Page 54 of The Weight Of It All
“Well, I’m glad you’re trying. It’s been a welcome changeto see you smiling this last week or so. And I want in on the Monday morning tea thing.”
“Well, I don’t think there’s any left. It was really good today.”
She laughed. “No, I mean I want to cook something and bring it in.”
“Oh! Yes, for sure! I think there’s a list in the breakroom where you can add your name on which Monday suits you best. I think the others would love that.”
Lillian smiled. “I’ll do that. Oh, and just a heads up, I’ll be away for two weeks next month, and I’ve listed you to be my replacement again. I know two weeks is the longest you’ve had to assume that responsibility, but I think you’re up for it.”
“Yes, of course! I’d love that.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Two weeks? Where are you off to this time? I wasn’t aware of any scheduled conferences next month.”
“No, this is personal leave.”
“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume...”
“It’s fine Henry. My partner,Megan”—she gave me a pointed stare—“insisted I take a vacation. So I’m taking her to Tahiti.”
I almost laughed. She was a lesbian? I had no idea. But it explained her smooth reaction to finding out I was gay, and I understood very clearly this was not news she shared with many. I felt privileged and honoured that she’d shared it with me. “I hope you both have a lovely time. You deserve a break. You’ve worked nonstop for months.”
“That was Megan’s argument.”
I stood up, and figuring hugging her was unprofessional and giving her a fistbump and saying ‘gay power’ wasn’t strictly code either, I said, “Thank you, Lillian.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Any time. If you ever need to talk, my door is always open. And Henry, I like that you’re being more yourself now. There’s been a few moresmiles around the office lately, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
I gave her a nod. “Thanks.”
I went back to my office, still unsure to the underlying purpose of the meeting, and Melinda quickly closed the doors behind me. She looked around like a meerkat. “Well?”
“I don’t really know what that meeting was about.”
“What did she say?”
“Just that my now talking to people has been noticed, and the Monday morning tea share thing is to be commended. I told her it was your idea, by the way.”
“So no one is being made redundant?”
“No.”
“She just wanted to chat with you?”
I nodded. “I told her I’m gay.”
Melinda blinked, then blinked again. “Why?”
“Well, I just started talking, and you know how that usually ends for me. With the mindless babbling, uncensored drivel…”
She nodded knowingly. “And?”
“And nothing. She just wished I’d felt more comfortable to tell her earlier.”
Melinda looked around my office like she was seeing it for the first time. “Wow.”
“I know, right? And she’s going on two weeks annual leave next month, and she wanted to know if I was comfortable in stepping up for that length of time.”
“Henry, that’s incredible!”
“It is,” I agreed. This was better than any promotion I’d got. Normally those were a formal application with a formal approval, but this was an informal, personal chat with the boss. And not even the Australian Government Residual Interest Report in my in-tray, which meant I’d be here until late, could dampen my mood.
