Nora sat across the desk from Mr. Pierson and the housing director, Mr. Truett. “I’m trying to make the most of my resources. Alpha-1 will be coming back online in the next two weeks; Beta-1 is starting up this Tuesday; construction is underway on Alpha-5… We need every experienced cubicle operator we can get. Right now, I’m looking at a well-trained, seasoned operator, already security-cleared, who went on medical leave to tend to her father, who was seriously injured in battle. She’s nursed him back to health, thank goodness, and now wants to come back to work. That’s a Godsend.”

“I agree this girl sounds like a perfect re-hire,” Mr. Pierson said.

“The problem is,” Mr. Truett broke in, “we have nowhere to put her. I don’t know how else to say it. We’re plum out of housing options right now.”

“What if…” She tapped her forefinger on the dimple in her chin and pretended to consider. “What if I were willing to rent this girl the second room in my place? I’d be willing to make the sacrifice for the good of the war effort if it meant bringing in someone I didn’t have to pluck out of the bullpen to train to do a job that vitally needs doing.” Please let this work. Please let this work.

Mr. Pierson sat back, his mouth hanging open. “Well, I’ll be. Now that’s one I never thought of. You’d be willing to do that? Give up part of your place so this girl could have her job back?”

Nora nodded solemnly. “It seems to me she and her family have suffered enough hardship, sir. My understanding is that she’s an only child, and she sends home the money she makes to support her folks. If we’re not willing to support our wounded soldiers, then…” She let that hang in the air, daring them to deny Mary her job back.

Mr. Pierson looked to Mr. Truett. “It works for me if it works for you.”

Mr. Truett shrugged and addressed Nora. “It’s your space, and if you’re willing to take in a renter, I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

“Thank you, sirs. I appreciate your flexibility on this.”

“Seems to me you’re the one having to be inconvenienced,” Mr. Pierson said. “Suit yourself. I’ll get the paperwork in place and she can start back anytime you’re ready.”

Nora took her leave before they could change their minds. She barely managed not to skip down the hall. Not only were she and Mary going to live together, thus avoiding scrutiny, but she learned that the snitch that turned her in hadn’t implicated Mary as a sexual deviate. If she had, Mr. Pierson would’ve flagged Mary as un-employable and prevented her from returning.

Now all she needed was for Mary to come home.