by Robin Roseau
"Will you let me wear it when I get home?"
She smiled. "Yes, My Belle."
* * *
Geiger Technologies was a fairly young Silicon Valley powerhouse, or so we were told during our initial interview. The bunch of us that were interviewing met in the lobby of the building. Everyone was surprised to see me.
"They said you checked out of the hotel," Lori said. Lori was one of the programmers. She was very good, and I was sure she would get a great job here.
"I've been staying with a friend," I said. "She's been showing me around."
"Oh, cool," Lori said. And we talked about what we were doing.
And then someone came to see us, and we received the grand tour and prospective employee pep talk.
After that, we met en masse in a conference room. We met several programmers along with Alex May, the director who was going to oversee our product's integration into the Geiger family. Alex introduced everyone then explained the plan. "We will do a group interview of each of you," he said. "We are not hiring all of you into this department, but Geiger always has other openings, so we have a separate schedule for each of you. We have already reviewed your resumes and job history in your current positions, and we have arranged what we feel are opportunities to interview for the best positions for each of you. However, if you do not find a fit, we have an online job board, and you are free to apply for other positions. Someone will show you how to access that later this afternoon or tomorrow morning when you return."
Then he passed out paper to each of us. I glanced at mine and was surprised to see I would receive my group interview first then would be talking to four other people throughout the day.
My interview went poorly. It wasn't that I gave a poor interview; it's that they clearly didn't need an executive assistant for the department. I had a lot of skills, but I wasn't a programmer.
We'd been talking for ten minutes when I said, "Mr. May-"
"Call me Alex."
"Alex, I am not a programmer or a quality assurance specialist. I am an exceedingly good executive assistant. I also did the books and handled the operations for Harmon Software as well as most of the Human Resources work. However, I do not have a degree in accounting. I do not have a degree in HR. And I am clearly not remotely qualified to handle operations for such a large organization."
He stared at me.
"I would love to come work for you, but if you needed an executive assistant, that is what we would be talking about. I don't want to waste your time for form's sake. I appreciate you having me out here, and I have had an exceedingly lovely time, but we both know the only reason you invited me is because Ted asked you to."
"Ted sang your praises at length," Alex said. "He did not mention you were this direct."
"You are a busy man. You all are busy people. If you have a real job to talk to me about, I'd love to talk to you. But otherwise you should talk to the people you are really interested in."
"Perhaps we all just want to listen to your lovely accent for a while," he suggested.
I smiled. "It has been my experience that California professionals are filled with quiet competence. My accent is a lovely experience during drinks after work."
He smiled. "I wish I had a job for you," he said.
I looked down at the paper with my itinerary for the day. "Do any of these people have jobs that would suit me and that would pay enough to at all make up for the difference in the cost of living?"
"Not a one," he said. "However, all of them want to talk to you because one doesn't like to turn talent away. They may be able to make room for you. Somewhere. Please, talk to them, and give them more opportunity than you gave me."
I smiled. "But you do not have room to make for me, and if I depart now, that gives you more time to evaluate my friends, nervously waiting their turns."
"Oh, I very much hope someone makes room for you, Bethany, and if so, then you must join us for drinks. We go every Thursday."
"Be kind to my friends and I will happily join you as often as my schedule allows."
We all stood up and I shook their hands. I got halfway to the door before I turned around. "I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit. Thank you so much."
"Very gracious, Bethany," Alex said.
My next three interviews didn't go remarkably better. They each expressed pleasure with me, but the second couldn't do better than an entry-level secretarial position, and it was such a deep demotion it wasn't worth discussing. She apologized for even mentioning it.
"I'm sorry," I heard over and over.
The fourth was only marginally better. She was a woman named Ann Bannister, and she was the head of a department devoted to some technology I didn't fully understand.
"Don't worry," she said. "Nobody does. You would learn."
She grilled me for a long time, focusing on the things that didn't appear on my resume, most of it technology-related. I was good with office technology, and I understood the Harmon software inside and out from a user's perspective. But I wasn't remotely interested in a customer service position and I wasn't qualified as a technical writer.
In the end, Ann asked me if I wanted to work for her.
"You haven't told me what you want me to do."
"To be honest, I don't know. But Ted's wife is a friend of the family. She and my mother went to college together. They asked me to do whatever we could for you. Ted seemed to think California would agree with you far more than North Carolina does. I think I understand, but it isn't relevant."
"So you would offer me a pity job?"
"I have open positions. You aren't qualified for any of them. But I could train you for at least two of them."
She frowned. "Neither of them pay more than your current salary."
I sighed. "The cost of living-"
"I know."
"Thank you for your time, Ms. Bannister." I stood up and shook her hand.
Then, dejected but not surprised, I accepted help leaving the building.
* * *
I was halfway back to Katrina's house when my phone rang. I pulled over and answered it. It was Alex May. "I had hoped to catch you before you left, but I'll see you when you come back in the morning."
"There really isn't a point in wasting anyone's time, Alex," I said.
"One more person wishes to speak with you. Be here by nine. Do not disappoint me, Bethany."
"Yes, Alex," I said. "I'll be there."
* * *
Katrina had given me a key, and I let myself in. I grabbed my laptop and began digging through the help wanted advertisements from Winston-Salem.
I was still digging through them by the time Katrina arrived. I didn't hear her at first, as I was upstairs lying on my stomach on the bed, digging through the adds, growing increasingly despondent.
I hoped at least it was a good severance package, because I was going to need it.
Katrina cleared her throat from the doorway. I glanced over at her, and she looked upset.
"What are you doing?" she asked me.
"Looking through the help wanted ads," I said. "It didn't go well."
She stared at me, and I thought perhaps she was waiting for something.
"Did I do something wrong? If so, I'm sorry."
"What are you to do when we are reunited, Bethany?"
It took me a moment, and then I was apologizing as I slipped off the bed and hurried to her. I knelt down in front of her and then began kissing her feet. She was wearing sensible, professional shoes, and kissing her through them wasn't remotely as satisfying as when they were bare.
"Stop," she said. Then she kicked the shoes off. "Again."
That was a lot more fun.
"Enough," she said. "I do not like coming home, knowing you are here, and having to look for you."
"I'm sorry, Katrina. I'd say it won't happen again, but it probably will." Then I realized what I had said. We only had one more homecoming in front of us. "Well, maybe it won't," I said sadly.
"If you have to punish me, I understand."
"I should," she said, "but I am not remotely in the mood for that. But I want you in your collar. Right now."
It was on her dresser. I climbed to my feet and scampered to get it, handing it to her, then kneeling in front of her, my back straight, while she set it in place.
"I brought groceries for dinner. You will make something. After dinner, you will pamper me for a while, then we can cuddle."
"Yes, Katrina."
"But first, tell me how it went, and show me the other jobs you are looking at."
Then she had me explain the day while she changed into casual clothing. She poked her nose out and sighed. "You turned down a job without asking me?"
"It was a job I wasn't qualified to do for a department I didn't understand, and the only reason she was offering it was because Ted's wife is friends with her mother. Plus she wasn't offering even the tiniest bump in salary, which means it's a huge decrease."
Katrina watched me. "I told you to talk to me first."
"And would you have advised me to take a job I couldn't do?"
"No, but you broke an order."
"You told me to 'get the job' and talk to you. The way we were talking, I interpreted that to mean a job I could conceivably accept, if not for the financial aspects. I have a brain. I am going to use it. There was no reason to lead anyone on. I do not believe it would be ethical for me to tell someone, 'I want to think about it' when I darned well know I can't do the work." I paused. "If I were turning it down strictly due to the money, then I would agree that I had broken your order. But if you still feel I have, then tell me what I need to do to apologize."
She sighed. "No. You're right." She sighed again. "I'm sorry. There's something at work I'm dealing with, and I'm taking it out on you. I could argue you should have talked to me, but I agree with everything else you said."
"I'm sorry if I've upset you, Katrina. I'm sorry I didn't meet you at the door. I wasn't thinking, and there isn't a good excuse."
"How about if we're both forgiven, and we have a pleasant evening? Tell me about the jobs you are looking at." She crossed the room and lay on the bed next to me.
"I only found a few that are interesting, and a few more if I get desperate. I imagine the competition is going to be fierce for all of them, but I'll have to apply and see what happens."
"You said you had one more appointment tomorrow?"
"I do, but did I tell you?"
"You must have," she said.
"Then I did."
"Then don't apply for anything until after tomorrow, but show me what else you found."
I showed her the first job. "This one is so-so." Then the next one. She read the description.
"You're better than this."
"It's what I can find," I said.
She frowned. "I don't even know where Greensboro is. It must be a very small suburb."
"Oh no, it's bigger than Winston-Salem, I think. It's where our airport is."
She turned to look at me, and I read fury in her face. "These jobs are in North Carolina?"
"Where else?" I asked in a small voice.
"How about San Jose? Or Mountain View? Or Cupertino?"
"Why are you yelling at me?" I spat back. "I've had a truly miserable day, and I am about to be unemployed for the first time since I was fourteen. And I was really dreading going home never to see you again, but if this is how you would treat me every night you come home, then I can go find a hotel room!"
"No!" she screamed, pulling me into her arms.
"Let me go!"
"No! Don't go!" I struggled against her, but she said, "I'm sorry. Don't go. Belle, don't go."
I slowly stopped my struggles and we lay on the bed, panting.
"Why shouldn't I?" I asked quietly.
"Please don't go," she said quietly. "I'm sorry. Please don't go. I'm not ready for you to go. You don't really want to go. Stay."
I turned my head to face her. "If I misbehave, you are justified. This last one was not me misbehaving, and the other two were over-reactions."
"I agree," she said. "Please stay, Bethany."
"You called me Belle."
"I know."
I kissed her, and she allowed it. It was our first kiss, not counting her feet, since she arrived. "Do I have toe breath?" I asked when the kiss was done.
She smiled. "If you do, I didn't notice." She paused. "Lie down on your stomach."
"I already am."
"All the way." And then she was kneeling, and her hands found my back, and she began giving me a deep massage. She had me moaning in pleasure in moments.
She massaged for a while, easing the tension from me, and then finally she rolled me over and pulled me into her arms. She kissed me gently.
"That was wonderful, but aren't I supposed to do that for you?"
"I'll ask when I need that. I knew doing that would calm both of us. I wasn't sure you would respond well if I demanded you rub my back."
I caressed her cheek, then looked away, but she pulled my back to look into her eyes. "Tell me."
"Tomorrow night, I want you to be horribly mean to me."
"Why?" she asked harshly. "Why would you want that?"
And I buried my face in her chest. "It might be the only way I could stand leaving you."
And she held me tightly while I clutched at her.
Then I pushed away. "You have to be mean tomorrow. If you're nice to me, I couldn't stand it. Make me cry and drive me away. Convince me you're always horrible after work so I can fool myself into thinking I'm better off without you. Even if I get the job, I know this is just a fling for you."
Then she pulled me tightly to her again, her forehead pressed against my hair.
We stayed like that for a while before I said, "Let's go cook dinner. Will you come down with me?"
"I'll be there in a minute," she replied. "I have to use the bathroom."
* * *
We had a lovely evening. She was sweet and gentle, and then we made love before crawling into bed. Plain, simple, gentle, vanilla love. It was very sweet.
She let me hold her, and after a while, I knew she slept. And then I whispered to her, "Katrina, I am falling in love with you. I know you don't feel the same way, and so I'm telling you in your sleep, so at least I've told you."
She mumbled something, words from a dream, and after a long time, I slept as well.
* * *
Katrina left before I did on Tuesday. I straightened up after she left, making sure the bedroom was perfect, and then I got ready. I dressed professionally, but I knew they wouldn't have a position for me.
It was for the best. I would need distance from her, and if I could blame the distance, then I didn't have to admit I was just a long-weekend fling for her. I could believe she had cared about me, at least a little.
I was sure I was going to be miserable the rest of my life. She had shown me what I wanted was possible; it just wasn't possible for me.
I arrived at Geiger at 8:45, reporting first to Alex.
"I understand you were equally blunt with the other people you talked to."
"I suppose I was. I appreciate all of you making an effort for me. I know I got a lot further than anyone would have off the street."
"You have one interview today, and this person has a proper job for you. I don't have the details. Her name is Katherine Waters, and she is the director in charge of the hush-hush department."
I laughed. "That isn't its real name."
"Probably not, but for the life of me, I can't remember the real name. That's what everyone calls it. It's the department that handles our cyber-security. They also oversee audits we do for some of our customers."
"I don't know a thing about computer security."
He smiled. "She needs a proper executive assistant."
"What has she been doing up until now?"
"She has an assistant, but the assistant is about to get a major promotion. The only thing preven
ting the promotion is the location of a replacement. Katherine won't let Bernie go otherwise. I should warn you. Katherine is exceedingly demanding, and she does not tolerate bullshit."
"Then we'll get along perfectly," I said.
"I rather thought you might."
Things were looking up.
"I know I'm not supposed to ask about money on a job interview-"
"You won't be buying a house, not even with the way the prices have dropped, but you'll be able to live here. It's a significant raise for you."
"Thank you, Alex."
"Ted told us you are the reason Benson was a success. He said you did everything, and he couldn't have done it without you."
"That was kind of him. Thank you for telling me."
"Your coworkers all said pretty much the same thing."
I smiled. "They're good guys. I hope you are hiring all of them."
"We're trying to make it work."
I nodded.
"All right. Someone is going to come get you, if you want to wait outside. You probably have a few minutes."
I stepped outside and took a seat in a little waiting room. I had a few minutes so I pulled out my phone and sent Katrina a text. "Things may be looking up. They might have a real job for me. Can I call?"
"Yes," was the reply.
She picked up on the first ring.
"I wanted to hear your voice," I told her.
"I'm glad," she said. "Do you know about the job?"
"It's for someone very demanding," I replied. "She needs an executive assistant. I guess hers is getting a promotion."
"Are you interested?"
"I respond well under pressure," I said. "Well, most of the time. I'd have to learn a lot, but I can handle that."
"Well then," Katrina replied. "Knock 'em dead. Honey, I have to go, but we'll talk later."
"Thanks, Katrina. I just wanted to hear your voice." And then we both hung up.
I waited a few more minutes, then a woman stood in front of me and asked, "Bethany?" I looked up and nodded. "Hi. I'm Bernie, Katherine's assistant."
I stood up and we shook hands. She tugged my hand, and we began walking down the hall.
"I really want you to get this job," she said. "Katherine won't let me have the promotion until I find someone who is, and I quote, at least half as good as you are, Bernie."
