Monday always began with a meeting, and this Monday morning was no different from any other. We were all sitting around the long wooden table in the conference room, listening to one voice after another explaining how good their department was. Everyone was showing graphs over the growth of our company, but somehow it all seemed so distant from the reality we had to live with in the small office rooms.
When it was time for our department to show our spreadsheets and graphs, I was amazed to see a woman stand up at the end of the table, and walk up to the computer screen.
"Before I begin my presentation, I'd like to tell those of you who don't know me, who I am. I'm Ms. Evans, and I'm taking over where my predecessor, Mr. Jones, so suddenly had to leave he's seat vacant due to circumstances beyond his or the company's control."
I had not heard anything about Alan's reasons for leaving his seat available, and I found it strange that they would bring in someone new to fill his place, and not take someone from the department.
"I know that I won't be able to fill Mr. Jones shoes, nor do I intend to try. I've been told that he was a great asset to the entire organization, and I will do my best to continue his work. He will be missed by a lot."
She was saying all the right things, but I felt a shiver up my spine, when I heard her refer Alan as a asset, as if he was nothing more than an office chair. She was being down right cold, but no one seemed to notice that in her words, or maybe the truth was that no one around the table knew Alan as I did.
"I've been asked to present last month results, but I would like to ask Mr. Arthur Little from the department do this week presentation."
She looked at me, and held out her hand gracefully towards me, so that everyone would know who to look for. I sat still for a moment, feeling stunned by the moment, but coming to my senses after a deep breath. I stood up, and walked up to her with a smile, taking the folder she handed me. Doing so, I felt her index-finger touching my hand, and passing me I heard her whisper.
"Thank you."
I watch silently as she walked to her seat, and sat down, and when the room was silent, I began to present the departments activities from all sorts of aspects, just as all the others had done before me. We had been working hard previous month to keep the time-schedule we had set up for the project, and it was with great satisfaction I could present that the department was ahead of plans. I answered the questions I was given, and each time I looked in her direction, I could see her shiny white smile, smiling back at me.
The presentation was ended, and the next department began to explain why their results wasn't according to expectations, and the meeting went on, until all sides had been discussed. It was almost lunch when I began to walk back to the office, but I was suddenly stopped by a hand on my shoulder.
"Mr. Little. Could I have a word with you?"
I turned around, and Ms. Evans was smiling towards me, removing her hand from my shoulder, and I smiled back before I replied.
"Yes, Ms. Evans?"
It was the first time I could see her face, and the light in the hallway revealed her beautiful face. Her slightly oval face gave her classical features, her eyes were dark brown, and her cheekbones high. Her nose was straight and just the right size, leading down to her mouth, her upper lip being thinner than the lower, but both perfectly painted in dark red. The dark brown hair was flowing down over her shoulders, framing her face.
"I want to thank you for helping me out in there. It's the first day on the job, and I was handed the folder just minutes before the meeting. Would you like to have a cup of coffee with me, before we head back to the duties?"
I accepted her invitation. The coffee was free anyway, but I did not mind some small talk with the new department chief. We walked down the hall to the cafeteria, taking a cup each with the company logo on them, pouring up some, before we took our seats. We sat on opposite sides of the table, and I took a sip from my cup when she began to speak.
"Did you hear what happened to Mr. Jones?"
"No. I was quite surprised not to see him at the meeting."
"If I'm informed correctly, he retired. Apparently he's wife has cancer, but the company has agreed to offer him one million as a bonus, to cover the medical expenses."
I was impressed, and somewhat jealous. They had offered him one million, which at the same time me happy, knowing that they had appreciated his work and talent. Alan had never told me of Susan's sickness. I had just recently began to understand that she had been to the hospital often, but cancer.
"I'm happy they gave Alan that offer, but no amount of money will be enough if Susan doesn't make it."
"You talk about them with first names? You knew them well?
"Yes, I did. I think Alan took me under his wing in a way, and I was often invited for Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. He is a great person, and so is Susan."
"I'm sorry. You must be thinking that I've taken his place, but I was offered this position, and I couldn't say no to be on the winning team, could I?"
I smiled, but before I could reply, we both heard her phone ring, and she picked it up from her handbag, and I could hear her mumble. After a short conversation, she placed her phone in the handbag again, and looked at me.
"I'm sorry, but we'll have to continue this some other time. I have some business to attend too."
We took our empty cups, and put them on a tray, before we parted. I walked back to the office, and sat down in my chair. The screen was indicating that I had received e-mails, so I began to read and reply to them. The meetings always put the entire Monday two hours behind, but who was I to complain or change how the organization was structured. That was for the marketing people to think about.