Finding Her Way by Riley Jefferson Page B

about getting the case back.
    Jerrica looked at the sky. Another mild day, the walk to work shouldn’t be bad. Jerrica popped the trunk and grabbed her suitcase, realizing immediately that it hadn’t seemed so heavy at home when she’d loaded it into the car.
    “Ok…so this walk might suck after all,” she said, laughing.
    Stepping off the elevator, Jerrica was a mess. Not only had she walked from the parking garage to work in high heels, rolling a heavy suitcase, but also to make matters worse, the moment she stepped out of the garage the wind was hitting her in the face. Jerrica scanned the department to see if Lauren had seen her yet. The first pair of eyes that caught her attention belonged to Jaime. Within seconds Jaime was in front of her grabbing the suitcase.
    “Are you all right? You look terrible.”
    “Yes, Jaime, I am fine. Thank you for the compliment. Could you please put that into my office along with my coat? I’m going to the ladies room to freshen up,” she said, running her fingers through her hair. “Where is Lauren?”
    “She’s in the lounge preparing coffee. Do you want me to get her?”
    “No that’s fine. Just put that in my office and I’ll be out in a couple minutes,” she assured her, turning toward the women’s room.
    She looked over her shoulder to see Jaime rushing to her office. She smiled at the thought that maybe she wouldn’t have to hear Lauren’s lecture about the missing briefcase. Once in the restroom, Jerrica took a good look at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was tangled in the back and standing up in the front.
    “Wow, I look like shit!” she said aloud pulling her fingers through the mess.
    The sound of a toilet flushing behind her made Jerrica realized she wasn’t alone. Still working on fixing her hair, Jerrica tried, unsuccessfully, not to glance at the reflection of the farthest stall door opening. An unfamiliar woman stepped out, strolling to the sink next to Jerrica. Jerrica felt embarrassed by her outburst and tried not to make eye contact. Stealing short glimpses at the reflection of the mysterious woman in the mirror, Jerrica could tell they were of the same height, but the other woman’s build was more muscular. Her hair was naturally black and wavy, just above shoulder length. The more Jerrica tried not to watch, the more frustrated she became trying to fix her hair.
    After washing and drying her hands, the woman started searching in her pocket for something.
    Jerrica found it hard not to stare. Even though she wanted to be alone to clean up, Jerrica couldn’t concentrate on her task while being captivated by every move this other person made.
    The women turned to leave, unexpectedly pausing behind Jerrica. Leaning around her, she brushed up against Jerrica’s arm and set something on the sink.
    Jerrica froze at the feeling of this woman’s soft skin against her arm. Jerrica closed her eyes, breathing in the intoxicating perfume that now surrounded her. Her legs felt like jelly, so she leaned into the counter for support. When she opened her eyes, the woman was standing by the door gazing at her. With the door opened, she commented. “No. You definitely do not look like shit.”
    With a smile on her face, she vanished into the corridor.
    That was the strangest encounter I have ever had, Jerrica mused. Standing with both hands in her hair Jerrica glanced down to see what was on the counter. Picking up the ponytail tie, Jerrica chuckled.
    Walking across the department with her new hairdo for the day, Jerrica stopped at Lauren’s desk.
    Lauren lifted an eyebrow. “Is it summertime already?”
    “My hair and the Boston wind had a fight this morning. The wind won. Do I have coffee in my office?”
    Lauren squinted her eyes in a mock annoyance, “Yes, your majesty. It’s sitting on your newly polished throne.”
    Jerrica turned abruptly just to make her ponytail swoosh back and forth.
    “Smartass,” Jerrica commented as the door shut.