A Rude Awakening

For the next few days, Valerie stayed home, preparing for the return to work, waiting for the first day back after the holiday.

On the eighth day of the holiday, it was the first day back at Ellsworth Group, excluding the factories.

Valerie and Nolan arrived at the office early. But by ten o'clock, there were still two employees on the list who hadn't shown up.

Valerie stared out the window at the