Message from Heaven

by Lydia Rose

  “You want to hire her because she needs our help?” he asked smiling.

  “It’s up to you, Dad,” she said trying not to show her hand. Her father knew her too well and knew this was just the kind of person that Nadine was always trying to save. “Schedule an interview and check her references. If everything checks out, hire her.”

  “You want me to interview her?” Nadine asked surprised. Usually her father or Mr. Anderson took over those duties.

  “It’s not like we’re hiring a broker. If you like her, hire her.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” she said before leaving his office. Nadine went back to her office and dialed Sandy’s cellphone after she checked her references.

  “Hello.”

  “Ms. Williams?” Nadine asked.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Nadine Connors from Connors and Anderson.”

  “Oh, yes, Ms. Connors.”

  “Can you come in sometime tomorrow for an interview for the position we have open?”

  “Yes, of course. What time would you like me there?”

  “Don’t you have another job?” Nadine asked, not wanting this woman to take time off from work.

  “I do temp work and I don’t have anything for tomorrow. I’m available any time after eight-thirty.”

  “Please come in at ten o’clock, Ms. Williams.”

  “I’ll be there. Thank you, Ms. Connors.”

  “Please call me Nadine.”

  “Thank you and you can call me Sandy or Sandra.”

  “See you in the morning,” Nadine said before disconnecting the call.

  CHAPTER 31

  Sandy got Carly ready for the school bus and then got ready herself. She picked out her best skirt and blouse. Her faux leather knee high boots finished off her outfit. She pulled her shoulder length hair into a bun in the back of her head. Taking one last look in the mirror, she mumbled, “This is as good as it is going to get.” She walked out of her bedroom. “Mom, I’m off.”

  “Good luck, dear. I’ll say a prayer for you.”

  Sandy was lucky that she lived with her mother. Eva Williams was there to greet her daughter after school and had a meal on the table at the end of the day. She enjoyed her company and neither woman was lonely. It worked well for the two of them since her father had passed away two years ago.

  *

  Gina greeted her warmly with a hug when she walked into the offices. “Let me call Arlene. Arlene, Nadine’s ten o’clock is here.”

  “I’ll be right out, Gina.” She appeared from the back and held her hand out. “Hi, I’m Arlene. Nadine’s secretary.”

  Sandy took her hand. “Sandra Williams.”

  “Right this way.”

  Sandy followed the woman. Before she got out of ear shot, Gina said, “Good luck, honey.”

  Arlene knocked on what Sandy perceived to be Nadine’s office. “Nadine, Sandra Williams is here.”

  Nadine dropped her glasses on the desk and stood up. “Hello, Sandra. Please have a seat.”

  “Thank you. It’s good to see you again.” Sandy took her seat.

  “I’ve checked your references and everyone had nice things to say about you.” Nadine looked at the shy woman in front of her. She continued, “Let me tell you about the job. Our hours here are nine to five with an hour for lunch. Your base salary is $28,000.00 with two weeks’ vacation after six months.” Nadine saw the look on Sandy’s face and asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “Not at all,” she said smiling. Sandy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This all sounded too good to be true.

  Nadine continued, “Your medical coverage will begin three months after you’ve worked here. It is a very good policy.” She smiled. “If this is acceptable, we would like to offer you the job.”

  “Really?” Sandy asked still dumbstruck.

  Nadine’s smile opened wider. “Yes.”

  “I’ll take it. I can start tomorrow.”

  Nadine chuckled. “Tomorrow is Friday. Why don’t you start on Monday? This way Gina can train you before she leaves us. Sound good?” Nadine stood up.

  “Thank you so much,” Sandy said reaching out her hand to shake Nadine’s hand.

  “I’ll get Arlene to give you the paperwork that is required for you to fill out.”

  Sandy left the office of Connors and Anderson on cloud nine. She drove home to share the good news with her mother.

  CHAPTER 32

  Sandy walked into the office Monday morning before Gina arrived. She took a seat at the front desk and pulled out a pad and pen ready to take notes. Gina came in a few minutes later.

  “Early bird I see,” she said smiling.

  “Good morning, Gina.”

  “Let me show you where the coffee room is.” Gina hung up her coat and walked toward the back of the offices. “Someone was kind enough to make a pot, but if there isn’t one made...” she shrugged.

  “Got it,” Sandy said understanding the procedure here.

  They poured a cup of coffee for themselves and turned to leave when Nadine Connors walked in. “Good morning, ladies.”

  “Morning, Nadine,” Gina said and then added, “and thanks for making the coffee.”

  “You’re welcome.” Nadine turned to Sandy. “Welcome aboard and enjoy your first day here.”

  “Thank you,” she answered, following Gina out of the room.

  The morning was filled with Gina explaining Sandy’s job responsibilities. Toward the end of the day the phones quieted down and they both relaxed in quiet conversation.

  “I’m sorry that we drifted apart,” Gina said softly.

  “Me too, but I understand. I lost a lot of friends when I began to see Pete.”

  “We all just never understood why you chose him. You never dated when we were in college. My friend Claudia said you were gay and she wanted to ask you out,” Gina said chuckling and then noticed the deep blush on Sandy’s face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Of course, I told her you were straight, but she kept insisting that her gaydar was pinging like crazy when you were around.”

  “She did ask me out, but I turned her down.” Sandy offered quietly and looked around to make sure no one heard her. “I never would have married Pete if I hadn’t gotten pregnant, but my father insisted that I had to.” Sandy continued, “He was very religious and I had no choice.”

  Gina took Sandy’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Sandy. I wish I had known that.” Gina’s long hair covered her green eyes and the guilt that they held. “We should have been there for you.”

  “After my father died, I found the courage to divorce Pete.”

  “You need to find yourself a nice guy.”

  “No thank you, Gina. My priority right now is Carly. I’m thirty-four years old, living in the house I grew up in. I need to get my life back on track before I think about dating.”

  “Claudia’s single at the moment,” Gina said with a wink and then both women laughed.

  *

  By the end of the second week, Sandy was ready to take on the job by herself. At the end of the day, Connors and Anderson was throwing Gina a going away party. She would miss her friend, but at least they shared phone numbers and email addresses this time.

  The food was brought in and the party began. Sandy was walking around with a glass of wine in her hand when Arlene approached her.

  “I understand you are divorced,” she said smiling. “I know a few men I can introduce you to.”

  Sandy took a step back from Arlene as if she were on fire. “Thank you, but I’m not ready to date right now.”

  “Don’t be like Nadine. She tells me the same thing every time I try to fix her up.” Arlene shrugged. “You let me know when you are,” she said before walking away.

  Nadine had heard the conversation and stepped closer to Sandy. “She won’t give up asking you,” she said leaning down toward Sandy’s ear.

  Sandy turned and looked at Nadine with her mouth hanging open. “I’ll just have to keep
saying no.”

  “I do the same thing with her.” Nadine clinked her glass against Sandy’s. “To not being forced into something we both don’t want,” she said laughing.

  Sandy smiled up at Nadine. Gina had told her about Nadine and Kim and what had happened three years ago. Nadine was hesitant to date because she lost a great love and Sandy just didn’t want someone else in her life. She didn’t believe in love any longer. There was no knight in shining armor who was going to whisk her off her feet and love her forever. Those thoughts were only for romance books and fairytales. The reality was that she was going to take care of Carly to make sure she didn’t make the same mistakes. To teach Carly that she could love anyone she wanted and not to settle in life.

  “Are you enjoying the job so far?” Joe Connors asked a surprised Sandy.

  “Yes, sir. I love it. Everyone is so nice,” Sandy answered smiling.

  “I’m glad. You’ll find that we are a family and whatever you need, we’re here to help,” Joe continued.

  “Thank you.” She looked at his grey hair and thought he was so distinguished looking. He had the same soft brown eyes that his daughter had. Gina now waved Sandy over to a group of secretaries. “Excuse me, Mr. Connors.”

  “Joe, please,” he said before she walked away.

  Nadine moved next to her father. “Looks like she is going to work out, huh, Dad?”

  “Yes. She’s a good addition to the group.” Joe turned to Nadine. “She reminds me a lot of Kim.”

  Nadine nearly spit out her wine. “What?”

  “Sandy is quiet and reserved. She is willing to help anyone here.”

  “I think she is just very shy,” Nadine added, but watched the younger woman across the room.

  “It’s a shame she’s straight,” he added and again Nadine choked on her wine.

  “Don’t you try playing matchmaker too, Dad,” Nadine said firmly. She didn’t tell her father that her gaydar pinged on Sandy the last two weeks she had been here. This information she kept to herself. “I’m not interested in anyone.”

  Joe rested his arm on her shoulder. “I know, and I want to see you happy again, sweetie.” He stepped away from Nadine.

  Nadine watched as Sandy interacted with the group noticing how the petite woman smiled, but didn’t interact with the rowdy group of women.

  Sandy walked into the house later that evening. “Hi, Mom,” she called as she came in the door.

  “Hi, honey. How was the party?”

  “Good. Where’s Carly?”

  “In her room.”

  “I’ll come back and tell you about the party after I see Carly.” Sandy walked toward her daughter’s bedroom. “Hi, sweetie,” she said from the doorway.

  “Hi, Mom. Did you have a good time?” Carly asked looking up from her homework.

  “I did. How was school today?” Sandy asked taking a seat next to her daughter.

  “Good. Sheila and Mary invited me to spend the night tomorrow night. Can I go?”

  Sheila and Mary were Carly’s best friends and they got along well. The twin sisters were quiet like Carly. “What’s the occasion?”

  Carly shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re going to have snacks and watch movies.”

  “You can go, but I’ll call Mrs. Carey in the morning.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Carly said hugging her mother.

  “Do you want to come out and sit with Gramma and me?”

  “After I finish my homework.”

  “Okay, sweetie.” Sandy walked back to the living room. She took a seat on the couch near her mother.

  “Did you have a good time at the party?”

  “I did. Everyone is so nice.”

  “How are the owners?” Eva asked looking at her daughter.

  “Mr. Anderson seemed standoffish, but Mr. Connors is a sweetheart. His daughter is the same way. They make you feel welcome instantly.” Sandy now wondered if she should tell her mother about Nadine. “Nadine, that’s Mr. Connors’s daughter. She lost her wife three years ago. Gina told me that she was trying to stop a man from hurting his family.” Sandy now waited for her mother to make a comment. When she didn’t, she asked, “No comment about me working with a lesbian?”

  “Honey, your father and I didn’t agree on a lot of things and that was one of them.” Eva moved closer to Sandy. “I hope you know that there is nothing you could ever do that would change my love for you?”

  What the hell does that mean? Sandy was about to ask when Carly came into the room.

  CHAPTER 33

  Sandy was driving Carly over to her friends’ house. The little girls lived in a nice neighborhood that Sandy would never be able to afford. The first time she drove into this complex, she was shocked at the size of the homes. Having met the Carey’s, she was happy that her daughter had such nice friends. Mr. and Mrs. Carey never treated Carly or Sandy as if they were beneath their station. They always made them feel welcome and Sandy had been invited to the pool parties the family threw in the summer. Sandy walked Carly up to the front door carrying her backpack.

  “Hello, Sandy,” Willa Carey said when she opened the door. “Hi, Carly. The girls are in the family room.”

  Carly turned to her mother. “Bye, Mom.” She gave her mother a hug.

  “You be good for Mrs. Carey.”

  “I will,” she said running off to the family room.

  “She’s always good, Sandy. Carly is a sweet girl.”

  “So are your girls.” She turned toward the door. “If you need to reach me, you have my number.”

  “They’ll be fine, Sandy. Go enjoy your free evening.”

  Sandy chuckled. “I’m just going to go home and watch television with my mother.”

  “Well, enjoy yourself. Good night.”

  “Good night, Willa.”

  As Sandy walked down the walkway she noticed a car driving slowly down the street. She knew she was in a good neighborhood, but her heartbeat sped up. Sandy almost turned around and went back to the house when a voice called out, “Hi, Sandy.”

  Sandy’s hand went to her heart recognizing Nadine in the car. “You scared me,” Sandy admitted.

  “I’m sorry. I thought that was you, but I guess when I slowed down, you got nervous.”

  Sandy nodded, smiling as her heart calmed down. “I guess I can forgive you.”

  “I didn’t expect to see you in my neighborhood.” Nadine realized what she had said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “No, it’s true.” Sandy leaned against her back fender. “I’m surprised I’m allowed into this neighborhood, let alone be able to afford anything here.”

  Nadine chuckled. “The Carey’s are a nice couple, aren’t they?”

  “They are. My daughter is spending the night with their daughters.”

  Nadine grinned. “Oh, so mommy has a night off to have some fun.”

  Sandy laughed out loud. “Mommy is going home for the evening.”

  Nadine thought for a moment and asked, “Can I buy you a cup of coffee or a glass of wine? I’m just on the next block.”

  Sandy looked at Nadine wondering if it was appropriate to spend time with one of her bosses outside of work.

  Nadine could read her hesitation. “It’s just coffee, Sandy.”

  “Okay,” she said smiling. Sandy got into the car and called her mother. “Hi, Mom. I met a friend. I’m going to her house for a while.”

  “Good,” Eva said sounding happy. “Go enjoy yourself.”

  “Come in, please,” Nadine said when she opened the front door. She hung up her coat and took Sandy’s from her.

  “You have a beautiful home,” Sandy said looking around from the foyer.

  “Thank you. It was my wife’s home,” she said and waited for tears to form in her eyes, but they didn’t come as she expected.

  “I’m sorry about what happened to her,” Sandy said softly.

  This time Nadine swallowed hard. “Thank you. Coffee or wine?”

&nbs
p; “Coffee, I think.”

  “Okay. Let’s go to the kitchen.” Nadine led her to the large kitchen and Sandy took a seat at the island.

  “Your wife knew how to pick a house. This kitchen is out of this world.”

  Nadine chuckled. “We both loved to cook and it was big enough for both of us.”

  Sandy noticed a picture on the counter and walked over to it. “Is this her?”

  Nadine turned. “Yes. That’s Kim.”

  “She was very beautiful.”

  “Inside and out,” Nadine answered, pouring the water into the coffee machine. Now she busied herself getting out the cups, cream and sugar. “I miss her so much,” Nadine admitted without facing Sandy.

  “It was very brave what she did,” Sandy ventured knowing what had happened to Kim.

  “Brave, yes, but I am selfish that I wish she hadn’t interfered,” Nadine admitted holding back her tears.

  “Of course, you are. How could you not be,” Sandy said moving over to Nadine whose head was hung low. She couldn’t help but put her arm around Nadine in comfort.

  Nadine moved away from Sandy’s touch. “Enough depressing talk. You have a free night and I want you to enjoy yourself.”

  “I am, Nadine. Please don’t worry about my comfort.” She took her seat again at the island. “If you ever need to talk, I’m a good listener.”

  Nadine smiled. “Thank you.”

  “So, I guess going into finance was an easy decision for you since that’s your dad’s chosen career.”

  Nadine smiled. “Yeah, it was. I interned there in the summers, but when I graduated I accepted a job in another firm.” Sandy’s eyes opened wide. “I know it sounds strange, but I didn’t want any of the other employees to think I could get ahead more easily because of nepotism,” Nadine paused. “I became VP at my other firm within two years. The money was great and I have to admit I enjoyed the finer things that my salary brought me.” Her eyes teared up. “When I met Kim, it changed my whole outlook on life. She made me realize that money can help others and I didn’t need a wardrobe of clothes that I only wore one or two times.”