The first day of Jade's new job came with a feeling of optimism. She was up early and spent considerable time choosing the perfect outfit to make a good first impression. She settled on a tailored white skirt suit with a teal silk blouse and a pair of leather pumps. The reflection in the mirror told her that she look both fashionable and professional.
Her mother was taking Briana to the Kinder Care Academy since pre-school didn't start until nine o'clock.
Jade gave Rollins notice the Monday after her interview. As expected, he didn't take it well. However, she wasn't immediately relieved of her duties; no doubt due to the fact that he needed to find a replacement. Instead he settled for being nasty right up to the end.
When she arrived at work she was greeted by Mrs. McCord and escorted to her office. After they were seated her employer got right down to business.
"The first order of the day is my family's annual Fourth of July cookout."
Jade was surprised at the assignment. She thought her job would be all about the charities and that, at least on the first day, she would be given the opportunity to familiarize herself with the office routine before she got into any actual planning.
As soon as the thought entered her head, she chided herself. Mrs. McCord obviously thought she was capable; besides she was there to do what she was told, not question the agenda. It seemed that there would be a lot more to her job than she anticipated.
"How many people will be at the cookout?" she asked.
Taking out a folder from her desk, Mrs. McCord placed it before Jade and said, "About three hundred, including children."
Jade was stunned and hoped her jaw wasn't hanging open.
Three hundred people for a cookout?
"This folder includes a list of our guests, their addresses, as well as their home, work and cell phone numbers," she continued.
"Some of the guests are our personal friends; some are business associates and donors to our various charities. Although this is a fun event, the talk inevitably turns to business and opportunities to garner support for my charities present themselves."
Jade nodded, understanding perfectly. Mixing business and pleasure was a good way for people to feel more generous.
"All other pertinent information is in the folder;" Mrs. McCord stated. "You should be able to answer any questions that arise. There will be more than enough inquires to keep you busy, along with sending out the invitations."
"Will the invitations need to be ordered or picked up?" Jade inquired.
"No, that's already been done. The invitations are in a box on your desk. The addresses need to be checked for accuracy and they need to be run through the postage meter. By the way, you and your daughter are invited and you may bring a guest."
Shocked, Jade said, "Oh, no. I wouldn't dream of intruding."
"You're not intruding, my dear, you're my invited guest. Melanie was always invited as well."
Knowing it would be rude to refuse, Jade accepted.
"Thank you. It will just be Briana and me."
Mrs. McCord nodded and said, "That should be enough for you today. Tomorrow I'll give you a run down on the charity events that we'll be planning for the rest of the year. Part of your duties will be to book the venues and help with the planning."
"Yes, Mrs. McCord," Jade said and wondered what she had gotten herself into. Taking the folder, she headed to her office to start work on the first undertaking at her new job.
*
Jade's first day went well.
Mrs. McCord was a dream to have as an employer; she was intelligent, hard working, thorough, organized and knowledgeable about all sorts of things. Although she was a perfectionist, she was also warm and friendly.
It was on the second day of employment that Jade met the senior Mr. McCord. He was tall with dark hair which had a touch of gray at the temples. His eyes were a light gray color with flecks of gold; quite a handsome man who'd pass on his great genes to his sons.
He greeted her with a warm smile and a hand shake, but his eyes lit up when he saw his wife. It was obvious that even after being married thirty eight years they were still very much in love. Jade didn't mind admitting that she was a little envious.
She tried to imagine what it would feel like to have someone whose eyes lit up when she entered a room. She had an example of that with her parents, but she couldn't imagine ever having that for herself. Still, there was some hope in that both couples were a testament that love could endure well past the first bloom.
Later that day, Alex stopped by. Jade was on an errand picking up invitations for the St. Matthew's Children Hospital Dinner and Fundraiser at the time. When she got back, Mrs. McCord informed her she'd just missed him.
Just missed him? She'd been so busy that it never occurred to her that he would show up while she was working. Jade finished out the day, completing her tasks, but she couldn't keep her mind from wandering to thoughts of Alex.
*
It was a few days later that Jade met Jason McCord.
She was making copies in the supply room when the sound of a male voice in the outer office startled her.
"Mom, where are you?" he called out into the hall after looking in her office and not finding her.
"In the library, I'll be out in a minute," she called back. The library was further down the hall.
Then hearing the copier, he noticed that the door to the supply room was slightly ajar. Curious, he poked his head in.
"Hi," he said when he saw Jade. "You don't look like Melanie."
Smiling, he walked into the room.
Jade was relieved that it wasn't Alex.
She remembered the McCord's middle son. He was as good looking as she recalled. Jason was tall, his dark hair a little shorter than Alex's and although he also had blue eyes, they were a lighter shade.
"You're right. I'm Jade Harris. I just started last week," she said.
"Huh! I should keep in touch on a weekly basis, maybe I'd know these things in advance," he grinned. "How are things going with the job?"
"Oh, it's great. A bit challenging learning my way around, but your mother is very easy to work for," she stated honestly.
"Are you sure you're in the right house? My mother can be a five star general at times," he said affectionately.
Jade smiled at the description of his mother.
