the oversized insulated bag I kept for just this reason.
We walked to the park that was already bustling with kids in the neighborhood. The first real spring Saturday always brought out the crowds. We were all craving sunshine. It took a few minutes to find Joss and Caitlyn.
Joss had a blanket spread out. “This is prime real estate,” she joked. “I hoped to get a bench or a picnic table, but they were all spoken for.”
I put the bag down and settled in next to her on the blanket. The kids were already off and climbing things. “I brought plenty of snacks,” I said.
“I brought some too. If I can keep her out here all day, I’ll do it. The girl needs to run off some of that energy and attitude.”
I laughed. “Rough morning?”
“I swear she woke up and was fourteen,” she groaned. “I love her, but boy, does she try my patience.”
“She seems to be having fun now,” I said as I watched the kids laugh and play.
“Good.”
“How’d it go with the new boss?” she asked. “You didn’t say much last night.”
“He’s just how I remember him,” I said. “Arrogant, demanding, and certain his shit doesn’t stink.”
She laughed. “Ah, the best kind of boss.”
“Exactly. He was so awful. If he finds out I have a kid, I bet he’s going to see it as a reason to demote me.”
She raised an eyebrow. “He wouldn’t dare.”
“He wouldn’t say it was for that reason, but I have no doubt he is not going to be happy to learn I have a weakness.”
“Saige, that’s archaic thinking. Why do you think he would do that?”
I quickly told her about Lana. “He acted like it was such a horrible sin that she wanted to go pick up her son. It was like he had no conscience. No morals. It was all about him and what he wanted. He was more concerned with making money than that little boy needing his mom.”
“That is cold, but it isn’t exactly isolated to male bosses,” she said. “I’ve counseled plenty of women who have been pushed out of their jobs by female bosses for the same thing. Look at me. I had to start my own practice and work out of my house because the practice I was in was not happy with the amount of time I wanted off. They didn’t like that I wanted limited hours.”
“True, but this guy?” I said and shook my head. “He’s just—” I couldn’t think of the words.
“You know, it seems like there is more than just a past between the two of you. I’m sensing there is a lot more to this story.”
Of course, she would pick up on it. She was a damn good psychologist. “It isn’t anything worth rehashing.”
“Are you sure? You’ve been tense all week, ever since you found out he was going to be your new boss.”
“Trust me, it lasted about five minutes and then he was out of my life,” I told her.
She smiled. “I get it. When you want to talk about it, you know you can talk to me.”
“I do know that, and I appreciate it,” I said. “I just need to figure out how to work with him.”
“Do you think he’s going to be a hard boss?” she asked.
“Yes and no. If he’s the guy I remember, he’s going to be manageable. He’ll be difficult, but I can handle that guy. I’ve done it before. But the guy that was in the office yesterday, not so much. I just can’t explain how unapproachable he was. It was like he thought he was this king and everyone should jump whenever he snapped his fingers.”
She was quiet for a few seconds. Her eyes were on the kids. “What about sitting down and having a conversation with him?” she suggested. “You are his manager, and I would expect the two of you need to be on the same page. There should be a meeting of the minds, so to speak. He tells you what he expects, and you tell him what you expect from him.”
I smirked. “Oh, that sounds great in theory, but he didn’t give the impression he was willing to be involved in a give and take. He’s all about laying down the law and the rest of us should just get in line.”
“You really don’t like this guy,” she said.
“It isn’t that I don’t like him. I don’t respect him.”