Look Both Ways Read Free

because she had earned the recognition and reward? Did Mr. Deeds have ulterior motives for sending her to Houston? She decided it best to keep her eyes open and trust no one.
    “Thank you,” she said as he left. Before she could gather her thoughts, Price poked his head into the door.
    “Hi, again.” He had removed his jacket, revealing a severe laxity in gym visits. “I thought you might like to look at the production breakdown for the past three months. I know the home prices here in Houston are vastly different from those in your hometown.”
    Susan considered the difficulty of working in an atmosphere of animosity and tried to sound especially cordial. “Oh, yeah. Big difference. There is certainly more new home construction here than in Canton. I’m also glad to see the resale market doing so well.”
    He offered an opinion on the housing trends in Houston, and she thanked him for his input.
    “I’ll take these home for evening reading.” She smiled. “Travis stopped by earlier to extend a personal welcome. We spoke several times when I was in Ohio, and he was always helpful. It’s good to finally place faces with names.”
    “We have a group of very capable employees in this office. I’m happy to welcome one more. I’m certainly glad to have additional help. Now my wife can quit nagging me to spend more time with her and the kids. I’m sure your marital status was a factor in your promotion. It’s a lot easier to transfer a single person than one with a family.”
    He started for the door and looked over his shoulder. “By the way, Travis is also single.”
    She smiled but said nothing. She recalled reading the results of a study on the progression of single females in the corporate world. Price could be right. Of course, the cost of moving a family as opposed to a single employee would not have been a consideration if Price has been promoted; he already lived in Houston. Trying to unclutter her mind, Susan filled her head with pleasant thoughts.
    Travis was a pleasant thought. He was handsome, and she had noticed that even when his voice quivered, his hands remained steady and strong. Her mother had always said the hands always betray the heart and that steady hands were a sign of strong character. What she did not see was confidence and potency. She also did not feel a physical attraction.
    She thought of Stan and wondered if he was happy. She had not wanted to end her marriage, but it was the only thing that made sense. His needs for constant reassurance and ego boosts became draining. The more she gave, the more he required. She shook her head free of those thoughts, the tension and emptiness she was feeling. A man, a husband, was not paramount to her happiness. Nonetheless, emotional and physical merging of souls and bodies was part of her prescription for a totally satisfying life. She knew she would one day find the right combination.
    * * *
    After purchasing a sandwich from the first-floor deli, Susan returned to her office, closed the door, and started reviewing the reports Price had provided. Remembering the customary lull in home buying after school started, she planned to use the weeks of late August and early September to get acquainted with her new surroundings. She finished the sandwich and turned to reapply her lipstick.
    “Miss Cross?” The receptionist tapped on her door and came inside.
    “Sorry to disturb you, but there are some people here to see you.”
    Surprised, she asked, “Did they ask for me specifically?”
    “No, they said they wanted to speak with…I believe the exact words were ‘head honcho,’ and Mr. Bishop said to have them see you. The leader of the group is Rev. Willard Cartwright. He didn’t introduce the others.”
    Ignoring Ann’s Cheshire cat grin, Susan checked her inter-office directory and dialed Price’s extension.
    “Who is Rev. Cartwright, and why is he here?”
    “I’m not sure why he’s here, but Rev. Cartwright is one of the city’s