She laughed and started to say more, but hesitated when she heard someone talking to him in the background.
“Ah,mo leannan, I need to go. Talk later?”
“Yep. Later, Hollywood.” She hung up, feeling much better.
Alex spent the evening adding travel details to her own calendar entries. Hopefully Fin would spot an opportunity she didn’t.
Alex finishedher notes on the resume she’d been reviewing and stood up to stretch. The Houston office was quiet this week because of the Thanksgiving holidays. While the U.S. offices closed for the two-day holiday—and many used saved vacation days to take the entire week off—the global users supported by her team were still working. Her team took turns alternating who was off each holiday, so someone was always available. Alex had volunteered months ago to cover this week, and appreciated the quiet time it gave her to develop her plans for the new department.
She picked up the next resume. Both Alex and Frank were excited at the number of responses to her internal job posting for positions in the new PMO. When a company could promote from within, things generally worked well for all parties. Valued resources stayed within the company, and employees loved having new opportunities in a known environment. A direct bonus for her was that the most qualified applicants were spread out, giving them the desired geographical coverage for the PMO office.
The downside was she would spend a large part of her time in the next few months traveling for interviews. She was calling it her “world tour,” and the company travel department was already working on an itinerary. Alex expected to have something back from them in the next two days.
Her cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She smiled when Eddie’s name popped up on the screen.
“Hey, Eddie. What’s up?”
“Alex, your mother just showed up at your house. Were you expecting her? I ask because you normally give me a heads up and tell me it’s okay to allow people in your place.”
“What? Um, no, I wasn’t expecting her. And yes, please let her inside. I’ll call her and see what’s going on. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate you looking out for me.”
“No problem, kiddo. Talk soon.”
Alex disconnected with Eddie, but hesitated before calling her mother. Her parents lived 500 miles away, which meant either a nine-hour drive or an hour-plus airplane ride. Aside from that, Debra Tanner never showed up unannounced. She considered it rude and bad manners. Something was definitely up.
Alex reviewed her agenda for the day. She had no meetings scheduled, and everything on the to do list was waiting on someone else. She blocked off her calendar and forwarded her desk phone to her cell in case anything urgent arose, then gathered her stuff and left.
She arrived home in record time.If only everyday traffic was as minimal as holiday traffic, she thought as she pulled her laptop bag from the car. She took a steadying breath and mentally prepared as she walked toward her back door.
“Mom?” she called as she walked in the door.
“In the kitchen, dear.”
Alex set her stuff on the desk in her living room, then walked to the kitchen to give her mother a quick peck on the cheek. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay? Is Dad okay?”
“Yes, yes, everything’s fine back home. I’m making tamales for dinner. Do you want red sauce or green?”
“Red. I didn’t see your car in the carport. Did you fly in this morning? Also, you don’t have to cook for me.”
“I understand I don’t have to cook, but I enjoy doing it. I flew in and took one of those rideshare thingies where they pick you up and drive you. A nice young man gave me a ride. I tipped him generously. He’s in college and driving is how he pays for his tuition and books.”
Alex laughed. While she couldn’t believe her mom actually knew what ridesharing was, much less had used the service, it did not surprise her at all that her mother had learned everything about the driver during the ride.
“Mom, why are you here? And are you staying for Thanksgiving? What about Dad?”
Debra squared her shoulders and placed the wooden spoon she held in the spoon rest on the counter. “I’m working with our county agent this year and offered to meet with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committee for our 4-H group, so that gave me an excuse to fly to Houston. I met with them this morning before driving here, by the way.” She paused and cleared her throat before continuing, “But the reason I came in person instead of meeting them over the phone is to see you. I’ve beenreadingabout you more than I’ve been talking to you on the phone. I decided that was crap and I needed to fix it.”
Alex ducked her head and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Mom, I’m sorry. You’re right, I haven’t called as often as I should. It’s been crazy at work—”
“No,” Debra interrupted her, “I didn’t say that to make you feel guilty. I was explaining why I came. I want to have some mother-daughter time so we can enjoy each other and get to know each other again. We never talk like we used to, and I miss it.” She picked up the spoon again and stirred the sauce. “I hope I didn’t come at a bad time. I would have called, but I was afraid you’d blow me off again.” Debra stared intently into the pan, her posture rigid as she waited for Alex’s response.
Alex took in her mother’s body language and sighed. “That’s fair. I probably would have told you I’m too busy. But the truth is, now is a good time since the office is slow this week. And my friends have recently pointed out that I don’t make enough time for me or the people in my life. So, yeah, you’ve come at a good time and I’m glad you’re here.”
Debra laid the spoon on the counter and pulled Alex in for a hug. She gripped her tight and Alex returned the hug, holding on until Debra moved away, wiping her eyes.
“Those onions get me every time.”
They laughed together. Alex slipped off her jacket. “Let me go change and I’ll help.”
