Love, Texas Style
A.J. Roye
Copyright 2020, All rights reserved.
Chapter 109
"Good morning, Traci. Welcome to Brenham."
"Thank you, Aaron. And good morning."
"This way," he said, as he turned to walk down the hall. "Let's get you re-badged at security and then we'll get you introduced to the staff."
A new photo and security card issued... and then...
The elevators doors opened. As Traci turned left to follow Aaron, she smiled at the sight at the end of the hall.
"Good morning, Traci," Terry offered, then looked at his watch. "Right on time, I see." He chuckled. He offered a hand instead of a hug.
She took it and squeezed her appreciation with a smile. "Good morning, Terry."
"This way," Aaron directed, as he opened the door... the door sign... "Securities and Insurance."
Traci stepped inside, following Aaron. Terry didn't follow... He left for the elevators.
The place was a beehive. Phones ringing. Keyboards clacking. Video screens hanging from the ceiling... reporting business news, stock prices, and commodity prices. Business conversations between colleagues could be heard.
Aaron stepped onto a platform overlooking the office cubicles and flipped a microphone on.
"May I have your attention for just a moment, please?" he announced. He paused until everyone stood at their desks and came out of the side offices. "Thank you. As you know, Ms. Traci Morrison is our new securities and insurance director and... vice president. She begins her work here today. Traci... a few words if you like."
Everyone gave a soft clap of welcome as Traci stepped onto the platform and faced the mic and her staff.
"Good morning, everyone," she offered.
"Good morning."
"I hope everyone had an opportunity to read my resume I had sent over last week. I wanted you to have at least a feeling for where I've been, where I've come from, and a little about my family. I consider this a wonderful opportunity for my career. My daughters and I have already fallen in love with Brenham."
A round of applause.
"Especially with the ice cream plant, and their ice cream parlor, down the street," she offered, with a giggle.
Everyone clapped again, laughed, and nodded.
"I expect to dive right into my work here, starting with getting to know each and every one of you. I also will be traveling over the next few weeks to visit the insurance companies M&T Investments owns. For now, everyone is to continue as though Ms. Littlejohn was here until I get an understanding of your procedures and protocols. Thank you for the warm welcome."
The staff applauded and then the activity resumed.
Aaron assisted Traci from the platform and a woman about Traci's age stepped forward.
"Good morning, Ms. Morrison. We've spoken on the phone. I'm Darla Fischer, your assistant."
"Yes," Traci replied, with excitement, and offered her hand. "Thank you, and good morning to you, Darla. Ms. Littlejohn tells me I can expect you to know this place like the back of your hand."
"Thank you," Darla offered. "I've been here since high school. Twenty years. Let me show you to your office."
Aaron arched an eyebrow and began following Darla and Traci to the corner office.
"Mr. Woods bought this old warehouse 26 years ago," Darla offered as they walked toward the office. "He and Mrs. Woods fixed it up and repurposed it for office space. Floor by floor as M&T Investments grew. Here we go." Darla stopped at the office door and pointed inside.
The office was as nice as the one she had in Kansas City. Huge wooden desk. Credenzas on two walls. A small meeting table near the corner. Traci nodded as she stepped behind the desk and rested her hands on the high back chair.
"Ms. Littlejohn took down all the decorations. You have a budget to fix it up the way you like. My office is right next door, to the left. I am your assistant Ms. Morrison. Let me assist. Anything."
"Thank you, Darla," Traci replied. "I can assure you, I will make good use of you and your experience."
Darla smiled, twirled on one foot and left for her office. Aaron arched his eyebrows to Traci again. "She's good, Traci. Well-liked and respected by the staff." He took a seat in front of her desk and Traci stepped around and sat next to him. "You'll find the staff here is one of the best in the country. They know their jobs well. You'll soon discover they will keep you well informed of their work without you asking. That doesn't mean you don't have weekly or, if you prefer, twice weekly meetings when things get dicey in the markets. Each and everyone one of them expect you to interact with them personally. Sometimes, it can get stressful in this office and they need to know you have their back. Offer them encouragement and suggestions." He paused. Traci nodded. "Terry has told you this and has told your staff the same. Quote. 'I can accept you making a mistake. A mistake can easily be corrected. What I cannot accept is, you act irresponsibly, lie, steal and bring a bad name and reputation to M&T Investments. Recovering from a bad reputation is extremely costly, and many times, fatal.' Unquote."
Traci nodded. "Thank you, Aaron. Terry stressed that more than once when he hired me."
"OK," he offered, as he stood to leave... waving toward the staff area with his hand...
"It's all yours."
*****
"Mr. Woods to see you, Ms. Morrison."
Traci looked up from her September report, and smiled as Darla escorted Terry into her office. "Thank you, Darla." As Darla left, she closed the door.
"Comfortable?" Terry asked.
"Perfect," Traci replied, as she rounded her desk and hugged her man. She pulled him into a kiss. She gestured out her two windows. "Perfect weather. Perfect view. Perfect surroundings. Perfect man in my arms."
"Perfect woman. Perfect lover." He paused. "The girls? Everything going well at school?"
"Nicole and Nora already have friends coming over to visit. Millie's a little shy, but, she's doing well in first grade."
"Great... I would like to take you and Darla to lunch today, if you like."
Chapter 110