months to save up and find this place, and I was really scrimping. It’s hard.”
    “ I guarantee you I’ll only need a place for two weeks, definitely no more than three. Shoot me if I’m here for four,” Candy said. “I can’t get over my roommate … ex-roommate, leaving me in such a bind. She left without one word, just disappeared, and took most all of my stuff. I don’t have anything except my clothes. She even took some of them. She didn’t pay her part of the rent and I got evicted. I’m sorry; I already told you all of this. But I just can’t get over why some people are so mean. You are such a sweetie, Ann, I’ll never forget it. I owe you big time.”
    “ You will owe me rent if you stay over three weeks. I can’t afford to support you,” Ann said. “I don’t mind helping someone for a while, especially a co-worker but I don’t make much more than you do.”
    “ I promise you Ann, it won’t be three weeks. A month at the very, very most. You won’t even know I am here.” Candy said. “I’ll be invisible.”
    “ When you get your car out of the shop, be sure to use the guest parking spaces. If you don’t use them, your car could get towed.” Ann said.
    “ I just hope they can fix it,” Candy said. “It didn’t sound too good when I broke down. And it was really smoking. I guess I’ll be taking the bus for a while. I want to thank you again for the ride here. You really are a dear sweetheart, Ann.”
    “ Make yourself at home,” Ann said. “Excuse me; I’m going out so I have to get ready.” She disappeared into her bedroom.
    Candy found herself standing in the living room by herself. “This should do just fine.” She walked around the room, looking at photos and at the records and books on the shelf. When she got to the kitchen, she peeked into the cupboards and then moved to the refrigerator.
    Ann emerged from her bedroom. “I have to get going. I’m sorry for abandoning you on your first day.”
    “ Oh my goodness, Ann, you are gorgeous. There is some lucky guy out there tonight,” Candy said. “Enjoy yourself. I’m sure I’ll be able to keep myself occupied. I’ll be okay. Again, thank you so much for helping me.”
    “ No guy, I’m going over to Linda’s place. And, you are welcome, Candy.” Ann walked over and gave her a hug. She extricated herself from Candy’s enthusiastic embrace and turned to leave. “I should be home by eleven.”
    Candy could hear the sound of Ann ’s footsteps disappear