An Unexpected Miracle--Chapter 15.2

“Hey, Joe, welcome back,” Raymond Harris called out as Joe stepped out of the elevator.  Ray walked over to him and thrust out his hand in greeting.  “I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again, although it’s great to have you back.”

Joe forced a smile, putting out his own hand.  Ray was the head of the Houston office and was a terrific guy.  The two of them had hit it off when Joe was in Houston earlier in the year.  Ray and his wife, Tanya, and their kids, had made being away from Marilee bearable those four months.  Joe had spent most of his free time with the man and his family and they developed a deep friendship.  Considering Joe had told him there was no way he would take another long-term assignment away from home, no doubt Ray would want to know why he was back, but Joe was not up to sharing the true reason just yet.

“I know, but Thomas said someone was really needed down here and no one else was volunteering.”

“He’s right about me needing someone.  I lost two people just this week.”

Joe hitched his laptop bag more securely on his shoulder.  “I heard.  What’s up with that?  You always seemed like an okay guy to work for,” he said, grinning.

“I am an okay guy to work for,” Ray insisted.  “This is mostly just bad timing.  The position you’re taking is for one of our account managers, Jessica, who had to leave early for her maternity leave on her doctor’s orders.  I knew she would be leaving but hadn’t planned on it being so soon.  She’ll be back after the baby is born but we had to have someone cover her work while she was out.  I had a temp scheduled to come and cover for her, but in the meantime two other people left for better offers and only gave me a week’s notice.  I probably could have managed by calling the temp in early, but she’s on another assignment right now.  Then there’s the management training class that starts next Monday.  Unfortunately the teacher for that class is one of the guys who left.”

They turned and began walking towards Ray’s office while Ray continued bringing Joe up to speed on office staffing.  “You’re here to fill Jessica’s place who has the most pressing work load.  I can get by without having Tim’s position filled for a while, but Bob leaving is causing a bit of a problem since he was due to take on the management class.”

Joe stopped walking and turned to Ray.  “I’ve led that class before, back in Detroit.  I can take over this session if you need me to,” he offered.

“I appreciate the offer but you’re going to be pretty busy with Jessica’s work.”

“The work load won’t be a problem.  It’s not like I have a family to go home to.  The extra activity will keep me occupied.”

Ray watched Joe carefully, sensing there was something wrong, but not able to put his finger on what it was.  “If you’re sure, that would be great.”

“It would be perfect.”

“Well, terrific.”  He motioned Joe into the office to their left.  “In that case you can have this office.  Bob’s last day was Friday so all his personal stuff is cleared out.  You’re going to need the extra space if you’re handling both Jessica’s and Bob’s work.”

Joe set his briefcase and laptop bag down on the desk, taking a quick look around.  Windows lined the wall, letting in a large amount of natural light.  “This will be perfect.  Thanks a lot Ray.”

Ray gave him a curious look before he spoke.  “You’ll be staying at the same apartment as last time.  I had one of the administrative assistants stock some of the basics for you.  If you need anything else there or here at the office, just let me know.  I called Tanya when I found out you were coming and she and kids would love to have you over for dinner tonight.”

Joe dropped his gaze to the desk, avoiding Ray’s eyes.  “Not tonight.  I’d like to get settled in and organized before I do anything else.  But thanks for the offer.  Tell Tanya I said hello.”

“Sure, no problem.”  Ray responded, watching as Joe opened his briefcase and began shuffling things around.  “I’ll have Brenda bring over Jessica’s caseload.”

“Thanks.”  Joe looked up and caught Ray’s frown.

“Are you sure everything is okay?” Ray asked, concern evident in his voice.

The last thing Joe wanted was for Ray to know the real reason for his being back in Houston.  “Everything is fine.”

“Well, I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I appreciate it, Ray.”  He looked away.  “I’ll stop in later so we can go over Bob’s class schedule.”

Ray nodded with a smile and turned out of the office.  Once he was out of sight the smile slipped into a frown.  There was definitely something bothering Joe.  The man had been adamant about not taking any more long term assignments.  Unfortunately there was little Ray could do unless Joe opened up.  Ray continued on to his office, forcing his mind back toward work.  He still had to come up with a solution to the other open position in the office. 

Joe pulled out the chair and sat behind the desk, staring blankly down at the open briefcase sitting in front of him.  He had hoped putting distance between him and Mari would lessen the turmoil inside him.  But the physical distance that separated them only added to the pain he felt.  Throughout the plane ride down to Houston he had been plagued with misgivings.  He should have been more open with her about his intentions.  Not telling her until just before he left was the coward’s way out but he could not face the hurt he knew his leaving would cause.  Although she did not give a thought to causing you pain, Joe told himself.  Regardless, he had almost broken down and called her to make sure she was all right.  Don’t do it, a voice whispered, don’t give in.  She’s nothing to you now. 

Joe shook his head.  The only way he was going to accomplish anything was to force any thought of his wife away and concentrate only on what had to be done here in Houston.  There would be time enough in the next six months to consider any decisions about his future with Mari. 

Brenda, the administrative assistant assigned to Joe, came in a short time later and deposited a load of file folders on his desk with an apologetic smile.  She pointed out a few of the more important clients then left the office.  Joe bent to work.  Despite everything there was to do, the day dragged.