Beautiful

18. Small World After All

Small World After All

It had been about a week since Tierra's meeting with Mr. Baxwell, and things at the office were weird, to say the least. The male colleagues that were once cold and callous towards her seemed genuinely friendlier. They were beginning to operate as a unit, which was great. She only hoped once the news hit the fan, that the new office harmony would remain.

She was sitting at her desk, awaiting her 10a.m. appointment, with Mr. Townsin. She was praying he had a new attitude, when Terri buzzed that he arrived.

"Come in, Mr. Townsin," Tierra said, standing in front of her new desk, hands folded across her chest. "Now, where were we?"

"Mrs. Rodriquez, can I just say that I am very sorry for my attitude the last time I was here? It was very unprofessional..."

"Look Mr. Townsin, that was a month ago," she cut him off, "Do you think you are the first man to set up an appointment with Ms. Rodriquez, then come into my office and act like they were expecting a Mr. Rodriquez? You're not. I've been in this business for many years. I've had to listen and deal with a lot of male egos, innuendos and belittling due to the fact that I'm a female and now I'm in charge of this department. But, trust me when I tell you, I work later and play harder than any man here at B.E. And I made it to where I am because of my work ethic. Not my skills on my back or my knees, okay! So, let's skip the apologies and get down to work."

Mr. Townsin reluctantly swallowed what little pride Tierra left him with and opened his briefcase, to remove the folders. He and Tierra sat at her desk and talked about the company he represented and their financial problems for several hours.

**********

"Mr. Townsin, I'm trying to tell you that this idea is not going to work. If you go back to your boss and tell him that is what you want to do, don't put my stamp on it. In fact, I will make sure to call Thomas before you leave this building, and make sure he knows this is not my recommendation." Tierra assured him.

"We have to cut money going out, in order to be able to capitalize on the money that's coming in, Mrs. Rodriquez," Mr. Townsin said, looking at his watch.

"I'm sorry, are you late for something?" she was annoyed he had looked at his watch again for the fifth time.

"Actually, I am," he replied. "I should be at prayer right now. I've never missed prayer for work before. Look, I'm sorry. This may sound crazy to you, but..."

Tierra looked at her clock on the bookshelf, and realized she too was late for prayer. Terri had come in to say goodnight about an hour ago, but the two of them were in the midst of a heated debate, so Terri just closed the door.

"No, you're right. Actually, I am late as well."

"For church... you, you go to church?" he leaned back in his chair and looked at her skeptically.

"Wow, rude much!" she responded, offended by his statement. "Yes, I do go to church. Why does that surprise you?"

"When I met you before, I would have not thought of you as a Christian woman."

"Well I wouldn't have considered myself one either, not then. I had only gone to church a couple of times. God is still molding me. But Mr. Townsin, let me ask you a question, how ought a corporate Christian woman, behave? This is a cutthroat industry. As a woman, if I'm too nice, I'll be eaten for alive. If I'm too straight edged, then I'm considered a Bitch and my new-found Christ like qualities can't shine through. So, what do I do?"

Mr. Townsin opened his mouth to respond and then paused, "I honestly don't know the answer to that one, Mrs. Rodriquez. But I see your point."

"By the way, its Ms. Rodriquez, I'm not married, never have been. You can call Terri tomorrow to set up an appointment for next week. We can finish this then, okay?"

They both gathered their belongings and walked to the elevator. At the ground floor, Mr. Townsin headed out the building and hailed a taxi as Tierra's driver pulled up.

"Mr. Townsin, where are your prayer services held?"

"United Family of Prayer Church."

"Really? Come on, if you need a ride, that's where I'm headed." Small world for sure, she thought, once again remembering Prof. Martinez words.

�u