Talk With Vice-Boss

Sigrid and Elizabeth leave for quick side trip to see another of Sigrid's friends in Woodstock -- yesterday ask Sigrid if it wouldn't be easier to just stay in one place, i.e. my apartment. Sigrid says she sees what I'm saying, but she has lots of friends to see and besides Elizabeth is so tiny and can be carried everwhere. This is true in a very narrow sense, but does not account for all of the baggage that the baby requires. Nor does it account for heat -- make point again. Sigrid says Well, we ought to appreciate this weather as it is going to become much worse in the coming years. Even though have had similar inward thought, feel that it is unhelpful to say such things out loud. Last night, Elizabeth--already much saner than her mother, sees the dire weather for what it isand fusses for hours, as do I, waking up with a start every time the air conditioner in the bedroom whirrs on. When wake up, worry. Am terrified of talking to the vice-boss about anything. Try to practice speeches for various situations. By morning am exhausted and resetnful of the Contessa who is unreachable by cell phone email, home phone, and even at the New Man's house. Help Elizabeth and Sigrid get to bus station in port authority--very likely the worst place in the world on a day like today. Ask Sigrid if she is reconsidering going to Woodstock. She says resolutely, but clearly untruthfully (her face is flushed and she has a very unattractive sheen of sweat on her visible skin--can only think what I look like), I like the humidity. Downtown on way to work, find that air continues to be unfresh and wet. Arrive at work. Decide to get meeting with the vice-boss over with. The Contessa is sitting at her desk. Says to me, You look like a wet rag. Can only admit that I am. Ask her where she's been, I've left her approximately a thousand messages. She says blandly, My phone died. Tell her about the vice-boss's visit. The Contessa says, What!!? She mutters a string of curses. She hisses, just be evasive--you know you are a bad liar. My feelings are unjustifiably hurt even though know that can't lie and wouldn't want to be known as a good liar. Tap on the vice-boss's door and go in. Vice boss says, I'm so glad you could come, shut the door. Says, I was wondering if you knew anything about the Contessa leaving--I heard a rumor that she was looking for a new job. Am definately shocked but glad that do not have to lie and so tell the Vice-Boss perhaps a few too many details about the Contessa's Great Expectations. Or rather, her Pretty Good Expectations--she won't be rich, but maybe she won't have to work for a while and she can work on her poetr...babble on in similar vein until see that the vice-boss's eyes have glazed over. She cuts me off with a wave of her hand, says, But what about her affair with the New Man? Say, inanely, That's news to me. The Vice-Boss sniffs, it isn't news to anybody else.