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some padding, you
know? Something to hold onto, keep them warm at night."
    Oh Lord, please don't let her start a
conversation about sex. I so did not want to have this discussion.
    She threw back her head and laughed, like she
read my self-conscious little mind. "Don't worry, I will make your uniforms
perfect. You'll see. Strip to your under things and step up here so I can get your
measurements."
    Strip? Measurements? Why not just parade me
naked down the street?
    A thousand dollars. I needed that money, bad.
And maybe future bonuses. I couldn't be squeamish undressing in front of a
stranger and I could certainly put on a pair of shorts. I grit my teeth and
took off my clothes, then stepped up on a platform, willing the blush to stay
off my cheeks. And hoping I'd worn underwear without holes. I watched in
amazement as Sharon whipped her measuring tape around and finished in minutes.
    Nathan had to be paying Unique Uniforms a
butt-load of money to work so fast. He'd decided to bring along an assistant on
this trip at the last minute, he said. I guess that's the way they worked in his
world, making decisions quick, paying whatever it took to have things done in your
timeframe.
    "I'll have the uniforms ready for you
by Friday. We close at five." Sharon wrote on a receipt, handed it to me, and
angled her head. "You know, I've got a great hairdresser. I understand the
humidity in Florida is crazy. You might want a trim before you go."
    What was it with people and my hair? I
pocketed the card she handed me. Okay, I could take a hint. I'd make an
appointment for tomorrow. This week would fly by. I had to stock up on cat food
and treats because my neighbor downstairs, who loved Pumpkin and said she would
have no trouble watching her, didn't drive. Then I had to finish my freelance
assignments. I'd be able to take on one or two once I got to Florida, I hoped,
but I knew I'd spend the first few days getting acclimated and didn't want to
be overworked and stressed.
    Vicky was fine with working more days, especially
since I promised her a bonus on top of the extra pay. I was getting a good one
from Nathan, and believed in spreading the love around. So, most of the
important items for this trip were dealt with, but I still had a million
details to handle. I had to organize my projects at the job and get Becca up to
speed to work on them, stop my mail, make sure my bills were paid ahead of
time…
    Sitting in my car, I realized I was
gripping the steering wheel like it was a life preserver.
    Stop. This will all
get done. Make a list, focus on one thing at a time.
    That's what I was good at. Organizing. One
reason Nathan chose me, and I wouldn't let him down.
     
    Wednesday
     
    "You look different." Michelle
glanced up from the TV. "Your hair. Any news?"
    "I had it trimmed today. You like
it?"
    "Yeah, I guess. Did the detective
tell you anything?"
    "No, I'm sorry. He didn't call."
My heart bled a little, as always, when I said this. We both waited for news
from Chuck Taylor, the detective assigned to her case. But news never came.
    She turned back to her program.
    "I brought you a salad from the deli.
And more of those frozen lunches you like. And eggs. Hey, how about we make an
omelet for dinner? Then you can have the leftovers for breakfast
tomorrow."
    "I don't feel like cooking. You
can." Her attention didn't leave the screen.
    Wanting to stomp into the living room and yank
her off the couch, hating myself for even thinking it, I unloaded the groceries
and pulled out a frying pan, then whipped up scrambled eggs and bacon, enough
for us and two more meals. Vicky enjoyed my cooking and always thanked me when
I made extra for her. It was nice to be appreciated. Michelle liked the food I
prepared and ate every bite, but she never acknowledged my efforts.
    "Let's sit in the kitchen and talk
while we eat. I need to tell you something."
    I looked her over as she plodded in. Thank
the Lord, she still practiced adequate personal hygiene and wore