Jennifer Robins Read Free Page B

of newspapers for delivery. He waited at the door for the manager to open while holding the bundle of papers in his arms. His truck was parked at the curb.
    When Tom the manager, a short little guy with a mustache that extended out to the ends of his cheeks opened the door, Stan hurried in to make his delivery.
    “How ya doing, Stan?” the man asked.
    “I’m okay, but it’s awfully cold out there.” He set the stack of papers down next to the door where they would be displayed.
    “You need a warmer jacket. That one looks like it’s seen better days.”
    “Can’t afford another one right now. Maybe when things get better, I can find a job that pays more. Then I’ll buy a new jacket and new shoes.”
    “What kind of work would you be looking for?”
    “I’d like to do something with the news… like in advertising.”
    The manager circled around him, his hand cupped around his chin. “Ya’ know what? I have an opening right now in our advertising department. The guy who worked there is moving to another state to help his family out. Would you be interested in giving the job a try? Can’t start you out with a high pay but after some training we can look at improving your wages.”
    Stan stood back, amazed. “I don’t know what to say. I’m shocked. This is a real break for me. I can’t believe you’re making me this offer.”
    “After meeting you on the mornings you come here, I’ve gotten to like you,” Tom said with a smile. “You seem like a nice young man who takes responsibility for his job. If you take the position, it will save me from the long line of people wanting it and having to go through all those applications. So how about it?”
    “When do I start? I’ll have to let the newspaper company know I’m leaving.”
    “Can you stop by later...maybe around noon? I need to check with corporate, but I’m sure it will be by the end of this week.”
    Stan removed his cap and smiled. “I have a lunch date with this girl I met yesterday, right over there at the skating rink. Could we make it right after lunch?”
    “Well, why not bring her here and use our employee lunchroom? No sense both of you staying out in the cold to eat… and you can have some of the coffee or tea in there; it’s free to our people, and you’re about to be one of us. The room is right next to the lavatories on the second floor. Be my guest, Stan, and then I’ll see you when your luncheon date is over.”
    As Tom walked away, Stan stood there wiping his brow in utter astonishment. A new and better job and a place to take Rachael for their lunch date. Christmas had come early for him. This was the best thing that could have possibly happened and at the right time. Whatever they offered in the way of pay would be better than the measly little bit he got working part time delivering newspapers. And a chance at something he’d only dreamed of. A career in advertising had always been on his mind from when he’d been a small child.
    His gait on the way out the door and down the sidewalk was more of a dance than a walk. Wait ti l l I tell Rachael. She’ll be so happy for me, I just know it. And now I can ask her out on a real date. He got in his truck and drove off, ready to take the vehicle back to the garage for the day and get ready for the best lunch hour he’d ever had.

 

Chapter Three
     
    When the noon hour whistle sounded, Rachael hurried to get her bagged lunch, coat, and purse. The morning had dragged so much she thought it would never end. Her attention was so focused on the clock all the time she almost wrapped a bone up for a lady who'd ordered ground beef. Carl, the man in charge, looked at her with a frown as she’d unwrapped the large blood-stained bone and proceeded to wrap the lady’s meat order.
    Glad the morning was over, she put on her coat, grabbed her purse and the brown paper bag with the sandwiches, and then stopped by the produce stand to ask about a possible handout. She was told nothing