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“That’s kind of your thing, isn’t it?”
“And I didn’t get in trouble. Instead, the whole team got the afternoon off.”
We started walking again and rounded the corner at Fifth Street.
“Hm. Melvin is a weird dude,” he said. “I can’t figure out how he’s hung on as long as he has. My apartment is just over here, but if you’d like me to walk you the rest of the way home—”
“Nope, I’m good,” I said immediately. Night in the city isn’t safe with coworkers or strangers. Or even potentially new friends.
“Okay, but let me give you my number,” he said, pulling out his iPhone. He air-dropped his contact card to my phone. “Just let me know you got home safely. I have sisters and I worry.”
“Thanks,” I said. “But I’ll be okay. I have someone waiting for me at home.” We parted, and I waved as I walked off into the gathering dark. I kept my pace up the rest of the way. I’d taken a self-defense class last year, complete with yelling, “No!” a lot, followed by muffins and juice. It was an illusion of control, though, because at a hundred pounds, I wasn’t fighting off a full-grown attacker. I was strong, but even a strong Pomeranian can’t take on a German shepherd. It was a matter of perspective.
I popped in an earbud and turned on a podcast as I walked. Iknew not to wear both because two earbuds meant not hearing sounds around me.
When I got home, I quickly opened my apartment door, ducked in, closed it, and locked it. I textedsafeto Jason. Nighttime in the city was not my friend. I followed my usual routine and flipped the garage floodlights on and off twice. That was the signal my landlords, to use the formal term, always waited for when I came home. My basement apartment was below the home of an older couple who tended to think of me as more of a daughter than a tenant. George and Nancy had promised my dad they’d keep an eye on me, and they took their responsibility seriously. They liked to be notified once I’d arrived home safely. I smiled when I got the answering flicker back. It was nice to be cared for, even if it was a little oppressive sometimes. Then I settled in with my television and a wide array of snacks, all chocolate.
Monday came way too early, and I had trouble waking up. By 8:30 I needed a second cup of coffee to shake the cobwebs. I had just taken a sip when my phone blew up.
Omg Ana, where are you??Heidi. Along withYou’ll never believe this.AndAna!!!!
I thumbed her text open and hit thecallbutton. She picked up, breathless.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Is everything okay?”
“Sort of,” she gasped. “It’s about work.”
“It’s too early for office drama, Heidi,” I said, rubbing my eyes.
“No, it isn’t! A guy called earlier asking about you.”
“Okay?” I said. “Who?”
“I think it was Melon Hamster,” she answered. “He sounded old, or older than us, anyway. He called the main line. Lucky, huh?”
A chill went through me. “Melvin? Melvin Hammer?”
“Yep, totally. He asked if he could speak to the person who managed the team that Indiana Aaron had worked on before being transferred to Artemis. I said that was me. Obviously. I wasn’t going to put him through to your old boss, you know?”
“But you didn’t manage the team—” I broke in.
“I managed the office. Same thing,” she said dismissively.
“Totally not, Heidi—”
“Then Melon said he wanted to know a bit abouthisprogramming background,” she said, talking over me. “And I was like, ‘Who again?’ And he goes, ‘You know, Indiana Aaron, who worked on your team.Hewas moved to Artemis, andhiswork is pretty impressive. I went throughhiscontributions to our project over the weekend, and I liked what I saw. I wanted to know a bit abouthispast responsibilities.’”
I groaned. “Did you tell him the truth?” I had still been mulling over the best way to handle the situation, and throwing it into Heidi’s hands without warning was not it.
“I told him about the apps you worked on and the Java additions you made—”
“God, Heidi.” I groaned again. “You weren’t my manager.”
“I know,” she said defensively. “But I know how talented you are. I know way more about your work than the guy you actually worked for.”
I softened a little. “Thank you, but did you…?”
“Tell him that you’re less Harrison Ford with the fedora and more Strawberry Shortcake with a little puffy hat?”
