"Daddy?" Nikki asked after she heard the front door slam.
"Yeah, honey, I'm home," she heard him reply in a downtrodden tone.
She was puzzled by her father's demeanor; usually Bill joked with Nikki when he came home from work, but tonight he seemed different.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"The economy," Bill replied. "Pete made an announcement today that several of our jobs are going to be eliminated January first. There's a good possibility mine is one of them."
"Daddy, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know, baby. I've worked for Pete over twenty years. I'm not only too old to start over, but also don't have a college degree."
"I'll take leave from school and find a job until you get something."
"You will do no such thing. I can be a greeter or stock man at one of the big box stores. Lots of older folks taking jobs for less pay nowadays."
"Don't you dare degrade yourself like that. Maybe I can talk to Pete."
"Now what good will that do me?"
"It's worth a try, Daddy. He isn't some random stranger who happens to be your boss. We've known him for years. Me since I was a kid, and you...well, since you kind of stole Mom from him in high school."
Bill smiled at her last comment. "One of the few things in life that actually went my way. Looking back, maybe your mother would've been better off staying with Pete, may she rest in peace. He has the looks, education, and business. I was just one of his lackeys."
"You don't even know if your job is being eliminated," Nikki pointed out.
"Long time friendship or not, everyone is destined to be on the chopping block."
"Well, no use spending all evening worrying about things beyond our control. I made a nice dinner. Let's just relax and spend some time together at the table. I'll even let you nap afterward."
Bill kissed her hair. "It's always nice to still have someone who's consistent. You're right, Nikki; no use wasting time on concerns beyond my reach. Who knows? Maybe things will work out for me."
***
"Tell me about Nicole, Peter."
"She's Bill's daughter. He's the friend from high school I told you about during our last session."
"The boy for whom your then-girlfriend left you."
"Yeah. In case you wondered, I forgave him for that a long time ago. Now I have the burden of possibly eliminating Bill's job. The timing couldn't be worse, especially since he's putting Nikki through college."
"How old is the girl?"
"She's nineteen. I've been attracted to her since Bill brought her to the last office party."
"Why do you think you're so attracted to Nicole?"
"Honestly? I believe it has to do with her looking like Vicki at the same age."
"Vicki's her mother?"
"Yes. She died when Nikki was six. Bill's raised her alone ever since."
"So you want to relive your high school days by fantasizing about sleeping with your friend's daughter, the younger version of your former girlfriend."
"I guess you could say that. Vicki and I had great sex when we dated, and..well, we also ended up in bed the night before her and Bill's wedding. I know being drunk is no excuse - and thank God Bill never found out about my and Vicki's indiscretion - but I felt so guilty afterward, I offered him a job when I opened the company."
"Now you feel the same guilt about possibly eliminating that job."
"Yeah."
"Well, our time is up. Same time next week?"
"Sure, Doc. I have a feeling I'm going to need that session after all the job cuts I have to make."
***
The following morning, Nikki drove to her father's job with the intention of meeting with Pete to discuss the status of Bill's future employment. The dress she wore showed some cleavage, but not so much that she appeared slutty. Nevertheless, the dress hugged every curve of her body, and drew appreciative stares from men working around the vicinity.
There was no one to greet her at the front desk; Pete's secretary suddenly resigned the previous week and he had yet to hire a replacement. With budget cuts looming, it was likely that position would also be eliminated. Instead, he would probably use a temporary staffing agency.
Nikki found Pete's office door slightly ajar and knocked.
"Yeah?" he called.