The Final Arrangement Read Online Free

ensuing rip, which resulted in a now, six-inch tear.
    I glared at Nick, daring him to say a word.  A look of fear passed across his face.  He walked over next to Cindy, and looked straight up at the ceiling with his hand held out until Cindy placed the card filled envelope in his palm.  He then marched with intent toward the back door and the parked delivery van that doubled as my personal vehicle. 
    “Cindy,” I said wearily, “if it were just the cleavage-fest tank top, you could cover up with an apron.  But you can’t wear those shorts.  At the rate they’re ripping you’ll have a fully exposed cheek in about thirty seconds.” 
    “Well you’re the one that called and asked me to come in early.  I’m doing you a favor by being here,” she said indignantly.
    “Exactly what kind of favor is it that you’re doing for me?  Doubling as an on-staff barfly?  And what does coming in a few minutes early have to do with what you’re wearing?”
    “I didn’t have any other clean clothes.”
    “Well next time do me a favor and wear something with stains all over them will ya?  It’d be a lot better than this.” 
    “Maybe there won’t be a next time.  There are other jobs out there you know.”
    “You’re right, Cindy.  There are a lot of jobs out there.  But the only ones where you’re allowed or encouraged to dress like that have descriptions including words like, johns, pimps, street, and walking.”
    My sarcasm seemed to break the tension and Cindy looked up at me trying to suppress a smile. 
    “Okay, I shouldn’t have worn this to work.  But you don’t have to be such a bitch, Quincy.  You could have just told me to go change.”  She turned her head away, embarrassed to show the emotion beginning to well up in her face.  
    Employees aren’t supposed to talk to their bosses like that.  But, a boss probably shouldn’t tell their employee they are dressed like a prostitute.  I’d let the stress get to me and snapped.  It hurt to have Cindy call me a name like that, though.  But, I couldn’t let her know it.  I turned my heated face away from her. 
    The two of us stood there, three feet apart looking in opposite directions, both knowing we had breached employee/employer etiquette but not wanting to admit it. 
    “Cindy, you just caught me off guard.  It’s been a stressful morning.”  I felt very un-confident and none of the usual snappy comebacks came to mind.
    “Not everyone is as perfect as you, Quincy.”  She said calmly without sarcasm. 
    I heard a sniffle, and turned my head toward her.  She carefully wiped away tears so as not to smear her eyeliner.  The sniffles kept coming as she maneuvered around the store.  So maybe I really was a bitch.  But I was a bitch who had orders to get out the door.  I needed Cindy’s help. 
    “I’m not perfect, Cindy.  Far from it.  I’m sorry I didn’t handle this well.”  I really did feel guilty for talking to her in the way I had, especially in front of someone else.  “Well, we don’t have time to send you home, but I have my gym bag in the car.  You can wear my warm-up pants and a t-shirt.”  I tried to think of a compliment to help smooth things over.  “You know, you really are lucky.  If I had a figure like yours I’d want to show it off too.”
    “Thanks.” Cindy replied.  “I’m sure your pants will be a little long,” she said with a make-lemonade-out-of-lemons voice, “but they’ll fit.  I feel bad though—I’m definitely going to stretch the chest out in your t-shirt.  Sorry.”
    “No problem,” muttered the B-cup. 

CHAPTER TWO
     
    We survived the morning madness and the early afternoon ran smoothly.  No sign of the unprofessional detective—he sure seemed in a hurry on the phone earlier.  Nick returned and left again with a full vanload.  Cindy and I made several bouquets to fill our orders, and we even had time to make speculation arrangements to put in the front cooler