Invasion

Entering the building, Nancy wondered what to expect. After the death the day before she was unsure how the whole establishment would be functioning. A memorial service was scheduled for that afternoon. But she immediately sensed that everything was already back to routine.

The accounting department was on the fourth floor, and as she rode up in the crowded elevator, she overheard normal conversation. There was even laughter. At first it made Nancy feel relieved that people had taken the episode in stride. But when the whole car burst into laughter about a comment Nancy hadn't heard well enough to understand, she began to feel uncomfortable. The joviality seemed disrespectful.

Nancy found Joy Taylor with ease. As one of the more senior people she had her own office. When Nancy walked through the open door, Joy was busy at her computer terminal. As Nancy had remembered, she was a mousy person about Nancy's size although much thinner. Nancy guessed that Candee took after her father.

"Excuse me," Nancy called out.

Joy looked up. Her pinched features registered momentary irritation at being disturbed. Then her expression wanned and she smiled.

"Hello," Joy said. "How have you been?"

"Just fine," Nancy said. "I wasn't sure you'd remember me. I'm Nancy Sellers. My son Jonathan and your daughter Candee are classmates."

"Of course I remember you," Joy said.

"Terrible tragedy yesterday," Nancy said while she thought about how to bring up the issues she wanted to discuss.

"Yes and no," Joy said. "Certainly for the family, but I happen to know that Mr. Kalinov had serious kidney disease."

"Oh?" Nancy questioned. The comment confused her.

"Oh yes," Joy said. "He'd been on weekly dialysis for years. There was talk of a transplant. It was bad genes. His brother had the same problem."

"I hadn't heard about his medical problems," Nancy said.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Joy asked.

"Yes, there is," Nancy said, taking a seat. "Well, it's more that I wanted to talk with you. I'm sure it's not serious, but I felt I should at least mention it to you. I'd want you to do the same for me if Jonathan had come to you."

"Candee came to you?" Joy asked. "About what?"

"She's upset," Nancy said. "And frankly, so am I."

Nancy noticed a slight hardening of Joy's features.

"What did Candee say she was upset about?" Joy asked.

"She feels that things have changed at home," Nancy said. "For one thing she said that you and your husband are suddenly doing a lot of entertaining. It's made her feel insecure. Apparently some people have even wandered into her bedroom."

"We have been entertaining," Joy said. "Both my husband and I have recently become very active in environmental causes. It requires work and sacrifice, but we're willing to do both. Perhaps you'd like to come to our meeting tonight."

"Thanks, but some other time," Nancy said.

"Just let me know when," Joy said. "But now I've got to get back to work."

"Just a moment longer," Nancy said. The conversation was going poorly. Joy was not being receptive despite Nancy's diplomatic efforts. It was time for more candor. "My son and your daughter also got the impression that you were encouraging them to sleep together. I'd like you to know that I don't agree with this at all. In fact I'm adamantly against it."

"But they are healthy and their genes are well matched," Joy said.

Nancy struggled to remain calm. She'd never heard such a ridiculous statement. Nancy could not understand Joy's casual attitude about such an issue, especially with the burgeoning problem of teen pregnancy. Just as aggravating was Joy's equanimity in the face of Nancy's obvious agitation.

"Jonathan and Candee do make a cute couple," Nancy forced herself to say. "But they are only seventeen and hardly ready for the responsibilities of adult life."

"If that is how you feel I will be happy to respect it," Joy said. "But my husband and I feel that there are a lot more pressing issues, like the destruction of the rain forest."

Nancy had had enough. It was plain to her that she was not going to have a rational conversation with Joy Taylor. She stood up. "Thank you for your time," she said stiffly. "My only recommendation is that perhaps you might pay a little more attention to your daughter's state of mind. She is upset."

Nancy turned to leave.

"Just a moment," Joy said.

Nancy hesitated.

"You seem to be extremely anxious," Joy said. "I think I can help you." She pulled out the top drawer of her desk and gingerly lifted out a black disc. Placing it in the palm of her hand, she extended it toward Nancy. "Here's a little present for you."

Nancy was already convinced that Joy Taylor was more than a little eccentric, and this unsolicited proffering of a talisman just added to the impression. Nancy leaned over to take a closer look. She had no idea what the strange object was.

"Take it," Joy encouraged.