Ann: A Love Story Ch. 66

"But I do," I said, a little bewildered.

"I know. That's my point. All of these people have family that has worked here, or still do. And that means we ARE family, like I was just saying. And that's one of the strengths of who we are as a company. Look, I'm a third generation employee. But a lot of our employees are third generation...or second like yourself, and that's something that should be celebrated, not looked down upon when one of our own succeeds."

I got a little embarrassed, and I said, "Mr. Beck, really...you don't have to do this."

"Oh yes I do, Neil. Because I messed up," he said, turning back to the crowded room. "I messed up, because I didn't know until last week that Neil has been doing management work for over 4 years, and he's been doing it as an hourly employee. And he never said anything about that. Not once. Instead, he just kept showing up every day, doing his job, trying to make his department...and our company, successful, right up to the day he resigned. And THAT happened because we as Management didn't see fit to take care of him, like family should."

Then Geoff turned back to me and said, "Neil, you've opened my eyes about some things. Things I'm going to look at, and fix. I know how hard it's been for you to work where your Dad works, living in that long shadow. I've been there. And I just want to say that we're your family, and I'm sorry. It's a shame we had to lose you to figure that out, but I'm thrilled for you and your new job, and I know you're going to be successful. And I'm even more thrilled for you and Ann, because I know you're going to have a great life together. I only hope you're not so disappointed in me that you won't invite me and Tara to the wedding."

Geoff stuck out his hand, and I shook it, surprised that he would bring up Ann and my impending marriage. But I knew a man being humble and gracious when I saw one, and I took a chance at being a little more personal than I ever had, saying, "Of course you'll be invited Geoff...if fact, I was hoping you'd play at the reception. Ann was kind of hoping you could get Rod Stewart to sing."

Geoff cracked up, and started playing air guitar right in the lunchroom in front of everybody, sticking his tongue out as he pretended to do a solo. And that made the whole room break up in laughter. At that moment, I think everyone saw Geoff as I saw him...human, gracious, and funny. It was like a huge icebreaker, and you could feel the change. When Geoff dismissed the group, there was a sense of levity in the air as the employees walked out.

I started to walk out too, but Geoff stopped me and said, "Just so you know, Neil, I meant every word of that. And I truly am sorry. Oh...and I still want to meet with you before you leave next week, okay?"

"Sure, Mr. Beck. No problem."

"You can call me Geoff, Neil. You've certainly earned that right," he said as he shook my hand one more time.

~*~*~*~*~*~

My second meeting ended up taking a lot longer than I'd hoped. I wasn't complaining, because it was important. Even though my department was small in regards to the number of employees, they were dear to me. And in truth, they were reeling a little. Not only did they find out from someone besides me that I was leaving the company, in just a week, Howard had be skipped over as my successor, and he'd transferred to another department.

That meant that the people remaining would have to deal with two new people running the department. Add to that the fact that they just found out that Dan, my boss, had been let go, and there had to be a feeling of uneasiness. I mean, think about it...they find out on a Monday that I'm leaving, but not from me. They find out from Dan, whom they never see. Then, they find out on Friday that Howard isn't getting my job, and they find out that he's transferring to another department. THEN, they all spend the weekend thinking about Kevin and Tommy, and how that's all going to work, only to walk in on the following Monday to find out Dan's gone. It had to be hard to mentally navigate around all of that.

So, Dad was taking his time, trying to make them feel comfortable. And that started with me. As we sat down in a conference room so we wouldn't be interrupted, the first thing he asked was for me to talk to the crew. I hadn't anticipated having to talk, but when I thought about it, it wasn't surprising. In fact, I really owed it to them. I'd left that Friday, having quit my job, without telling any of them. And they deserved better. Geoff had said it best when he said the plant needed to be more like family. And I knew that, because my department really acted that way.

When you only have a handful of employees, and you're struggling to gain a foothold in a new industry, you really have to rely on each other to get things done. The quicker you can become cohesive as a team, the better chance you have of surviving during those early stages when each job you produce can send a positive or negative message to your customers. One misstep and you could lose a new client that you couldn't afford to lose.

We worked so hard those first few years to become a successful department, and in the process, we really became a close knit group. We were a family. We had our occasional issues, but we also covered for each other in a lot of ways. I could think of countless times where one person or another would step up for co-worker, doing what they needed to do to help out without being asked. And one of the things I was most proud of was that we hadn't had any turnover in the department. Which was why the news of Howard transferring, followed on the heels of my resigning was causing such an emotional reaction amongst those employees that were left behind.

So, I had to talk to them. I just didn't know what to say. I ended up having to take a page out of Geoff's book, speaking off the cuff, and from the heart. It wasn't the best of speeches, and I got a little emotional when I talked about how hard of a decision it was for me to leave. But they each understood...I could see it in their eyes. When I explained that the decision to move was as much for Ann as it was for me, the smiles I got in return were heartwarming.

They all knew what I'd gone through with my divorce. In fact, they were on the front lines in a way, my initial support system besides my parents. So they were happy about my engagement, even after they found out it meant I'd be leaving them. What they weren't so happy about is that I didn't tell them personally. But when I explained the circumstances that came about, and why I wasn't able to tell them myself, they totally understood. And when I told them I was sorry, and I asked for their forgiveness, they gave it to me. That's what families do.

Once I'd spoken, Dad took control of the meeting. He introduced both Kevin and Tommy, and went over what their responsibilities were. That didn't shock the crew, but what did was Dad telling them that he was going to personally oversee the department for the next year.

"Geoff said it, and Neil said it. Now I'm going to say it. We're a family. And I've committed to both Kevin and Tommy that I'll work with them to make sure that have all the support they need to keep this department not only succeeding, but growing. And I owe it to Neil to make sure that all of YOU are taken care of the way he's taken care of you. The department is Kevin's to run, and Tommy is going to make a great production leader. But I'm going to be here if any of you need me."

I thought that would have been it, but Dad opened the floor to questions, and that made the meeting last a lot longer. Not that it was a waste of time or anything. In fact, all of the questions were good ones. But I couldn't help but notice that the lunch bell had rung twice, which meant that it was past twelve. I groaned in my head, thinking that I was going to be missing time with Ann. Although in reality, I was just going to be late. Now that I was on salary, I really didn't need to worry about that. Still, I had a pang of guilt hit me when I realized it was almost 12:30 when we got out of the conference room.

Dad had told everyone to go ahead and take their lunch, and he'd take care of their timecards. Tommy and Kevin headed back to the department to talk, and I headed to the car, telling them I'd be back a little later. I had a lunch date with Ann, and I wasn't thinking about her Sloppy Joes.

~*~*~*~*~*~

When I pulled in front of Ann's house, I saw that there was an extra car there...one that I recognized. I let out an audible groan as I put the car in gear as I shut it off, pulling the parking break. Resigned that my lunch plans weren't going to end up like I'd hoped, I pulled myself together and got out of the car, heading to the front door.

I was greeted there by Jean, Ann's Mom. "Ann's in the sunroom, Neil. Get yourself a plate...she made Sloppy Joes."

"Thanks, Jean," I said, and big sappy smile plastered to my face, hiding my internal disappointment.

After grabbing my lunch, I walked down the steps into the sunroom, closing the sliding door so the air conditioning wouldn't leave the house. Ann was sitting in the lounge chair...the same one she'd used to masturbate in with a cucumber the last time she was in town. Now, she was sitting there, eating her sandwich."

"Hey baby...where've you been?"

"I'm sorry, Ann. Work...I've been in meetings all day."

"That's okay...Mom's home," she said, stating the obvious.

"Yeah, I noticed," I laughed. "Why?"

"She got off of work early. I think it was good you were late. She might have walked in on something."

"I know she would have...I've been thinking about you all day."

"No you haven't. I can see it in your face."

I laughed and said, "Well, I've thought about you a lot...but yeah. It has been an odd day."

"What's going on at work?" she asked.

"It's a long story. Fortunately, I can tell you, because I don't have to rush back to work."

~*~*~*~*~*~

As I drove back to work, I realized how refreshing it was that Ann and I HADN'T done anything sexual during lunch. It was great just being able to sit down and have a conversation with her, and not think about sex. And I hadn't. Even though Ann was looking her usual sexy self, in a little pink T-shirt and a pair of jean shorts, I was so focused on telling her everything that happened during my morning that it really didn't cross my mind. Maybe that was because Ann's Mom was home unexpectedly. But Ann loved listening, and she seemed genuinely interested.

And it was a great lunch. I hadn't had Sloppy Joes forever, and they really hit the spot. As I left, Ann asked what I was doing for dinner, and I said I didn't know, because I didn't even know when I'd be getting off of work.

"So, you don't think you'll get off at 3:30?"

"I don't know baby. After today, it's pretty clear that I need to make sure my department is in good hands when I leave. If you would have seen the hurt in my employees eyes when we started that meeting..."

"I totally understand, Neil. It took me three months to quit...remember," she smiled. "It's really hard leaving behind something you've worked so hard to make a success. Not to mention the people you work with."

"Yeah...I think it's going to be harder than I thought."

"Well, just let me know about tonight. I can eat anytime. I just want to be with you."

And when she said that, it wasn't like it was some flirtatious come on. She just wanted to be with me...and that's what made the lunch so special. As much as I wanted to make love to Ann at seemingly every opportunity...that lunch was special, because there was just as much love between us as there would have been if we'd been able to do something else.

But as I pulled into the parking lot, and looked at the plant, I thought of Ann one more time, my heart skipping a beat. "Damn, I'm horny," I sighed.