Chapter 20

By the time they were finished, Sara had to hurry to pack — not that she had used much from her suitcase — and put on the clothes she had worn on Friday and ride with Charity to catch her plane. Refreshed by her weekend, she looked a different person, her skirt swinging and showing her legs, her breasts shifting behind the pockets of her shirt. The woman no one had noticed on Friday drew many eyes that Sunday. Before departure, she called Teddy and asked him to pick her up. He seemed delighted and promised to meet her.

As the plane flew into the evening, Sara felt the glow of satisfaction and confidence. Her recommendations were being seriously considered, largely accepted. Her professionalism was acknowledged by the whole group and she felt certain she could accomplish most of what she planned without difficulty.

The project of involving more of the community was more challenging, and all of them had recognized that there were dangers as well as advantages in the plan. Still, if the club was to have any confidence in a prolonged future, there seemed to be little alternative to making as many people in the town as possible into "willing co-conspirators' as Harry put it.

The job part of the situation looked interesting, but Sara wondered how working for the club for any length of time would affect her career. There was probably no way she could market the experience she would gain, although Sam had told her that he and other members would discreetly help her when it came time for her to move on. That was a real problem, but she had determined to go ahead with the plan. The reason for that was that the rest of her felt — Wonderful. 'I spent almost three days there, and I got screwed just about as often as I wanted, and with great pleasure, ' she thought. She felt relaxed; her 'bottle' was full. Teddy's eager assurances on the telephone told her that she would be lustily received and thoroughly satisfied this evening, too.

'Charity is right, ' she told herself. 'You have to accept the reality of yourself. I'm a good, professional hospitality manager. I'm a great lay and I have hot pants. And, when you come right down to it, I'm proud of it. I like sex, I like getting laid, I like doing a good job at anything because it makes me feel good.

'I just wish I still didn't have doubts. I've simply got to find a way to deal with my job future. But I don't see how I can do it right now, ' she thought, and relaxed and enjoyed her inner glow.

The flight was boring again, but Teddy was not; Sara was welcomed home with eager hands and spent a warm and loving evening.

On Monday morning, Sara sent Teddy off with a smile, a hug and another big breakfast. She had told him that she was going to quit the hotel, and that she would be moving. Teddy wasn't happy about that, but Sara told him he could come and visit her there whenever he wanted. It seemed to make him feel better.

At the hotel, Sara went to Jefferson's office before entering her own. Jefferson seemed pleased to see her, and came to shake her hand.

"I want you to know, Ms. Compton, that Mr. Wright called me on Friday, and spoke of your ability in the highest terms. He was most pleased with the success of his meeting and made a point of telling me it was largely your doing. Congratulations.

"Now, what can I do for you this morning? You'll be taking over the Building Department right away, of course. Is there anything I need to tell you?'

"I appreciate your telling me about Mr. Wright's compliments, ' Sara said, continuing with "and I assure you that they were richly deserved. I worked hard on that conference, and it went well because I worked hard on it and because I know what I am doing.

"Mr. Jefferson, ' Sara said to him, "I came in to tell you that I am resigning from the company, effective two weeks from today. I have a week's vacation coming, so my last day of work will be this coming Friday. I will spend my remaining time with the company putting my successor in Sales into the picture, and if you need any assistance with the Building Department, please tell me. As you know, I have run a Building Department before.'

Sara had to restrain a smile when Jefferson's smug face collapsed at her initial words about resigning. She went right on with her announcement and felt that she had said exactly what she wanted to convey.

"I am absolutely astounded, Sara, ' Jefferson finally said. "Where are you going? Have you found another position? Is there any way I can change your mind?'

"I have accepted another position, Mr. Jefferson, but I am not at liberty to give you the details at the moment. You should know that I am aware you made certain remarks about me to other people in the industry in an attempt to make it difficult for me to find another position. At this time, I don't choose to bring any legal action against you or the company, but don't assume I won't. And there is no way you will change my mind. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do.'

Jefferson was now red in the face, and as Sara left the room, she could imagine in her mind's eye the effect of her words on the self-important little tyrant. She knew that she would probably hear a lot more about the whole thing from him, but she didn't care. 'I didn't say anything that wasn't true, and I didn't say anything he can use against me, ' she thought as she went into her office. 'And, I'm glad I didn't say anything more about where I'm going. Let the little prick guess.'

At her desk, she quickly typed the text of her resignation into her computer and sent it on to her assistant to complete and print. She spent the rest of the morning briefing the woman who was taking over the department in Jefferson's re-shuffle.

As she returned from lunch the telephone rang. It was Steve Calvin.

"Sara, ' he said without preamble, "can I ask a favor of you?'

"Of course, Steve, what is it?'

"I'm in the airport at Chicago right now, and I'm taking a plane to your city. I'll get there about five. I'm going to have to leave early tomorrow morning. Can we spend the night together?'

"You try and stop me, Steve Calvin, and you're in trouble.'

"Great, ' Steve said, sounding rushed. "I get in at 4:56. It's American Flight 235, Okay?'

"The plane gets in the airport at 4:56, Steve, you get in me at 4:57, ' Sara answered, leaving no doubt of her meaning.

"Okay. Sorry to rush, they're boarding. Bye' Steve hung up with a chuckle and Sara sagged back into her chair, her heart suddenly beating more rapidly than she expected.

Her assistant burst in the door, a paper in her hand. "What do you mean, quitting and not telling me? Leaving me all alone here?' She waved the letter in the air then handed it to Sara. "Where are you going, tell me all about it.' The woman had been working for Sara for two years, and although they weren't friends in a social sense, she was competent, they got along well, and Sara would miss her.

Overnight, Sara had had time to develop a story to tell in situations like this, and she went right at it. "I've quit. I've got another job, but I can't talk about it for a few days, until they take care of some personnel matters at the new place. As soon as I can I'll tell you all about it, ' she promised.

In fact, Sara really hadn't anything special to tell, except her story that she was going to take over managing a private club. She planned to describe it as a lateral move to give herself experience in a top management position that she could transfer back to the management of a chain of small hotels at some future time. It was true, as far as it went, but she didn't really feel very happy with the way it sounded. She had always thought that her career path should lead to the top of one of the big chains. But right now, it wasn't leading that way. Maybe later.