Chapter 6 William
I scanned my work email inbox one more time.
No new messages. I wasn’t used to being so out of the loop.
I knew that Mr. Braithway wanted me to focus on Creekstone, but I hadn’t thought that he was serious about this being all he wanted me to do.
I had only been in Creekstone for a month, and my division had almost completely transitioned me off their projects.
Anytime I tried to jump in on an email thread to contribute or offer help, I would get a text message from Marla in the Atlanta office reminding me to stay in my lane.
My cellphone rang. I saw the name of my deputy division director, Meredith, pop up.
“Finally! Someone is calling me,” I said, sliding my finger across the smooth surface of my phone to answer.
“Meredith, how’s the Philly project shaping up?” I asked.
“Merry Christmas Eve to you, too!” Meredith’s voice came over the phone.
“Oh, right.” I looked at the date in the corner of my computer screen. It was Christmas Eve.
“Why are you on your computer right now?” Meredith asked.
“How do you know I’m on my laptop?” I looked around the studio apartment I’d been calling home for the last month, as if Meredith could see me.
“Your icon is green, showing you are active. And I just wanted to call and remind you to stop working and relax,” Meredith laughed. “It’s a holiday.”
“Well, what are you doing on your computer?” I asked, sitting back and taking a sip of whiskey.
“Well, little-known fact, my boss—which is you—has been commandeered for a bizarre side quest by our CEO, so now I’m stuck doing two people’s jobs.
So, I am checking my email to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
I need to check-in on the status of that waterfront development’s permit requests because my girlfriend, Addison, is dragging me to midnight Mass.
Luckily, I know that one of the city’s permit directors attends that church.
I might see him at Mass, so I want to know the status. ”
“Is your plan to try to cut in behind him in the communion line?” I laughed.
“Something like that,” Meredith retorted.
“That’s why we pay you the big bucks, Mer,” I chuckled. “I can’t think of anyone better for this project than you.”
“Where are you anyway?” Meredith asked.
“Atlanta adjacent,” I said between sips of whiskey.
“Where?”
“Exactly.”
“Sounds…swanky?” Meredith joked.
“Ugh, anything but. This town is lacking in pretty much every way possible. Really a hole in the wall.”
“Speaking of job promotions…” Meredith said with a laugh.
“Who was talking about job promotions?” I questioned playfully.
“Me,” Meredith said. “Everyone at the office seems to think the old man is finally going to give you the job.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” I said. Anytime anyone mentioned a potential promotion, I felt the familiar nervous sensation in my stomach.
“No, no. This humble version of you won’t do.
You’re not supposed to leave me alone in New York for nothing.
You’re supposed to move to Atlanta to accept the best job our company has to offer,” Meredith said without trying to hide her annoyance.
“What is this self-doubt? Don't tell me all the time and money you’ve spent on therapy and executive career coaching was a waste. My God, you could have bought a Mercedes with all the money you’ve spent on therapy. ”
“Well, Mer,” I started slowly. “Therapy wasn’t about winning a job.”
“Oh, right.” I can hear Meredith sigh on the other end. “Yes, yes. Right. Processing your grief and past traumas so you can make real connections with people and be less of a man-slut and thus have a more fulfilling future. Yes. That rings a bell.”
“I’m so touched, Meredith. You have been listening all this time,” I joked.
“Any chance you’re dating someone wherever you are?” Meredith asked.
“Nah, I’ve decided to take a little break from dating. Focus on this project. Give myself some time to get my life together before I get involved with anyone. Why?”
“Well, I think it would help with some of the gossip going around the break room. People are already acting like assholes about the potential leadership changes. Charles in real estate already made some shitty comment about how having a bachelor for a CEO means more women will try to sleep their way to the top of the company, and he’s even made snide remarks that some already have,” Meredith said with a slight edge to her voice.
She paused and said under her breath, “I don’t need that. ”
“You slept with Braithway? He’s in his 60’s, I think! The Silver Fox strikes again,” I joked, laughing.
“It’s not funny, William,” Meredith said seriously. “I’ve always loved hanging out with you and our friendship means a lot, but I don’t want people to think that I am where I am in my career because I sucked your dick when we were in grad school.”
I sat up and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Shit, Meredith. I think anyone who has ever met you knows that you are where you are because you’re a ruthless and relentless genius who is an absolute deal hound.
Not because of anything else. Charles is a dipshit.
He’s just jealous because you’re out there expanding airports, transforming waterfront properties, and brokering million-dollar deals.
None of that has anything to do with me. ”
I tried not to sound annoyed with Meredith, because it was Charles I was annoyed with.
I looked up at the ceiling as I added more gently, “I’m not trying to minimize your concerns.
They are valid. Women are treated unfairly in this business.
But in our case, it’s been almost a decade since we dated, and you’ve been with Addison for years now.
You don’t have to worry about those rumors.
Charles is just trying to get to you. I’m not going to do anything to perpetuate those rumors. ”
Meredith knew all of this but needed reassurance. I knew her concerns about her reputation were real, and I felt some regret that I could be part of a narrative that might hurt her.
I tried to lighten the mood. “So, Mer. What did you get Addison for Christmas? Something expensive since you’re working on Christmas Eve, I hope.”
“Are you drinking?” Meredith asked.
“Why would you ask that?” I looked at my phone to make sure my camera wasn’t on.
“You only call me Mer when you’re drinking. So, I hope it's an expensive whiskey, at least.” She took a deep breath like she was afraid to ask. “Are you spending the holiday alone?”
“No, of course not,” I lied.
“Okay, good. Because you know, you’re always welcome to spend holidays with Addison and me,” Meredith said softly.
“What? And start that rumor mill? Adopted by my co-workers? No thanks,” I playfully scoffed. Meredith laughed.
“Okay, I’ve got to go.” Meredith said. “Merry Christmas, William.”
“Merry Christmas to you, too.”
I watched my phone light up and then go dim as the call ended.
I sat back in my seat and thought more about my conversation with Meredith.
This was not my first ‘reality check’ conversation with Meredith, and it probably wouldn’t be my last. A lot of people didn’t like Meredith because she was so direct, but our friendship had been one of the only constants in my life since grad school.
Meredith’s top priority was her career. I respected that Meredith knew what she wanted and that she could get it on her own.
Meredith wanted the credit for getting to where she was in her career, rightfully so.
I hated the thought that people might think otherwise.
I knew what I needed to bounce back from this work funk.
I needed to eat real food. Rita had left me a note earlier this week letting me know that she, Kit, and all the other renters would be out of town until New Year’s.
She said she’d left some frozen dinners in the freezer for me if I wanted them.
I decided I needed to eat something more substantial than potato chips tonight.
I took the back staircase down to the kitchen, and while I was rummaging around in the freezer, I heard something in the front room. I thought I was in the house alone. I looked around for something to defend myself with in case it was a break-in. I picked up the rolling pin off the counter.
Maybe this was someone breaking into the house because they thought it would be empty due to holiday travel.
I quietly crept down the hallway, past the stairs, and into the foyer.
I could hear someone rustling the boxes under the Christmas tree.
I crept farther into the foyer and, before I could surprise the intruder, I heard gentle bells and then Mariah Carey singing about how she didn’t want much for Christmas.
I peeked around the corner and saw the back of Kit singing and dancing around the Christmas tree to Mariah Carey’s greatest hit.
I leaned against the doorway to the front room and crossed my arms in amusement.
She was really getting into it. Somewhere around the first key change at the bridge she twirled around, her eyes went wide, and she screamed as soon as she saw me.
I stood up and put my hands out. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she gasped. “You scared the shit out of me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. She was wearing a knee-length pajama shirt featuring a picture of The Grinch and mismatched socks pulled up to her knees.
Her hair, which was typically pulled back into a neat braid or bun, was in the messiest nest on the top of her head.
And I was a little too far away to see from where I was standing, but I’m pretty sure she was wearing a retainer.
“I’m sorry,” I said when I stopped laughing. “Rita told me everyone was going to be gone from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, so I thought I was alone. Aren’t you supposed to be at your dad’s?”