Ava finished examining the inventories and closed out the file on her laptop. Before she could open the cashflow projections Christel had prepared, there was a light knock. She looked up to see her sister, Vanessa, smiling back at her from the doorway.
“Hey, long time no see.”
Ava sighed and closed her laptop. “What do you mean? We saw each other yesterday.”
“In passing.” Vanessa pointed to the empty guest chair in front of Ava’s desk. “Do you mind?”
Ava looked across the desk warily as her sister sat. “Is there something up?”
Rarely did her sister just pop in unless she wanted something. While Ava and Vanessa had called a truce on their years long splintering, they still weren’t exactly chummy. They’d spend time together, but normally in a group setting. Ava wished it were different, but she’d acquiesced to the fact some relationships were simply not that close.
“I need your advice.”
Ava’s brows lifted. She placed crossed arms on the desk with interest. “My advice?”
“Yes. As you know, the only job I’ve ever really known was in television. I worked terribly hard to get that lead anchor chair, only to be let go.” Her sister paused and picked a loose string off her linen slacks. “It’s been over half a year, and I’m worried about my finances. I am so grateful you extended the offer for me to stay in one of the worker shanties. Frankly, that saved my bacon.”
Ava gave her sister a weak smile, wishing she’d get to the point. She still had a lot to accomplish today. Sitting here chatting was not getting any of those tasks done.
“I know you’re tight for time, so let me get to the point. I’ve been offered a job.”
“A job? I thought you already had a job.”
Her sister shrugged. “I’m currently working a temporary job. I never expected to be a hotel concierge forever. Plus, the hours…” She waved off the idea. “Well, working nights and weekends is getting very old. It’s hard to juggle a social life when you work at the very time most people are out enjoying themselves.”
“You’ve been dating—a lot,” Ava pointed out. “I see men over at your place at least twice a week.” And rarely the same guy, she thought.
Vanessa gave Ava a look that warned her not to start. As if remembering she needed Ava, her scowl morphed into a pasted smile. “Like I said, I need your advice. I’ve been offered a job. I think I’d like to take it.”
Ava leaned back in her chair and steepled her fingers. “But?”
Vanessa drew a deep breath. “Well, my boss would be one of the guys I’ve dated.”
“Oh, yeah. Not a good idea.”
Vanessa leaned forward. “But it’s an amazing job, Ava. I’d be working with Jim Kahele.”
“The councilman running for state senator? You dated Jim Kahele?”
Her sister rolled her eyes. “We went out to dinner a few times. I really like him but he isn’t my type. He works far too many hours, and…well, he’s not a lot of fun. But he is a really smart guy,” she rushed to add. “He’s well-connected and he thinks I’d be a great addition to the campaign team.”
“Doing what?” Her sister was a lot of things, but she’d never been especially interested in politics, and she mentioned exactly that. “This seems a little out of your wheelhouse.”
“It’s exactly in line with my skill set. Jim wants me to be the Communications Director and Media Liaison. Given my background in television, I would be perfect for the job. Think of all those interviews I’ve done over the years at election time.”
“But you were fired for slipping up on a matter related to politics.”
“Not exactly politics,” Vanessa argued. “I simply made a statement that station management believed contradicted the viewpoint of most of our Seattle audience. They worried when the ratings plummeted. If they hadn’t been so quick to throw me under the bus the ratings would have corrected. There were plenty of viewers who believed like I did. I have the emails to prove it.”
“Be that as it may, are you sure you want to work in such a volatile environment?”
Vanessa revealed what the position paid.
“Oh.” It’s all Ava could think to say. From a financial standpoint, she could see why her sister would entertain the offer.
“So, what do you think? Should I take it?”
Ava shook her head. “That’s a hard one. I mean, you’d be reporting to someone you had a relationship with and all. That can get really sticky. Are you sure of his motives?”
“Dinner out a couple of times hardly counts as a relationship. And his only motive is to put together the best team he can.”
“Well, still…” Ava let her thought drift off. They both knew Vanessa had already made up her mind. She simply wanted Ava to put a seal of approval on her decision.
This was her sister’s modus operandi. She rarely conformed to what people expected but wanted pats on the back anyway.
Her sister always did exactly what she wanted to do, regardless of consequences, or wise counsel. How many times had Vanessa been warned that her daughter would grow up resentful of her mother putting her career before her ball games, her school plays, even holiday dinners. Vanessa’s choices had ultimately cost her a marriage and her family. Now, her daughter refused to even visit, let alone live with her according to the shared custody agreement.
Ava simply looked over at her sister. “So, what are you going to do?”
“These opportunities don’t present often. And I don’t need to remind you how thin my budget has been.” Vanessa straightened in the chair. “I’m going to take it.” She stood and pulled her buzzing phone from her purse.
“Was there ever a doubt?” Ava muttered under her breath.
“I’m sorry. What?” Vanessa glanced at her phone and incoming text message. “Well, look. I know you’re busy.” She wandered around the desk and pulled Ava into a light hug. “Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it, Sis.”
Ava gave her a weak smile. “Glad I could help.”
She watched Vanessa leave and close the door behind her, then leaned back in her chair, remembering when she and Vanessa were little girls. Ava loved to play Monopoly. Vanessa could barely get to the point where she had enough money to buy a house before she ditched and quit playing.
“Let’s play the Dating Game instead,” her sister suggested. Vanessa loved to open the little white door to find out if her date matched the outfit cards in her hand. “Careful, Ava. You don’t want to get the dud!”
Even back then, they’d rarely seen the world the same.