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Jake
I take a calming breath as my grip tightens on the phone. I roll my eyes and look around the room. Usually, the dark, masculine ambiance of my office gives me a sense of calm. But talking to my girlfriend has a way of getting under my skin anyway. “Amanda, you can’t back out on me again. This is getting ridiculous. You know I can’t go to this event alone. Do your obligations mean nothing to you?”
Amanda sighs. “I’m so sorry, Jake. I wouldn’t cancel if there were any other way. My obligations to you are important, but you have to understand that my career is important, too. The client is unhappy with the shots we provided. We’re going to try a different location and do a reshoot. It’s not ideal, but I have to go.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Amanda. But at what point will I be a priority to you? These last-minute cancelations make it difficult for me. My client expects me to bring a date to this dinner. He was looking forward to finally meeting you.” I’m trying to keep the irritation out ofmy voice. It is extremely difficult for me to remain calm at this point. She has canceled on me far too many times lately.
“I know,” she says softly. “I will make it up to you when I return Sunday evening. I’ll come stay at your place for a few days. We just need to spend some time together. We’ve both been way too busy lately. You know how much I love you.”
I hesitate. I really don’t want to have to deal with Amanda this weekend. I am trying to hide my irritation and be supportive of her career, but it’s becoming more and more difficult. “Fine,” I sigh. “Let’s get together when you get back.”
This relationship has gotten way too difficult to manage lately. After dating for two years, I know that Amanda and I should be talking about the next step. Yet lately, she and I have been barely crossing paths. Sometimes I wonder if we are staying together because it’s convenient. Breaking up could be messy, and I do care about her.
I run my hand through my hair and lean back in my chair. I’m beginning to think that it might be time for some changes. I don’t want to break up with Amanda, but I also don’t want to keep going through this. If she won’t take the relationship seriously, why should I?
It’s the same argument I’ve had with myself for the last six months. Shaking my head, I get up and head toward my executive assistant’s office. I’m hoping that maybe Liz has some good news for me. She surprised me two weeks ago by handing in her notice. She has been diligently trying to find a replacement ever since, but so far, no luck. By the time I get to her office, I’ve worked myself up into a pretty crappy mood.
Liz is just putting her phone down as I come in. She is twirling the locks of her hair that have escaped from that tight bun she always wears. She looks up and immediately asks, “What’s wrong?”
My ever-astute EA. What will I do without her?
“I’m going to need you to attend the Jeffrey event with me.”
“Can’t, boss. I’m so sorry. My sister is scheduled to be induced on Friday. I need to be at the hospital with her when she has the baby.”
“Well, can’t she reschedule?” I blurt, feeling annoyed.
The withering look I get from Liz tells me I went too far. “Okaaaay. You want my sister to reschedule the birth of her child? Is this what you are telling me?” She raises one brow in question. “Do you even hear how crazy that sounds?”
“Well, when you put it that way…” My voice trails off. I feel myself slowly smiling for the first time today as I look at Liz. I’m really going to miss her. After four years as my executive assistant, she’s become irreplaceable. “If you hadn’t already quit, I’d have to fire you for insubordination,” I joke.
“Ha! If I hadn’t already quit, I’d have to quit again because my extremely unreasonable boss thinks the world revolves around him,” she shoots back at me.
Yep, I’m going to miss her. Quitting because she wants a job with normal hours? She’ll be bored within a week. I’m not even going to think about how hard it will be to replace her. I’ve never had an EA as thorough, dependable, and simply amazing as Liz.
“Alright, since you’re being so unreasonable… Hey, don’t look at me like that.” she laughs at me. “Okay, so, since you are being so unreasonable,” I repeat, “I’m going to need to find a date for this Friday night. Bill Jeffrey is insisting I bring a date.”
“Lucky for you, I may have a solution.” She pauses. “I hired your new assistant today. Her name is Lana Jacobs. She has extensive experience as an executive assistant, so I have no doubt she is going to be perfect. She has agreed to start Monday.” Liz shuffles some papers around and hands me a couple of sheets. “Here’s her resume.”
Liz comes to the rescue again. I quietly scan the resume, looking for anything out of the ordinary. I don’t see any obvious red flags. It looks like Liz came through for me.
“I knew you were quick, but that’s impressive. It’s only been a couple of hours since I told you to find someone ASAP. Can I assume she will last longer than the last two temps you put in here?” I ask.
Liz rolls her eyes. “Maybe she’ll make it to the weekend if you don’t scare her off. What happened this last time? The lady in Payroll called up and told me that your last assistant left in tears. She wanted to know if we needed to report anything to HR. Then, I got a call from the temp agency, and they said they wouldn’t be able to send anyone else to our office. Word has gotten out that you are difficult to work for!”
I shrug in annoyance. That last temp was the worst of the lot. She was incapable of even the smallest task. She hung up on an important client, sent confidential documents to the wrong person, and then got upset when I told her to get the hell out of my office. I don’t have time to coddle people who can’t perform basic office functions. But I’m not going to tell Liz all of that. She already thinks I’m too hard on people.
“Well, why did you have to go and quit on me? Are you really sure you want to change departments? I can try to work with you and limit some of the extra hours you put in. I know you work too hard. Unfortunately, I would still need you to travel with me occasionally. But I really hate to lose you. We are such a great team,” I tell her.
In reality, Liz and I have become great friends these last few years. We met in college, and she took a position at the company soon after college while she waited for a position to open on our legal team. There were some things going on in her personal life, so working here helped her escape the drama and start fresh. When no position opened, I convinced her to be my executive assistant until a legal team opening came about. But after my amazing assistant for four years, it’s time for her to move up to the legal department. She’s one of the few people I’ve always been able to count on. Losing her is going to be difficult.
“I wish I could. Really. But I have been waiting years for a spot to open up. Plus, I have some personal things I need to work through. Unfortunately, it means I need a job with not as much travel,” Liz says regretfully.
“I understand. You’ll do an amazing job on our legal team. They’re lucky to have you.” I don’t really like her decision, but I can see that she won’t change her mind.
“Now, don’t get all mushy on me, Jake!” Liz laughs. “Okay, enough of this leaving talk. It’s going to make me sad. I forgot to tell you that Ethan called. He wants me to give you a message.”
“Why did he call you instead of me?” I ask her.
