“You’ll be through your driving course in a few weeks,” I said, dismissing her concern. “You’ll start your classes for the winter semester at the end of January.”
She leaned back in her chair and carefully folded her arms across her chest.
“What are you thinking?” I pressed her.
“You think I’m not good enough for this job,” she said. There was an attitude that came with the accusation. A chip-on-the-shoulder tone I’d never heard from her before. “Why don’t you just fire me then?”
“Flowers,” I said, my voice getting stern. She was missing the point. “This is about growth.”
“Or maybe it’s not about the job at all.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You want to elaborate?”
Immediately, she shut down and looked away from me.
“Say it,” I snapped. “I’m not a mind reader. This was intended to be a positive. Furthering your education is a part of any job, Flowers. That’s all this is about.”
Except, I could see, even in just the profile of her face, that’s not how she was receiving my gesture.
Finally, she picked up the pamphlet again. “You’re right. Of course. I’ll enroll in the classes. That’s a really good idea, E.G. Thanks for suggesting it.”
I felt awkward just sitting across from her, so I stood and shoved my hands into my pants pockets, ruining the lines of the suit.
“I’ll pay for the classes, of course,” I said.
Was it about the money? Was she upset about that? Because there was no doubt I’d touched some internal nerve.
“I can pay for them,” she said, lifting her chin, but still not making eye contact with me. “I have savings now.”
“No. As I said, continuing education is expected, so it’s a perk. Same as it was in my former company. This isn’t a handout, Flowers.”
“Fine.” She nodded tightly.
“Good,” I said, turning toward the door. The need to get out of her office was palpable. “I’ll check out the courses available and make a few recommendations. This is a really good opportunity. You’ll see.”
“I’m sure I will.”
I left her office then, and wasn’t halfway to mine, when I heard the very unfamiliar sound of her door slamming shut.
TWENTY-SEVEN
ANNA
She understood now. The driving thing.
“Thank you for doing this.”
I didn’t look at E.G., just gave a perceptible nod with my head.
“I mean, I get why this seems crazy. Having to pick me up and drive me home. I have a driver full time on staff. Of course, there’s Uber too.”
“You said your phone died,” I reminded him.
The call had come to the office phone. Which didn’t ring very often, but when it did, I always picked it up even though mostly it was some cold calling for some marketing opportunity.
I hadn’t spoken to E.G. since that morning when he dropped the college brochure on my desk telling me that it was for my own good.
Which of course, I’d interpreted as:
