The Promotion

by Laura Domino

  She clicked and opened a new search window to look for possible weekend day trips in the surrounding areas. France was near Spain. She could find a quick weekend getaway for a fuller European education.

  Heavy footsteps hammered down the hallway. Her boss couldn’t sneak up on anyone. He probably did that on purpose so no one would get caught goofing off.

  She quickly minimized everything on her screen except the email and the document she needed to work on.

  As soon as she did, he stopped at her door. “Quick meeting. My office. One o’clock.”

  She nodded. “I’ll be there.” Her serious face was in place and working. The boss man left immediately after her acknowledgment.

  There was plenty of time after work for dreaming about the details of her new Spanish home. She had a lot of work to do for now.

  XOXO

  At the hospital, Adam found the right floor and then the right room. The patient’s name was on the sign outside his door. But once inside the room, he wanted to go back outside and check the door again. This couldn’t be Dan.

  The old man was staring out the window. Not much to see. He looked terrible. His face was a leathery tan and wrinkled. The corners of his mouth drooped low. The oxygen tube stretched across his face didn’t help his appearance. If staring into the sunlight was all he felt like doing, that wasn’t a life anyone wanted to live.

  “Dan? Hi. It’s me. Adam. Chuck’s kid.” He kept his voice low and gentle. It was a hospital, after all. He waited in the painful silence.

  Dan blinked. Breathed in deeply. He turned away from the window and glanced over at Adam just once. Then he closed his eyes. He didn’t say anything. Obviously, he could hear him. He knew he was there. Probably just didn’t feel like talking.

  Adam remembered all the stories Dan told around the Christmas tree, at birthday parties, in the summer, or anytime he came over. He couldn’t remember a single time Dan had visited and hadn’t told a story. The man he saw before him couldn’t be the same guy who teased his dad and tossed a ball with him and his brother.

  When Dan didn’t show up for the funeral not too many months ago, Adam figured he wasn’t able to make it. Until today’s visit, Adam thought Dan may have been out of the country at the time. He was practically their uncle. He should’ve been there if he was able. By the looks of things, Dan had missed his brother’s funeral because he was too sick.

  “I came to see if you needed anything.” Adam waited for a response in the quiet room, either physical or verbal. It required patience.

  Dan took a breath. “Need anything? Who cares if I need anything? Nurses sure don’t. I’ve called them in here six times. Six times. If I need help, I’ll write a letter to Santa. Help will arrive just as fast that way.”

  “I came to help, Dan.” The sound of his own voice surprised him. If his voice had been higher, it might’ve sounded like his voice as a twelve-year-old, a boy who looked up to Dan. Adam had so many memories of the man who was his dad’s best friend.

  “Help? You can’t help me. Ask them to let me get out of here today. See what they say. I’m in prison. Bed rest, food, water. That’s all I get for the rest of my days. It’s the death sentence, I tell you.”

  “I’m sorry, Dan. Can I get you something while I’m here?”

  “Get me a nurse who will sneak me out of here. Doctors aren’t checking hallways late at night. Somebody can wheel me out to a taxi at one o’clock in the morning. But, no. They won’t. If I try something like that, I’m afraid sirens will go off. Someone will yell, ‘Jail break! Jail break!’ and I’ll be handcuffed to the bed for the rest of my days. What did I ever do to deserve the death sentence? I haven’t murdered anyone. Yet.”

  Dan kept complaining, and Adam kept listening. After almost half an hour, Dan was too tired to complain anymore. Adam felt needed and was glad he was there for him. A lot of the complaining sounded like it had been bottled up for a while. Dan probably felt better after spewing out all the words.

  “I’ll try to come back tomorrow.” Adam watched him for a silent response.

  Dan didn’t smile or wink at him like he had in the past. After a while, he glanced over at Adam to see why he was still standing there. Or if he was still standing there.

  Adam nodded and left.

  Chapter 9

  The tall steeple shining in the sunlight kept everyone in the area aware that Fulton Ridge had a big church. They called it First Church even though it sounded a little too cold and impersonal for her. But it was big enough to shelter thousands in the area who knew of their need to worship God with others. Benita had heard that there was parking garage in the works, but not being on her church’s administrative board, she didn’t know for sure.

  The church parking lot was full by the time Benita arrived most Sundays, but today she’d gotten here early. No reason, except maybe hitting all green lights on the way. That never happened. God must be ready to bless her. It had to be a sign. All green lights? She’d definitely got the green light for the promotion.

  Everyone already assembled inside listened to the pre-service music as more worshippers arrived. Benita scooted to let more people in her pew. Trish hadn’t made her appearance. Something might have come up to make her late.

  The large sanctuary, fragrant with lemon furniture polish on the dark wood pews, echoed the whispers of parents shushing their children. The floor, covered in thick red carpet, displayed splashes of color near the wall from beautifully sunlit stained-glass windows on the east side.

  Trish came to the pew in front of Benita where there was room for two more people. She waved at Benita.

  Benita waved back. It was too much hassle to climb over people to see if she could fit next to Trish. Probably better to stay where she was.

  She sat in her usual area and listened to organ music and announcements. The same general thing happened every week.

  After the first hymn was over, the Assistant Pastor walked to the microphone and asked everyone to shake hands with the people who were nearby. This was new. It was just the touch of excitement needed to wake everyone up.

  Trish, sitting a row ahead, put her knee in the pew and leaned to talk. “Benita, shake my hand.” She gave a warm hug after the handshake. “So glad you’re here. You have to come early next week.”

  “I was early this week.”

  “No. I mean an hour early. I need help with my class.”

  “So just show up and help you pass around the handouts and cookies?”

  “No. I need you to lead the class. I’m going to be gone.”

  “Already? I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too. But since I know you can handle a leadership challenge, I’m asking you to take my class for just one hour. One day.”

  Inside, Benita shook with confusion. “But I’m not a Sunday School teacher. Don’t I have to go through training?”

  “Not yet. There’s talk that there will be a children’s department screening process in the near future, but it still has to go through the board’s approval. So you can help me out next week. Just show up on time and walk in. Come on. It’s the fourth graders. You’ll be fine. It’s not like they’re Harvard grads.”

  How could she turn down her friend, let alone a fun challenge? But the need to help her friend was diminished by the knowledge that she didn’t have any experience with teaching a Bible study to anyone. She could lead a business meeting and talk to clients about her company’s products, but kids were not part of her experience. “What topic are you covering? I’ll have to prepare a fill-in-the-blank worksheet or something, right?”

  “The lesson is pretty easy. It’s already planned out for you. And you get cookies.”

  “Cookies? Well, of course, I’ll do it.” She laughed. “I’ll even do it without cookies.”

  “Thanks. I’ll get the teacher’s guide to you today. Okay?”

  “I’ll be there on time. Fourth grade, right?” Certainly, Trish could have found someone else, someone more
used to that age group. “Are you sure you want me?”

  “You’ll be great. You know where it is. If you get lost, ask. I’m depending on you. The kids are depending on you.”

  “No pressure. No problema. Si. I’ll be there.”

  Over the microphone, someone made the announcement of their first Scripture reading.

  Trish’s voice quieted. “Wow.” Trish shook her head. “You’re really going to Spain, aren’t you?”

  “Si.” Was she being too obvious? Benita didn’t realize until that moment that the promotion was all she thought about. Maybe when she moved to Spain she would try to find some balance between work and whatever else there was.

  Chapter 10

  Benita found herself at the elevator late enough in the day that she wasn’t sure she could call it day anymore. The good thing about leaving so late was no one was around to annoy her with tales of woe and stories about how bad their day was. A girl needed to focus on the important stuff without all the gossip, chitchat, and other drivel.

  Around the corner came Robert, heading over to get on her elevator. No fair. She was preparing to have a good evening. That man could spoil anything for her.

  “It’s Benita!”

  “Hola, señor.”

  “Oh. I see you’re practicing. Too bad. You’re not going to Spain. I am.”

  “Keep dreaming.” She got on the elevator with him and pushed the button to go down.

  “I am dreaming. I’m dreaming every night of the beautiful Barcelona beach. My wife and kids will be taking the train with me into France for the weekend. Maybe going sailing in the Mediterranean. I’m dreaming about it because I’m going to live there. It’s happening. My mind is already enjoying what the reality will be.”

  The numbers showed they were zooming past floor after floor, but the elevator seemed extra slow. If only he had been two minutes later. She could’ve gone home happy. “You’re dreaming. And while you’re dreaming about it, I’m actually preparing for it.” His presence just made her want it more, if possible.

  “Oh. I see.” He laughed. “You can greet me in Spanish. That’s nice. I’m already fluent in it.” He gave a big smile as the elevator doors opened.

  The hair on Benita’s arms stood out. She crossed her arms over her chest, ignoring the goosebumps. She stepped out of the elevator, intent on acting like she was not impressed. “Prove it. I don’t believe you.”

  “My friend, you are fun. You’re a riot.” Laughing, he turned and walked toward a man standing at the end of the bank of elevators.

  Her skin turned cold again as he swiveled his head and winked at her.

  Robert shook hands with the man, nodded at Benita, and walked with him toward her. Both men smiled as they approached.

  “Benita? I’m Santiago.”

  Robert’s eyes twinkled. “Santi is my ride home. We carpool.”

  Benita offered a handshake. “Hello. Yes, I’m Benita.”

  “Robert said you are learning Spanish. Did you just start your lessons?”

  Benita opened her mouth to speak, but Robert answered in Spanish.

  Of course, he was fluent. His speech was clear, no fumbling with pronunciations. The carpool friend had a real conversation with him.

  How was she going to compete for the job in Spain if all she could come up with was a greeting?

  “Good luck with your lessons.”

  “Nice meeting you, Santiago.”

  Robert waved as he set off for the parking garage with Santi. “Hasta mañana, Benita.”

  He’d won this round. She returned his wave and left.

  Benita walked to the bookstore instead of going straight home. She had to find some new, faster way to learn Spanish. Why was it so hard for her?

  She strolled through aisles, listening, desperate to find someone who was bilingual who could tutor her in Spanish. After a quick tour of the store, she realized she needed to give up and head for the Spanish aisle to buy one more book to take home. Her software and the internet sites were helping a lot, but she wouldn’t be fluent in time to beat Robert.

  If she could stretch herself and learn useful phrases, she could practice them so that it sounded more natural. If she bought a book and wrote down phrases she found, she could look up the ones that seemed important and translate them online. She might find a way to prove to Robert and Mr. Casey that she can actually read in Spanish. They probably both think she couldn’t hold a normal conversation with a client. Unfortunately, after a week and a half of trying to enlarge her vocabulary, they’d be right.

  The Spanish section at the book store wasn’t that big. And with her minimal skills, she couldn’t tell what the books were about until she translated the words.

  She pulled out a book and opened it.

  “Did you need help picking out a book?” The man’s voice was soothing and familiar.

  She turned to see who it was.

  “Benita? How are you? Imagine my surprise when I saw you walk in the door.” It was Adam. Unforgettable, but now he was without his puppy-like cuteness. He seemed more confident than he’d been before. His posture was more like a man of power than a puppy.

  “Yes. Imagine.”

  “I had some extra time on my hands, so my mom sent me here to pick up a book for her friend’s birthday. What are you up to?” He looked over her shoulder at the row of Spanish books she’d been perusing.

  “Oh, just browsing.”

  “You read Spanish? Good language to know. Especially helpful when you travel.”

  “Yes, it is. Well, Adam, so great to see you.” Why did he make her feel embarrassed to be found in this section of the bookstore? Should she tell him she’s not a bilingual reader? Her cheeks felt hot, like she’d been caught in a lie.

  He saw the book in her hand. “What were you looking for? I read Spanish too. I could help you find something.”

  “You read Spanish?”

  “Yes.” His smile flickered for a moment.

  “I don’t know if you can help me.” She hated how that sounded. Coming across as judgmental or doubting was not the best way to get good help.

  “Are you looking for something like the one you’re holding?” He held out his hand for her to show it to him.

  Unwilling to throw away an opportunity to hire him as her tutor, she passed it to him. “I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure what it’s about, to be completely honest. I don’t really read Spanish, but I’m trying to.”

  “I see. Do you want Spanish poetry? I know a good poet. Or maybe a history book?” He flipped through the pages of the one in his hands.

  “I’d be willing to get a child’s book in Spanish if it would help me become fluent more quickly.” The deep, masculine sound of Adam’s voice gave her an idea. “Read to me.”

  He looked up at her with one eyebrow raised, like he wanted to prove he was telling the truth. “Not this book.” He put it on the shelf and pulled out another one. He read quietly to her and showed her which paragraph he was reading. His voice lent a lyrical quality to already lovely words.

  “Such a beautiful language.” Benita couldn’t wait to speak Spanish as well as he did. Almost at swoon stage, she took a breath to bring herself back to the task at hand. “I need a tutor. Do you have time to help me learn?”

  His wide eyes blinked. Back to puppy-cute again. “I might be able to find time. If you want fluency quickly, it will have to be several meetings every week to be effective.”

  Excellent. She’d found a tutor. “Seven o’clock in the evening is good for me. How about six days a week? I’m in a time crunch. The more I immerse myself in it, the better.” She looked at the smile on his face and wondered if this was such a good idea after all. “If you can’t teach me, just let me know. I’m not playing around here. This is for work.”

  “Okay. You need Spanish for work. You have a Spanish-speaking client?”

  “Yes. Several. But more important, I have a deadline. If I don’t learn it well enou
gh by then, I won’t get the job.” She frowned. “Sorry. I mean...” Taking a breath, she smoothed the wrinkles on her forehead the best she could. “If you can help me, that would be great.”

  “I can help.” His voice was low and sweet. He focused on the shelf and pulled one more book out. “Buy these for now. If you need something else next week, I can pick it out for you.”

  “Let’s agree on your pay. How much do you charge?”

  “Benita, I’ve never charged for tutoring.” The kindness in his voice matched the expression in his eyes. “I can let you see how well we work together first. Maybe hire me on a trial basis.”

  “I’ll buy your mother’s book as your first payment and after that we’ll discuss a weekly amount.” She couldn’t ask for his help and not pay.

  “Fine. We’ll discuss it later.” He gave the book to her. “Meet at the coffee shop tomorrow after work?”

  “Right. At seven o’clock. Give me your phone. I’ll add my info to your contacts. If you’re running late or can’t make it, just text me.” Her hand was at the ready, palm up at his waist.

  Adam tapped a password and created a new entry for his contacts. “Here. Take your time.”

  “Kind of in a hurry.” She filled in the blanks with her info and handed it back.

  He reviewed it, but shook his head. “You’re not finished.” He gave it to her again.

  “What? I put in all you need to know.” She scanned through the entry for errors. It was fine.

  “The image is blank.” His teasing smile was adorable. Just the thing to put her at ease.

  “Oh, right.” She turned away from him and put a practiced smile on, holding the phone high enough for the perfect angle. With a slight twist of her neck and a couple of clicks in case one wasn’t perfect, she let the smile fall away and gave the phone back to him.

  He held his phone cautiously. “Thanks. See you tomorrow.”

  XOXO

  Adam left the bookstore and sat in Trusty Rusty. Before he put his key in to start it up, he pulled out his phone one more time. He could not imagine a day better than this.