man, V. Of course I’m a pervert sometimes :P I’m only a pervert when it’s appropriate tho. I promise.
Queen_V: I sure hope so
Al79V: Gimme them digits girl ;)
Queen_V: I won’t type very well without any digits
Al79V: Ha ha ha! Gimme dat phone number so I can call your nerdy ass
Queen_V: Lol Yes I’m a nerd. Try your best to keep up with me ;) Here’s my number...
***
“I think we have the makings of a class action suit, here,” Ally smirked as she strode toward Veronica’s desk with an armload of paperwork and file folders. “Mr. Roberto Diaz and his wife Imelda Diaz bought three cans of Vega brand white hominy on January 15th.” Ally dumped the tower of files onto Veronica’s desk, causing her framed family photos to quake. “After enjoying a delicious meal of chicken pasole, they and their three children played musical toilets all night. Food poisoning. I’m sure the CDC will officially classify this as an outbreak very soon, what with the number of Hispanic consumers in California. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz want my representation, making it very likely that I’ll be representing all of the plaintiffs in the Diaz vs. Vega Foods, Incorporated case. My very first class action suit. This could put me on television, Veronica.” Thinking of cameramen and camerawomen, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her dark blue jacket and pressed her lips together to spread her ruby lipstick.
“Yay,” Veronica cheered with as much enthusiasm as she could muster while imagining the pressure they’d all be under.
“It could also mean bonuses all around.”
“Bonuses?” Veronica kissed her fingertips and rubbed her hand on top of the column of papers. “I’ll get right on it, Ms. Kokkinos.”
“I need those organized by the end of the day because I’ll need you and Carmen assisting me with client interviews first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.” She inhaled deeply to combat the agitated hive of anxiety that had been growing in her chest since she rolled out of bed that morning.
“Lunchtime!” Carmen sprang up from her desk. Today she wore a green cap-sleeved dress and her red hair was up in a chignon.
“I’m having lunch delivered to my office today,” said Ally, “You ladies go to Alonzo’s without me.”
Alonzo’s was an adorable Italian eatery that offered the best shrimp cocktail Veronica had ever tasted. Both girls sat at their usual table and ordered chopped salads and garlic knots.
“Why the long face,” Carmen questioned.
“Oh. I didn’t realize I was frowning.” Veronica adjusted the cloth napkin on the lap of her black, belted, cowl neck dress.
“Well? What’s up?”
“This is gonna sound ridiculous, but I think I’m afraid to speak to that guy I’ve been talking to online. He said he’d call me tonight.”
“The Spanish hottie?”
“I don’t know if he’s a hottie. That’s why I’m confused. Why am I nervous to talk to some random guy who could be as ugly as Carrot Top with no makeup on?”
“Hey. I can’t let you say that about a fellow Ginger,” Carmen said once she finished laughing. “You’re only nervous because you want things to go well.”
“Carmen, honestly, I haven’t felt so nervous over a guy in a long time.”
“Wow, what’s he been telling you? Uh-oh. Did he promise you shopping sprees and yacht trips if you opened up a bank account for him? He’s one of those Nigerian dudes! Open your eyes, Veronica! He’s a scammer!”
Veronica laughed and almost choked on a crumble of gorgonzola cheese. “You’re so silly. No he’s not. Not a Nigerian scam artist, anyways. His English is too good.”
“If he makes you any crazy promises, run away.”
She nodded. “I know all that. He hasn’t done anything wrong yet. He’s smart, he makes me laugh,” Veronica paused, smiled, “and he tells me I’m beautiful.”
“So, of course, you want things to stay that way. You don’t want to be disappointed if you find out he has the voice
Learning to Kill: Stories