Page 96 of Rich and Bossy

I knew this kind of thing was going to happen. There are going to be people who are too afraid to want to move forward. I can’t hold it against them. I know nothing that’s coming from her is directed at me. She’s worried about her daughter. And her grandbaby.

As it turns out, I don’t need to say anything at all. Cheryl must have been standing somewhere nearby, and she suddenly appears from behind me.

I’m surprised half the warehouse didn’t hear the way she just raised her voice.

“I just had my first, too.” She steps between me and the women. “My baby just came home from the NICU last week.Where was I? I was here. Because I had already used up all my PTO after I delivered early.” Her tone is soft, but firm. No nonsense. “We’re trying to make it so your daughter doesn’t have to choose between keeping her job and being with her baby, that’s what we’re doing here. We’re trying to make sure you’re safe in this place, and that you get to enjoy that grandbaby of yours. You’ve seen what it’s like working through here, the kind of time we get off. We want to make sure you’re not laid-up because you had an accident running through this place or fired because you couldn’t get back and forth to the bathroom on time to get back to your station. This isn’t right. What they’re doing to us. Surely, you’ve seen that. You’ve been here longer than most of us and know how it used to be.”

Susie puts an arm around her mother’s shoulders. “We were just talking about this last week, Mom. I know you’re mad at this place, not Hazel. You know how good it used to be. You said it, how you used to feel like a respected worker, and now you feel expendable, like they don’t give a damn. A union could change that. Make it back how it was, for both of us to get to experience that.”

Hell, they’re all doing my job for me. I couldn’t be more grateful.

“I’m not trying to be a hero. I promise. I’m just fed up. I’m tired of watching my friends suffer.” I look around. “Some of these guys are like family to me. I want to make sure Susie has as easy a time as possible balancing her job and her family. I’m scared for myself too. Yeah, I’m young, and I don’t want to get some kind of injury that ruins my life. We’ve seen it happen to people. Enough is enough. They did this to themselves. I never wanted to do this. I just want them to do what’s right. We all work hard here, every one of us. We’re going to make them hear us.” I finish by extending a hand holding a pamphlet. “Theywant us divided on this. That’s how they’ll win, and nothing will change if that happens.”

Monica doesn’t look completely convinced, but she does take the pamphlet. One thing Campbell made sure to impart on me was the importance of small victories. This thing is a grind. You have to grind out every little advancement toward the goal. It’s just not possible to convince everyone all at once. So long as I get them thinking, I’ve done my job for the time being.

Campbell’s been watching, because she has a talent for noticing what could turn into a situation and stepping back to observe. She misses absolutely nothing. Now, she hands me a bottle of water when I walk back over to the little table we set up. “Gotta hydrate. You’re going to be doing a lot more talking today.”

“How did that go, do you think?”

“As well as it could. Your coworkers stepping in is a great sign. It makes the job easier, makes it feel less like you’re on a little island by yourself. It’s one thing to listen to you, but people tend to appreciate hearing the same message on repeat. It’s all human psychology. The more veterans like that lady you can win over, the faster and easier this thing will be. Those are the people everyone will listen to. They will win over the majority.”

“I obviously have a lot to learn.”

“You have a way with people. You understand them. You don’t push too hard, you stay composed when attacked for your age, you don’t speak in absolutes, but you still make your point clear and concise. You have a lot of great leadership qualities.”

“Really?”

She nods. “Yes. You just need a little more self-confidence, which is normal. I know it’s a lot of pressure, especially at your age.”

“I’ll keep that in mind moving forward.”

Her phone rings and she turns away to answer the call, leaving me to hand out more pamphlets and field a lot more questions. It’s inspiring, watching this spread, watching people encourage each other. I think we might actually be able to pull this off. It feels real, like it’s within our grasp.

Even if it means hurting Paxton.

Why does he always have to rear his gorgeous head every time I start to get a little hope? Like I don’t have enough on my mind without wrestling with guilt.

I’m sure he hates me by now, so it’s probably moot anyway. He probably regrets ever setting eyes on me. I could even handle that—I wouldn’t blame him in the least. It’s knowing he’ll think I used him that hurts worst of all. That was the last thing on my mind. I fell for him, hard. But now, I don’t know if I’ll ever have the chance to tell him.

He’s never going to want to talk to me again. I’m sure of that.

“Earth to Hazel.” Campbell waves a hand near my face, grinning. “You in there? I’ve been trying to tell you theNew YorkChroniclewants a quick phone call at some point today.”

“TheNew York Chronicle?” This is still taking me by surprise. I know it shouldn’t, but it does, every single time. Me, talking to somebody from theChronicle. Dad’s going to have to buy every newspaper in existence to keep a record of all this.

“I told you. David versus Goliath. There’s nothing the press likes more than an underdog story. We have most of their questions in advance, and have responded, but they want some direct quotes.” She takes a long drink from her water bottle, eyes going narrow when they meet mine. “What’s up?”

I force a smile. “Just tired. Really tired, but I’m here, I promise. I’m in this.”

And maybe it’s her understanding of human nature, or maybe it’s the time we’ve spent together so far, but either wayshe sees right through it. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”

If anything, it’s a relief, having an excuse to talk about him. I know better than to lie to her. I don’t want to lie to her. I feel like I’ve done enough deceiving for a lifetime. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes.” She laughs. “Because that’s exactly what I would be doing in your shoes.” She pats my shoulder, murmuring sympathetically. “I know it’s not easy.”

“Feeling like the world’s biggest jerk? You’re right. It’s not easy.”

“You are not a jerk. You did what you had to do, what all these people needed you to do. It was a tough decision, but it was selfless. You could’ve easily continued with what was best for you, dropped this, your relationship would have no issues. You chose not to do that, and he’ll respect that if he’s the right man for you. If not, you can draw your own conclusions from that.”

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