All ears, Todd leaned forward. “Oh?”
“What if we rehire some of the laid off employees? No promises they’ll be able to keep their jobs, but as a way to help everyone for a little while. Can we do that?”
Her former boss regarded her. “I’m impressed, Vi. I barely have time to sleep, let alone problem solve. I’d have to run it by Mr. Iglesias. I can’t promise anything—as you say, it’s early days and he may want to wait and see how things settle before we consider making any more changes. Also, it could mean a giant headache for HR. But it’s worth sharing with the big boss. It might help if you put a list together of people you recommend.”
She hadn’t thought about that. “When would you need it?”
“As soon as possible, but no later than Friday.”
One more load on her already burdened shoulders. Nothing new there. She nodded. “I can do that.”
Nibbling vending machine cheese and crackers for lunch, she set to work. In a perfect world, rehiring almost everyone would be ideal, but in reality, wasn’t possible. She stayed at the office late Wednesday night compiling a list that included former employees with the most experience and strongest work ethic, plus several newer recruits with great potential. Finishing shortly after midnight, she delivered the list to Todd’s office. He was gone, of course. She left it on his desk.
At home, poor Mr. T had eaten the remains of his breakfast long ago and was starving. He let her know with a series of demanding meows. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I’ll never, ever keep you waiting again.”
She fell into bed and slept soundly until the alarm woke her the following morning.
As of Friday, she hadn’t heard a word from Todd or the CEO. Both were as swamped as everyone else, and she guessed she wouldn’t hear anything for a while.
It was what it was. Until something changed, she’d do her best to help others survive awhile longer.
CHAPTER 17
Late Friday morning, Blake phoned Grandpop. No answer, and he left a message. “It’s Blake,” he said, as if the man didn’t know that. “It’s been too long since I last visited you. I want to catch up. By now, your ribs and cheek should be healing. With the opening of the new store in less than two weeks, things are busy for me but on track. I’ve hired some good people and ordered bikes, cycling clothes and shoes, and other equipment bicycle enthusiasts need. Anyway, give me a call.”
He wanted to ask about Caroline, but not in a voice message. Vi might know something. They hadn’t been in touch since the previous Saturday night, and he figured she was as busy as him. Had life at the telecom company calmed down any? He wanted to know. Also, he missed talking to her. At almost noon, figuring this was as good a time as any to reach her, he phoned her.
Her cell rang several times and he figured she didn’t want to talk to him. Ouch. He was about to leave a message when she picked up.
“Hi. It’s crazy here,” she said, the buzz of conversation he heard in the background attesting to that. “I can’t talk long. Do you have news about Gran and Malcom?”
“No. I was hoping you did.”
“She doesn’t answer. I asked at the front desk. According to them, she’s in the dining room every night. I guess she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
“I didn’t think to check with the desk. They’re both unhappy. When does she need the down payment for her unit?”
“Thanks for reminding me. Things here are so messed up, I haven’t thought about the insurance check. I’m a bad granddaughter.”
If she’d forgotten that, she probably hadn’t thought about him at all. Better than avoiding him. “What do you think about dropping in on them again sometime this weekend? Maybe we can do something to bring them together and talk through their differences.”
“It’s worth a try, but I wouldn’t count on it. Hold on.” The phone went silent. A few minutes later, she was back, this time breathless. “Mr. Iglesias, our new CEO, wants to see me.”
“What’s that about?”
“I don’t know, and there’s no time to explain. I’ll call you back.” She disconnected.
Calling him back, huh? If that wasn’t a good sign… Smiling to himself, he headed out to pick up lunch.
After a quick visitto the restroom to tidy her hair and freshen her lip gloss, Vi made her way to the second floor of the company where the big meeting room was located as well as the offices of Mr. Iglesias, Todd, and the telecom’s other high-level executives. Not sure what to expect, she stopped at his secretary Peggy’s desk. The same fifty-something secretary who’d worked for Alan Regan before he’d been sacked. “Hi, Peggy. I’m here to see Mr. Iglesias.”
The woman greeted her warmly. “Yes, he mentioned that. I’ll let him know you’re here.” A moment later, she hung up the phone. “He’s waiting for you now.”
The CEO’s office was big and classy, with a view of the Pacific Ocean, as befitted his position. Like Todd and everyone else in the company, he looked exhausted. But he greeted her with a warm smile. “Sit down, Vi. Would you like coffee? I can ask Peggy to fix you a cup.”
“No, thanks.” She sat down and folded her hands on the desk.
“Todd shared your idea with me and passed on the list you compiled. I like what you came up with.”
