Chapter 2

We sat down. He said, “Okay, what’re your questions?”

I looked at Beth who looked back at me. I asked, “Why us?”

“What do you mean?”

I said, “Jack, this is a major project with long-term implications for the company. The initial report wasn’t produced internally. Why have it internal now and, even more, why use two newbies?”

He chuckled. “You’re suspicious, Gerald. That’s not a bad thing. There was some question in the minds of upper executives about using two ‘newbies’ as you put it in what may become a major initiative. The outside company is preparing a report similar to you two. My boss and I have wanted to move this work inside for a while but didn’t have the resources. Your training is such that you can produce the report and then, even better, follow it up.”

I said, “What if we point in a different direction from the outside company’s recommendations?”

“Then, the three of us will have to talk and may get my boss involved. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

I said, “Okay. When is the company planning to actually produce the new product?”

“Once the marketing plan is in place, production can start within thirty days.”

Beth now found her voice. “Do you just want a written report or should we prepare a multi-media presentation?”

“Written for now. The multi-media part will be later when the initial approach is approved and timing is set. Our senior executives like to see paper and numbers on plans.”

Beth said, “Okay. I think we can get started with some realistic hope of producing a plan that will work.” Jack nodded and left us in the conference room.

We read through the afternoon with both of us taking notes. At the end of the day, everyone was leaving and we left also. Beth got in her MB and put the top down to let the fresh air in. I got in my truck and opened the windows to let the fresh air in. I thought that, at least it had power windows.

I arrived home to sit with my parents and answer questions about my day. I admitted to having lunch with a co-worker at the country club. My parents started a bit at that knowing that type of life wasn’t my style. I said, “Next time, we’ll go to Mabel’s and get some good country cooking. I don’t believe Beth has ever had collard greens and cornbread nor fried green tomatoes.”

My parents looked more interested until I said, “She’s a total rich girl and never had to work for anything. She’s smart and pretty but has no faith and doesn’t really live. I’m afraid this job is just a game to her.” I looked at them both. “I do not plan to date her. Other than work, we have nothing in common including faith.” My dad nodded. I think my mom had hoped for more. I just hoped Beth would pull her share of the workload.

The rest of the week progressed reasonably well. Beth pulled her share of the workload and demonstrated she knew her marketing. She also showed she had no practical experience. That area devolved to me. I made two trips, one to the factory floor to talk to the workers. Beth went with me and talked with the management which suited me. On the floor, I learned that there would be some real engineering issues in producing the new product along with some expensive retooling. I even got an estimate on that cost and lead time. The other trip I made on my own to a customer site to watch people shop and follow up on the outside company’s report of interest.

On the Tuesday, the second of work, we went to Mabel’s in my truck. Beth didn’t particularly like my truck but did like Mabel’s. I knew I would. Wednesday found us at our factory floor and I ate with the workers in the cafetoria. Beth ate in the lunchroom with supervisory people.

We compared notes on our trip back to our office. She was in a bit of shock since the management people had told her nothing of the problem with tooling. I had heard that the managers wanted the new product and weren’t telling the entire truth about the situation that would occur when or if this was a go.

Friday came and I went home. I avoided lunch with Beth politely. She mentioned that she had a reception to attend this evening. I just acknowledged her statement. Dad and I were going bank fishing at a local pond.

We had fun and caught fish. We brought five home. I cleaned them while Dad told Mom that our efforts were successful. We had fried fish, hush puppies, Cole slaw, and fries. We ate until it hurt good. We watched the end of the Braves game and went to bed happily full of food.

Saturday, I helped my parents around the house including mowing the yard. Sunday was church and then Nascar. I went into work rested and happy. Beth came in unhappy. She had been accosted by a drunk at the reception who tore her dress. She didn’t ask about my weekend and I didn’t volunteer.

I was sympathetic about her Friday evening while we started the first draft of our report. It contained my time at a customer’s location and findings from there which were more positive than the marketing company’s prediction. It also went over the manufacturing time and cost to get set for production. The result was still a recommendation since demand would be higher to allow more production once started. We then had to plan a marketing campaign. We put together an outline for that and brought a print-out to Jack on Wednesday. He was impressed.

We left it with him in the late afternoon. Beth invited me to have a celebratory drink at a nice restaurant that had a bar. I agreed reluctantly. We drove separately.

Once there, I walked to her car and held the door for her. She said, “Gerald, would you dine with me? I really don’t want to eat alone.”

“Let me call home.” I pulled my old phone out and called the house. Mom answered and said they were going to church for the potluck dinner. I told her I would meet her there or would stick with Beth at her request. Mom was fine with that.

I said, “Let’s go have a drink. We can eat here or I can offer two options.” We went inside. Once seated at the bar, she ordered a martini and I ordered a beer. We were served.

I said, “The two options I have thought about are at Mabel’s or at our church. Our church is having a potluck supper. The ladies are very good. You will meet my parents there since they were going anyway. Mabel’s supper is similar to lunch with table cloths added for the tables.”

I had noticed all day that she was wearing a very short skirt. I tried not to ogle over much though others in the office didn’t make any attempt to not watch her sleek legs. Here, she was noticed. At either of my two options, she would be subject to stares also. After all, a very good-looking girl in a very short skirt was rare at either place. This was the first time she had worn a skirt to work.

She gave me a quiet smile. “Gerald, I’ve never been in a church before or had a potluck dinner.”

“Well, churches aren’t weird. At least, ours is not. A potluck dinner is a meal where the attendees all fix something and place the offerings on a long table. People take a plate and go down the table taking as much of what they want and then go sit in groups at tables. After a good meal, there will be a short devotion given by our pastor.

“You will be noticed. You’re young, pretty, and well-dressed. Also, you’ll be with me which has not happened lately.

“Mable’s. you know. You’ll be noticed there though my presence won’t matter. If Billy is there, I’ll talk to him so he won’t say anything impolite.”

She sipped her drink thinking. After a moment, she said, “Hopefully, my dress isn’t too short. I wore it to get your attention but you hadn’t seemed to notice. I was beginning to think you don’t like me.” She left that hanging obviously waiting for me to make some statement relating to hers.

“Beth, it’s a bit complicated. I like you fine as a person. I’ve never had any relationship from work and am not sure that is a good idea now. My parents have always told me that I shouldn’t date someone I wouldn’t marry. I’ve thought about that over the years and found I agree with them though, perhaps, not for the same reason as they have.”