Seulgi looked at the clock. Today, the clock was not her friend. It was not close enough to go to lunch, despite having just gotten back from break. It was also not close enough to take half a day off to go to the hospital.

  Seulgi took that yellow postit note and crumpled it in her hand in mute frustration.

  She made the decision. “Yeji, tell the gang that Wendy woke up. I am going to the hospital for lunch. Everyone is welcome to join us if they like. It is not mandatory.”

  She knew her people, it would be like holding back the tide with a sponge, keeping them here.

  She sat down in her comfy chair, booted her ptop, and logged back in. She opened her email and then fired off an email to the Boss, saying that her friend had woken up and she and her crew were going to go to the hospital over lunch. If unpnned things happen, would it be OK to take a half day off?

  After hitting send, she threw herself into her work with a manic ferocity that would have scared anyone who saw her. From nowhere, she noted the scent of orchids. She always associated the scent of orchards with Bhuwakuln. Then she noticed a stronger scent, lemon grass tea. It emanated from a mug off to her side, still steaming. There was also a small packet of sugar, another of honey, and a spoon.

  She chose the sugar and stirred it into the tea. The honey, she stored away in her drawer for ter.

  She lost herself back into her world of data, projects, notes, addendums, inquiries, and emails. There was a franticness to her work. She had to get as much done as fast as she could because her friend needed her. She had to get going as soon as possible, but she also had to…her computer chimed at her indicating an incoming email from the Old Man.

  It simply said: It’s Thursday. Don’t you dare let me see you before Monday. Call if you need anything.

  After reading this, she sent a prayer and a blessing to the Old Man. She also slowed down her frantic pace to something more reasonable. She also looked into her bag and made sure that she had her spare power cord. She might not be in the office, but she’ll still bring her ptop with her to keep working. Just in a much more rexed setting.

  Seulgi was guiltily aware that she could not actually bring herself to compin about going into the office. It was as warm, comfortable, and inviting as it could possibly be. The people that she worked with made it go from a good and warm environment to an incredible one. She could never bring herself to compin about it. There are always aspects to bring it back down a notch, of course. Usually, the rare customer or coworker that just could not bring themselves to work nicely with others. But, those were rare. And she knew that she could conquer most of those rotten people with a smile, so even those people rarely made trouble a second time.

  Still, she could not bring herself to hate working in her office, as a good corporate minion is supposed to do.

  Still, despite all of the udable things, she still enjoyed occasionally working from home or away from the office. If only for the change of pass, environment, or scenery. Still, work would get done. That is what she would get accomplished with taking her ptop with her over lunch.

  She fired off a quick text to Yeji – ‘Tell everyone that this is a working lunch. Those who need to should bring their ptops. Tell them we’re going to…(she looked up a nearby restaurant that is known more for speed than quality)…Hwang’s for lunch. Make sure everyone has rides.’

  She looked up the number for Hwang’s and called them to make a reservation for eight at about noon. She didn’t think there would be eight, but you never know who will show up. She smirked at the thought of Bhuwakuln. She took a sip of her tea with that thought in mind.

  She dove back into her work again and did not surface until about a quarter past eleven am. It was amazing just how much she got done. But it threatened to drown her with what was left. This was just the normal amount of work, not the specific stuff just for her.

  This weekend was going to be busy. Poor Suki is going to be neglected again, even if she works from home. Did she feel another hair inside her mouth? How does that cat do this!?

  At about eleven twenty-five, she powered everything down and packed everything away. She looked at her doorway, counted noses, and saw that everyone was there. At eleven thirty, the troops trooped out to go to lunch. They expected to have a very quick lunch and then head to the hospital.

  Things do not always go as pnned, of course. As they were exiting the main atrium, a sixth sense poked Yeji hard and she shoved Seulgi without knowing why. A half second ter, a window washer bucked had smashed where she had just been standing. Fortunately, the only thing that happened was everyone’s shoes got wet. The only one who got hurt was Yeji. Her hand was still where Seulgi was, so she got a sizeable bruise and a cut on her hand from the resulting bucket fragments ricocheting.

  Before conscious thought caught up to what happened, Bhuwakuln had already snatched Yeji’s hand and started swabbing and wrapping it. He was so prepared because he kept a watch after Seulgi, after all. He always had a first aid kit on him.

  Before shock could even set it, even before wondering to ask why he was even there, he held her hand and gave a little squeeze to force her to pay attention. He said to her: “This is not enough. You will need to go to the emergency room for proper stitching. OK?”Yeji just nodded. Then said in a tiny voice, “Hey. That hurt.” Referring to the bucket, not Bhuwakuln’s treatment.

  Everyone looked up, mystified. They knew where the bucket came from, but there was no one working on washing windows today.