“Don’t let them take advantage,” Reeti said.
“I won’t. I’m not. Glenda made it clear that once classes start, my first priority has to be school. I’m really lucky to be working for her.”
“Because of the room.”
“Because of the room and because she’s, like, an ally in the department now,” I said earnestly. Which I needed, since my writing instructor didn’t like me.
“Just be careful around the husband. Or you’ll not only be out of the house, you could be out of the program. Sucks, but there it is.” Her voice was sympathetic. “The girl always gets blamed.”
My throat went dry.The girl always gets blamed.
“I wouldn’t think being an au pair would leave you much time to study,” Tim said.
I took a gulp of water. “You work and go to school.”
“That’s different.” He ate neatly, knife in the right hand, fork in the left, tines down. “I have set hours.”
“And no social life,” Reeti said.
A faint flush stained his cheekbones.
“Tim coaches soccer,” I said. “Football, I mean.”
“Good for you. Where?” Reeti asked.
“We sponsor a team on the north side.”
“Reeti wants to teach English to at-risk girls in Southall,” I said, relieved at the turn in the conversation.
“I thought you were in the business school,” Tim said to her.
“I am. I’m going to work for my father after I get my diploma. Baljeet Singh, the chef.”
“Your father is Bobby Singh? I’ve eaten at his restaurant in London.”
“Daddy-ji’s very talented. I’m super proud of him. But I don’t want to be his accountant.”
Tim rubbed two fingers absently against his sternum. “I understand parental pressure. But you can work for your father and still volunteer. Our company partners with several nonprofits. Community service is good business practice.”
She gave him a feline grin. “Saving the world for investment bankers?”
He picked up his knife again. “If people with money don’t improve society, who will?”
“You do more than give money,” I said.
“It’s important to set an example,” he said stiffly. “Studies have shown that integrating volunteer programs with corporate giving improves employee satisfaction and retention, which ultimately saves the company money.”
“So, you volunteer to improve your bottom line,” Reeti said.
“My personal feelings aren’t relevant.” He set his knife and fork parallel in the center of his empty plate. “I’m not a very sentimental man,” he said almost apologetically.
“When someone tells you who they are, believe them,” Oprah said. Or maybe that was Maya Angelou. Or was it, when someoneshowsyou who they are?
Because the heartless suit spouting corporate speak was not the Tim Woodman who coached football and repaired banisters for little old ladies.
“What are you doing?” Reeti asked.
I looked down at the stacked plates in my hands. “Clearing the table.”
