Kim’s Deep Thinking Well

At 4:00 Kim walked out of his office with a stack of sales receipts and stopped by Jean’s cubicle. It was empty and he walked down the short hallway and ran into Mr. Brodie his accountant, “Have you seen Miss Robinson?”

Of course the complete staff of Barrett’s was now aware that Travis McGee had waltzed in and taken her away without so much as a word.

“I believe she has left for the day Mr. Barrett.”

“Left?” his chin came up, “when did she leave?”

“It was about half past eleven sir.”

His lips formed a thin line and he turned and dropped the receipts on her desk and went back to his office. He called her cell which went unanswered. He would dock her a day’s pay. Who did she think she was anyway? He may even fire her…could he fire her since she was a transfer? Surely he could, it was his store. He straightened his tie and stood up pushing his chair up to his desk. He didn’t like her attitude anyway.

He came out of his office and made his way down to the floor, a quick stop in the baby department for a matching sweater and cap and over to the toiletries for a set of shower gels and lotions. He was going to Coffs tonight to see Cara and Kimberly. He always took gifts even if sometimes they were thrown at him before he could get out of Cara’s door. For that reason he made sure he never took anything breakable.

He parked his little sports car in the parking lot and taking the nicely wrapped gifts he went to her building and knocked on her door. He checked his watch, he was right on time.

“Hello Kim, come in.” Cara held the door wide for him to enter.

“Something smells good,” He smiled his most engaging smile that bounced off Cara as she eyed the packages in his arms.

“Why do you always bring stuff, Kim?”

“Because I want to, where’s Kimberly?”

“She’s taking a nap, I fed her so she should be down for awhile.” Cara walked back into the kitchen to check on the steaks under the broiler.

Kim followed her seeing a bottle of wine and two glasses, one half full, he filled the other one. “So, how’ve you been?” The last time he’d seen her was the night of Andy’s last shout and they’d gotten into an argument and she’d tossed him and his bath powder out of the door making a terrible mess in the hallway which he dusted himself off as best he could quickly left and found a pub.

“I’m doing fine, working…coming home and taking care of the baby, paying my bills.”

“I wanted to talk to you about that, I know the last time I was here I may have been a little... um... let’s say, hard headed. But I’ve had a think about it Cara and the store is doing a smashup business. Why don’t I pay your rent here for this apartment.”

“All I asked was that you take care of the medical insurance for Kimberly and myself.”

“Oh that goes without saying, of course I will, like I said, I had a think about it.”

“I’d rather pay my own rent,” she eyed him, “I don’t want you waltzing in and out of here like you owned the place.”

“No, no I wouldn’t…only at your invitation.”

She gave the steaks a final turn and put them back under the broiler. “Don’t hold your breath.”

“Nice wine…you know Cara I would do a lot more for you if you’d let me. I feel responsible.”

Cara turned and met his eyes, “Are you okay? Where did this come from?”

“From the deep well of thinking I’ve been doing.”

Cara picked up her wine glass and took a sip, “Careful you don’t drown in that well. This is so unlike you.”

“I’m trying, if you’ll just give me a chance.” So far so good.