When Bob told them this was their last paycheck, and that it did not include the severance pay he sometimes could afford, they knew why he had hesitated.  The plant was Bob's social life as well as his job, and they would be leaving him alone with his computer until next season.  It was all a matter of economics, and Bob felt he was forced to choose economics over sociability.  So it was goodbye until next year.

For the most part, the women were not that sentimental, it was just another one of those things you had to face up to. As Bob tried to make it something meaningful by offering a sweaty handshake, each woman in turn grabbed her pay envelope and looked away. Once outside Bob's office, they ripped open the envelope, tore the check apart from the stub, dropped the pink slip into the wastebasket, and headed for the bank.

Only Eva stayed behind to savor this year's last moment with Bob.  She told him that even if she took another job in Rockwell City, she hoped to come back next season and work with him.  She had some ideas for new packaging and assembly.  She hoped he would be interested in hearing about them.  He said he would like that, but not now.

Edna waited for Eva in the outer office, and she encouraged her to throw the pink slip in the wastebasket as the others had done.

"You don't need that reminder," Edna said, "Throw it away."

 Wiping away a tear, Eva tossed the pink slip in with the others.  Then she tore the check from the stub and put the check in her wallet.  She was staring at the stub with her name and Social Security number printed on it when Edna called, "Are you coming, Eva?"

"I'll be right with you," Eva said, forcing a smile in anticipation of the last cup of coffee with the other girls after the trip to the bank.  She mustn't let them know how sad she was.

"Did you throw the pink slip in the wastebasket?," Edna asked, and Eva nodded.

Edna didn't know it, _  _  _    _  _  _    _  _  _    _  _  _  _  _    _    _  _  _  _.
(3 letters, 3 letters, 3 letters, 5 letters, 1 letter, 4 letters)

 Copyright 1998 J.J. Schnebel
All rights reserved

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