“We need to talk, boss” Linda said.
“Come on in” he said and set to checking some emails.
Linda came in, saw Jill, and said “Can we speak alone? This one is personal.”
Jill got up before he could say anything and said, “I will wait outside, no worries.”
“OK Linda, this is only the second time you have ever wanted to speak to me privately in six years, and the first one was to tell me you were pregnant. What now, twins?” he laughed. Linda said, “I know you said I could have two months off after the birth…but…I have some bad news for you. My husband just got a great promotion…but we have to move to Portland Oregon. This is my two week’s notice, boss.”
Mike looked at and said “No. You are working for me through the birth and two months after. If you don’t come back, well, no one knows you told me. In the meantime, who do you suggest take your place. I have a name in mind, but I want your opinion on this.”
Linda said “Seriously, you are going to pay me for two months knowing I’m not coming back? You’re crazy. As to my replacement, you only have one choice. Irene.”
Mike said “Yes, you’re getting paid. You were my first employee, and that counts for something. Also, we agree on Irene. She will start working with you immediately so the transition will be smooth. Please page her to the office. I won’t tell her you are leaving yet. No one needs to know yet.”
Linda got up, awkwardly hugged her boss, told him “I wish I could stay, you’re the best boss ever” and left. Jill came back in, and he motioned her to the corner.
“One more piece of business to transact, and we can leave” he said.
Irene knocked and came in, saw Jill and was startled. “Do I have another mission, Mike?” she said.
“No, something else this time. Linda will be taking baby leave soon, so I need you to drop everything on the other two girls and start working with her immediately. If they have any questions, send them to me. Linda and I both agreed you were the obvious choice. You will also receive a pay bump while you are doing her job.”
“Thanks Mike, I will do the best I can. I thought you were going to fire me for something!” she laughed.
“We can work out the details later, I have some things to do today. I will be in tomorrow, that’s when I’ll fire you!” he said.
She looked over at Jill, concerned. “How are you doing honey? I hope things are getting better for you!”
Jill replied “Things are getting better every day. Thank you for your patience with me, I know I was a handful.”
“No problem…hey, us secretaries were going out Friday after work, would you like to come out with us? You look like you could use a little girl-time.”
Jill glanced over at Mike, and he gave her a small nod. “Sure, just tell Mike when where and I will be there. Sounds like fun!”
“See you then girlfriend. The boss will fire me if I don’t get to work, so I have to go!” Irene said.
Mike and Jill went back to his house, and both got into their swimsuits. Mike pulled out some rum and coke, asking if that was good for her. She readily agreed but insisted on making them. “I don’t want to get too drunk today. This morning was awful.” They both sat in the pool with a drink, making small talk for a while. Mike found out she was a country music fan, which confused him as she was a Boston girl. She said it was her Mother’s influence. Mike remembered listening to music with his mother, and they started talking of their memories of her. Mike’s memories were vague, as most children’s are. Jills memories of early childhood were vague, but happy. When Mike mentioned that his memories stopped at age nine, Jill just looked wistfully at him and said “I wish mine did…” Mike caught on quickly, and as this was supposed to be a happy day, he changed the subject quickly.