Welcome back to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “squash”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story.
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“I appreciate that.”
Nancy gave her a solid, final nod as if it sealed the deal. “Good. As soon as you have the dates, let me know. We will miss you being here but I look forward to hearing about your trip.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Sure thing.”
Dani forced a smile on her face as she backed out of the office and closed the door behind her. She wound her way out of the administration space the same way she came in. She didn’t stop her stride until she was back at the information desk beside Elsie. It was then that she finally let go of the breath that made her chest and ribs ache.
She noticed Elsie take her in from head to toe. “So, how did it go?”
Dani took a moment to discover her voice again. “Nancy gave me the time off.”
Elise’s eyes widened and her mouth popped open for a moment. Clearly the news was a shock to her. “Really? I didn’t expect that.”
Dani shrugged. “I have to give a presentation on my expedition when I get back.”
“Oh. I should have figured it came with strings attached.”
Dani felt her anxiety creep back like a thousand fire ants on her skin. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it. You know me. I’m an introvert.”
“It looks like you’re going to squash your shyness before you come back. Or scrap the trip. I guess the choice is yours.”
Dani watched the library visitors come and go through the expansive room. Her gaze locked on a familiar figure in a black hooded sweatshirt shuffling away towards the exit. Did she have a choice? Not really. If she called Julian and cancelled their trip, Ezra would continue to suffer. Grarkiel would continue to torture him without any end. There was only one answer. She was going to Egypt.
