" "Tommy, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to let you go." "Tommy, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to let you go. You've been a good worker and I hate to have to do it, but I just don't see how it can work out." "It can w-work out, Gloria. Honest. I promise. I can do my job. You don't have to fire me!" "I'm sorry Tommy. I'd like to believe you, but I really don't see how it can work out." "Just give me a chance, please! I PROMISE that it won't affect my work. I didn't know she was going to do that. You don't know what she did to me... what she'll do..." Tommy's sentence faded away. Mrs. Peterson sighed. She looked at Tommy for a moment and said "Well, if you've got the guts to try. I guess I can give you a chance..." and she shook her head. Tommy looked up for the first time. "Oh thank you. Thank you very very much." His eyes were wet. "But understand, Tommy. This is just a chance you're getting. If it doesn't work out or interferes in any way with the smooth operation of this office... well, you won't get a second chance." She let that hang in the air a minute then continued. "You know that I've known Louise for nearly 20 years. I trust her implicitly. Since I'm out of the office so often I'm going to leave it to her to tell me how things are going on in here. If she tells me it's not working out, you'll have to leave. Understand?" "Yes, Gloria. And thank you very much. You won't be sorry. I promise." Mrs. Peterson nodded to Tommy to indicate she was through with him and told him to ask Louise to come into her office for a few minutes. When Tommy walked back into the main office all three women were staring at him. He told Louise that Gloria wanted to see her in her office, then sat down at his desk and tried very hard to get some work done. |