Christy’s call-waiting beeped in.
“Nothing. It’s not important. Go enjoy your meal. I’ll see you Friday.”
The phone rang immediately. It was Lisa Drapkin, Katherine’s secretary. When Christy started Baby G, Lisa worked for her. After Katherine was named COO, she needed someone with Lisa’s experience, so Christy graciously gave her up and hired Randi.
“Hey, Lisa, what’s up?” Christy said, trying to sound more upbeat than she felt.
“Christy, I’m concerned about something. It’s confidential. It may be nothing, but I think you should know.”
“What?”
“Everyone’s talking. They think Katherine’s having an affair with Rick Slotnik.”
“Rick?”
“Yeah. He’s always in her office. Always. They’ve been spotted getting out of the same cab in the morning. Mindy Swearingen saw them having dinner at Chanterelle and said they were sitting real close and being all touchy-feely.”
“I can’t believe it. She would have told me. She tells me everything.”
“You’d think. But there’s something going on. And people are pissed because he reports to her. Pat Hughes in accounting says that Rick makes more than anyone on Katherine’s staff, including Fern and Stacy, and they’re the general counsel and head of operations. Their jobs are way bigger. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Pat shouldn’t be gossiping about Rick’s salary.”
“Everyone’s gossiping about Katherine and Rick. I think you should talk to her. If there’s something going on, you have to get involved. Fern and Stacy are really upset about how much he’s making. The whole thing is sordid, and you’re the only one who can help.”
Christy sighed. “Well, if it’s true, it can’t continue. But I don’t think it is. Katherine always tells me about the men in her life. I know all the skeletons in her closet.”
“Christy, hello! She’d never tell you if she was sleeping with a direct report. You may be her friend, but you’re also her boss. You gotta talk to her.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to her. But you’ll see. There’s a reasonable explanation. I’m sure of it.”
Christy felt a terrible aching in her heart as she hung up. What was happening to her company? Bad press. False rumors. Falling stock prices. Bosses sleeping with employees. It was starting to feel like too much. There was a tentative knock at the door. Renata stuck her head in. “Can I come in?”
“What is it?”
The girl came over to the writing desk where Christy had been on the phone. “You have a nice bedroom. It’s a pretty color.” Since it was gray, Christy waited for what she really had to say. “Maybe I’ll do my room this color when we redo it,” she said, looking around.
“If you want.” Christy rubbed her temples. “Renata, this is a bad time for me.”
Renata looked at Christy with a pained expression. “I’m sorry I wrote that letter. It was mean of me,” she blurted.
“Yes, it was.”
“Your letter was real nice.”
“Thanks.”
“I didn’t think you wanted me here,” Renata said.
“Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. You don’t spend time with me.”
“I know. I wish I could be with you more. But I have my job and Michael. It’s tough to give everyone I love enough time.”
“Do you love me?”
“I’m starting to. Do you love me?”
“No, not yet.” Renata hung her head.
Christy bit her lower lip. Then tears began to drip down her face. It wasn’t because Renata didn’t love her. It was everything.
Renata walked behind Christy and started to rub her neck the way she used to rub Grandma’s. “There, there. It’s okay. Everything’ll be all right.” That’s what Grandma always said to Renata when she was upset.
Christy wiped her cheeks. “You’re right. Things will work out.” She couldn’t believe that less than three months ago, her life had seemed perfect.
“Christy, don’t take this the wrong way, but are you really crying, or are you faking? Are you just trying to make me feel sorry for you and love you?”
“What?” Christy said, baffled.
“You know, you’re the president of a big company. People like you don’t care if their family loves them or not. They only care about money and power. And they definitely don’t cry.”
Christy chuckled at the idea. “Renata, I mean Stringbean, even though I’m a company president, I need my family’s love more than anything. When I’m at work, I have to act strong and powerful because that’s what everyone expects. But when I’m home, I can be myself. And right now, I feel sad. Sad enough to cry.”
“Crying’s not presidential,” Renata said.
“I don’t feel presidential tonight,” Christy said. “I feel like a girl who just wants her mommy to make it all better. But I don’t have a mommy.”
“I know how you feel,” Renata said. “Neither do I.”
Christy took Renata’s hand. “But you have me, Stringbean. I’ll always be in your corner. I promise.”
“Christy, don’t call me ‘Stringbean’ anymore.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I did, but when I hear you say it, it doesn’t feel like you’re talking to me. I need to think of a better name. Like maybe ‘The Whoopster’ or ‘Li’l Ren.’”
“Why do you want a nickname, anyway?” Christy asked.
“Michael calls you Beegee, and he loves you. I think he’d love me if I had a nickname, too. Not that I care if he loves me or not.”
Christy didn’t know what to say. How could she tell Renata that it would take more than a nickname to get Michael to love her?
Christy closed her eyes and tried to relax as Renata rubbed her back. After a while, she told the child to go to sleep. She had promised to take her for a haircut first thing in the morning, since school was closed for yet another teacher-enrichment day. Eve had marked it on her schedule: ‘Haircut—bond with Renata.”
Renata left. Christy climbed into bed and tried to sleep. She didn’t remember the last time she had felt this alone.
DEAR DIARY,
CHRISTY WAS REAL UPSET TONIGHT. SHE CRIED WHICH SHOCKED ME BECAUSE UP UNTIL NOW I THOUGHT SHE HAD A HEART OF BONE. BUT
