Al said, 'Yes, Anna, I could use a cup'.
Anna was looking at Al, and as she said
'Coming right up', she turned and looked
at me. I guess I was still looking at her
because our eyes locked for a second.
It was the longest, most beautiful second
in my life. Her eyes seemed to light up,
as a slight smile formed on her lucious
lips, then she turned and walked away.
Believe me, I tried not to watch her walk
away. I couldn't help myself.
Al was looking at me, as I turned to
face him. He had one eyebrow slightly
raised, and was peering at me,
questioningly. 'We aren't gonna have a
problem with you two, are we?' Al asked
sternly. 'No, of course not!' I said, feeling
a little heat in my cheeks.
Al kinda chucked and pat me on the back
as he said, 'Good! Now let's get our day
started. All the information in the filing
cabinets are alphabetized, and catagorized
by name. Each file should be complete with
financial statements, assessments, receipts,
bills, and all other records of transactions.
When you get all squared away, I would
like for you to start with Parks & Rec.
When you get that old Mac unplugged,
let me know and I'll move it.'
'Sure thing', I said, turning to the dusty,
cluttered desk and chair. 'I should have
all this cleaned up before lunch'.

Chapter 8

I unplugged the Mac, dusted it off,
wiped down the slightly discolored
keyboard and trackball mouse. Gathered
up all the cords and put a thick rubber
band around them.
I went and got Al, and he grabbed it all
and took it to his area.
I gathered up all the papers, folders, and
all the other odds and ends that were on
the desk and put it in a box temporarily.
I wiped down my desk, the filing cabinets,
and all the other surfaces in my area that
had accumulated dust.
I cleaned out the drawers and put all the
papers and items into the box, and wiped
them out. I wiped down the adding
machine that had been covered in paper
work, and plugged it in. I wiped down
the desk lamp, removed the bulb, wiped
it off and put it back in the lamp.
Turning on the light, I grabbed the box
I put everything in, and started to go
through it.
I catagorized it all by county building and
date, and paper clipped them.
As I was going through the first filing
cabinet drawer, Al walked up. 'Here's
a key to the front door, Jim. We usually
leave for lunch, but you can do whatever
you like. If you would rather pack a lunch
and eat here, go get something to eat, or
go home, it's up to you. We usually do
a one hour lunch. I don't worry about a
few extra minutes, Jim, like I said, no
pressure here. As long as we get our final
numbers in to the Government by the end
of next month, we are good here.'
Looking at the clock on the wall, I said,
'Sure, ok, Al. I'll probably go home for
lunch. Wow! Where did the time go?'
Al chuckled a little, and said, 'See you
later.' I heard him walk away and say,
'See you in a little bit Anna'. Her sweet
voice trailing after him, Ok, Al... Bye'.
I was dusting myself off when Anna
appeared in front of me. 'Got any plans
for lunch Jim?' She asked.
'I thought I'd go home and make lunch',
I answered.
'Well... There's a really good sandwich
shop over on 9th street. Would you care
to join me?' Anna asked.
I said, 'That'd be great, Really. Thank you
Anna'.
'Good'. She said smiling. 'Lets go dirty boy'.
We walked out the door, and Anna
locked it behind me.
I asked, 'my vehicle, or yours?'
She started walking toward the Ford, and
said, 'Yours. Mine is messy. I gotta clean
it out'. I walked to the passenger door of
the Ford, unlocked it and let her in.
Walking around the front, I approached
the drivers door to put my key in, but
she already unlocked my door.
She had passed the first of many tests.
It only took a couple of minutes to get
to the locally owned delicatessen. I was
surprised to see a lot of cars.
'They make the best sandwiches for
miles', Anna said, hoping out with a
hungry grin on her beautiful face.
There were tables outside, with the
traditional red and white checkered
table cloth. The traditional yellow and
red, mustard and ketchup bottles, clear
salt and pepper shakers with chrome
caps. A chrome napkin holder with a
menu tucked into the back. Red high
back cushioned metal chairs. Patio
lights of red and white strung in a criss
crossing pattern above the patio area.
It was a red and white wooden building,
with a walk up window, a drive up
window and a lobby that seat about 30
people. The people that were out on
the patio payed us no mind. I was
half expecting everyone to start staring
at me, but that didn't happen. In fact,
even people out walking didn't act the
same as I drove Anna and I to the deli.
I thought to myself, 'What an odd little
town'.
Anna walked up to the outside walk
up window, and motioned for me to join
her.
'Yes, What can I...