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Well, I guess I sort of did the same, but that’s not important now.
Kate flings open my door and steps inside with Sandra and boring Bob nipping at her heels. It’s suddenly a big old party in my office. I don’t like it.
“You all need an appointment to see me. Come back later!”
Sandra holds up her hand and says, “Tish, please, take a deep breath. We don’t tolerate yelling at EventCo.”
I laugh and shake my head. I focus on Kate. “And what exactly doyouwant?” Although I can guess, I want to hear her say it. They’ll all be so sorry.
Kate places both hands on John’s desk, and leans forward. Bob closes the door and follows Sandra’s lead, taking the seats across from me. They’re so dramatic. I feel like they’re trying to be intimidating, but they look ridiculous.
I drum my fingers on the desk. Impatient and irritated. If only I could get a good night’s sleep, I would be much sharper, better equipped for all of this. My house hates me.
“What do you want?” I ask.
My phone lights up. George is fifteen minutes away, stuck in traffic. I need to stall them.
I typeHurrybefore returning Kate’s stare.
I focus on Sandra. “Actually, it’s good you’re here. I looked for you earlier. I need a job posting for an executive assistant.” I smile. “I can see from the look on your face that you realize I’m a tough cookie to replace. But try. It wouldn’t hurt if he were nice to look at. I mean that in the most professional way. Sort of like how John thought about me at the beginning.”
“You are crazy, young lady,” Bob the troll blurts out.
He needs to get out of here. “I don’t even know why you’re in my office. I didn’t invite you.”
Kate stands rigid, fists clenched at her side. “You have exactly five minutes to pack up whatever belongings you have and get out of EventCo. Do you understand me?”
Sandra moves to Kate’s side and holds up her hand like a cop directing traffic. Why does she do that? “Tish, look, we know you’ve been through a lot and that you’re still in mourning. But you need to go.You resigned, remember? I have all of the paperwork right here. Your employment was terminated by mutual agreement.”
Sandra sounds like a kindergarten teacher. I am tired. I’m frustrated, and it shows. “You are so right, and thanks for noticing. I am exhausted, but I think it’s important after a loss like this to get back to work, back to the routine,” I say. “The fact of the matter is I resigned my assistant position, but now I’m co-president.”
Kate exhales. “What? You’re an executive assistant. You don’t have a job. You resigned your only position with the company. Get out.”
“No.” I say it calmly. Professionally. “Things have changed, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Get out of my office or I’ll call the police to escort you out. Do you want that? Stop pushing me or I’ll—” Kate looks a little menacing, I’ll admit. It’s hard to look menacing in dusty rose, but she’s achieved it.
And why is she talking about police? She’d never call the cops. “Or what, Kate? I always win when it’s the two of us. Don’t you know that by now?”
“Young lady, that’s enough.” Bob points his old crooked finger at me and looks like he’s the one who is about to have a heart attack. “I’m calling the police.”
“Bob!” Sandra yells.
I thought we weren’t allowed to yell at EventCo? “Sandra. Inside voices. You know that.”
Sandra says, “I am here to collect your keys and escort you out of the EventCo offices. I assume you don’t have anything to pack up? Perhaps out there, at your real desk? But I believe you took everything with you when you resigned.”
She should not be messing with me. None of them should be. “I’m not packing up anything. As for this office, my new office, I’m leaving it as is, to honor John. If you keep pushing me, I’ll also take his title, CEO of EventCo, although as a nod to Kate, I was offeringto be co-president. Maybe I just need to start over with a new human resources executive. There must be a million who are more qualified.”
“Stop the nonsense!” Kate is glassy eyed, with a creepy-looking smile. “You will leave immediately. Do you understand?”
Poor Kate. “You seem to think this is your decision.” I’m surprised she doesn’t accept that John, my husband, gave me half of the company. Too bad.
“Young lady.” Bob looks like he’s having a stroke. Good. “Leave this moment.”
“Old guy,” I quip back.Tish, take a breath.“I’m not going anywhere.”
Kate says, “Upon John’s death, the company transferred to me and Ashlyn. It’s all well documented in John’s will. You’re simply wrong.”
