The Christmas Deal

A framed picture suddenly appeared on the left side of his desk, Jenna diving back to her chair just before Angela popped into the wide entry to their pod.

Angela grinned. “Well, howdy!”

Before Seth could process the new addition to his desk, he had to stand and meet Angela’s firm grip. Around fifty, she was petite and slim, her gray pantsuit neatly pressed, a fuchsia scarf knotted around her throat. Her earrings were delicate little silver Christmas trees decorated with what was probably Swarovski crystals or even diamonds.

He said, “I’m Seth Marston.”

Jenna shook Angela’s hand next. “Jenna Derwood-Kim.”

“Hiya,” Angela said. “Not sure how much you know about me, but a few years ago, I took over the family business. My daddy built BRK Sync from the ground up in the eighties, and as technology and the times have changed, so have we.”

Seth wondered how many times she’d delivered the spiel. Probably millions. He said, “It’s wonderful to meet you, Ms. Barker.”

“Oh, I’m a proud missus, but you can call me Angela.” Her gaze went to Jenna’s colorful desk, and she neared it to peer at the photo frames. “And who do we have here, Jenna?”

“That’s my husband, Jun-hwan—but he usually just goes by Jun—and our two boys. Ian’s five and Noah’s almost six months.”

“Jun. Is that Korean?” Angela asked.

Jenna smiled. “It is! His parents moved here just before he was born.”

“Wonderful. I hope you’re transitioning back to work all right after the baby?”

“Yes, I came back part time a few weeks ago. It’s been a much better transition with the extended maternity leave option you introduced. Thank you.”

“Oh, my pleasure, sugar! I know how tough it can be as a working mom.”

Jenna said, “Seth’s been carrying so much of the workload. He’s incredible. The training department would fall apart without him!”

He cringed internally as Jenna laid it on but kept a smile on his face as Angela turned her attention back to him and his desk—with the new addition from Jenna.

Angela leaned over the framed photo, which Seth realized was a new picture Jenna had put on her desk after Thanksgiving of her brother and his stepson. It was framed in cheery, multicolored wood squares, but Logan and the boy were barely smiling, their spines stiff as if they were lined up in front of a firing squad instead of posing for a family snap by the newly decorated Christmas tree.

Jenna’s brother was handsome in that craggy, Daniel Craig kind of way. The kind of rough-and-tumble guy Seth’s mother would have called a “bruiser” with a disapproving sniff. His wife had died suddenly in the summer, and Jenna worried a lot about him and the boy. It was all very sad from what Seth knew.

“And who’s this?” Angela asked.

Before Seth could hope to formulate a response to explain the picture, Jenna said, “That’s Logan, Seth’s fiancé, and their son, Connor. Seth has such a lovely little family.”

Angela clapped her hands together, appearing genuinely delighted. “Isn’t that something? You know I’ve always said gay folks are just as the good lord made ’em.”

My parents and their church would strenuously beg to differ. Seth kept smiling robotically. Say something! “Uh, yes. Thank you?”

“Families are at the heart of our biggest successes in this world. Too many people try to go it alone.” Angela shook her head sadly.

Seth wanted to argue that single people could certainly be just as happy and successful—his own miserable single life notwithstanding—and that some people were thrown out of their families, but he just nodded and smiled.

Angela beamed. “When’s the big day?”

“Oh, uh… We haven’t set the date yet.”

Jenna said, “They’re thinking next summer.”

“I look forward to seeing the wedding pictures.” Angela eyed Seth speculatively. “Now, Seth—if I recall correctly, your name’s come up for one of the director roles we’re fixin’ to fill.”

“Has it?” he asked, trying not to look too excited. But maybe he didn’t look excited enough? “I’d love to discuss it further with you.” And if I pretend to have a fiancé while you’re around, what’s the harm if it helps me get the promotion?

“Seth’s really been holding down the fort for systems training since he came here,” Jenna said. “He’d be an excellent director.”

“Good to hear it! Seth, we’ll have to sit down soon and have a confab.” Angela checked her gleaming Rolex. “I’ve got to get going now—duty and lunch call.”

As if summoned from thin air, a short, slight young man with dark skin stepped into the pod. He wore a suit and glasses and spoke in a deep murmur. “I’ll alert the driver that you’re on your way down.”

“Thank you, Dale.” Angela motioned to him with a wide smile. “My right-hand man. Wouldn’t know if I was comin’ or goin’ without him.” Before Seth or Jenna could reply, she chuckled as she glanced around. “Now I told y’all I didn’t need an escort while I toured the office, but darned if I’m not turned around.”