Troubled waters, p.19
Troubled Waters, page 19
“All right,” said Evelyn. “But what kind of job is going to pay me a thousand dollars? That’s a lot of money.”
A thin, tolerant smile relaxed Macey’s pursed lips. “We’ll find something. We’ve got to.”
Seventeen
Macey slammed the phone down and stared hard at the wall. While her mother sizzled bacon nearby, she tried to breathe in any fresh air she could find. She’d had a good run early this morning, but her stress level was already back up to its previous level. Nothing was working out. All the jobs listed were either filled or required a skill her mother didn’t have. Evelyn could cook, clean, smile and chat, organize food for the bereaved, sew, and help coordinate a church picnic, but none of these skills seemed to be in demand.
“I thought I’d make us some grits,” her mother, cooking furiously, said from behind Macey. “You probably haven’t had grits in a long time, have you?”
Macey shook her head. Indeed she had not. She leaned against the wall and wondered if she should call Mitchell, try to smooth things over. He’d been terribly mad. Her stomach hurt at the idea that she was missing such a major news story. But Mitchell had been mad at her before. And what did it matter, if she ended up at the network?
She’d once again rebooked her flight over the Internet to leave early Wednesday morning. She would get back to Dallas, meet with Mitchell, and then catch her flight to New York without a problem. That left her only today to find her mother a job. Her stomach muscles tightened with anxiety.
“Breakfast is served,” Evelyn said. Macey turned to find her mother standing over the breakfast table, her face jolly and bright. Macey sank into one of the chairs and took a sip from the glass of orange juice in front of her.
“I’m not having much luck finding a good job for you, Mom,” Macey said as her mother brought the bacon to the table. It was stacked high on a plate, paper towels soaking up the grease underneath it. After staring down rabbit and rattlesnake, however, bacon didn’t seem too bad of an alternative.
Her mother only smiled and nodded while continuing to bring platefuls of food to the table. “Well, then, I guess we’re going to need our energy today. Eat up,” she said, scooping some eggs onto her plate and then sitting down herself. “Banana?”
“Sure,” Macey sighed and took the banana, along with a strip of bacon and two pieces of toast. “Mother, are you sure you haven’t forgotten to tell me something that you might be . . . skilled at?” Macey tried to smile reassuringly.
Evelyn studied her eggs. “I was good at taking care of your father.”
Macey peeled her banana and leaned back into her chair. As she ate, she looked over the classifieds one more time. Her eyes settled on the large ad for a company called American Standard Technologies. The ad indicated there were many job openings, and as she read it more carefully, she realized that AST wasn’t too far away. Just off Highway 160. She’d skipped over it earlier, assuming a technology business would be no place for someone like her mom to work. But the ad said the company was new, that it had many different job opportunities, requiring a wide variety of skills. Macey slid the paper over to her mom and pointed to the page.
“Have you heard of AST?”
“Sure. Everyone has.”
“What do you mean, everyone has?”
“It’s the talk of the town. Darth Vader built it.”
“What?”
“It’s a group of huge buildings outside of Parsons. They bought the land, and lots of folks protested because no one wanted a big company like that moving out here. They did it anyway, and now I guess they’re trying to fill the jobs. It was supposed to bring new jobs to the area, but I don’t know if it’s done that or not.”
Macey’s eyes widened. This was perfect! Maybe they had a job in the mail room or something similar. Perhaps a receptionist! Surely her mom could do that.
“Honey, I was hoping we could talk.”
Macey looked up, midchew. “What?”
“Talk. I’ve been meaning to talk with you. I’ve been wanting to, I mean, it’s just that . . .”
While her mother struggled to find the right words, all Macey could think about was AST. It would probably pay well and was only about a twenty-five minute drive from the house. She checked her watch. A little after nine. She should drive out there, check out the situation. She glanced up at her mom, who was staring at her nervously.
“I’m sorry. You were saying?” Macey wiped her mouth and quickly began clearing the dishes. Luckily she was wearing her good slacks and a nice blouse. She knew how to act in a corporate setting. Maybe she could talk with someone there, get her mom an interview. Macey went back to the table and found her mom still looking flustered. “Mom? You okay?”
Evelyn set her fork down. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Mother, this AST could be the answer! They’re just starting out. They’ve got a ton of jobs to fill. I’m going over there to talk to someone in Human Resources and see what I can work out.”
“Work out?”
“Yes, Mother. A job. For you. Aren’t you following all this? I’m leaving tomorrow morning, and I’ve got to get you situated before I go.”
Her mother smiled mildly and picked up with eating her eggs. What was with her? Why suddenly so solemn? Macey closed her eyes, gathered herself, and then said, “Mom, was there something you wanted to say?”
“No, no. You go on. See what you can find out.”
———
On the way there she tried to find some music that would get her focused, but nothing seemed appropriate, so she drove in silence. At least she tried to. Her mind became cluttered with thoughts of Noah, followed by thoughts of Harley Preston. She tried to shake them off, but they soon came back and brought along more disturbing thoughts each time. Her father’s angry eyes flashed before her own more times than she could count, until finally she switched on the radio and settled into listening to two slow-talking men discuss agriculture as aggressively as politicians might a tax cut.
Fifteen minutes later Macey knew more about agriculture than she had ever cared to. But it was something to fill her mind.
As she cleared a large hill, suddenly she saw it. Three buildings, all with dark glass, sitting in the middle of a large field. They certainly looked out of place. The massive parking lot was only half full, and as Macey pulled her car into the complex, the towers seemed to disappear into the sky. No wonder all these farmers and ranchers didn’t like this. It looked like its own city. To Macey it was exhilarating.
She checked her makeup and hair in the rearview mirror. Her face was slightly shiny, but wasn’t everyone’s in this humidity? She started obsessing over a wrinkle in her blouse, but then realized she wasn’t the one seeking a job. All she had to do was convince the right person to interview her mom. That was the first step.
She walked briskly to the front door, and the dark glass parted in front of her with a swoosh. A blast of cold air greeted her. She stepped into a lavish lobby complete with marble pillars, lush furniture, and an ornately tiled floor. Her heels echoed as she approached the receptionist, a thin severe-looking woman with lips the color of blood.
“May I help you?”
She reminded Macey of a robot with her pale skin, glassy eyes, and her question, which sounded as if programmed. “I’d like to speak to someone in Human Resources, please.” Macey made and held eye contact, a mark of confidence she’d learned long ago.
“Are you seeking a job?” the woman asked while thumbing through a stack of files. Her fingers emerged with a piece of paper. “You’ll have to fill this out.” She slid it onto the counter in front of Macey.
“No, I’m not looking for a job. But I need to speak with someone in Human Resources.” The woman’s eyes narrowed. Macey imagined she wasn’t the standard visitor asking the standard questions. She’d obviously thrown the woman off a bit.
“What is the nature of your business?”
Macey paused. If she told the woman she was there to find her mom a job, she wouldn’t get past the front desk. “I’m with KSCC in Dallas.”
The woman didn’t budge. “That doesn’t tell me the nature of your business, ma’am.”
Macey felt her muscles tense. She tried to stay cool by smiling. She was just about to try a different angle when suddenly she heard “Macey? Macey Steigel?”
She turned to find a long-haired, doe-eyed woman staring at her with a curious smile. “Yeah?”
“It’s me!” The woman walked over and removed her glasses. Macey immediately recognized her.
“Kimmy Trout.” Macey smiled as Kimmy hugged her.
“It’s not Trout anymore. I’m a Harrison now.” She flashed Macey her large diamond ring, and it glinted in the light. Lowering her voice, she added, “And I go by Kimberly in the corporate world.” She grinned, her famously deep dimples marking each side of her mouth. “I suppose you’re not Steigel anymore, are you?”
Macey scratched her hairline. “Actually, I am. Haven’t quite found prince charming.”
Kimmy laughed, almost dropping the stack of folders she was holding to her chest. Macey had to admit, she still looked amazing. Another of her acquaintances from high school, Kimmy had been a popular cheerleader and a church friend who would always make room in her life for Macey. Their fathers had been friends, too, at least until Kimmy’s father cheated on her mother and then left the family. Kimmy was seven at the time. As the two girls grew older, they’d gone their separate ways, found separate interests. But Macey always liked Kimmy.
“You look terrific,” Kimmy offered.
“Thank you. So do you.”
“What are you doing here? Applying for a job?”
Macey steered Kimmy away from the receptionist and whispered, “I’m trying to help my mom find a job. My dad passed away last week, and she’s sort of . . . desperate.”
Kimmy’s eyes widened with compassion. “Oh, Macey. I’m so sorry. You must be devastated.”
“Mom doesn’t have a lot of, well, worldly skills, if you know what I mean. But I thought since AST is a new company, they may need to fill all different kinds of positions. I was hoping I could speak with someone in Human Resources to get the particulars. Do you think you can help me?”
Kimmy grinned and said, “I think so. I’m the Human Resources director’s personal assistant.”
———
“This place is really something,” Macey said as she followed Kimmy down a long corridor. Through glass walls, Macey could see different departments, their cubicles filled with brainy-looking people. “What exactly is AST?”
“Well, there are several components to it. We make pretty much everything that goes into a computer. They think up all sorts of cool things in the West building—they’re the innovators. The East building is where most of the business is done—marketing, accounting, that kind of thing. This building, which is called Center, is all about computers. We make them, we build them, we service them.”
They rounded the corner, and Kimmy stepped into a large office and walked behind the desk. “This is my office,” she said with a smile.
“Wow,” said Macey. It was about twelve by fourteen and included a small waiting room and a beverage counter. Expensive art decorated one wall.
“Through that door is Ms. Cunningham’s office.” Kimmy checked her watch. “She’ll be in a meeting for about another ten minutes. I might be able to fit you in after that.”
Macey nodded. “Okay. I’ll take whatever I can get.” Kimmy pointed to the chair in front of her desk while she took a seat in her own leather one. “I’ve never heard of AST.”
“It’s a Japanese company and goes by Japanese Standard Technology over there. They decided to start an American company as well, so this is it.”
“Why build out here, in the middle of nowhere?”
“Coffee?” Kimmy said, gesturing toward the beverage counter.
“Sure. Black is fine.”
Kimmy rose and went to pour them both a cup. “Well, AST is more than just a computer company. The plan is for it to become a community. AST bought over two hundred acres here, and they plan to develop apartments, housing additions, stores, movie theaters, pools and parks, things like that. It’ll sort of be like its own little city. It’s hugely popular in Japan. They’re hoping it will be the same here.”
Macey smiled. What a concept. She had a hard time imagining her mother working in such an environment. Yet, with this being her only option, she was going to have to give it a try.
“We couldn’t interest you in a job, could we?” Kimmy asked as she brought Macey her coffee. “You were always so smart in school.”
“No, thank you. Although it does sound interesting. Right now I’m working as an anchor for a television station in Dallas.”
“No kidding? That’s terrific! I always knew you’d do something important with your life.”
“You look like you’re doing pretty well yourself,” Macey said, glancing around the office.
Kimmy sat back down and shrugged as she stirred her coffee. “I feel fortunate. I never graduated from college or anything, and before AST came here, I was working at a dry cleaners in Parsons. This was a big break for me.”
There was an awkward silence as they both seemed to have run out of things to say. Before Macey could think of a way to continue the conversation on its present course, Kimmy said, “I’ve always been curious about something, Macey.”
Macey steadied her coffee cup on her knee. She tried not to avoid Kimmy’s eyes. “Oh?”
“Yeah. You left so suddenly after graduation. Before graduation.”
Macey swallowed and attempted a smile, thinking she probably just looked nervous and timid. “Yeah, well, you know. Couldn’t wait to get out of this town.” This was becoming a standard answer, and it was truer today than it had been back then.
Kimmy nodded but didn’t seem to buy it. She leaned forward on her desk. “Is that the only reason you left like you did?”
Macey could feel her eyes blinking nervously, so she stirred her coffee for something to do. “Um . . . didn’t you hear all the rumors about my flunking math?”
“I never believed that.” She leaned back into her chair, swiveling from side to side. “You were way too smart.”
Macey met Kimmy’s eyes, which seemed genuinely compassionate and curious. “I wasn’t as smart as people might have thought.”
“It was Harley Preston, wasn’t it?”
Just the mention of his name made her heart hitch with anxiety, and there was no hiding her reaction. For seventeen years she hadn’t heard his name uttered. Until Sunday. Seeing his face again brought a feeling of dread like it had all just happened a day ago. Now, hearing it once more, the sting wasn’t any less painful. Macey didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know what Kimmy knew. She stared into her coffee and pressed her lips together.
“That jerk! I knew it!”
Macey had to look up. Kimmy was staring at the ceiling and shaking her head. Knew what?
“I dated him, you know,” Kimmy said, and Macey shook her head. She was too shocked to even carry her half of the conversation. “Yeah. Right after graduation. And he broke my heart. He strung me along, even talked marriage, and then dumped me as soon as he knew he had me.” She set her coffee down and looked hard at Macey. “That’s what happened, isn’t it? He broke your heart and you had to leave.”
Macey set her coffee down, too. Her hands were shaking almost uncontrollably. No, Kimmy, that’s not what happened. I wish that’s what happened.
“He was such a ladies’ man. At least he thought so. Apparently he couldn’t even hold his marriage together to Ellie White. You heard they got married, didn’t you?”
Macey nodded.
“Yeah, well, he’s back here, and she’s still in KC with their kids.” She smiled. “I’m glad now I didn’t marry him. That’s what I would’ve gotten to look forward to. Being a single mom.” Kimmy picked up her coffee again. “How long did you date him again?”
Macey finally found her voice. “Just long enough to know he was trouble.” It was hard to keep the lies straight. Had she told Diana just once?
Kimmy laughed. “If we knew then what we know now, right?”
There wasn’t a truer statement.
Kimmy was just about to speak again when the office door opened and a small, attractive woman wearing a striking suit and her hair in a fancy French twist walked in. Kimmy stood and cleared her throat. “Ms. Cunningham.”
“Hello, Kimberly.” Her voice was deep and a little scratchy. The woman looked at Macey. “Do I have an appointment now?”
“Um, no. This is Macey Steigel. She’s a friend of mine from high school. She was wondering if she could speak with you briefly about her mother.”
“About her mother?” They were speaking as if Macey wasn’t in the room, which was just fine with Macey. She was still trying to recover from the previous conversation.
“Yes. Her father died recently and she was hoping there might be a job here for her mother.”
Ms. Cunningham’s expression indicated that Kimberly might have overstepped her bounds by assuming she was going to help every hapless person who needed a job, but she was gracious enough to try to hide it with a polite smile as she turned to Macey. “I see. Well, I think I’ve got about five minutes. Can we discuss it in that amount of time?”
Macey stepped forward. “I’m all about schedules, Ms. Cunningham. I’ll do it in four.”
