Stormy Weather

"So, what are your plans now?" Karen Quinn asked as the two women strolled across the narrow, wrought iron bridge that spanned The Hague.

"I don't know." Lauren shrugged. "Go back to work, I guess. Begin a new life."

"Lord knows you need to," Karen agreed.

They paused at the crest of the bridge spanning the narrow inlet close to downtown. Karen was right; she did need to. Her life had changed one hundred and eighty degrees since March of last year when she'd found the lump just under her nipple on the left side of her breast.

"It still galls me that he found another woman," Karen spat. "Just left you and moved in with her like everything was fine."

Lauren pulled her dark blue coat tighter against her thin frame. "It was his choice," she replied.

"Humph."

Lauren looked at her friend, touched by her loyalty. "He was and still is an immature boy," Lauren conceded, then sighed as they walked on. "My doctor told me to get on with my life."

"Are you?"

She nodded. "I called Mr. McGuire this morning and asked for my job back."

"And?" Karen asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

"He…he said he has a good replacement in my position," Lauren said.

"No, he didn't!"

She looked over at her friend's shocked expression. Reaching out, she placed a hand upon her arm. "It's okay. He offered me a new position."

"As?"

"I'm the young Mr. McGuire's personal assistant and project manager," Lauren explained.

Karen's face filled with joy. "This deserves a drink. Come on, the Purple Elephant is no more than a block away."