Page 58 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 42

Alex raced up the stairs, greeted a few employees, and returned to her office. Lately, she had managed to get to work not exactly early—that would be a miracle—but not exactly late either. She had learned the hard way that she needed downtime before her busybody intern arrived.

Hannah entered the office behind her breasts. “Hi, boss. What’s on tap today?”

Scowling at Hannah’s unrestrained cleavage, Alex stared at the piles on her desk as she attempted to avoid gazing at her intern’s puffy mounds of flesh. Why the hell is she wearing lower cut tops every damn day? To torture me? To show off?

Forcing herself to focus, Alex met Hannah’s eyes. “What’s not on tap? I’m snowed.” She held up her fingers and ticked off several items. “We could work on television scripts, update the bank website, prepare for the next trade show, or focus on the bank anniversary party, which is what we’re doing. It’s our top priority.” Alex paused. “Actually, it’s what you’re going to do.”

Hannah reached into a purple leather tote and retrieved her iPad. After making a few notes, she tucked it back inside.

“Don’t put that away. We’re not finished. I don’t want any hiccups or Jim will have my head—and yours.”

Hannah eyed Alex. “Daddy would never have my head. I’m his little girl.”

“Not so little in certain areas,” Alex muttered.

Hannah’s voice rose a notch. “What did you say?”

“Never mind. The guest list is in a file on my computer under ‘Bank Anniversary’.”

“Clever name.” Hannah dared Alex with her eyes.

Alex wasn’t taking the bait. “Thanks. I thought so.” Her mind raced, wondering if she should leave this important task in the hands of Hannah. I don’t have any choice. I’ve got to finish my damn budget and presentation to the board. I’m already a week behind.

“Make sure you get the invitations out by the end of the week. The printer will work with you and rush the job since we give them so much business.” Alex noticed Hannah had stopped taking notes. “You do know who our printer is, right? It’s Liberty Press on College Street.”

“Got it, but there are a gazillion printers online.” Hannah adjusted her belt. “Honestly, Alex, with my higher education I can figure all of this out. Stop worrying.”

“It’s part of my job. Stress and deadlines. Get used to it.” Alex considered opening the file to show Hannah but someone with her education could find a simple file. “You’ll need to order 500 invitations, no, 600. We’ll want a few extras for bulletin boards, the New Account desks, teller windows, and for employees.”

Hannah studied a chipped silver nail. “Anything else?”

“I have a friend who owns a catering company, so I’ll handle the food. As soon as you get the invitations proofed—and carefully—get them in the mail pronto. Send out press releases to the media—television, radio, print, and Internet. And we need a nice direct mail piece to send to neighboring businesses and residents in the zip code surrounding the bank. Proof those too. If there are typos, Jim goes nuts.”

Already apparently totally bored with the bank anniversary planning conversation, Hannah stepped toward the window and took a photo of a redbird perched on a tree branch. “No worries. I don’t make mistakes.”

Alex ignored her intern’s posturing. “Glad to hear it. I hate mistakes. The bank president hates them even more.” Scanning her to-do list, she said, “After you do all of this, draft several thirty-second radio spots to announce the bank’s anniversary. Maybe television too. I’m still working on the contracts.” Alex paused. “You can get creative with the scripts. I, uh, trust you.”

After Hannah left with a long to-do list, Alex checked her phone. She had ten messages from Tony saying ‘Urgent.’ Closing her door, she called him. After he relayed the tragic news, all she could manage was, “Poor Vanessa. Poor Suzy. Oh, my God. They go from one extreme to the other. A wedding, a baby, and now-shit. This is—”

“Tragic,” he said and hung up.

Alex’s eyes filled with tears. I didn’t even know them and am heartsick about this. Glancing at her phone, she wondered whether she should call Suzy but decided to leave her alone until she heard more.

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