Crash Chapter 16
"Pantala Naga Pampa"
Randy's POV
I can't believe it. She didn't even give me an explanation for saying no. You know, maybe I'm glad she didn't say yes. Yeah, just maybe I am. Oh who am I kidding? Of course I wanted her to say yes.
'Randy, honey, are you alright?' mom asks.
'Yeah, why wouldn't I be alright?' I ask, sniffling and fighting back tears.
'Well you just uh…Well you certainly have no…If you're upset that's okay' mom finally decides to say.
'I think I'm going to go for a walk' I decide after a few more minutes of sitting on the floor, trying to ponder everything, and failing.
'In the middle of November?' dad asks.
'That's alright, you go on ahead' mom says, looking at dad.
I get up, not without some pain, put my coat on, and walk out the door.
Tim's POV
'Jill, what's the matter with you? He can barely make it from the couch to the dining room table, and you're going to let him go out for a walk?' I ask as soon is Randy is out the door.
'It does no good to say no to him, we can't tell him what to do any more. Besides, getting some fresh air will do him good. It always was good for my would be fiancées' Jill says.
'Exactly how many "would be fiancées" did you have?' I ask her.
'Does it matter? I mean, I am with you now, and that's all that really matters to me' she answers.
'It depends. Can you count them on one hand?' I joke.
Randy's POV
After leaving home, I wander around for ten or fifteen minutes before I decide what I need to do.
Twenty minutes later, I'm knocking on Steve's door.
'Hello, can I help you?' a woman who I'm guessing is Steve's wife answers the door.
'Yeah, I need to see Steve real quick. Is he busy?' I ask.
'Oh, you're Randy Taylor, aren't you?' "Yes, unfortunately" I think, but just nod my head.
'I love the columns that you and Lauren write together. Your exposé on Hillshire Farms changed the way I think of summer sausage forever. And that article on 10 ways to deal with computer tech support people should be on the New York Time's Bestsellers List, and-' she keeps babbling.
'Could we? I mean, could you go get Steve?' I ask.
'Just one minute. Make yourself at home. Oh, if one of the cats is in the way, feel free to just move it to the floor' she instructs. I nod and choose a rather comfortable looking, cat free, rocking chair near the sofa. A big tiger striped tabby comes up to me and starts rubbing my legs. A couple of minutes later, Steve comes in.
'You must be gifted with cats, Bitty usually doesn't take well to strangers. But anyways, how are you doing? Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like anything?' Steve says.
'I want you to reassign me to another section of the newspaper' I say, getting right to the point.
'I was thinking more along the lines of coffee or tea, something like that. What's brought this on? This doesn't have anything to do with Saddam Hussein, does it?' he asks.
'Yes Steve, it has everything to do with that assignment you gave to Lauren' I answer.
'Randy, I've been in the newspaper business for twenty years, ever since I was fifteen and started writing for my high school's paper. I think there's more to the story. Tell me what happened' Steve coaxes. I relay the events of the past two hours to him.
'It doesn't sound to me like Saddam Hussein has anything to do with this. It sounds to me like this is between you and Lauren. I'm not going to reassign you until you've at least made an attempt at reconciliation with Lauren. If you really don't think that you two can continue to work together, I'll assign to whatever part of the paper has an opening. I won't make any promises that it'll be a glamour job like what this one has been' Steve says.
"Hey, it's no big deal, Jim Qwilleran got reassigned all the time in the Cat Who… series" I think.
'Okay, thanks for taking the time to see me. I guess I'll be going now' I say.
'It's getting pretty dark and cold out there. Let me give you a ride home' he offers.
'Oh, thanks' I say.
'Let me get my coat, and I'll be right out there' Steve says.
While I'm waiting, I start thinking about how successful Lauren and I are as a writing team. There is no way Steve will ever reassign me. He's probably going to talk to Lauren and tell her she needs to take back her no and go ahead and marry me.
Either that or he's going to tell us both that we need to set our personal problems aside and act like professionals. He'll probably lay a guilt trip about the paper or Michiganders getting screwed by the government or something on us.
God, it just occurred to me, I know my boss way too well.
A/N: Before I can do this author's note, I have to say something to be able to compose myself enough to type:
Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander
Okay, I'm good now. I'm sorry, I just think Michigander is a funny word. It's the "preferred" term for someone from Michigan, as opposed to Michiganian. (Which isn't as funny, at least not to me).
Anyways, please R I'd especially like to hear from you if you're a Michigander. (Actually, yes, I would like you to review, but I also wanted to use the word Michigander again).
Thanks for reading, my dear Michiganders out there in Michiganderland. (And thank you readers out there in readerland for reading too).
-Yours truly, Randy "Michigander Michigander Michigander Michigander" Taylor (Hey, I am actually a Michigander if you go by my other personality. Hint hint, that other personality would be Randy Taylor. Anyways, I'll shut up now).
P.S. Happy New Year everybody!