WHO ATE ALL MY TOOTSIE ROLLS?
by
Elaine Storey

Word: obdurate - obstinant, not easily persuaded or influenced, hard hearted not influenced by emotions, especially not inclined to feel sympathy or pity
Question: Who ate all my Tootsie rolls?

4:03 - I managed to push forward - the open elevator doors a most welcome sight. I lit the down arrow with a cold finger and stumbled into the enclosure. A blast of warm air - solace to my stinging ears. The steely voice replaying somewhere deep inside my brain. "You are too cold-hearted, and obdurate for this job!! Your personal remarks and the callous way you handled our Overseas Clients was non-professional. Take a few days with pay and come back Monday morning. We'll discuss the terms of your contract." Before I could wrap my arms even further around my pity, an abrupt sound and bodies lunged for my enclosure. A swift glance produced a huddle of waist-high bodies - an adult in tow. I knew instantly that my quiet five second plunge to "L" would be the bedlam I had fought all day to escape.
"Mommy, he's touching me"
"Erin, don't touch your sister."
"He's staring!"
"Erin, please look at me, not your sister"
The doors close, the floor jiggles and we position for space - I take the back wall - my hand finds the searing pain at my temple.
"Erin quit drumming your fingers on the wall. Can't you see that poor lady has a headache?"
"Sorry" she adds in the general direction of my head.
"Mommy, when are we going to get there?"
"Em please. I've told you to never ask. We will be there when we get there, don't be so obtuse."
The elevator chunked loudly, then stopped. I glanced at the panel where "L" was lit in red and braced for the rush of cold sterile air.
Silence.
"Ob-too? Ob-twos? Ob-threes? Mommy what?"
"Obtuse - it means stupid, and stupid is a 'no-no' word, and we don't use 'no-no' words right kids?"
"Who ate all my Tootsie rolls?" came Erin's whine just as the doors opened - revealing the bustling lobby with its sleek look of professional austerity.

The elevator became mine just in the nick of time. Bursting with intense loathing and raw emotion, I recoiled and once again sought out the back wall. My bursting head and sick heart propelled me back to the fifth floor - the floor where my job lay in ruin. The heavy object I knew was holstered inside my shoulder bag - my ultimate focus.
"That sleazy, mealy-mouthed creep. Who did he think he was - ordering me out of my office like that?"
Standing over his inert body, his blue eyes showing the shock of my approach - "How's this you bastard- Obdurate enough for Ya?"