This story is a sequel to Fool's Envy, which I wrote a number of years ago. It works as a stand-alone, but if you want to know more about Terry's history, you need to read that story first. Thanks to DawnJ for her suggestions and to all the people who took the time to share their thoughts about the original saga.
"James, I'd like you to meet Michael. He's going to be our new rising star in charge of the production line."
Michael paused a moment to take stock of James as he leaned in and the two clasped hands in a firm shake. He knew immediately that the man was definitely sure of himself, if nothing else.
"Good to meet you, Mike," he said with a wide grin.
"Michael," the older man corrected him.
"Sorry, Michael," he replied a bit stiffly.
Well, I know he doesn't like to be corrected,
Michael thought.
He better have his shit together, or he's not going to enjoy this at all.
"So I'll leave you two to get acquainted," Andrew said. "Michael is already up to speed on the product specifications. Why don't you introduce him to the team while tech support sets up his computer?"
"You've got it, boss," James chirped. He turned to Michael, extending his hand toward the production floor. With a friendly nod, Michael slipped on his safety glasses and fell in along side him.
"You're going to really like it here, Michael. We've got this place humming. It's a tight crew, and the new equipment has made everything fall into place."
"So I hear. Andrew speaks very highly of you and the rest of the workers."
"Oh, we love the guy," James said respectfully. "He built this place, and he's the first one to jump in when anything needs to be taken care of. He's definitely hands on. I know you're going to want to put your stamp on things, but you'll want to hear him out. He's the kind of owner who knows his business from top to bottom, and everyone here understands he earned his success."
"Absolutely," Michael concurred. "I really wasn't interested in moving out here and starting over until I talked to him. The guy knows how to pitch his product."
They toured the plant, meeting many of the workers present, with James walking him through their procedures and the idiosyncrasies present in their production method. Michael was impressed, but played his cards close to the vest. He'd been through these introductions too many times to be loose with his opinions until he knew who he could trust to be discreet.
He was to be one of twelve people in charge of making the company work. His position was to oversee the largest portion of the workforce, but he had accepted a lower salary than he initially sought on the condition that if he could improve the procedures and save the company money, he would see a commensurate bump in pay and responsibility. Andrew really liked him, and Michael got the impression he was being groomed to eventually move up. He chose to leave his last job because the owners family wanted to control the business, even though they sorely lacked the qualifications or vision, but Andrew assured him that wouldn't happen here, since he had no kids of his own.
It was a significant risk. Michael knew better than anyone that just because someone makes a promise, that doesn't mean it won't disappear the minute something better comes along. Still, Andrew was a great ambassador for his company, and Michael believed him when he said that the company was in more trouble than anyone knew, and he wanted someone with energy to have the kind of fire he used to feel to keep it growing. The only stipulation was that he couldn't cut the work force.
Andrew was firm that his employees were more important to him than anything. Without children of his own, he involved himself in his employees' lives, and treated them like family. The last thing he wanted was someone to come in and get rid of good people just to save a buck. Not only did he dislike the practice, but it was short-sighted. Most of his best employees were people who'd risen from within. It was a business strategy he believed in, and it had made him quite wealthy. As he neared retirement, he wanted that business ethic to be continued in his company so his legacy would live on.
Michael accompanied James to the lunchroom, where they talked about the inner-workings of the company. James was more than happy to share what he knew. Michael let him feel important, vowing to believe only what he could later verify. Gossip in a company that size was bound to be half-truths at best. Any time James strayed into more salacious aspects of what was happening behind the scenes, Michael politely steered him to safer territory. It wouldn't be good for him to get a reputation as someone getting involved in people's personal drama, assuming any of it was even true.
Suddenly he noticed a woman enter the room and walk to the counter, where she picked up a tray and shared a laugh with several women already waiting. She was blond, average height with an amazing figure and looked to be in her late twenties. She was quite beautiful, but what made the biggest impression were her sparkling light blue eyes. It was an amazing image that took Michael's breath away.
Lucky at business, unlucky at love,
he thought glumly, knowing he'd never have a chance with a woman like that.
"Hello?" he repeated. "Are you still with me?"
"I'm sorry," Michael replied, unable to tear his eyes from the beautiful young woman. "Who is she?"
James' eyes lit up as his expression changed to a particularly dark grin. "Oh, you mean Terry Davis?" Michael was powerless to do anything but nod, as the other man continued gleefully. "Yeah, she's a special one."
"What do you mean?" Michael asked, noticing a troubling implication.
"Oh, I'm not one to talk," James said ironically, since that's all he'd been doing for the last thirty minutes. "If you come out for drinks with us Friday you'll probably get the chance to see for yourself."
Michael's interest was piqued, but he decided not to pursue any more information about her from James. The man seemed to have some kind of dirt he wanted to share, and Michael didn't want to give him the satisfaction. He saw a ring on her finger, so assumed she was married, but chose to indulge the idea that she might be single and someone who'd be interested in a workaholic like him. Sadly, that was about as close to a relationship as he had achieved over the last few years.
~~~~~
"Terry Davis?" Missy repeated with a curious tilt of her head.
"Yes. Why is it that people keep acting weird when I ask about her?" Michael asked, clearly frustrated. After the third time he queried someone who then seemed to be party to an inside joke, he decided to ask his secretary. As someone who fancied himself good at reading people, Michael had an instant respect for her when they had been introduced. In the days that followed, he found that judgment well founded.
Not only was she very sharp, but she had her ear to ground when it came to watching what happened within the company. Unlike James, her interest was mostly professional and he could tell that she'd be an invaluable asset in helping him smoothly adapt to the culture of the organization. Still, it was taking a chance for him to ask, as he was risking his reputation as being a professional, brought in to be all business.
"Well, she's a bit of an enigma," she said mysteriously. "She's a sweet woman who is very competent at her job. However, I don't think there's anyone here who has more rumors flying around about her. I can warn you that you should definitely not ask any male employees' wives. She's definitely persona non grata."
