Blast From The Past 1 Read Online Free Page A

bound to run into people I know—or knew—so I guess I better get used to it and not let it interfere with my work.”
    “Exactly,” Becky said with a real smile. “So, as I was saying… Your office is stocked with all the tech equipment you should need for your work, and, if you need something else, all you have to do is submit a request form, and we’ll get it to you promptly… Other than that, please feel free to use your laptop, tablet, phone, and other mobile devices as they were meant to be used—you can take them home with you, or anywhere else on-the-go, and can personalize them as you see fit.
    “You can use them for your personal communications as well, but remember to do so within reason. Emails, social networking, Christmas shopping—that’s all cool. But don’t go crazy. We once had a brilliant guy working for us, who we had to let go after we discovered he was using his devices to feed his sexual cravings… He was downloading—and uploading —porn videos constantly, even in the office, and, even though we keep it real at rEcore, that was just a little over the top.”
    My jaw dropped a little when Becky told me this. I couldn’t really imagine anyone using their work equipment for purposes like that—but, then again, I guess some folks are like kids in a candy store when you give them unlimited access to technology.
    “I promise I won’t be watching, or making, any pornos,” I replied.
    “Good,” Becky chimed back, laughing. “I know it’s ridiculous to say it, but it’s got to be said… As for other mobile protocol, try to use the rEcore mobile hotspot whenever you can, but if you can’t pick up the signal, please make sure that you only use a limited broadcast channel with an encrypted passcode. Don’t have these things connected and running anywhere where information can be intercepted. I’m sure you know there are countless hackers out there who’d just love to come across a rEcore employee’s workload, and none of us involved can afford that.”
    “I hear you loud and clear,” I told Becky, trying to drown out the other noises around me. There were people chatting outside and around us, and I desperately hoped that Joe wasn’t one of them or that, if he was, he hadn’t seen me. I’d deal with him when and if I had to, but, for the time being, I wanted to settle into my new job and get things going. I hoped, beyond all hope, that it was just a random occurrence that he was there, that maybe he was a delivery man or adjunct resource.
    “So that’s all I have for you right now,” Becky said, again interrupting my thoughts and bringing a close to our conversation. “If you need anything, ask around or call extension 413 and ask for me… For now, just take some time to explore the system. Someone—probably Edgar—will be around in a bit to explain your first assignment.”
    “Thanks, Becky,” I replied, grabbing my mouse and feigning interest in what was before me on the computer screen. As she walked out of my office, I scrolled and clicked around my desktop, staring at the icons, though my mind wandered to distant memories, and my heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

~ Chapter 6 ~
     
    It was about seven years ago—shortly after I broke up with Tommy. Patty the bookworm had just studied her ass off and successfully made it through midterms with straight A’s, as usual, and was feeling an unusual need to kick back, relax, and maybe even celebrate a little.
    Some girls from my dorm, including Julie, were going out one night, and they asked me to join them. They’d asked me to join them several times before, and I’d always declined—but, this time, much to all of our surprise, I actually agreed.
    There were five of us in total when the evening began, and the first spot we hit was a pub that served cheap pitchers of beer. “It’s called pre-gaming,” one of the other girls told me, explaining how it is standard protocol to go to a cheap place to get your drink