ANN AFTER THE DIVORCE
PART 9 OF THE BET
CHAPTER 1
Ann and William Jarrett had divorced a little over 2 years ago when William found out that Ann had been fucking their own son as well as their son's best friend. William just wanted as far away from the whole mess as possible, so he had given up a lot just to get the divorce over as quickly as possible. He now lived in DC with his new girlfriend. Ann still lived in the house she had gotten in the divorce. Their son Billy was now a junior in college. Ann had finally realized how badly she had screwed up and stopped fucking both Billy and his friend Don. She had been going to a therapist to try and wrap her head around why she would do such a thing. Her and her friend Donna, Don's mother, had drifted apart also and were no longer friends, although they were cordial and spoke when they saw each other. So Ann really had no friends to speak of at the moment. She and Billy had talked and come to an understanding that she would be going back to being his mother and not his lover. He was also going to therapy.
Ann had never worked much. Just a few part time gigs when she was younger. Fast food, cashier, stock girl at Wal-mart, that type of thing. She had always relied on her looks to get men to take care of her. And she had the looks to do it. She had always been a very beautiful woman. And still is. But after the divorce it had become necessary for her to seek employment. She had gotten some money in the divorce as well as the house, but it was dwindling. She had no training for anything, no experience, and no skills. So she was getting worried. She applied at several places but none of them even called her in for an interview because she didn't have the qualifications. So she took a job waitressing at a local steakhouse. It didn't pay much but she got pretty good tips. She hated it. But one evening a man from the law firm where William used to work came into the restaurant with his wife. Ann had met him on a few occasions when she and William were still together. His name was Jack Armstrong. His wife is Georgia. Georgia was about Ann's age, which is 39, but Jack was a good bit older, probably around 50. Ann had always assumed Georgia had married him for his money. Jack said he had heard about the divorce and expressed his sorrow. As they talked a little while Ann was serving them she told him she hated this job but it was all she could find with no experience. He told her to come to his office, that perhaps they could find something for her there.
"Really!? That would be great! Like what?"
"I don't know. Bookkeeping, filing, secretary, I'm sure we can find something for you. Me being an old friend of William's and you being his ex-wife, I'd love to help out."
"Thank you so much. I'll do that."
"Call my secretary tomorrow and set up a time to come in."
"I will. Thanks again."
He left her a $50 tip when they finished their meal and said he was looking forward to talking to her.
CHAPTER 2
Ann called his office the next day. His secretary said he had told her to be expecting a call from her. After checking his schedule she told Ann that she could come in the next day at 2 PM if that suited. It did.
Ann dressed to look professional. She wore a conservative dark green dress that came to her knees, pantyhose, and black shoes with heels but not high heels. She pinned her hair up on her head. She put on a little make-up to enhance her looks, lipstick, and a light perfume. She wore fake diamond earrings and a fake pearl necklace that hung down in the open top of her blouse. All in all she looked very nice. Quite business-like and quite pretty.
When she got to Jack's office his secretary told her to have a seat and Mr. Armstrong would be right with her. She was an older lady, maybe 60, still attractive, and very professional. Ann sat and looked at a magazine while waiting. It wasn't a long wait. Mr. Armstrong called her in about 10 minutes later. She went in and extended her hand for a handshake. "Thank you for seeing me so quickly, Mr. Armstrong."
He clasped her hand and said, "Please, it's Jack. I feel like we're old friends. Have a seat." He spoke on the intercom to his secretary and told her to hold all calls and clear his schedule for the rest of the day. He pushed a button on a remote that closed the blinds on the front of his office.
Ann sat in a chair in front of his desk. They chatted a little about her ex husband, Ann's son, and his own son, who was also in college. Then he asked, "So. What is it exactly that you're looking for?"
"Well. I don't really know. I mean, I don't have any training for any one thing. But I'm a fast learner and I'm willing to do whatever is necessary. So I'll take whatever position you have available."
"I see. And what is that folder you have there?" Ann had come in carrying a folder.
"Oh. This. Well. it's a resume I typed up. But I'm afraid it's not a very good one. It just lists where I went to school, previous jobs, and such. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't done much. Or had any schooling beyond high school."
He got up and stood behind Ann's chair. "Okay. Well, let's have a look."
Ann opened her folder and showed him the resume she had typed up. It listed the grade school, middle school, and high school she had attended. It listed her previous employers, McDonald's, Food Lion, and Wal-Mart. As for strengths it said, kind, courteous, loyal, and honest. For weaknesses it said math, and budgeting. There were other things in it but nothing of significance. Jack looked at it, handed it back to her, and said, "Well, there's certainly not much there that would be helpful in a law firm." He put his hands on her shoulders, "Ann, I like you. Always have. When you came around with William I always thought you were a lovely, polite, delightful woman. And I still do. And for that reason I'm willing to make a place for you. If you still think you might want the job."
"Yes. Definitely."
"Good." He massaged her shoulders as he spoke. "Ann, I need a personal assistant. Would you be interested in a position like that?"
"Yeah. I'll do about anything. What would that involve?"
He pulled a chair over in front of her and sat down. "Well. You wouldn't be working here at the office. Doing other stuff for me. Maybe at my home sometimes. It may involve some travel when I go out of town. All kinds of stuff."