Page 10 of From Ice to Grace
“But I mean, I could help,” I try, shifting in my seat. “If you give me a chance, I’m sure I can help you make a difference here.”
“I don’t doubt your capabilities, Avah,” she says firmly. “The fact is, after our budget meeting, the board decided that we’re cutting the foreign program. It’s about business. Really, it’s not personal. I like you, we all like you, but we follow the directives given by those above us.”
Her words don’t leave much room for argument. I know the type of professional relationship I have with Vivienne, which is obviously why she felt confident to a degree to drop hints about me possibly staying on more permanently. But the guys on the board and the higher-ups don’t know me. To them it’s all about the money. I’m merely a name on a list they can cross off to save them another zero at the end of the financial year.
“I understand,” I mumble, my heart sinking as the hard reality sets in. “That means my visa…”
“You’ll have to go back to Stockholm, yes,” she says with a sympathetic smile tugging at her mouth. “You’ll have your thirty day grace period as soon as your program ends in two weeks.”
That’s six weeks.
Six weeks before I have to pack up my life and leave the country. If I can even call it a ‘life’. I haven’t exactly made an effort to build myself a life here over the past year. Unless you count a full-time job and a brother who plays professional hockey. Those were the only two variables that took up my time.
I didn’t make friends in the office. A few of the other interns have invited me out for drinks, but I never went. It wasn’t that I had something against them, just that I wasn’t in a place where I wanted to partake in laughter or casual socializing. I kept my head down and I worked hard. The rest of the time, I spent with EJ and his team.
That was it. That was my year.
“So I suggest you take the month and do what you love to do most in the city,” she says, her voice lighter now, trying to end this on a more optimistic note. But there’s not enough site-seeing in all of Manhattan that’s going to cheer me up right now.
“I guess that means I’m losing my apartment too…” I add quietly.
“Yes, unfortunately,” she says, rummaging in her top drawer for something. “Corporate housing is tied to the program, so I’m afraid your lease ends the day the program ends.”
My gaze drops as I fight back tears. My job and my apartment are gone, in one fell swoop.
God, why is this happening?
“I’m so sorry, Avah,” she says. “Look at the bright side. You have at least thirty days to soak in all of New York. And from what I hear, Stockholm has cleaner air, so it’ll be better for you all around.”
I manage a tight smile.
“Thanks for everything, I guess,” I say, getting up while my heart remains on the floor.
She finds what she’s looking for and hands me a cream-colored envelope.
“Here, take this.” I glance down and recognize the logo of one of Manhattan’s most popular restaurants on the back.
“Vivienne…”
“Take it. It’s a gift and it’s almost impossible to get a reservation there so you can’t let this opportunity go to waste. Take a friend…or someone special.” She winks, mischief dancing in her polished features.
“So this is you telling me to go on a date?” I ask her with a faint smile.
“Well,” she says with a shrug. “Unless you’re able to find a company willing to give you a job and fast track the visa sponsorship, your only other option is getting married. And I’ve heard a lot of people get engaged at Cinzano’s, it’s the perfect spot apparently."
I chuff under my breath, shaking my head. “Thanks, Vivienne, but there’s no way an engagement is anywhere in my immediate future.”
“Well, I can make a few phone calls for you,” she adds. “I really like you, Avah, and you’re amazing at what you do. Maybe something will open up somewhere.”
With a final forced smile, I leave her office, defeat threatening to weigh me down. The irony is not lost on me. By now, I would’ve been married…secure in my home, my life, my future.
And here I am, a year later and sure of absolutely nothing.
“I think maybe you should take the rest of the day,” Vivienne calls as I reach the door. “Take your manuscripts home, and just let it all settle. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Nodding, I leave her office. My heart is heavy and my mind is spinning.
I believed God had a plan for my life by giving me this opportunity. It was sudden and it came at the right time. Now, just as suddenly, it’s taken away and I’m not sure what to make of it.
