yet. A pet might be just the thing for you. By the way, I have a good friend Id like you to meet. His name is Charley.
Chapter Eight
W hat do you want for dinner? Takeout? Eat-in? Leftovers? I asked.
The question is, what do you want. I have strict instructions to take you out for dinner. Somewhere nice.
I laughed and blurted out the name of a steak house known for its blue-cheese shrimp, prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes. I knew it mostly for its prices.
Done. Lets go there.
Are you kidding? We can eat for a week on what youll pay for dinner there.
I have my orders, Darla said stubbornly. The main office is very fond of you, Suze, and Her voice trailed away.
And what?
Nothing. I told them there was nothing to worry about.
Now you have to tell me. I pulled onto I-94 and headed west but was too busy with traffic to glare at her.
They just have she searched for a word a feeling about you. They want me to make sure youre happy.
What do you mean feeling?
Huge trucks sped by me in the lanes on either side of my car.
Get us to the restaurant and Ill explain. You need to pay attention to your driving.
So this is what it is going to be like with you back in the Cities. Nag, boss, nag.
She giggled. Yes. Isnt it wonderful?
We pulled into the driveway of the rugged stone building and a valet appeared out of thin air.
No, Ill just
Well take valet parking, Suze, Darla said firmly. Like I said, the company has
I know, a feeling . I handed my keys to the young man, not without relief. The parking lot was filled with Mercedes, Porsches, BMWs and the occasional Acura, Saab or Volvo. Not cars I wanted to accidentally back into or leave with a dent.
Inside, we were greeted and spirited to a table near a window, given menus and a spiel of the many and varied special dishes the chef was concocting tonight. Before I could speak, Darla ordered appetizers, soup, salad, entrées and requested to see the dessert cart.
Well be here all night, I pointed out. And someone will have to roll us to our car on a furniture dolly. Did the company send you here because they thought I was too thin?
My immediate superior was on the interview team. They felt that although you were perfect for the job and seemed to want it, something was holding you back.
So they had picked up on my reservations at the interview.
Did you tell them what it was?
I wanted to talk to you first. Suze, you will have to explain to them your issue with traveling.
The gaping pit in my stomach grew a little wider. Its never going to go away, is it? These sleep issues are going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I took a sip of water and stared across the room filled with well-dressed people who all appeared relaxed and festive. Im not a jealous person but envy momentarily swamped me. None of them had to consider turning down jobs because of something so ridiculous as sleepwalking! Why me?
The answer is, of course, why not me? My grandmother always said that if everyone in the world threw their troubles into a pile and then picked new ones, many would likely take their own troubles back. Shes probably right. There are far more grievous issues than mine out there.
Suze? Darla was looking at me with a frown on her face. Are you okay?
Yes. Im just frustrated. I want the job, Darla. Ive been thinking of hiring someone to travel with me and be my night watchman. There, Id said it. My answer to my worst-case scenario. Then I told her about my experience with the twins.
She sat there, moving her appetizers around the plate with her fork. Why dont you try the medical route again?
Ive done it all, Darla. The only way I stay put at night is if Im so medicated that I cant function the next day. I cant begin to tell you how much I hated that. I felt groggy and listless all the time. My judgment was poor, I was dangerous behind the wheel of a car. I wasnt me .
Maybe theres new stuff on the market. Darlas voice trailed off.
I dont think anyone can help me.
She looked
Chapter Eight
W hat do you want for dinner? Takeout? Eat-in? Leftovers? I asked.
The question is, what do you want. I have strict instructions to take you out for dinner. Somewhere nice.
I laughed and blurted out the name of a steak house known for its blue-cheese shrimp, prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes. I knew it mostly for its prices.
Done. Lets go there.
Are you kidding? We can eat for a week on what youll pay for dinner there.
I have my orders, Darla said stubbornly. The main office is very fond of you, Suze, and Her voice trailed away.
And what?
Nothing. I told them there was nothing to worry about.
Now you have to tell me. I pulled onto I-94 and headed west but was too busy with traffic to glare at her.
They just have she searched for a word a feeling about you. They want me to make sure youre happy.
What do you mean feeling?
Huge trucks sped by me in the lanes on either side of my car.
Get us to the restaurant and Ill explain. You need to pay attention to your driving.
So this is what it is going to be like with you back in the Cities. Nag, boss, nag.
She giggled. Yes. Isnt it wonderful?
We pulled into the driveway of the rugged stone building and a valet appeared out of thin air.
No, Ill just
Well take valet parking, Suze, Darla said firmly. Like I said, the company has
I know, a feeling . I handed my keys to the young man, not without relief. The parking lot was filled with Mercedes, Porsches, BMWs and the occasional Acura, Saab or Volvo. Not cars I wanted to accidentally back into or leave with a dent.
Inside, we were greeted and spirited to a table near a window, given menus and a spiel of the many and varied special dishes the chef was concocting tonight. Before I could speak, Darla ordered appetizers, soup, salad, entrées and requested to see the dessert cart.
Well be here all night, I pointed out. And someone will have to roll us to our car on a furniture dolly. Did the company send you here because they thought I was too thin?
My immediate superior was on the interview team. They felt that although you were perfect for the job and seemed to want it, something was holding you back.
So they had picked up on my reservations at the interview.
Did you tell them what it was?
I wanted to talk to you first. Suze, you will have to explain to them your issue with traveling.
The gaping pit in my stomach grew a little wider. Its never going to go away, is it? These sleep issues are going to haunt me for the rest of my life. I took a sip of water and stared across the room filled with well-dressed people who all appeared relaxed and festive. Im not a jealous person but envy momentarily swamped me. None of them had to consider turning down jobs because of something so ridiculous as sleepwalking! Why me?
The answer is, of course, why not me? My grandmother always said that if everyone in the world threw their troubles into a pile and then picked new ones, many would likely take their own troubles back. Shes probably right. There are far more grievous issues than mine out there.
Suze? Darla was looking at me with a frown on her face. Are you okay?
Yes. Im just frustrated. I want the job, Darla. Ive been thinking of hiring someone to travel with me and be my night watchman. There, Id said it. My answer to my worst-case scenario. Then I told her about my experience with the twins.
She sat there, moving her appetizers around the plate with her fork. Why dont you try the medical route again?
Ive done it all, Darla. The only way I stay put at night is if Im so medicated that I cant function the next day. I cant begin to tell you how much I hated that. I felt groggy and listless all the time. My judgment was poor, I was dangerous behind the wheel of a car. I wasnt me .
Maybe theres new stuff on the market. Darlas voice trailed off.
I dont think anyone can help me.
She looked
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