Page 44 of Through the Snow Globe
“Can you give me some examples of times you’ve been a leader in your current role?”
Diana took a breath and looked at Mr. Powell. “I lead my patients every day. They open their doors to me with the expectation that I’m going to help them get well. They put their trust in me. They look to me for leadership and that’s what I provide them,” she said, feeling good about that answer.Okay, okay,she was turning things around and getting back on track. Maybe there was hope for her after all—even though her pants were drenched in coffee.
Mr. Powell nodded as his smile drew up higher. That was a good sign. “Your patients have never filed a complaint.”
But they hadn’t filed many Glow Cards either—one to be exact. And William’s patients had.
“I love working with my patients. But I would also love mentoring upcoming therapists,” she added. “The best of both worlds.” She let out a nervous laugh, very aware of the red marks on Mr. Powell’s jawline. “Most of my patients have physical disabilities that prevent them from completing Glow Cards.”
Mr. Powell looked at her strangely.
“I just mean, I know that some therapists here get lots of Glow Cards. But my lack of Glow Cards isn’t a reflection on how good of a therapist I am.”
“Of course not.” He offered his winning smile again. “Well, Diana, I’ll look over your employee file and consider you for the promotion,” he said noncommittally. “I just want to shoot straight with you. There are several folks here who are interested in the position.”
“Of course.” Diana felt herself deflate. She wasn’t getting this promotion. She could feel it in her bones. The job was going to everyone’s pal, William. “Thank you for your time.” She stood and reached over his desk to offer her hand. In doing so, she knocked the picture frame off his desk.Again?The crystal frame crashed to the ground and Diana flinched at the sound of breaking glass at her feet.
Mr. Powell’s entire face turned red now. Even so, he kept his smile firmly pinned in place.
“Oh, I am so sorry!” Diana said for the second time this interview. “I’ll replace the frame.” She looked at the photograph buried under broken glass. It was of a younger Mr. and Mrs. Powell. Diana had met Mr. Powell’s wife many times before at company parties and picnics.
“Natasha and I chose the marriage-after-one-month route. She gave me that frame for our eighth wedding anniversary.”
Diana wanted to shrink out of the room. She wanted to disappear into thin air.Poof. Gone.She realized her hand was still extended to Mr. Powell. He wasn’t reaching for it, though. She slowly withdrew her hand and took a few retreating steps toward the door. “Thank you again for your consideration, Todd. I, um, will just be leaving now.” She turned and hurried out of his office. Diana did her best not to cry as she passed Leann in the lobby and headed outside toward the parking lot.
She quickly got inside her car and held the steering wheel as her body shook. Again? Why couldn’t she fix this meeting and nail her promotion?
Her phone buzzed from inside her purse. She took a breath, already knowing who it was.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Diana? There you are. I was getting worried,” Joann said. “You haven’t been returning my calls.”
“Sorry. I’ve been a little busy.” Trying to save her fiancé from a delivery-truck coma while also winning the promotion that her heart was set on.
“Well, the holidays get that way, I guess. I know you’re at work right now, so I was expecting to receive your voice mail. I just wanted to see if you and Linus would come over this weekend? I can cook and perhaps we can plan that wedding of yours. What do you think?”
Diana watched a soft drizzle of rain fall on her windshield. She’d had this conversation in Linus’s parking lot yesterday. There were slight changes about the day, but not enough to make a difference.
Joann cleared her throat, reminding Diana that she still hadn’t answered.
“I’m sorry. What was the question?” Diana’s emotions were threadbare. As long as she saved Linus tonight, everything would be okay, she reminded herself.
“I asked if you and Linus could spare an hour or two this weekend to come see us? Discuss it amongst yourselves, okay?” Joann asked.
“I’ll talk to him.” Why hadn’t Joann just called Linus? She washismother after all. “It’s his busy season, though.”
“Trust me, I remember. When Linus’s father ran the shop, I barely saw him during the month of December. I used to carry our meals to the store,” she said, just like she had yesterday, laughing quietly to herself. “If Linus can’t make it this weekend, maybe you still can. We can have a little girl time. I always wanted a girl, you know?”
Diana swallowed. Something about that statement pricked at her emotions. “I’ll let you know, Joann,” she said. If she saved Linus tonight, they’d go to the Grants’ house this weekend, Diana promised herself. She’d do a lot of stuff differently. She just needed to get past this one day.
“Yes, please do. Okay, well I know you’re busy-busy. I’ll let you go,” Joann said. “Talk soon.”
“Okay. Bye.” Diana disconnected the call and sighed. What was next on her day of repeats? Ah, yes. Sparky’s Tavern to toast Rochelle a happy birthday. At least Diana could do that right today. She hoped.
Chapter 13
When Diana walked into Sparky’s Tavern at a quarter after three, she spotted Rochelle seated at a table in the bar. It was the same seat she’d occupied yesterday.
