Lilene opened the door to the apartment. “Here you go.”
It was actually quite nice, with great light, and now that she could get a better look at Lilene she realized she was probably in her late fifties. No doubt one of the employees who’d been with the company a lifetime.
A wall of windows overlooked pretty black board fence and pastures for as far as she could see in one direction, and trees in the other. A nice vintage executive desk with hand-carved legs sat right in front of the windows.
“Is there internet?”
“Yes. We have you all set up. The passcode is written on a sticker next to the printer in this armoire over here. The bedroom is through that door straight ahead, and the bathroom is off of that. Over this way you have a sitting area with a gas fireplace, and the kitchenette. I think you’ll find it very comfortable.”
“Yes, it’ll do quite nicely.” It would do for now—perfect fora corporate apartment, but a little too small for her and Anna to enjoy the holidays in together.
“I stocked the refrigerator with some basics to get you through a few days while you settle in. Coffee too. Well, you’ll find everything.”
Vanessa walked toward the door hoping Lilene would take the hint and follow. “Yes. I’ll be fine. Thank you for making the trip out here to help me settle in. I’m going to have the driver bring up my luggage, and we’ll get down to work tomorrow.”
“Right. Yes. I’m ready.” Her voice bubbled over.
Vanessa herded Lilene out.
“Nice to meet you.” As soon as Lilene stepped outside, the town car driver came up with Vanessa’s luggage. She pointed him upstairs and she waved goodbye to Lilene from the door.
“You can leave them on the landing there,” she said from the bottom of the stairs.
He walked back downstairs, and headed for the door.
Lilene almost tumbled inside trying to balance a huge basket covered in clear plastic in her arms.
“Whoa.” The driver sidestepped Lilene.
She peered around the basket. “Sorry. I got so anxious when I saw that you beat me here, I forgot this was in my car. I meant to bring this over earlier to surprise you.” She pasted a nervous smile on her face. “Surprise?”
Lilene was already climbing the stairs toward the apartment, rattling on. “… my famous chocolate-dipped fruitcake squares. I’m kind of known for them. It’s not an official Porter’s thing, but people do love them. There’s also some chocolate peanut butter fudge. You’re not allergic to peanuts, are you?” Withouteven waiting for an answer, she continued, “And a zucchini bread with chocolate chips. Can you tell I like chocolate?”
Vanessa smiled, as she opened the apartment door.
Lilene set the basket down on the kitchenette counter. “Thanksgiving is this Thursday. If you’re not flying back home for the holiday you are welcome to join us. I always make way too much food, and the more the merrier anyway. You don’t have to bring a thing. Just your appetite.”
“I couldn’t. I’ve got a—”
“I’ll let you just think about it, but I already had my grandchildren help me make the place cards and there’s one with your name on it,” she sang out. “Here.” She pushed an envelope toward Vanessa. “I set up the meeting with the employees for tomorrow night.”
“Thank you. That’ll work out nicely. Can you have Jimmy on standby to take me home immediately following?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure can. The meeting will be at the elementary school in the cafeteria. They have a nice stage there. That’s where we hold all of our town meetings and large business gatherings. We can talk it over tomorrow. I’m sure you’d like some peace and quiet after your trip to town.”
Would I ever!
Lilene ran her fingers across her lips like a zipper. “I’m going to just leave you for now.” Stage-whispering, she said, “You call me and let me know when you need that ride. I can be here in two jifs, or send Jimmy over.”
Vanessa held her breath until she heard Lilene take the last step and the main warehouse door slam. From the window, she watched the car turn onto the road.
She’s enthusiastic. I’ll give her that.
She glanced over the papers that Lilene had left. Sheseemed very competent, and eager to please, but she’d made a typo. Her five thirtyP.M.meeting was communicated aseightthirty. Hopefully, the actual email and posting to the factory workers went out correctly. She’d have to check on that in the morning.
She’d made announcements in some strange places before, but never in an elementary school cafeteria. She thought back to when she was a student at Kempsville Elementary. Rows of tables with teeny chairs. It seemed like a mean joke to have adults hunched up in teensy chairs with their chins on their knees as she discussed the big changes planned for Porter’s.
CHAPTERNINE
