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After kissing Jeff and the kids goodbye, Heather pulls the keys from her pocket and gets in a blue Prius. Checking the review mirror, she starts the engine, and her white knuckle drive to work. Byron St. is rammed, I'm going to be late, she thinks. The phone rings, she clicks on the blue button on the blue tooth ear piece. “Hello?” “Is this Ms. Smith?” “Yes, who am I speaking too?” “It's Lorianne from Meadows Long Term Care.” Is this it? “Hello Lorianne, is my mother alright?” “Oh yes, she's fine.” Heather presses her lips together. “And what can I do for you?” “Well, actually there is something, we are planning a party for your mother's eightieth birthday and wanted to ask if you might like to bring a special cake for the occasion?” The digital clock on the dashboard reads 8:30, nope, no time to worry about this now. “Uh, can you folks make the arrangements please, unfortunately I'm involved in a complex project at work and don't have time.” Lorianne hesitates, “Sure Ms. Smith, uh thank you for your time.” With minutes to spare Heather arrives at the office. She picks up the oversized bag from the passenger seat and grunts. It’s heavy as hell. Rifling through it --notebook, lunch, water bottle, wallet, keys-- all present and accounted for. She slings the strap over her shoulder, walks up the steps and through the glass doors of building 5, Norwest St. On the 2nd floor the elevator opens and she breathes in the smell of musty smell of a very old building. She strides down the hall to the last door on the right. Deep breath in, deep breath out, she grabs the knob and opens the door. The pretty receptionist, sitting behind the desk in the main lobby, smiles at her. Shannon's a petite red-head, fair-skinned with green eyes and a severe case of Rosacea, Heather likes her. “Good morning, is he in yet?” She asks, pointing toward the boss’ office. Shannon stands up and grabs a stack of mail sitting atop the edge of the desk. “Awe look,” she says, holding up a flyer with smiling children on the cover. “There's a request to help build a peaceful compound in Madagascar. I'm going to approach Dave, maybe NESG will sponsor it this Christmas.” Heather laughs, good luck with that. “So is he in?” Still looking

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