Chapter 5
Five
Angela was more nervous than she had been in a long time.
She had on her best suit and heels as she sat in the reception area, clutching her briefcase.
She looked far in the distance in the reflective wall.
She looked decent; her hair in a bun, perfect make-up.
It was important to make a good first impression.
She had been so preoccupied looking at herself, she hadn’t noticed Christine Thompson walking over to greet her.
“Hi. Are you Angela?” she asked, completely surprising her.
“Yes. Yes. I’m sorry. I wasn’t...”
Nice first impression.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Christine.” She smiled as they shook hands.
She was a plump lady in her mid forties with a sleek bob and trendy cat eye glasses. Angela was surprised at how nervous she found herself. It had been a while since she had been on an interview.
“Come right in my office.”
Angela followed her closely.
“Did you find the place all right?”
“I did.”
They both took a seat.
Angela took out her folder containing extra CVs and a few reference letters.
“Did you have a chance to look at our web site?”
“I did. I learned so much.”
“So, you are quite familiar with the foundation?”
“Yes. I was before but even more so now.”
“As you know the foundation’s primary objective is to raise awareness and funds towards treatment and finding a cure.
Our volunteers work on and organize all kinds of charitable functions; walkathons, fundraisers, various programs through schools and communities – our goal; always striving for better community involvement and awareness. ”
Angela focused on every single word.
“I see from your resume, you have marketing experience...” Christine said as she browsed her CV. “...experience working with people and fundraising,” she continued. “Your resume is quite detailed,” she observed as she flipped through the pages.
Angela realized that a CV should be one page and not two, but she hadn’t been able to condense it. “I’m sorry. I just really wanted to express how much each position has affected me and changed me.”
“It’s all right. It’s a fine resume.” Christine assured her with a smile. “Well, I can tell you; you come highly recommended. Michael expressed great appreciation for you.”
Angela’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “That’s...nice. He is a very nice man.” Angela chose not to elaborate as she wondered if Christine could see right through her.
“Nice. Yes. He’s a sweetheart. He has done so much for the foundation. I’ve known him for years.” She shifted in her seat as she looked through the resume and made some notes.
“You’re a friend of his mother’s?” she asked Angela.
“Umm...yes.” Angela smiled at the thought.
“God bless. I’ve met his mother. She’s a sweetheart too,” she said, smiling.
Angela felt herself loosen up a little. This lady was quite nice. There was no reason to be intimidated.
“I’ll turn the tables on you and let you ask me a few questions?” Christine told her but she didn’t know what that statement would entail. Angela had many questions.
A little over an hour later, after many questions and answers and much talk, they parted ways with smiles. Angela stepped out on a high; she had a good feeling.
As she drove back home, in high spirits, she wondered how Robert would take the news if she were to get the job.
Would he understand? This job would be an adjustment for her.
She would have to give up her play-dates with Madison.
She would also have to stop her reading sessions with Dot if she was working full-time.
Would Dot understand? Maybe they could meet up on the weekend.
Would this be goodbye for Dot and Michael?
She couldn’t bare the thought. As irritating as Dot could sometimes be, she held a special place in her heart.
She enjoyed the silly banter and romance stories they shared.
And Michael; she would miss everything about him.
Christine had said he had great appreciation for her.
She was warmed by the thought; he appreciated her.
She appreciated him; very much so. But then, she thought about it for a second.
It hadn’t occurred to her; how did Christine know she knew Michael?
There were no references to Michael in her application.
That damn Michael; he just had to get involved, didn’t he.
She told him she wanted to get this on her own. Did he not think she could?
The following Monday, Angela spent her morning with Madison; they had lunch at the play centre; hot dogs and pizza; not the most nutritional lunch.
Madison wasn’t feeling too well; she barely had a bite.
Angela thought she might be coming down with the flu.
She decided to take her home. As she was leaving, she realized she was running late for her weekly meeting with Dot.
Before she handed her to her grandmother, she gave her a little kiss on her cheek.
“Bye-bye little cutie,” she bounced her a bit in her arms which did not ease her crankiness.
“Why are you so grumpy?” she asked, not expecting an answer but she got one; all over her shirt. She could feel the warmth tricking down. Thankfully, Madison had missed her legs and feet.
“Oh my...let me get you a cloth.” Madison’s grandmother ran to the kitchen.
Angela’s first instinct was to hold her at arm’s length, letting the vomit drip down on the floor. Madison was smiling.
“At least she’s happy now.” She put her down and went to the kitchen.
“I’ll give her a bath. You wash up,” Madison’s grandmother urged as she grabbed the tot carefully, her face wincing in disgust.
Angela’s shirt smelled of sour milk. She was running really late, she didn’t have the time to go home and put on a new shirt. A quick clean up job would have to do.
On her way to Dot’s, Angela was quite content; she had the feeling she was making a difference, a difference in a single person’s life but it was still something.
When she had first met her, Dot was a miserable woman.
Since, she had morphed into a happy semi-normal individual.
She wasn’t sure if that was a result of their ‘friendship’ but she hoped it was.
But... she wasn’t so happy about Michael; how dare he put his big nose in her business, yet again.
She would definitely have a little talk with him.
When she got there, Ellie let her in. It was another nice day and she could smell the fresh flowers.
She suddenly had the urge to go running into the garden.
Ellie led her to the study and offered her coffee.
Angela asked her if she had any tea, by chance.
Ellie quickly obliged. She was making herself a little more comfortable at the Bowman Estates.
All was good until twenty minutes had passed, and still no Dot.
She finished her tea. Ellie came in just as she was getting up to leave.
“I’m sorry. I can’t find her anywhere,” she apologized. “I’ll go ask Michael if he knows where she is.” She hurried off.
Angela sat there staring out the window. A beautiful day; the garden looked as inviting as ever. Maybe Dot is ill, she thought.
Michael startled her when he came in.
“Hi, Angela,” he greeted her with a smile, wearing faded jeans and a white T-shirt.
“Oh, Hi, Michael,” she said as she got up from her chair.
He gave her a funny look. “You have something on your shirt,” he said, pointing at her shoulder.
She looked down.
“Oh... I think that’s… vomit,” she said, mortified.
“That’s disgusting,” he said, laughing. “I don’t even want you to explain,” he joked.
“It’s my Goddaughter. I was with her just before I came here and she was sick.”
“Come with me,” he told her.
He walked her over to the closest powder room.
“She must keep you busy. I miss those days… vomit and all.”
“They’re worth every second, aren’t they?” she said, dabbing at her shoulder with a wet cloth.
“They are,” he readily agreed.
She guessed he was a good father to his kids. He had such a caring manner and doting personality.
“Actually…you wait here,” he told her and sprinted off.
She waited. The idle time took her back to her angry thoughts. She told herself she would stand up to him as soon as he came back.
He came back with a white T-shirt, identical to the one he was wearing.
“Put this on,” he instructed and waited outside the powder room as she did.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” she said, coming out of the room.
He laughed at the sight of her; she was swimming in his t-shirt.
“It’s a little big,” she said, looking at herself.
“Don’t you say?” He smiled again; she sure had a way of entertaining him.
“Talk to me about what?” he asked.
“Well, I had the interview with Christine Thompson.”
“Oh great! How’d it go?”
“Don’t act so surprised. You probably know it went well.”
“Really?! How?” He acted clueless.
“She mentioned you, Michael. I know you talked to her,” she said accusingly.
He knew she wasn’t impressed.
“Mister Big-Shot just had to stick his nose in it, didn’t he?”
He just looked at her; didn’t say a word.
“It must be nice to always get what you want. You just lift your little finger and everyone does what you ask them to.”
“Pretty much,” he said, without the slightest hint of modesty.
“Oh, you are so cocky.”
He just smiled at that, making her blood boil in the process. She literally just wanted to punch him in the face.
“And, it’s not attractive at all, just so you know.”
“It’s not?” He smiled.
She was lying and she knew it.
“It actually wasn’t like that at all, Angela. I didn’t ask her for anything. I just mentioned that you were going to apply – to keep an eye out. I told her I thought you were great.”
As mad as she was at him, she loved hearing those words come out of his mouth. He thought she was great. She thought he was great too - with the exception of his occasional arrogance, which was starting to completely get on her nerves.
“So you’re not taking the job if you get it?” he asked with a hint of a smile.