3. Jason
3
Jason
Jason couldn’t work fast enough the next morning. Since being in interviews had stalled his tasks, he was already behind, and then he had taken a half day to go home and clean himself. The encounter with the paint-woman had exhausted him, and he’d even tucked in early after straightening his house.
But, oh, did he regret not sticking around the office. Rueben still had one more round of interviews to do, but had graciously left him alone to catch up on paperwork and correspondence.
It was two o’clock before Jason even got to his rounds. Just as he headed to the first receptionist, Brandy stopped him. She leaned in as close as he allowed and lowered her voice. “I need you at my station. There is a couple that came in a month ago, and they weren’t happy with their visit. They have their bill, but they refuse to pay.”
He glanced over to see a woman standing at the counter, arms crossed, lip pouted out. Oh boy. He straightened his tie and fixed a warm smile on his face.
“Can I help you, ma’am? ”
“Yes,” the woman snapped. “Hopefully, you’ll be more helpful than she was. I got a wart removed from my foot, and a month later, it’s still there. I’m not paying my bill until it’s removed.”
He nodded. “I understand how frustrating that is. How long did the doctor tell you it would take?”
She dropped her arms. “A few sessions, but I don’t think it’s fair to charge me for every session. I should only pay if it’s gone.”
He felt movement to his right and snuck a look at Brandy, who had sidled up next to him. She had had his back so many times, it was time to return the favor. “I see. Did the doctor inform you about the multiple sessions before you agreed to the treatment?”
“Well, yes she did, but—”
“Then we will just have to continue with the treatments. If you’d like, we can put your payments on a monthly plan—one you can afford—and you can pay that way.”
The lady’s anger seemed to thaw some. “I guess I could do that.”
He nodded and moved to the side so Brandy could step forward. “I’ll let my head receptionist take it from here. Thank you for being so kind and understanding.”
The lady’s facial expression softened, and she dropped her head. In case she gave Brandy any more problems, Jason stayed nearby, busying himself with a copy machine issue that someone had emailed him about. Relief trickled through him when the woman left peacefully.
“Thank you,” Brandy whispered as he headed back to his office.
Before he could reach for his door knob, someone called out to him. “Jason, just the person I wanted to see.”
He spun around and saw his boss. “Hey, Rueben.” A sinking feeling started in the pit of his stomach. “Are the interviews all done? Have you found the right person for the job?”
“Nope, but I think I saved the best for last. I would normally never hire someone with her... experience, but she has a recommendation from someone I know, and I think she’ll be a great person to work with. She’ll be here in about twenty minutes. Meet me in the conference room in ten.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but slowly closed it. He didn’t want to sit in on the interview anymore than he wanted to be splattered with paint again, but it would be helpful to see who Rueben was going to force into his work life. He didn’t even need an assistant. Maybe after a few weeks, he could prove he would be fine without one.
“Jason . . .”
He inwardly groaned and turned as another person called for him. A receptionist. . . again.
“What is it, Cammie?”
“You’re needed downstairs at the main desk.”
“Uh, okay. Do you know why?”
She shrugged. “Someone’s here to see you.”
Hmm. His parents didn’t come around unless it was a holiday, and Easter had been weeks ago.
“Okay, tell them I’ll be right down.”
He headed for the steps, clinging to his side of the wall when a family pressed close by. If it wasn’t his parents, who could it be? He hadn’t kept in contact with anyone from school, and other than Rueben, his grandparents were long gone.
Upon leaving the stairwell, he quickened his stride, not wanting to be late for the interview. He stopped short—a few feet away from the front desk. Standing at the counter, wearing a red blouse and khaki skirt, was the woman who’d splashed paint all over him .
He took a step back just as she spotted him.
“Hey, Jason.”
The paint smears were missing from her hair, and she actually looked decent—as if she were business worthy. But he couldn’t get her initial image out of his head. “How did you know my name?”
“The receptionist told me.” She held out a Styrofoam, Christmas-themed plate with little yellow circles. “They’re lemon macarons. I baked them myself, and I swear you’ll like them.”
The treat looked tasty enough, but he didn’t know this woman. She stepped closer when he made no attempt to reach for the plate and pushed it softly toward his stomach. “They won’t bite. My name is Hannah, by the way. Hannah Smith.”
He reached up to take the plate, if for no other reason than to make her leave, but the brush of her fingers had him jerking the plate away. He took a step back, crunching the Styrofoam sides. Thankfully, the macarons stayed put.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “I just wanted to apologize for yesterday again.” With her other hand, she held out a bag. “It’s a shirt. I wasn’t sure of the size, so there’s a gift receipt if you need to exchange it.”
She waited for him to say something—anything—but he didn’t. She just kept advancing, backing him slowly toward the wall behind him.
Suddenly, he stopped their twisted dance, knowing this would all end once he allowed her to apologize. “Okay, thanks.”
He took the bottom of the bag in his hand and turned away from her, his hands full of things he didn’t want. It had been a nice gesture, he realized, but it only reminded him of the previous day. Thoughts of paint on his body and her skin against his made him want to drop everything in his hands and run. But he forced himself to remain calm as he hurried to the conference room, not even stopping to drop off the things in his office.
“There you are,” Rueben said when Jason opened the door.
Jason looked down at the trash can by the door and decided to hold onto the plate and the bag a little longer—until he was in the privacy of his own office.
“I thought you were going to miss the interview with Hannah.”
He put his things on the table and sat in a chair far away from the two gifts. “Not a chance.” He froze as he replayed Rueben’s words in his mind. “Wait, Hannah ?”
“Yes, the interviewee's name. She should be here any minute.” Rueben nodded to the plate of cookies. “What are those? They look yummy.”
“The girl who threw paint on me brought me cookies and a new shirt. What was the interviewee’s last name?”
“The girl who splattered paint on you bought you a new shirt and made you cookies? She must’ve felt really bad.”
When Rueben’s attention stayed on the cookies, Jason reached for the plate and slid it over. “They’re yours if you want them.”
“I guess I’ll have to try baking something you will like then. Challenge accepted.”
He stiffened at the woman’s voice behind him. The paint-woman, Hannah, stood a few feet behind him, a wide smile on her face.
“Hello, my name is Hannah Smith. I’m here for the interview.”
No, this couldn’t be happening.
“Yes, please come in.” Rueben stood and shook her hand.
Jason stiffly rose to his feet as well and turned to the woman. When she held out her hand to him, he stared at it for a few seconds before gesturing to a chair—far across the table.
“Don’t mind him.” Rueben gave a belly laugh. “He never shakes my hand either. Please, take a seat,” he prompted as her gaze flitted between the two of them, probably wondering why a boss talked to his employee so casually.
“All right.” Letting her arm fall to her side, she nodded and crossed the room to sit in front of Rueben.
Jason’s cheeks burned as he returned to his seat. There were good and bad things about working for family, and letting others in on his private life was Grandpa’s downfall.
“That is the paint-girl,” he whispered under his breath to Rueben.
“You don’t say.” Rueben chuckled, a twinkle in his eye as he smiled at Hannah. “I like her already.”
Shoot. Why wouldn’t this woman go away? Jason grabbed the résumé Rueben had printed out for him and skimmed it while Rueben started the interview.
“So, you met Jason yesterday,” Rueben said.
Jason looked up from the paper and gave his grandpa an annoyed look.
“Oh, yes. It was a splashing good time.”
Rueben’s laughter echoed through the room. “I have to admit, it was hard to keep it together when he came running to his office, completely covered in orange paint. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but it was definitely a new look for him.”
“Gran—should we start?” Jason interrupted.
“Lighten up, son. It was an accident, and obviously the girl is sorry. She even made you cookies.”
“Lemon macarons,” she said brightly. “Why don’t you try one?” She gestured for Rueben to eat one, but she looked at Jason.
He hated being stuck in these situations. He stared across the thick, wooden table and was glad they had at least that much space between them. Rueben snatched up a cookie and popped the whole thing into his mouth. “Mmm,” he said, reaching for another. “These are delightful.”
“You think?” She winked. “My cake-batter ones are the best, but I’m out of ingredients for those. When I get some more, I’ll make you a whole batch.”
Rueben raised a thick eyebrow. “You’re hired.”
They both laughed while Jason just stared. Rueben nudged the plate in his direction again. “Go on, try one.”
Jason dropped the résumé to the table, unable to concentrate on the words anyway. He picked up a macaron and nibbled on the side. The soft, lemony cookie crumbled on his tongue and the icing melted against the roof of his mouth. It really was amazing. “Not bad,” he said honestly.
He put the mostly uneaten cookie back on the plate and picked up the résumé again. “Should we get started?”
Rueben shook his head. “Jason needs a little culture. That was one heck of a macaron. If you work half as well as you bake, we’re off to a great start. How about you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you think you’d be a good fit.”
“Well, honestly, I’m probably not going to be your best fit.”
Jason stared at her. Without the need to protest, she’d just ruined any chances of being hired.
“But I will work hard,” she said. “I like to say I’m a Jill of all trades. I’ve been a PE teacher, an artist—as you saw yesterday—a waitress, and a baker. You’ll see on my résumé that I’ve worked at a dozen places in the last few years and have many referrals.”
“Why so many?” Jason asked.
She laughed. “I guess because I’m so curious about life. Even though I haven’t stayed long at any particular job, I have good relationships with everyone I’ve worked with, and hopefully, they will assure you that I’m a worker worth hiring. I like experiencing new things, and I saw your flier for the job yesterday at the blood drive. It may take me a while to catch on, but I've always wanted to try an office job.”
Jason scoffed. Was this a joke to her? Rueben tapped Jason’s toe under the table, and Jason coughed and asked a question. “What skills do you have that might help you in an office position?”
“Well, I’m a whiz with a computer, having learned most of my office skills at other jobs. I learn quickly and am dependable. And I am a big people person. That’s probably my best quality.”
“Excellent,” Rueben said. “That’s actually exactly what we’re looking for, especially given that the person you’ll be working with is a bit of a porcupine.”
Hannah opened her mouth in surprise.
“Maybe I should preface this all by saying I am Jason’s grandpa.”
“Rueben,” Jason snapped.
“She’s going to find out anyway, and she has to know why I’m not acting like a normal boss.”
“Why aren’t you acting like a normal boss?” he asked through gritted teeth.
Rueben sighed. “Because I’m worried about my grandson. Without me here as a buffer, I’m worried he’s going to get raked over the coals. I need someone to understand a few things about him and stand by him when he’s struggling.”
“Grandpa, you didn’t say anything about this.”
“I know, but upper management is not going to take kindly to your inability to shake hands or connect with others. We need a warm, friendly person to help you learn the ropes. You were once a playful, light-hearted person, and I want to see you return to who you once were.”
“You’re overstepping as my boss. ”
“I know, and you can get me fired if you want. I only have a few months left. Maybe even less. Depends on how well you do.”
Jason swallowed down that fateful truth. In all honesty, his grandpa had protected him against certain responsibilities. But if he was leaving...
“As a grandpa, I’m showing concern as I should. She came into our lives at the perfect time, and I don’t believe in coincidences. I think someone like Hannah could help you.”
“Doctor Phillips said it’s a nerve issue,” Jason said.
“Pish. Only one of the doctors said that. Your main doctor, the specialist you see at this clinic, thinks differently. It’s neurological and something I know we can work through if you’re willing. Do you really want to be like this forever, unable to connect with people for fear of touching them?”
Hannah looked between the two of them, her eyebrows drawn in confusion.
“I guess I should explain a little bit about Jason before you agree to work with him.”
Jason glared at him. He wasn’t actually considering the woman, was he?
Rueben sighed. “Porcupines need hugs too. My grandson has always had issues with touching certain things. Sensory issues with clothes and certain textures. But as he got older, making skin-to-skin contact became painful for him.”
“Ah.” Understanding lit her eyes. “So that’s why you didn’t shake my hand.”
Jason shrank in his seat. He was never going to forgive his grandpa for this.
Rueben looked at him, and then at her again. “Yes. And he has trouble with the smallest touches. He needs someone who can help him navigate through this and can be understanding of his inabilities. I know this is not a typical office job, but that’s why I think you’re perfect for it. ”
“Grandpa, I can do this.”
His grandpa slapped the table. “Really? Well, then should I just retire today and you can take over? Would you like to manage interviews and meetings with doctors? Would you be fine with people coming in and out of your office all day instead of you hiding like a recluse? Should I tell the CEO you’re capable of everything I’ve been doing in your stead?”
Jason swallowed. When he said it like that, he seemed so incapable... and in front of Hannah.
“That’s what I thought. Hannah, what do you say? Will you be my grandson’s hands and help ease him into this position? It won’t be a forever position, mind you, just until he can find his bearings.”
Hannah looked down at the table, her eyebrows moving up and down in concentration.
Anger and... desperation trickled through Jason. Of course he didn’t want to be like this forever, but he hadn’t allowed himself to hope. With everything out on the table, he must seem like a sad sack to work for.
Hannah lifted her chin and stared right at him.
Please don’t take the job. You can’t help me.
She nodded once. “I... will do my best.”
His grandpa smiled broadly. “You’re hired, Hannah. When can you start?”
Jason slapped a hand on the table, causing his skin to buzz. “Wha—”
“Ah, I do have a bit of a scheduling issue,” she said, cutting him off.
So, there was still room to hope? Jason stretched back in his chair. “What’s that?”
“I’m a PE teacher and have certain hours I have to be at the school. Until the end of the year, I’ve committed to two hours in the morning, three days a week. Some days I may even have to work more if I have to sub for other classes. But I’m usually done by one or two, even if I have to work.”
Rueben nodded. “That’ll be all right. We’ll just pay you for the hours you log.” He stood and grabbed the plate of cookies. “If Jason doesn’t appreciate them. I’ll take them. I’ll leave you with Jason. Since you two will be working together, you’ll need to stay behind and work out a tentative schedule, at least for this week.”
“Wait, Rueben, you can’t be serious.”
“Back to calling me Rueben, I see.” He raised his bushy eyebrows. “Well, soon that won’t be an issue. Get feisty all you want, but you know you need someone’s help.”
Jason stood and came face-to-face with his boss. Rueben laid a hand on his shoulder, something he never did, and Jason focused on not flinching away.
“Son, it’s time to grow out of that shell you’ve built around yourself. I think Hannah is the key to making that happen. She’ll be a great addition to the office, and when I start laying more responsibilities on you, you’ll be glad you have someone you can trust.”
“I’m happy to help,” she said.
Jason turned his glare on her as Rueben took his plate of cookies and made a speedy exit.
No matter what, he was going to make sure that by the end of the next week, she’d be looking forward to another job—far away from his office.