The phone burned a hole in her jacket pocket. The morning coffee didn't hit as usual. Instead of feeling relaxed, she felt like a kid playing hot potato. Marc wouldn't come into 

Bloomingfoods

until 10. She'd have to keep the phone in her pocket until then.

Her jacket was of course hung on a rack in the employees lounge. She wore a sweatshirt while working in the store. However she could still feel the heat of the phone as though she was wearing the jacket. It seared the right side of her hip. She constantly rubbed her hands against it. Elena didn't believe that would work. Just had to try something. She looked at the time. It was now 9:57. No Marc though. Weird. He always came in early. At least 15 minutes early. Old fashioned.

This had confused her. Why would anyone show up to work so early. It wasn't like they paid your for that time. Didn't he have other things to do. She had never asked this to him. But she could imagine him saying, "Oh no. No place I'd rather be."

9:58. No Marc still. Couldn't blame the man for not showing up early every day. But why did it have to be this day? She headed over to the lounge. She planned on having his phone ready. She'd hand it over to him as soon as he walked in through the glass door.

She could picture him opening the door facing south. His hand taking his hat off as he walked in. Like old fashioned gentlemen. The image made her feel warm. Similar feeling to how the morning coffee made her feel.

Her hand reached into the jacket. And the image and that warm feeling evaporated. Her fingers could not feel a phone. Just some tissues and a pen. She looked around. Then stepped out into the store. Maybe she hadn't seen Marc coming in. Perhaps he came into the lounge and took his phone? No he wouldn't do that. He was polite. A

gentleman

. He wouldn't reach into her pocket like that.

She went to the cash register. Kevin was helping a lady with a long grocery list check out. Elena's feet danced up and down on the floor. Her eyes darted around. Looking for Marc.

A minute passed. Then she burst onto Kevin.

"Is Marc here?"

"No. I actually heard that he called in sick. Why... what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Elena wondered, where the hell was Marc's phone. And how was he calling in sick? Of course he could use another phone for that. Maybe he had another one. Maybe he had emailed using his laptop. There were all sorts of explanations there. But there was still no explanation for where the phone had gone.

"Yeah I'm alright."

She went and stocked some shelves with half a mind. Composed herself as much as she could. Then thought of possibilities. Another employee might've taken it out of her jacket pocket. But that would be stealing. Elena didn't think her coworkers were capable of that. So she brushed through that possibility fast. Next. Theft? Someone who wasn't an employee entering the lounge and taking it? The lounge didn't always have someone there. Sometimes sat empty. this seemed like the more likely possibility.