Lacy wearily leaned back in her comfortable desk chair and removed her red-rimmed glasses. Tossing them onto the desk she rubbed her tired hazel eyes. She was sure her color-changing eyes were now a dark, murky brown from compiling endless statistic spreadsheets. Her boss Allen Larson, CEO of Larson and Sinclair Development, wanted the reports by ten o’clock the next morning and Lacy had wanted to finish the job before going home. She didn’t like having to rush to finish it in the morning. It was eight-twenty in the evening and she had finally finished.
She got up to stretch and moved to the door to look out into the outer office. All of the cubicles were dark as the employees had left long ago; eager to become immersed into their personal lives. Being the only employee left in the office was a common occurrence. Lacy often worked late for there was nothing at her home that urged her to go there. She led a very dull, solitude life. There was only one person that she called friend and that was Penelope Townsend. She had literally bumped into Penny while walking to the copy room. She’d been walking while reading a letter she’d just typed and hadn’t seen Penny rushing from the copy room. She rammed into her and all of Penny’s paper had gone flying everywhere. Lacy had apologized profusely and scrambled to help collect the strayed papers. Penny had only laughed hysterically and told her not to worry about it; it was only paper. That had been the beginning of a great friendship. Lacy smiled at the memory as she turned back into her office. She turned off her computer and began to gather her belongings to leave.
“Lacy?”
She gasped as she spun around to see who spoke.
“Oh! Mister Sinclair. I didn’t realize anyone was still in the office,” Lacy said breathlessly.
“I’m sorry to startle you. I saw your office light on and I came to investigate,” he said.
“Oh, well I worked late,” she said softly. “Is there anything I can do for you, Mister Sinclair?”
He looked at her keenly. He must have made her nervous for she hastily grabbed her round red-rimmed glasses and perched them on her pert nose. Her hazel eyes were magnified through her lenses which made her appear frightened. He wished she hadn’t put them on for her eyes were beautiful. He wondered about the mind that lay behind the lenses. He knew she was smart; you had to be to work for Allen Larson. She was obviously dedicated; her constant late hours were proof of that. But there had to be more that made up Lacy Bagby. Who was she? What were here likes and dislikes? He wasn’t sure why he suddenly wanted to know. He’d seen her hundreds of times and did not give her a moment’s notice. Why now. Maybe it was because there was no one about but the two of them and his attention was not divided among a million things. He survey from head to foot. Her attire was terribly out of fashion. The tan pant legs were baggy and her floral shirt oversized. He recalled hearing snickers about her dress and being called Shaggy Baggie or Lacy Bags. The comments had been unkind and he’d scowled at the tormentors. They’d quickly dispersed but he could still hear their giggling whispers. Tyler hated bullies and had considered having them terminated. But something else had taken his immediate attention and he hadn’t thought of it again until now.
“Mister Sinclair. May I help you with something?” Lacy repeated.
Her repeated question cleared his thoughts.
“No, Lacy. Nothing. Go home and get some rest.”
“Yes, sir. I will,” she murmured.
“And call me Tyler,” he ordered.
He turned and walked down the hall. Lacy removed the spectacles and stared after him. He had a lazy, smooth gait. But it was also confident and authoritative; just like his person. She wished she had an ounce of his self-assurance and poise. She then sighed. There was no sense in wishing for something that would never be. She had long ago accepted who she was and was content with it. She smiled. It was nice of him to request that she called him Tyler but she would never dream of using his Christian name. He was Mister Larson’s partner and therefore her boss. She removed her purse and carryall bag from the bottom file cabinet drawer and then switched off the desk lamp. She left the office to face another night alone in her apartment.

*****

“Yes, Mister Larson. You wanted to see me.”
Allan Larson looked up and waved her into the office.
“Come in, Lacy and have a seat,” he smiled.
Lacy sat primly in the grey leather armchair and placed her notepad and pencil on her lap. She watched as he perused a document. Allen Larson was a great person to work for. He was honest and fair; generous and considerate. But he also was firm and wanted things done correctly the first time. He could be impatient when his expectations were not met timely or accurately. Lacy worked hard to exceeds his requirements. She had worked long enough with him to anticipate his needs and fulfill them. He leaned back in his chair and ran his hand through his thick black hair. There were gray strands beginning to appear at his temples. It made him appear all the more debonair. He was a very handsome, fit and tall gentleman of forty-three years old. It amused Lacy to see the female guests who came to the office flirt outrageously with him. He was always kind to them but would let them know that he was happily married. He finally lid the document aside and looked at her.
“I really hate to ask this of you, Lacy. You work so hard for me with never a complaint. But I just don’t see any way around it,” he said.
“What is it, Mister Larson? I would be happy to help if I can,” she said curiously.
He took a deep breath.
“Tyler Sinclair’s assistant, Kelly Bradley has quit unexpectedly. She called in this morning and said she would not be returning to work,” he said grimly.
“Why?” she exclaimed. Then thought it was impertinent for her to ask. “Oh, I’m sorry. It is not my concern. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Of course you are curious. Everyone in the office will be speculating when they hear the news. Kelly because she is moving to Australia to be married,” he said. “I wish her all the best, of course but I wish she had given us proper notice.”
“Yes, I see your point.”
“Kelly’s abrupt exit leaves Tyler without the assistance that he needs and we have no time to hire and break in a new person,” Allen said slowly. “The Kruger and the Langley projects are time sensitive and need continuous attention.”
“Would you like me to work with one of the other girls to bring them up to speed on them?” Lacy volunteered.
“No. I do not want anyone to have detailed information about them. I would like you to oversee the administration of them,” he said.
Lacy’s mouth dropped open in shock. Was he serious? He couldn’t be. She was already had a work load that was over her head. No way could she take on another project; let alone two of them.
“With all due respect, Mister Larson I wouldn’t be able to take on any additional work at this time. I am swamped.”