My stepdad pulled our car into the CEO's parking space. We both saw hers parked nearby at the same time. I cringed, but Dad looked resigned to a situation as yet unclear to me.
“That’s Cindy’s car, Hannah.”
“Mom’s here?”
“Yeah. My problems are starting to make sense.”
"What's been going on?"
"Janice only said odd things were going on in the office and that some new guy was managing production scheduling."
"Who?"
"She wouldn't say."
I had a dreadful feeling something awful was happening. Mom left Fanbury Hall to move on with her life. Having tried it out for a couple of months, Trixy had no appetite for a long-term, exclusive relationship with anyone, whereas my mother did.
We strolled in through the front door of Dad’s company offices. Janice, my stepfather's long-standing receptionist, initially looked horrified, then relieved to see him. She stepped out from behind a desk and moved close enough not to be heard.
“She arrived late yesterday, Keith.”
“Where is Cindy now?”
“Umm. She, I… we didn’t.”
“Don’t worry, Janice. None of you are to blame.”
I went with the flow, not understanding the cause or current status of Dad’s work problem. Keith's company had always been healthy, but Mom wasn't involved in it. Her presence made no sense. I didn't intend on becoming embroiled in workplace problems because my goals were firmly set on Fanbury Hall and a career there.