The Swear Jar by Audra Osorio Page B

Phillips, but I’d
love to tell Mr. McMahon what I really think of him.  Did you know he asked me
out to lunch today?”
    “No, I didn’t.  How did you get out
of it?”
    “I politely asked for a rain
check,” Meara replied.  “I hope he forgets.  He’s the most insincere person
I’ve ever met.”
    “Who are we talking about, ladies?”
asked Lucy, walking into the kitchen.  “Pizzas are on their way.”
    Lucy was eager to hear Meara’s
impression of Russell.  He could be Duncan’s competition for Meara’s affection.
    “Meara thinks Russell is a jerk and
a bad director.  Don’t you think he’s cute?” asked Sherrie.
    Her upper lip curling, Meara turned
deadly serious.  “Not my type.  I can’t explain it.  His overbearing
personality makes his appearance unattractive.  He oozes creepiness.”
    “Who oozes?” asked Tom, carrying
pizzas.  “The pizzas are here.  If someone is oozing, I get his or her slices!”
    “Tom!” said Lucy.  “You always hear
the wrong part of the conversation!”
    Everyone was laughing when Duncan
entered the kitchen.  Meara grinned and his face lit up.  He looked around at
his friends.
    “It’s quiet out there today,” he
said.  “We can take lunch at the same time.  The Reference person can handle Circulation
for now.”
    They passed pizza and drinks to
each other.  Duncan and Meara sat at opposite ends of the table.  The
conversations were easygoing and jovial.  Tom, Lucy and Duncan had one
conversation while Meara and Sherrie got to know each other.
    “You’ll find I’m interested in
astrology.  Things like horoscopes and signs.  Do you know what sign you are?”
asked Sherrie.
    “I know I’m a Capricorn.  And I was
born in the Chinese Year of the Rooster,” replied Meara.
    “A Capricorn Rooster.  Capricorns
are hard-working, reserved, loyal and stubborn.  They’re slow to make friends,
but those friends are forever.  The Rooster is self-reliant, confident,
aggressive and a perfectionist.  They slowly work towards their dreams.  The
Capricorn Rooster woman is an excellent friend to have.”
    Meara sat silently for a moment. 
“I don’t follow astrology.  I occasionally read my horoscope.  Mine sounds a
little cold and nose to the grindstone, doesn’t it?”
    Sherrie laughed.  “I’d have to
check your chart, but Capricorn Rooster women do have a passionate side.  They
want to be in control, but they also want to be taken care of by their loved
ones.  They have to figure out how much power they’re willing to give their
loved ones.”
    “You’re saying I’m a control freak
mess?” asked Meara, laughing.
    “Pretty much,” Sherrie replied.
    “Who’s a mess?” Tom turned to
Sherrie and Meara.
    “Sherrie was telling me about
astrology,” Meara replied.
    “Sherrie, don’t go filling Meara’s
head with that stuff,” Lucy said, mildly irritated.  “One day your horoscope
says to get out there and you can do it and the next day it says stay in bed,
it’s a horrible day.  I hope Meara has more sense than to believe that stuff.”
    “It’s interesting to hear about
it.  Sometimes the descriptions are pretty accurate,” replied Meara, instantly
gaining Sherrie as a friend and placating Lucy as well.
    “You’re a mess?” asked Tom.
    “Aren’t most women messes of some
sort?” Meara replied.
    “Miss Meara, I’m not going to
answer that because the men are outnumbered here.  I know when not to open my
mouth and insert foot,” chuckled Tom.
    Duncan watched his staff coming
together as a team.  He was overjoyed to see Meara settling in as the newest
member.  He exhaled audibly.
    “Very wise, Tom, very wise,” Duncan
said, scooping up his empty plate.  “I’ll go watch the Circulation Desk.”
    “I’ll help too,” said Sherrie,
following Duncan.
    As she discharged returning books,
Sherrie spoke to Duncan.  “Meara’s a Capricorn Rooster woman.”
    “You know I don’t follow
astrology.  What