Chapter 6 His Last Act of Kindness

Aurora POV:

It was a short day, mainly because I was so engrossed trying to learn the basics of Leo Jordan's agricultural programs, I lost track of time, it was a bit late by the time it was done. I concluded by the end of the day I liked my boss. He might have a bad reputation, and he knew he could be hard to get along with, but he had saving graces.

For the first time, I managed not to think about Mr. Angelo throughout the afternoon, but he did manage to sleep back into my mind in the evening on my drive back home.

My mother smiled at me from the sofa, where she was watching her daily soap operas, when I walked in, "Well, how did it go?" she asked.

"I like it!" I told her with a big smile. "I do. I think I'm going to be happy there. And, besides that, I will be making a lot more money. Mama, we might even be able to afford a dishwasher and I can get you more medical attention! Not only that, I would be allowed to get off work extremely early too, I can be home very early to take care of you, and you won't have to stress yourself to make dinner."

Mrs. Hardy sighed. "That would be lovely, wouldn't it? But I told you I love making dinner"

"Well, I don't want you to. The Doctor you mustn't be stressed in any way"

"He never said I should become a statue," she said, rolling her eyes hilariously. "But Leo Jordan was full of surprises. That certainly isn't the man I heard so much about his cruelty"

I kicked off my shoes and sat down in the recliner next to the sofa. "I'm so tired! I'm just going to rest for a minute, and then I'll see about supper."

"We could have chili and hot dogs."

I chuckled. "We could have a nice salad and breadsticks," I said, thinking of the calories.

"Whatever you like, dear. Oh, by the way, Mr. Angelo came by a few minutes ago." She said like it was the most casual word she had ever uttered,

My world came crashing down around my ears. I'd hoped to not even hear his name, at least for another few days.

"What did he want" I asked my mother nervously

The older woman picked up a white envelope.

"To give you this." She handed it to me, I sat staring at it.

"Well," I murmured. "I guess it's my final pay."

Mrs. Hardy muted the television set. "Why not open it and see?"

I didn't want to, but my mother looked expectant. I tore open the envelope and extracted a check and a letter. With my breath in my throat, I slowly unfolded it.

"What does it say?" her mother prompted.

I just stared at it, unbelieving.

"Aurora, what is it?"

I drew in a breath. "It's a letter of recommendation," I said in utter disbelief

"I can't believe he gave me one," I said huskily, my heart racing from just the thought that he'd backed down that far.

"I didn't ask for it."

I stared at the check, too.

"It's a full month of pay, mom. The check is a full-month pay. I barely worked for two weeks."

"I guess he isn't the devil after all" my mom said "He told me that," my mother replied. "He said that he felt terrible about the way you left, Aurora and that he hoped you'd be happy in your new job."

I looked up at my mom, hating myself for being so happy with these crumbs of his regard.

"He said Libby and Mabel were splitting your work for the moment. He's going to advertise for a new secretary," she added.

I sighed. "I hope he's happy with whichever poor soul gets the job," I said.

"No, you don't. I know you hated to leave. But, dear, if he doesn't feel the same way, it's a blessing in the long run," her mother said wisely. "No sense eating your heart out."

"That's what I thought when I quit," I admitted.

I rose to my feet, put the letter and check back in the envelope. "I'll go fix something to eat." I said, "Did you tell me him where I was working?"

Mrs. Hardy shifted on the sofa. "Well, dear, he looked so pleasant and we had such a nice conversation. I thought, why upset the man?"

I laughed helplessly. "What did you tell him, Mother?" I asked

"I said you were working in a local office for a very nice man, doing statistics," she said with a chuckle. "He didn't ask where. He started to, and I changed the subject. He said as long as you are not working for Leo Jordan"

The smile wiped out my face. Of course, that was all it was about. It was just him trying to get me not to work for someone because of his ego. How could I have expected more from him, he was the most selfish man to ever exist. I headed to my room before she saw my pale face.

"You could make a pot of coffee," my mother suggested. Her voice trailing me

Safe in my locked room. I brought out the envelope again and fished out the letter of recommendation, I imagined it was Mr. Angelo's heart and tore it into a million pieces before dumping it in the trashcan. I stared at the check for a long time.

"I won't be moved by the money, it was less than what I deserved for putting up with him for so long, the mental distress he put me through, every emotional turmoil I went through because of him" I muttered. I carefully placed the check in a book for safekeeping.

I went back to the living room.

"What about the coffee" my mother asked,

I glared at her. "You don't need to be drinking caffeine.

"Don't we have any decaf?"

It reminded me too much of my ex-boss, and I wasn't enthusiastic. But my mother loved coffee and missed being able to drink it. She didn't know about the coffee wars in Mr. Angelo's office, either.

I forced a smile. "I'll make it," I said, and left my mother to the soap opera.