“Of course. So, what’s up?” He closed his laptop, pushed it into his padded case, tucked his rolling chair into his desk and came around to stand in front of me. I could tell he was going to ask me again, and again I would be turning him down. But I liked him. I genuinely liked him, and I was hoping that we could maintain the good friendship and trust I felt we had together. I considered him sort of a mentor. “You’ve not been looking for greener pastures, have you?”
Now I understood his concern. He was wondering if I’d interviewed at the larger Boston market. It would be an obvious step-up in my career, although perhaps a bit soon.
“No, Jared. You don’t have to worry about anything like that. I’m extremely grateful for everything you’re doing for me here at the station. I’m not looking.”
Well, it wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t looking for a new job, at least.
“Okay, that’s a relief. We think you fit in nice here. We’d certainly hope you feel the same way.”
“I do, Jared.”
“Clarence isn’t bothering you too much, I hope.”
“Clarence is my problem. You don’t have to worry about that. If he comes on to me I know how to let him know, as I’ve continually done since I started. I don’t blame him, even though you know I don’t like him very much. He’s just wired up wrong. He’s like a dog you want to rescue but he keeps biting the hand that feeds him. He’s his own worst enemy and I honestly don’t think he’ll stop until he does something big.”
“Very astute and mature of you, Shannon.”
“He’s your problem, Jared.”
“So, we aren’t going to have a drink, Clarence is minding himself for now. You aren’t looking for a job. Why are we talking here?”
He was good at getting right down to things. That gave me courage.
“You know I’ve always wanted to do more things related to the news, not just weather. And I have a couple of ideas about stories I’d like to do, with your permission. I don’t want to give up my weather duties, but I’d like to tackle a real news story.”
I could see he was intrigued. His eyes sparkled as he studied my face. I found it difficult to look him straight in the eyes because I wanted this so bad. Finally, I looked up and decided to just go for it. All he could say was no, anyway.
“I watched in the green room about Rebecca Gambini’s trip out here to assume duties related to the Navy SEAL housing project that was proposed at Bellaire Beach. I think I could do a kickass interview of the woman, her plans, and her position on this. It has a lot of human interest, not only because of the divorce, but the need for housing for these Navy heroes, plus the impact this project would have on the local economy. It has all the earmarks of a series of special reports. I’d like to help her champion it a little bit.”
Jared rolled back on his heels. I could tell he’d never considered this coming from my mouth.
“You’ve really thought about this, haven’t you?”
“I have.”
“Do you have any special insight?” His eyes looked unremarkably calm so I didn’t suspect anything Judie and I had discussed. I decided to deflect a bit.
“I might need your introduction to her. I don’t know her. But I think she’d like another story. The last interviewer got several things wrong, and I can tell she perhaps offended the woman. I don’t think I would do that.”
I hoped that my insides didn’t give me away. And I really had no ulterior motive with the interviews. I was just a moth to the flame, powerless to walk away from an opportunity, even though my better judgment was nudging me in the gut. I didn’t care. I had to try this, just like I had to meet Marco after all these years. I just couldn’t stay away, seeing as how she flew right into my neighborhood as if it had been predestined.
“You might have something there, Shannon. I agree that there’s a story under all that drama. Made for someone with some considerable journalistic chops, though. Are you sure you want to step into the fire pit?”
“Are you saying you don’t think I can handle it?”
“Oh, I think you could handle the interview well enough. But I’m wondering how you’ll handle Clarence, or some of the other groupies trying to claw their way up the ladder. You could become part of the story, you know, if it doesn’t go well. Are you prepared to become part of the drama? Really?”
I was shaking, brimming with excitement. He was at the edge of letting me do what I’d dreamt of doing.
Was this really happening?
“I’ll say you warned me. But one thing is for sure. If it goes badly, you’ll not only have a weather girl, you’d have somewhat of a celebrity. How bad would that be for ratings?”
Jared chuckled, studying his shoes.
“Shannon, I wish you’d let me buy you a drink…”
“No.”
“You’d give up this chance?”
“I won’t do it for a drink with you. That’s not how I work. If it’s no, it’s no. If it’s yes, then it’s a solid, no-holds-barred yes.”
I watched the softness in his eyes, the way he licked his lips and studied mine. He wanted me. I didn’t shirk from showing him I knew. But the answer was still no. Sure, I could cajole him, have a good time, make myself believe I could convince him with my sexual prowess, and he’d pretend he hadn’t lost all respect for me, just like he’d lost any respect for any other woman to take advantage that way. And he’d hate himself too. And
