New Flash Fiction

Friday, September 22 2006

Kennedy Space Center Headquarters Bldg., Merritt Island, FL

“Harry. . . Charley. . .”

“Good morning, sir,” I nodded.

Phil’s breath hitched in a false start. “I came by to thank you for the work you did yesterday, but I find myself wondering what in hell happened to both of you.”

To her credit, Charley just shrugged. I know my smile was weak. “Keeping the ducks in a row is a full-time job.”

Phil looked back and forth between the two of us. “All caught up on your weekly evaluations?”

“Everything has at least a week before it needs reevaluation. It’s pretty stable right now,” Charley said. When Phil turned to me, I nodded agreement.

“So, you’re just down to busy work?”

Charley shrugged. I nodded again.

Phil smiled. Just a little. If you weren’t paying attention, you would have missed it, “Then go do busy work somewhere else. We’ll catch up on Monday.”

“What are you doing here?” Stephanie’s eyes glowed with the mischief her voice wouldn’t reveal.

“My supervisor pretty much told me to get out of his sight.”

“So, coming to HR seemed appropriate? You’re. . . reporting him?”

“Not really,” I grinned. “It seemed wiser than going home.”

“Those wives. . .” Stephanie started clearing her desk, giving me the answer to my un-asked question.

“A drive, and maybe some dinner?”

Steph nodded. “As long as you don’t mind being seen out with someone dressed like a schoolteacher.”

“School teachers look hot these days."

Her smiled returned, and so did a little light to my world.