“It’s … many things, sir. I, erm, I think it’s time I moved on. You know, we did say this was only going to be a trial run, and it’s not working. It’s really not working for me, and Rex is a great lawyer.”
“But he’s a lousy guy, and a shit boss,” Frank said, sighing.
She was tired of going home at night and before sleeping, crying. It wasn’t how life was supposed to be. “I love this company, Frank, really I do. I loved working for you, and I love the law, but I’ve got to move on, and I don’t want you to think that I’m ungrateful. I’m not. I really am.”
“If you were still working for me, would you have considered leaving?”
Nora paused and stared at him. Tears filled her eyes as she felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. “I don’t feel comfortable here.”
“I’ve got my answer, honey. This is something that you really need to do?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yeah, it is.”
“Then you’ve got to do it. I’m not going to hold you back. Please know that I will do anything to keep you here. All I ask is that on your interview, you keep our practice strictly confidential.”
“I wouldn’t tell them anything, sir. I promise.”
“I know you won’t.” He sighed again, and stood. “I hope you don’t leave, I really do. Take the interview tomorrow. I can see it’s what you really want to do, and then we’ll talk afterward okay?”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
He moved from behind his desk, and walked toward her. Within seconds he had embraced her in a hug. “I hope you don’t think this is inappropriate. Lidia wants to know when you’re coming for dinner.” Lidia and Frank hadn’t been able to have kids, and his work had taken all of his spare time. She knew the two considered her more of a daughter than a friend. They were wonderful people, and she loved them both.
She chuckled. “It’s fine. You’re the one that found me and gave me this chance. I don’t know if I’ll ever leave unless you fire me, but it’s just something I need to do.”
“I know. Right, what are you doing now?” he asked.
“I’m heading home. Rex said I could finish my work, and head out, so I’m going to do that.”
“Come in tomorrow. Don’t mention anything to Rex. I’ll deal with him. Wear your hair down, and stay calm. You know everything that you need to know about everything. You’re a hard worker, and what you don’t know, you can learn on the job.”
“I will do. Erm, there’s a problem. If I do decide to go, Rex wasn’t exactly forthcoming on if he’d give me a good reference. You know, he thinks I sent him to the wrong places on purpose, which I didn’t.”
Frank held his hand up, silencing her.
“Honey, you’ll get a fantastic one off me. You’ve put up with Rex, and for that, you’ve earned your right to a damn good one. Besides, you showed me what had gone wrong while having a complete meltdown, remember? Not only that, you went to Larry Peterson in person, and pleaded Rex’s case, and gave him every possible reason why he should take Rex as the lead for his case. You made a mistake, but you fixed it.”
“Thank you, Frank. I really mean it. You’ve been amazing.” She hugged him back. Her feelings for Frank were that of a mentor, and in the back of her mind, kind of like a grandfather. She would love to have had him as her grandfather. He was wise beyond his years, kind, and yet lethal when he needed to be.
She pulled away and left his office. Her heart was aching as this was really her home for so long. The people here, they appreciated her, even if her own direct boss didn’t.
On the way out of the building, Carl cornered her and asked for her assistance. He had been having such a hard streak lately that she refused to ignore his cry for help. Leaving early was not an option, especially when she could support someone. Entering his office, she sat down, and began to work with him.
****
Rex finished his phone call, and looked at the sandwich on his desk. Nora had placed it there five minutes ago, and he had asked her to join him. What the fuck was up with that? What made it even more worse, she had told him she had other plans. Plans that didn’t include staying in the office, and now he was pissed. He was making himself look like a fucking idiot, and once again, he didn’t know why. Nora was not the most beautiful girl in the world.