20
PARKER
The entire building was quiet and dark. Not even Tom or David were in yet. I just had to pick up my laptop and I’d be off to get Haley. Before I left, however, I sat to check my voicemails. I’d left work early yesterday to do a bit of shopping. I picked up a gift for Haley, a diamond tennis bracelet. I also purchased a few new items of clothing and a beach towel, just in case she wanted to sit by the pool or lie in the sand. I was so excited, I’d almost neglected my duties.
But I was expecting a call from a source atTheExamineron a few small-scale presses that were going under. I was interested in buying them all up and turning them around. While it wasn’t dire for me to check in, it was something I was excited about, so I made the time. I had a half a dozen messages, most of them things I forwarded on to Tom to handle while I was gone. The last message, however, shocked me as I listened.
“Mr. Danvers, this is Prentice Tomlins from theGlobal Gazette. I’m calling to obtain a reference for Haley Spencer. Mr. Lee is looking seriously to hire her for our new international anchor position and we would like your honest opinion. I’ve sent an email over with some basic questions. If you could replyto that or give me a call, I’d appreciate it. The number can be located in my email signature. Thank you.”
The line beeped, the message over, but I sat there dumbfounded. Haley had applied to work at the Gazette? But she hadn’t said a thing to me about it. I was frustrated and instantly upset with her. I listened to the message at least three more times, then opened my computer and pulled up my email client to read the email from Ms. Tomlins. They were very serious about hiring her.
I heard the shuffling of feet and looked up to see Tom standing in my doorway looking half awake. “Did you know Haley applied at Global?” My question came out sounding more like an accusation, and Tom’s eyebrows rose.
“No, sir. I had no idea.” Eyebrows drawn in confusion, he pushed the door open farther and walked in. “What happened? Did she say something?” Tom sat across from me, and I rubbed my face, unable to think straight.
“No, I got a message from Global on my voicemail this morning that they want me to provide a reference for her. How could this have happened, Tom? We need her.” I wanted to rake someone over the coals and make them give me answers. I thought Haley was happy here. I sat back and thought about everything that had happened over the past few months.
“Sir, I don’t know. She never mentioned not being happy here, but you have to admit that a shot at working for Global for someone her age is pretty much a golden ticket. She’d be advancing in her career by leaps and bounds if she took a job with Lee.” Tom unbuttoned his coat and dropped his briefcase in the chair next to him.
He was right. There were far more opportunities for Haley at the Gazette than there were here. Not only was she topped out here as far as her position, but their reach was five times thatofThe Vine. She’d have a wider reader base and more influence thanThe Vinecould presently offer her.
“Goddammit, Tom!” I slammed my fist on the desk, shaking the paper cup of coffee I’d carried in with me. It was an outrage, thinking that Haley would leave the paper to work for that jerk, Richard Lee. She knew I hated him. I sat there and stewed, pinching the bridge of my nose, until I heard David’s voice in the hallway. My eyes snapped open, and I waited to see if he’d pass by my office, but he didn’t.
“Go get him,” I ordered, and Tom was on his feet in a matter of seconds. The newsroom lights came on and I saw staffers meandering in. I checked my watch. I was supposed to be at Haley’s house in fifteen minutes, but with traffic, I knew I’d be late for that now. Tom returned with a very flustered-looking David in tow. The two of them filed in and shut the door before I blew my top.
“You knew about this, didn’t you?” I stood, leaning over my desk and screaming at David. I knew the soundproof glass would keep my shouts contained, but the staff who were at work already would be able to see my red face and contorted features.
“Uh, Parker, please. I can explain.”
“Fuck’s sake, David. We run a tight ship around here. You tell me everything!” I shook my head so hard I thought I’d get whiplash. “What were you thinking, keeping something like this from me?”
“She asked me not to say anything. They called two weeks ago for a reference and I told them the truth. She’s amazing.” David loosened his tie, and I couldn’t help but think how ironic it was that he probably had only just tightened it before coming into the building. I’d use it to hang him if I could.
“David, this is ridiculous.” I was fuming mad, unable to sit down. I paced the back side of my office, occasionally growlingand running my hands through my hair. At least Haley wasn’t here to see my initial reaction.
“With all due respect, Parker, you brought this on yourself. If you weren’t involved with her romantically, we’d be able to toss another promotion or pay rise at her.” Tom had balls talking to me like that. I turned on him like a viper, ready to sink my teeth into him, but I saw his compassionate expression and hated myself.
“What the hell are we going to do!” I raked my hand through my hair again, smoothing the mess I’d made of it.
“Well, we have to work a different angle, maybe?” Tom clicked his tongue. “Imagine what Williams would say if he knew she was leaving after having gotten that bonus.”
I sank into my seat, speechless. This was why she’d asked me all those questions about my being okay with her living her life. She had known that long ago and she hadn’t told me. I was hurt, and it wasn’t because of the promotion not being appreciated, or the gift of the car. I would have done those things regardless.
I was hurt because I had told her honestly how I felt and she had hidden things from me. I thought we had something, that I meant something to her, but now I knew better. She was ready to trade up, and I wasn’t having it. If she wanted to play this game, we would take it to the mats.
“Give her the same deal Lee is giving her. That’s what we do.” I glared at David for a moment before turning to Tom.
“That’s insane, Parker. He will be paying her twice or three times what we pay her now.” Tom scowled at me and shook his head. “What will the entire staff think?”
“Keep it quiet. I don’t care. Damn the consequences, Green. She stays, or you go. Got that?” I pointed a finger at him. “If he gives her a corner office, you give her yours. Or mine. Hell, I don't care.”
“Parker, you're being irrational.” David chimed in where he should have remained silent. I was ready to unleash all my anger on him at a moment’s notice. “You’re making this decision because you have feelings for her. Just let her make her own decision.”
“Get out, Wright. Get out of my office now!” I stood as I began shouting. “Get out and don’t come back. If you show your face in here again today, you’re fired. Got that?”
I knew this was the reason I was considered a monster, and I didn’t care. “Out!”
David stood, shaking his head but not trembling like normal. He collected his hat, which he’d dropped on the way in, and shuffled out the door. I stood seething, my chest heaving as I leaned over the desk staring at Tom.
