“Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment for someone so young.”
Coop peels off his jacket and lays it neatly on the back of his sofa. Then he starts rolling up the sleeves on his shirt bearing the ink on his forearms. Jane is doing a bad job of trying to avert her eyes from his thick, corded arms, although I’m not doing too much better either. I help myself to a bottle of water from Coop’s mini refrigerator in an effort to swallow the massive lump that feels lodged in my throat.
“Would you like some water as well, Miss Perez?” I ask.
“No, thank you.”
“I’d like some,” Coop says with an intensity and tone he’s never used with me before.
I grab another water as he silently watches my every movement. Then I hand it to him without saying a word. Feeling jittery the entire time.
“Thank you, Miss Owens.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“So … Jane, just so you’re clear about the job. I play tight end for the New York Nighthawks which keeps me busy from July to playoff season. So, if we have a crappy season, I’m on six months and off six months but if we make it to the big dance, I’m on seven and off five. Either way those will be your busiest months, because when I’m playing football, it’s the only thing I want to concentrate on.”
“I need to know that there is someone handling everything else when I’m not around and handling it well. I own several businesses, and I’m about to open a private high school for boys in Brooklyn. You’d be managing all of my appointments, phone conferences, and correspondence. In other words, you have big shoes to fill.”
“I look forward to learning all that Miss Owens has to teach, Mr. Barnes. I assure you that I will do my best to learn quickly and make this transition seamless for you.”
“Awesome. So, tell me—” Coop glances at me then back at Jane. “Are you married, Jane?”
“No, Mr. Barnes.” She almost giggles.
I CANNOT with her.
“Boyfriend?”
“I have no time for any of that, Mr. Barnes. I’m putting my little brother through school. He was born with a birth defect of the spine and isn’t able to walk but is a whiz with computers. This is his freshman year in college.”
Oh my God.
Kill me now.
Jane is a saint.
A saint with jugs.
“How do you work full time and take care of your brother?”
“My aunt is his companion, but I financially support the three of us.”
“Very admirable.”
“There wasn’t even a question of what to do. Family takes care of family.”
“Very true. So just one last thing, Jane, how we were so lucky to come across you for this position? Are you in between jobs?”
“My last employer said something derogatory about my brother’s disability in a fit of anger. I could not work for her any longer. While I realize that things are said in the heat of the moment, I lost all respect for her. I can’t work for anyone whom I can’t respect.”
Well good luck with that then.
“I love that!” Coop claps his hands together once loudly. “Let’s give it try then, Miss Perez. You’re hired.”
My head is suddenly clouded with second thoughts.
What have I done?
