Page 7 of Ezra
That’s on my bucket list. If I can get in there, I can die happy.
The moment the doors open, the museum comes alive. It’s Friday, a busy day for field trips and out-of-towners to come view the most impressive state-of-the-art museum in the country. Not even the museums in New York City can match us now. I’m rather proud of that fact. It means I’m employed by the best, and I’ve got a bit of a competitive streak. It feels good, knowing you’re at the cutting edge.
The holo-watch on my wrist thrums with a message. I flick it toward me, reading the projected words curiously.
I’m sorry, Kat. Raincheck on the lunch today. I got roped into a few things, and I have to stay at the office.
Fair enough. My feelings aren’t hurt. I slip my phone out of my pocket as I leave the exhibit and head toward the back area for employees only to respond to Dad.
No worries. I’ll see you at home.
After sending the message, I approach Vaughn’s office. His door is open. Eavesdropping isn’t something I do often, but it’s hard not to listen to the conversation as I approach.
“She’ll do fine. You don’t have to worry. I’ll be here to help her,” Vaughn says with compassion.
Diana is fretting. “But we have those Sandia and Zia Pueblo artifacts coming in any day now for the Indigenous Peoples of America exhibit that’s supposed to be set up by October. She’s never overseen anything like that before. I just want to set her up for success, and I feel like I’m abandoning?—”
“You’re not abandoning anyone. You’re taking some much-needed time off to spend time with your husband. He needs you right now.”
What’s going on with Diana’s husband? I take a step back, clasping my blouse a little as I remember myself. The open door means they’re about done with their conversation, but that doesn’t give me the right to snoop.
But I hope it’s nothing serious. I really like Jayden, Diana’s husband. He’s a military veteran, with infantry tours in Poland and Ukraine. He’s charming and funny, and frequently stops by to chat. There’s not a single soul in the two hundred people employed here who doesn’t know Jayden Beaumont in some way.
Should I ask after him? No, not right now. That’ll give me away.Dammit. Why can’t I just be a little more patient?
Diana sighs. “Okay. Only if you’re certain you can manage.”
“We can,” Vaughn reassures her. “I promise. We’ll do just fine. But we’ll miss you while you’re gone, and it won’t be the same without you, so don’t go home thinking I’m going to find areplacement. You’ve always got your job here, Di. You have my word.”
This is why I love this place. Dr. Vaughn would never dream of replacing any of us over something like family leave. While other companies and businesses are laying off hundreds, if not thousands, of people, he dipped into his own salary to make jobs here, then held career fairs to hire as many people as he could. We’ve got security guards who used to work in the factories of Carnegie Steel, tour guides who used to be mechanics for Flagler Automotive, gift shop clerks from PennPaper, and people from Carnegie Electric handling ticket sales. The museum café, which is a full restaurant with an almost gourmet menu, hasn’t experienced turnover for almost three years.
Vaughn would employ the entire city if he had the funds to do it. He deserves a sainthood at this point because I don’t see anyone else in America running their business the way he does.
Chairs creak as they rise, and I quickly walk toward the break room to make it seem like I wasn’t just trying to listen in.See, this is why we don’t eavesdrop, Kat, we get caught.
Vaughn calls, “Kat? Would you come here, please?”
“Sure,” I say, trying to sound bright and airy. I’m a bit of a morning person, so it isn’t hard.
Diana sweeps out of his office with all the elegance of a queen and the confidence of a scientist. Her dark hair is streaked with gray, and she normally greets me with a bright smile, but today she looks weary, like all the energy has been sucked right out of her. Odd, for this early in the day. I didn’t think anything would slow her down.
“I’m heading home for the day,” Diana says. “You’ll help Arnold keep an eye on things?”
“Of course. Is everything okay?” I ask tentatively.
“Yes,” she says, though from the way her eyes shine when she looks at me, the answer is a most definite no. “I’m just starting my sabbatical a little early.”
“Oh,” I say in alarm. “Well, we’ll miss you. A lot.” I don’t want her to feel bad, so I don’t mention that Zoey and the other tour guides were plotting a potluck across all the different museum departments in her honor. Even DNA and biochem were in on it, and they barely ever come out of their hazmat-suited lairs.
“I’ll miss you all, and this place, of course,” Diana replies bittersweetly. “But it won’t be forever. You have my number. Send me a message if you have any questions.”
“You’ll be in charge of artifacts while Diana is gone,” Arnold replies. “This will include a temporary pay increase, of course, to cover the extension of new responsibilities while she’s gone. I’ll be helping you, but it won’t hurt you to learn, what with your desired field of expertise.”
If this were any other occasion, I might celebrate this promotion. But there’s no celebration to be had, not when Diana looks so resigned, almost miserable. I only wish there was more I could do for her.
“I’ll do my best,” I answer. “But it won’t be the same without Di.”
“I’m sure you’ll do great,” Diana says. “I’ll be off now. You’ll say hello to your father for me when he comes for lunch today?”
