Nick says, “Mom, Dad, we have another meeting to get to, so we’ll call you soon. Okay?”
“Of course,” my mom replies, “we have some relaxing to do. Your dad has taken to retirement like frosting to a cupcake.” I feel like there’s a lost opportunity by not using crumbs to a cookie, but she never mentions cookies. It must be the curse of being named after the sweet treat. “Take care of yourselves and have some fun. Love you.”
“Love you,” we both reply in unison.
I look at my brother. “You realize it’s midday in California, right? Our parents are hot-tubbing it in the middle of a workday.”
“I can only hope for such a glorious retirement.”
He might have a point. “Coffee?”
“Definitely.” He stands, ready to lead the way. “Break room or the coffee place downstairs?” Stopping just short of opening the door, he swears under his breath as he looks at his phone. “Shit. I can’t go. Barbara just added a call onto my schedule.”
“Who’s Barbara?”
“My new assistant.”
“What happened to Emily?”
He clicks his tongue. “She finally got the offer she was looking for.” I have a feeling he’s speaking in code, but it’s not something I care to riddle through right now. He adds, “Just a heads-up. I’m trying to wrap up a contract before the weekend. I may message you to help on this call. You have time?”
“No, but I’ll do it if it’s important.”
“It’s important.”
“Then just let me know.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
He disappears, leaving the door to my office cracked open. I can’t work with a lot of noise from the office. And although the Cave is usually the quiet side, something is stirring in the ranks. I get up but pause before I exit. I know the chatter will stop as soon as they see me. I won’t eavesdrop, but sometimes, I’d like to be in on the goings-on around here.
Just as I step out, I overhear Justin from accounting ask Taylor, “Have you seen the new girl? She’s pretty hot. I think I’ll go introduce myself and offer to show her around the office, like the supply closet.”
Taylor asks, “I thought you had a girlfriend?”
“Always room for one on the side.” Justin laughs. Taylor doesn’t.
Neither do I. Making my presence known, I clear my throat.
Taylor ducks back into his cubicle, and Justin waves. Justin’s the brownnoser in the office. An accountant who’s gunning for my job. “Good afternoon, sir.”
The corner of my eye ticks. I get that I’m the head of the company, but since I’m not quite thirty, being called sir still bugs me. Justin bugs me as well, but he’s given me no cause to fire him yet, and he’s good with numbers, so he remains. I’m hoping HR finally handles him. Naturally, none of them are around to hear him talk about this special tour he wants to give.
“Afternoon,” I reply, now wondering who the new girl is. That’s a line I won’t cross, but he has my curiosity piqued.
My assistant, Mary, asks, “Can I do something for you?”
“No. I’m going to get a cup of coffee.”
She’s quick to rise. “I can get that for you.”
“It’s okay. I need the break.”
“All right,” she replies, sitting down again. She was hired right before I moved here. We’re both still learning the ropes. She also does excellent work.
When I enter the break room, I exchange greetings with two of my top human resources employees. Guess this is where Laurie and Joseph hide. Probably to get away from Justin. I chuckle at my joke.
Laurie and Joseph have brought some of the top talent in the city to CWM over the past six months. I rely on them to add to the foundation we’ve laid and create a great work environment. Working with over a hundred unique personalities is never easy, and they allow me to stay out of the fray. Most of the time. “Just overheard Justin being crass about one of his coworkers.”
As they wait for the microwave to finish heating their food, Laurie asks, “What did he say?”
“He was talking about the new girl,” I say as if I’m knowledgeable to who that is.
Joseph says, “I’ll remind him of the company policy to show due respect to all employees.”
“Thank you.” I watch the coffee machine percolate but then turn to them as they whisper to each other. Trying for nonchalance, I ask, “Who’s the new girl?”
Laurie replies, “We were just talking about her.”
“I guess everyone is. Do I need to give you a warning?” I joke.
Laurie is closer to my mom’s age, but she still blushes around me. This time her laughter precedes it. “That won’t be necessary. It’s the temp we hired to replace Melissa at reception while she’s on maternity leave. Joseph and I were saying that we’re hearing great things about her.”
On cue, Joseph adds, “It’s only been three days, but she’s accomplished a week’s worth of tasks and done them well.”
“While juggling the phones, I might add,” Laurie says. “She’s very impressive.”
“That’s good to hear. Keep an eye on her. We’re always looking for exceptional employees.” And maybe a new accountant down the track.
Joseph pops the microwave door open to remove his dish. “Melissa has been an asset to the front, but she wants to move upstairs to the brokerage division.” He turns to Laurie. “Maybe now is the time we consider it.”
She says, “I agree. If things keep going the way they are with Ms. Jacobs, we definitely need to consider it. Let’s redefine the job description as well.”
“I think Ms. Jacobs already has.” They sound giddy. Laurie turns back to me and says, “Have a nice day, Andrew.”
“You too.”
I walk back to my office with coffee in hand, tempted to detour to reception to meet this stellar Ms. Jacobs. I’m not that foolish, though. I set the mug on my desk as I settle into the late afternoon.
As soon as my concentration returns, my phone screen lights up with a text from Nick. Are you available?
My brother may be a punk half the time, but in business, he’s always shown me respect. I’ll be right there.
A call that should have taken less than an hour kept us tied up for over two. When I returned to my office, I shuffled through a few emails and then got lost in the numbers on my screen. Mary checked in before leaving, but I lost track of time after that. I didn’t even notice my office was dark until the door opens, allowing light to flood in. Nick asks, “Why are you sitting in the dark?” and then flips on the light.
Briefly blinded, I blink until my eyes adjust. “It wasn’t dark when I sat down. What time is it?”
“Seven thirty.”
“Phew. That’s good. I can still get some stuff done.” As he holds up the wall with his shoulder, I keep typing and ask, “Is there something I can help you with?”
“How are you, brother?”
My gaze shifts past the monitor. “It’s been two hours since I saw you. You already miss me?”
Chuckling, he replies, “I miss partying with you when we had fewer cares. I miss hitting the waves at sunrise and then grabbing breakfast tacos from a food truck while trying to hustle to get to school on time.” I sit back and listen because I miss those times too. “But I’ve been thinking about what Mom said earlier, about taking you out.”