“You know that’s where you excel. You can find an angle on a story that no one else will think of. Something in your brain just sees things differently. I want that kind of creativity running the desk. Of course, Anna would get a raise for the increased responsibility, as would you. Your title would be assignment desk manager, her’s assignment coordinator. So, you would both be getting promotions. We’ll also be hiring two new assignment editors eventually.”
Charlotte’s heart thudded forcefully against her chest wall. Michelle was essentially taking the parts of the job Charlotte hated and giving them to Anna, and making the parts Charlotte loved the core of the position. She would still have to present in the meetings, though. Three meetings daily to be precise, as opposed to her current one at 3 a.m. when the morning producer came in to prep.
In a rush of sudden longing, Charlotte realized she wanted this. Desperately wanted to feel confident and strong enough to say yes. Take the offer. Hope sprang up, scaring her in its urgency, like a jack-in-the-box making her flinch at its sudden appearance. But she had to stuff it back in the box. Hope was a slippery slope to wanting things she couldn’t have.
She had no doubt the panic and fear shone bright as the sun on her face, so it came as no surprise when Michelle took on a soothing tone, as if approaching a skittish animal. “Listen Charlotte, I know you can do this. Not only do it, but be amazing at it. But I also know this probably terrifies you. So, I want you to take some time to think about it. Rich is going to slowly phase himself out over the next three months. So, we have some time. I want you to take the assignment desk and revolutionize it. All those ideas I know you hold back because you are afraid to get rejected. I want them.”
Michelle leaned forward, capturing and holding Charlotte’s gaze. “There is another reason I want you to take this position. I haven’t announced it yet, but I’m pregnant.” A wide smile pulled across her boss’s face, elation apparent in every wrinkle the huge grin caused. “It is still very early, so don’t tell anyone. I plan to take twelve weeks off for my maternity leave. I want to hand pick and mentor my dream team before I go on leave. You are the linchpin to that. I’ll give you a month. That is more than enough time to come to terms with the idea. But at that point, I’ll need an answer, so I have enough time to hire and train someone else before Rich is officially gone. Okay?”
Unable to speak, Charlotte simply nodded. The thought of someone from the outside being hired into the position made Charlotte’s stomach turn over. But so did the idea of her having to fake the level of confidence the job require day after day.
She stood, making her way out of the office. Before she passed through the doorway, she turned back and initiated the eye contact with Michelle for once. “Congratulations. I know you and Russ will be amazing parents. And, I’ll think about it. Thank you for the faith in my abilities.”
“Of course. That jagoff before me may have been a lazy, underhanded, criminal bastard, but he did one good thing in hiring you.” Michelle’s smile soothed Charlotte’s frayed nerves a slight bit. “I know a little something about letting your mind hold you back from something you truly want. Trust me, you can do this.”
