Blind Submission by Debra Ginsberg Read Free Book Online Page B

cards. Our moment of girlfriend-bonding was clearly over. I touched the edges of the files stacked highest on my desk. I had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do with them or where they were supposed to go. I needed help. “Say, Kel—Nora, could you help me sort this a little?”
    â€œI’m really busy right now,” she said. “Lucy left you a note. And Anna will train you when she gets here.”
    â€œGreat, thanks.”
    â€œAnd can you please just call me Nora? I’m Nora here, okay?”
    â€œOkay, Nora.”
    Lucy had, indeed, left me a note. It was lying on the seat of my chair for lack of available desk space. I almost sat on it.
    Â 
    Welcome, Angel!!!! We’re all so happy to have you on board! Your 1 st task will be to sort through the papers on your desk and file them accordingly. Please try to have this done by noon. Anna is overloaded at the moment, but I’ve asked her to help you in this interim period. Try to use her as little as possible, though, and rely on your own smarts and organizational abilities to get started. I’d also like you to start making phone calls for me as soon as possible!!! Remember, NY is three hours ahead of us, so we need to make those calls by 2pm!! Anna can show you where my call list resides on the computer and I’ll expect you to update it as per my notes. As everyone can tell you, the phone is the lifeline of this office, so please keep your calls as brief as possible and limit personal calls to EMERGENCIES ONLY !!! Your 3 rd assignment is to sort through last week’s rejections and get them sent back to the authors as quickly as possible. And at some point today, I’d like to discuss your notes on the Italian book. Again, WELCOME!!!—L.
    Â 
    I made a place for myself on the chair and began sifting through the files. I stole a glance at Nora, who was busy trying to look as if she wasn’t looking at me. The phone was ringing. It shrilled three times before Nora said, “You need to answer that. Lucy wants
you
to answer the phones first. Just remember, don’t put anyone through to her unless it’s someone she wants to speak to.”
    And how, exactly, was I supposed to know who she wanted to speak to? I gave Nora a look that I hoped would wither her and picked up the phone.
    â€œGood morning,” I said, “Lucy Fiamma Lit—”
    â€œIs she there?” a tired man’s voice interrupted.
    â€œMs. Fiamma is on another line at the moment,” I said. “May I ask who’s calling, please?”
    â€œWho is
this
?” Now he sounded irritated as well as tired.
    â€œThis is Angel Robinson. I’m Ms. Fiamma’s new assistant.”
    â€œAnother one,” he muttered. “Help me…How long have you been there, five minutes?”
    I looked at my watch. “That’s about right,” I chirped. “May I ask who’s calling, please?”
    â€œThis,” he said, “is Gordon Hart. Of HartHouse Publishers. I am assuming you’ve heard of us?”
    â€œOh shit,” I said, before I could stop myself. My first call was the head of one of the most well-respected publishers in the country. I bit my lip hard, hoping he hadn’t heard.
    â€œI take it you have,” he said, and there was a smile in his voice. Lucky for me. “If it’s not too much trouble,” he continued, “would you mind very much putting
Ms. Fiamma
on the phone? No, no, on second thought, don’t bother. Just tell her I won’t be able to give her a decision today. She’ll know what I mean. Thank you, good-bye.” He hung up loudly in my ear and I felt a little sick.
    â€œWho was that?” Nora asked.
    â€œGordon Hart,” I said miserably.
    â€œOh my God!” Nora squealed. “Why didn’t you put him through?”
    â€œHe didn’t want me to.”
    â€œNo, no, you’ve got to put
him
through. Don’t