Page 73 of Beautifully Ruined
Heat burns through my skin. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking.”
He smiles. “You must be the new intern, Violet.”
I nod.
“You must have some powerful friends but while you came with recommendations, it’s your grades and record that impressed me. Come on, I’ve got a light day…well, light for me, so I’ll show you around.”
And he does that. He shows me how the phone system works, and how the office is deliberately open plan. Even his office is. There is a half wall of glass and a window, but it’s not like how Isaac had his.
Behind doors.
My office with doors.
Places where things could happen.
Here, there doesn’t seem to be a space like that. It’s a place where people can see what other people are doing, even the Chief of Staff and Walsh. And he’s a nice man. He talks passionately about his district and what he wants on the grander scheme, of how all the levels from the bottom up need to work together for change and to make the world better.
I like him.
He finally shows me to my seat, which his near his office, near where his Chief of Staff sits when he’s in the office, but I’ll be learning from the senator and his Chief of Staff as well.
“I do have my DUMBO office space in Brooklyn, where Clive is, that’s the Chief of Staff. I split my time between them both, and you’ll come with me when I go there, too. Any questions.”
I look at him. I don’t want to ruin the opportunity I have, and I don’t want to screw up finding Gianna, but I ask him one question that’s on my mind. “Shouldn’t I be interning with Clive?”
“If you wish, but the job is about having my ear, of understanding the numbers, of making sure I’m not giving a crap speech or stepping into a minefield. And if I am about to step on one, using his knowledge of me, of politics and all the other strands to get me out of it.” He pauses. “You’ve clearly proven yourself as someone who understands analysis, but it’s about the day to day, the hands on.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry, no big decisions will be yours and you’ll get to watch Clive work, but we decided you should work with me, too.Be close and pitch in. It’s the only way. And, of course, learn how I like my coffee.” He laughs like he told a wild joke. “Everyone takes turns on getting coffee here, even me.”
Then he nods to a desk in the corner where two men are arguing. “Come on, let’s get started and see what issues they have with the speech I’m meant to be giving tomorrow…”
And I get up and follow.
Macy was right.Walsh is great to work for.
I know it’s only one day, but he’s approachable, and he meant it when he said he’d include me.
The two men were arguing about wording and Walsh listened to them, read the speech and then handed it to me to get my opinion. “Sometimes, the newcomer in the village has the freshest eyes.”
When I gave my opinion, he took it, then told me to tidy it up.
I spent most of the day doing that, working with the two speechwriters on making it better, and finally the three of us were happy.
So was Walsh.
Now… It’s late afternoon, and I’m doing what Walsh just recommended, getting used to the office, of how things are done, and yes, going through some emails for him.
But I’m shocked. He’s everything I could want in a boss. And I’m way more comfortable with him in one day than I ever was with Isaac.
I’m settled in more than just the running of the office. I’m settled in the people, in Walsh, in the job.
There’s often not a set time to go home in this kind of field, but Walsh comes by my desk at six.
“Home time. We’ll let you know when we expect all hands on desk. So, how was your first day?”
“Wonderful.”
