Path to Convergence
Copyright© 2025 by Vonalt
Chapter 15: Still Whacking the Same Mole
I pulled into the company’s parking lot and parked the Volvo in my customary spot. I got out and made another complete inspection tour around the car, noting that there were no new dings or scratches. “I swear,” Andi said, “That you love that car way more than you love me.” I responded, “That’s not true, you’re a close second.” “Ach!” Andi exclaimed, surprised, and began chasing me into the building. We were both laughing at our exchange by now, and raced each other into the lobby. It must have been hilarious to watch; me running on my gimpy leg, being chased by an obviously pregnant woman who waddled behind me, trying to catch me. I gave Andi a quick kiss in the lobby to remind her how much I loved her. I gave her behind a playful pinch that made her let out a quick ‘yip’ before she turned around and shot me a dirty look as we walked into the office.
The others in the office glanced up, smiled, and went back to their work. Andi gave me another dirty look from her cubicle, rubbing the spot where I had pinched her. I smiled back and mouthed, “I love you.” Her eyes welled up, and she sat down to get organized for her day. I pulled my notes and other items out of the messenger bag I usually carried. Paperclipped to my day planner was the doctor’s card who I had spoken to yesterday. I dialed his number, anticipating that I’d get his voicemail, but the doctor answered, to my surprise. “Commander Thorton,” the doctor said, “Who’s speaking?” “This is James Mercer, Commander. I’m the guy who wasn’t doing so hot that you were checking out at the conference yesterday,” I said. “I’m calling to see about getting into the program you were telling me about.” “Yes, Dr. Mercer, we’d be happy to welcome you into the program,” Commander Dr.
Thorton said. “Let me give you the number to call to get signed up. Have anyone who gives you trouble call me directly, I’ll get it straightened out. You should qualify without any issues. You were in the Army during Desert Storm, so that meets the service requirement.
The number is 1-800-555-1212.
The person who answers will collect your information and help set up a schedule that works for you. Is there anything else I can help you with?” “No, Commander, I think that’s everything, and thank you again for looking after me yesterday,” I replied. “You’re quite welcome, Dr. Mercer. I have a question to ask while I have you on the phone; are you related to Karen Mercer?” Commander Thorton asked. “I’ve worked with Karen at Alexandria Hospital a few times while I was on ED rotation,” he added. “Based on the way that you asked that, I take it that Karen has a reputation,” I said with a chuckle. “Yeah, she’s got a temper and can be a handful at times. It’s only gotten worse now that she’s expecting again, and there are days that I wouldn’t mind being back in the desert.” We both started laughing, and Commander Thorton said, “You are a brave man, Dr. Mercer,” before ending the call. I turned to get up after the call ended, and headed for a drink from the cooler in our breakroom. Andi was sitting there, glaring at me. Caught.
There was nothing I could say now. I might as well take my lumps when I got home, because I knew they were coming. I got up, and asked Andi if she wanted anything before heading to get my drink. I got the death stare in return. You win some, you lose some. I’d be back in the doghouse tonight, and it wouldn’t be the last time. I called the number Commander Thorton had given me when I returned with my drink, and registered for the treatment program. I learned that it was a combination of physical therapy and counseling, designed to help wounded individuals return to their former selves as quickly as possible. I didn’t think that I could have found a better fit for my situation.
The program required me to go to Walter Reed for a half-hour physical rehab session, and a one-hour group ‘talk-it-out’ session with others who had experienced both physical and emotional trauma from their wounds, twice a week. I didn’t see how the program would interfere with my work schedule very much.
The rest of my day was spent playing catch-up until I received a call at 3 PM. It was from one of the attendees at yesterday’s mole meeting. He had spoken with his boss about my concept of the inverted oil funnel for managing the flow of information.
They were interested in exploring the possibility of Mercer, Frisch, & Associates designing and helping to implement the information flow system for their Special Projects group. We scheduled a time for me and several of my Associates to come in and give a presentation. We’d be able to prepare a more accurate estimate for the work involved in designing their information flow system once we had more details. I was in a much better emotional state after I ended the call, than I had been earlier.
There would likely be additional groups waiting in the wings if we landed this contract.
This deal could go a long way toward filling Mercer, Frisch, & Associates’ bank accounts. I turned around and finally got Andi’s attention on my third attempt. I explained what the call was about and how big of a deal it was for our organization and its bottom line. I don’t think that Andi was as angry as she had been earlier after I finished. A thought then suddenly hit me; did we even have enough staff to complete this project and deliver it according to the client’s timeline? An added bonus was that we could take an active role in uncovering the mole’s identity.
The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. We’d need more analysts than security personnel for a job like this. I needed to consult with Andi and Johann to estimate how many and what kinds of personnel that we’d require, then I started thinking about the cost and time involved in vetting all those individuals.
That’s when it hit me that we’d quickly outgrow the facilities we’d been using for the past several years. We’d either need to lease additional office space or purchase land to build on.
The problem was that we were on a tight timeline, and construction would take too long. We still wouldn’t be moved in by the time the project was finished. I could feel one of my tension headaches coming on. I tried to concentrate on the road on the drive home, but my mind kept drifting back to the opportunity that had presented itself earlier. I pulled a couple of bonehead moves that scared the daylights out of Andi as a result. She made it very clear that she wasn’t ready to have the baby just yet, and that I needed to stop trying to scare it out of her. I didn’t exactly make any friends among the other rush hour drivers after cutting off a couple who were trying to turn. I got a nasty horn blast and an obscene gesture in return. I think that Andi, not usually a religious person, was quietly offering a prayer of thanksgiving that she was still alive by the time we finally made it home. Karen was in a foul mood when we got inside, and she directed it squarely at me. Someone had tattled, and I knew exactly who had ratted me out. So, all in all, it was shaping up to be a lovely evening; one wife was furious with me for making light of her in front of a stranger, and the other was mad because I’d nearly killed her with my driving. I rattled Beast’s leash after supper, and headed out with him for a long walk before anyone could corner me and force me to defend myself. I made sure that I was armed; there’s no sense in wandering into a sketchy part of town unprepared.
That two-hour walk turned out to be a great stress reliever. Beast and I stopped to grab snacks, sit for a bit, and do some people-watching and traffic-gazing a few times. It was exactly the break that I needed. I kept an eye on the time to avoid getting into even more trouble for staying out too late. Beast and I made it back by 8:30 PM. He made sure that I knew he was happy that we were bonding again. I could still tell he had occasional bouts of separation anxiety, but he seemed content tonight. I needn’t have worried when I got back from my walk, as both Karen and Andi were already in bed. I decided not to disturb them by crawling in between. I took the bed in the third-floor bedroom for the night instead. Breakfast was laid out for me the next morning; a bowl of corn flakes and powdered milk. I got the message loud and clear, and ignored it. I planned to stop by the Breakfast Nook again instead. Andi also let me know that she’d be riding into work with Jean.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.