Changes - Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Monday morning as soon as I entered the office, I told Mr. Lewis about the Mayor calling him Bowser. He said it was nothing, him and Mayor Ward went back years ago, it didn't mean anything. I left it at that. I made an effort to have a brief conversation with Angela, at the beginning of each day. She was much younger than me, but very sweet. I had a few errands to run for Mr. Lewis, including dropping off some paperwork to William. As I entered the office, I noticed a new girl at the front desk, she looked very familiar.

"Can I help you?" My God, it's the other girl from the bathroom! Why the hell is she here? "I need to see William," I said shortly. His door was open and he must have heard me because he hollered, "Come on in Carla." He was on the telephone and motioned for me to shut the door. I stood waiting impatiently. When he hung up I went over close to him and leaned on his desk. "Oh my God William..." I whispered but was agitated. He quickly interrupted me, "I'm...I'm sorry," he looked worried. "I've overstepped, it's my fault and it won't happen again," he whispered back to me.

"What?" I said sharply. He sighed out loud, looked me in the eyes and said, "I don't want this to come between us Carla. If you're at all feeling like the # Me Too, please tell me now. I promise to never..." "I...Why would I...William?" Then it hit me, it wasn't in my imagination at all. He felt it too. Shit! Now I'm embarrassed. I didn't say anything, I didn't know what to say, he was never supposed to know I felt attracted to him, I'm married! I looked down at the floor, I don't think I can look at him again.

"I'm so embarrassed William." He said, "You have nothing to be embarrassed about Carla. It's my fault, I can't help that I'm attracted to you, but I certainly will always respect your marriage and your position within the department." He waited anxiously for me to respond. "Can I just be one hundred percent honest with you?" I said shyly. "Please, help me out here," he pulled the other chair around for me. I said, "I never, ever imagined that you picked up on my foolish crush. Yes, I am married and happily, most of the time.

You can't possibly be attracted to me, I mean your wife is gorgeous, William. I appreciate you taking the blame in this situation, really. I'm a middle aged woman going through a midlife crises and you are...just incredibly handsome and a gentleman, I apologize." I fought myself not to cry. "Trust me when I tell you, my wife is nothing in comparison to you. I will one hundred percent claim fault for being attracted to you. That being said, I know you are married. I will watch my step. I don't want to end up on the front page of any newspaper as the next scandal.