Battle Road by Frank Gerry Read Free Book Online Page B

, his face betrayed his thoughts. Again, before Dylan could get a word in, Joanne spoke up. “Uhhh noooo, not that kind of girlfriend. I can see your expression. She's not one of my artsy, feminist, liberal friends. She's just really cool and I think you'll like her.” She took another sip of coffee.
    Dylan hated to be fixed up on dates. Most of the fix ups he's ever had ran the gambit from awkward to miserable. Though it was still a better way to meet women than in bars. He finally spoke, “OK, I'll be there. But only if you promise a casual no pressure introduction.”
    Joanne acquiesced, “I promise. I promise. So, good. Stop by anytime aft'ah six thirty.”
    “ OK, I'll see you Friday. God Bless you,” Dylan said his usual good bye.
    “ Ahhhh, yeah. You too. See you then,” she said, while powering off her video phone. Dylan's computer screen went blank for a second before switching over to video of a gentle waterfall in some remote tropical rain forest.
    Dylan returned from lunch at quarter to one that afternoon. A high priority message icon flashed on his computer screen. “Computer, play voice mail,” he said, while sitting down and getting himself settled into his office. “Hello Mr Fraser. This is Agent Goodman. Please meet me at my office at one thirty this afternoon. I checked your online calendar, your schedule is clear.” Man, not much time , he thought. Dylan had intended to walk down to the third floor to see Grace right after lunch. Though, now it occurred to him that maybe meeting with Agent Goodman was a good thing. He could wait another day before seeing Grace.
    At just that moment however, by sheer coincidence, Grace stood at the open door to his office. She spoke apologetically, “I'm sorry for the terrible things I said yesterday. It was totally uncalled for.”
    “Hi, Grace. I'm glad you stopped by. I planned on going down to see you today but my schedule is so hectic. And I didn't want to use the phone.” Dylan responded in a truly genuine manner, that surprised even himself.
    “ Well, it was all my fault. I feel so stupid. I acted like a schoolgirl. If you're not interested in me I can accept that,” Grace said. Her face betraying a look of wounded pride.
    Grace entered his office and closed the door behind her. She continued, “I need to talk to you about this privately.” Dylan agreed and offered her his office chair. She sat down and took a deep breath. Dylan leaned back against the side of his desk, trying to make her has feel as comfortable as possible.
    Grace spoke slowly at first, eventually speaking in a more evenly paced manner. “Dylan, I should have said this before but I'm asking you to not tell anyone, I mean no one, about our encounter this past Labor Day. If word got out that we had sex, well, you know that DHS management would terminate my employment. I've worked so hard in my career. I can't loose my job because of this.”
    Dylan pushed his body sideways along his desk, moving a little closer to her. “I understand Grace. I won't say a word to anyone.” He paused for a second, looking down at the floor before bringing his head up to look her in the eye. “Though, to be honest with you. I did tell one person, my best friend. He doesn't work here and isn't a Party member. I'll talk to him tonight. Ordinarily, he would never say anything. Though, I'll make sure of it.”
    A slight smile almost broke out across Grace's face. “Thank you.” She let out a sigh of relief and leaned back in the office chair. She continued to speak, “You know, this is so fuck'in unfair. If our bosses found out about us, I would loose my job and you would only get a fuck'n reprimand. They're such a bunch of fuck'n hypocrites!”
    Dylan had known Grace for over a year. And in all of that time, he had never heard her say a foul word. Not ever. It took him a moment to think of what he needed to say. “Wow, uhm, You're right. It's completely unfair. It's just the way it's always been. I