The long and hot summer passed and turned into a refreshing, cool fall. Agatha and Grace were so busy at work so often they started to wonder why they bothered to pay rent. Grace's wish for more hours at the library was granted by August, and now she only worked at the bakery two days a week. Agatha found herself growing comfortable in the orphanage. As dank and dingy as the place was, it started to feel familiar after some time. Some of the kids befriended her, which she humored. Their chatter was in one ear and out the other most of the time, but she appreciated the attention.

By some phenomenon, Grace and Agatha's schedules worked out and allowed them an evening out. Grace treated to dinner which Agatha was thankful for. Not so much for the free meal, but rather for food outside of the orphanage. Often times she ate the leftovers from the children's dinners. Potatoes and questionable meat got tiresome. Eating it was better than waste or having the kids eat it reheated the next day. It wasn't until she took a bite of a fresh steak she realized how used to the old food she'd become.

"Gosh, this is amazing."

Grace laughed, well aware Agatha had been away for many meals. "It's high time you've had a proper dinner. You're looking thinner than ever."

"Eh," Agatha shrugged. "The grocery bill has gone down at least."

"It wasn't an issue to begin with."

"Still, it's nice having a little bit extra."

"I suppose," Grace said, "but have you even had time to spend the extra?"

"I've bought a couple new dresses. Nothing too fancy or anything. What do I need? It's not as though I gotta dress up for my job or anything."

"That's true."

"I didn't plan on spending so much time there. Those kids get messy. No wonder Ms. Tatum was in such a hurry to hire somebody. I leave at night and come back the next day to food all over the floor and some sort of misfortune in the bathroom."

"I don't know how you do it."

"After a while, you get desensitized. I like working alone."

"I can understand that. That's part of what I enjoy about the library."

After swallowing a bite of her food, Agatha said, "I find that odd."

"Why is that?" Grace questioned.

"You don't strike me as a loner."

"I'm not. At least, I don't consider myself to be. But I do appreciate time to myself. Believe it or not, I do understand the stress of waiting on customers."

"I mean, I thought you enjoyed working with other people."

"I do and I don't. I like knowing there are other people around and I like interacting with them now and then, but I also like things in a certain order. Working side by side with someone can make that difficult."

"Is that why you hate my helping in the kitchen when you're cooking a big meal?"

Looking down, Grace gave a small smile. "Possibly."

"Then I guess organizing books is a good job for you."

"Yeah… for now."

"I sense it's not completely satisfying?"

"I mean, it's fine for now. I picked up the job around the time I was dating Frank. For whatever reason, I thought the relationship might go somewhere. It's not a career I want for the rest of my life. I can imagine going back in my older age, but it's not stimulating. Sure, I've been reading a lot more than I used to, but it's not the same as using my brain, you know?"

"No," Agatha joked, though there was truth in the statement.

"Is that strange?"

"No, why?"

"Because I talk about wanting a family, and yet I sort of do want a career. Isn't there a way to have both?"

"Sure, if you're up for it, I guess. I don't see how much of a social life you'd have, though."

Grace shook her head. " When I was little, I remember seeing my mother with her garden club friends. I always wondered why they met week after week to talk about the same things. I couldn't understand living a life that way. That's not to say that was her only stimulus. She kept busy around the house. But even now, I still want more than chores. I want to be doing something for the world. Yet, I do want a family… do you see my issue?"

"Yes," Agatha nodded. "And I'm sure you of all people will be able to find a balance someday. But don't get in over your head. You might think differently in a few years. Get it out of your system now and leave yourself open down the line."

"Did you go through something like this?"

Agatha shrugged. "I don't remember to tell you the truth. My mind was on other things. Remember, I was working and looking after a kid since I was fourteen. By twenty-two, I wasn't looking for anything but time to myself. I guess a lack of ambition runs in the Hannigan blood. I ain't as bad as Rooster, but I'm fine where I am. Do I think about what my life could have been had I strove for more? Yeah. But I ain't gonna waste too much time on it."

"What do you think you would have gone on to do had your situation been different?"

"Beats me. I didn't know anything beyond what I'd been raised in. I might have liked a small family. Maybe no kids, just a husband. I'd still like that. I'm too old to be a mother."

"Nonsense. Plenty of women have babies at your age."

"Not their firstborn. I don't know if I'm capable of a real relationship. I never learned and by now I don't have an interest. I'm good where I am. If something more comes along, great, but opportunities have passed. I'm okay with it, really. I'm happy being content."

Grace looked down at her plate as she poked at her salad with her fork. Agatha's words saddened her. From what it sounded like, she was waiting for time to pass. She was where she wanted to be, which sounds nice at first, but what was she doing? Cleaning up after other people. Spending minimum time with people outside of her work, which would be a different story if there were other adults working with her. She didn't aspire to gain knowledge or experiences. Or, was this similar to what she thought of her mother back then? Maybe living a mundane life wasn't the worst thing in the world. Agatha did work hard, but personally, Grace couldn't see the worth with few other people sharing her life. If one day she found herself responsible for children and paying the bills, she'd take a job like Agatha's. But it wouldn't be a dead end. She'd come home to watch her children grow up and help guide them to make something of their own lives. Agatha barely spent her hard earned money on herself. What was the point? Grace opened her mouth to ask but then shut it. It wasn't any of her business. Agatha looked happy. Happier than that first day she ran into her on the street. Just because she didn't understand it didn't mean Agatha's outlook on life was any worse than hers. They were different people. Time made this fact clear to anyone. And Agatha was in a different place in her life. As difficult as it was, she knew she couldn't stress the subject any longer. Whenever she tried to do things she thought might help, everything ended up turning upside down. Still, when opportunities arose, she'd be there for encouragement.

Realizing Grace wasn't going to say any more after some time passed, Agatha smiled, reached across the table, and gave her friend's hand a quick squeeze. "You don't have to understand. It's great you want so much out of life, but I'm okay just getting by. I know right now it seems like I'm spending a lot of time for a job with little reward. But at least now I'm sort of making a difference. I'm not cleaning for stuffy businessmen or messy tourists. I'm helping out kids. There's merit in that, isn't there?"

"Of course," Grace said.

"I've gone through life with so much uncertainty. I like knowing where I have to be every day and that I'm coming home to a quite home."

"I guess I haven't tried looking at it that way."

"Maybe someday I'll do something more. I don't know. Maybe, by some miracle, a man might come into my life. But until then, I don't have a need to know. I am fine."

Having trouble making eye contact, Grace gave a quick nod. "I'm glad."

"You're the one always saying things have a way of falling into place, right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Careful, you sounded like me for a minute." Agatha winked.

Looking up now, Grace chuckled. "And you sounded like me."

"Hey, Grace! Come in here a moment?"

Grace let out a soft groan as she hurried out of the bathroom wearing her robe with a towel wrapped around her head. "What is it? Can it wait? I am so late for work."

"I think I found a job for you," Agatha said.

"But I'm not looking for a job."

"You said a few weeks ago that you wanted something that got your brain working or somethin', right? I was reading the paper and there's an ad for a job I think you'd be great at."

"You'll have to talk while I finish getting ready."

Agatha stood and walked to the bathroom door with the newspaper in hand. "Ever think about secretarial work?"

"Not really. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it out depending on what I'd be doing and who I'd be working for."

"Get this," Agatha said full of excitement. "You'd be working for Oliver Warbucks."

"Who?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"No…"

"Oliver Warbucks… he's gotta be the richest guy in America. Maybe the world."

"Oh, yes. I think I have heard his name before."

"Imagine the salary! I betcha he gives out automobiles as holiday bonuses."

"I'd consider it, but not for the high pay. I'll admit it would be nice, though." Unwrapping the towel from her head, she asked, "Are there any specifics about the job?"

"Actually, there seems to be a few spots open. Sounds like he's cleaning house."

"Normally that would scare me off, but maybe something temporary is a good idea."

"Believe me, it'll be temporary one way or another."

"Excuse me?"

"The guy is known for his temper. I don't know how anyone works with him for more than a week."

"Then why are you wasting my time reading the ad?"

"Because you're good with those kinds of people," Agatha said.

"I don't know…"

"Say you get the job," she started as she leaned against the door frame. "If he gives you a hard time you can look back at sharing a roof with Rooster."

Grace laughed. "That would make things look more positive."

"See? You got an advantage no one else has."

Grace left the bathroom to go to her room, speaking as Agatha followed. "We also have to consider the fact I have no experience as a secretary."

"How different can it be from what you do now? You know how to talk to people, more or less, and you know all that bookish stuff. You can fake experience."

"That's not very honest," Grace said.

"You're curious about the job, aren't you?"

"A little bit…"

"So do what you gotta do to get it."

Despite the time, Grace took a minute to sit down on the edge of her bed. It did sound good. Office work might be just what she was looking for. It kept her busy, allowed her to meet some interesting people, yet she wasn't tied into anything. "What positions are available?"

"A few different secretarial and assistant jobs. One for him personally, one for international sales or whatever the guy does. Says here you gotta know at least three different languages, though. Do you?"

Grace shook her head. "French is about it, and that is shaky as it is."

"So don't go for that. There's plenty of slots open for typing. Assistance spaces for travel and for helping with house management and social gatherings. Two spots for assistant cooks — a bit more difficult to fudge. Having worked in the restaurants might be some help."

"Typing isn't a bad idea. I used to use my father's typewriter all the time, especially when Deven moved away. It's been a while, but I bet I can get some practice in before an interview. I think I still have a machine here somewhere. Does it say when they're hiring?"

"Tomorrow."

"Do I have to call and set up an appointment?"

Scanning the article once more, Agatha answered, "Doesn't say anything about it."

Standing up again and moving to her closet, Grace said, "I'll think about it. Can't hurt to check it out. But I only want it if it's a part-time position. Three jobs is a lot to manage."

"I didn't tell you so you could add to the list. I figured you'd replace one or both of them."

"Again, I'll have to think about it. You know I have a hard time thinking about leaving the bakery. And I don't want to quit the library after how hard I fought for some extra time."

"Get yourself fired then you won't have to worry about it."

Grace rolled her eyes. "Yes, because getting fired in time to get a new job always looks good on a resume."

Agatha shrugged, "Just a suggestion."

"I will get fired if I don't hurry up and get dressed."

Taking the hint, Agatha took a few steps out of the room. "I'll get out of your hair. I'll leave the paper on the table."

"Thanks."

"Oh, and Grace-" Agatha turned around.

"What is it now?"

Agatha pointed to the bottom line of the ad. "Interviews start at noon."