“Are you going to do it?”
Gloria asked Alice, just as soon as she’d come out of Albert office.
“Yes.”
Gloria smiled at Alice’s answer, “Good!”
“Where do we start?” she asked, eager. Alice replied, after a short pause, “I don’t know how to say this, Gloria, but Albert wants me work alone on this.”
“Oh.”
“I’m so sorry. It’s a long term plan and perhaps better because you could free to do other things you’re good at.”
“I understand,” Gloria said, clearly hurt by this.
For a long time Gloria had been under the impression that Albert would give her one grand mission. She’d trained with him, taken care of him, and met his needs even, because she was poised to become the next missionary, as they call it.
When Alice – who had shown up out of nowhere some months ago and made promises – was being thought of the new missionary, Gloria, on Albert’s orders, assisted Alice and helped her with research. She’d hoped, at the least, to step out of the bookstore one day and do meaningful work.
As Alice gave her a hug and left the bookstore, Gloria saw no reason to remain faithful to Albert. Which might explain some of what happens in the future.
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