Page 74 of Through the Snow Globe
Diana checked her reflection in the rearview mirror and cringed. She grabbed a ponytail tie from the dash and pulled her hair back to hide what the weather had curled and frizzed. Then she put her car in drive and headed over to Powell Rehabilitation. She walked inside and headed directly to Leann at the receptionist’s desk. “Hi, I have an appointment with Mr. Powell at two o’clock.”
Diana flicked her gaze to the clock hanging on the wall. It was 1:55. Early. She flashed the receptionist a confident smile. She didn’t feel so nervous this time, probably because she’d already been through this interview too many times.
“Yes. Please have a seat. I’ll call you when he’s ready.”
Diana turned toward the waiting area and took several deep breaths. When Leann called her forward, Diana was ready. She followed her down the hall and turned into Mr. Powell’s office, heading straight toward him with an outstretched hand. “Hi, Todd. Nice to see you again.”
He shook her hand and smiled perfectly. “You too. Can I get you some coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’ve had my two cups today.” And she didn’t fancy spilling it on herself or her boss this afternoon. Not this time.
Mr. Powell sat down behind his desk. “Well, then, we’ll get to business. I must say I was surprised when you put in for the promotion.”
“I surprised myself,” Diana said. “But I think I have a lot to offer in management. I’ve been at this company for nearly ten years. I know the ins and outs, and sharing my knowledge with others would be very rewarding. Not to say that seeing my patients isn’t rewarding, but I’m ready for a new adventure.”
Wow. Diana was impressed by how confident she sounded. She was answering Mr. Powell’s questions before he even asked them. But, unlike yesterday, she didn’t feel frazzled and out of control. She’d let off some steam during yesterday’s rampage, and her emotions felt settled. “Take William Davis, for example. I’ve given him a lot of support since he’s started working here. He’s still learning the ropes after two years, and I’m seasoned enough to show him.”Well said without throwing William under the bus.
The skin between Mr. Powell’s eyes pinched. “Oh? I didn’t realize William was still learning.”
“Well, we all are, aren’t we? Even after ten years, I’m learning.”Humility for the win.
“True enough.” Mr. Powell folded his hands in front of him on the desk. “Tell me, why do you want to be in management, Diana?”
Diana swallowed. Her answer had changed over the last few repeats of this day. At first she’d wanted the promotion because she thought she deserved it. She’d worked hard for it, and it was the next right step in her career. At least that’s what she was telling herself.
The truth was that the main reason she’d ever taken interest in this promotion at all was because it was an excuse not to focus on wedding planning. She knew she wanted to spend her life with Linus, but once he’d slid the ring on her finger, a million fears had surfaced. She’d never been a part of a family, and Linus was all about family. She didn’t want to let him down or lose him, so instead she’d started pushing him away, which made no kind of sense at all.
“Diana?” Mr. Powell asked, reminding her that her boss was still sitting across from her and waiting for an answer.
“I want the management position because . . . Well, the reason is . . .” She trailed off. “It’s . . .” The interview had been going so well until this moment. Now, suddenly, she was at a loss for words. “I’m sorry.” She stood from the chair, careful not to knock over Mr. Powell’s crystal frame. Then she walked over to the open space near the coffee machine and began to pace.
“Are you okay?” Mr. Powell asked.
“Yes,” Diana answered honestly. “I’m fine. I mean, I’m not fine. I’ll never be fine again, but that’s okay.” She stopped pacing and looked at Mr. Powell. “I guess I just realized that I don’t want a desk job. I love being out in the world with my patients. I love getting to know them, and I even enjoy getting into the middle of their teenage drama.”
Mr. Powell smiled. “Your patients love you too, Diana.” He gestured at his laptop. “Can I share something with you?”
“Um, okay.” She took a hesitant step closer.
“Maria Harris sent me an email earlier today. She wanted you to be recognized by the company for all of your efforts.”
Diana approached his desk. “She did? What does the email say?”
Mr. Powell put on a pair of reading glasses and angled his laptop screen toward him. He lifted his gaze to Diana before lowering it again and reading.
To whom it may concern:
After my stroke, I hit a low point in my life. I couldn’t do a lot of the things I enjoyed and I became depressed. Then Diana Merriman started coming to my house and she started stretching my arm and giving me exercises to get better. She made me feel hope, which is something you can’t buy at stores. More than that, she listened to me. Really listened. I’m an old woman and most of my friends have grown tired of listening to my stories. They’ve already heard them a hundred times. Diana didn’t know them, though, and she genuinely seemed to enjoy them. I guess she made me feel seen for the first time in a while, and I’d say that that’s worth getting sick over. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and your physical therapist, Diana Merriman, coming into my life was the reason for this.
So, I don’t know if there’s an award or something you do to honor your employees, but if there is, she deserves it.
Sincerely,
Maria Harris
Mr. Powell took his reading glasses off and looked at her. “Maria Harris thinks very highly of you.”
Tears clouded Diana’s eyes and one slipped free, sliding down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, feeling foolish. She wasn’t one to become emotional in front of others, least of all her boss. “Sorry.”
