idioms...sayings understood by native speakers? part three
Lynn stood in front of the elevators wondering if her luck had turned out for the better. She smiled to herself noting the reflection in the elevator doors, she jumped when she saw her new boss was behind her grinning at her. Startled, she was grateful for the elevator door opening.
"You are grinning like a cheshire cat, Miss Johnson."
"Well, um, Mr. Matthews, I guess it is because today turned out pretty good."
"Do you want to go grab a drink or something to celebrate your successful presentation?"
"Um, NO. I have to get home." She gulped, and then added, "I haven't had the chance to thank.."
"No thanks is necessary. I am new here but I would be stupid indeed if I let my best employee go."
"Really?" The doors opened and Lynn almost ran out the door. Turning, she stated, "See you tomorrow, sir." As he came out the door, he watched her beeline it to the exit.
Hummmnnnn. Just like a scared deer.
---
"Charlie... Mrs. Allen.... I am home."
"Ah, Lynn... I am glad you are here. Charlie had a bad night."
"Oh." She glanced around the room and noted the scattered legos on the floor. "I hope he wasn't too much trouble."
"Well, dear. He finally wore himself out. But you know how he waits for you to come home. I was surprised when your friend called and asked me to stay the night."
"Mrs. Allen... I am so sorry. It won't happen again."
"Dear, I know it is hard on you. You only ask for one day off a year. I think that is pretty good considering how well you take care of your brother."
"He is my family, Mrs. Allen... Don't make me a Saint."
The older woman came towards Lynn and patted her on the shoulder. "Mr. Allen looks forward to being away from me for a while, too... I bet." She smiled and chuckled to herself as she got her coat on and headed to the door.
"He wouldn't eat until his Li Li came home. I made some stew. It is in the slow cooker."
Lynn gasped as the lady turned around. "Did... did Charlie do that?"
"Ah, I am not as spry as I used to be. I just did not duck fast enough. It is just a scratch. When he saw he hurt me, he started to cry harder. Poor thing.... I will just tell Mr. Allen it was an accident. Don't worry."
"Mrs. Allen, I am so sorry."
"But deary, I do have something to say. Your brother... shouldn't he go to a group home or something. He is getting a little worse everyday... you know?"
"No. It will be okay. I will take care of this."
The door closed and Lynn glanced at the picture of her Mom, her brother and herself. She had made a promise to her mother on her death bed. Charlie would never go to an institution. Sighing she squared her shoulders with her resolve as she headed to Charlie's room. As she entered, she humned a silly lullaby... She found her brother sitting in the corner of his room, hugging his old Teddy bear... rocking back and forth. She slid beside him and started to rock gently with him. She took her arm and lightly placed it around his shoulders. Charlie turned and smiled. "LILI!!"
"Hey Goofy. Did you think I would not come back? Charlie, I love you. I will always come back. Right?"
"I lost my toys."
"Charlie, let's go find them. I bet I know where they are. Kay?" Taking the six foot two twenty five year old man with the mind of a four year old by the hand, she led him into the living room to play pick up while she dished up two bowls of stew, toast and milk.
---
"Carl... was this proposal yours?"
"Ha. If you believe that, there is a bridge in Brooklyn I could sell ya."
"So Miss Johnson pulled your butt out of the fire."
"Yup. You know how to spot talent, Rick."
Rick narrowed his eyes at his cousin. What game are you playing at now?
"Miss Johnson is in my employ, Carl. I would be remiss if I did not recognize her talents."
Carl sat across from his cousin at the bar, his gaze traveled to a familiar blond who was sitting with a couple of other girls at the bar.
"That is rich, coming from you, cuz. You passed her over for eight years. At least I asked my "fireman" to come and have a drink with us today. But she said she was too busy." He glanced down at his nails, then gave a quick laugh. "Do you think I am losing my touch?"
Rick leaned forward a little. "Watch it, cousin. Sexual Harassment is no laughing matter." He took a sip of his drink, then added, "If that happens, even I won't be able to save you. No one would suspect someone of Miss Johnson's caliber of lying."
Might as well go for it... "Well, if two people consent to dating outside of the company, what is the difference?"
Rick got quiet for a minute. "Leave her alone, Carl. She is not your style."
"Oh? and what is my style..." As he got up and headed to the blonde that had come to her friend's defense last night, "Hi..."
Rick watched his cousin go in for the kill. Yeah, that is more like his style, wondering why it bothered him one way or another about his cousin's sudden interest in the quiet scared deer known as Miss Johnson.
to be continued.
