she was reading the schedule right, they closed for Friday afternoons.
She found herself wishing to sit in on these different workshops and group sessions. Maybe if they let her come back as a client, she would. Any option they offered her, she would take it.
It was nearing four in the afternoon when the office began to thin out. And then Fran was standing in her office doorway again.
“Adele, would you please step into my office?”
“Of course,” she said. She followed Fran inside and saw that Ross and Felicity were there, as well.
“Have a seat,” Fran said. “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. I assumed you were the temp I called. About an hour ago I had a phone call from the agency apologizing for the fact that our temp hadn’t shown up. Apparently she had a sick child and car trouble and a host of problems and didn’t contact the agency to say that she wouldn’t make it that day until after noon.”
Adele was stunned. Of all the explanations she’d considered, that one had never come up. All she could say was “Oh.”
“You didn’t say anything,” Fran said.
She looked at their faces. Ross looked a little angry, but then Ross seemed to look a little mad even when she was happy. Felicity looked confused. “I didn’t know you were mistaken. I thought you were throwing me into a job to see what I could handle. I came here to get advice. On getting a job.”
“You’re a client?” Fran asked. “You were looking for a reentry program?”
She nodded.
“What’s your story? Why have you been out of the workforce?”
She told them her story and why she had shown up there that morning.
“What about school?” Ross asked.
“I have a degree but no teaching certificate. I might be able to get a job in a private school. I haven’t really looked. And I’m not sure my goals are the same... I’d like to say I’m going to change my course of study but the truth is, I’m almost out of money and...and I need to work.”
“Would you like to come back tomorrow morning as a client? Fill out the intake form and sit with one of our counselors?”
“That would be very nice of you,” she said.
“Well then—”
“Or I could come back and work as your secretary. Until your regular secretary comes back,” she said boldly. “I would love to do that.”
“Why?” Ross asked with a slight frown.
“It’s a great job,” Adele said. “I loved meeting the women. I didn’t try to counsel them but I did talk with them. This is a very good place. I liked what I did today.”
“But—” Fran began.
“It’s the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” Adele said. “I felt needed. I know it was a mistake, but it’s the best mistake I’ve made in years. And if you need someone...”
“We usually do a background check, interview, check references...” Fran said.
“I’m not wanted or anything,” Adele said. “I always pay my bills on time and haven’t worked for anyone but my parents for eight years. My sister has always said I couldn’t tell a lie if my life depended on it. Won’t you think about it? I know it was an accident, but I think I did it well.”
Fran seemed to be thinking this over. “Can you go back to your desk and give us a little time to discuss this?”
“Sure,” she said. “I think I could do even better tomorrow. Really.”
Adele sat impatiently at her desk, wishing she could be part of the discussion happening in Fran’s office. She had assumed Ross and Felicity were part of the management of this office; now she was sure.
She looked at her watch. Four ten. She got her phone out of her purse and turned it on to check her messages. There was only one text. I hope you’re having a great day! Jake. It was four fifty before that door opened again. By now the office waiting area was empty, though there was one group session