Page 180 of Toxic Salvation
But I’m happy for my patients. I picked a worthy candidate. I only hope I still have a job waiting for me when I return.
I walk into Richard’s office with a huge smile, truly grateful that I don’t have to deal with that snake Jeremy any longer. Because my man handled him completely. Just like he handles every single problem that comes his way.
“Hello, Richard.” I settle into the leather chair across from his desk.
He stands and offers me coffee—I can drink coffee again, finally—and then we settle into polite small talk.How’s the wife? How are the kids? Is the hospital doing okay?
I find that I enjoy the conversation more than I expected. Turns out, spending most of your time with an infant sets a low bar for adult interaction.
“I must say, you look great for a mom who’s only four months postpartum.”
“Thank you. I’ve taken up yoga now that I’m home all the time. I finally get what all the hype is about.”
He smiles distractedly, checking his phone for the third time since I walked in here. His leg bounces under the desk. Whatever he wants to discuss is making him nervous.
“And the baby, how’s he doing?”
“Wonderfully. My oldest, Luka, loves being a big brother. He does a lot of the babysitting for me.” I study his face, trying to read his expression. “Richard, is everything okay? You seem tense.”
“It’s a special time,” he says, ignoring my question entirely.
“It really is.” I nod, wondering where this conversation is heading.
“Which brings me to something I wanted to discuss with you.” Richard clears his throat and fiddles with his coffee mug like it holds the secrets of the universe.
I wait. He waits.
“Well?” I prod.
He clears his throat. “I was wondering if you would like to extend your maternity leave?”
I blink twice, certain I misheard. “I’m sorry… You’ll have to say that again. I don’t think I quite caught it.”
His cheeks are ruddy and flushed. “As I understand it, this is your first baby, am I right? He must be feeling neglected since the new addition?”
Now, I’m irritated. “Luka loves being a big brother. And he’s not jealous because there’s nothing to be jealous about. I love him just as much as I love Tali.”
“Of course, I didn’t mean to imply— I just— I wanted to give you the option…”
He’s not meeting my eye. Red flags are popping up everywhere.
“Like you said, this is a special time,” he says, then makes an abrupt pivot. “My wife is a lawyer; did you know that?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “She practiced right up until we had our first child. She tried to go back to work when he was six months, too, but it was too hard, juggling a career as demanding as law with raising a child. So we decided it would be better for our family if she took more time off. She ended up taking eleven years before going back.”
My blood pressure spikes. “I’m sorry, are you asking me to take the nexteleven yearsoff?”
Richard’s flush deepens. “Of course not…! I’m just offering you the chance to spend more quality time at home with your kids.”
I arch an eyebrow and fix him with my most withering stare. “And if I refuse, then what? I’m a bad mother?”
“No, no, Vesper. Of course not. I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood me.”
“Clearly. Because I’m not sure what you’re getting at, Richard. Unless you’re trying to find an easy way of telling me that I’m fired.”
Richard sighs heavily. “That’s not what’s happening here, Vesper. Your job is your job. No one’s taking it away from you.”
“So you’re saying that if I take the next ten years off and decide to come back in a decade, my job’s going to be right here, waiting for me?”
“As long as I’m still head of the board, yes; I can say that with some confidence. And honestly, with your credentials, it wouldn’t matter who’s running the board. They’re going to hire you immediately. No questions asked.”
