Vivian didn’t understand it. The company’s upcoming merger with another, larger manufacturer hadn’t even been announced yet. How did everyone know about it? There was a knock on her office door, and the head bookkeeper of accounts payable asked in that nasal tone that gave New Yorkers a bad rep. “Is it true we’ve been bought out?” “Wherever did you hear that?” “It’s what everybody’s saying. They say they’re going to downsize because they don’t need two of each department, or that some of us will have to go to their offices in New York.” A mournful look overtook her features. “I only have three years left before I retire. I don’t want to start commuting into the city, Vivian.” She could easily understand why. Eloise Sherman lived fifteen minutes away from their offices and could barely manage to find her way to work now. “But I would consider early retirement if they made me a good enough offer,”
