The Whole Package

Before I can think better of it, I call the number back. It rings one time and then there’s a pause of silence before I hear some shuffling.

“Um, hello?”

“Hey Bailey, it’s Shawn.” There’s another pause and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” I hear a door close on the other end and then she’s back. “Sorry, I thought I dialed the wrong number.”

“No worries. My mom is on vacation and I thought she was calling me to rub it in. I can’t remember the last time I had one,” I admit as I push my computer off my lap and lean back on the couch to get comfortable.

“Right? I don’t even know what a vacation is,” Bailey says, and I can tell she’s relaxing a bit.

“You don’t use your vacation days?” It’s a personal question, but I can’t help myself. I want to know more about her.

“Not for that. I have a sister who has a lot of doctor’s appointments, so I usually burn them on visits.”

“Oh man, is she okay?” Suddenly I’m wondering about every facet of her life and why she’s taking her sister to the doctors and not their parents.

I got her file from HR not long after I asked for it. There wasn’t much, just her date of birth and when she started with the company. There have been no complaints and she’s received employee of the month in the state four times. All of her employers say she’s an excellent worker, but nothing on that folder gave me any personal information.

“She has special needs, so it’s just regular visits. She’s good, she just has more doctor’s appointments than an average person. Um, that’s actually why I’m calling. It’s what I wanted to talk to you about today.”

“If you need more time off, you’ve got it. Just let me know how much and I’ll make it happen.”

I hope that’s not all she wanted to talk about. The sound of her sweet voice over the phone is so perfect. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to just hear someone talk to me. I feel like I spend most of my time avoiding phone calls, but right now I don’t want this to end.

“No, actually, it’s a bit more personal than that.” There’s a hesitancy in her voice, and I sit up, wondering if there’s something wrong.

“Then maybe we should talk in person?” I offer, thinking maybe that might ease her fears. “I’m going to be at your store in the morning. If you want, we can talk face to face. Or maybe I can take you to lunch?”

God, how desperate do I sound? I’m trying my best to throw out scraps in hopes of her coming closer so I can snag her up.

“Maybe.” She sounds like she’s thinking it over. “You could meet Hazel tomorrow and maybe that might help explain things better.”

“Absolutely,” I agree and relax back into the sofa.

“Okay, well, I guess I’ll let you go.”

“Why?”

There’s a long pause and for a second I think she’s hung up.

“Why what?” she says, and there’s a smile to her voice.

“Why do you have to let me go? I’m trying to avoid working on a document I can’t translate. You could help distract me.”

She laughs on the other end, and god, it’s so fucking beautiful. I can picture her face and her eyes lighting up. Our one moment in the meeting room wasn’t enough. Even talking on the phone now is a poor substitute, but I’ll take anything I can get.

“How do you suggest I do that?”

“Bailey, you could read me the phone book and I’d be a happy man.”

It sounds like she’s snuggled up as she lets out a happy sigh.

“Why don’t you tell me about yourself. I thought you were going to be an old man.”

“Yes. I recall you saying something like that.” She laughs again, and I close my eyes to take it all in. “Well, my mom had me when she was fifteen. My dad took off and I’ve never met him.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Bailey says, and there’s honest concern in her voice.

“It’s okay. I had a great mom who did the work of both.” I go on to tell her about my mom’s work with the company and all she’s done for me. Then I tell her about college and how I got to my job now. She stops me every now and then to ask questions until I get to the end. “And then today I make a fool out of myself in the boardroom and lose the respect of the company. So that’s me in a nutshell.”

She laughs again, and I can picture it just as clear as if she were in front of me. “I think you gained my respect today. Anyone who can make face planting look good is alright in my book.”