Rita Hayworth's Shoes Read Online Free PDF Page B

that.”
    â€œI can do whatever I want.”
    â€œNo, I mean you can’t .…”
    â€œLook, I don’t think you’re really in the position of playing the friendship card right now. I don’t see why I need to look out for your best interests when you couldn’t give a crap about mine,” said Amy, growing ever more determined to extricate herself from Hannah’s iron grasp.
    â€œNo. It’s not that.”
    â€œWhat is it then?"“Well…he’s not here.”
    â€œHe’s not here?” she asked, confused for a moment. “Okay. So I’ll go have a word with her.” And she wriggled away from Hannah.
    Who clamped right back down on her. “She’s not here, either.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThey…uh…” Hannah let go finally and looked away. “They went…out of town.”
    Amy realized immediately what Hannah meant. “They went on my honeymoon,” she whispered, deflated.
    â€œWell. Yeah.”
    Walking backward to her desk, Amy slammed square into a filing cabinet. “Shit!”
    â€œLanguage!” shouted Heimlich from his office.
    â€œSorry,” she said.
    Doctor Heimlich emerged from his office, dressed in his professorial tweeds and khaki pants, and hobbled over to Amy’s desk. At seventy-two, he didn’t look a day over seventy-eight. “So, you’re back now, are you?”
    â€œIt was time.”
    â€œYou get those notes I left here typed yet?” he snapped, noticing the mountain of yet-to-be filed papers on her desk.
    â€œI guess I forgot,” she said.
    â€œWe’re back at that one again, eh? And who’s this?” he asked pointing to Hannah with one of his Band-Aid wrapped fingertips.
    â€œI’ve been filling in for Amy all week—”
    â€œNever mind,” he cut her off. “Don’t care.”
    â€œProfessor, I’m so sorry for all the noise,” said Amy. “I just learned some disturbing news.”
    â€œWhat? That snake boy took off to the Bahamas with his new girl?”
    Amy looked away, choking back tears. “Well. Yes.”
    â€œA damn shame, that,” he said, shaking his head. “Talk of the whole damned campus.” Amy felt herself flush with color. “Bahamas, eh?” She nodded. He shrugged his shoulders. “Would have been a nice trip.”
    â€œYes, I suppose it would,” she said.
    Heimlich stared at her for a while, then gave her a playful punch in the arm. “Ah, but you’re here with us now,” he smiled. “Now back to work,” he added, businesslike, tapping her twice on the tush. “Chop, chop.”
    â€œOkay…well…let’s see. Messages.” She took a deep breath as she held up a stack and began to read. “Dean Cornish called about—”
    â€œAh, screw old Cornish,” Heimlich said, talking over her. “How about some coffee?”
    Amy was shocked at the thoughtfulness of the craggly old man. “Why, thank you. I’d love some.”
    â€œNot for you, silly girl!” he laughed, shaking his head at Hannah as if he and she had been involved in some kind of private joke over the coffee. Hannah laughed back and Amy glared at her.
    â€œHow about that new hazelnut over there in the lounge,” he said. “Grab me a cup of that.”
    Amy fought to keep her composure. “But you’re allergic to nuts.”
    Heimlich regarded her like she was an infant just discovering that she had hands. “I can’t eat PEA -nuts,” he cooed. “But to humor your silly little simple brain, just make it regular this time.” He giggled to himself as he sauntered off down the hallway.
    â€œSpeaking of nuts…” Hannah tried.
    Amy ignored Hannah’s attempt at levity as she headed down the hall in the other direction.
    ##

    Later that day, Amy received a disturbing phone call. It seemed the