38. Marnie
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Marnie
I don’t know how long I’ve been awake. My mind has been running through all possible scenarios of how today’s conversation would play out. Different combinations of anger to disappointment to indifference replay in my head.
Knowing Irene, it could go any which way. I’m not sure which outcome I prefer, but I feel prepared for all possible fallouts.
Since I’m already awake, I get up a few minutes early and turn off the alarm I set the night before. No sense in waking up Caleb if I don’t have to—I know he has a big day today, too.
He was so excited to cook for me last night, and it was just what we both needed. Lounging around with a big bowl of clam chowder and enjoying a classic childhood movie was just what the doctor ordered.
Caleb told me about the phone call from his father yesterday, and how concerned he was about it. I hated the timing of it, because I wanted nothing more than to be there for him, but this was something I had to do today. I couldn’t wait another day.
On my way out, I give Caleb a quick kiss on the cheek, sending up a silent prayer for both of us to make it through today in one piece.
I don’t bother giving Irene a heads up before my arrival.
I called her executive assistant to ask if she had any meetings on her calendar for today before I booked my ferry reservation, and then I asked a favor to not put anything on her schedule for this morning.
He’s going to receive a hand-delivered lunch from the nicest restaurants in the city for the next week for his troubles.
The familiar halls feel different now. I take my time finding Irene’s office, knowing this is the last time I will find myself in the staff wing, maybe even this entire building.
The door to her office is open, and I stroll in without bothering to knock.
“Marnie.” Her tone is surprised, but she recovers quickly. For the first time since I’ve known Irene, I’ve caught her off guard, and I take advantage of having the upper hand for once.
“Irene,” I reply, channeling her usual tone when addressing me. “We have some things to discuss.”
She doesn’t say anything, instead opting to flick her eyes down to the empty chair for me to take a seat.
I hold her gaze longer than needed before I sit down, never breaking eye contact. “I’ve come to tell you that I’m resigning.”
She eyes me curiously. “I assume you saw the press release, then.”
“I did, no thanks to you. I suppose congratulations are in order. Taking credit for my exhibits was a nice touch.”
“Well, seeing as I’m your direct supervisor and I assisted you on each of those exhibits in some capacity, I’d say I deserved to receive credit.”
“I’m resigning,” I repeat.
“You’re resigning from a job that won’t exist in a few weeks. Whoever they hire to replace me will bring in their own team of interns.”
“I know,” I reply flatly. “That doesn’t change my decision. As soon as I finish my obligations to Josie and the exhibit unveils next week, you and I are done.”
“And why did you feel inclined to travel all the way here to tell me this?”
“So that it will go on record as to why I am resigning.”
Her eyes narrow. “You ended up taking the position with Josie?”
“No. I realized that I don’t ever want to work for someone like you again, and I don’t belong in such a toxic environment. So, I suppose I should thank you for sending me away this summer to discover that.”
“Don’t thank me. John recommended you for that role. I thought you’d be thrilled, but instead you acted like it was the worst thing in the world.”
“I want to know why.”
“Why what?”
“Why did you do all of this? Sending me away for the summer, pitting me and John against one another when you knew you were leaving, everything.”
She folds her arms and leans back in her chair. “At the start of the summer, I had no idea who I’d be taking with me. I thought it would be you. This summer was going to be your chance to prove it to me.”
“What made you change your mind?”
“You weren’t checking in with me or updating me like you normally do, and I had to find out for myself if there was a reason.”
A memory replays in my head. A flash of blond hair scurrying across the street as I exited Wicked Brews. “I knew it,” I whisper to myself. “You sent John to spy on me?”
She shrugs, “I had an inkling that you weren’t all in and I couldn’t take someone with me who I couldn’t trust. The day you called to get my RSVP for the unveiling and told me you were interested in staying and working for Josie only solidified my suspicions. I reward loyalty, Marnie.”
“How can you say that? Loyalty goes both ways.”
“I’ve always had your best interest at heart. Even if you never showed your appreciation for it.”
Anger bubbles inside me. “You’ve never had my best interest at heart. Not once. You say that loyalty is always rewarded . . . have I not been loyal to you for the past two years?” I half-shout, exasperated.
Her silence is all the confirmation I need.
There’s one more thing I need to know before I leave.
One more answer so I can get my closure and put this entire ordeal behind me.
“If you had made up your mind about taking John with you during our last phone call, then why couldn’t you have let me know so I could apply for the opening with Josie? ”
“The thought never crossed my mind. It wasn’t like you were ever going to get that job.”
I’ve heard enough. My body is pushing up and out of the chair before I realize it’s happening. I’m looking down at her now, this role reversal shifting the power over to me.
“You know what, Irene? I feel sorry for you.” I take a few steps toward the door when she calls out after me.
“Don’t feel sorry for me.” Disdain rolls off her tongue. “Do I not deserve this?”
I pause in her doorway, looking back slowly to take in one last look at the office I’ve come to know so well.
At the person I once considered a mentor and role model.
“Yes, you do,” I answer honestly. “You deserve everything you want in life, and I sincerely hope you get it. I just hope it’s worth the cost of getting there. ”
With that, I turn around, and this time, I don’t look back.
I pull out my phone to tell Caleb that it’s done, and he replies immediately, telling me how proud he is of me. He’s leaving to meet his dad soon, and I reassure him that no matter the outcome, I’ll always be there for him.
My thumb swipes out of the chat with Caleb and opens the one with Gwen to let her know my arrival time. I slip my phone back into my pocket and let out a small laugh of relief. It’s over. It’s finally over.
I feel liberated.
The weight has lifted from my shoulders, and I can finally breathe.
At the restaurant, I spot Gwen immediately, and she already has a table and a drink waiting for me.
This is the best hibachi spot in the city, with huge portion sizes and unbeatable lunch specials.
We used to come here every Friday during undergrad and we’d take home enough leftovers to last us the entire weekend.
I shrug off my thin sweater and pull her into a tight hug. Talking on the phone for the past several months isn’t the same as being face-to-face, and I’ve taken this for granted. When we pull apart, I take my seat opposite her, and she slides a glass in my direction.
A Dark ’n’ Stormy.
The gesture pulls an unexpected, much-needed laugh from me.
She smiles widely. “Thought we could give this drink a do-over. And it still seemed fitting given the circumstances.”
We clink our glasses together and place our orders when the waitress stops by. I catch her up on everything that went down with Irene until our food arrives.
“Damn, that’s crazy. I can’t believe she lied to you for the entire summer.” Gwen’s mouth drops into a frown. “So, you’re officially gone?”
“Yeah,” I mutter, my expression turning somber. “Even with Irene leaving, I can’t stay there. I need a clean break. If I’m going to be on the job hunt, I’d rather do it from a beautiful island.”
“I’m not judging your decision. I would’ve done the same thing if I were in your shoes. I’m just really going to miss you.”
I set my fork down and reach across to take her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll only be a ferry ride away. Until you earn yourself a big, fancy promotion. Then I’ll just take a plane wherever you end up.”
Gwen smiles at that.
“Are you still coming to the unveiling?” I ask between bites.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Are you kidding? I’ve had a countdown on my fridge since you first told me the date. I’ll be there,” she promises. “Do you still need me to come early?”
“Please,” I practically beg. “I’m probably going to be a nervous wreck. I still need my best friend there with me for this unveiling. Just like old times.”
I give her a quick rundown of the schedule and where I need her assistance.
“Irene’s not going, right?” she asks, eyeing me over her glass.
A snort escapes my mouth. “She didn’t even put it on her calendar. I checked when I spoke to her assistant a few days ago.”
Gwen rolls her eyes. “I would say I’m surprised, but after everything you’ve just told me, that checks out. How the hell did it get to this point?”
“No idea.” I shake my head. “I’m just glad I’m getting out now.” I take a long sip of my drink, eyes flicking between hers. “What?”
“You look . . . different,” she gestures to me. “It’s good. I think spending the summer on the island has changed you.” The corner of her mouth tugs up. “Or rather someone on the island.”
My cheeks heat, a combination of the alcohol and her insinuation.
“Tell me more about your hot contractor.” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “What happened with you two after we last spoke?”
Unlike Linny, Gwen wants to hear all the details.
I spend the remainder of lunch filling her in, only leaving out a few details that are not appropriate for a public setting. She even wants to hear about my friendships with Linny and Parker.
“Wow,” she shakes her head dramatically. “One summer away from me and you’ve already traded up for a new blonde best friend. Trying to replace me?”
“I couldn’t get rid of you if I tried,” I tease.
Outside the restaurant, I pull her in for another hug, this one tighter and longer than before. “Oh, Marnie, don’t get all sappy on me now,” she laughs into my hair. “I’ll see you in, like, a week.”
I wipe away the tears before they have the chance to fall. “See you soon.”
After lunch, I send Caleb a text to let him know that I’m trying to catch an earlier ferry, and he replies that he just got to his dad’s house. I wish him luck and tell him that I can’t wait to see him, so that even if it’s a disaster, he can have something to look forward to.
The drive to the port at Woods Hole is smooth sailing until I hit the Friday afternoon traffic going over the Bourne Bridge. Thankfully, I was still able to make it onto a ferry earlier than intended.
I’m one of the last cars to board, but the deck is mostly empty when I finish climbing the stairs to the outdoor seating area. The familiar foghorn blares overhead, announcing our departure from port. In the distance, the tiny slip of land I’ve called home for the past four months comes into view.
I think back to my last ferry ride over to the island. The day this adventure started.
At the time, I couldn’t quite name the feeling I had that day on the deck looking out over the water and taking in the salt air. Now, I know exactly what it was. It was the island calling to me—leading me home.