Chapter 20
Maylee
Yesterday was exhausting with Oren being so over the top with excitement. The ice hockey was great, but I was scared I have to admit, when Oren got onto the ice. I cannot understand how the gate was left open when the game was in play!
At least when we got home, Oren took himself to bed and crashed within minutes. He was exhausted with it all, but he had the best time.
This morning, Oren went with Synthia. Where? I’m not sure. They rushed away when we arrived at the garage, and I’m here unpacking ready-to-assemble cabinets with Whitney.
“These are heavy,” Whitney whines, and I give her a shut-up look, which gets me a frown in return.
“Come on, Whitney. We are only unpacking. The rest is not our job.”
“I’ve got this one. Thank you,” Banner says as he starts to organize the pieces of the cabinet for assembly.
“On to the next one, Whit,” I smirk, but giggle when Whitney groans.
“I’m going over to the barn tomorrow,” Whitney tells me.
“To give it a looking at?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’ve not been in the place, so thought it was right to check it out. Do you want to come?”
“No, I’m at work and got a lot to do for a fresh case,” I reply. “I would come check it out another time though.”
“Stop gassing and let’s get the next pack ready for Dan,” Whitney points to Dan who has his cabinet made and sliding into position. I’m not sure what they do to it next, but I know we need to be faster unpacking this stack of boxes.
The day passes faster than I thought it would, but my back and legs are killing me with all the lifting, bending and stretching. I thought I was fairly fit, but it seems not. I smirk at Myles. “Hey, I need to get fitter than I am.”
“Oh, I’ve ways of getting you fitter. We can start later when we get home.”
Everyone laughs at his response, and I blush. Although I am outgoing, talking about sex is not something I’m comfortable with. But I do smile when I hear everyone ribbing Myles.
“I may need to join a gym,” I say to Whitney, and she grins because she knows I hate working out.
“You could work out with Myles as he suggested and call your baby Jim after?”
Now, the room again bursts into laughter, and I whack Whitney on her shoulder, but smile as I’m doing it.
“That’s the last, Maylee,” Dan says as he gives me a smile. “You both did well because some of these boxes were heavy.”
Looking around the kitchen, I think it looks really nice. The black cabinets have a shine to them, and they have no handles. You just push and they pop open. They are sleek and modern. The counter is not on yet, so I’m not sure what color that is going to be, but so far it all looks stunning.
“Come on, everyone, let’s get to Myles' place and then we can eat,” Clem says as he throws his arm around Whitney’s neck, kissing her forehead as he leads her out of the apartment.
An hour later, I’m sitting at the kitchen table with an array of things to try. It is interesting to see that Oren has chosen a mixture of food for us to eat.
“I’ll try the ribs,” Myles says as he grabs a plate and piles on ribs, handing me those before getting his own.
Synthia is smiling. “You know it’s all homemade, don’t you, Maylee?”
“You made all this?” I ask shocked.
“I made it too, Mom,” Oren pipes up. Face covered in sauce from the ribs he is holding in both hands—yeah, both hands!
“Well, you did a good job; they are great,” I quickly say, and the huge smile I get warms my heart.
“Do you want some of the corn salad, honeybun?”
I give Myles a scowl, but reply, “Yes, please, trouble.”
We eat and enjoy, laughing, discussing and generally having an enjoyable time. Dan’s sons are great; they are quick-witted and interact with Oren as though he is a sibling. It’s lovely to see Oren glowing with the attention.
Cassian is here too, and his wife Ellen. She is quiet, but not standoffish. She is on the shy side, and yet she’s sitting among us with ease.
My phone rings, and looking at the caller I’m surprised. It’s Annabelle, and she never calls me over a weekend. “I need to take this,” I say to Myles as I step into the living room.
“What’s up, Annabelle?” I quickly ask.
“I would like a meeting with you first thing in the morning, if possible. I know it will mean you’re going to the office a little earlier, but if you would I would be grateful.”
“Okay, I’ll speak to you first thing in the morning. But are you alright?” I ask knowing something is wrong.
“I’m thinking of leaving. But I’ll explain to you in the morning. Have a good afternoon and evening, Maylee.”
Annabelle closes the call before I can ask more, but I’m shocked as she has only just been promoted to my assistant. Yeah, something is wrong, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it.
Back at the table I see Oren with his head back, laughing at something Conroy has said. He’s going to be tired out again tonight I’m sure.
“Is everything okay?” Myles asks as I retake my seat.
Shaking my head no, “No, something is not right with Annabelle. She wants a meeting with me in the morning. But she said she was thinking of leaving. It makes no sense as she has only just been promoted to my assistant, and Myles, she is damn good at it.”
When we hear a bang, both myself and Myles look around. Sitting on the floor alongside Oren is Conroy. They are both wearing a mix of corn salad, coleslaw, rib sauce and what looks like chicken nuggets. But the way they are both laughing has me side-eyeing Myles, who is smirking like a fool.
Whitney is giggling, Clem is shaking his head, but I can see he is more than a little amused. Cassian and Ellen look as shocked as I do. But Dan and Synthia carry on eating as though this is an everyday occurrence!
I have to admit to myself that this is how families act. No reason to be self-conscious because everyone accepts you for who you are. Loves you for who you are, and has your back no matter what. I’m thinking I’m very lucky to be sitting at this table with all these incredible people.
Monday morning Myles took Oren to school as I headed into work early. Stepping into my office and hanging my jacket on a hanger in the corner, I take my seat. The tumbler of sweet tea Myles handed me as I walked out this morning is on the side of my desk, and I’m ready for the day to start.
Annabelle steps into the office and closes the door behind her. “Morning, Maylee.”
“Morning, Annabelle. Take a seat and tell me what is going on?”
Annabelle is nervous. It’s in the set of her shoulders, and I notice her hands are shaking slightly.
“I have been having issues with Fabian since you promoted me to assistant. He is supposed to be the office tech guy, but if I go to him for any reason, he gives me attitude. I’m good at ignoring stuff like that Maylee, but to be honest I shouldn’t have to put up with it.”
“Okay, he’s a little shit and I’ll deal with him, but give me specifics,” I ask, keeping my voice professional, although I’d like to smack the asshole.
“When you asked me to change the setup for your appointment system on the computer I had a problem with it. For some reason, it kept including Saturdays in the working week, although I had ticked it to exclude it along with Sunday. Fabian called me stupid and said I was thick as a brick and shouldn’t even be working here. ”
I lean forward over my desk and reach out to grab Annabelle’s hand, which she had laid on the desk while holding a pen.
I squeeze her hand and tell her to leave it with me, and not speak to the little shit again.
I know she is shocked at my attitude, but this is bullying, and I’ve just sorted out that issue with Oren’s school.
“Leave it with me. I’ll deal with him. I want you to close your office door when you are not in your office.
I know that set-up was right because I used it, Annabelle.
I think he messed with it so he could bully you.
Not happening, not on my watch. You are not leaving because he’s a piece of bullying shit so get that out of your head right now! ”
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll wait and see what happens, but know if it continues I will leave. I have loved working here, but for the last two weeks I haven’t wanted to come to work, and that is not how I want my working life to be.”
“I understand that, Annabelle. Leave it with me and I’ll sort it out.”
I watch Annabelle leave my office, and she seems better for telling me, and knowing I’ll do something. Now, my plan!