Chapter 16: Late Night Surprises

Lunch with Zelia ends up being the highlight of the day, the blueberry pancakes I had brightening up my spirit long enough to push through my mound of work. The night is silent as Allie and I sit in the office, the rain long gone as I click on another email from the board. Another reminder about another meeting. Another bulletin about numbers. The urge to scream bubbles up inside me and I lean back in my chair with a sigh. Didn’t these guys have anything better to do than argue over numbers?

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, calming myself. That’s when I hear it. I lazily look over at Allie, her small frame hunched over her keyboard. The clacking that I had gotten used to had slowed down tremendously from this morning. Even after the night she had yesterday, she’s still willing to stay up this late with me. I smile and stand with a loud groan, startling Allie out of her zone.

“Alright,” I yawn. “I think that is enough work for one day, don’t you?”