The Atonement Read Online Free PDF

to work on getting professional development credits, there’s a
new curriculum, and…I don’t know. I feel like I’m working all the
time. I had to plan this outing two weeks in advance, and only
because tomorrow is a professional development day for our school
and the kids won’t be there so I don’t have to write lessons. It’s
just a struggle to find the time to do the things that really
matter to me – like spending time with the people I care about,”
she said taking his hand. Davis looked away, abruptly withdrawing
his hand from hers, and started playing with the silverware on the
table. He knew what she was trying to do, and he didn’t want to go
there with her.
    “I hope they don’t make us wait all night for
our food. I gotta get up early for work in the morning.”
    “We could have them make it to go if you’re
in that much of a hurry.”
    All of a sudden he noticed her usual cheerful
expression began to fade into a somber one. She looked down and
toyed with the charm bracelet she was wearing.
    “Look, I wasn’t tryin’ to be…never mind.”
    There was another tense silence between them
for a few seconds. Davis didn’t want to be rude, but he wanted to
make it clear to Tamiko that this was not a date. The situation
required that he be tactful, which was not something he was good
at. He was trying to think of a way to express himself, but it was
difficult because he had never been good with words. Davis was
trying to think of what to say when Tamiko interrupted his train of
thought.
    “So how are things going in the program? This
is your last year, right?”
    “Yeah. Everything’s been going aiight. I’m
still doing good and I’ve already started the process for applying
for my licenses.”
    “That’s wonderful!” she said her face
brightening again. “What do you think you’re going to do when
you’re done? Like do you think you’re going to start your own
business?”
    “I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet.”
    “Aw, c’mon. As good as you are, you’ll have a
lot of jobs in no time.”
    “It’s just that I’ve been praying about it
and I know I need to wait for the Lord to give me the green light.
Know what I mean?”
    “Of course. I can understand that.”
    “But I figure, in the meantime, I’ll just
keep my job at the hotel and do a few freelance jobs here and there
on the side. You know, start to build my rep.”
    “If you want, I could ask around the church
and see if there’s anyone who needs some work done. Who knows,
maybe there’s something my dad may need you to do around the
house.”
    “Thanks, but don’t feel like you have to put
yourself out.”
    “It’s no problem at all where you’re
concerned. Oh, and before I forget -” she said as she began to dig
down into her purse.
    “Not again,” thought Davis to himself.
    “Ta-da!” said Tamiko handing him a little
black box that was tied with a red ribbon.
    “Miko, I really appreciate the gesture, but I
can’t – I mean you just got me those towels last week.”
    “I know, but when I saw this I knew I had to
get it for you. Go on, open it.”
    Davis took a deep breath as he untied the red
ribbon and opened the box. Inside were three neatly folded cloths
in different solid colors. Davis had never seen anything like
them.
    “Do you like them?”
    “What are they? Like fancy napkins or
something?”
    “Nooo, silly!” laughed Tamiko “They’re
handkerchiefs. You put them in the top pocket of your suit jacket –
you can use them when you need something to wipe the sweat out of
your eyes or if you want to make your suit look fancy.”
    “Oh.”
    “I tried to get colors that matched some of
the ties I’ve seen you wear.”
    “Thanks for the gift, but…I don’t want you to
feel like you gotta waste your money on me like this.”
    “Oh, don’t say that. I could never feel that
way. I like doing things for you. We’re friends. Remember?”
    “I know, but - how ‘bout you hold onto