Myrtle in Gear

Myrtle’s first call was to her personal banker. She frankly couldn’t remember if she’d told Elaine about her accident. She’d made a few calls after she was released from hospital, but couldn’t recall talking to Elaine. She guessed she hadn’t had any reason to talk to her banker. So when she got through to Elaine, Myrtle filled her in. When Elaine started to sympathize, she assured her that everything was all right now, but she had no car.

“The insurance company wanted to settle,” said Myrtle, “but I wouldn’t until I knew if my eye was going to be all right. They haven’t called back,” she said.

“I know a good personal injury lawyer you could contact,” said Elaine. “I wouldn’t accept a settlement without one these days. I'll give you his number,” she offered.

Myrtle was very relieved. She’d thought she might need a lawyer, but didn’t know where to begin with that. She was just as worried about getting ripped off by a lawyer as by the insurance company, so she was grateful for Elaine’s help.

“That’s great, thanks,” she said. “Thing is though, I still need a car in the meantime. I was thinking just to buy one and insist on a cash settlement from the insurance company,” she said hopefully. “That’s where you come in.”

As soon as Elaine was assured that Myrtle was still working at the same place, there was no problem. Elaine suggested that Myrtle not buy anything too big or fancy, but she was certainly good for a car loan with no problem.

“If the dealership you choose has some sort of financing deal on, don’t sign on until you call me first, ok?” said Elaine.

Myrtle agreed. Elaine had always been very helpful when Myrtle needed financial guidance, so she’d certainly prefer to deal with her anyway. Assured that a car loan was no problem, Myrtle looked forward to car shopping. She called Winnifred and asked her if she wanted to come with her. So it was settled, the two would grab a bite out after work and then do the rounds of the local car dealerships to see what they had to offer. Myrtle wondered briefly why she’d put this off so long, and then she remembered Fred. Yeah, she thought, she’d been a little busy. This was a good chance to get some stuff done, she thought, with a bit of a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

After checking again to see if anyone was headed her way in need of anything, Myrtle picked up the phone again and called the office of the lawyer Elaine had suggested. She filled the receptionist in on what it was about and was given a time to call back. Dan Milburn was with a client at that moment, but he preferred to chat with potential clients on the phone before having them come to see him. That was fine with Myrtle, so she made a note of the time and decided to get some actual work done while waiting.

She was well into some typing when Dick strolled in. He seemed a little fitful.

“Those two fellas we hired,” he began. He had Myrtle’s instant attention. “They both showed up to do the same class,” he fretted.

“Did they get mixed up?” asked Myrtle.

“I don’t think so,” said Dick. “I think they decided to cover it together. But we don’t have to pay them more to do that, do we?”

Myrtle sighed in relief. “No, Dick. You have a contract with them to each take half the teaching responsibilities. It doesn’t matter how they do it. If they’re both there, then they’re sort of each taking half the class.”

Dick looked confused and uncertain. “But.... but...”

“Honestly Dick,” Myrtle assured him. “It doesn’t matter which way they take half the classes. If it helps them to both be there, it doesn’t cost you anything more. You just pay them according to the contract they signed.”

Dick seemed relieved, although somehow still uncertain at the same time. Before he could wander away, Myrtle asked him for Thursday afternoon off.

“Ok,” he said. “How long will you be gone?”

“All afternoon, Dick,” said Myrtle, patiently.

“Oh. Well, yeah... that’s ok,” he nodded, then he sort of wandered away.

At least, thought Myrtle, her asking for an afternoon off may have distracted him from worrying about the two young fellows teaching Pelham’s course. She hoped nothing was going to go wrong there. If it did, she could only hope that she wasn’t blamed for it again.

When he was gone, Myrtle checked the clock. It was almost time to make her call.

Dan Milburn listened as Myrtle told him about the accident, about the offer the insurance company made, about her eye, and that she seemed to be fine now. At least, her injuries had healed and she had good vision in the injured eye. He got the pertinent facts from her, like the name of the other driver, the name of his insurance company, and hers, and her doctor’s name. Then he made an appointment with her for 6:30 Wednesday evening.

“Most of my clients have jobs,” he explained. “I work funny hours,” he chuckled.

It sounded great to Myrtle, who really didn’t want to ask for more time off. Somehow, making that appointment with the lawyer lifted a huge weight from Myrtle. She guessed she’d been worrying about all this somewhere in the back of her mind, even though she’d been too preoccupied to really give it a lot of conscious thought. She was looking forward to getting everything looked after, and putting the accident and everything associated with it behind her.