Steeling The Bliss
Chapter 2
As Mildred parked the car into a space at Remington's apartment complex, she turned off the motor, and then looking at Laura, asked, "So, what plan did you come up with, Miss Holt?"
Laura sighed, and answered, "It's Mrs. Steele now, Mildred...Anyway, how about for once, the truth-"
Remington, alarmed, and quickly responded to Laura, "Are you mad?! Do you want me shipped back to Ireland for good?!"
Laura patted Remington's arm gently and replied with a shake of her head, "No, of course not, Mr. Steele! What I mean is, tell the INS agent that we simply haven't had time to look for a new place-what with the mess with Keyes, and-"
Remington nodded, adding, "Daniel's passing..."
Laura swallowed, and rubbing Remington's shoulder, answered, "Yes...So, are we all agreed here?"
Mildred shrugged, answering with a gesture, "Okay. Let's get this show on the road-"
Remington asked as they all got out of the car, "But what about your family, Laura? Any ideas on that front?"
Laura chuckled lightly as they walked arm in arm towards the entrance to the building, stating, "One headache at a time, Mr. Steele. One headache at a time..."
Laura then noticed that Mildred had gone back to the car to retrieve something, and upon returning to the entrance, had an envelope with her, and with piqued interest, Laura asked, "Mildred? What's that you've got with you?"
Mildred stated with a gesture towards the elevator as they entered the building, "Something that will surely satisfy this INS person...C'mon. Let's not keep them waiting any longer, Kids."
On their way up in the elevator, Remington asided to Laura, "Better nip this in the bud..."
Clearing his throat, Remington queried to Mildred, "Ah, Mildred? Is that something that will seal my eventual doom?"
Mildred genuinely hurt then by his question, replied with a gulp as she looked at both Remington and Laura, "N-No! Not at all, Boss! Look, I really care about the both of you, and I'm grateful for you letting me stay on at the agency. I know I've done some crazy things in the past to help you, but this will at least get the INS off your back for a while anyway, alright?"
Remington and Laura glancing at one another nervously as the elevator stopped on the 2nd floor, with people getting on the elevator, pulled Mildred with them as they exited the elevator, with Mildred bewilderedly asking, "What gives? This isn't your floor, Boss-"
Laura put up a hand stating, "Yes, Mildred. He's aware of that, but I think we should look over what you have in the envelope to decide if it will truly help Mr. Steele, alright?"
Mildred shrugged, stung by the Steeles' attitude about the help she was trying to give, and commented with a tired sigh as she handed the envelope to Laura, "Fine! But just remember how much help I've been to you folks from the very beginning of this crazy ride we've been on together almost three years now-"
When Laura tried to speak, Mildred then cut her off, stating angrily, "You know, Honey, I could've had you both thrown in jail for holding me in that Mexico hotel room and my losing my job! Just because I was trying to figure out your tax problem! Little did I know that you were frauding the Government-"
Remington, trying to quiet her down, answered quickly in a low tone, "But you told us you hated that IRS job anyway!"
Mildred nodded replying, "Yeah, yeah...But I had a house mortgage to take care of, Mr. Steele! I'm not as lucky as the two of you have been, you know?"
Swallowing at their silence, Mildred threw up her hands, remarking, "Fine! Do whatever you want! I'm done! Good luck in the future-"
As she headed towards the stairs, Laura pulling her back, answered quickly, "Please! Don't go, Mildred! I promise you that we'll think of something if we feel that the contents of this envelope will only hinder us, alright?"
Mildred queried softly, "Really?"
Remington, giving a hug to Mildred answered with a nod, "Really, Dear! We thank you for everything over the years, and we really don't want to lose you, hmm?"
With a nod to his wife, he then commented with a gesture, "Okay, Laura. Let's see what Mildred has here for us, hmm?"
TBC
