A Seal Upon Your Heart by Pepper Pace Page A

please.” He said casually.
     
    She took a seat, holding a note pad and pen.
     
    “Jen the closing argument was typed perfectly. Not a word out of place.”
     
    She smiled. “Thank you.”
     
    “You typed that?”
     
    “Well…yes.”
     
    “I see.” Tim teepeed his hands in front of him and watched her. “That’s the kind of work that I’m looking for here. As you probably know I really can’t use two assistants. I need to let one of you go. But,” he placed his hands flat on his desk, “I wanted to give you an opportunity to tell me why I should select you over Jane?”
     
    Jen licked her lips and then leaned forward. “Tim, frankly, I didn’t want to say anything. Jane is a nice lady, but she’s kind of lazy. I end up doing a lot of the work in the office, or I have to correct her work.”
     
    “Give me an example.”
     
    Jen looked up at the ceiling for a moment. “I’ve had to do the typing. She scanned several documents that turned out blank. Tim I really think she scanned the wrong side. She’s also not very careful with the files. I’ve had to fix them.”
     
    Tim nodded. “I see. Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
     
    “Well I knew that she was still learning. But in some ways…” she gave Tim a discreet look. “I don’t know if she’s the right person for this job. You know she lives in that convent. I have no problem with it, but…she does carry a bible.”
     
    Tim’s brow went up. “She carries a bible?”
     
    “It’s in her drawer—I know that only because I had to get ink pens and saw it!” Knowing that she had Tim’s full attention, Jen leaned back and re-crossed her legs.
     
    “Well?” He finally said after a prolonged pause.
     
    She seemed confused. “I’m sorry?”
     
    He scowled. “You haven’t told me anything about why I should keep you. Honestly, you’re not the best typist.”
     
    “Well, that one report-”
     
    He raised a halting hand. “That was the worst excuse for typing I’ve ever seen. But even the ones before that were filled with typos. I let them go because no one but me had to see them. Of course this last paper that you turned in; flawless. So, I suppose everyone deserves a learning curve.” Jen’s defensive posture relaxed. “But…” he gave her a cold stare. “You’re a bit of a gossip.”
     
    The young woman’s mouth flew open. “Jane is lying if she said I was the one that was…”
     
    Tim waited. “Was?”
     
    Jen leaned forward again. “She doesn’t…dress very office professional. Some of the girls have said things about it and about the way her shoes squeak. But I did not say any of that, it’s petty and I take pity on her. If her…feet weren’t so big I’d give her some of my shoes.”
     
    Tim pressed a button on the phone. “Security, I’ll need a terminated employee escorted out.”
     
    “Right away Mr. Singleton.”
     
    Jen sat up straight. “Tim, I can assure you that Jane has been lying! I’ve not done anything to her-”
     
    “Jane hasn’t told me anything about you.” Jen’s mouth parted. “You spent more time shooting her down then selling yourself—and that’s only because you can’t. I think Jane is the one that figured out the filing system. And it’s certainly Jane that is the more proficient typist. I believe that Jane has been doing the majority of the work…and probably fixing your errors. She doesn’t try to take credit for it, either. She hasn’t once taken credit for doing anything around here; except, perhaps making the best cup of coffee that I’ve had in ages.”
     
    There was a knock at the door and Tim came to his feet. Security entered and Tim gave her a dismissive look.  “Please collect your things and your things only. And the notepad and pen you’re holding; leave that right there on my desk.”
     
    “Ma’ame. Follow us.” Jen’s mouth was still hanging open in total surprise. She got up and was escorted to the cubicle and allowed to get