Chapter 23

Getting up for work Monday morning was easier than ever. As I entered our cubicle, Sam’s eyes widened at me. Something was going on, and for a moment I thought it might be the day Calvin finally fired me.

“Calvin’s gone,” she said, her voice giddy.

“Shut up!”

“Seriously! When I got here this morning he was in Richard’s office but about ten minutes ago he came out, his face drained of color, and now he’s clearing out his office. I bet they walk him out of here soon.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“No, look, here they come now.”

The two of us watched as Richard, the vice president of financial reporting, and Sally, an HR manager, walked into Calvin’s office. They re-emerged soon after, along with Calvin, who was carrying a box. The three walked past us to the door. Calvin glanced our way, glaring at me.

Sam and I watched them go, almost in disbelief.

“At least we can put our resumes away,” Sam said quietly.

“Well, we’ll see if the next manager is any better.”

Richard and Sally walked back in our direction, without Calvin.

“Abbie, can I see you in my office, please.” Fuck. What did Richard want with me? My heart pounded. Was I next?

I followed him into his office and perched on the seat across the desk from him.

“As you may have gathered, Calvin will not be working here any longer.”

I nodded, unsure of what was happening next.

“So, we now have an opening for his position, and we’d like you to take on the role.”

“You what?”

“We’d like you to take on the role. It comes with a lot more responsibility but we’re confident you will excel.”

Oh. My. God! “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t worry, the added responsibility comes with a pay bump. Of twenty-three percent.”

“Holy cow. Thank you.”

“Plus you’ll be enrolled in the additional management pension plan, as well as be entered into the management bonus program.”

I sat there, unsure what to do or say.

“HR will tidy out Calvin’s stuff tonight, after that you can move your things into your new office. You can use it now if you like, but I wouldn’t put your things in it yet so there’s no confusion.”

“Richard, I don’t know how to thank you enough for this. I promise I’ll do a much better job.”

“Good.”

“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.” I kicked myself for gushing.

“Well, it might not just be me you have to thank. But I assure you, you have my support.”

* * *

I walked back to my desk, dumbstruck at what had just happened. In the first fifteen minutes of work, all my problems had been solved.

Sam wasn’t at her seat. No doubt she was off spreading the word around the office.

About to burst, I texted Jay.

You’ll never guess what happened… Calvin gone, me promoted!!!

After I hit sent, I stared at the phone in my hand. I had texted Jay the news before Jenny. I sent her a message.

Get this, Calvin fired, me promoted, mortgage problems solved!

Sam rounded the corner, a devious laugh on her lips. She halted when she saw me.

“What’s going on? What did he say?”

“Get back to work, underling!”

“He said that to you?”

“No, dummy, I’m saying that to you.”

She stood still, her mouth gaping open. My phone beeped, and I looked at it to give her time to digest the news.

Shut the fuck up! Celebratory drinks, tonight

I love Jenny.

Before I could turn my phone screen off, Sam’s arms were around me, hugging me tight as she jumped from foot to foot. I hugged her back, and we did a little dance around our cubicle. Thank goodness for high walls. If Richard had seen us he’d probably rescind the offer.

We tried to do some work, which had taken on a new urgency for me. The reporting was now on my shoulders. I had so many ideas on how to improve it, and there were so many of Calvin’s ideas to undo, like the ridiculous WeeksEnd report. Excited with my new position, I was eager to get on with the job.

Word got around the office, and people kept popping by our cubicle to confirm the news and congratulate me. I kept checking my phone, but still had no reply from Jay.

“Aren’t you going to sit in your new office?” Sam asked.

I smiled. “Should we?”

“You should.”

“No, we need to have an important department meeting. In my office, Sam. Now!”

We giggled and walked into the office. My new office. It wasn’t very exciting, more a glorified cubicle with a door than an executive suite, but it was all mine. I sat in the chair, and spun around to face Sam, who’d sat in my guest chair, opposite my desk. My phone beeped.

Congratulations. I’m glad it made your Monday. J

Made my Monday? It had made my life. All that hard work I’d put in studying for my CPA was now, at long last, paying off.

Celebration drinks tonight!

“What’s the grin for?” Sam asked.

“It’s Jay.”

“Ah, that explains it. Did you see him this weekend?”

“You could say that.” I gave her a short recount of my time with Jay. Although I glazed over the juiciest bits.

Definitely. J

“Yay, Jay’s coming to the drinks. You can meet him.”

“Now that is something to look forward to.”

“You’ll love him.”

Excellent, you can meet everyone

My phone beeped the second after I’d hit send. I looked at it again, wondering who it was from.

Sorry, turns out I have something and can’t make it. J

“Oh. He can’t come tonight.”

“You’d better introduce us soon, he needs your friends’ approval.”

“Okay, missy, back to work.”

“But…”

“Out, and that’s an order,” I said pointing at the door. I laughed, and we both returned to our old desks.

* * *

In the bar, I bought a round of drinks for everyone who had come out to celebrate with me. I had a small panic attack when my credit card was rejected. I ended up having to split the bill across two cards and hoped my raise came through soon so I could afford groceries.

It was Monday, so none of us were up for a late one. I walked back to my condo at eight. Jay’s old car sat out front in a no-stopping zone, and I rushed over to it.