Chapter Eleven
Joe came into work the next morning with a clear purpose. His work for the week was nearly finished. He came up in the elevator thinking what he wanted to say to Charlene. He just had a few contracts to review and then he would talk to Charlene about the trip.
He left the elevator and motioned for Charlene to join him in his office. She left her desk quickly and came in Joe’s direction. He knew the next weeks would be very busy with the year coming to an end and many things needing to finalized, sent out or filed away for the new year. New contracts would be coming in and final rewrites were to be finished. As well as conformations of meetings after the holidays. Joe was looking forward to his time away from work.
“Sit down Charlene. How are you today?” “I’m fine Mr. Monroe.” “Great Charlene, I called the travel agency yesterday and made sure my spot was still there for the the trip Charlene.” “Well Mr. Monroe, I guess that solves one problem of yours. I guess it’s not much consolation, but the trip will surely do you some good. And perhaps you will complete this project that you have decided to work on. That should keep your mind occupied as well. I will do my best to keep out of your way and be there when you need me. Joe went through his mail and looked over one contract as Charlene spoke.
I understand that going on this trip isn’t much consolation sir, after all that you have been through, but it’s better than another kick in the teeth.” Charlene looked down at the floor after that comment. “Sorry boss.” “No, Charlene, you’re right about that of course.
I just have to make the best of the situation. I want to be sure that we have an understanding about this trip and our situation.” Charlene had a very clear understanding about the situation. She had helped to arrange most of it. “If you come on this trip, you and I will be traveling as coworkers and nothing more.” “Yes, Mr. Monroe, I understand that completely.”
Unknown to Joe, they would be sleeping in the same kingsized beds together for weeks. Charlene could have changed the arrangements to twin beds, “but what fun would that be,” she mused. Twin beds would have defeated the whole reason behind the trip in the first place. Charlene was sure that she could make Joe fall in love with her on the safari. She had three weeks to make it happen. It was now too late to make other arrangements, thank goodness.
Charlene was above average in looks and intellect, or so she thought. She looked up at Joe as he sat at his desk. “He looks more handsome than usual,” or so she thought. She was looking forward to this trip a great deal. She had had Joe Monroe on her mind for some time, and when Charlene had something on her mind, it consumed her.
“We must be careful to keep this trip on a professional level even if it is a vacation Charlene. I think we need to look at it as a business trip among coworkers.” “I have no problem with that Mr. Monroe. I am very clear on that.”
“I will be busy taking pictures and writing about this trip. If all goes well, I might even make a few bucks.” “That’s great Mr. Monroe. That should help to keep your mind occupied.” Charlene thought of a few other ways to keep Joe occupied but said nothing. She only smiled and listened. “I will be close at hand to help when needed sir.” “Thank you Charlene. You can’t know how much you will be helping me in this effort of mine. And you’re right, I need to do this to get over this thing with Suzan.”
Charlene knew all about the insurance policies on Joe and Suzan. She knew who would receive the payout if anything were to happen to Suzan. It was Joe Monroe of course. If something happened to Joe, Suzan would receive a good sum of money. But it seemed more likely that something might happen to Suzan before the policies were cancelled. And if something did happen to Suzan, Joe would receive a large payout.
Charlene had checked to see that the policies were up to date. They were. She paid for them each month out of Joe’s business account. He hadn’t had the inclination or time to cancel the policies himself. It was a painful reminder of the end of his relationship with Suzan. He might have asked Charlene once, but she might have forgotten to do that.
Charlene thought that it was a good idea for the two lovers to have these policies when they arranged to buy them. Now she thought it was an even better deal than before. Charlene thought that some extra money coming to Joe would help him with his writing career and she wanted to be a part of that.
“He might even be able to take a couple of years off to write his novel and be with me,” she had thought now and then when she was unoccupied at work. “Perhaps we might travel some while he writes the novel that he had talked about so much before he had met Suzan.” She had no idea what the future held for them but she saw herself doing her part to make there relationship a reality and a success. She had been formulating a plan for some time.
The next few weeks went quickly. Work was busy for the both of them. They had little time to talk much about the trip. They go out once to a nearby bar and talked over a few drinks as they had done many times back in the good old days. That had stopped after Suzan started coming around.
Joe knew that Suzan had a new love now and that helped him to get started on getting over her. She had certainly gotten over him. Joe was slowly recovering from his broken heart. Charlene was glad that Joe was recovering even at a slow pace.
She didn’t want a man who could get over such a loss so quickly. No, Joe wasn’t like that. He was a good man and would make a great partner. Suzan’s loss was Charlene’s gain. Charlene was now sure that her plan would work perfectly. It had gotten off to a very good start.
Later that night as Charlene sat in her bedroom with two open suitcases on her bed and staring at her closet, she wondered what she should pack. She wondered if she should bring one black cocktail dress. She had a few, and one was really stunning. “But would there be a place on safari to wear one,” she wondered. “Probably not,” was her decision. “But how many pairs of shoes should I bring?”
Then she remembered the list. She had received a list of items to bring on the safari from the travel company as did Joe. She saw it in his mail a few days ago. “Where the heck was it?” She crossed the room and soon found it on her dresser under a hat that she had pulled from her closet.
Across town, Joe Monroe was packing as well. “Which cameras should I bring,” and “do I have enough room for two?” he wondered. Joe’s clothing would take little space. “I’ll bring six pairs of shorts, under wear, six pairs of socks, a few thin shirts as it will be warm in Africa this time of year. One pair of dress pants and a dress shirt for dinner out if we have a chance to do that. A pair of boots, a pair or two of sneakers will be plenty and my safari hat.” He tossed all this into his suitcase which also held his shaving and bathroom kit. He now felt confidant that he was ready.
The time to leave on the trip arrived quicker than either Joe or Charlene had anticipated. They both had been very busy at work.
Charlene looked over several outfits suitable for a safari. She picked four washable light weight suits with pants, several pairs of shorts, four thin blouses, a few thicker blouses and one long sleeve sweater, a thin wind breaker, a couple of scarves and two wide brimmed hats that she could roll up. She wanted to be prepared for any eventuality.
That was Charlene after all. Prepared for anything and everything. She had a pair of hiking boots, well broken in of course, a pair of sandals and one pair of tennis shoes. She packed several small outfits to sleep in. Some were more revealing than others. She picked three different sets. They took up little room in her suitcase. “After all, it can get hot in Africa,” she thought, with a smile.
Great.
So all the arrangements have been made by Charlene. How convenient.
The sleeping arrangements can’t be changed now. The packing is nearly finished and what’s this about the life insurance policy on Suzan?
More tomorrow.