Coming Soon

Foxy Book II 

Chapter One           

           Lou Striker had his chair swiveled to face the window that overlooked Scholar Bay. I could barely see the top of his bald pate rimming the high back of the chair. I knew I'd find him here. News stopped for no man, he often said. Lou did his best thinking looking out at the water.

            I cleared my throat. Lou raised his eyes to my reflection in the glass.

            "I hope you're not here to tell me you need more time off." He lifted his feet from the window ledge and turned to face me.

            Lou came off sounding like a hard-ass. Truthfully, he was, but he could also be generous and compassionate, not that he wanted anyone to know.

            "Josie Fox here to request immediately reinstatement, sir!" I clicked my heels together and saluted.

            "It's about frigging time," he said, chomping down on the unlit cigar between his lips.

            "It hasn't been that long. Only a week."

            With a waggle of his forefinger, he called me over.

            I didn't know what Lou had in mind. Regardless, I walked to the front of his desk and leaned in close to him. Several seconds passed where all he did was stare at me. I waited. Lou would tell me what's on his mind when he was ready. He couldn't be pushed, cajoled or manipulated.

            "I hope a man isn't responsible for that goofy look on your face," he finally said.