4. Hannah
4
Hannah
A porcupine was the perfect description of her new boss. He wasn’t mean, per se, but he was prickly. Hannah usually got along with everyone, but the first week under Jason’s watchful eyes proved to be the most challenging job she’d ever taken, and that included the call center where her boss forced her to stare at a screen and only allowed her to talk to her coworkers on scheduled breaks.
Jason grunted at every assignment he wanted done, and kept her far from his office most times of the day, which was perfectly fine with her. The jobs he tasked her with were so mind-numbingly menial, she wasn’t sure why she’d even been hired. Surely, he could’ve made copies, run errands, and looked over files for any discrepancies.
She’d said as much to Rueben at the end of the first day. “I’m not sure what I am even supposed to help him with. He barely lets me stick around him.”
“That’s because I am still here, doing what he’ll soon be doing. We’re giving him some time to warm up to you. Just do what he says for now, and soon, really soon, I’m sure he’ll be needing you more and you’ll see exactly how you can help him.”
Thankfully, the other receptionists made her life bearable. All the women in the office were friendly to her, especially Brandy. She was motherly and seemed especially interested in making sure Hannah was successful at her job.
“You doing okay?” Brandy asked as Hannah pored over medical records, making sure everything was accurate. In the last hour, she’d only had to change one address and three phone numbers.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“I know he’s a little prickly, but Jason is really one of the most respected men in this building. He’s efficient and”—she lowered her voice—“he backs us up when we have fussy clients. You’ll be grateful for him if he ever comes to your rescue.” Brandy winked and glanced at his office, where he stayed most hours of the day, especially when Hannah was there.
Hannah raised an eyebrow. “Well, that may be for people he likes, but I think I ruined everything the day I splattered him with paint. He looks at me like I’m a bug.”
Brandy patted her on the shoulder. “He just doesn’t like to be touched, by anything or anyone. But that might change one day.”
She raised an eyebrow. Did everyone know about his issue? It wasn’t her place to talk about Jason’s weaknesses or what she had been hired to do. Which... she still wasn’t positive what her responsibilities were. Right now, it just seemed like every other office job. She pulled away from the desk and stretched. “I need a break.”
“It’ll get better soon. Don’t give up.” Brandy patted Hannah’s shoulder again and returned to her desk.
Oh, she wasn’t going to give up. She didn’t give up on anything until she’d mastered it. And to do that, she needed Rueben’s help.
After searching the floor for him, she found him outside an office, munching away on the fresh cake-batter macarons she’d given him that morning.
“Aha,” she said, “you’re caught.”
He nearly dropped the plate of cookies. “Good gracious, I almost spilled my lunch.”
She giggled and sat in a chair across from him. “Do you like the cake-batter ones better than the lemon ones?”
“Mmm,” he said, stuffing another one in his mouth. “These are divine. You should go into the baking business. I would buy these in a heartbeat.”
“Nah, it would take the fun right out of it. I like to bake for others as a service.”
“Well, I’m glad we hired you.”
She laughed to herself and looked down at her hands. “Speaking of that, I don’t think I’m doing such a good job.”
“That can’t be. Jason hasn’t said anything.”
She lifted her head. Well, that was surprising. “I know we talked about this the other day, but it hasn’t gotten better. He wants nothing to do with me. I try to help him, but he gives me assignments that are far away from his office.”
Rueben nodded. “That’s to be expected. He’s very careful not to touch anything or anyone. It’s overstimulating for him.”
Complete polar opposites. “Are you sure I’m the right one for the job?”
Rueben put the plate of cookies aside and sat up in his chair. “I do. A perfect fit, even. He needs someone to push him, break him out of his box. I think you’re the most qualified to do that. You’re cheerful and positive, and you get along with everyone.”
“Except him,” she muttered. “Maybe he needs a therapist. ”
“He has one.” Rueben sighed. “We’ve been down every avenue, which is why I’m taking a different approach. I know it’s unorthodox, but please bear with him. As soon as you earn his trust, he’ll start to rely on you. And believe me, when I retire, he’ll need someone to lean on.”
She nodded, determined to keep going, regardless of whether Jason wanted her there or not. “You can count on me.”
“Attagirl. Now, tell me, have you ever tried to make raspberry macarons?”
Hannah grinned. “Of course. I’ll save them as a retirement present.”
He grinned. “You’re on.”
After a blissful weekend and a few classes at the school, Hannah dragged herself to work Monday afternoon. Hannah stared at Jason’s office door, willing herself to go in. After having a few days off, she hadn’t wanted to return, but there she was. The next four hours would snail by, but she was no quitter. She inhaled deeply, then knocked on the door.
“Enter,” Jason called to her.
She inhaled deeply and then gasped as she stepped inside and saw a tiny desk that nearly blocked the door. “What is this?” She reached out and skimmed her fingers along the top of the desk, relishing its cool touch.
Jason’s eyebrows drew together as he stared at his computer screen, not even bothering to glance her way. “What does it look like? Rueben said you needed to be nearby, so he found this ancient thing in some storage closet. And here it is. You are to work in here from now on. Not that I get much of a say in the matter.” He mumbled that last part.
Anger bubbled in her chest. All this time, she had been asked to set up at a temporary space, far away from his office, and now Rueben was forcing them together. She wasn’t even sure if Jason’s grandpa was sane at this point. Jason hated her, and she still wasn’t sure why.
“Have I done something wrong?”
He gave her a puzzled expression. “Excuse me?”
If she was going to spend the next few hours, weeks, months—however long it took her to learn what she needed to from the job—she needed to clear the air.
“Look, I’m really sorry about the shirt. If you want, I can get a better looking one.”
“I have moved on from that . . . incident.”
Clearly, he hadn’t. “Really? Because it seems like you’re mad at me. Have I done something? Said something?”
He sighed and stood up. As usual, he wore a button-up shirt, tie, and khakis. Unlike many in the office, his dress code was always professional. And if he wasn’t such a stick-in-the-mud, he would be exactly the type of man she was interested in. Handsome and put together. Well, that was until he opened his mouth.
“Do you think this is right? That your boss is forcing you into this? It just makes you angry, and I am the target of that anger.”
He stared at her for a long minute. Then he dropped his shoulders. “No, I don’t think this is the best idea, but I respect my grandpa. Until he says otherwise, you will remain in here... by me.”
He involuntarily shivered as he added the last part.
“Okay.”
“And I’ll be giving you more responsibilities.” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, completely messing it up. “It seems Rueben is ready to hand me his job in a few months. I’ll be training nonstop and will need you to be prepared to help out. ”
“Yes, sir.”
He gave her a once-over before returning his attention to his computer. Turning her back to him, she stowed away her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk and then tapped her fingers on its cool surface as she waited for instructions.
“I put a list of the new responsibilities you’ll have in the first drawer.”
She opened it and found a packet full of information. On top was a one-page, handwritten list of bulleted items, single-spaced, microscopic font. She gulped and skimmed the list.
“You’ll check in with me at the beginning of each day and before you leave. You’ll arrange any meetings I have, make calls to set up any interviews, and be in charge of all documents. You’ll be my eyes and ears for the office as well and will need to organize any comments or complaints in order of pertinence.”
She nodded. “Where should I start first?”
“You’ll start by studying. When you’re done, there are step-by-step tutorials to walk you through the online scheduling system. Everything you need to know is in the packet—how to access documents, how to arrange appointments, everything. The laptop in the second drawer is yours to use while here. Since Rueben is insistent that you stay near me, you’ll be doing it in here.” Then he added, “Silently.”
Studying was a cinch. “Got it.”
After setting up her laptop and logging into the system, she opened her drawer and grabbed the first highlighter she saw. She started on page one of the packet and inwardly groaned at the small print. It was going to be a long day.
Time moved slowly as she sat as still as she could at the desk. It was nearly impossible. Even her teachers in school had reprimanded her for her constant tapping, talking, and excessive movement. But somehow, the hours passed with only a few scathing looks shot in her direction. The information was helpful but dull as dirt.
When Jason finally stood up and excused her at the end of the day, she nearly ran from the office. Once outside, she yawned loudly and stretched her arms. “Thank the heavens that’s over.” If she had to do that every day, maybe quitting wasn’t such a bad idea.
Rueben’s warning not to give up flashed through her mind like a speeding truck. No, she had to do this. Somehow. Jason needed her, and until he learned to trust her, she wasn’t giving in.