Page 57 of The Innocent

“Yeah,” she whispered, nodding.

“Sometimes we get the cream of the crop. And other times we get the bowels of the sewer.”

“I really understand, and I will take everything under advertisement.”

“Imogene? If he did something to you…”

She shook her head. “He didn’t. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I think my bias stems from his crime.”

“There’s no shame in admitting that. We’ve all felt it sometime or another.” Judy sat back in her chair. “Let me switch you with someone else.”

“No,” she blurted and held up her hand. “It’s fine. I want to follow this through. I can do this, I swear I can.” She could hear her own desperation in her tone. And her doubt. She had to rectify this before she was seen as incapable and a liability. I can’t lose this job.

“My personal life might be interfering a bit with my professional.”

“How so?”

“I’ve had a harder time adjusting to the move than I’d anticipated.”

“Tell me about that.”

What? Absolutely not! It was beyond unprofessional to vent to her boss, especially in the office setting during work hours. Imogene waved her hand.

“I don’t want to bother you with…”

“Imogene,” Judy smirked. “I’ve been married for twenty-seven years to a man who would win gold if complaining was an Olympic sport. I have three children who think not getting concert tickets will forever alter their fate and future. That was on last night’s list of complaints. I also have a mother-in-law who’s still convinced my husband made the wrong choice in marrying me because I once messed up her family recipe for lasagna. She reminds me every time I see her.” Judy rolled her eyes. “And I saw her last night. Trust me, one more complaint isn’t gonna affect me.”

Imogene chuckled, feeling her tension ease a bit. “But it’s not your responsibility to listen to your employees complain about personal stuff.”

“No, it’s not. But I’m still asking. So tell me.”

She let out a heavy breath, sinking into her seat. “I don’t know anyone here. My first friend encounter kind of ended in disaster, which could’ve led to an arrest.”

Judy widened her eyes, and Imogene immediately shook her head.

“I didn’t do anything illegal, I promise. I just may have been a little naïve.”

Her lips twitched. “Okay, go on.”

“Um, well, I’m lonely, so I thought getting a cat might help. You know, for companionship? But I don’t think he likes me.” She snorted softly and mumbled, “Pretty sure he doesn’t like anybody.”

“That’s why I have a dog. Dumb, lovable, and loyal. Just the way I like them.” Judy lifted her chin. “What else?”

She inched to the edge of her seat. “Can I be one hundred percent honest?”

“I listen to about a dozen lies every day. So yes, honesty would be refreshing.”

“While I promise to do my best at this job, it wasn’t my first choice.”

Judy burst out laughing. “Yeah, it’s not most people’s first choice. Tell me what was?”

“The library full time. I worked in the local branch back home, and I ran the prison one too. I really enjoyed it. But they could only give me part-time hours right now.” Her shoulders sagged, and suddenly she was on a roll, free flowing all her complaints. “The apartment is great, but I never see my neighbors. I’m pretty sure there’s only a few of us living on my floor.”

“The landlord is very particular about who she allows to live there.”

“I haven’t even met her yet.” Imogene said.

Judy’s lips twitched. “And maybe that’s not a bad thing. Landlords are a lot like principals. The goal is to never be called into their office, right?”