I could see the look on their faces as I strutted towards my desk. They all had the same thought, "What is she doing here?". They were right, what was I doing coming to work right after a week? Most people would take a month off, even two! But hey, someone needs to pay the bills and I needed the distraction.

"Kathleen, what are you...how are you!" Stacey said catching up with me.

"Good," I replied. "You?"

My respose definitely caught her off guard. Stacey and I were close. Not the kind of close you'd tell your secrets to but, the kind that you'd team up with against the others in the office. We all need that kind of friend, especially in an office.

"I-uh-doing ok. Thank you for asking," she replied.

"Good to hear," I said. "Now, I'd love to get back to my work." I added placing my hand on the pile of files stacked on my desk. 

They'd better be my old files and not more work...

When she left, I dropped my backpack beside my chair and sat down. My desk was as I left it. However, the files were more work. Beside my computer, was a small gift box and a single lily. 

"When was she here!" I gasped getting up, the items in my hand.

My outburst startled most of them. I felt sorry for Jack, clumsy ol' Jack, he spilled his coffee all over his desk. He's used to it though so, no biggie.

"Who?" Stacey finally asked. I lifted the items over my head for them to have a better view. "Oh..."

"When was she back?" I asked again. Everyone looked at me pitifully. The exact look I was given by everyone I met after Todd's accident. I hated being pitied!

"When did Heidi come here, for Peete's sake!" I yelled.

"Right after Todd had his accident!" Jack said struggling to clean his desk. "Now, will someone please get me more paper towels!"