Altered Plans

by Atonia

Kim Barrett walked by his secretary’s office and stopped; Jean had her head in her hands with a box of tissues nearby, "Are you ill?"

Jean sniffed and plucked a tissue from the box wiping her eyes, "No, I’m not ill I’ll have the report to you in about ten minutes."

"No hurry, you’re upset why don’t you take a break?"

"I’m fine," she turned to her computer screen."

Kim looked at her a moment and walked on to his office. At one time he tried to get between the sheets with her but she was going with Richie Roberts at the time and then of course she moved on to the chef at Andy’s, March Nova.

He blew out a breath; he had his hands full now with Kimberly and Cara. He glanced at the photograph on his desk. They’d had a photographer in the children’s department downstairs last month and he’d had Kimberly’s picture taken. She was the most beautiful little baby girl in The Glen, at least he thought so.

A few minutes later Jean came in and handed him the report. "Thanks, Jean."

Jean burst into tears and turned to leave. Kim got up and went around his desk and turned her around.

"Okay, what’s up with you?"

"There’s not going to be a wedding…" she boo hooed, "He’s already married."

"What…who?"

"March…he’s married and I didn’t know…" she was crying on his shoulder now.

"What an arse, why did he lead you on…make you think… and you already had the dress picked out an altered. I am sorry, Jean."

She had herself a little under control now, "That’s it for me…no more, I’m swearing off men," she backed away from him, "swearing off."

"Take the rest of the day off, go get a manicure or something, get your hair done, buy something."

Jean looked at him like he’d lost his mind, "Are you serious?"

"Of course I am, a woman gets the wind knocked out of her she deserves something special, treat yourself," he reached in his wallet and handed her fifty dollars.

"Oh I can’t take this, thank you but…no."

"It’s only…oh well okay but take the day off, it’s on the house you don’t have to make up the time."

"Thanks…thank you Kim."

She walked back to her desk and quickly shut down her computer and gathered up her things before he changed his mind.

Poor kid and what a nasty thing for Nova to do, He thought. Cara came to mind and he wondered what size dress she wore, could the wedding dress Jean had altered possibly fit her?