Chapter 708: Morris Accounting, LLP
Thursday, March 16th, Afternoon
Sitting at her desk, she went over everything she was given. It was tax season, and though she was just a bookkeeper, she still had to regulate the accountants and their spending. Which meant she also served as the office manager, den mother, confidant, and bad cop. Shaking her head, she couldn't make hide or hair from the expense report she had before her. She was about to recommend rejecting it for a cleaner re-submitted report.
There was a knock on the door, and Kristen Adams picked her head up from the expense report. Standing at the door was her boss, the firm's managing partner and named partner. She was a tall woman, made taller by her heels and a well-formed figure; her green business suit was tailored to fit. This showed her grasp of fashion and what looked good on her frame. Kristen knew she was more than her looks and mind, and the picture of her under a car hood with her late dad when she was eleven was any indication.
"How are things going, Kris?" Alyssa Morris, CPA, asked.
"Trying to sort out Jenkins's expense report," Kristen said.
"She messed it up again?" Alyssa asked.
"I don't think she's filled in one right yet," Kristen said.
"Reject it and have her fill out another one," Alyssa said, "Coffee or food?"
"Looks like root beer and a jelly donut," Kristen said, nodding, "I was just about to do that."
"Do you mind if I come in?" Alyssa asked.
"Yeah, sure," Kristen said.
Alyssa entered the office and closed the door. Alyssa sat across from Kristen. They looked at each other like two boxers sizing up their opponent. Finally, Alyssa sighed and locked eyes with Kristen.
"Is everything good at home, Kris?" Alyssa asked.
"It's tough, but I manage; why do you ask, Aly?" Kristen asked.
"I've noticed you've been distracted the past few weeks, the last few days especially," Alyssa said.
"Oh, I've been trying to leave that at home," Kristen said.
"What's happening, Kris?" Alyssa asked.
"Noah's being a teenager, and he's not been home since Monday," Kristen said.
"What happened, Kris?" Alyssa asked, concern touching her voice.
"He's been stalking his sister, and there was a scene at the skate park. I tried talking sense into him; he kept going on and on," Kristen said.
"What happened, Kris?" Alyssa asked.
"I ended up slapping him," Kris said.
Alyssa nodded, "Okay, I wasn't there," she said.
"I've not seen Noah since Sunday," Kristen said.
"Did he run away?" Alyssa asked.
"Yes," Kristen said.
"Oh my, what are you going to do?" Alyssa asked.
Kristen sighed, "I know where he is," she said.
"That's good; where is he?" Alyssa said.
"Somehow, he got to New York City; my cousin Cash has him," Kristen said.
"That's good," Alyssa said.
"Yeah, I just want him home," Kristen said.
"I don't blame you," Alyssa said.
Kristen sighed, "So, you're meeting a new client tonight?" she asked.
"Possible, new client," Alyssa said.
"Oh, yeah, possible new client," Kristen said.
"Yeah, Lock Sheridan, we're meeting at a cafe for some reason," Alyssa said.
"Let me guess, the Fire and Ice Cafe?" Kristen asked.
"Yeah," Alyssa said.
"Have you ever been?" Kristen said.
"No, you know I've been on this strict diet most of my adult life," Alyssa said.
Kristen chuckled, "How can I forget? Alyssa Morris, supermodel, you better work bitch," she said.
"UGH! How do you think I paid for my CPA?" Alyssa asked.
"It's more like a diner," Kristen said, "Also, yeah, but you fixed my car."
"You just had a loose harness," Alyssa said, "But here I am."
"Getting ready to seduce another man to be your client," Kristen said, teasing.
"I don't seduce people into being my client," Alyssa said.
"Right, so who is this Lock Sheridan?" Kristen asked.
"Some sort of author, from what he says, his finances are in a mess after two divorces," Alyssa said.
"You'll get him sorted out," Kristen said.
"Just like you will with Noah," Alyssa said.
"I hope so," Kristen said.
"I'm being rude; how is Chase doing?" Alyssa said.
"He has his good days and bad days, but he's not getting better, but there are, on his good days, I get a little bit of hope," Kristen said.
"You're strong for staying," Alyssa said.
"All we ever had was each other and Noah," Kristen said.
"What about his daughters from his first marriage?" Alyssa asked.
Kristen nodded, "They disowned him because of me and want nothing to do with Noah," she said.
Alyssa nodded, "Well when Noah gets back, get a night nurse and come over with Noah for dinner. Tami would love to hang out with Noah," Alyssa said.
"She's ten," Kristen said.
"But she loves watching him skate," Alyssa said.
"Okay, I'm going to reject this expense report, and you don't catch feelings while seducing this new possible client," Kristen said.
Alyssa stood up, "You are my conscience? God, Jiminy Cricket, you're not," she said.
"Road of excess, etc.," Kristen said.
"Sure," Alyssa said, laughed, and left the office.