Kathy stood watching as her computer, files and everything else was carried out of her office. "So Ms. Poole," a middle aged man stood next to her with a notebook, "you retained all theses files from the last woman." Kathy was half listening, she eyes stayed on Mr. Wallus, his lawyer stood next to him. He never even glanced at Kathy.
"Do I need a lawyer," Kathy asked, her tongue felt thick. Her head was light, none of this seemed real. In the last hour she had been questioned about her boss's charity events. What charities, they needed bank account numbers, proof of deposits. Things that Kathy never really thought of. Theses events were set up by Mrs. Wallus. She sat them up either collecting money or giving out a room to hold the event. "My boss has one." Kathy looked up at the suited man who had been standing over her.
"He is going to need one." Kathy wanted to go up to him, shake him. She wanted to yell, she trusted him. She left home for this job, this job was supposed to be her last. She had plans, she had worked everything out. Now because of someone else's lies that was all gone.
….
"Oh Kathy," Linda sat with her friend. "I can't believe it. They are saying that they," Linda stopped.
"They stole money," Kathy's eyes watered, "they stole it from children's hospital, breast cancer, hell ever the humane society." The reality was stinking in. Her boss and his wife were not at all the people she thought they were. Kathy had learned that most people weren't, but this hurt. She was between anger and embarrassed.
"But you are clear of anything," Linda asked. The officers and investigators told her she was free to go. But they would be in touch. Of course people would think she had something to do with it. How could she not? She handled paperwork she was his secretary, she went to these events.
"I have no charges but they said they would be in touch, more questions," Kathy rubbed her forehead. "My phone has been going crazy."
"Yeah this made the news," Linda had not told her yet, hoping to not add stress.
"Great," Kathy scrolled through her missed calls, "shit my parents, sister, Piper. I have to call them."
"Ok, I am going to let you be," Linda hugged her, "call me tomorrow."
"Thanks for coming over," Kathy opened her door. "I will give you a call." Kathy didn't want to call anyone, she was tired, she didn't want to answer anymore questions. But she knew her family was worried. "Dad."
"Kathleen," she could hear the worry in his voice, "what happened. Kathy gave him the details.
"I am not involved," Kathy told her father.
"They wouldn't have let you go," her father said, she could hear the cop in him coming out.
"Dad I am beat, can you fill the family in. I got to call Piper."
"Of course hon, we are here," she wanted to cry.
"Thank you, I will call tomorrow." Kathy took a breathe getting ready to call Piper.
"Mom," Piper sound out of breath.
"I am fine," Kathy closed her eyes, one more time she went over anything.
"Don't worry mom, this will work out," Piper sounded like such a grown up. Kathy didn't want her to worry.
"It will don't you worry," Kathy made herself smile hoping she sounded convincing.
…
Kathy sat up reading her clock, panic set in, she was late. Than her new reality hit her she didn't have a job. She got out of bed, making her way to the kitchen. Taking her coffee with her she went back to her bed. She grabbed her phone, "Thinking of you, call when you can," Mary.
"We love you," Mom.
"Piper called, I will be in Vegas next week, we can talk," Rachel.
"Hey beautiful, I will be home tomorrow," Jonathan. Kathy tossed herself back on her pillow. It had been years since she actually had nothing to do. A million thought ran through her head. She needed a job, could she even start looking? Would anyone hire her? What did this mean for her future? How would she get Piper through school? Her phone rang she picked it up. "Hi," she cleared her voice.
"Are you busy," Jonathan's voice asked.
"No," the answer almost made Kathy laugh.
"Cool," he sounded happy, Kathy didn't know if she should tell him now or wait.
"I have to talk to you," Kathy bit her lip. "I don't know if now is good."
"Here," she could hear him moving, "I just needed to go somewhere quiet. What is up?"
"My work got raided, seems my boss and his wife have been stealing millions from charities."
"Holy shit," Jonathan breathed out, "are you ok, I mean."
"Yeah," Kathy answered, "just jobless, and I am sure a few more afternoon answering questions."
"Babe I am sorry," Jonathan didn't know what to say.
"It will be ok," Kathy choked.
"Sorry I am not there," Jonathan said.
"It is just weird," Kathy wiped her eyes. "I can't remember the last time I didn't have a job. I just feel out of control."
"I will be home tonight late."
"Don't go changing your flight and going crazy to get home," Kathy protested.
"It is done,' Jonathan said.
"Jonathan I had to program my number in your phone," Kathy laughed. "Don't try and tell me you changed a flight while on a phone."
"I will get someone to do it for me." Jonathan laughed. "You need me there, and I want to be there."
"I kinda want you here," Kathy fought tears back.
"I will or I will get someone to do it for me, I will send you my flight info."
"I can pick you up," Kathy said.
"No, I will handle it, just relax," Jonathan stopped her.
"Ok," Kathy let out a deep breath. "I love you."
"I love you," Jonathan said, "it is going to ok."
"Yeah if we keep saying that," Kathy laughed.
"It will you are not alone, just know that," Jonathan stressed. Kathy believed him, maybe because she needed to. Or maybe because he had been nothing but honest with her.
…
Jonathan let himself in with the key Kathy hid for him. She had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for him. He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey," she half sat up.
"Hey," Jonathan sat on the edge of the couch. He reached pulling her to him, she looked tired, no matter how many times anyone told her things would be ok, she would worry. And he couldn't blame her, anything was very uncertain. Jonathan hope he could give her some comfort. Her laid them on the couch pulling the blanket over them. Kathy curled into him, she breathed in his scent. Him being there made her smile. The fact that he rearranged his plans. He didn't question her, hound her for information, like what are you going to do? He was just there to be with her, just because she needed him there.