by lanie love
“Mr— “His boss starts, but I jump in to keep him from getting in trouble.
“No, this was totally my fault. I know it looks like your driver hit me, but I was trying to park and my gas pedal got stuck. I couldn’t stop my car. I’m sure he is an excellent driver and he has been nothing but professional with me. You are very lucky to have him.”
The boss looks at his driver who just shakes his head.
“Look, I’m really sorry, but I have to get inside,” I say, checking my wristwatch for the time. “I have an interview for… oh man, it’s not with you is it?” I ask the driver’s boss.
“No, ma’am.” He reassures me.
Thank God. How horrible would that have been running into the boss’s car?
****
Michael
She has no idea who I am. How the hell do you interview for a company of this size and not bother to do research? I need to find out who called this one in for the position. She’s out of her tree. And whoever thought she was hirable is out on their can.
She just ruined my Maserati and looking at that junk heap she calls a car and that horribly cheap outfit she’s wearing, there is no way she can afford to fix it. Not that I would trust her. And what does she mean her gas pedal got stuck? She’s going to kill somebody, if not herself. Then to add insult to injury, she thinks, Kyle, my driver, is my boss. Granted, I haven’t introduced myself, but Christ, a little research would have saved her from what I’m sure is going to be an embarrassment if she will stop yapping long enough so that we may correct her. Kyle looks at me for direction and I shake my head for him to leave her be. I’m in the mood to have a little fun with this.
“Excuse me, Miss...” I wait for her to give me her name.
“Winters. Mary Jane Winters.” I notice that she barely glances up when she talks. I have yet to look her in the eye.
“Miss Winters, we wouldn’t want you to be late for your interview. I happen to know who you’re going to be speaking with today, so why don’t I walk you to your potential boss’s office.” No way in hell am I hiring this train wreck.
“That’s so kind of you. Thank you so much.” She says as she walks with me. I walk her in past the front desk, to my personal elevator. No one’s called me by my name, but I’m sure Miss Winters wouldn’t pick up on it if they did. I push the button and we wait for my elevator to descend from the top floor.
“So, Miss Winters, what made you want to work for Estabrook?” I make small talk to ease my boredom. I really should just send her on her way. I have too much work waiting for me today.
“Well, it’s kind of a silly reason to want to work for a company such as this, but it’s because of its charity work.”
I stand corrected. She has done some research. Interesting how that’s what she’s discovered. She had to dig deep. It’s not like we advertise that at all. I’m actually impressed. The elevator pings and I place my hand on the small of her back to guide her in.
“Damn.” I say under my breath after receiving one hell of a shock from her.
“Are you alright.” She looks at me, clearly hearing me. I turn to apologize and, sweet baby Jesus, when she’s finally still enough for me to look at her. Her eyes. How didn’t I notice them before. They are mesmerizing.
“I’m fine. Just a little shock. I apologize for my foul language. I was taught to act better in front of a lady.”
“No harm done.” She looks down at her feet, shying away from my stare. She’s demure. I like that. It’s a refreshing change from the girls around here burning their bras and throwing up peace signs. Yes, I like it a lot.
She takes her delicate hand and tucks a loose strand of her dark hair behind the light pink lobe of her ear. Her fingers gently brush what looks like the softest skin of her cheek. Why didn’t I notice all of this before? Good Lord, she is beautiful. I have to shift a little to adjust my pants. What’s taking this elevator so damn long to get us to the top floor? It finally pings and the doors open. I lead her out, nodding a good morning to my secretary, Betty, as Miss Winters and I head to my office.
“Have a seat, Miss Winters.” I point to one of the chairs facing my desk.
“Thank you... oh, I don’t even know your name.”
“Michael Mason. I am the owner and chairman.” I sit down behind my desk.
“You are the owner?” Her whole body drops in defeat as I nod, affirming her question. “I see. I’m terribly sorry I’ve wasted your time.” She gets up to leave, obviously feeling very embarrassed.
“Where are you going? I thought you wanted an interview.” What am I doing? I should let her leave.
“I did. I do, but I’m sure I’ve lost all chances of getting the job now, seeing as how I just plowed into the Chairman of the company with my car.”
“Normally that would be the case, wouldn’t it?” I chuckle, finally seeing some humor in this little mess-up.
Betty enters the office with my morning coffee.
“Did you schedule Miss Winters here to interview today?” I ask her.
“Yes, sir. She’s on your schedule for this morning. She was supposed to interview for the internship, but since you ordered me to fire Donna, I was hoping to replace her with Miss Winters.”
“No, that’s impossible. Just keep Donna. I don’t want Miss Winters in that position.”
“I’m afraid the internship was already given to someone else.”
“That’s fine. I’m sure if she qualifies, we can find another position in the company for Miss Winters.”
She sits unfazed, while we talk about her like she’s not even in the room.
“Oh, her resume is very impressive.” Betty says. It’s not like her to be so enthusiastic about potential employees. “It should be on top of the pile there on your desk, along with the drug test and background check.” I grab the file and eagerly look it over.
“References?” I ask Betty as I leaf through the paperwork.
“Yes, sir, and you should take note of one reference in particular.” Her answer is confident enough to get my attention, so I flip through to the reference questionnaire reading it aloud. “Her work ethic is exemplary. She is a consummate professional. The rapport she has developed with my benefactors has become a crucial part in their willingness to render financial aid. I call upon her assistance yearly and she never fails to make my charity events successful. Norma Mason.”
Hell, she knows my mother. She helps with her charities? Why have I never seen this girl before? I turn back and quickly look over her resume. This woman is a paragon of goodness. All of her time is spent on charity work. She has dabbled in finance, fundraising, advertisement, entertainment, public relations… the list goes on. This has got to be some kind of joke. This mousy little shy thing has done all of this? But what sticks out are the organizations she’s given her time to: Feed the Hungry World Wide, Grandmother’s House Foundation, and Disaster Corps. I have to find out more about her.
“Thank you, Betty.” I dismiss her.
“Tell me, Miss Winters, you mentioned wanting to work for Estabrook because of our charity work. It’s obvious that you researched the company, yet you didn’t know who I was. Why is that?”
“Yes, I did indeed research your company, but found very inadequate information, so that’s why I didn’t know who you were. However, I have worked with a number of charities and I’ve found that this company is a key benefactor to all of them, giving, not only monetary support, but any essential resources that we request for at any given time. Estabrook always goes above and beyond whatever is asked. Take Hurricane Hilda for example. Disaster Corps called upon its benefactors to give support. Estabrook not only gave a substantial amount of money, but also helped with the overwhelming demands we were faced with when it came to the shipments of food, water, and medical supplies.”
Mousy and shy my ass.
“You seem to give a great deal of yourself to charity work? Are these causes close to your heart?” Giving this much of herself can onl
y come from firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to be in need.
“Yes, very close to my heart.” She gives nothing away and it only serves to make me want to know more.
“Well, I see no reason why it can’t continue on here. You can intern with Estabrook’s Healing Help for the Hungry, also known as Triple H. Among other things, we fund agricultural and corps programs.”
“I would love to be involved with that, sir. Thank you very much,” she says, flashing me a brilliant smile that gets my pulse racing. The word, sir, coming from her lips puts me off balance momentarily. It has an irresistible undertone to it and I feel the need to put distance between us. I buzz for Betty to come back in.
“Walk her down to human resources and have them find her a place in Triple H.” I bark the order at Betty.
“We still haven’t discussed the accident from earlier.” Miss Winters says.
“You’re working here now. It’s not like I won’t ever see you again.” I remind her.
I make a phone call to HR, telling them how much to pay her. I also have them issue her a company car since that death trap she was in should be on its way to the Boneyard by now. I tell them to hold off on firing Donna’s incompetent ass and to make sure Miss Winters receives the speech on keeping all things she hears around the office confidential. Satisfied they’ll carry out my instructions, I look over her paperwork. As complete as the information for screening candidates is, I know there is only one way I’m going to get down to what I really want to know concerning Mary Jane Winters. Why I care I don’t know. Chalk it up to simple curiosity, but I pick up my phone to make the call anyway. She should be just coming in from her daily errands right about now.
“Mom.” I say when she answers. “How about we have lunch today?”
Chapter Five
Indian Summer of 1968
Michael
I had Betty call the hotel and inform them Mom and I will be dining and to reserve my usual table. The restaurant is crowded, just the way I like it. When my brother, Jimmy, suggested we open one inside the hotel, I was skeptical about its success. Happily, I was wrong. I gave him the go-ahead to open up eateries in all of our hotel chains. Mom is already seated looking lovely as always. I dismiss my hostess and make my way to the table myself.
“Mom, how are you? How’s Dad?” I kiss her in greeting, joining her at the table.
“We are both very well, darling.” She says, picking up her glass of what I believe is iced tea to sip. “Just waiting for this heat wave to end. Do you know our pumpkins dried up? We just bought them from the farmer last week. I don’t know what we’ll do for decorations now. Our house is scheduled to be featured in the Fall Festival this year. I’m the host of the carnival and I have dried out pumpkins. I’ll be the laughing stock of the entire city.”
“I’ll have more pumpkins sent over to you, a whole harvest full, and perhaps a few fake ones just in case.”
“You’re so sweet. I have to say this is quite a treat seeing you in the middle of a workday.” She says, making it sound like she doesn’t see me often enough. I make sure to visit her and Dad at least once a week, but for Mom, anything short of me living back at home is not enough.
“Have you ordered yet?” I ask when the waiter stops over to fill our glasses with water.
“I did. I’ve ordered us the house specials. So, anything exciting going on in your life? How’s work going?” She asks once we’re alone again.
“Well, now that you’ve mentioned it, I have a very interesting new hire by the name of Mary Jane Winters.”
“Oh, how wonderful. This is excellent news.” She claps her hands, discreetly bouncing in her chair. “She is a darling girl, isn’t she?”
“Mom, if you two have worked together on your charities, why doesn’t she know who I am?”
“She knows I have a son by the name of Michael, but when she expressed interest in The Estabrook, I didn’t tell her that my son was the Chairman. I knew she wouldn’t pursue a position if she knew you owned the company. She doesn’t want to use our friendship in that way. I was barely able to convince her to put me down as a reference. Did you see what I wrote?”
“Very high praise coming from you.”
“Every word is true. Did you tell her I was your mother?”
“No, but I’m sure she’s worked it all out herself by now. She’s a very smart girl, surprisingly.”
“Surprisingly?” She sits straight up in her seat and stares at me with that left eye twitching. The last thing me and my brother ever wanted to see as kids was that left eye twitching. “Michael Estabrook Mason, I will not have you be rude to that girl.”
“It’s fine, Mom, don’t worry.” I stop her before she goes any further.
“I know she applied for an internship, but that is such a waste of her talents.” She says, making me study her. Rarely does she voice any opinions on how I run my company. This Mary Jane Winters means a lot to her it seems.
“You couldn’t be more right. Which is why I have her working with Triple H.”
“Oh, that’s perfect for her.” She says and stops so that the waiter can place our food “Did you two hit it off? What do you think of her? Was I right to try and set you two up on a date?”
“Is she the girl you’ve been after me to meet?” So, I could have had this girl months ago? Damn, I really should listen to my mother more.
“Yes, I think you two would be perfect for each other. And now she’s working with you, doing charity work no less. You two have to spend time together now and soon, you’ll fall in love and get married.”
“Yes, Little Miss Matchmaker, but you’ve forgotten one thing: I don’t date employees.”
“Oh, pish posh.” She says with a wave of her hand. “Well, I’m glad you’ve met her, even if it’s just as an employee”
“Well, I figured with all she’s been through it would be beneficial for her to work with our food program.” I wait hoping she’ll take the bait and start talking.
“So, she’s told you? It’s a shame, isn’t it? The poor girl. It just breaks my heart.”
“Yes, it’s quite shocking to me as well. I was very saddened to hear. I’m impressed that she can even function so well, considering… it.”
“She hasn’t been able to for such a long time. When I first met her, oh, it was just awful. All those years spent living in that hell.” She shakes her head in disgusted anger. “She’s come a long way since then, but it’s no wonder she’s the way she is.”
“The way she is? How is she?”
“Now, Michael, you know I don’t like to gossip.” She looks up at me, taking a sip of her water and I want to throttle her.
“Of course not, Mom.” I make a mental note to look into Mary Jane’s medical files. I have to know. What in God’s name happened to her?
I leave Mom with the promise of dinner this weekend. She insists I bring Mary Jane so that they may talk about her remaining charity events for this year. For once, she won’t have to twist my arm to get me to stay for dinner.
“Anything?” I ask Clyde down in HR.
“No, nothing, sir.”
“Nothing? So, she was never treated for anything? You know, malnutrition, starvation, things like that?”
“No, Mr. Mason. What I mean is, there is no sign of her being seen by any doctor at all. There are no immunity records, no physicals, no checkups. No school records. There’s nothing. Are you sure you’ve got the right name?”
“I’ll get back to you.” I say, hanging up. “What the hell is going on?”
****
It’s been a full week since she started and I have yet to get this girl off my mind.
What is it about her that I find so intriguing? She is such a mystery to me.
I find myself venturing down to Triple H on a daily basis.
Jimmy is happy with my new-found interest in the program. It frees up a lot of his time because now I’m running it instead of him.
I remember when I c
ame into the meeting on Tuesday. He just about fell out of his chair with surprise. I think his reaction was a bit much. Granted, I’ve never attended a single meeting since we started the program a few years ago, but still, let’s not overreact. I think he figured out my motives real quick when I caught him smirking at me every time he saw my eyes drifting over to Mary Jane. I’m really hoping no one else has picked up on it.
Kyle is driving me over to pick up Mary Jane for dinner with my family and I’m nervous. Why the fuck am I nervous? This isn’t a date. I don’t date. I’m just driving her over so that she can work with Mom. It’s just business.
Kyle moves to get her from her apartment, but I order him to keep his ass in the damn car. I want to get her. I can hear him snicker as I walk to her front door.
“Mr. Mason, thank you for picking me up.” She says as she invites me in.
My God, she’s lovely. Those ill-fitting skirts and blouses she wears to work do nothing to show off her figure. Here she is in this form-fitting cocktail dress and leggings that accentuate every curve. They’re calling for my attention. No, she must never wear this to work. I swear I’d have my way with her right on the lobby floor.
“Not at all Mary Jane. I’m happy to do it.”
“Please, call me Jane, Mr. Mason. No one ever calls me by my full name.”
“Very well, if I must, Jane.” I say her preferred name like it’s torture and that causes her to laugh. “Are you ready to go?”
“I am. I just need to pack up the pie I made. Give me just a minute and make yourself at home.” She disappears into what I’m guessing is the kitchen.
Make myself at home? I look around at her place which is rather lovely. It’s all bright and colorful. I notice her large floor to ceiling bookshelf overflowing with books.
“You obviously like to read.” I speak loud enough so she can hear me from her place in the kitchen.
“Oh yes, I spend most of my time at the public library. I used to volunteer to read to the children. That’s how your mom and I first met. I only knew her as Mrs. Norma back then. I want you to know, Mr. Mason, that I didn’t use my knowing your mother as a way to get that interview at Estabrook.”
