A Trade For Good Read Online Free PDF Page A

minesweeper.”
    Jeff heard Mitch's deep voice say
“Ouch, that hurt” as they made sure Sera found her way to Mitch's
office. Jeff held the chair back for Sera to sit down and she
immediately exited a FreeCell game that was on the screen as proof
of what Jeff had just said. She accessed My Documents, and opened a
blank document to start typing.
    “What exactly is it that you want me
to type? Do you want me to create a new contract or a pay schedule
for the money I owe? I can probably do that better on
Excel.”
    “If you don't mind," Jeff
told her with a smile, "I’ll dictate and you write. Okay?”
    Sera uncomfortably adjusted her bottom
on the chair’s seat and focused on the keyboard. Placing her
fingers on it just so, she was ready to start.
    She actually looked like she knew what
she was doing, but Jeff's two index fingers were all he ever used,
so he wasn't sure how fingers were supposed to be
positioned.
    When Jeff finally began dictating, her
fingers started flying over the keys as words were spat out onto
the monitor, leaving little time for him to think up words fast
enough for her to type.
    “Okay, I think that's it." He had only
seen her falter where he knew she probably would, but she had
regained speed immediately after.
    "Please read it back to me,” he said
in his most professional voice.
    “I, Sera Henderson
Sinclair, " Sera cleared her throat and
looked up at him before continuing, will
pay back the debt incurred by Mr. Jeff Mason in the amount of
$5,768.00 (see attached), for materials purchased for the purpose
of landscaping my home at 134 Hillcrest Ln.
    I understand the debt will
increase to its full amount of $14,000.00 if the project outlined
on the estimate sheet is indeed completed by Mason
Landscaping.
    Full debt must be paid by
March 15, 2014, or matters will be pursued by legal action taken
against me."
    Sera looked imploringly at her newest
legal threat and then to the words on screen before her.
    “That’s only six months away. I’m not
sure if I can pay it all back by then no matter how hard I
try.”
    Dismissing her comment he motioned for
her to keep typing.
    “Where were we? Oh yeah,”
he cleared his throat. "Jeffrey Mason,
owner/manager of Mason Landscaping accepts payment of said debt in
the form of employment by Sera Henderson Sinclair.
    “A portion of Ms.
Sinclair’s salary, not to exceed 20% and in accordance with current
employment rates, will be deducted every month, for six months,
until said debt of $5,768.00 is fulfilled."
    “Go ahead and put the signature and
date lines on the bottom to make this legal. I can get one of the
three stooges to witness or someone else.”
    Sera didn’t do as she was told, and
instead asked, “You’re offering me a job?”
    “No, I'm not sure ‘offering’ is the
word I’d use. I want my money's worth one way or another and unless
you win the lottery it doesn’t look like I’ll get paid any other
way.”
    Jeff was caught off guard as Sera
jumped into his arms and gave him a hug.
    “When do I start?”
    “I believe you just did.”
    “So what are my hours?” The look of
excitement on her face was priceless, as was Jeff's look of
confusion. He faltered for a second while trying to shake off the
warmth of the quick hug and respond in his most professional
voice.
    "I’ll expect you here at 7:30 every
morning, you’ll get an hour off for lunch, two fifteen minute
breaks, and you can leave at 4:00.I don’t consider it unethical or
think it’s harassment to expect to find coffee ready for me when I
come in to work at 8:00 every morning. Your duties will include
answering phones, filing, taking care of the billing, payroll,
ordering materials when I ask you to, and dealing with the clients
on financial matters I need you to take care of."
    “I think that about does it. Today I’d
like you to continue with what you’ve already started. Jeff’s lips
moved slightly as he made an effort not to smile before he
continued, “But