Evelyn’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Kenya, I know you will do your best to squeeze it all in, but I need you tobeat your best. I already talked to HR, and it seems that you have not used much PTO since your little trip to California last year.” Kenya couldn’t believe it had been that long since she’d had a lengthier break.
“Evelyn, that tour means a lot to me. You know how much legwork Dedra and I have already done for it.” She started ticking off the fingers on her left hand. “My team sent invites to probably hundreds of companies and investment groups nationwide. I set up the tour locations, the workshops, restaurants, and even recruited local college students from the business departments of A&M, Calhoun, and UAH to help.” She counted off the last of her fingers. “At this point it is just plug and play. I’m committed to making this a successful tour for the Huntsville metro area and giving attendees tangible opportunities for investment and franchise expansion.” Kenya needed to breathe. Deeper. This meeting wasn’t going the way she’d anticipated. It wasn’t the worst outcome, but how did she handle this limbo? Because underlying Evelyn’s decision was the potential for worse, much worse.
“Evelyn, what you’re suggesting won’t be necessary. Like I said, I’m doing physical therapy, which is flexible. I can do both. I can still be here to work, and I can also take care of my ankle and myself.”
Evelyn stood. “I am aware of that, but have you considered how much literal legwork it will take to implement everything that you planned for the tour? To travel from place to place and lead the investors into all the locations you mentioned? I need an experienced lead to run point since you won’t be able to physically. I never said you couldn’t be there. Your involvement will just look different.”
Kenya wasn’t sure she was still breathing.
Evelyn tipped her head. “You also have sick leave built up. Come on, Kenya, what kind of place do you think I’m running here?”
Kenya stood slowly, wincing from the ache in her booted foot. “You are running one of the best event-management agencies in the Southeast.”
Evelyn Ford crossed her arms, an ambitious twinkle in her eye. “Oneof the best? My dear, you know it is my goal for this agency to be the very best. And in order to do so, I need employees who take care of themselves.” Kenya nodded readily because it seemed like Evelyn was waiting for her to agree. “I need agents who are intentional about being as healthy as possible and who overflow with”—she twirled her hands—“spark.” She snapped her fingers. “Imagination.” Another snap. “And creativity.”
“You know I’m good for all that and more.” Kenya’s legs felt wobbly, her throat thickening.
“So, I must reiterate why I need you to take some time off. Get over the worst of this injury. Attend your therapy, drink plenty of water, and come back ready. I believe in you, Kenya. That’s why I trust that this will be good for you and good for my company. Don’t worry, Vance will cover some of the areas that you’re not able to.”
Kenya swallowed a groan. That’s exactly what she worried about.
Evelyn walked toward the office door and then paused. “Because if youreallyfeel like you are ready to take on the role of creative director, which I am confident you do, I need you to be your best you.” She placed her hand on the door handle. “I needyou to know your limitations and to work well with them in a way that shines a good light on my agency. Send an email to HR requesting the sick leave you’ve had piling up, or PTO—whatever you choose. You will get that ankle healed and come in ready to blow the Bellon Group out of the water with your spectacular presentation. I expect your desk to be empty until”—she glanced at her watch and looked up after a few swipes—“until Monday, September fifteenth.” She stepped out the door. “It would seem a promotion is riding on it.”
12
WHAT’S WRONGwith you, baby girl?” Kenya’s mother turned from opening a red Tupperware container on the white kitchen counter.
Kenya sighed, focusing on the flecks of gray, silver, and gold in the quartz. Why did parents ask questions they already knew the answers to? She had spent all weekend rehashing the conversation with Evelyn. She skipped her parents’ offer to pick her up for church yesterday and instead made herself almost sick with worry. This afternoon was no better.
“Oh, nothing in particular is wrong, just an ankle injury that is ruining my life.”
Her mom tipped her head to the side. “This is not the first time that you’ve dealt with an injury, an accident, or whatever. You always get back on your feet quickly.”
“So then why should anything be wrong with me if that’s what’s going to happen anyway?” Kenya propped her chin on her hand. She let her gaze move to the window, drifting over this newly developed section on the border of Hope Springs and Huntsville. She wished she was living in Hope Springs, taking in a view of the central park and the gorgeous little downtown area. Maybethen she wouldn’t have to deal with her mother inspecting her with such intensity now. As if a few more minutes tacked on to her drive would stop Justine Stewart anyway.
“I ask because this time, instead of on your feet, I came in on you lying around, feeling sorry for yourself. I have never known you to let these things get you down for too long.”
“Mom, I reinjured my ankle. I think that gives me some reason to feel sorry for myself. And don’t you remember all the times you told me to pick up my tantrum and take it outside, all because I was bored? You said that boredom was a luxury and that I needed to make a different choice and ask God what to do on those days.”
“Hmm, because I wasn’t about to take your whining for another moment.” She chuckled. “I guess I have known you to let a few things get you down.”
Kenya sighed. “It’s not by choice. My boss is also sitting me down, so to speak.”
Her mom clutched the pearls around her neck. “Oh, baby, did you get fired?”
Kenya turned her gaze back to the window. There was no way she would willingly choose to see the disappointment on her mother’s face that she heard in her voice. “Not fired, but I did embarrass her and put the agency in a bad light, according to her words. She wants to ensure that I get fully rested and recovered before I redo my presentation.”
“By the way...” Her mother paused until Kenya turned back to face her. “Why didn’t you tell me what happened? I had to hear through Salome that you were back in the hospital.”
“Because I’m an adult, and I didn’t want you to worry. Plus, it was the late morning. I’m sure you were up to your elbows with things at the school.”
“Don’t divert, honey. Adults still need help every now and then. Especially adult children who worsen their initial sprain into a severe one.”
“Don’t worry, I was with my coworker Dedra. And it did connectme again with the guy who helped me at the wedding. Turns out he is a doctor of physical therapy.”
“Are you his patient now?”
Her mother didn’t seem too excited about that.
