Everything and Nothing

By Linda Kay Dalton

Is it by chance or divine destiny that an emergency evacuation brings new friends and an old admirer into Karen Langley’s life? What are the best security measures a department store could adopt to keep itself and its employees safe? Is Karen’s husband missing in action? She’s very much on her own out there on the farm. Are dreams just dreams, or is God trying to tell us something important? New best friend, Donna is desperate to know. And since when could expressing faith in Jesus Christ get a young person thrown into jail? Are miracles a thing of the past or do they still happen? Besides all this, can someone tell us why it seems that so many main-stream denominational churches are dying? Who can tell what the last days may bring or what our heavenly Father could possibly have in store for those who belong to Him? Karen Langley stays focused on her relationship with Jesus and doesn’t fret about the rest of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664287815

Linda Kay Dalton

Linda Kay Dalton is a Spirit-filled worship leader, song writer, artist and dreamer who lives in the Ohio Valley. Life experience and a vivid imagination enable her to create story lines that are exciting and believable. Her affinity for detail makes it possible to maintain several sub-themes as she weaves an interesting and thought-provoking tale of suspense and intrigue.

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Copyright © 2023 Linda Kay Dalton.

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue

in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8782-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8783-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-8781-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022923799

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/21/2023

Contents

Chapter 1   Emergency Meeting of Old Friends

Chapter 2   Stuck in a Motel

Chapter 3   Rise and Shine!

Chapter 4   It’s Back to Work We Go!

Chapter 5   Home on the Farm

Chapter 6   Alone Again, Country Style

Chapter 7   Sunday, Wonderful Sunday!

Chapter 8   Christianity - Everything and Nothing

Chapter 9   The FBI Gets Involved

Chapter 10   Anti-Christ, What Anti-Christ?

Chapter 11   Proselytizing 101

Chapter 12   Friends on the Farm

Chapter 13   Jack’s Job

Chapter 14   Marriage Troubles

Chapter 15   Spiritual Gifts

Chapter 16   Friendly Conspiracies

Chapter 17   House Warming

Chapter 18   The Sins of the Churches

Chapter 19   Lots Going On

Chapter 20   Revive Us Again!

Chapter 21   Of Loss and of Pain

Chapter 22   Dreams and Interpretations

Chapter 23   Botched Train Ride

Chapter 24   The Train… Remote

Chapter 25   Doers or Hearers Only?

Chapter 26   Thanksgiving Comes with a Challenge

Chapter 27   Jack - Undercover

Chapter 28   Arrested at Work

Chapter 29   A Day in Court

Chapter 30   Word of Knowledge

Chapter 31   Adventures: At Church and On the Farm

Chapter 32   And the Grand Prize Will Be…

Chapter 33   Does He Get It?

Chapter 34   Technological Turmoil

Chapter 35   Gotcha!

Chapter 36   An Afternoon With Friends

Chapter 37   It’s the Real Thing!

Chapter 38   Heroes and Victims

Chapter 39   Hostage in the Tunnel!

Chapter 40   Who’s in Control Here Anyway?

No One Like You

Chapter 1

Emergency Meeting

of Old Friends

Startled, Karen looked up from the sales terminal to an aisle on her left. A man disappeared from view, hidden now by shelves of tools in the Seeks hardware department. After finishing a customer’s purchase of a battery-powered impact wrench, she headed for the same aisle.

Karen Langley was tall, slender, forty-something – an attractive countrywoman whose lifestyle kept her body fit and toned. She considered her best feature to be her long, wavy hair. It was a natural mix of colors lightened by the sun. These ranged in quantity from the golden-blonde majority to multiple shades of brown, some hints of red, and a few gray strands. Being of Irish descent, her paternal grandmother always looked for the red in her hair. She delighted in seeing this genetic trait passed down to two of her grandchildren, the other being a male cousin. A friend once told Karen she was too old to have hair down the middle of her back. Other friends made her promise never to cut it. At times, even strangers commented on it. The style was simple. She trimmed it herself, keeping it long because that’s the way her husband liked it.

Five months ago, she started working at Seeks for the second time in her life. Twenty-six years earlier, she’d quit working in the store’s accounting office to give birth to her first child. Now she was back, waiting on customers in the hardware department.

The man she thought he might be was a friend of hers during that first stint at the store. Raymond Hardy was the display manager when she met him. Some years later, before Karen left, he was reassigned as manager of the appliance department. Shortly after she quit her office job, he transferred from the local store to parts unknown. From the back, it looked like him, but it was only a fleeting glance.

At the end of the aisle, hearing male voices, she cautiously leaned forward to peek around the corner. She was correct—It was Ray! He was talking with two other men. Standing there, she tried to decide whether it was good to interrupt their conversation. Ray caught a glimpse of her and did a double-take.

Karen! he exclaimed. Ray took three long strides in her direction as she stepped from her hiding place, then wrapped his arms around her in a friendly hug.

All the years spanning this present moment and the last time they’d seen each other seemed to disappear instantly – as if it was only yesterday when Ray handed Karen a brush and roller and showed her a wall that needed a coat of paint.

The other men didn’t have any choice but to end their discourse. They each nodded toward Ray, who no longer paid the slightest attention to them. He was holding Karen’s hand and grinning from ear to ear. They turned and walked away, leaving the old friends to become reacquainted.

I can’t believe it’s you, Ray said. How long has it been?

Oh my, a lot of years, Karen said. Seems like forever… seems like only a few days… How’ve you been?

She repositioned herself to better view the abandoned cash wrap and keep an eye out for customers. Of her co-workers, Nick was on his break, and Regina was sorting and hanging up a new stock of screwdrivers a couple of aisles over to the left.

The minutes slipped quickly away while Karen and Ray recounted old times, swapping stories about colleagues and events from the past.

Above their heads, the lights throughout the store suddenly dimmed for a few seconds, went completely off, and then came on again. After a brief pause, a siren began to wail. Through the PA system, a clear, sharp, male voice spoke urgently above the clamor, "Attention! Attention, please! No more sales will occur at this time. Sales associates, please finish transactions currently in progress before closing down all terminals. We have a Code Red emergency!

Attention, all shoppers not involved in a sales transaction. Stop whatever you are doing and walk quickly from the building. We are sorry, but no more purchases can be made at this time. I repeat: This is a Code Red emergency. Please. Exit. The store. Now!

When the announcement began, Ray turned sharply on his heel, saying, I’ve gotta go. I’ll try and catch up with you later.

The loud faceless voice continued to repeat itself. Karen hurried back to the cash wrap. Regina ran alongside, followed by a breathless Nick rushing from the breakroom. The three of them worked quickly, shutting everything down.

With one last glance at the hardware department, Karen wondered what it would look like when she saw it again. Is there a fire? Some kind of an attack? What could be happening here where she spent so many of her days and so much of her energy?

In recent times, acts of terrorism threatened the entire nation’s safety like an impending and unpredictable storm. Dark clouds of violence gradually reached past airports and government buildings to overtake shopping malls, sports arenas, and other civilian venues.

Seeks had an established evacuation plan, and the employees followed its instructions to the letter. After tending to their assigned area duties, they walked briskly from the sales floor, offices, or stock rooms, retrieving coats and other personal belongings on the way. They hurried down the stairs at the back of the store to board a subway train, ready and waiting to carry them away.

Using overhead cameras, specially trained security staff worked via radio contact with partners on foot, locating and removing patrons as yet unconvinced of any real danger. Of course, there could also be a darker criminal element who quickly saw a chance to loot the store. They wouldn’t want to pass up this grand opportunity for the sake of personal safety.

Two managers made a sweep of the windowless restrooms to ensure they were empty before the lights went out, plunging all into total darkness. Once all nonemployees were ejected from the building, the managers locked all exit doors.

Two teams of armed security guards, each holding master keys, worked in tandem to collect the detachable money drawers at the base of each sales terminal. They ran from cash wrap to cash wrap, pushing specially built carts, fitting each removed drawer into place. Once full, the carts were rolled down a ramp and safely secured on the train. The store’s money room also had a vault. The insurance carrier deemed it impenetrable and unmovable and allowed it to remain on site. It was imperative to handle the terminal monies in this way. Timing was everything!

Emptying the store went smoothly. Only eight minutes passed between the siren’s blare and the whooshing sound of the train’s glass and steel doors closing behind the last of the personnel.

Ray was out of breath when he found Karen already seated in the back of one car. He dropped into the empty seat beside her, reaching for her hand. Saying nothing, he held it tightly to his chest as if he were afraid to let it go. The train lurched forward and quickly pulled away from the tiny station.

These two companions had been friends many years ago. Even though he knew Karen had a fiancé when she first began work in the accounting office and he was married then, Ray flirted with her unashamedly. Though deeply attached to her fiancé, Karen would be the first to admit her delight in the extra attention. They took breaks together now and then and were often seen on the sales floor while Ray checked on display areas where his people busily worked.

At Seeks, nothing looked the same for long. Orders frequently arrived from corporate headquarters in Chicago instructing changes to be made. First, one department was carefully altered, and then another as Ray’s crew created that perfect look considered paramount to the store’s ongoing success.

Once, when Ray was shorthanded, he requested some of Karen’s hours be loaned out to his department. He quickly put her to work, painting divider walls and the larger-than-life Never-Die battery that sat out in the parking lot through a big sales event. She enjoyed being away from her desk and was sorry when he no longer needed her.

Ray was going through a divorce when Karen finally married her fiancé. Jack was a tall, handsome man, soft-spoken, genuine, gentle, and loving. Karen met him in high school and knew instinctively he was the one for her.

Jack loved rural life on his family’s farm, which eventually passed to him. Karen had grown up in the country too. She was used to baling hay for the cows, canning and freezing produce from the garden, picking black raspberries along the red-dog road, and strawberries from her grandfather’s half-acre patch. That’s the kind of life she wanted to live, the one she wanted for her future children.

She thought a lot of Ray but knew he was a worldly man. She didn’t have to think twice when he teased her about marrying him instead. Jack was her true love.

But things were different these days. Life was harder. At present, she was feeling very much alone in the world. Her children, Katie and Joseph, were grown and lived hundreds of miles away with young families of their own. Katie in Colorado and Joseph down in North Carolina. Karen didn’t have brothers or sisters, and her parents had moved from the old family homestead to Alaska. A retirement kick-off cruise caused them to fall in love with its beautiful, wild country. They lived close to Ketchikan, where the climate was relatively moderate in January compared with other parts of this northernmost state.

Karen had visited them twice. Once, she went up by herself after she and Jack had stayed with Katie and her new baby for two weeks. Jack had been required to return to work and couldn’t go along. A couple of years later, they were out at Katie’s again, welcoming baby grandson number two, and together, they made the detour up to Ketchikan.

It was a long journey out west from the Ohio Valley. Visiting Joseph down in North Carolina involved less effort, but it didn’t happen as often as they’d like. Thank goodness for phone calls, text messages, and social media that kept them in touch. And Katie and Joseph brought their families home to the farm in Ohio for a two-week visit every summer.

The momentum of the Seeks escape train changed. Karen, eyes closed, her head resting against the back of the seat, felt the difference. Glancing at her wristwatch, she observed Ray was no longer beside her. She remembered the release of her hand but wasn’t aware he’d gotten up. Immersed in her thoughts, the motion and rattling hum of the train must have caused her to doze.

Two security guards were in position at the doors of the first car. They commenced instructing the passengers, now on their feet, to disembark from the train, proceed across a narrow concrete platform and continue up a set of well-lit stairs. One security guard in each of the second and third cars gave the exact instructions to their passengers. The train was soon empty.

The reason for their plan to evacuate all the employees, keeping them together, was a little foggy. But the general idea was that if they moved away from the store as one body, they could efficiently return after the threat of violence had passed. Upon arrival, they would investigate the departments where they worked to see what was necessary for reopening. Of course, if any of the mall stores were severely damaged or destroyed, the entire mall would stay closed, and they could go home.

Though Karen had been present for only six, many evacuation drills had occurred at Seeks in the past two years. Now, increased frequency brought a practice run every two weeks like clockwork after the store closed for the night.

At first, it was done almost in fun, with the employees and staff pretending, in turn, to be sly thieves or dawdling customers whom security personnel would have to ferret out and shoo away from the building.

Bombing strikes against the highly-populated areas of New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, and Los Angeles tapered off a bit. However, like a runner who’d gotten his second wind, violence erupted in smaller cities throughout the nation. Additionally, contamination of a significant water source out west sounded the alarm for the entire country, and things became much more deliberate. Everyone working at Seeks was required to know proper evacuation procedures. They took it very seriously, indeed.

Scheduled drills were rehearsed repeatedly, sometimes late into the night, until they were done with speed and precision. But how could a mere exercise compare to real people under duress of an actual situation?

Never before had they come this far. Drills always ended once the seats of the subway cars were filled. If the timing of the completed exercise was within the acceptable range, everybody got off the train, climbed back up the stairs, and left the store; free to do whatever they pleased, to go home to their families or their pets, to sleep the night away safe in their beds.

But this time, no one knew what to think when they left the train platform behind and climbed the stairs. They emerged through a doorway at the top into what appeared to be an old restaurant.

The room was rather large, with a high ceiling covered in a strikingly decorative tern bearing a light copper-colored paint. Antique chandeliers and wall sconces produced dim but adequate light. Partly along one wall was a counter with half a dozen stools in front of it. Located a few feet behind the counter was a set of double doors barring the way to a kitchen. Off to the left was a wide, open stairway broader at the bottom, where the beautiful handrails curved outward on each side. The stairs led to a small, empty balcony, probably used by those who wanted a private, more intimate place to dine. Even further to the left, beyond the stairs, one entire corner of the room was formed by enormous plate-glass windows running from floor to ceiling and spanning both the main floor and balcony areas. These stretched out along the walls about ten feet in either direction. A couple of plain old, straight-backed, wooden chairs stood alone like cast-offs amidst the two walls of glass.

Karen headed for this corner. It looked like a cozy spot despite the hard chairs. She draped her coat over the back of one and sat down on the edge of its seat, balancing her purse in her lap. Her eyes moved slowly around the room as she took note of her surroundings.

Beautiful solid wood paneling and moldings brought elegance to the entire room. The wide boards of the floor, worn with age, were colored a soft, honey brown. Dozens of tables filled the large room. Some were round, some square, all made of wood. At least four chairs surrounded each table. About a third of them became occupied by the Seeks refugees.

It was dark outside. A cold October rain fell steadily with a soft patter, running down the panes of glass. Each drop left a glistening trail behind it that twinkled in the reflected light.

Karen looked at her watch again. When the alarm sounded and they left the store, her shift was almost over. Only a few hours remained until the mall would have closed for the night. She could only guess because she didn’t know how fast the train traveled, but she figured they must have come about twenty miles or so according to the length of time it took. She wondered how long they would have to wait until they discovered what was happening back at the mall.

So! What shall we talk about? Ray’s voice sounded light and carefree. But when Karen met his eyes, she saw concern and maybe a little uncertainty in his face. He had scanned the restaurant for Karen, spotted her, and made a beeline for the glass corner. He grabbed the back of the second chair, dragged it to a better position, and plopped down on it. What do you think of all this? He said with his face partly turned to the rest of the room.

I reeeally don’t know what to think, Karen replied with a frown. But I know I wouldn’t like being cooped up here very long, even though it seems nice enough.

I know what you mean. Hopefully, we won’t be here long. Ray slowly arched his back, pushing his arms out from his sides. When he leaned forward, he rested his elbows on his thighs. Hands clasped in front, he let his head drop. Its weight felt good as his tight muscles began to stretch and relax. When he straightened again, he said. I have to tell you; it sure is nice seeing you again.

It’s nice to see you too. Karen smiled and relaxed. Which Seeks stores have you been working in, and what brings you back to mine?

Let me see now…. He leaned back, sliding his feet forward to cross comfortably at the ankles. It must have been about six months after you left that I transferred to one of the Pittsburgh stores. A smile lit his whole face. Not as the appliance manager, but as the store manager.

Congratulations! Karen exclaimed. I always knew you’d have your own store one day. Do you like being the Big Boss?

It was okay, I guess, a huge change, that’s for sure. But not long after that, I moved into a different position, with my office up in Canton. Since all the threats and violence started, I’ve gotten involved with SEO. You know about Seeks Emergency Operations, right? When Karen nodded, he continued. I head up the department created to handle things like terrorist threats and attacks. I gave up the Big Boss title. Now it’s my privilege to develop contingency plans like this one. Ray waved one hand around the room and chuckled. Mine was one of the brilliant minds that came up with why we’re here right now.

You’ll be famous for all of this someday, Karen teased, making her own sweeping gesture with both hands, and I can say I knew you when….

Ha, ha.

A male voice resonated from the direction of the kitchen, announcing the arrival of coffee and donuts. People formed a line and filed past the counter where he’d placed them. Ray and Karen rose, joined the throng, helped themselves to the snacks, and returned to their seats.

Excited chatter buzzed through the room. Chairs slid across the floor as people got comfortable. The two companions enjoyed their refreshments in silence in their glass corner, watching the others while away the minutes.

The mood of the room had lightened when the food arrived. Four wiry young men who worked in Merchandise Pick-up were clowning around at the counter. One of them threw down a challenge to see who could spin his stool the fastest. The silly sport drew a lot of attention from spectators seated close by. They called out the contestant’s name, believed to have won each round. With a shout of victory, the winner rewarded himself with yet another donut.

Karen and Ray watched the fun, munching, laughing, and rolling their eyes.

So, Raymond, how soon do you think we’ll hear about what happened back at the mall? Karen finally asked. She took a slow sip of her coffee.

Shouldn’t be too much lo... The cell phone in his jacket pocket rang before he finished. He took it out and looked at the screen. Ah, speaking of which….

Karen watched him talk, then listen to the person on the other end of the connection, his face guarded. She couldn’t begin to guess the outcome. The man looks pretty much the same, she thought. Tall, dark-complexioned, though now primarily gray, his beard and mustache neatly trimmed. He’d put on only a few pounds, and Father Time had deepened the lines at the corners of his eyes and across his forehead.

A minute later, Ray put the phone away with a deep sigh. He rose from his chair with, Here we go, then walked toward the stool competition. Excuse me, everyone, listen up! Can I have your attention, please? He said with a loud voice. Stillness ensued. He said, I’ve had a call from the sheriff’s office. It was not a false alarm; we can’t go back tonight.

The host of people in the room moaned with one voice. A noisy jumble of questions caused Ray to wave his hands.

Wait! Let me finish! It grew quiet. "The air in the mall was contaminated. I’m sure you know air quality is monitored continuously. That system set off the siren we heard. Precise tests will discover the problem and how far it may have spread.

The mall’s air cleaning system should help contain the contaminant, and our store has its own system. They’ll run tests every few hours to check air quality at the mall and in town. There’s nothing to worry about at this juncture; no need to panic. The local Emergency Warning Systems will have alerted everyone in the area. This building is sealed off from the outside. Please follow Mr. Rogers over there. He’ll show you where to go.

Mr. Kenneth Rogers, the store manager, was standing beside a wooden door propped open on the far-right side of the room. Groans and grumblings came from all directions, but everyone got to their feet and obediently collected their belongings. A number of the younger ladies began to cry.

Karen walked along in silence. A familiar song came to mind. Peace infused her soul, and she gave voice to the comforting words. A – maz – ing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me….

Ray looked at her through the gathering stream of people. He remembered that she’d spoken to him of her faith long ago. He recalled a particular conversation in which he told her Christianity wasn’t for him. But now, simply knowing she had faith seemed to give him a sense of inner strength and peace. He remembered how unnerved he felt boarding the train earlier. That’s odd, he mused. Maybe I do need whatever it is her faith seems to give her.

Karen turned her head and caught his eye. The flow of people slowly funneled out of the room. She continued to sing. One or two husky voices and a sweet soprano joined hers in the old hymn, …was blind, but now, I see.

Chapter 2

Stuck in a Motel

A few steps beyond the door leading out of the restaurant was another door. This one was extra wide. It, too, was propped open with a rubber doorstop. Karen followed the others through and saw a long, carpeted hallway, many pairs of steel doors lining its length. They were in a motel.

Mr. Rogers, with papers spread out before him, was seated behind a narrow table inside the entrance to the hallway. Karen studied him.

He was dark-haired for his age, approaching sixty, with the slightest touch of gray at his temples. Good genes must run in his family, she thought. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes were hard to see if you didn’t try.

Karen recognized the man who sat next to Mr. Rogers. He was one of the two Ray spoke with when she first saw him. This man was in charge of a cardboard box that contained rows of small tan envelopes.

As each employee approached the table, Mr. Rogers scanned the pages of names. He called out a number and put a little checkmark on the list. The second man rummaged through the box, found the required envelope, and handed it to the employee. They likewise mentioned that towels and other items needed for the night awaited them in the rooms.

Often, someone asked if there were land-line phones. As hard as it was to believe, some people still refused to tie themselves to a cell phone. Those who did have them found they wouldn’t work in many areas and certainly not on the underground train.

Cell phone technology had met with an unprecedented reversal years ago when the Latest and Greatest Network Ever failed with a mighty crash. Experts were working on myriad problems. Thus far, only those with critical roles in society were permitted to have the most reliable and technologically advanced phones. Everyone else did the best they could with their old ones. And so, extremely few calls had gotten through from the restaurant, leaving most of the group anxious to get in touch with their loved ones.

Mr. Rogers gave them the low-down, ensuring everyone the opportunity to make one call from a phone in the kitchen. To keep confusion and foot traffic to a minimum, somebody would be coming to each room in turn. He hoped everyone would wait patiently and make their calls brief.

After Karen picked up her key card and room assignment, she walked down the hallway looking for the correct door number.

Ray caught up with her, touching her elbow. He leaned close to speak in hushed tones. Mr. Rogers and I worked out the room assignments. We wanted to be ready if we had to spend the night – in case you missed me before when the train stopped.

I wondered what happened to you, Karen interjected.

There’s been some confusion because we have an extra person who isn’t on our employee roster. We worked out the details and put her into your room. Could you keep your eyes and ears open? Maybe see what you can find out about her?

Karen looked up at him. You mean, spy on her?

Yeah, sort of… It’s probably nothing. Just see what your gut tells you. Be alert to anything that seems, Ray hesitated, a little off. My room is opposite yours, so you’ll know where to find me if you need anything. He stopped at the door on his right.

Ray, what did you mean when you said this building is sealed off? Does that mean we can’t get out? What if there’s a fire?

Yes, at the moment, we can’t get out. His face softened. But, we’ve thought of everything. Don’t worry; the fire-safe exit doors have an auto-release mechanism activated when somebody trips a fire alarm. You’re perfectly safe, no matter what happens. I promise. Ray turned aside, inserted his plastic card into the electronic door lock, pushed the handle down, and said, See you later.

Yeah, later, said Karen. She turned left and did the same thing, stepping inside.

It was an average room, like any motel. A bathroom enclosure and two double beds were on the left side, and a storage closet and dresser drawers were spaced along the right. There should have been a little table and chairs at the far end by the window instead of two small mattresses butted end-to-end on the floor. None of the beds were made up, except for mattress covers. A television was glaringly absent.

Looks like six to a room, said a cheery voice over her shoulder.

Karen turned to see a woman breeze past and plop down near the foot of the first bed. The stranger tossed her purse and jacket aside.

My name’s Donna. She smiled, her eyes dancing. Donna Masters.

I’m Karen Langley. Karen tried not to be obvious in studying the woman.

Donna was shorter and stockier, with a little gray mixed into shoulder-length brown hair. Her friendly face, highlighted by sparkling brown eyes, was full of character and pleasant looking. We must be close to the same age, she thought, saying, Nice to meet you. What department are you in?

Men’s Apparel, Donna answered. How about you?

I’ve been in Hardware for five months now. I don’t remember seeing you around. Karen considered Donna’s face. Should she recognize her?

I’m new, Donna said with a smile. She leaned back on her elbows to continue, I’ve got two whole days under my belt. Came just in time for all the action!

The door to the hallway opened again. Karen turned to see four more women enter the small room. A surprisingly young one immediately ducked into the bathroom, locking herself inside. Two took places on the unoccupied bed, and the last resigned herself to a mattress on the floor.

Karen recognized the mattress claimer, Alexandra Bailey, from the jewelry counter. She was an absolute knockout with a beautiful face, a terrific figure, and dark, almost black, wavy hair cascading below her waist. About twenty years of age, she’d come to Seeks after her high school graduation. They bumped into each other in the breakroom nearly every day. Quite often, they sat