Chapter Five

"So, after looking at the operational performance for 2000, everyone can see the need for the budgets for 2001 to be increased by 13%," the room groaned. "Is there something wrong, Baxter?" Kelly leaned her tired frame against the wall of the boardroom.

"No, I can see our performance was on an upswing, and we should be able to achieve that goal this year." He conceded.

"Thank you, I had a feeling you would see it that way. We need to make drastic cuts with our labor as well. We need more productivity from our managers. God knows we pay them better than most retailers; we should at least get our moneys worth here. Our turnover was under 30% in 2000, which isn't bad actually, but we should try and get more retention from our people as well. Do we have any ideas on how we can obtain a better retention percentage?"

Kelly looked over the table of District Managers on her team and saw many faces that she herself had hired off the street. She knew she was a good manager and most of them didn't want to work for anyone else when asked. A small red headed woman raised her hand.

"Yes, Marta?" Kelly called out.

"I think if we made our bonus program an annual one versus a quarterly one, our managers may want to work longer for a better pay out."

"Very good, Marta. In fact, here is that plan. I'm glad you and I both recognized this. It was something I brought up with my bosses as well, and they liked the idea. So here you go. Annual bonus incentive for 2001 for our store managers." Kelly repeated as she passed out the new plans to everyone.

"Please look these over and keep a copy for yourselves. The stores will receive these in their next mail packs. Any questions about this?" Kelly looked around and saw no hands. "Alright then, this meeting is adjourned." She said looking up at the clock and noticing it was nearly two o'clock. She was tired and hadn't eaten all day.

'God, I hope I wake up for tonight. I'm really beat. I remember when I could pull all nighters one after the other.

It's your age catching up with you.

'Thanks, I needed that boost.' She shot back.

Anytime, babe. I'm here for you.

'Whatever.'

Kelly gathered her things from the boardroom and went back into her office. She hadn't seen Susan this morning and hoped she wasn't late on account of their late night last night.

'I'm sure she's just as tired as I am. We can make it an early night tonight.' Kelly thought to herself. 'I'm finished as far as I'm concerned for today. I need to go the grocery for some last minute items for tonight, and maybe, just maybe, I can catch a nap before I pick her up.' She mused and locked her office, walked through the store and went outside to catch a cab.

Kelly walked outside to see a shivering familiar face. She walked across the street into the coffeehouse and got some warm liquid for the chilly woman. She paid for the hot cocoa and left to give warm wishes to her new friend.

"Hey, I didn't see you this morning. I hope you weren't late because of me," Kelly greeted.

"Hey, how are you?" Susan beamed. Her eyes were a bit dark from lack of sleep, but still had lots of sparkle to them when she spoke to Kelly. "I missed my train by like two minutes. Then it took me forever to get a cab. It's my own fault, I thought my snooze button was a house fly and I kept swatting it over and over," she smiled at the taller woman.

Kelly smiled back, "You still up for tonight? We can make it another night if you are too tired. I'd certainly understand if you chose to do that." Kelly said giving Susan a way out if she needed it.

"Absolutely not! And miss the story of Kelly Cavanaugh? Not on your life! I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world," Susan stopped for a second. "Unless you are too tired, and you want to postpone dinner. That's fine if you're beat. I'd also understand." Susan smiled.

"Listen to us… jeez! No, I want you to come to my house for dinner tonight. If you'd still like to come, I'll pick you up after work. What time do you get off?" Kelly smirked.

'Well, that would certainly depend on you, Kelly' Susan's mind drifted into the gutter for a brief moment. "I'll get out of here at around six o'clock tonight. Does that work for you?" Susan asked.

"Six is great for me. I'm gonna head out to the grocery and pick up some last minute ingredients and then head on home. I may even get some time in for a quick siesta," she smiled.

"You big cheater! God, I'd give my left eye tooth for a nap right about now," Susan playfully whined.

"I'm sorry, how about some nice hot cocoa for you instead? It'll keep you warm and give you a sugar boost all in one," the dark haired woman handed her the warm cup of cocoa and laughed at the smaller woman's response.

"Oooh!" Susan squeaked. "Thank you so much! God, it's really cold today, this is just perfect. Thank you, Kelly. That was very sweet of you."

"Yeah, well, don't let that get around," she smirked.

"Don't worry," Susan smiled as she sipped her cocoa. "Boy, this hits the spot."

"I'm glad. Listen, I don't mean to run like this, but I've got some cooking to do for a very special friend of mine. I've got to get going," Kelly teased.

"Oooh, a special friend eh? What's she like?" Susan teased back.

"You'd hate her, she's hairy, she drools, and she chews with her mouth open," Kelly explained with a straight face.

"What?" The smaller woman was a bit confused. "I don't do that!"

"I know, but my dog, Matty, does!" Kelly laughed. "You do like dogs I hope," she said with her eyes filled with hope.

"I love dogs. I had a few when I was living in the great outdoors. Many strays kept me warm at night. I welcome most four legged animals… well except rats." Susan grimaced.

"Ew, I'm not big on them either. Don't worry. She's a yellow lab that looks nothing like a rat." Kelly beamed. "Alright, I'm gonna get going. I'm looking forward to this evening, Susan."

"Good, so am I," the brown-eyed woman replied.

Kelly made more small talk until she was able to flag down the next cab. She waved as she got in the car and smiled when Susan winked her response.

'Tonight is definitely going to be fun.' Kelly smiled.

Chapter Six

"Pine and Churchill, please," I said to the cabby.

"Yes ma'am. I know the way. I take you many times before." The foreign man explained.

"Thank you."

I was really nervous inside. I hoped that my house wasn't going to be too much for Susan. She's had such a hard life and my house isn't exactly small. I could fit six of her places into my house. She came from money, though, so hopefully she wouldn't think I was trying to show off. That wasn't my intention.

The cab pulled into my driveway and I got out and paid my dues with a healthy tip for the driver.

"You live so close, miss, why you don't drive to work?" The kind driver asked me.

"You've seen the cars on the street right?" I asked.

"Yes."

"So you've seen the condition of them, then."

"Yes."

"There isn't a parking garage near my office."

"I see," he agreed.

"Well then, you don't need to ask me why I don't drive to work then," I smiled.

He smiled at me and just nodded as I opened my garage and my BMW came into view. "I see your point. I would take a cab, too."

"Good man, thanks for the ride." I said as I paid him.

"Have a good day, miss." He waved with a wink.

"Thanks," I replied and walked into my garage then into my house.

*****

"Woof!"

"Hey girl! How are you?" I said while rubbing Matty's head. "You have to go out?" I asked knowing full well what the answer would be.

"Woof!"

"Come on, let's get out back," I said while leading my pup to the kitchen's back door.

Looking around my kitchen I noticed, probably for the first time in a long while, how large my home was. I guess after seeing Susan's home last night, it made me realize how fortunate I really was. Even after mom died, I didn't have to worry about money. She'd left me some, but I was employed and it just wasn't a problem. I worked my way up the corporate ladder and made a bit more in salary with each rung that I reached. So many people never even make it to the ladder itself.

I watched Matty run around without a care in the world; she was beautiful when she ran. I wish I had a dog's life. What could there possibly be to worry about? When was I going to take my nap? I think I could handle that.

"Matty! Stop digging!" I shouted through the screen door.

She looked up at me like, 'oops, busted' and started running back towards the house. "Come on in here, girl," I laughed at her expression. People say that dogs don't have expressions, but Matty sure does. She smiles, she frowns, and she can even say 'fuck you' with her eyes if she feels the need. That's usually around the time when I wake her from one of her naps to go out for the last time of the night. That's always amusing for me.

"Good girl, Matty. Are we gonna have company tonight? I'm gonna introduce you to a wonderful woman named Susan. I think you're really going to like her, Matty," I continued as I pet my baby. "She's blonde, just like you, and come to think of it, she has dark brown eyes like you as well. No wonder I'm attracted to her," I laughed as Matty looked at me and I would swear she rolled her eyes at me.

"Let's see what we need for dinner, OK?" I asked my tail-wagging friend and began to inspect my cabinets for the correct ingredients for my Alfredo sauce.

I opened my refrigerator and saw that I needed Whipping Cream and more butter. After opening and closing three or four more cabinets I found the pasta maker that my cleaning lady must have hidden on me. I love her to death, but she likes things her way, and sometimes it makes me crazy when I can't find anything.

I wrote down the rest of the things that I needed from the grocery and grabbed my coat and keys. Matty's tail stopped wagging when she realized I was leaving again.

"It's okay, girl, I'll be back in less than half an hour, I promise," I rubbed her head as I spoke.

I walked into the garage and got into my car and left for the grocery.

continued