Preparations for the Future

Knock-knock.

“Yes?” I said, looking up from my computer monitor. The office door creaked open and Miss Wade poked her head in.

“Everyone has been contacted,” she said in a small voice. “They were surprised at the suddenness for the meeting, but they will be there. A few asked why –”

“I didn’t tell you for a reason,” I said. “I don’t want them to find out, not yet.” I pointed to the stack of papers on my desk. “This was what I needed copied for tomorrow, a set for each person.”

“Yes, sir,” the red-haired secretary lowered her gaze. “Do – do you need it neatened up or…”

“As is,” I said, returning my attention to the monitor, reading an email from one of my managers. She picked up the stack, turning away from me with a small sniffle.

“Miss Wade?” I said. She stopped, halfway to the door. “I apologize for my tone earlier. I am – thin-skinned – about certain subjects, particularly those that touch upon my past, especially those that involve my mother.”

“Your – mother, sir?” her emerald-green eyes blinking.

“Please, Miss Wade, sit down and I’ll explain.” She glanced at the door, clutching the stack of papers to her chest. After a moment of – indecision? – the redhead settled down across from me.

“As I said earlier,” I continued, “I am a bastard. Quite unlike your daughter as you know who her father is – and I assume is paying child support. I don’t know who sired me on my mother nor do I care to. You see, Miss Wade, my mother was ****. If she knew who he was, she never told me, but when she looked into my face – though my mother loved me greatly, she saw him. The strain was – difficult on her, particularly after she grew sick and we moved in with my grandmother. It was – terrible – to see her love turn to fear as the cancer ate at her mind near the end, making her relieve those memories. So – I made a promise to her, myself and even God, as little as I believe in a higher power these days, that I would not do to a woman what that – man – did to her. It’s – actually been rather easy to keep that promise for a number of reasons, mostly because I am a workaholic and I haven’t really tried to socialize with women outside of the context of the workplace.”

“But,” the redheaded secretary swallowed, her voice soft with awe, “There are so many stories about you! About the women you have slept with! A lot who used to work for the company! Everyone I work with – they – they say you’re a – a pervert! Willing to – to have sex with anyone in skirt.”

“I see,” I closed my eyes, resting my hands palm to palm before my face, my middle fingers touching my nose. “The ones who say they have slept with me – do you work with anyone of them directly in this office, pointed me out as the man who seduced them?”

“I – no, sir. No one in this office.”

“So you’ve only heard stories from other departments.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have any of those women walked through this office? Talked to you here and pointed me out?”

“No, sir.” I could hear the frown in her voice.

“Miss Wade, in your time working in this office, with your knowledge of the schedules of all the available executives, can you recall any time that I have visited any other offices or facilities – by myself?”

“Ah, no, sir, I can’t. I – don’t even know if you ever have at all. Any time you’ve had to deal with other departments, other managers – I think they’ve always come here to meet with you. And I would know. None of the other secretaries are willing to work with you thanks to the – gossip – so I’ve been responsible for your schedule for nearly the entire time I’ve worked for the company.”

“Thank you, Miss Wade,” I opened my eyes, lowering my hands to my desk. “For listening to me explain my position. I hope it will dispel some of the – rumors – that have – attached themselves to me.”

“I – understand, sir,” the secretary stood up from her seat. My eyes narrowed slightly. Were there tears clinging to her lashes? “Will there be anything else, before I make these copies for tomorrow’s meeting?”

“I would like to beg a favor from you,” I said, returning my attention to my computer monitor. “Schedule any woman you know of who says they have slept with me to walk through this office. When they do, point me out to them and tell them who I am. See how many recognize me from their – encounter. It will be – interesting – to discover how many of them will.”

“Yes, sir,” Miss Wade nodded. “I think I can get a number to walk in tomorrow when you’re engaged in Conference Room A. It has glass walls so they should be able to see you without causing a scene, I hope.”

“I hope as well,” I agreed. “Thank you for your help, Miss Wade.”

“Margaret.”

I looked up at her, blinking.

“My name,” she said with a small smile and turned about, walking out of my office. I stared out the door, stunned. I don’t think I had ever learned her first name.