Two days later, Grace stood in the same spot she stood several months ago. Again she looked up at the mansion. This time she felt a sense of finality. Once inside, she wouldn't get lost in the crowd. It was all about her. According to Tim, today wouldn't so much an interview as it would be a meeting. She hadn't decided if this was for better or for worse. From the sounds of it, the only way she wouldn't get the job would be if Warbucks didn't like her. "A distinct possibility," Tim warned, "through no fault of your own."

Tim and Grace agreed it best for her to go alone, however, right now she wished for his encouragement. Agatha was more than ready to call out of work to escort her. Grace declined, deciding she didn't want to find out what her friend might do in Warbucks' presence. Besides, what did it say about herself if she couldn't walk into the building alone? She did it once before, she could do it again.

Taking a breath, Grace walked up to the door and rang the bell. Within seconds it was answered by the butler who then led her straight to Oliver Warbucks' office. The walk felt shorter than last time. Then again, she didn't have to wait in the hall like before. Right away Grace noticed haste in this man's step. The knot of anxiety in her stomach pulled tighter. Warbucks must have set aside only a small window of time to meet with her. Delays would not be accepted.

"Mr. Warbucks," the butler said upon entering the room, "Grace Farrell here to see you."

"Thank you, Drake," Oliver said, remaining seated. "Welcome, Miss Farrell."

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you." Grace took cautious steps closer to his desk with her hand extended. "And thank you so much for agreeing to meet me."

Shaking her hand, Oliver said, "Yes, Tim spoke highly of you. Good timing as I'm in great need of a secretary. Please, take a seat." He gestured to one of the vacant seats in front of the desk.

"Thank you." As she sat, the knot tightened yet again. What was she supposed to say next? Most of the time she was comfortable and good in these situations. Why was she letting other people's words influence her opinion of him? So far he didn't seem so bad. Distracted and not the most courteous, but not the monster she'd begun to expect. Strange, she thought, his face wasn't as hard as it appeared in photographs. It wasn't soft by any means, but it wasn't ice cold.

The phone started to ring, causing Grace to jump.

"Get that," Oliver said.

"Excuse me?"

"You haven't said anything for almost three minutes," he said, glancing up from a piece of paper. "Might as well make yourself useful."

Grace felt heat rush to her cheeks. How was she to know she was to speak first? With hesitation she reached for the receiver, picking it up once Oliver gave her a nod.

"Hello, Warbucks residence," she answered. After a moment, she said to Oliver, "John Stephens?"

"Tell him I'll call back later."

Grace did as she was told and then held the phone forward again. "He says it's important."

"I'm in a meeting."

"Oh, I don't mind if you take it."

"Tell him I'm in a meeting."

Feeling dumb, she nodded and told the man on the other end what Oliver instructed. After hanging up, she kept her eyes down and awaited a comment.

"Not bad," Oliver said after a minute. "The wording and delivery need work but that will come in time."

"You mean I get the job?"

"Sure, you're the first candidate to answer that phone without looking full on terrified. Nervous, but again, that will resolve itself in time."

"So, John Stephens called as a test?"

"No. You'll find the phone ringing frequently. Tomorrow I will give you a list of calls I accept, and another of ones I decline along with what excuses to give which people."

"Forgive me," Grace said, clearing her throat before continuing, "but don't you wish to know more about me? My job history? My strengths and weaknesses? Anything?"

"Tim told me you currently hold a couple of jobs and have for some time. That tells me enough. You can handle a full schedule. I find that trained secretaries have trouble adjusting to the way I run my business. I need someone who won't argue my methods."

"What are my hours?"

"You start at seven. I like to go over the day at breakfast so don't bother yourself eating beforehand. I don't have a specific time for you to go home. It will change day by day. Your average dismissal time will be around six, but that isn't set in stone."

"What about weekends?"

"I grant Sundays off. Sometimes Saturdays."

"Sounds good."

To her surprise, a small smile appeared on Oliver's face. "You don't haggle or flinch. I like that. We will get along fine."

Grace, too, let herself smile as she let out a silent breath. Days of nerves melted away in a second.

Much as she had the first time Grace went to see Warbucks, Agatha spent her day counting the hours until she could go home. Chores were rushed in order to get out before dinner, hoping Ms. Tatum wouldn't notice the streaks on the windows or the dust under the beds. Part of her felt worried. Grace's hesitation was still apparent at breakfast. She hoped Warbucks would go easy on her. Imagine, she thought, if Grace did get the job. What great changes it might mean… She might be invited to go to those grand parties all the millionaires attend. Even just to watch would be an honor. Maybe she would be able to tag along, too. Warbucks wouldn't mind letting a friend of Grace's visit now and again, right? Thoughts and fantasies ballooned from there. That night Agatha rushed home, not bothering to stop and pick up dinner as planned. Hopefully, there would be a reason to go out and celebrate.

"Grace, are you home?" Agatha waited a moment for an answer but didn't hear one.

"Grace?" she called again. With a quick scan of the room, she noticed Grace's purse wasn't in its usual spot. Agatha's good mood vanished. She must be with Tim. Of course. He would have to be the first to know the news whether it was good or bad. A sudden jealousy hit her. Grace got the job… it would figure. First, she finds a meaningful relationship. Next, she gets the perfect job. Soon enough she'll marry and have children. To think it was her own fault any of this happened. Had she never mentioned the ad in the paper everything would be as it was. Whether they were better off now or then she didn't know.

She made herself dinner — toast and leftover chicken. Why bother going out? Grace would be full by the time she got home. After eating, she changed into her nightgown early, made a cup of coffee, and curled up in the armchair with a book. She wasn't far into it when she heard a kick at the door.

Agatha grumbled as she stood, tightening her robe around her while she walked.

"Who is it? What do you want?"

"It's Grace, let me in."

Agatha opened the door to see Grace's arms filled with garment bags. "What's all this?"

"Clothes, what do you think? Help me out here."

Agatha took two of the bags and went back inside. "I thought you were out with Tim."

"No, I'm seeing him tomorrow, remember? Did you pick up dinner? I'm starved. I'm sorry I'm late. I lost track of time. I had to pick of some business suits."

"Am I to assume you got the job?"

Draping the bags over the back of the couch, Grace turned around with a wide grin. "I sure did!"

Happiness returned to Agatha, though tainted with embarrassment from her earlier pettiness. "I knew you could do it!" she said as she hugged her.

"Thank you! I'm actually rather excited about it now that I've met him."

"How is he?" Agatha asked. "Intimidating?"

"I was intimidated at first, yes. Mostly because everything was so informal. I didn't know what to do or say. He was… different. That I will say. But he said that he thinks we will work well together."

"Thatta girl!"

"I've never been told to go clothes shopping for a job, though. He sent me to a couple different stores. I felt strange sending the bill to him."

"He bought you those clothes?" Agatha gasped.

"Only because he wants a certain tailored look."

"You have the one you're wearing now. It looks fine."

"Not to the trained eye, apparently. Besides, it's the only one I have. I would have needed to pick up a few more anyway."

Agatha scoffed, "What a snob."

"He said since I will be dealing with a lot of people, some of great importance, I need to be a good reflection of him."

"What a nerve!"

Grace shrugged. "Makes enough sense to me. What I picked out today is only to get me started. Once I get going I'll get a better idea of what to buy, when to wear it, and where to wear it."

"Well, what about the hours?"

"Long, as expected. And vague."

"Vague?"

"I start at seven in the morning and leave when he tells me to in the evening."

"Sounds kind of fishy if you ask me."

"How so?"

"You haven't had your first day yet and already he's spendin' money on you and has you agreeing to work unspecific hours — and he's got you thinking this is a great idea."

"He fronted the money for the clothes. They'll be taken out of my paycheck a little at a time."

"That might be worse. Clever way to pay you less."

"How? He will have already paid the shop."

"Just keep a close eye on your checks."

"Is it really so strange? Grace asked, beginning to feel naive.

"A little bit."

"But I don't understand… why would Tim encourage me so much if it was a scam?"

"I didn't say it was a scam. I said it was odd. Don't hate me for saying this because I could be wrong and probably am, but maybe he set it up knowing it wouldn't go on forever."

Grace, who had been sitting on the couch since coming in, stood. "He wouldn't do that to me."

"Okay."

"I'm serious, he wouldn't."

"I believe you," Agatha said. "It was just a thought. I told you, I'm probably wrong."

"It's the fact you said it or think it at all."

"It was a passing question, Grace, a passing thought. It doesn't mean anything. This is more about Warbucks, anyway. I care for you. I don't wanna see you screwed over by anyone. Tim loves you. I'm sure he feels the same way no matter what."

The look in Grace's eyes came to a quick change. No longer angry, rather sad.

"What's the matter?"

Sitting again, Grace said, "Nothing. I know you didn't mean it. Let's forget all of this, hmm? What did you get for dinner?"

"Nothin'," Agatha answered as she sat down next to Grace. "What was it I say?"

"You didn't get anything for dinner?"

"No, I ate the leftover chicken. Now answer my question."

"You didn't say anything wrong."

"You went from wanting to punch me to looking like a dog sent outside without dinner in a matter of seconds. Tell me the truth."

"I didn't want to punch you."

"Stop avoiding the question."

Looking down, Grace gave in. "It's Tim."

"What about him? …oh crap. Did he dump you? He dumped you. Grace, I'm sorry."

"He didn't dump me," she said.

"Then what?"

"You said that he loves me."

Confused, Agatha asked, "And that was personal?"

Looking at her through the sides of her eyes, Grace admitted, "He's never said that to me before."

"What?" Agatha said in shock. "Are you serious?"

Grace nodded.

"But you've been goin' out for months."

"I know."

"And nothing?"

"Nothing."

Putting an arm around Grace's shoulder, Agatha asked, "Do you love him?"

"I don't know."

"How can you not know?" Agatha said with a slight roll of her eyes.

"How can I know until he says it to me?"

"You wouldn't be this upset if you didn't love him at least a little bit."

Looking up in full this time, Grace asked, "Why hasn't he said it? Why is he still with me after all this time if he doesn't feel anything more? I like him a lot, but if this isn't going anywhere I don't want to waste my time."

"Tell that to him, not me."

"I can't now. He got me this new job. I can't have this kind of conversation with him now. It'll look terrible."

"That's true."

"What can I do?"

"You're asking me? My longest relationship was half the length of the time you've been with Tim."

"Please, don't kid right now."

"I ain't kidding."

"You aren't?"

"Nope. I've known a few men and then some, but none took me seriously."

"Why not?"

"Do you really want to get into that right now?"

With a chuckle, Grace shook her head. "I guess not."

"Another day."

"Do you think I'm stuck with Tim now?" Grace then asked.

"Maybe for a little while. Who knows? Maybe he'll say it soon."

"I don't think he's too good at getting close to anybody."

"What do you mean?"

"Only within the past month or so has he really started relaxing around me. Before that, he was so tense whenever he held my hand or kissed me. I thought it was my fault for the longest time."

"What made the past couple months change?"

"I don't know, to tell you the truth. One day we were walking home from lunch and out of nowhere he started to kiss me. I still don't know why he did or what brought it on. He never answered when I asked him."

"What about those nights you come home… late?"

Turing her body in near disgust, Grace gasped, "Oh, Agatha, no!"

"Sorry, just a question. I only assumed."

Timid again, Grace leaned back. Is it bad I can't picture… that… with him? It's not something I think about. What's strange is that I can see us married, but it's always way into the future. Almost as an old couple after the kids are grown and no longer in the house. It's just the two of us talking and laughing a lot like it is now."

"Doesn't sound too exciting, but not all bad."

Grace sighed. "It isn't."

A few moments passed, both contemplating what had been said. Now Agatha really felt bad for her earlier thoughts. Maybe Grace didn't have everything come to her easily. Passion was the one quality in a relationship that attracted Agatha. Somehow the knowledge that Grace didn't have any made her feel better about herself. The same with her job. Obviously, she only knew the few details Grace mentioned, but already this guy sounded like a piece of work. At least at the orphanage she was her own boss for the most part. Ms. Tatum never paid too much attention to her routine as long as everything got done.

Shame came over her again as those thoughts continued. Here Grace sat worried about her relationship and embarking on a new career and here she herself was feeling relief from any hardships.

"I'm hungry," Grace said after a while. "I know you ate but I'm going to go and get dinner somewhere." AS she stood, she asked, "Are you going to stay here or do you want to come with me?"

"I'll come with you. My treat."

"Aw," Grace smiled. "You don't have to do that."

"No worries. Once you get your first few paychecks you'll be the one pickin' up all the tabs." Agatha winked.

"Oh, really?"

"You bet."

"Well," she said as they got to the door, "I think the places I'll take us to will insist you wear something nicer than a nightgown."

Agatha looked down at herself, remembering she already changed for the night.

"Very funny," she said. "Run ahead while I change. I'll catch up. Wanna go to the diner?"

Grace nodded. "Remember not to leave the house in your slippers, either."

Taking one of the mentioned slippers off her foot, Agatha chucked it across the room at Grace. "Get outta here!"