Page 8 of Help Wanted

“I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine a little baby being left alone in the world.”

Kenley had been almost three when she was left alone in the world, but she had the sense to keep quiet.

“I’m not a very emotional person usually, it just comes on me at times.” Sidney worked to gain control of herself while wiping her eyes with another napkin. “Go on, Ken-LEE.” She enunciated the name correctly this time. “I apologize. I have it right here in front of me, but along with the hormones comes pregnancy brain.” She rolled her eyes at her condition.

“Oh, believe me, I understand. My two best friends were pregnant at the same time. I think I should have gotten a medal—a plaque at the very least.”

“You don’t have kids?” Sidney asked, tilting her head to the side in that way that says, You’re old enough to bear children, why have you not produced any yet?

“Uh, no. But I imagine you would want someone without any strings, so they could travel whenever necessary.” Bravo.

“Yes. That would probably be easier for the person taking the position. Though I wouldn’t say it would be a deal breaker.” Of course not, because that would be illegal. Kenley only smiled.

“Okay, so I know you were adopted.” Her lip trembled, but she held it together. “And I know you’re no longer working at your job of six years at Hasher and Bourne.”

“That’s correct.”

“And what happened there?” Sidney asked as if this were the easiest question ever. It wasn’t.

Kenley swallowed and squared her shoulders.

“I’ve wanted to move back to New Haven for some time, actually. And I finally had the opportunity to explore that option recently.”

“Were you fired?” Sidney asked.

“Yes. I was.” Kenley’s shoulders slumped as she let out a sigh. “I’m never going to get a job, am I?”

“Let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet. I like that you didn’t lie. You twisted it pretty well, but it wasn’t a lie.” Sidney smirked.

Kenley felt her lips pull up on one side. “I would prefer to call it spin. It’s a marketing technique.”

“You’re pretty damn good at it.”

“I didn’t get past you.”

“Well, I have my mommy powers kicking in, so not much gets by me these days.” Sidney patted her stomach as Kenley nodded. “So since I know you won’t lie. Did you steal from the company?”

“No.” Kenley shook her head adamantly.

“Did you do something unethical?”

“No.” She really hadn’t.

“You can jump in here with the story at any time. I’m pregnant for crying out loud.”

“Ah, yes. I remember this stage of the pregnancy from my friends. The guilting-everyone-into-anything stage.”

“It’s turning out to be one of my favorites.” They laughed together.

“I was accused of sleeping with my boss’s husband during a party at their home.”

“And you didn’t?”

“No. Even if I was a homewrecker, which I swear to you I’m not, I’d at least have enough respect not to wreck the home while in the actual home.”

“And your employer didn’t believe you when you told her it wasn’t true?”

“I might not have handled the situation well. Instead of stating my case, and explaining I hadn’t had an affair with her husband, I may have looked appalled and said something to the effect of ‘There is no way in hell I would ever sleep with someone who looked like him.’ Afterward, I realized she might have taken that as an insult, having in fact slept with him herself many times.”