After my day with Tory, I felt refreshed, ready to hit the beach running. I walked into work on Monday and started right on my to do list.
Heather my boss came over and started her daily routine of insults. I stood up and looked her in the eye.
"If you come near me again, and say anything but, can I have a report from you or something like that I will be spending time at HR. I have had enough of your disrespect for me just because you hate men. So go back to your office and back off."
"Tucker, I want to see you in my office now."
"No." The office went quiet, the women were shocked to hear me speak up to Heather."
"You call every other worker here by their proper name, you will do that immediately or I will quit."
She looked at me with fire and walked off. I watched her and had to admire her figure while she stormed off. At break I went to HR and filed a report of sexual harassment, with the women behind the desk.
"About time someone stood up to Ms. Bass. Your report will be filed right away and if you get any more trouble you stop by and see me, I'm Judith Bell."
I returned from my break and there was a form on my desk advising me I could leave immediately, I was fired. The girls all came to me and said they were sorry, they felt guilty letting things get this far. I thanked them and went to HR.
"Ms. Bell please."
"Hi Mr. Williams, how may I help you." I handed her the letter.
"Come with me please." "She can't fire you without cause, and she gives none." I was on the phone right after you left and a director from another department wondered if you would be interested in working with her. She asked if you would go up and see her for a talk. Her Name is Brenda Dobson. She goes by Brenda, calls all her people by their first names.
"I need work, so I will be happy to try again, so I take it I'm not fired?"
"No, the CEO is aware now what is happening."
"Ms. Bell thank you."
"You're welcome and good luck, Ms. Dobson is a very nice person."
I reported to Ms. Dobson secretary who politely asked me to take a seat, Brenda was on a phone call. I was offered a coffee; I declined and thanked the lady.
Ms. Dobson, walks out, "Mr. Williams, I'm Brenda please follow me."
"Tucker, if I may?"
"I don't mind thanks for asking."
"Tucker, I know Heather well, and I am sorry you have had to tolerate her bullying for so long. I need an assistant in this department that will help me keep the office running smoothly. We are the best in the company, mostly because we work hard and enjoy each other. You will be here to assist me with any issue brought up. You will have an office right next door. You will also see a package on your desk with a better explanation of your job, with information on your promotion, benefits and pay raise. Tucker if at any time there is an issue like at your last job, please come to me right away, give me a chance to end it."
"Brenda, thank you for this opportunity, I will give you my best."
"All I can ask of anyone Tucker, enjoy your new position."
She walked me to the door then asked for everyone's attention.
"I would like to introduce our new Assistant Director, Tucker Williams. He will be your supervisor. Let him know why we are the strongest department in the building."
They all came and introduced themselves and we talked awhile about what they needed; I took notes on things to take care of right away. I thanked everyone for the warm greeting and told them I would give them all the help of which I am capable.
I went around learning a little about each of the thirty-six people I would be supervising, this impressed them. I wrote down their names and anything to help me know them faster. Many of the women and men were married. There were two single men, and four single women.
When I was finished the secretary came to me,
"Tucker, I will be working with you also as a secretary, so you need me, just let me know."
"Could you have a seat for a minute, Shirley?"
"I just wanted you to now I don't drink coffee. I will be walking around most of the time so people can grab me if needed. Anything else I should know?"
"Most of it will be in the folder, I will read it before tomorrow. You will find it is genuinely nice working up here, since Brenda took over two years ago, we have had no serious issues, a couple pregnancy's paper issues. But people want to work here."
"Thank you, Shirley."
I opened the package as I watched her walk away, what an ass she had. My pay was double, and it explained my job to the t. It sounded great. I went to Brenda, and asked her for a moment, she waved me in."
"Just one thing, if I need to see you, do I just walk over and knock or do I go through Shirley?"
"Just come to my door, if it is closed just let Shirley know you need me and I will get you when I am done, I spend a lot of time on the phone, which is not want I wanted to be doing but it keeps me busy, you will be doing what I hoped I would be doing."
"Thank you again, I'll get right to work."
"I like to hear that thank you."
The week went by fast, and I got to know almost everyone. On Friday I told them I would be around again Monday to get to know the rest of them and wished them a great weekend. Shirley handed me some papers from Brenda,
"Brenda had to leave, but she was wondering if you would read over these papers this weekend. They are forms she forgot to give you in your folder. Shouldn't take much time."
I went to my desk and read them over, it took me half an hour to fill them out, put them back in the folder and placed them in Shirley's box. I headed out of the office, and wouldn't you know I ran right into Heather.
"I thought I fired you?"
"Well, you couldn't fire me, plus I got a promotion I now work with Brenda. So have a great weekend."
I walked pass her and I could feel the hatred for me.
I went to the bar to see if Tory was working and thank her for giving me some dignity back."
She saw me right away and came to me,
Hi Tucker, follow me. She showed me a table and asked me for my order.
"How about a tall bud."
"Wow you sound happy today, I can't wait to hear about it."
"Tory ran off and once again gave me a nice butt shot and smiled after picking up something. She returned with my Bud and told me to give her a yell."