From the moment we met, I knew what I wanted from you and what you needed from me.
You sit behind your desk and focused on the interview. You don't look at my body once. Not one glance or side eye. Not a single once over. I can tell from your wedding band and family photos you are happily married; a devoted father, husband and as a Methodist choir director pious and above reproach. You will be a strict boss, you say. I want you here at 8 am sharp. You warn me the job is more about quality than quantity. That I'd not have much to do as your assistant but what was asked of me needed to be done with attention to detail and adherence to policy.
On my first day I dressed for success and arrived at 7:59. I readied myself on my knees by the entryway and waited for you to arrive. Caught off guard by my kneeling, you came in through the door way and assumed I was praying or something sensual so you walked past noticing my position but taking care not to disturb me. After a while you come out of your office and see that I'm kneeling in the same place as before and you gain my attention,
"Is everything alright Laine?" you ask.
"Yes, sir," I reply.
"OK, well you can of course sit at your desk if that's more comfortable."
So I rise and work from there for the day and we exchange a pleasant farewell at the end of the day.
The first week goes by similarly. I wait for you to arrive in prone position just inside the music room front office by my desk between the entry way and the door to your office. In your eye line, that is if you really work to see out that far. I'm just out of easy sight from your desk chair.
Sometimes I see you straining to see if I'm still kneeling there.
At first you quickly remind me in the morning that I can work from my desk but it is clear my strange behavior has piqued your interest. When the pastors or any other church employees come near you ask them to wait a moment in the hallway. You hurriedly thank me and instruct me to move to the desk. Other days, we're all alone in this wing. I think you come up with reasons to walk out of your office and into the main suite. Seeing me as you walk hither and thus but more and more you're not asking me to get up and go to the desk.
The second week, I can feel how aware you are of my position and I delight in the knowledge that you're testing how long I'll hold it until you remind me to move otherwise.
By the third monday you are very distracted. You must know I haven't done any work as I haven't moved from the floor in all these hours but you are also conflicted. You want to see if I'll stay here until 5. Do nothing today, but kneel.
My determination should have never been in question. My drive to complete a task is indefatigable.
At 5 when you are readying to leave you ask me to rise and to complete any necessary work before I leave and you turn to leave. I'm stretching up and twisting out kinks and rubbing my knees which are red and painful and from the corners of my eyes I see you. Watching me bending and pulling and righting myself. Your gaze leaves no swell or crease unattended. It's like you're an artist studying your work with an impactful eye. I go to my desk to complete my work and you go.
Tuesday you walk in the door and immediately ask me to rise and to follow you into your office. I stand near the door and you ask me to close it behind us. You sit at your desk and you gesture down to me. I go to sit and you reprimand me saying, "No."
"Please, kneel as you were out there, but here beside my desk".
I do as you ask and I stay there for quite a while as you work. You're much contended with this arrangement. You can see me at all times and you busy yourself with the work you left from yesterday.
At lunch time you acknowledge me and send me with an order and your card and ask that I buy food for myself as well.
When I return you take your meal and ask me to take mine to my desk and finish the day there.
You and I leave around 5 with exchanged pleasantries.