Minor Changes

After a 15 minute trip from the laundry room in the basement to the 27th floor, Derick dropped the laundry basket on the floor next to the door and his keys on the kitchen counter. His answering machine was blinking. Derick pressed 'play'.

"Hello. I've read your manuscript and have made some minor changes to certain sections. I will be calling later tonight to speak to you about these matters."

"End of message." The automated voice on the machine replied.

Derick's eyes were wide with surprise. It was the husky-voiced man from the night before. "Wow, he read that fast." Derick said out loud. "Maybe I should make it longer."

* * *

"Hey, look, I'm expecting an important phone call tonight, and, well, could we have this little get-together at my place?"

"Sure." Maria replied, holding the receiver between her chin and shoulder as she was fixing herself dinner. "Who's calling?"

Derick was silent for a second. "Someone that wants to give me feedback on my manuscript."

Maria put down the knife she was chopping vegetables with and took the receiver into her hand. "Oh no, Derick. Not that creep from last night?"

"Yeah. He's an agent, Maria." Derick began to get defensive.

"Will you stop this already? This is ridiculous!"

"What is? The fact that someone might be interested in my work when you thought no one would be?"