Chapter 24

On Friday afternoon, Sara was nearly finished turning her job over to her successor. She really felt as though she was done with the job, and it surprised her that she could turn her back on a ten-year career with such ease. She had mentioned this to Charity when she called to say she had definitely made her decision.

"I mean, it's only my career, Charity. I spent years in school, and more years doing scut-work to get where I am, and I'm just chucking it. I must be nuts.' But she had interrupted the other woman's soothing reply. "No, really, I know I have to do it. I have to do it for myself, to settle things for me. I have to get out of this sexist rat-race in this company. And coming to you is a good way to step to one side of the line and see who's in it.

"And guess what, Charity? My boyfriend wants me to freelance for him, doing my old kind of hospitality work in my spare time while I work for you. Is that going to be a problem?'

"I know you have a lot of lovers, but I hadn't heard of a real boyfriend, Sara, ' Charity said. "Is this something new?'

With a start, Sara realized that she had skipped a few steps. She gulped and closed her office door. "Charity, here's the situation. You know I told you there was a guy I was beginning to like a lot? Well... ' and Sara explained the developments in her relationship with Steve and his interest in their working together.

"And you want to live at the club while you do this?' Charity asked. "Do you think you can do the job and work with Steve as well?'

"Yes, I think I can. At first, there won't be a lot for me to do in Steve's business, and that will give me time to get a lot of things I want to do at the club under way. When Steve's first accounts start to heat up enough to need my efforts, I should have most things at the club under some control. The real advantage for the club is that, if this works out, I won't have to leave after six months or so, as I originally told you.

"And, there's another thing, too. I'm not entirely sure that the thing with Steve is going to work out. I'm not certain he's going to really be able to accept my lifestyle. This way, I can do the job I want to do for you and still keep my options open for my love life. Can you live with this?'

"Well, Sara, I guess we can. First of all, I'm glad you're looking at a possible long-term relationship, and I want to help that along if I can. I know from my own experience that, for people like us, this can be difficult. As for Steve's business idea, I think we'll have to wait and see. My concern is for the club and for seeing it work its way out of the problems you've pointed out to us. I want to see you succeed at that, too. We'll give it a try, Okay?'

"Thank you Charity. Thank you very much, ' Sara said.