“That would be me, sir.” Brenda’s voice floated up from behind the pack. Those in front begrudgingly let her through. She was more serious than I’d ever seen her. Gone was her usual playful smirk, replaced by a professional mask. She’d even traded her typical colorful blazer for a more subdued navy suit.
“Excellent,” Ralph said, his smile widening just before he gave me a conspiratorial wink. “Other than she missed our discussion on how to address me.”
Brenda’s expression cracked a bit, and I couldn’t tell if she was afraid or about to laugh. “She’s the one who taught me to be respectful, so she’s trying to set a good example.”
Ralph laughed and shook his head. “You’re like siblings who always cover for each other. It makes me happy to see my talks about our family aren’t completely ignored.”
Brenda smiled and gave me a barely visible nod.
“Is there a conference room nearby?” Jeremy asked.
“This way,” Brenda said, pointing toward the room we used for staff meetings.
Jeremy shut the door after Brenda, me and Ralph entered. In the brief moment I could see her, Janet looked almost outraged.
We settled into the plush chairs that hadn’t been there the day before and Ralph turned to Brenda. “All kidding aside, good employees almost always work for good managers. Nick clearly has your back, so keep up the good work.”
The color in her cheeks was the first time I’d seen Brenda blush. “Nick makes it easy. He’s an exceptional employee.”
“Like I said, one lies, the other swears to it.” Ralph glanced at Jeremy who shrugged.
Ralph turned his attention to me, his gaze intense but kind. “I’m sure you wondered why I came here and singled you out. Well, this is one of my favorite things to do as CEO. I’m here to let you know, you were selected as Consolidated Mid-Atlantic Life’s employee of the month.”
My jaw dropped, and for a moment, I was sure I’d misheard him. “I... what? How?”
Ralph’s eyes twinkled and his lips quirked up a fraction. “We have a select group of employees who have been with us for years. They nominate employees who they feel are exemplary. Your peers told us about your great work, but also how you treat your co-workers. The words they used to describe you were kind, thoughtful, and respectful.”
The thought that people noticed meandtook the time to nominate me gave me a warm feeling inside. “Wow.”
Jeremy handed Ralph a piece of paper and he stood. “Let’s get a few pictures of you accepting your award.”
After several shots of Ralph handing me the certificate, Brenda joined us for a few more. Ralph and I shook hands for at least a minute straight. Normally, I’d find it awkward, but I was comfortable around him.
Brenda and Jeremy left once the pictures were taken, and it was just me and Ralph.
“You’ll get a certificate for your wall,” Ralph said. “There’s also a small monetary award, and you’ll receive a pay raise as well.”
I was completely gobsmacked. Everyone said this was a good thing, but I’d still had some doubts. “Thank you so much,” I finally said.
“You’re welcome.” He patted me on the back. “You earned it.”
I assumed the interview was over, but Ralph leaned back in his chair, studying me. The leather creaked slightly as he shifted. “Have you considered applying for a management position?”
My stomach fluttered. This was another surprise in a day of unpredictable events. “Not really,” I said. “For the last three years I’ve been focused on survival, if that makes sense.”
Ralph’s expression softened. “How so?”
Normally, I didn’t share my back story with people I’d just met, but there was something about his presence that invited honesty. “My family disowned me when I came out. It took a few years to build a safety net, get settled in my apartment, that sort of thing.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Ralph said, his voice gentle. The sympathy in his eyes seemed genuine, not the practiced compassion of a corporate figurehead. “Your parents soundfoolish. Any normal parents would be thrilled to have a son like you.”
His words reinforced two things I already knew. Most people not named Fenton, didn’t care I was gay, and I cared more about what the Fenton’s thought of me than I should. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a business card, and slid it across the polished table. “When you find a position you’re interested in, contact me. I’ll make sure you’re considered, though as Employee of the Month, you’ll already have an edge.”
I picked up the card with embossed lettering and held it like it was unimaginably valuable and delicate. “Thank you again.”
Ralph glanced at his watch and I knew my ten minutes of fame had ended.
