Chapter 7

What happened last:

"I have to attend a formal function for the agency. Do you want to come with me? It's a black tie event on the Friday two weeks from now." Auggie looked up at her nervously, showing his vulnerability more than ever.

"Oh yes, Auggie. I'd be happy to go with you." Annie smiled sincerely at him.

"Thank you." Auggie seemed to be happy with Annie's answer. "Are you sure you're free that night? Like I said, it'll be the Friday in two weeks."

"Yeah, it's fine. I'm free," Annie answered, smiling at him.

"I'm going to drive, Annie. Where should I pick you up?"

"I'm living in my sister's guesthouse. I'll send you an email with the address. What time does this function start?"

"I think it's eight pm but I'm going to ask Joan the details again, ok?"

Annie nodded and settled into her work assignment again. Auggie walked to his desk and opened his email program. He read through the different messages. One was from Joan where she attached the invitation. The black tie event would start at eight pm, so he remembered it right. Auggie made an email for Annie and included the necessary points she should know about the function.

At the same time, Annie thought about what she should wear. She couldn't make up her mind about any of it, except she now knew the shoes she would go with.

She stood up and said, "I'm going to call my sister to tell her about the event. Do you mind?"

"No problem Annie you aren't in a death chase just in a rush with your assignment. Joan wants to have it by the end of the day not at 1 pm sharp. Go ahead and take your time." He just gave her a brief glance.

She walked into the women's restroom and took her cell phone out. She dialed Danielle's number and hoped she would reach her immediately.

"It's Danielle; what can I do for you, Little Sis?"

"Hey Dani; I need you to go shopping with me. I've been invited to a black tie function," Annie told her with a big smile on her face.

"Oh sure, Annie. When do you want to go Annie? With whom are you going?" Dani asked, truly excited.

"You remember my boss Auggie? He asked me if I would go with him and I told him yes. He is really nice, but so shy and insecure," Annie told Danielle. Then she added "Maybe we can go shopping Friday night; the event is a week from then. Hopefully I won't have to spend half my paycheck to find something decent to wear."

"Annie, you know who you are talking to?" Dani asked brusquely.

"Yes, I know you are the shopping queen!" Annie laughed out loud.

With that she disconnected the call and went back to her office. She found Auggie deeply immersed in something. She sat down and worked the next few hours without a break; she wanted to please Joan by being ready with her urgent assignment. She was really startled when Auggie touched her shoulder.

"Do you want to have lunch with me Annie?" he asked her as he walked up to his cane to retrieve it.

Her stomach rumbled loudly enough for even Auggie to hear and so he had his answer. Annie locked the screen and stood up. They walked to the cafeteria and ordered. They settled down at their table and began eating in silence.

"Annie can you tell me the color of your dress?" Auggie asked between two bites of his chicken wrap.

"Oh, sure Auggie. But I don't know what I will wear yet. I'll have to go shopping to find something appropriate," she truthfully admitted to him. "I'll let you know the color as soon as I know."

"Ok. Thanks, Annie." With that they returned to silence.

Annie and Auggie worked through the week without any incident. Auggie was still working at 7 pm on Friday night. Annie had been gone since 4 in the afternoon. As he turned in his chair to stand up, Arthur Campbell walked into the office.

"Mr. Anderson, do you have a moment?" he asked.

"Sure Mr. Campbell, please have a seat," Auggie motioned toward Annie's desk chair.

Arthur walked up to the chair and sat down.

"I have to say thank you. I appreciate that you will attend the function next Friday, instead of me and my wife."

"You're welcome, Mr. Campbell. I'm just a little unsure if I'm the best person to represent the agency at this kind of event."

"Oh please. Don't sell yourself short Anderson," Arthur grumbled and walked up to Auggie.

"This is just a formal event. You've attended some events that had much more importance than this one, like the white house dinner two years ago," Arthur stated and proceeded. "The cane is a fashionable accessory. Don't think that you will embarrass yourself or the agency. We are proud to have you working with us again after all that happened." Everything he said was with a straight face just showing minimal feelings.

Auggie looked down, knowing that Arthur was right. He was definitely thinking along the lines Arthur suggested just seconds ago. Auggie knew that his superiors knew that he struggled with his situation. Even if he had been like this for two years now. "Thank you Mr. Campbell for your vote of confidence."

"No problem, Anderson. Hold your head high and be the charming young man we all know." He grinned at him and turned to leave.

Auggie wrapped his work assignments up and turned to leave for the evening. After he ate his meal he walked up to his wardrobe to check on his clothes. He knew that he had his tuxes from his time as a field operator in the cardboard boxes beneath the rack on the left side. He hoped he could wear them because they would be appropriate for this event.

He pulled the box out, grabbed the first tuxedo out, and walked over to his bed. He opened the fly on his jeans and let them fall down. He stepped out of them and walked, with the tux pants in hand, to his bed. He sat down and maneuvered his legs into them, then pulled them up as far as possible. With an assisting push into the mattress, he stood up and pulled the trousers all the way up. He walked over to the full length mirror and saw that his prosthetics weren't noticeable if you didn't look too closely.

His cummerbund and his shirt fit like they were created just for his body. The jacket was perfect as well and showed off his muscular body. He decided that he would wear this ensemble to the function and made a reminder note that he should bring the tuxedo to the dry cleaners tomorrow. With that cleared up, he had to think about which pair of shoes he could wear. The loafers didn't fit anymore and boots just didn't work with this kind of clothing. He changed into some shorts and relieved himself in the bathroom. Then he took his prosthetics off, because his ankles were aching. He was one of those amputees who had frequently phantom pains. His therapists gave him some tips but sometimes nothing worked besides some heavy pills. He didn't use them often but sometimes he couldn't bear the pain. This evening seemed to be one of this times. So he dragged his body to the nightstand and pulled the top drawer open. He retrieved the vial with appropriate medicine and took two capsules out.

Half an hour later, he felt better and opted for a good book and slow music. He read until it was dark outside. On the way to bed he retrieved his iPad and deposited it on the bed. He brushed his teeth and walked to his bed, swung himself up and settled under the blanket. He unlocked the screen and got online to search for some shoes. After what seemed to be an eternity he found some shoes and ordered them in two sizes to make sure he could choose. He booked the overnight service. After checking his private email account, he closed the iPad and turned over to sleep.