Page 14 of The Emma Special

“No, this one’s different. I promise.”

Katie, still wearing her black uniform from work, walked straight up to Emma without a greeting and snatched the bottle. “What is she giving you this time? If this spills on our counter will it burn through the laminate? Will it stain the carpet? And if Emma accidentally leaves it in her pocket and sends it through our dryer will it explode?”

“Katie, that was one time. Give it a rest, mother hen.” Emma reached for the bottle as Katie stepped away. “And good afternoon, Roomie.”

“Summer, be straight with me. Is it safe?” Katie whispered.

“Hey besties! Guess what I found?” Allison breezed into their meeting room and jerked to an immediate stop. “Oh, yikes. Are we fighting? Katie, give it back. Summer, call off the dogs. Emma! Ohhh, Emma, honey, you look as sharp as a tack. I love it. Stand up and show us the whole fit.”

Emma stood and gave the girls a full turn. Katie’s deep blue pencil skirt paired well with a cream blouse Emma had worn for her senior photos back in the olden days. The silky number had been collecting dust in the back of her closet for too long.

“Ten out of ten,” Allison declared. “You are a vision of professionalism.”

“I agree. It’s lovely,” Katie added.

Emma pulled at the sides of the blouse. “Thanks. Except my bra has been pinching me all day.”

“Why didn’t you put it in your lunchbox like you used to in fifth grade?” Summer asked.

Dropping her arms, Emma sighed. “Because it’s impolite to point. There are only two other women in the office. I think Florence would faint, and Miss Joy would have called me out in front of everyone. Can you believe she yelled at me during the staff meeting because I used the wrong binders?”

“You’re joking,” Allison said.

“Wish I was.” Emma’s skin grew hot and clammy just remembering the interaction. “She doesn’t like the ones with two rings. It’s three rings or I’m fired.”

“Geez,” Summer said. “Glad I’m my own boss.”

“And you don’t even have to tell the flowers what to do. They just do it,” Emma pointed out, miming flowers growing up all around her.

“So, about the job. Are you liking it?” Katie asked.

Emma moved her hands up and down, weighing the scales. Did she? It wasn’t the worst job, but it also wasn’t anywhere close to fun or even enjoyable. “It’s okay. One last day with Florence, and I’m on my own. This afternoon a flower appeared on my desk. With this note, look. I kept it because it makes me smile every time I read it. ‘Keep shining, Emma. You’re exactly what this place needs.’ It’s not signed, but Florence says it wasn’t from her.”

Allison leaned forward to examine the note. “A secret admirer sending handwritten notes? Already?”

“I hope not! I don’t have time for messing around,” Emma said, stuffing the note into her bag.

Katie shifted in her seat. “Even if it’s Mr. Hottie, the rescuer of stranded pixies?”

Emma slapped the arm of the overstuffed couch. “Especially him! He’s so far out of my league. Can you imagine? His father is a full partner with the firm.”

“That doesn’t make him superior,” Allison said. “You’re fabulous. Don’t let anyone make you think you’re any less.”

“Oh, James doesn’t make me feel bad about myself. In fact, he’s pretty encouraging to the whole office.”

That wasn’t all, but spilling her guts about how amazing the guy was would only pour fuel on a fire. He was untouchable, and she wasn’t about to let her defenses down and forget it. She knew her place, especially after having a front-row seat to the gold-digging aspirations of her mom over the years. No, thanks.

Katie waved a hand, dismissing Emma’s negativity. “Whatever. Are you figuring things out now?”

“It’s all I can do to remember the buttons on the copy machine. Let’s just say lawyers have sharp edges, so it’s nice to know at least one of them appreciates me. Twenty-six days until I have insurance and can see a specialist.”

“Hear, hear!” Allison raised her coffee mug.

“In the meantime.” Summer pointed at the little bottle of ointment Katie had dropped on the coffee table. “The Lord gave us all the plants and herbs we need for our healing.”

“Thank you, Summer. I’d be up a creek without a paddle if it wasn’t for y’all.” Emma waved her hands at Allison’s bag. “Enough about me! Allison, what did you bring?”

Allison held up an open book. The pink cover had a few strips of electrical tape along the spine and a series of drawings scrawled in black marker on the front.