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“Thank you,” I said. “Now, I believe your supervisor briefed you on your severance package. I know it doesn’t make up for a lost job, but it’s something.”
She nodded. “It is something.”
“Your access to company computers has been ended. Please, don’t try to log on again. It just creates work for our IT staff. Can I trust you to not try?”
“I do what I’m supposed to do. You can trust me.”
“Great.” I went through my checklist of questions, noting her answers. Mrs. Lopez was unfailingly polite. If I excluded a janitor who tried to date her, she had nothing bad to say about anyone. That man wouldn’t take no for an answer, but he was fired for the harassment. He never showed up for his exit interview. He also didn’t get any sort of recommendation from the bank.
“Is that it?” Mrs. Lopez asked when I finished my checklist.
“Not quite,” I said. “Have you looked for other employment?”
She shook her head, her hair a mix of black and gray. “I was hoping, you know? I thought maybe…there would be another job.”
“Not here, I’m afraid.”
“I pray. You know that? I pray. I pray very hard, and when I pray like that, God takes care of me. When my little Carlos got pneumonia, I lilt three candles and prayed for hours. Carlos, he got all better. He’s big and strong now. God heard my prayer that time. This time? I think he must have other plans for me.”
“I think he does too. How do you feel about credit unions?”
“Credit unions? I don’t know much about them.”
“They’re a lot like banks. I mean, they take deposits and make loans and serve their members. They’re a little different, but not so different you won’t be able to function.”
“Function?”
I pulled the green folder from my desk drawer and pushed it across the desk.
“I took the opportunity to send your file to a friend who works in the Human Resources department of a local credit union. She is always looking for competent, reliable employees. I vouched for you, so you won’t have to interview for the job. Just go there this afternoon and talk to her. She’s ready to hire you at the same salary you made here. You think you can do that?”
Tears ran down her face. She reached across the desk, grabbed my hand, and kissed it. I let her, even though it embarrassed me. I was caring for a good employee we could no longer afford. I wanted to cry with her. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury.
On my way home, I hummed a favorite song. Mrs. Lopez wanted to pay me, but I told her I couldn’t take her money. So, she promised me some of her homemade bread—as soon as she had time to make some. I told her not to worry. A good deed is its own reward.
“Why are you humming?” Emily asked.
“I’m happy,” I said. “I hum when I’m happy.”
“I don’t know how to hum, but I’m happy.”
“Just keep your lips together and try to follow the tune. It’s humming.”
I laughed as Emily tried to hum. I knew that, in time, she would be able to hum anything. At the moment, she was woefully out of pitch. It didn’t matter. We were both happy.
The next day, Emily was in her room, playing with her tablet and dolls, including a soccer player. I took that as a good sign. So, I answered the doorbell.
I had been around the military long enough to learn insignia. I knew the difference between ranks. I recognized the perfectly starched and rigid uniform, the straight back, the clean-shaven face, the hat worn at a precise angle.
“Hello, Colonel,” I said. “Please, come in.”
Chapter two
“Pleasesit,”Itoldthe Colonel.
“I prefer to stand.” He faced me, hat under his arm, hands at his side.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked.
