Everything was ready for the grand opening Friday morning. Brochures were available on tables in the lobby. The caterers had breakfast snacks, donuts, and coffee ready. A Christmas tree stood in one corner. A computer ran a video especially produced for the new office about the company and its wide variety of services. Although we weren't scheduled to open until nine, a dozen people were milling around outside at eight forty-five. After a quick check to be sure everything was ready, I opened the doors.
The first stop for all of our guests was the coffee urn. My staff did the serving and introduced themselves as they handed out steaming cups of coffee. "Be careful. It's very hot," I heard repeatedly. Smiles were in abundance.
Dave arrived at nine fifteen. "Wow!" he said. "What a turnout. That sign you ordered seems to have served its purpose very well. I don't remember a crowd this size for any of our previous grand openings. You definitely know how to market a boring service like ours. I'm sure all of your people are happy to be working for you."
"I prefer to say they are working with me," I said. "We are a team. I may be the quarterback, but the linemen and wide receivers have to do their jobs, or we all fail."
"I like your attitude. That coffee smells delicious. Join me." I scanned the food table while a catering employee poured our coffee. Everything was in perfect order. Mark approached us as we stepped away. "Mark." Dave held out his hand to him. "It's good to see you here. I trust everything is going well."
"Pretty good," Mark said. "Could the three of us talk privately?"
"Certainly." We went into my office and closed the door. "Is there a problem?"
"I would like to go back to San Bruno." He paused while Dave absorbed his statement. "As you know, I live in Burlingame. Nancy doesn't like the extra commuting distance. In an emergency involving our children, I would be a lot farther away from them. That bothers me too. I appreciate the opportunity you have offered me, but I have to think about my family."
"Bert?" David said.
I took a deep breath and blew it out. "I didn't see this coming," I said. "My dad always said, 'Happy wife. Happy life.' He also said that the key to a happy marriage was in two words: 'Yes dear.' They have been married for thirty-two years and I've never seen them fight. Mark, you are right. You do have to consider your family. I hope I can borrow you occasionally to help train new hires."
"I would like that," Mark said. "I took some education classes in college. It would be a chance to use what I learned."
"I guess all I can do is approve it," Dave said. "Your cubicle is still empty. When would you like to go back?"
"Would Monday be okay?"
"Monday would be good. You should be closer to your kids over the holidays."
"Thank you."
I opened the door and Mark left the room. Dave closed the door behind him. "I have to ask you something," he said. "Did you and Johanna enjoy our party last weekend?" I stiffened up anticipating his next remark. "Margaret would like to know if she could invite you two to future parties."
"I would have to talk to Johanna."
"If she doesn't want to do a big party, perhaps a little two-on-two."
"I didn't hear that. This time. I have made it crystal clear to my people that I will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior from anybody. While I can't fire my boss, I can sue him for sexual harassment. I won't be deaf if there is a next time."
"You're standing up to me. That takes guts. I admire a man who sticks to his principles. It would not surprise me if you became my competitor someday. That's how much I respect you."
I was turning on my TV around nine p.m. to find some mindless distraction from the fact that I was alone again on Christmas Eve when I heard a key in the doorknob. I dashed to the door. Johanna stood in the doorway with two suitcases. "I didn't expect you until tomorrow night," I said as I grabbed one suitcase. She was wearing her little black party dress.
"It's Christmas Eve," she said. "No one is going to call me tonight or tomorrow."
"I would think some lonely single men would want some company."
"I knew there would be one, so I decided to spend a few days with him." She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a slow passionate kiss. "I hope you don't mind me being here."
"I couldn't be happier," I said as I led her to the sofa.
"How was your grand opening?"
"Very good. Excellent, in fact. We signed up four new clients."
"That's wonderful."
"I must say something about the woman I love. The way you handled Mark was unbelievable. He told me about it Thursday morning. I don't know how you pulled it off, but it was brilliant. I'll never question your judgment again. You may have lost a customer."
