When The Lights Went Out.... Judy Christenberry

whoever the other members of the committee are, they have some experience with babies!”

      “Well, I hope Kane won’t be on it. After all, he’s divorced and has no children, so he won’t have any experience either,” Maggie pointed out.

      “It’s pretty impressive that he thought of the idea, isn’t it?” Sharon said. “He’s a very good employer.”

      “Yes, he is,” Maggie agreed, warmth in her voice.

      They all suspected Maggie had feelings for her boss, but she’d never admitted to them, and none of them would think of asking her.

      Sharon had so much to think about. She finished her juice and stood. “I’d better get to work. I haven’t been to the office yet since I had an appointment this morning.”

      “How are you feeling? Any better?” Jen asked.

      “Um, yeah. I drank juice instead of a soda. The doctor said I needed more vitamin C. See you!”

      She hurried away, afraid she’d blurt out things she needed to keep to herself. But in twenty-four hours, her life had changed so much, it was difficult to take it all in.

      “Everything all right?” Andy asked her as soon as she reported in.

      “Yes, fine. Did I miss anything this morning?”

      “Nope, just work, and we saved you some,” he added with a grin.

      Sharon smiled back and went to her desk, greeting the other members of the staff as she went. She was so fortunate to work in this department, Special Projects. Everyone was so cheerful.

      She knew it all stemmed from Andy. He always had a smile on his face. And who could complain about bills or the sniffles or whatever when their boss was in a wheelchair?

      That was what she had decided last night. So she was pregnant. She’d always wanted children, but she didn’t have any enthusiasm for marriage. So, now she didn’t have to worry about it. Fortunately she lived in an age when women didn’t have to force themselves into a marriage they didn’t want just because they’d been unfortunate enough—no, not unfortunate. She wasn’t going to think that way. There were a lot of women in the world who couldn’t get pregnant. She was one of the fortunate ones.

      The doctor might recommend telling the father, but she didn’t. After all, he’d left the hospital without contacting her. They’d been taken in separate ambulances to the nearest hospital after they’d been rescued. When she’d been checked and released, she’d asked about him. The nurse told her he’d already gone.

      He obviously had felt he didn’t owe her anything, and he didn’t want anything to do with her. That much was clear.

      She pulled out her work and swept such thoughts away. She had seven months to adjust to being a single parent. She didn’t have to devote today to such things.

      After lunch, she again had settled down to work when her phone rang.

      Andy greeted her and asked if she’d come to his office.

      He called her into his office frequently to discuss certain items, calling her his right-hand man. She didn’t think anything of it.

      When she opened the door however, she discovered the owner, Kane Haley himself, leaning against a windowsill. Both he and Andy were smiling, so she didn’t think there was a problem.

      “Good afternoon, Mr. Haley, Andy. Did you need something?”

      “Sit down, Sharon,” Andy said, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

      She did so and waited. He looked at Kane and nodded.

      “Sharon, you’ve been working here for almost eight years. Andy raves about you all the time, calling you his right-hand man. I think it’s time we made it official.”

      She stared at him, having difficulty taking his meaning.

      “The right-hand part, not the man part,” Kane hurriedly added with an even bigger grin. “I can assure you neither one of us objects to your femininity.”

      She turned to Andy, still not sure what Kane meant.

      “He’s trying to tell you, my dear, that you now bear the title of Assistant Director of Special Projects, with the appropriate raise, of course.”

      Sharon felt her jaw drop. That position had been vacated several years ago and Andy had said it was unnecessary.

      “Me? I’ve been promoted? A raise?” Suddenly her mind was filled with all the soon-to-be expenses she’d incur with a child. How perfect! Without even knowing the amount, she was thrilled.

      “Oh, thank you, Andy! And Mr. Haley. Thank you so much. I promise I’ll work hard.”

      “You already do, my dear,” Andy said with a smile. “You don’t want to overdo it or I’ll think you’re after my job.”

      When she began to protest, he shushed her with a few words and a chuckle.

      “Well, I’m glad I was here for the announcement, Sharon,” Kane said. “It’s always encouraging to have happy employees.” He shoved away from the window and extended his hand to her.

      She stood and shook his hand.

      Then, as he turned to go, he came to a halt. “Oh, by the way, Andy, do you have any pregnant women in your department?”

      Chapter Two

      Sharon abruptly folded into the chair from which she’d risen. “Uh, my knees are shaky from the excitement,” she said hurriedly.

      “Good,” Kane said with a dismissive nod. “I like your enthusiasm.” Then he looked at Andy again. “Well?”

      “Not that I know of,” Andy said, surprised. “Michelle is on maternity leave. She had her baby about six weeks ago. When is she due back, Sharon?”

      “Next Monday,” Sharon said.

      “Yeah, I know about her,” Kane said. “But it occurred to me that some women might keep their pregnancies secret for a while, and—and the more women we have who are pregnant, the more the child-care center would benefit us. So I thought—Why wouldn’t they tell everyone?”

      Sharon blinked and tried to shrink down in her chair. She didn’t want to be a part of this conversation.

      “I suppose they’re afraid it will affect their careers,” Andy said, frowning.

      “Would it?” Kane asked. “I don’t want my employees punished because of that. What do you think, Sharon?”

      “M-me? Uh, no, I don’t think women here are punished because they have a—a family.”

      “Good. So if it’s not fear, why would they keep it a secret?”

      Sharon knew why she was keeping it a secret. She didn’t want to tell anyone about what happened. She was single, which would raise questions. Besides she’d have to reveal her secret soon enough.

      Then there was Jen. Her situation was awkward, too, since she wasn’t married. With Kane and Andy both staring at her, she said, “Maybe some women don’t have husbands, so it’s difficult.”

      “Yeah,” Kane agreed, “but what if a woman wanted the pregnancy and, say, went to a sperm bank. Would she hide her pregnancy?”

      Sharon thought he looked more intense than ever. What was going on? “I don’t know,” she muttered.

      Kane sighed. “No. I don’t either.” He looked at Andy. “Let me know if you hear of any new pregnancies, okay?”

      “Sure,” Andy agreed. He and Sharon remained silent while Kane left the office. Then he looked at Sharon. “That was strange.”

      “Yes,”