January 26. Thursday Night.

Hi Journey.

Some days I think I'm the only person in my office that understands salary does not equal forty hours a week.

It has been right at a month since I paid them all bonuses that certainly could have gone to a down payment on my house. I have spent all month working weekends and nights and getting everything squared away and shoehorning in Tea Times and all the other office minutiae so I can go visit Mattie for a week and what do I get but constant requests from people for time off and extra trips to the computer repairman's office.

Joni took nearly three hours at lunch today. Three hours! Like I wouldn't notice.

Truth is, Journey, I'm not upset at Joni at all. She's put in way more than her share of overtime hours without squealing or hitting me up for even a dime. I'm upset at Vivian, and I suppose it's been brewing for a long time.

And yes, I'm still a little irked over her poutiness over that poker game the other day.

I'm torqued at Viv and Dana. Each of them was playing hooky yesterday afternoon, and I only clued into it because I caught Shelly trying to cover for them.

OK, Shelly wasn't covering for them, she was protecting Dana. I think that Shelly would be fine if Viv took a hike, but she likes Dana. When it comes to matching fabric the two of them are by far the most talented in the shop. I like Dana, too, but she is anchoring herself to a boat with a hole in it if she and Viv keep playing hooky.

And I've a feeling they lied about where they were.

I can catch them at it, yet I can't find out for sure what they are doing. But I'm packing off for a week, and must have the team on board with me. I need the whole team.

I haven't had any complaints from clients, but I am not sure I 100% trust them anymore. I think I need a way to check up on Viv. Maybe I need to start tracking their calls. Something. I don't know.

I need to get completely buttoned up before I take that California-bound bird on Tuesday. There has to be 100% trust in a business, or it fails.

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