The Candy Shop Read Online Free PDF Page A

somebody.”
    “Well, that was fine. But, do me a favor.”
    “Sure. Anything.”
    “Let’s keep this between you and me. I mean, I don’t want this conversation to leave this office. Okay?”
    “Okay.”
    “Well, in the meantime, I will have a serious discussion about this with Teresa, because that type of behavior will not be tolerated in any way, form, or fashion!” I assured her.
    Now, before Mrs. Lawson got up to leave, she wanted to know if I would also do her a favor. So, I said of course and asked her what the favor was.
    “When you decide to speak with her in regards to this matter, would you be so kind as to not mention who you got this information from?”
    “Oh, sure. No, problem,” I told her.
    “Well, thank you.”
    “No. Thank you.”
    She stood up from her chair and said, “Don’t mention it. Now, let me head get back to my office before I miss my nine o’clock conference call.”
    “All right. And thanks again for coming to me with this first.”
    Mrs. Lawson smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”
    Teresa finally made it into work around ten o’clock. And as soon as we made eye contact, she knew from my expression that I wasn’t at all happy about her being tardy. So, she rushed into my office with an explanation in hand.
    “Please don’t be mad,” she started off saying, closing my office door behind her, “but the reason I’m late is because I was up all night going through some changes with that nigga Darren.”
    “Look, Teresa, I don’t give a damn about the changes you and Darren are going through. You’ve got a job to do. And part of it is to be to work on time. Now, please don’t let me have this conversation with you again!” I replied in a harsh tone.
    Surprised by my approach, she said, “Well damn, what’s wrong with you?”
    “Well, first of all, I woke up to an empty bed this morning because my husband decided that he wasn’t going to come home last night, because I didn’t make it to his parents’ dinner party. And then when I come to work, I get a visit by one of my staff, who informs me that they witnessed you sniffing dope a couple of days ago in your car, during your lunch break. So, when I heard this, I became furious because you know better. And if this person would’ve taken this to Mr. Baker, your ass would be getting your walking papers right about now. So, you better count your lucky stars and never let that shit happen again. Because next time, you may not be so lucky. You got me?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay, now tell me what happened last night that kept you from getting to work on time?”
    “Don’t be mad, but I sat outside Darren’s house all night, waiting for him to come home, so I could talk to him since he won’t answer any of my phone calls.”
    “You mean to tell me that this man has you so fucked up in the head, that you sat outside his house all night long, waiting on him to come home, for the simple fact that he refuses to answer any of your calls?”
    Teresa nodded her head and gave me a cheesy smile.
    “So, what did you accomplish from all of that?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Did you get a chance to see him?”
    “Nope.”
    “How long did you sit outside his house?”
    “Until about four in the morning.”
    “Well, what makes you think that he wasn’t home already?”
    “Because his car wasn’t there. But, his wife’s car was.”
    “Well, did it ever occur to you that they were probably hanging out together?”
    “Yeah, it did cross my mind.”
    “Well, let me ask you this.”
    “Shoot.”
    “Tell me, what you would have done if he had pulled up in his car with his wife?”
    “I would’ve gotten out of my car and confronted him.”
    “But, why? I mean, didn’t he tell you it was over?”
    “Yeah. But, I need some closure. I mean, I do deserve that.”
    “For what?” I commented with frustration. “That man is married. So, that means he doesn’t owe you a thing.”
    “Yeah, I know that. But, it’s the least he