Mel: You know you want her to be your date.
Me: She’s going through a lot and going to a Christmas party is probably the last thing on her to-do-list.
Mel: You haven’t denied liking her or wanting her to be your date
I didn’t have a chance to reply to her message because a call from Marvin, the campus president, was coming in.
“Dr. Ward,” I answered.
“Hey, Dr. Ward. I hope I caught you at good time.”
“You did. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I was just calling you because I’ve decided to step down from my role at the end of the academic year, and I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
“I appreciate the heads up,” I confessed. “What prompted this decision?”
“Aside from some health complications, I just feel like the university is in a good place for a leadership transition, and it’s time for retirement, so that’s what I’m doing at the end of the year. I do want to let you know that the president’s house will need some work done,” he added. “Nothing major, so the house is in livable condition, just needs upgrades like HVAC, kitchen, maybe the bathrooms—you know, basic modernizations.”
I nodded, making a mental note. “I’ll get a renovation budget together for that.”
“Perfect. I didn’t wany you being blindsided by that later.”
“Thank you for bringing it to my attention and for notifying me. Congratulations on retirement.”
“Thanks, Dr. Ward. See you at the Christmas party.”
After ending the call with him, I dialed up Mel.
“I hope you’re calling me to tell me that Leila said yes to being your date.”
Chuckling, I replied, “I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m calling you to have you hire a search agency to replace Marvin.”
She gasped. “You fired him? Why?”
“I didn’t fire him, Mel,” I laughed lightly. “He’s retiring at the end of the year. He just called me.” I let her know.
“Lead with that kind of stuff next time, sheesh,” she fussed, “but okay, I’ll get on that right away. Now the date?”
“Naw,nowyou need to also contact some contractors to have some renovations done at the president’s house,” I corrected her. My personal life wasn’t up for discussion, and she knew that. “Marvin said a few things needed to be updated, so setup a meeting for us to come with a plan and budget.”
“Got it, boss. Anything else?”
“Naw, and I’m hanging up now because we’re not discussing that other thing.”
“Ugh, I can’t stand you,” she scoffed. “I’ll just call auntie.”
“Do whatever you feel is necessary. I’m still not going to let you mind my business.”
“I’m your assistant. It’s my job to mind your business.”
“Correct, in the office, not my personal life. Have a good rest of your day, Mel. I love you.”
“I love you too,” she mumbled before hanging up the phone.
She meant well, just like my mother did when she was trying to set me up with who she thought would be a good candidate as my girl, but I didn’t need their help with that. I was very capable of finding a woman.
I answered a few more emails before closing my laptop for the rest of the day. I got up to go find Leila and Ava to see what they were up to. My parents had gone out to do some more shopping because my mom didn’t get what she wanted to give me or my siblings while we were out a few days ago, and she also wanted to get her sister and nieces gifts too.
