Page 7 of Check the Halls
“Busted last night. DUI,” Danny answers, eyes still glued to the device in his hand.
Alyssa ignores me continues her pitch. “I have an in with Tyler.”
“What kind of an in?” Mallory from legal asks, peering at her over her horn-rimmed glasses.
Alyssa smirks. “Let’s just say he owes me. He’ll do it if I ask him to.”
My brain is starting to put the pieces together. Obviously, we can’t have someone with a DUI arrest as our ambassador, so Bruce is definitely out. But Tyler Caine? The comedian turned podcaster who is problematic at best, dangerous at worst? I don’t even want to know how he wound up indebted to someone like Alyssa.
“Do…do you really think he’s the best option we have to represent the foundation?” I look around the room, searching for an ally. “He can be a bit…” Disgusting. Offensive. Racist. “Abrasive.”
“He’s the hottest name in comedy right now. He just signed a three-special deal with Netflix and his book is abestseller. With him in our arsenal, we’ll generate even more buzz.” Alyssa speaks with a confidence that’s almost enough to convince me. Except for the fact that I know she’s wrong.
Sure, hiring him will make news. But is that the kind of publicity we want?
The foundation raises money for children’s charities and Tyler Caine is a walking endorsement for mandatory sterilization.
I try another angle. “I think we should look at getting another athlete.” If I can’t appeal to her sense of decency, maybe I can win with logic. “We’re raising money for children’s sport programs. Annika Lei is an Olympic silver-medal winning figure skater. Her co-ambassador should be a fellow athlete.”
Alyssa’s mouth is open to argue before I’ve even finished my sentence, but Chanda holds up a delicate hand, silencing her.
“I agree with Madelyn.” Her tone is kind, but firm. “Yes, Mr. Caine would no doubt garner more attention, but not all attention is created equally, and I believe his involvement would alienate many of our donors.”
It’s a fascinating thing to watch someone try not to explode. Alyssa’s lips press into a thin, bloodless line, and I can see the effort it’s taking for her not to scream as her eyes bore a hole into me.
“Don’t you agree, Alyssa?” Chanda’s voice is smooth and neutral, as if she’s unaware of the ticking time bomb in the seat next to her or simply doesn’t care. Chanda may know Alyssa better, but my first instinct is to crawl under the table and take cover.
Alyssa’s eyes dart to our leader, then to me, and backagain. For a moment, I think she might actually go off, consequences be damned. But instead, she forces a tight, complacent smile that doesn’t even come close to reaching her eyes.
“Of course. Whatever you think is best, Chanda.” It’s amazing her voice can sound so normal through obviously clenched teeth. This is the first time I’ve seen her propose something only to have it shot down and judging by the way her hand twitches like she wants to stab someone, I don’t think she’s enjoying the experience.
“Good call, Madelyn.” Chanda nods at me, satisfied, and turns her attention back to the tablet in front of her, seemingly unaware that anything is amiss.
I keep my expression neutral— the picture of professionalism. Inside, I’m enjoying this far more than I should. Not only is Alyssa not getting her way, but a woman I have an enormous amount of respect for just praised me in front of a room full of people.
I’ve been following Chanda’s career since I was in high school. It’s not just the foundation she has built, though it is an international non-profit with offices in several countries; the things she has accomplished and the sheer number of families she has helped are nothing short of inspiring.
“Do you really think you’re qualified for that position?”I hear Derek’s mother in my head. That’s what she’d asked me when I told her I’d received an interview for the Operations and Events Director position here. The woman has a remarkable talent for sniffing out my insecurities like a bloodhound with an axe to grind.
And in her defence—although it pains me to offer her any—she wasn’t wrong. It’s much larger than anyorganization I’ve ever worked for. And while I have a master’s degree in Business Administration, I don’t have that many years of experience in the field.
Even though I prepared for my interview with the dedication of an ultra-marathon runner, I never expected to get the job. But I did get the job.
And I’m good at it. At least, I think I am.
Alyssa adjusts her posture and smooths down the front of her blazer before meeting my eyes again. “So, Madelyn, who do you have in mind?”
I freeze as I am once again the unintended center of attention.
“Pardon?”
Her smile turns predatory. “You suggested an athlete. So, who can you get?”
Just because I know that Tyler Caine is wrong for the job doesn’t mean I know who’s right for it.
“I can get Mark Wheeler,” Danny volunteers, finally setting his phone down. “Our wives are first cousins.”
“Like Madelyn said: we’re raising money for children’s sport programs,” Alyssa imitates my voice in a way that’s just shy of offensive. “Kids don’t want to see some middle-aged golfer. I don’t care how many opens he’s won.”
