Angela's Plans

Flash Fiction

Angela’s Plans

Sandy was upset walking back. Just a quick trip to the lady’s room, but a humongous pile of work had landed on her desk.

“Did Mr. Benson leave these?” she asked Angela, who’s desk was across from hers.

“I saw him stop for a second, but didn’t see what he left,” Angela said, quietly.

“This’ll take me all day and I probably won’t even finish! Why does he do this?”

“Probably because you’re the best at getting things done.” Angela said. “I sometimes feel like a turtle watching you.”

Sandy laughed, “I’m just used to it, that’s all. You’ll be finishing faster as soon as you get the hang of it.”

Angela was a new hire; Sandy had been one of her “teachers” the first few weeks. “I don’t know if I’m going to make it…” she added, quietly.

“You don’t mean that,” Sandy said, you’re doing fine. It’s expected of new hires.”

“Thanks for the optimism, I hope you’re right,” Angela said, turning back to her work.

Sandy looked at Angela’s desk, it was so neat and clean. Sandy’s was a mess even if you took the new pile away. Suddenly it seemed odd that Angela’s desk was so clean. She remembered her first days at the office, piles galore.

Then Mr. Benson called her over. More work?

But the first thing Benson said was, “You are spoiling that girl! Stop doing her work or she’ll never learn.”

“I’m not doing her work…” Sandy said, confused.

“Oh really, well, it all seems to move to your desk as soon as I turn my back on it…

Angela didn’t last another day in Benson’s office. But Frank Shiffer’s office hired her next. She worked there for two whole months before Frank married her.

Angela usually did make pretty good plans…