Focusing on the list in front of him, he cleared his throat, “They even listed the kitchen sink. I mean, really, the kitchen sink. One of them wrote they wanted the, and I quote ‘pink fuzzy slippers that always sat under the dressing vanity in the bathroom.’ I hate to say it, but I don’t think it was Jamma that asked for those.”
Elizabeth couldn’t retain the giggle that escaped from behind her hand. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it all work out for both of them.”
Leaning back, he stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankles. Breathing deep, he forced himself to relax. She was right, of course. That was why all his friends came to him if and when the need for a separation arose. They trusted him to take care of their every need. Although this particular case could turn out different.
With a smile spreading across his face, he said, “I’m sure you’re right. It’ll work out. But I’m not sure either of them will be happy, no matter what happens.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Charles sent a lingering look in her direction. There was nothing she could do for him. Perhaps a better question was what he could do for her. What could he do to keep her safe once everything went down?
She continued to stare at him with those big doe-like eyes, waiting for an answer. Finally, he said, “Yes, take these briefs and type them up. Get George on the line for me. I need to see if he’ll meet his mother and me for lunch today.”
She nodded as she jotted down her notes. When she finished, Elizabeth headed toward his doors and the front office which contained her own desk.
“And Elizabeth,” Charles said, stopping her before she closed his office door. She turned to face him. As she stared at him, he studied her mussed appearance. The skirt she wore touched the ground. Her curly mass of hair spread out at least six inches on either side of her head. This disguise had kept her from harm for months; now all of that might be about to change. Before he changed his mind about maintaining the secret, he added, “Thanks.”
“Of course,” she said. A genuine smile rested on her lips as the door clicked shut behind her.
****
Elizabeth spent the rest of the afternoon at her desk typing and listening to the elevator music that played throughout the office. The law offices of Hampton, Hampton, and Hampton consisted of three floors. Each floor contained one partner, several lawyers and many assistants. Her position was a special one. In essence, she was the head assistant, not in charge or control, but rather one who knew everything that occurred in the building. Every case taken by the lawyers in the firm first came through Charles Hampton’s office and therefore fell across her desk.
Sometimes the mere fact that she held such an important position astounded her. Trust between Elizabeth and Mr. Hampton was vital. Simple things had been asked of her to maintain this trust.
Fingering the material of her clothes, Elizabeth released a pent-up breath and walked to the long row of windows and looked outside.
Charles Hampton, her boss, was the senior member of the firm. He had the best floor, located at the top of the building. From this position, one could see the outstretched arm of the Statue of Liberty. Those in the lower tiers called it “The Penthouse.”
The next floor down was for George Hampton, Charles’ eldest son. Then one more floor below contained the last part of the firm. It belonged to Henry Hampton. Henry, the youngest of the family, had just joined the firm about three years before. Among all three of the members, the law firm of Hampton, Hampton, and Hampton could take on just about any case imaginable.
Charles’ specialty was contract law. George defended white-collar crime and the youngest son, dubbed ”little Henry,” had taken on divorce and injury law. Although all of them took other cases on occasion. The firm was a smorgasbord. When you came to Hampton, Hampton, and Hampton, it was like going to a buffet. They had a little bit of everything to choose from.
Under each of the Hampton men, there was another tier of lawyers. And under each of those lawyers was a layer of paralegals, assistants, and other personnel. In all, the firm employed anywhere from fifty to one hundred employees, and right now Elizabeth was at the pinnacle of the operation.
Elizabeth had graduated law school in her early twenties and went into practice in her hometown in Tennessee. When her aunt Mary, who lived in New York, passed away, she left Elizabeth a townhouse with a half-paid mortgage in her will. Elizabeth left her job and her family and moved.
Upon arriving in New York, she realized she no longer wanted to be the lawyer working eighty hours a week with no home life, no family. While skimming ads in the newspaper, she found an advertisement for a position at the Hampton law firm. It was just an assistant’s position, but proved to be steady work with set hours and decent pay.
Elizabeth had jumped at the chance. Now she was the assistant to the top man of the entire firm. She loved it. He was a great man to work for. His wife, Janice, was a dear. The three of them got along fabulously.
The only downside to working at the firm had been a change in attire. There was no chance Elizabeth would ever be included in a fashion magazine, that was certain. Before getting the job, she had worn clothing that at least fit her body. Elizabeth walked back to her desk and sat down. Sighing deeply, she shuffled through the papers on her desk and thought about Janice’s request.
When Elizabeth was hired, Janice had taken her aside and explained the situation. “You’ll be handling some very important documents while you work in this office.”
“Yes, of course,” Elizabeth had dutifully nodded.
With their arms interlocked at the elbows, Janice had them pacing the room. “I don’t know if you understand the gravity of the situation. My husband works with high profile businessmen. People who wish to keep their secrets secret. Therefore, I have a request.”
Elizabeth simply nodded and waited.
“I would like for you to dress less obviously.”
“Excuse me?”
“My dear, I want you to downplay your appearance. You know, look like a frumpy housewife or something. Wear sweat pants, pull your hair back in a ponytail—I don’t really care. Just anything to keep from placing attention on yourself.”
Elizabeth had readily agreed. She needed the job to pay for the townhouse. Besides, Janice’s request seemed mild.
Today as the sun rose in the Manhattan skyline, causing rays to pour into the room, Elizabeth tapped away at the computer keyboard. Thoughts of looking like her old self ran through her head. Before she realized the time, she heard a distinct ding.
Promptly at eleven-thirty, Janice Hampton walked through the elevator door. She wore a cashmere skirt and suit jacket and was the epitome of the classy lady. Her graying hair was arranged in a coiffure; her earrings swayed as she walked. She sauntered over to Elizabeth’s desk and stopped.
“Is he ready?”
“I’m not sure. Give me a moment, and I’ll page him on the intercom. By the way, Mr. Hampton invited George as well. He should be here any moment. Would you like anything while you wait, Mrs. Hampton?”
“No, dear. Just Charles. This is an important day.”
Elizabeth was curious; however, she didn’t ask. She was afraid she would get Mr. Hampton in trouble if she should have known about the day’s events and then didn’t. Perhaps he should’ve been gushing with some exciting bit of news, but he hadn’t.
She pushed the intercom button, “Mr. Hampton? Mrs. Hampton is here for your lunch appointment.”
“I’ll be right out,” came through the little box.
Elizabeth started to repeat what Mr. Hampton said, but Janice raised her hand with red lacquered fingernails. “I heard him, dear. No need to repeat it. I’ll just sit here and wait on him.”
Janice sat in one of the office chairs and crossed her legs, picking up one of the magazines adorning the mahogany tables in the room. She flipped through the pages, appearing to study them. She put the magazine down and began t
o pace.
Elizabeth tried to ignore her and kept typing on the brief needed for that afternoon’s meeting. Janice started to tap her bright red lips with her fingers and started muttering under her breath. Without warning she blurted out, “He didn’t tell you, did he?”
Elizabeth looked up from her work. Now, what? Normally she knew everything that occurred in and around the office. Plastering a smile on her face she asked, “Tell me what?”
“George is getting married.”
“No. He didn’t tell me. That’s wonderful news.” Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief that this was the big news. That son of Charles always flirted with her and made her feel uncomfortable. She got the sense that he felt she was fair game because no one else would want her with the way she dressed. If only he knew why she was arrayed this way, then she was sure he would have taken a different tone. Directing her attention back to Janice, she heard her continue.
“Humph. That remains to be seen. We’ve yet to meet this woman. George showed up last week at our family dinner and announced he was getting married in August.”
“Oh.”
“That’s why we’re having this lunch with him today. We want to know who he’s marrying and why we haven’t met her yet. We’re not sure if he is ashamed of us or ashamed of her.”
“That does seem out of character for George.” Lest Elizabeth sound more familiar with the family than she should, she added quickly, “I mean Mr. Hampton has told me in the past about how George was the son that liked to share his exploits.”
“That’s true. The kid was like a bad refrigerator. He couldn’t keep anything,” Janice said with a smile. “It was Henry I worried about the most. He was the silent type. He never would tell us what he was thinking. Unlike George who always said exactly what was on his mind. I think that’s why this came as such a shock.”
At that moment the elevator doors opened, and George walked through them. He wasn’t an overly tall man, measuring out at about five feet, ten inches. He was, however, lithe and graceful in his style. Although his mother told him he was too skinny, he never seemed to lack for female attention.
Janice went to him and planted a kiss on each of his cheeks. “Good afternoon, darling. I’m so glad you could join your father and me today.”
“Father didn’t give me much choice.”
“He didn’t?”
“No. He told me if I didn’t come, he was knocking me down to Henry’s floor.”
George said the words with such scorn that it was all Elizabeth could do to hold in her laughter. From under her lashes, Elizabeth watched Janice and George interact. Fortunate for her, he seemed preoccupied with his mother. Elizabeth sank lower into her chair, pecking the keyboard slower and slower to try and mask the sound. Maybe if he didn’t hear her, then he wouldn’t see her, and then she would be safe from his fake charms.
Hands on her narrow hips, Janice asked, “Would you please tell me what’s wrong with Henry’s floor? From what I can tell, all the floors are the same except for the décor.”
“That’s just it. He was going to knock me down there and not allow me to redecorate!” George shuddered with mock horror. Noticing they weren’t alone he looked in Elizabeth’s direction. “Elizabeth. How are you today?”
“Very well. And you, Mr. Hampton?”
“Elizabeth, my dear,” he said, coming forward, he picked up her hand, and placed a peck of a kiss on her knuckles. Elizabeth smiled, wishing to pull her hand back and run to the restroom. “I have asked time and again that you refrain from calling me Mr. Hampton. It makes me feel old. As you can see, I’m hardly old.” He gave a huge grin, showing off a row of pearly white teeth.
****
Janice grabbed George away from Elizabeth. Eyes narrowed, she studied her husband’s secretary. Elizabeth’s hair hung down to her waist. It was brown, dull, and dried out. It looked as if it had one too many bad perms, causing it to bush out. Her blouse was unwrinkled and clean, though baggy on her slender frame. Her skirt looked as if it came from a Goodwill store that was having a seventies sale. It had big flowers in wild colors and went to the bottom of her feet. Her tiny feet were encased in sandals made from what appeared to be plastic. She had glasses that were about a quarter of an inch thick and covered most of her face.
While Janice looked her over, she couldn’t help but be a little happy with the fact her husband’s secretary was a little bit less than attractive. Of course this had been all her doing. She recommended this look to Elizabeth upon her initial employment. The reason was for the girl’s safety, although Janice wasn’t sure if the young lady ever realized the severity of the situation. Perhaps the issues had passed and the girl could come out of her shell. Maybe it was time to release her from the look. Besides, George pretending to fawn all over the girl while she dressed like this was sickening.
She grabbed him and pulled him as far away from Elizabeth as possible. Whispering as low as she could, “Are you crazy? That kind of stunt is going to get you slapped with a lawsuit for harassment. Not to mention bringing undue attention to her.”
“Oh mother, please. Elizabeth and I have an understanding.”
“And what’s that?”
“I give her a peck on the hand every once in awhile and make her feel beautiful, and she lets me do it. Doesn’t every woman want the attention of a handsome, virile man once in a while?”
Janice didn’t have time to comment further because Charles entered the room.
He addressed his secretary first. “Elizabeth, you may go to lunch while I’m gone. When you return, you may continue with your work. I’ll watch my clock and if by some mistake I don’t get back in time for the Winterbottom meeting, stall them.”
Janice gulped. The Winterbottom Corporation was coming? She didn’t think Charles or her sons were in danger from them. She wasn’t even sure if they knew the entire story. But Elizabeth was different. Most of the important documents went through her hands at one time or another. Was it possible she’d read something she could pass along that could be detrimental to the firm?
Janice waited on pins and needles to see what would happen next. Would Elizabeth acknowledge the Winterbottom Corporation? Would she reveal something she knew if she was left alone with them for too long? When the girl spoke, she showed no signs of deception.
“Will do.”
Tired of being ignored and ready to get the discussion with George over with, Janice spoke up, “Come along you two. We have much to discuss. And we mustn’t be late for our lunch reservations.”
George plastered a grin on his face, linked arms with his mother, and walked to the elevator with Charles close behind.
****
Elizabeth wrapped up her typing and grabbed her lunch from the break room refrigerator. In the middle of the building in which she worked was an open-air courtyard with tables. Many of the Hampton employees gathered there to enjoy their lunches. Elizabeth headed there now. When she arrived in the promenade, her friends—Wesley, Lisa, and LuLu—were all waiting.
“What took you so long?” Wesley tapped his foot in a fast pace, all while snapping his fingers in her direction. He was by far the most impatient of the bunch.
“Mr. Hampton had a lunch meeting, and I was waiting for him to leave before I came down. I’ve told you not to wait on me. Just go ahead and eat.”
“We don’t like to eat without you,” said Wesley, glancing over at LuLu who had a mouth full of roast beef. “Well, some of us like to wait on you.”
LuLu replied, “I was hungry.”
Lisa said, “You’re always hungry.”
The four of them were an odd mix, but for some reason they worked. Probably because they all held the same general ideas when it came to theology. LuLu was short and round with a jolly disposition. She claimed that she was just a tad overweight. Wesley had the build of a football player, and his blond hair was cut in a military buzz. Lisa was tall and skinny and would have fit in on any runway. Elizabeth was completely average. She
was five-foot-six inches tall—an average height for a woman. She weighed around one-hundred-forty pounds, although no one could tell with the baggy clothes she wore. She had plain green eyes that remained hidden behind thick glasses.
Things could be different. Internally she was aware taking on this appearance had been recommended and voluntary. The Hamptons, or rather Janice, had given her the choice. Change your appearance and stay safe, or don’t change and put yourself in danger.
Thinking more on her friends, she realized that indeed to the outside world, these four were an odd mix, while to their thinking, they were the perfect match. They were all Christians. They attended the same church. They held the same basic morals and beliefs with very few exceptions. So although the world viewed them as a strange clique, they viewed each other as family.
Even with all these things in common, they still had their own demons to wrestle. After everyone placed food in their mouths, Lisa asked, “What’s the drama from your floor today?”
The other three in the group shook their heads and Lisa looked a little deflated. “Surely there is something going on. You have to give me something, anything. You know I’m a gossip addict. You guys also know it never goes beyond us. If you don’t share, I won’t make it through the rest of the day without blurting out information I already know.”
Today the four of them sat under overhanging branches. Sunlight streamed through the leaves and landed all around them, warming exposed skin. A breeze came through, lifting Elizabeth’s hair off the back of her neck.
Elizabeth thought about what Lisa had said. She knew it was true. At one lunch break everyone remained silent about gossip or work-related news and Lisa had gone back to her floor and told everyone LuLu had dyed her hair purple. No one in the office really cared that LuLu once had purple hair, however the news reached LuLu’s father. He worked as a janitor in the building, and LuLu had received a scolding of gigantic proportions. Since LuLu probably wasn’t really in the mood for a repeat of that particular day, she decided to share.
By God's Grace Page 28
