With every sure word I spoke, the room seemed to expand backto its usual size.
Anders’s mouth dropped open, and he waved me off. “Slow down. Don’t make any rash decisions because of Elizabeth. We don’t even know if she’ll place top two, and even if she does, we could make it work. The policy is there to discourage complications, but there are ways around it.”
“I’m not doing this because of Elizabeth.” Not directly, at least. A smile teased at the corner of my mouth as I thought back to the late nights we’d worked together and how enthusiastic she’d been. I’d enjoyed going back and walking her through the basics. “I’m doing it for me. If you thought I would be a good manager, you wouldn’t have tested me the way that you did.”
Anders dropped his head. “I wanted you to be a good manager, but you’re right. I wasn’t sure you would step up.” He looked upward. “But you have. I trust you now. What have they offered you? I’ll add fifty percent to it.”
“It’s not about the money. I’ll be pursuing a job in academia.” The fabric gave under my fingernail with a satisfying rip.
Anders slapped his palm on the desk. “Those pesky word warriors have had their eyes on you for years.” He leaned back in his seat, popped open his drawer, and pulled out a couple of individually wrapped chocolate truffles. “I suppose the heart wants what it wants.” He slid one across the desk. “You’re making me stress-eat my favorite chocolates. These are handmade with Venezuelan cocoa and rolled in flakes of milk chocolate.”
“Thank you.” I took the chocolate and rolled it between my fingers. “Could I bother you for a reference? Apparently, I’m the front runner for the job, but having the backing of Barry Anders could only benefit me.”
“Of course.” Anders chuckled, his teeth coated in brown chocolate. “I’ll be sure to tell them how incredibly well you managed yourintern.”
“Speaking of…” Heat filled my cheeks, and I looked down at my lap. “My evaluations were objective.”
“I give you a lot of shit,” Anders said, and looked up at the ceiling, “but I have no doubt you wouldn’t allow someone to unfairly achieve something at the cost of another. Had it been any of the other managers, I’d have to be a little more concerned. But you, you didn’t rate her well enough for me to believe you’re biased.”
“She wasn’t good enough back then. She is now.”
“Soon we’ll know whether that’s true. I’m happy to keep HR out of this, considering your resignation, but I will ask that you step off from the final test’s evaluation committee.”
“Understood.” I dipped my head. “I hope you won’t judge her any differently.”
“I would if I could, but I can’t. The grading on the final test remains completely anonymous.” He ran a hand across his head. “If I had any hair left, I’d have lost it because of this. How the hell are we going to run this department without you?”
“With great difficulty and regret, I imagine.” I stood and tucked the truffle into my pocket.
Anders laughed. “I’ll miss your interesting sense of humor, Carden. I wish you all the best in academia and with your”—he paused—“personal life. Elizabeth has quite the reputation, and I would hate to see a man like you end up entangled in a web of drama. Be careful with her.”
All the playfulness dropped from my voice. “Be careful how you talk about her. Not only is she very important to me and deserving of your respect, but also she may very well be your newest hire in Roads and Transportation—and I hear the department could use a hand.”
“Touché,” Anders said. “So, what happens now?”
“Now I have to call my mom and break it to her that her son won’t be the first manager in the family, but he will likely become the family’s first professor.”
51
ELIZABETH
[18 weeks ago]
@pancakesareelite:
Are you sure?
@theanswerisno:
No
@pancakesareelite:
What aren’t you sure about?
@theanswerisno:
I don’t know
