“I think she’s just teething again. Every time she cuts a new tooth, she spikes a fever the night before. The next day, she’s just cranky, but sure enough another tooth pops out. I called my pediatrician, and they say it’s a coincidence. That’s not the case if you speak to my father. He said I was the same way.”
“Well that’s good, I guess.” Gianna didn’t have any children and really never babysat either. She wasn’t worried about her lack of experience with them. Since she was single, thirty-one, and not even dating, it didn’t look like children were in her future anyway.
“It is. And Charles and I would love to come. We’ll use it as a date night. When you have a little one running around, everything becomes a date night,” she chuckled.
She was stuck. It was official. Gianna was having a party. The problem was her apartment wasn’t very big. She was one of the lucky ones that didn’t have a studio, but still, it was far from ideal for hosting a party. But there was no issue with having a few friends over. “Well I’m glad your expectations aren’t high, because it’s going to be something casual.”
“Sounds perfect. Most people don’t know this, but I’ve never been a city girl. Give me a reason to wear my jeans and t-shirt and I’m thrilled. Charles on the other hand, takes off his tie when he’s dressing down. If he only knew how darn good he looked in jeans.” Rosslyn had a dreamy grin and Gianna knew they had lost her for a second.
Liz’s laughter broke the moment. “Now that I’d like to see. Maybe you can tell him it’s a country themed party and we all have to wear jeans.” She turned to Gianna and asked, “What do you think? Make it a western theme?”
“Sure, why not?” She smiled as she lost total control. Gianna hadn’t even gotten into the office to meet with Rosslyn yet and things were blowing up.
“And you really don’t mind if I come?” Bobbi asked.
“Of course not,” Liz replied.
Maybe you should have the party at your place Liz.
“And you can even help me plan it Bobbi,” Gianna added.
Bobbi looked around and said, “I don’t know anything about planning a fancy party. I mean, I’ve never even been to one.”
Gianna noticed how nervous Bobbi appeared. It was funny, because Gianna was in the same shape. She’d been living in the city for more than a year, but still hadn’t unpacked all her boxes. The pressure was on. She was about to host a party and her biggest client was coming.
“It’s really not a party Bobbi, it’s friends getting together. Nothing fancy.” She had set the stage for what they could expect.
“You mean like last night when you gave me all those clothes?”
She smiled at Bobbi. No one needed to know that fact, but it was too late now. “Yes, just no fashion show.”
“Then I guess it’s set. We’re having a party Saturday,” Liz said, filled with excitement.
“Yes we are,” she forced a smile. No one seemed to have noticed any of her discomfort with this. Good. She was going to need to keep it going Saturday too.
“I make a mean pulled pork and corn bread. That will go with the country theme. Maybe while you and Rosslyn have your meeting, Bobbi and I can come up with the menu,” Liz stated.
“I know this is your party Gianna, and Charles and I would love to come to your place, but it’s supposed to be beautiful out this weekend. Would you consider having the party at our place?”
“You have so much going on already. I couldn’t impose on you for this,” Gianna said. What she really wanted was to turn back the clock and erase the entire conversation.
“It’s no imposition. But I don’t want to step on your toes either if you really were looking forward to hosting the party at your home,” Rosslyn replied.
What could she say? No would be rude. Yes would be disastrous. Use your HR words Gianna. “I’d love to, but only if you still allow me to do my part.”
“Definitely. I know my sisters-in-law would love to come too. We can do a potluck country dinner theme.” Rosslyn turned to Liz and added, “Can you start the list and put me down for potato salad.”
“You got it!” Liz said as the started typing. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Oh yay…. Gianna knew how to cook, and knew exactly what she was going to make. “And if you can put me down for three bean and mean chili. You might want to make a note that it’s…HOT.”
“Oh yes! I love it spicy.” Liz winked with a wicked grin and added, “In food too.”
Bobbi giggled and blushed. Rosslyn shook her head and turned to Gianna saying, “We better go start our meeting before this conversation heads in an entirely different direction.”
Even as she followed Rosslyn into her office, Gianna could hear Bobbi and Liz snickering. I think those two get along too well.
When Rosslyn closed the door she said, “I’m glad you came in today. We have so much to discuss.”
It didn’t take long for Rosslyn to snap right back into business mode. Gianna was grateful too. She had too much to do herself to spend the afternoon chatting about some damn party. Now it was her turn to focus. “I’m happy to be here. What is it that you need?”
“Help. I know that doesn’t give you much to go on, but I’m…burning out. I haven’t told Charles yet, but I can’t go on running this company, being a wife and mother, and still supporting Charles with Lawson Steel.”
“Are you thinking about selling the company?” Gianna had done her research before taking her on as a client. It was a generational family owned business, one that she inherited from her uncle.
“Honestly, I don’t know what I should do. Selling it isn’t an option. This is my family legacy. But I’m married to my competition. Do you know what it is like to prepare a bid only to find out that Lawson Steel was doing the same?” Rosslyn sighed and leaned back in her seat. “I know I could push harder and maybe even outbid them on a few. What would I win by doing that? I’d rather have a happy marriage than a successful company.”
Gianna could tell that Rosslyn really didn’t want to quit working, but what she needed was just someone to talk to. Someone who wasn’t family. “From what I have seen, Charles adores you. Before you make any decision, why don’t you try looking at it from his point of view? What would he want for you?”
“That’s simple. He’d want me to be happy.”
“And?” she prodded Rosslyn to continue.
“And I am. Most of the time at least. But there are times when I…”
“Feel the weight of it all and panic?” Rosslyn nodded and Gianna continued. “You don’t have to be married to have those feelings. It’s hard having so many people relying on you.”
“Yes. I’m worried about days like yesterday, Penelope was sick and I left. I had Liz cancel all my meetings so I could be home with my little girl. But I felt…”
“Guilty?”
“And torn between who needed me.”
“I can’t speak for your employees, but I have a feeling you have their support and understanding. Grayson Corp isn’t the same company it was when your uncle was in charge.”