Thank you all so very much for your input!!! Long story short, my boss ended up confronting me herself, calling me into her office & asking me point blank if I cut. Fearing my job regardless of the answer I gave, I shook my head yes. Luckily, I still have my job! She asked if I was getting help because "everyone in the office is worried about you." I politely thanked her for her concern, but assured her there was nothing for her or any of my co-workers to worry about. Personally, I think they're all a bunch of nosey you-know-whats (there's only one male in an office with 12 women) who just couldn't stand the curiosity!! I live in a very small southern town where material for gossip is more often than not the underlying fuel for people's "genuine concern." Anyway, Thanks again for all your posts; they helped so much!