Fiery
721 Words
she was quite outspoken, causing Trish to playfully roll her eyes at her.
“Setsuko, please,” she said. “Sure thing, Boss Lady.”
“All right…we’ve got two major projects for which we need someone to do some initial planning with the clients before year’s end.”
Trish reviewed the particulars of the projects, getting input from everyone.
“We were awarded the design of a new office building in Virginia.”
My head popped up from taking notes. Virginia?
When did that happen?
“MattLea issued a quick bid request week before last due to their pending budget review, and we submitted. We were selected as the service provider.”
“Didn’t we do a call center for its Arizona operations?” I asked.
“Yes, we did. They want this project to start next spring. And…they want someone on-site for a couple of months for planning.”
“Well, Deborah is wrapping up…”
“Deborah can’t do it. Aubrey, I think you will have to go to Virginia.”
“Trish…”
“It’s just for a couple of months.”
“Umm, let’s talk about this, okay?”
The team looked at me and Trish because this was unusual. Trish was effectively in charge of firm
operations while I did a lot of the legwork on projects.
So, this was not out of scope, but still…
We wrapped up the meeting. I followed Trish to her office, pulling the door closed behind me before sitting down in one of the chairs facing her desk.
“Trish…”
“Aubrey…”
“Come on, Trish. You know that I’ve done a lot
of on-site planning lately.” “Locally…”
“Send someone else…Chandler, even.”
“Aubrey, the client is a repeat. You need to be the face of the firm with them. The company is expanding and considering additional projects, so the potential for more work is definitely something we want to be in position for…know what I mean?”
“Virginia, Trish?”
“What’s your concern? You think you’re going to run into Dexter Reed?”
“Umm…” I hesitated.
“Virginia has plenty of people. Your chances are
slim.”
“Don’t make me…” I began. “Can we switch off?
Greg can work from anywhere, right? Y’all can explore
the DMV.”
“Aubrey, I can’t do that.” “Why?”
“Aubrey, I’m pregnant,” she said with a huge
smile spreading across her face, as she relaxed into the
back of her plush office chair. “I don’t want to travel right now.”
“Huh? Pregnant?”
“Yeah…Greg put in some hard work to make this happen,” she told me with just a touch of cockiness. Must be nice to be loved.
“Darn, Trish. What am I supposed to say to
that?”
“Say that you’re happy for us? And, that you’ll
go to Virginia.”
“Virginia, Trish?”
“It’ll be all right, Aubrey. We need you on-site, and there is really no one else we can send. We’ve got everyone working multiple projects as it is.”
“There’s no choice, since your tail went and got knocked up again.”
“I sure did!”
She tossed her stress ball at me, putting a dent in my already c**k-eyed natural do of the day.
“Don’t you see how my hair is behaving today?
And you’re not helping.”
“Girl, hush. This ain’t about your hair.”
“Whatever…” I declared, standing from the chair. “I’m happy for you and Greg…y’all were doing more than working.”
“Nah. We were working…all night.” “Too much information. Again.”
She stuck out her tongue and wiggled it.
“Nasty.”
“Thanks, Aubrey. I really appreciate it,” she
smilingly told me. “This means a lot to us and the firm.” “Ha!”
I entered my office located across from hers and flopped down in my chair. Reaching into my desk drawer, I pulled out one of my emergency Toblerone candy bars. Breaking off the triangular pieces one-by- one, I pondered the trip.
I guess this woman’s work was taking her to the DMV. Near. Dexter. Reed. Really?
- Writer
