Chapter Seven

Sacha

There was no one else in the office when I arrived Monday morning, which made my heart pound more furiously. Eight o'clock was well before the office staff arrived, and the sales reps tended to start even later. My boss, Dan Forber, was in the breakroom getting coffee.

"Sacha, good morning. I've got Vienna roast brewing here, if you'd like some."

"No, I'm good."

I'd never been one to turn down coffee, but my nerves couldn't take the caffeine.

He was older than me, by about ten years, but still physically fit. He'd come up through the ranks to obtain his position as district manager, so he understood what us reps had to handle in the field. We'd always gotten along pretty well, so I was counting on his support.

Once we were settled in his office with the door closed, his face turned from his usual jovial expression to serious. I waited patiently, hands in my lap, ignoring the rumble of my queasy stomach. I'd been so nervous that I puked in the parking lot, making it to the nearby bushes just in time. It was embarrassing to be so nervous. I was a grown-ass woman, for Pete's sake.

"So, Sacha… You know we're facing a big merger in the next few months."

"Yes."

"Well, I've recently gotten word it's going to result in some changes with our sales reps, but I think you're going to like it."

He sipped his coffee and avoided my eyes. His voice was cheery, but it was clear he was trying to put a spin on something he considered unpleasant. My gut was telling me to brace myself. I gripped the chair handles to give my jittery hands something to do.

When I said nothing, he continued.

"Long story short, they are reconfiguring the territories. What they want to do, long term, is to put our best people where they are most needed. Those reps with proven track records are going to be shifted so we can improve the sales in the regions that would benefit the most."

I stifled a groan. I could tell where this was going. All the years of hard work to build relationships with my clients was about to be handed to someone who knew nothing about them, who would reap the benefit of my sacrifice and hard work. For being a "great sales rep," I was about to be handed a territory that was a challenge. But I bit my tongue, hoping I was wrong. Then Dan launched into the meat of his speech.

"You've always been a solid performer. You have real potential. Your numbers have been great, and you seem to have a knack for finding clients who stick with us, year after year."

He paused. I was keeping a polite smile on my face but it took effort. "Thank you, Dan. I do my best."

Then he smiled, a too-bright smile for a few minutes after eight in the morning. "Yes, you do. So, we'd like you to take over the territory east of Birmingham."

I felt myself blink. "Alabama?"

"Yes, ma'am. Heart of Dixie."

What fresh hell was this? I'd pictured the outskirts of Atlanta or maybe even Macon. But certainly not…Alabama.

Not even Birmingham. "East of Birmingham."

He waited for my response. He sipped his coffee again. The silence dragged on, became uncomfortable.

"Um, I don't know what to say."

"Well, you have some time to think about it. This won't happen for another few weeks to a month."

Now my mouth dropped open. That wasn't much time, especially if I had to move. Dan rushed to assure me.

"Of course, you'll have more time than that to get settled. Start out slow. We'll increase your base pay for six months to give you time to build up your clientele."

"Can I let you know? This is a big change."

"Yes, of course. But you need to know something."

His voice had changed on the last sentence. I had always trusted this man, had never known him to be anything but a straight shooter.

"What is it?"

He hesitated then sighed. His normally pink cheeks took on a rosier hue.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but it looks like there won't be a place for you if you don't take the position in Alabama."

My gut clenched. This was so not happening. "But what about the management position that just opened up? I was honestly hoping I was on the short list."

"You were. But they're bringing in their own management. I'm sorry."

"So if I don't take it, I'm out of a job?"

His grimace showed me how he felt about the situation. But it didn't change the outcome.

"I'm sure they can find something for you, but you'd be better off taking the position, Sacha."

That was all I needed to hear. It was apparently their way or the highway. I stood because my stomach threatened to embarrass me if I didn't get some air.

"I'll give it some thought. Thanks for letting me know."

I walked out, barely making it to the ladies' room before my stomach demanded to be emptied again. Something was definitely wrong, and I had a feeling moving to Alabama was going to be the least of my problems.

~*~