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“Don’t worry about it, my fault. I overstepped,” said Paul, then added with a smile. “Let me make it up to you with dinner?”
Patricia glanced at her hands resting on her knees under the water. The skin was getting wrinkled; it was time to leave. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said, and stood up.
“Fair enough, but please, don’t go. I do want to hear your goals at Clearwell.” Paul gestured for her to sit.
Patricia looked at the clock on the wall. It was 12:55. “I would love to discuss it with you, Mr. Blast, but I’m going to be late as it is.”
“Don’t worry about it. If anyone asks, tell them you were in a meeting with me. And Patricia, please call me Paul.”
There was a moment’s hesitation before Patricia smiled gently and sat back down. “Okay, Paul, what would you like to know?”
“Basically, how hard are you willing to push your career at Clearwell?”
Patricia reached up and brushed away a strand of hair that had strayed across her eye. “As hard as necessary. I believe that my work speaks for itself.”
“Yes, it does, and John speaks very highly of you.” Paul sat forward, putting his arms back in the water and resting his elbows on his knees. Patricia’s eyes followed the movement and came to rest on Paul’s crotch. “So, my question is would you be open to a departmental change for faster growth opportunities? At first, it would be a horizontal shift from your current position, but I guarantee…”
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, control yourself! Patricia looked up at Paul, her eyebrows arching up in confusion. What did he just say? A horizontal what?
“Patricia? Are you okay?” asked Paul.
“Yes, yes, of course. I just wasn’t quite sure what you meant by a horizontal…”
“Shift,” completed Paul. “It means you will keep your title as manager but work in my department on a new project I’m launching. I want you to spearhead that project.”
“So I’ll be working with you?”
“Not directly, but yes. Steve Browski is the managing director for the department, but since I know he’s being considered for a promotion…” Paul smiled without finishing the sentence.
“I see,” said Patricia. “This really is unexpected, considering where we are.”
“Unexpected things can be good.”
A sly smile spread across Patricia’s lips. “Yes, they can, thank you. But I need a day or two to think it over. Can you wait?”
“Only if you give me the answer over dinner.”
Patricia shook her head and smiled. “You know where my office is,” she said, standing to leave. “I’ll let you know.”
Paul nodded.
Patricia hopped out of the hot tub, took a few steps, and then doubled back, colliding headfirst into a heavyset man who was walking past her. As she bounced off his large belly, the man grabbed her to keep her from slipping.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed and hurried away without looking back.
Buy now:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0762H1T7W/
COMING SOON
by A. A. Bavar
SHUTDOWN
We once vowed there would never
be another 9/11
Sarah Bavar
Artist / Illustrator
www.sarahbavar.com