Page 21 of Not My Problem

Our quality assurance manager Rochelle was one of my best friends at work. We both had a love of data and facts, and when I’d first arrived she’d been instrumental in helping me review protocols between programs and the finance department.

“It’s going well,” I said. “She’s looking for a job now and got an interview with Julia Montego over at the shelter today.”

“She’s staying in Seattle?” Rochelle asked in surprise. “I thought she was just here to visit her grandmother.”

“I think if everything goes well with her grandmother she’s interested in moving here to be closer to her,” I explained. “I don’t think she’s got a lot to go back to in Chicago.”

“Is she pretty?” My friend’s gaze turned calculating.

“Yes, I mean strictly speaking, she’s an attractive woman.”

“There’s something in your voice when you talk about her,” Rochelle noted. “A… softening I guess. Or maybe something tender. Do you like her?”

“She’s a great person,” I prevaricated, my hands straightening a stack of papers on my desk that didn’t need straightening.

“But do you like her romantically?” she pressed.

My face heated. “Yeah, I mean we’re attracted to each other, but we’re not a good match. We’re total opposites and there’s an age difference as well.”

Rochelle waved her hand dismissively. “Some of the most successful relationships I know are with people who seem to be totally opposite. You should bring her to the party Saturday so I can meet her.”

The agency was having an employee appreciation party this weekend, a family style picnic in one of the city’s largest parks. This was my first year attending, but I’d heard it was a fun event with games, food, and musical entertainment. Employees were allowed to bring partners, kids, or other guests. I wasn’t usually one for forced socialization, but as a member of senior leadership, I had to attend. I hadn’t considered inviting Zoe until Rochelle suggested it.

“Maybe I will.”

Zoe sent me a text just before noon saying that she’d finished the interview and she thought it went well, not offering any additional details. I had to stop myself from texting her back demanding more details. When I got home that night though she was visibly excited about the possibility of working for Julia.

“She’s really smart and I could see how dedicated everyone is to the program and its mission,” she said excitedly. “I also met this lady Chris who helps train the guests to find living wage jobs. She seemed great.”

“Chris and Julia are together,” I shared, not to gossip but because if she got the job she’d hear it eventually.

“You mean like romantically?”

“Yeah. They live together.”

“Hmm. I’m surprised that’s allowed.”

“Personal relationships have to be reported to HR,” I explained. “But as long as you’re not the same department or a position of power over someone it’s generally okay.”

“Hmm.”

“What’s the timeline for a decision?” I asked.

Zoe shrugged. “They said I’d hear something within a week.”

Julia didn’t make her wait a week though. She called the next day with a job offer. Zoe sprung the news on me the instant I walked through the door after work. She was bouncing up and down like a little kid, a huge smile on her face.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“I got the job!” she squealed.

I’d never seen her so excited. Not that I’d known her for long of course, but I had the sense that Zoe wasn’t this excited when she got waitressing jobs.

“The offer is contingent on background and reference checks, but I’m not worried about that,” she continued. “I’ve never been arrested or anything. If everything goes through I’m going to start training on Monday. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the team.”

“Maybe you can meet them sooner than Monday.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.