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Or keep doing videos a little longer and build up a nice nest egg.That was certainly tempting. I would make that decision when I got to that point.
Having a stable nine-to-five job did wonders for my mental health. The live shows I did on Tuesday and Thursday were easier knowing it was only temporary, and that I had an off-ramp waiting for me if and when I decided to quit. I felt like I was in control of my life rather than a desperate girl doing desperate things on the internet.
I dressed casually on Friday in jeans and a blouse. There were donuts and bagels waiting in the office, and everyone seemed relaxed and unhurried.
Then it got really hectic, really quickly.
I was getting a second cup of coffee when Allison came rushing out of her office. “She’s coming!” she announced to the entire office. “Michael just texted me from the lobby. All hands on deck. She’ll be here in a minute.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Our biggest donor. Sandra. She’s a real pill, pardon my language. Always expects everyone to rush to greet her at the door like she’s the Queen of Fort Perth.”
“Sheisthe Queen of Fort Perth,” August said in passing. He gave me a pained look. “In all but name, at least.”
We all gathered by the glass doors to the foundation like a literal greeting procession. I felt like they must be overreacting; NMCF had over six hundred donors. Surely a single donor wasn’t worth this much bowing and scraping, even if it was the biggest one.
Michael came out of the elevator with a small, almost frail looking woman at his side. I got a better look at her as he opened the door for her. She was wearing a pantsuit and black stilettos. Her blonde hair was in a short, A-line cut, and her face was framed by a pair of Edward Beiner sunglasses. She wore at least six gold necklaces, several of which hung down into her plunging neckline. Her age was tough to gauge because it was obvious she’d had work done on her face, but I pegged her as being in her forties.
“It’s Friday, so we have donuts and bagels in the break room,” Michael said to her.
She let out a haughty scoff. “I don’t eat processed carbs. You know that, sweetie.” She brushed her fingertips against Michael’s cheek. He stiffened almost imperceptibly.
“Oh, you all didn’t need to roll out the red carpet for little old me!” she said with what had to be a fake laugh. “I’m just here to check on the grants before Michael mails them.”
Next to me, August leaned close to whisper in my ear. “When wedon’tgreet her like this, she complains to my dad that we don’t show enough respect.”
I snorted, which caused her to immediately swing her head toward me. She dramatically removed her sunglasses and tapped them against her arm. “Now here is someone I don’t recognize. What were you and August gossiping about?”
“I was just explaining to her who you are,” August replied. “She’s new here.”
The woman who had everyone terrified walked toward me. “Oh, I’m sure she already knows who I am. Don’t you?”
I glanced at Michael behind her. He was trying to mouth something, but I couldn’t understand him. I tried to smile as I said, “Sorry, ma’am, but I don’t think I do. This is my first week.”
She made no move to shake my hand as she announced herself. “Sandra Trout. I manage the Trout estate on behalf of my husband, Richard.”
My eyes widened, and I felt something tighten behind my breastbone. I had never met her before, but I absolutely knew the name. Sandra Troutwasthe unofficial Queen of Fort Perth. She was on the board of directors for the city’s chamber of commerce, and she owned half the commercial real estate in town.
Including the apartment buildings where I lived, and my parents.
She was the woman who was raising our rents for the third time this year.
“I do know you,” I said, anger rising inside me like a volcano. “You’re…”
“Yes, yes, I’m sure you’ve heard my name. Unless you just moved to town.”
The words trickled out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I’ve lived here long enough. You’re the woman who—”
August grabbed me by the shoulders. “The woman who donates so much money to the foundation! Real quick, Ginny, let’s go finish those grant checks for Mrs. Trout.”
“What are you doing?” I demanded as he quickly led me away.
“Keeping you from committing career suicide in front of the entire office,” he whispered back.
I tried to turn around, but his grip was strong as he pushed me into his corner office. “How do you know what I was going to do?”
“Because you look like a pitbull who just saw a cat she wants to rip to shreds. Let me guess. She owns the building you live in, and she’s raising your rent again?”
