Novel: Chapters 7,8 and 9

Chapter 7
(from Chapter (6) The contractor had brought in the 'wrong' colored granite and her father had a huge fit.

(7) All in all it turned out the way her father had wanted...it was just sad that he didn't get to see the finished project that he had so carefully designed. She felt her eyes sting as she thought of her him, he had been a wonderful father to her and had made sure that she was well taken care of actually for the rest of her life and leaving the newspaper to her was like she still had him with her each and every day. "Happy thoughts" he always had said, "Always have happy thoughts." She indeed have just that whenever she thought of him or just admired what he had worked so hard to build. As she walked over to the window she looked out of over the city she could see the clouds that looked like big puffs of cotton. She smiled when she saw one that looked like a "D" - to her this was just another sign that her father was indeed watching over her. "What's that smile for?" asked Bonnie. "Oh, just 'happy thoughts'" Shelly replied. "I see the buffet is ready so let's eat." As Shelly and Bonnie walked over to the serving table the last dish came out of the kitchen. "It's all piping hot now guys so be careful" Marla said. Marla was the from the catering company and knew that kitchen better than anyone. She always came and brought three of her best with her. They stood behind the serving table with their hands behind their backs in heavily starched chef's jackets and hats to match. Shelly waved to everyone to come and eat and then to Marla. "Marla, you've just out done yourself today, it all looks wonderful!" she blew her a kiss. "You know you sound so much like your father Shelly when you say that, he always said the exact same thing and always blew me a kiss." Marla said with a smile. Shelly winked at Marla and said, "that's the biggest and best compliment I've had in a long, long time Marla, thank you." "OK now guys EAT" Marla said actually in quite a loud tone, but it did indeed get their attention. Everyone grabbed their plates from the table and as they did Marla motioned with her hand, sort of waving her off almost for Wendy to serve the rolls at the tables. Wendy was Marla's number one helper. Anytime Marla had to cater to THE DAILY she always brought Wendy. The rolls were laid on a warming cloth and then tucked neatly in a basket with butter. She carried the tray around to each table that she saw and sat down a basket of rolls down. Shelly walked over to Wendy and said, "How've you been Wendy?" as she did she opened one of the baskets and reached in and took out a roll. She took a bite of the roll and it just almost melted in her mouth, she totally loved these home-made yeast rolls and could eat her weight in them for sure. "I've been ok, a little tired though" Wendy said in sort of a 'shy' way and Wendy was by far shy. "What's the matter Wendy, why are you so tired, you look great, almost glowing. Oh..I wonder if that 'glow' could mean..." "Yes it does" Wendy said with a huge smile. "Oh wonderful Wendy, congratulations to you and your husband" "Oh thank you Shelly but I promised myself I'd at least wait another year before we would have another, but it just happened." Shelly looked at Wendy and turned her head sort of sideways, "now if I recall right this means number three doesn't it?" "It sure does Shelly and it means that it's the 'last' one that we're going to have, our family is now complete." "Ok now Wendy you go into the kitchen and grab a big bowl of ice cream and I'll get the rolls out on the table and take a rest, we can have you running around like crazy when you need to rest." "Oh for heavens sake Shelly, you sound like Marla. I am 'just fine' and I would much rather just get the rolls passed out and pour the drinks and then I'll take you up on the ice cream ok?" Shelly giggled, "Ok, but remember if you have a girl name her after me." and winked. "But really if you need to sit down just let me know and I'll understand ok?" Wendy looked at Shelly and said, "you're a doll Shelly, thanks but I'm only 10 weeks, I've gotta lot of time yet before I have to get off my feet." Shelly took another bite of her roll and blew Wendy a kiss and then blew another kiss and pointed it towards her belly. Wendy laughed and placed the last basket of rolls on the table. She went over to the water picture and started filling the water glasses and putting little monkey dishes of lemons by each one. "Are you gonna eat today Shelly?" Marla asked. "Why of course, but I just had to chat with Wendy for bit and heard the good news." "I know, we're all tickled" said Marla. "This is her third one you know and she says it's her last, but I bet she'll want another." Shelly smiled at Marla, "I want to have just one before I get too old." "Oh stop Shelly, you've got plenty of time, just wait and see. Now what would you like today, the beef, chicken or the shrimp?" Shelly studied the table for a moment and headed towards the salad, "I think I'll start here." The salad station was her favorite. (to be continued)

Chapter 8:

"Oh the salads look wonderful." Shelly said and stood eyeing the salads that Marla had prepared for today. She remembered ordering the Chinese Chicken salad, the Greek salad, and also the awesome Romaine hearts with blue cheese with walnuts on top. As she put a dab of the Chinese Chicken salad on her plate she also tossed a few of the fresh steamed prawns on the side. "I'll start here for now, but I'll be back" "I bet you will, because you can't resist my eggplant with a bit of angel hair macaroni and my 'special' marinara gravy." As Marla said this Shelly turned around to comment but Marla was already putting some of that delicious eggplant and macaroni with the gravy onto Bonnie's plate. "Oh sweetie that stuff is addicting" Shelly told Bonnie. "I've always wanted to try it, but never have, it looks delicious." Shelly walked over to the table where Lorraine was sitting. She noticed that Kathy and Margaret were sitting together with their heads together talking 'very' low. She giggled to herself as she walked by and said, "I've got a secret." Well...Kathy and Margaret both sat straight up with their eyes round as quarters and said, "WHAT?" "I'm only joking, silly." Shelly laughed as she headed toward Lorraine. "Wait here Shelly eat with us" Kathy said. "Well actually I think that I need to speak to Lorraine about the week-end because I think her grand daughter is going to stay with me to give her a break; so I wanted to sort of see what she likes to do, but thanks anyway." The table for a seating of 12 was empty and the the tables with seating for 4 were half full. She noticed that the men (some acting like boys) were eating with each other and the ladies were eating with each other. Being in an office she knew that 'everyone' including MEN knew how to gossip. She had 'nothing' for such. She stopped it every chance she got. Her father would have rolled over about now because he always insisted that "In my house we all sit together; not here there and everywhere; but together." She'd made a mental note of the next luncheon she would have nothing but the seating for 12 set up so they could all sit together. As she passed by everyone she just smiled and finally was sitting down beside Lori. "Gezzz..it seems like everyone wants to chat today?" Lori said. "Well, I don't mind you know but I wanted to speak to you about this week-end and Katherine." "What about my grand daughter" Lori said as she put some butter on a piece of italian bread. "Well, Lori I just thought that if you let Katherine stay with me this week-end that it'd give you and Pete a little break, and I need the company." Shelly picked her napkin up and laid it in her lap and took some of the lemons and squeezed them onto her prawns. She picked one up and dabbed it in a little coctail sauce. "YOU need company Shelly?" Lori asked as she turned her head a little sideways. "Well..it's just that when I was in the park before the meeting I stepped on a ring and I want to research it on the internet and I know that Katherine would love to help me solve this mystery." "You 'found' a what in the park?" "A ring, I was just walking and stepped on it, but it's not your ordinary ring because when I picked it up it actually made my hand warm." Lori let out a laugh that made everybody look..Shelly just smiled and shusshed Lori. "Honestly I think that Katherine would like to help me research this. Anyway I'm going to put an ad in the paper in the Lost/Found section to see if anyone has lost a ring in Central Park. Plus...I want to take her to the art gallery because I know she loves art and I thought it would be fun. By the way, what else does she like to do?" as Shelly took another bite out of her prawn Lori looked at her and put her fork down. "Now it appears to me you have this all figured out don't you?" "Well actually down to the place where you and Pete will be this week-end; you and your husband will be staying in a very nice hotel with a lovely view of the river and have the full spa treatment, and before you say anything else I know that Pete doesn't have to work and you both could use a little time 'together'." "Oh Shelly it sounds wonderful and I certainly could use a little unwinding because I do feel wound too tight, so I certainly accept your invitation as long as you tell me more about this ring you found." Lori picked her spoon and fork back up and dug in the macaroni twirling the fork along with the spoon ("the 'correct' Italian way of eating macaroni" her father had always said) "Oh well now I don't know much I put it in my coat pocket and it's in my office, but I know that there's something 'special' about this ring, I just know it. But Lori, do me a favor and not say anything to anyone because I don't want them to think I've totally lost my mind." Wendy walked over to her table and poured some more water and asked, "you ladies need anything?" "Whew probably another stomach to hold some more food" Lori said with a giggle. "I'm fine, thanks Wendy" Shelly said. "OK now give me the goods on this ring Shelly" Lori got kind of close to her and was looking right into her eyes. Shelly smiled and said, "well now I'm sure that Katherine will be able to tell you more about it when we research it this weekend." Rolling her eyes Lori said, "ok. ok . ok already, she can stay this week-end." Shelly was delighted. She really was going to welcome the company, plus she had already planned to put a tent in her living room so they could 'camp out' and look for clues about this ring. (to be continued)

Chapter 9:

As Lori agreed to Shelly keeping her grand daughter for the week-end her thoughts went to the ring that was still in her coat pocket in her office closet. She then wanted to rush back to her office and look at this jewel that she had found. "HELLO...earth calling Shelly" Lori said. "Oh, sorry but I was just thinking about the ring in my pocket in my closet. I must remember to put it in the LOST/FOUND column because it really looks expensive and it's certainly 'very' rare." as Shelly said this she took bites of her salad and a low "mmm" came from her lips. "This is just really the best salad in the world Lori, you wanna try it?" "Oh sweetie I've got plenty right here and I really have eaten too much, no room for desert for me." Shelly looked around and saw that there were only 2 more people to introduce themselves at the meeting and then she could give her little spill and then and only then was she going to be able to get back to her office and the ring. The man that had said hello to her as she entered the meeting was part of her staff and she felt ashamed that she couldn't recall his name. He was brand new to their paper and his name wasn't even on the itinerary she had drafted for everyone. Then there was Jane. Jane was a tall slender blonde bombshell. She only had one purpose in her life besides work and that was her only child, Kristi. Jane used to run a day care center from her home and then decided it would benefit her a bit more to get out of the house some. As everyone made their way to the desert tables she excused herself and headed toward the meeting room. "Hey guys when you're finished I'll be in the meeting room." "Wait, you don't want any desert or coffee?" Wendy said. "Oh, let me take me a cup back with me, I think I'm going to need it, thanks Wendy." as Wendy poured the coffee she held up the butter pecan creamer and had a look as if this was ok, Shelly held up one thumb as if saying that was great. She took her coffee and went back to the meeting room. She scanned several notes that this man who's name she couldn't recall and found nothing except he was very detail orientated. She also noticed a drawing on the side of his notepad that was of a face, a woman's face, it was of HER! Looking puzzled but intrigued she sat down in her chair and waited on the others. Her thoughts were again on the ring, then went to the reason Bonnie wanted to meet with her in the morning, what she would plan to do with Katherine; Lorraine's grand daughter, wondering what in the world would an 8 year old girl would want to do all week-end. She looked down at her nails, she definetly needed to make an appointment to get a fill-in because they were looking a bit haggered. Shelly was always groomed to the max when she was at the office and that included her hair, nails, clothes, even down to the subtle perfume she had chosen from Paris. She held up her wrist and sniffed, the patchouli she could smell with bits of vanilla. Then the door opens and in walks her assistant Bonnie and the others. All of them still talking about what a wonderful meal that was and how stuffed they were. Lots of "no way was I going to have desert" Margaret said as she held her hand to her stomach, "I think I would bust." "Oh I absolutely loved the chocolate mousse." Jane said. "a perfect ending to a perfect meal." Shelly stood and said, "Ok everyone, let's settle it and finish with the introductions, we've got 2 people left, so let's get started." Jane stood up and took her hands and pushed her long straight hair back away from her face, "I guess I can go next because it's just me and Paul left." "That'll be fine Jane, by all means go ahead." Shelly said and then she remembered his name after 'hearing' it...Paul. She was looking at Paul the entire time Jane was speaking. He had a pen in his hand and was twisting the top around and around, she suspected this had to be a habit since there were several pens around his area that had no tops, probably due to the fact that he twisted them to pieces. "Well I'm Jane and I am in charge of the 'Activity/Entertainment' column for the paper. Now this doesn't just mean activites for children, but 'any' kind of activity. Anything from concerts coming to the city for adults as well as children. Going to plays, movies, anything that is going to benefit 'anything' then I'm the one to come to. And by the way I have one child and married to a wonderful man that works for the post office, have been for 12 years now. That's it for me." "Ok that just leaves you Paul" Shelly said. He was staring at her but didn't appear to be listening. "Paul? it's your turn." "Oh" he said, "Ok well as you know my name is Paul and this is only my first week with the paper. I've been here before when Shelly's father had asked me into a meeting to be somewhat of a mediator between him and other parties involved. Mainly to deal with all the construction that he had going on, just making sure he didn't get the 'run around' if you know what I mean." "What exactly do you do now?" Shelly asked. She was certainly intrigued by this gentleman, he had blue eyes that when you looked into them it almost looked like the ocean. His hair was groomed short and combed back in a very sexy sort of way. "Well I am in charge of mainly the Problem Solving here at THE DAILY. Your father; as I said before wanted to make sure that you didn't run into any problems with anyone and drew up a contract for me to basically make sure that you had 'no' problems with anyone or anything." "So basically you're like a protector of the paper?" Shelly asked. "Yes as well as you" Paul answered. Shelly smiled, "Could you do me a favor Paul? I'd like for you to meet with me after the meeting in my office because there is something that I want to discuss with you." "You having a problem with someone already Shelly?" Paul asked and looked concerned. "Oh not at all Paul, just something I found in the park and I would like your opinion on it" "Be glad to help any way I can" Paul replied. "Ok now that we've introduced ourselves and know what everyone does I'd just like to say that I know that the next few months are going to be hard due to 9-11. It will be one year next month and we need to acknowledge this day with the upmost respect for those that lost their lives and those that lost loved ones. If any of you want to put in an article please just pass it by me first and I actually encourage you to gather your stories early. Some writers/reporters are going to be taking pictures of the activity going on down there but this paper will not be one of them." "Well why not?" Kathy pipped up. "I mean I think it's important that people see if there is any improvement to the area, don't you think so?" "You might have a good idea Kathy, why don't you go down and see what improvements you can see then let me know because what I've seem has been horrible." Everyone here had their own column but also had the capability of gathering their own stories for the paper. Another thing her father made sure of was to let the people that worked for THE DAILY actually be involved with every aspect of it. "You must love what you do in order to do it correctly Shelly. If you get in a rut then there's always another avenue to take without having to leave the street." her father had told her many times; which she translated in her own way to mean that if someone got bored with their column then they could go out and FIND a story if they wanted to. "Ok guys I just want you to think about next month and also to thank all of you for doing such a wonderful job. The paper is doing better this time this year than it was this time last year. Remember we're getting so much mail for the columns that we can't answer all of them 'in print in the paper' but I do want them answered even if we have to mail them or email me back if they provided that information. Ok, if there are no questions I really have to get to my office to submit to the LOST/FOUND column." Everyone just looked at each other and shook their heads nodding. "Ok then all set, but one more thing, I know that my father had an open door policy and please let's keep that going and also keep the lines of communication open between us. Any of you need to talk, please feel free at any time." With that everyone started to get up and take their pens and pads with them. Shelly stuffed some papers into her briefcase and started out of the door. "Right behind you" Paul said. (to be continued)