Perfect Match (11 page)

He was humiliated once again, but he had no other choice.
His name, position, and money had always gotten him access to anything in the
past, but now he felt like he was at the mercy of the rest of the world. What a
desperate feeling.

Later in the day Billy White came back by to see Roscoe, as
he’d asked him to do. Discomfort showed on Billy’s face as he entered the room,
eyes darting about. He sat but he fidgeted with his hands and kept looking at
the floor.

Roscoe studied his friend. “How’d your day go?”

“Not bad. Got a call from Burger King. Looks like I’ll be
able to pick up three night shifts starting out, maybe some additional hours
later on.” He paused. “Man, times are tough. I hate the mess I’m in.” He left
his seat and paced around the room. He was still wearing his Bluerock Building
and Supply name tag.

“We screwed up, Billy. Can’t waste our time worrying about
it.” But deep within, Roscoe was more worried than Billy. “Look, I’ve got a
little money and I want to help.” Roscoe handed a check to Billy.

Billy sat and looked at the check, his eyes widening.
“Roscoe, I can’t take this. How am I ever going to pay you back, and this much?
Like I said yesterday, you’re as bad off as I am.” He handed the check back to
Roscoe.

Roscoe refused the check, facing his palm to Billy, and
shaking his head. “Damn it, Billy, keep the check. Use it to help get things
straight. It sounds like you’re already making a good effort cutting costs, and
now working two jobs.”

He paused, leaning over to sip water from a cup on his
hospital nightstand. “Look, I know you’ll do your best. If you can pay me back
some day, fine. If you can’t, don’t worry about it. You’ve been my friend all
these years. It’s time I return the favor. I hope you’ll remain my friend.”

Billy hung his head, holding the check in his hand, resting
on his knee. His voice cracked, “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”

Roscoe tried to keep upbeat. “Besides, when I get out of the
hospital, I’ve got a plan I’ve been thinking about that the two of us might be
able to make some pretty good money.”

Billy looked up, skeptical, “I can’t get involved in drugs
or something shady. I’ve already tried that shit.”

Roscoe chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’s legit, but it might be
the hardest work either one of us has ever done.”

Friday

The staff meeting from hell was coming to an end.

Madison had filled their week with challenging scenarios
regarding Fallington Enterprises. She’d bombarded the staff, including the
triangle of blondes, with questions, ideas, and fresh opportunities that would
jolt their thinking.

The bulk of the daily sessions centered on making
corrections in the business, expanding and exploring new directions in the
markets. Excitement grew among the staff except for Hollis. His cynicism
remained steadfast.

He’d also fumed and sulked silently because Madison had
rebuffed his daily flirtations and tired California “pick-up lines.” He’d
decided that since she hadn’t responded to his advances he’d cut the bitch down
to size in the final session of the staff meeting. His hand shot up.

Madison said, “Yes, Hollis, question?”

“Well, sort of. Your idea of looking for other sources of
products sounds like you’re clearly anti-foreign and anti-globalization, which
will lead to the destruction of Fallington, rather than your pie-in-the-sky
fairy tale about saving the company from financial failure.” He paused, proud.
Heads turned and glared at him.

Madison didn’t say anything. Hollis started again,
encouraged by the silence. “I’ve been in the procurement business for
twenty-five years compared to your…your twenty-five days or so. What you’re
suggesting will wreck Fallington for good.” He gave a slow shake of his head,
folding his arms over his chest, settling back against his chair, thinking,
that ought to give her tight ass something to squirm about.

Staff heads turned back to Madison standing at the head of
the table. She let a few long moments pass. “Anything else?”

Hollis said, “Not at the moment.” He smirked.

“For the record, Hollis, I’m not anti-foreign and never have
been. I’m Hispanic, in case you haven’t noticed. My mother came legally to
America, got a job picking grapes in Napa Valley, California, and married a
struggling grape farmer, who was white. As you should know, the wineries of
California compete on the level with wine from France, Italy, and Spain.” She
paused. The room was silent.

“Would you tell Californians they are anti-foreign because
they produce wine that competes with other countries?” Her question pierced the
silence.

She continued, “I was born in this country. I love America.
This is the country where I want to live. My parents struggled financially in
order to succeed. I’ve had my own struggles getting an education and becoming
part of the workforce.

“My first job was working in the vineyards, and the small
winery of my parents. My second as a maid in a Motel Six. I won’t bore you with
the rest.” Madison thought, no need to mention that I’m a former member of a
street gang in California, pregnant at sixteen, married at seventeen, divorced
at twenty-four, ex-husband in prison for life.

“As for your accusation that I’m anti-globalization, let me
clarify. I’m for Fallington offering quality merchandise at profitable prices.
As I’ve looked over numerous statistics on our sales I’m finding some troubling
red flags.

“As indicated in our presentation on Wednesday, returns and
complaints have skyrocketed the past two years. The number one complaint has
been “poor quality” or product “not as represented.” There’s also been a sharp
increase in “no repeat orders”, so we’ve had lots of one shot sales. As
indicated on our charts the highest percentages of returns and complaints came
from your clients, Hollis. Can you enlighten us as to the reasons given by our
clients, or the end users of our merchandise?”

“I didn’t know this was going to turn into a ‘he said she
said’ back and forth?” Hollis pursed his mouth.

“It isn’t that at all, Hollis. You raised some issues that
must have been important to you, and I will always explore honest questions as
deeply as necessary. If you have clients who are complaining, returning, or not
re-ordering merchandise, you need to know why. I need to know why.”

She paused, looking thoughtful.

“One area that I will not yield on is merchandise that we
purchase that has been made under questionable working conditions. I refuse to
believe that we, as a company, must gain profit on the backs of child labor or
an abused work force. That issue is too big for us to deal with today, but you
needed to hear that from me.

“No one has a monopoly on quality, so we’ll look for it
anywhere in the world, including the United States. Most markets are connected
or competing in some way or another. There are many niche markets. As a company
we need to be aware as those markets develop and we need to be aware of new or
rejuvenated sources.

“The hungry entrepreneurial spirit has been one of the
pillars of America’s business environment. We need to constantly evaluate what
is being generated that we can in turn offer to the consumer market. There’s
nothing wrong or anti if we look close to home for doing business.”

Madison looked directly at Hollis. “If there’s a grocery
store in your hometown, would you tell everyone to buy all their groceries in
the next town over?”

Hollis shifted in his seat, clearing his tight throat.

“Didn’t think you would, Hollis.”

After a brief pause, she said, “Thanks everyone for your
contributions to the staff meeting. I look forward to working with each of you,
and you know how to contact me at any time. If I happen to be out of pocket,
Janice will always know how to reach me.

“After you gather your things, Janice will drive you back to
the Inn, and have a safe flight home tomorrow morning. If you have any last
minute questions, I’ll be in my office.”

Madison glanced at the wall clock and went to her office.
She replaced a few files, straightened a couple of things on her desk and was
relieved that it was the end of the week. She was hoping to spend some time
with her daughter tonight. Their time had been limited since she became the
CEO. She was hoping to close that gap and she wanted to start tonight.

There was a tap on her half-opened door. When she looked up,
Hollis was standing there. “May I come in?”

“Sure.”

He stepped into her office, stopping in front of her desk.

“Um…Madison, I don’t want to leave on a sour note between
us. I feel that I owe you an apology, if I made you feel uncomfortable with my
questions.”

She thought, meaning, if you didn’t feel uncomfortable then
you don’t get the apology. She smiled. “I didn’t feel uncomfortable from your
questions and you don’t owe me an apology. Ridiculous.”

“Well, let me buy you a drink or better take you to dinner.
You don’t have a prior engagement do you?”

She quickly calculated the offer, even considering the few
red flags that popped up, but decided. What’s the harm? I need Hollis to
cooperate and be on board with my new direction for the company. Maybe I can
reassure him; he seems to be the one staff person who is reluctant to be a team
member. And he’s a nice looking man. Maybe a relaxing dinner is what I need.

“Dinner sounds nice. What did you have in mind?”

“Found some recs on my phone. How does Cardoza’s sound? Ever
been there?”

“Yes and that’s a good choice. Not fancy, but pleasant, and
they have the best salads in town.” She continued tidying around her desk and
shutting down her office computer.

“Well, a certain CEO forbade us from getting a car, so how
do I pick you up?”

Madison laughed. “Sounds like you work for a tough CEO,” she
locked her desk drawer, “so we’ll go in my car. Transportation solved.”

Janice appeared at the door. “Hollis, I’m ready to take you
back to the Inn.”

Before he could answer, Madison said, “Hollis and I are going
to catch a bite to eat, and after I run an errand I’ll take him back.”

She noticed the fleeting concern cross Janice’s face, but
said, “I’ve got one quick call to make before I’m ready.”

Janice and Hollis closed the door behind them.

Madison placed her call one minute before the dentist’s
office closed. “Just wanted to confirm my appointment for the tenth. I’m
Madison Winston.” She was put on hold for a couple of minutes. Madison enjoyed
the calming music. “Yes, that’s correct. OK, see you then. Thanks.”

As soon as the phone light went off on Janice’s console, she
flashed Madison. “Got a minute?”

After Janice closed Madison’s door, she asked, “What’s up?”

“When you made me your administrative assistant you asked me
to always be a hundred percent honest with you?”

“Yes, I did, so what’s going on?” She looked puzzled.

“Hollis.”

“What about him?”

“I think he’s trouble, and are you sure you’re doing the
right thing going out with him? I know it sounds like I’m meddling, but I don’t
mean to.”

Madison took a deep breath and exhaled, then motioned Janice
over to the two chairs and small round table near the office windows, away from
the door. She looked at her, smiled and asked, “What do you really know about
Hollis?”

Janice crossed her arms. “He’s always been proper with me,
but there is just this feeling…you know that feeling that a woman has?”

Madison nodded.

“But mainly it’s what Nancy told me about him.”

Madison’s expression was questioning.

“Nancy refused to tell me all the details. D.R. had a staff
meeting in Atlanta two years ago. Nancy had dinner and drinks with Hollis on
three nights. She said he seemed decent at first, but worse than D.R. with his
insulting behavior toward women. She didn’t come right out and say it but it
sounded like he either sexually molested her or tried to.”

Janice paused.

“Later I pieced together that she ended up in the emergency
room the last night of the staff meeting. D.R. involved one of the company
attorneys to ‘keep the matter in proper perspective.’ Janice gave quote marks with
her fingers.

“I saw the hospital bills, while opening the mail. One of
the procedures was for pumping out Nancy’s stomach. I do know D.R. was making
efforts to cover up whatever had happened. He kept claiming Hollis was a ‘valued
employee.’” Janice waited a moment. “Madison, you’re a good woman. I want you
to be safe. Whatever you do, please be careful.” Worry clearly showed on her
face.

Years of memories and thoughts flashed through Madison’s
mind. Red flags were mingled. And then her smile that hid her ironclad armor
underneath broke, as she said, “Thanks for telling me everything. You are the
best administrative assistant. I’m confident I’ll be safe, but let me tell you
why I’m going out with Hollis and where we’ll be going, so you’ll know where
I’ll be.” Madison gave her the plans for the evening, especially her hope to
coax Hollis into a more cooperative attitude.

After locking the office, Madison and Hollis took the
elevator down to the parking garage. They stepped off the elevator, walking
toward her car. Several cars were leaving.

He surveyed the remaining vehicles, searching for the
shiniest one. “Which one is yours?”

She pointed. “This one on the right. I’ll unlock your door
after I get in.” Madison inserted her key in the contrary lock, jerking twice
on the door. She placed her pocket book and business portfolio on the back
seat, got in, and unlocked the passenger door. The window was already down four
inches.

Hollis stood at the passenger side gaping at Madison’s aging
car.

“Get in Hollis, if you’re going with me.”