page 30 |
around. Nothing to the north side; nothing to the south; I don't think I see anything to the--  "Um, hello?" a woman's voice behind me said.
"Gyah!" I yelled out, surprised. West side, twelve o'clock. Norm, we have a visitor.
"Hi, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you," she said. "I'm new here. My name's Tracy." Well, hello, Tracy. Then I thought, Norm, tell me if I'm drooling.
"Hi, Tracy. I'm Joseph."
"Oh, how cute! You have a goldfish! I love goldfish! But...I thought pets weren't allowed."
"Tracy," I said. "Sometimes because a thing isn't allowed doesn't mean it doesn't happen anyway. Would you like to go to lunch with me? I know the best Chinese place."
"I don't like Chinese food," Tracy said. Quick, think fast, Norm. Norm made little fish-faces at me.
"Mexican?" I asked desperately.
"Sure."
Tracy and I went out to lunch. As we left the office, I smiled for the first time that day. I never tried Bob's method to cheer up; I don't even remember what it was . But he was right about Norm. Thank you, Norm.
--James Moening  --Reema Kar |
page 32 |
|
|
|
|
|