Page 37 of Here to Stay
As soon as Gail saw me, she waved me in and I sat down while she finished a call. “Yes, absolutely. We would be delighted to have you over for a visit.” The cheeriness in her voice did not match the panic in her eyes. Clearly whatever it was, it would not be a delight. “This Wednesday works. We actually have our monthly Leadership Academy from three to six in the afternoon, so you can see the kids in action. It’ll be a special one since it’s just before the Thanksgiving break.”
My chest tightened after that last nugget of information. They couldn’t let us off the hook even right before a holiday, for fuck’s sake.
Gail ended the call after a couple of more fake-excited answers to the person on the phone. Once she hung up, she quickly got up and closed the door to her office. The look on her face as she hustled back to her desk made me certain she was about to blow up my day.
“Hey, Julia. Did you get the supplies you needed? What’s up?”
She clearly wanted me to get whatever I’d come to talk to her about out before she dropped the news she’d just gotten right on my lap. I tried to get my thoughts together. I hated telling on people, but Vicki’s mess was going to get us in deep shit someday. It had to be done.
“I did get the supplies, thanks.” I pulled on the hem of my skirt a little and I could tell Gail was about to ask me to just get on with it. “I wanted to let you know that yesterday when I was leaving the office, I ran into a client and his mother. When I asked him what he was doing here so late, he said they were waiting for Vicki.” I lowered my voice, a bit paranoid that she would somehow hear me even though she was supposed to be off-site at the center right now.
Gail’s stank face was pretty epic, as if she knew when it came to Vicki, this level of mess was very likely. “Waiting for Vicki for what?”
I did not stretch it out. “She was going to drive them home.”
Oh damn. White ladies can get really red in the face when they’re pissed, and from the looks of it, Gail was furious. “No she didn’t. Please tell me she didnotblatantly ignore the policies like that.”
I lifted a shoulder and tried not to look as freaked out as I felt about it, but was also relieved to see Gail seemed pissed. “Looks like she did. I am going to talk to her, but I wanted to check in with you first. I know technically I’m her boss, but she’s a challenging person to deal with.” I didn’t need to add that she also acted like she thought she couldn’t get fired and she’d probably try to come for me after I told her she’d fucked up.
“Thanks for letting me know about this, Julia. And don’t worry. I’ll deal with Vicki.” Her voice was thin with barely contained frustration. “I know I’m putting you in a terrible situation here, and I appreciate it more than you know.”
This was something I never got about Gail: she was usually someone who addressed bullshit immediately. But if she kept tiptoeing on this situation with Vicki, it was going to really bite us in the ass.
“That was Muffy Sturm.” Gail’s voice ripped me out of my stewing and for a very unwelcome reason. She sighed heavily and looked at the phone on her desk. “Apparently her brother is on a warpath about the programs. They want to come and visit on Wednesday.”
They? Who was they? Rocco had already come to see the programs on behalf of Davidson’s and the twins had visited too. “So who will be at the visit?” I mentally patted myself on the back for keeping my eye from twitching and not yelling out the question.
“It seems Duke Sturm and the CFO of the company want to also observe the work of the programs.” My heart sped up wondering if Rocco had slipped somehow. Did they suspect he was biased?Washe biased? Shit. I’d tried to keep my distance, but who the fuck knew what anyone was thinking at this point.
“We need to be beyond reproach and this situation with Vicki cannot come at a worse moment. I will do something about her, but right now we can’t really make waves.”
This was much more than justmaking waves—we were letting someone get away with doing something that could potentially hurt clients. And I wanted my job, but not by keeping quiet on things I knew weren’t right. “Gail.” The muscles in my neck felt like they would snap as I tried to keep my voice from shaking. “This isn’t just about rocking the boat.”
She deflated at my words, and at least I was glad to see she wasn’t taking this lightly. “I know, believe me I do. And it’s complicated with Vicki. You know how well connected she is with some of the districts.”
It was true, she was helpful when we were first developing those relationships. I just nodded, not sure how I felt about that keeping us from calling her on the carpet for her bullshit. “You know those connections are vital to us, and she would not hesitate to do something out of spite.”
She was right—Vicki was petty enough to try and get us kicked out if she got fired.
“We do need the relationships with the schools.”
“Exactly.” Her voice was tired and I could not blame her. “I’ll keep a closer eye on Vicki for the next few weeks, and once the consultants are gone, I’ll deal with her. I promise. What I do want you to prioritize is this visit. I know you plan your academies way in advance, so I’m sure everything will be great. Duke Sturm, Phil, and the consultant Rocco.” She smiled at the mention of his name and I wondered if she could tell my pulse had just increased exponentially. “He was impressed with what he saw on his visit. And we need all the help we can get.”
She kept talking, but my head was filled with Rocco. Just the thought of him all businesslike in his suit—those blue eyes raking over me—made my blood boil. I never fucking learned.
I cringed thinking of that text I’d sent him the other night. I’d been freaking out and instead of leaving shit alone I’d sent the mother of mixed signals. I was beginning to think that dating a man-child on and off for so many long years had left me emotionally stunted, and Rocco was taking the brunt of it.
“Julia.” I jumped, which I’m sure looked totally normal to Gail. “Are we good, then?”
I nodded and stood up, trying hard to present her with my most reassuring face possible. “Yes, of course. I’ll make sure they have a good visit.”
Like I had a choice. I stood up and walked my ass back to my cube with my phone already out, calling all the program staff who were involved in the academy. I’m sure they’d be less than thrilled to hear that we’d have to set up yet another dog and pony show for this IPO debacle. My Thanksgiving weekend of solitude could not come soon enough.
Chapter Fourteen
Rocco
Who else is up for the wine and beer Thanksgiving event at the arboretum? I think it’s like a pumpkin patch but with booze.
