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“I can’t fly for the retail relaunch in the foreseeable future, and the soonest I can get one of my senior staff to replace me is two weeks.”
That’s ridiculous. “Why can’t you fly to the West Coast?”
She clears her throat and I swear she sniffles. Jesus, I hate emotional responses. What the fuck?
“Gio, I’m pregnant.” She says it as an apology. Do people really think that little of me?
“Congratulations, Marnie. But unless I missed something, I don’t see why you can’t fly to California next week.”
This conversation is dragging beyond the limits of my patience. It irritates me, because if something is wrong I’d like to move to the solution, but also because Marnie is never this sensitive.
“Thank you. We’re happy, but the pregnancy has been deemed high-risk, and I was ordered to be on bedrest. Look, Gio, I’m going to work from home… from my bed… for a few more days, but then I’ll go on leave. I can’t risk this baby to…” And now I’m sure she’s been sniffling.
“Of course, of course. And you’re sure nobody can step in?”
The numbers on the large screen flicker in red and green, and the words on my laptop blur while I seek for some clarity in this fucked-up situation.
“I looked at all the contingencies, at all the projects, but we don’t have anyone senior enough to leave as early as next week.”
She gives me a list of candidates who can oversee the launch on the ground in California, but she also gives me compelling reasons why they can’t drop their assignments quickly enough. She did assess it from all the angles.
“We can’t postpone. It will cost us money and reputation. I’ll go.”
“You?” She almost chokes. “Gio, this is a hands-on kind of trip. Schmoozing with people.”
“I can schmooze with people.”I can’t.I should have never gone into retail, and now I’m stuck with field work and a requirement to actually meet with employees and customers. I can handle suits in the boardroom, but this? Pure torture.
“Gio—”
“Marnie, I appreciate your concern, but I got this covered. Try to wrap up all the loose ends, and then let’s start the process to fill your position for a year.”
“Thank you, Gio. I’ll send you a brief for the events in California and all the necessary details. I appreciate your understanding.”
“No worries. Take care of yourself. And congratulations again.”
I hang up and lean back in my chair.Hands-on trip.I hope the employees involved are capable enough.
As I leave for my first of many meetings of the day, I shoot a message to Conrad.
Me: I’ll be in California next week. I’ll check out the property.
Conrad: I haven’t even sent you the details yet.
Me: It’s your lucky day, asshole.
The meetings are long, tedious and dull. Okay, maybe one is kind of interesting, but by the end of the day I’m somewhat pleased with the prospect of an out-of-office engagement.
“I reviewed your schedule for the California trip, and I made the hotel reservations.” Lydia once again proves she’s on top of things as I return to my office late in the afternoon. “There is a team of people on the ground, and there are only four key locations planned for the first week.”
“Great. Thank you. I need to make a detour to Napa Valley while I’m there. Can you coordinate with Conrad Hermann and have it arranged?”
“I will. If you don’t mind, it’s my grandson’s birthday today and I’d like to leave.”
“Of course. Thank you, Lydia.” I glance at my watch, surprised it’s five o’clock already. I sit behind my computer and attack my inbox with determination.
Two hundred messages later, I squint at the screen and it blurs in front of my eyes. I text my driver and make my way out.
The elevator stops on the fifteenth floor and the blond princess floats in. Jesus, I forgot she works here now. I wonder what job Marnie offered her.
