Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hard and Soft (04/23/09)
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TITLE: Catherine's View | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pat Sipperly
04/23/09 -
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The walls of Catherine's fortress were made of glass, a symbol of the open working relationship she wanted with her five stellar employees. Her staff was the best creative team ever and regularly bragged about them in meetings. Especially after Michael came on board.
Over a stack of files she could see her brilliant superstar working diligently at his desk. Michael Stevenson was a strikingly handsome young man and a gifted writer. Catherine remembered rechecking his date of birth half way through the hiring interview three months earlier. She was his elder by six months to the day. For some reason that mattered. She also remembered the craziest, out of the blue thought...“If we had a girl, would she have my eyes or his?”
Michael brought a lightness to the office that made coming to work a joy for everyone. At first, Catherine was threatened by it. But fear gave way to trust with his daily respect and the honor he gave her. Trust led to affection, when at the end of a difficult office moment, he told everyone he prayed about the situation. Then shared a solution that would've made Solomon proud.
The lightness he brought was wonderful, but it highlighted something missing in Catherine. She struck out on her own. She climbed the ladder alone. She worked days and some weekends alone. She enjoyed movies and ice cream alone, and even played out romance in her mind...alone. Life was neat and clean and everything went her way...but every once in a while...
She rose from her hardwood desk and placed several files into their respective cabinets. “Why does that bother me?” she wondered. “C'mon girl”, she chided herself. “No pain, no gain.”
“Catherine?”
The Director turned to see Michael at the door.
“Is now a good time?” he asked.
She blushed. She always did when he looked at her that way.
“Sure” she replied, stepping behind the protection of her desk. Michael shut the door and sat across from his boss.
The creative genius paused, wanting to make sure this risky move was worth it. “I've been offered a position in another firm. By all accounts, I believe it will be the best thing for me to do.”
A cold slap couldn't have caught Catherine Parker off guard any more than his words. Her head became a swirl of thoughts and emotions. She sank deeper into her chair, blinking.
Michael looked at her with his natural, boyish honesty, “I've been hindered and distracted lately and... I think I know what the problem is.”
Catherine held her breath, waiting to hear about a clash with another worker. This can't be happening.
“I've fallen in love with you Catherine. And that can't work here, or rather, I can't work here. I can't stop thinking about you, and I think it would be best if I go elsewhere.”
Time slowed along with the cadence of her deep breathing. All she could do was fall helplessly into his soft eyes. Then she caught herself and cleared her throat. “Uhmm...” The million dollar girl, the “hard” woman stumbled in vain to find some intelligent response. “Where will you be going? Was the best she could do.
“Martin and Briggs,” he replied as he rose to his feet feeling naked and embarrassed. “If you feel anything for me...this way we'd at least have a chance, with me gone, that is.”
They exchanged a mutually vulnerable moment, then Michael smiled his infectious smile and walked away.
Catherine Parker had only one clear thought while floating back to earth in a warm daze. “His. She'll have his eyes.”
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