Only A Glimpse
By LuAnn K. Edwards
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My boss, Blake Conner, flung open his office door a few minutes before 1:30 p.m. and stormed toward me with a scowl on his face. I peeked behind me and back at him. He planted his hands on the edge of my desk. I stood and braced myself for one of his daily onslaughts.
“These minutes are inadequate.”
I flinched at the sternness of his voice.
He straightened and slid a sheet of paper toward me. “You attended the meeting. Didn’t you? Incorporate these edits and get them correct this time.” He plopped the remaining pages onto my desk. “They must go out soon. I don’t appreciate your making me appear incompetent. You should know that by now.”
I glanced toward our suite door when Chad Warren, our president, entered. To my relief, he frowned at my boss and not me. Chad stared at Mr. Conner and nodded toward Conner’s office.
The two men hurried inside and shut the door. I stood at my desk with my mouth open. What was his problem? I couldn’t have messed up that much. As an administrative professional, I’d taken thorough notes for twenty years. I knew how to take minutes. But I hated to think I caused my manager trouble with our president. Would Conner be fired like the VP in Legal last week? I put my hand on my chest. Or were they discussing my termination since I seemed to bring my boss so much anxiety? I knew he’d try to convince Chad that I was incompetent.
This was the second time that day Mr. Conner humiliated me. The first happened at the meeting with the executive team that morning.
As the executive vice president, Mr. Conner leads these meetings. He stared at me, narrowed his eyes, and used a gruff tone. “I need the minutes finalized by 2:00 p.m. and no later.”
I’d never heard him talk meanly to anyone else. Only me. Grumpily? Yes. Meanly? No. I’d been his executive assistant for three months, and I attended these meetings often and never missed his 2:00 deadline.
Bottom line—he wanted me gone. Soon. He should do us both a favor and transfer me out of here. I only hope he doesn’t fire me.
Chad’s a likable man. Friendly and kind. Balding with white hair above his ears. He could easily add a beard and play Santa. His office is in the executive suite across the hall, and Beth Davis, one of my good friends at work, is his executive assistant. Lord, if I’m going to be let go, I’d rather Chad tell me than Mr. Conner.
After several minutes, Chad stepped into the front office where I sat reviewing the minutes and closed Mr. Conner’s door. “I need to attend a meeting, but I’d like to talk with you. I’ll stop by later today or tomorrow.” He strode out into the hallway.
Was he upset? He seemed calm. I hoped we could talk later that day. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep that night without knowing if I could keep my job or not.
The minutes would not be late. The edits were minor. They weren’t even worth mentioning. But he was the boss, so I focused on meeting his deadline.
I looked up when Tauni Fisher, an administrative assistant from our Insurance Department, sashayed through the opened door and into our suite. Tauni, a young woman around thirty, radiated confidence and beauty—two things I lacked.
She seated herself across from my desk without an invitation. “I’d like a couple of minutes of your time.”
“I’m rather busy just now.” I tried to sound perky. “May I stop by your desk in about fifteen minutes?”
“That won’t be convenient for me.” She spoke in a snobbish tone. “I heard you received your promotion because Blake requested you.”
I didn’t have time for this. Not with Mr. Conner ready to pounce and rip me to shreds.
“I’m sorry.” I shrugged. “I’m on a deadline. We can discuss this later.”
“No, we can’t. Are the two of you dating?” She pulled her long blonde hair behind her ear. “That’s what I heard, anyway.”
“Each other?” I jerked my head back. “You want to know if Mr. Conner and I are dating each other?”
“That’s what I asked.”
I didn’t care for her snarky attitude and came back with a little sass of my own. “As of today, we’re not dating.”
“As of today?”
“And if we do, you won’t hear it from me.” I settled back in my chair and clasped my hands on the edge of my desk. “Anything is possible unless he’s already in a relationship.”
Tauni rose, bent over my desk, and got in my face. “You know good and well he’s available. You transferred up here to get yourself a husband. Everyone knows what you’re up to, and I'll make sure it doesn’t happen.” She stood, walked over to Mr. Conner’s door, and raised her fist to knock.
“Tauni. No.” I jumped up and took a few steps around my desk. “I need to call him to find out if he’s available to see you.”
Mr. Conner opened his door. “Tauni, what brings you my way?” He motioned her into his office to the chair in front of his desk.
I placed my hands on my hips. I couldn’t worry about her. Not with the minutes demanding my attention. I sat and got busy.
A few minutes later, when Tauni stepped out of Mr. Conner’s office, he called out to her. “Thank you. I appreciate the information. And please close my door.”
She sneered at me. “You can’t have him.” She traipsed off, grumbling to herself.
Is she out of her mind? Me with Blake Conner? My boss?
That woman got on my nerves. If she wanted him, she could have him. The two of them would make a striking couple.
I jumped at the blare of my desk phone’s ring. Mr. Conner.
“Yes, sir.”