10

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

 

While Shane’s in Indiana fighting his battle, I’m fighting one of my own. It’s week eight of the battle of the back office and today, Mandy is in full Dwight mode. I think it’s the beginning of her ending here at Pearsons, formally known as The Lawson Company. I can’t imagine her being here any longer. She’s absolutely miserable. I just hope she holds it together long enough not to scare off the new hires. They will be here in a few hours and I still have to relocate to my new office.

“I think he has a drinking problem.” Mandy states today’s accusation matter-of-factly.

Here she goes again poking the bear. She’s on a mission to try to find something, anything, to get Harry to get rid of Lee. She’s preparing for an out-of-office lunch meeting with Harry next week and she wants me to go. I conveniently make myself unavailable but support her by entertaining her accusation.

“When you say drinking problem…”

“I’m saying that he’s a drunk. AA kind of drunk. He keeps Listerine in his desk drawer. And I also found a rotten banana in there. He’s disgusting. I’m documenting everything.” Mandy huffs and continues to type.

“That is some combination.” I laugh. “Listen, let’s not focus on Lee today. Just think. Today is our last morning of being office mates. Let’s crank up the music and celebrate while I pack. Come on, Mandy, do the honky-tonk one last time. Just think, now you’ll have to walk down the hall to visit me.”

“I don’t know why he doesn’t just leave you here and give the new girls an office to share.”

“Mandy,” I scold.

“I know. I’m going to miss you, that’s all.”

“I will still come visit, but only on R&B days.”

“Oh snap!” Mandy jumps up and turns on the radio. “You’re right. It’s country day!” Carrie Underwood blares through the speakers. And when Cowboy Casanova ends, she proceeds to ask me for a Shane update.

“He’s consistent. What more can I ask for.” I flash a cheesy grin.

“That’s why you’ve been smiling so much lately.”

I nod. “Could be. He Skypes me every night just to say goodnight.” I swoon.

“Girl… I guess that contract worked!”

“The contract, the vision board, I don’t know, but this year is off to a great start.”

“I so hate that you’re leaving,” Mandy pouts. “Are you going to tell the new girl about Shane?”

“Lisette. I don’t know.” I already know that once she starts, I’ve got to shield her from Mandy’s craziness as much as possible. Mandy’s new hire, Reba, is starting today as well. I remember her saying she shared a name with her favorite artist, Reba Macintyre, so she was perfect for the job. “Can you please not to tell Reba?”

“Sure, no problemo.”

I really hope she can keep a lid on it. It’s bad enough she mentioned it to Lee. You never know why Mandy does the things she does.

Mandy and I dance to country music as I pack up my belongings and take them down the hall to my new office. It’s smaller than the office we share but it’s got a huge window with a lush courtyard view, unlike the parking lot view I’m leaving behind. Mandy, though, likes that view. She can keep tabs on who’s coming and going. When we had to decide who would move to a different office, it was a no-brainer. She wasn’t going anywhere.

“Where is what’s-her-name going to sit?” Mandy follows me down to my new office with a box of binders.

“Lisette,” I remind her, “at that desk.” I point to the desk opposite mine.

“Man, y’all can’t fit a table in here.”

“It’s tight, but we’ll manage.”

Mandy shrugs her shoulders. “You should make Lee knock down that wall and let you sit in the office next door.”

“It’s fine. We’ll manage just fine.”

“He makes me sick. I think he’s separating us on purpose.”

“How does he benefit from doing that? This is beneficial for all of us. Both of us are advancing our careers. That wouldn’t be happening if we’d stayed where we were. Also, let me remind you that he intended getting rid of both of us.”

“Not before I get rid of him.” Mandy storms out and sprints down the hall. For her sake, I hope she finds another job because if not, I fear it won’t be long before she’s gone.

I make my last trip down the hall for the rest of my things, pile my personal belongings in the chair, give Mandy a hug, and roll back to my new space. It’s small and a bit cozy but more importantly it’s mine.

Around lunchtime, Lisette arrives at my office and I take her around to meet everyone. When we get to Mandy, she’s wild-eyed and sweaty. “Look at this.” She reaches into her satchel and whips out the folded packaging of what looks to be foreign beer. “It’s a twenty-four pack. I caught him sneaking it into the dumpster out back.”

“Excuse me?” I blink. “Where did you find that?” She would pick today of all days to go dumpster diving.

Mandy places her hands on her hips. “I got it immediately after he threw it there. I wasn’t in there long.”

“Eww, Mandy.” She has stooped to an all-time low.

“I’m telling you. He’s got a drinking problem and I’m taking it to Harry.”

“What if he had a party this weekend and he was just cleaning out the car?”

“This!” She holds up the box. “It was concealed in a brown paper bag. I’m telling you; I know the signs. It’s gut instinct and I’m trained for this.”

We’re still in her office when the HR lady brings Reba in. We all exchange greetings and almost immediately, Mandy starts grilling Lisette. “How old are you? Do you have a boyfriend? What school did you graduate from? Where are your parents from? You have a tan and I know you’re not mixed.”

Lisette turns red in the face. “I’m sorry?”

“Please ignore her,” I say.

Meanwhile, Reba is snapping gum and nodding along with Mandy. She answers Mandy’s questions for herself.

“Well, I’m twenty-seven, I have a boy toy. I graduated from Loyola and my mother is Italian and my dad is Latina. And yes, my hair is naturally red.”

“I’m one fourth Puerto Rican!” Mandy shouts.

I can tell they are going to get along just fine. “Well ladies, it was nice chatting. I’ve got a million things to show Lisette. Perhaps a late lunch? Or not.”

“Alright, come back and visit.” Mandy waves us goodbye.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize to Lisette when we’re out of earshot. “That’s Mandy. Long story.”

“Don’t worry,” she waves casually. “I have a crazy aunt.”

“She can be a lot to take, but she’s really sweet. Right now, she’s got it in for Lee and I’m trying to squash it, so wish me luck.” Speaking of Lee, I’ve got a one on one with him in fifteen minutes. Before I rush to my meeting, I show Lisette our new space and around the office. She’s at the coffee machine when I leave her.

Lee is scrolling through his iPad when I arrive at his door. He glances up and invites me in. I take a seat and look around his office. He doesn’t have anything personal set out. Thanks to Mandy, I keep thinking about the rotten banana and breath freshener.

“Bryn, how do you like your new office?”

“It’s nice.”

“How’s getting away from Mandy?” He raises his hand. “You don’t have to answer. I know it’s refreshing.”

Yikes. I guess their feelings towards each other are mutual.

“She can be a lot. But she’s got a huge heart.”

Lee puts his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair. “How was your weekend?”

“Great!” I’m not sure where this is going. “Yours?”

“Exhilarating. I went to Virginia with some college friends and we rode the fastest rollercoaster in the United States. I blacked out like three out of the five times I rode it.”

“That sounds concerning. You kept getting back on it after blacking out?”

“Well, I kept missing it, so I got back on it until I got to enjoy the entire ride. But the Mrs. asked the same thing when I told her. She stayed at home with the kids and she had schoolwork to finish up. By the way, do you have your MBA?”

“I don’t.” I hope that’s not a bad thing.

“Why not? What’s stopping you? The company will pay for it.”

“I thought about it… I said I’d do it when my daughter got to high school. I’m a single mother so I don’t want to take away any more time from spending with her.”

“I had my first set of kids young, so I understand. My wife said the same thing. She’s doing hers online. The University of Maryland has a great online program. You should consider it.”

“I’ll give it some thought. Thanks for the advice.”

“I see huge potential in you. You’ll achieve important things in your career. You just need to surround yourself with the right people. Lisette was a thoughtful choice. I expect great things from your department.”

“And great things you shall receive.”

“Good. That’s all. I need to run and get a drink, espresso of course, before meeting with Mandy.” He jumps up. “Ladies first.”

Grabbing my notepad, I leave and head to Mandy’s office while Lee goes for his coffee. Those two. I’ll tell her that I was right. He was partying with friends this weekend.

“Mandy,” I tap her on the shoulder before leaning down to whisper in her ear. “He was partying with old college buddies this weekend.”

“I want to know,” Reba interrupts. “It’s not polite to whisper. If it’s about Leroy, Mandy already told me about her recent dumpster-diving excursion. I personally think she’s right. He seems a bit sketchy.”

“I’m out of it. Do what you need to do. I’ve got work to do.” I wave goodbye and leave them to their plan. As for the rest of the day, I plan to finish unpacking, train Lisette, and look into an MBA program. Ignoring Lee’s advice would be a bad idea.

When Bailey was just two years old, the deacon at the church randomly approached me and asked if I’d been to college. At the time, I had not. I’d landed a full-time job that paid enough for me to get by. It was just a job, not necessarily a career. I responded that I didn’t need to go to college because I was going to marry a rich man and become a housewife. He literally laughed in my face. Once he got himself together, he gave me a very stern look and said that I needed to secure a stable future for both Bailey and me. Until today, it was the best advice I’d ever received.

When an opportunity comes knocking, it’s best to open the door. That’s why while Mandy is playing detective, I’ll be advancing my career.