When Christine arrived to work to attend the mid-morning monthly meeting, she felt so depressed she wished she could crawl under the table. She and her team were deciding which young women the agency would take on as models. It was like any other meeting until they showed a video of one potential model who spoke of her heartrending decision to give up her baby when she got pregnant at sixteen. It was highly unusual that young women interviewed would make such a startling confession.
"Well, she certainly made a distinct Impression," Greg, a mid-level manager, chuckled nervously, twirling his pen between his fingers.
"I am impressed by her poise and maturity as she related the event," John, the assistant manager, spoke up. "Personally, it shows me she can handle herself well on camera."
"I don't think this was an appropriate venue to share such a personal experience," Lynn, an interviewer, observed. "She's applying to be a model. This isn't a confessional or group therapy. And with the abortion issue such a hot topic, I think she was trying to push her pro-life platform. Another no-no when you're applying for a job." She turned to Christine. "Christine, don't you agree?"
Christine turned pale when all eyes fell on her. She had been mulling over the young woman's words and not listening to her co-workers' conversation. She was unable to articulate any words so she shrugged her shoulders.
Come on Christine, you're at work! You've got to appear somewhat professional!
"I don't know why she had to relay this information to us, but I have to respect her reasons for the decision she made," she said quietly, staring at the table.
Everyone else was silent, staring at Christine and then at each other.
Sophie, her boss, was the only person in the room who knew about Daniel's illness as well as his adoption of the twins when Christine got married. She cleared her throat and said, "I agree with Christine. However, I don't find this relevant to our decision on whether to hire her as a model. I would prefer candidates not to offer these revelations at the interview stage."
"She would make a great guest on Dr. Phil." Greg said. Everyone chuckled.
"I agree with you, Sophie. Hiring her would make a bad precedent," Lynn said. "Save those life stories for TV."
Everyone around the table nodded their heads. Except for Christine. She stared out the window and ceased listening to their discussion. When she realized it was all quiet, she pulled out of her own thoughts and found the team staring at her.
"Excuse me," she rose, realizing she had to go out and compose herself.
"Christine, when you come back, we'll show the video of the next candidate," Sophie called after her.
Christine glanced back quickly and attempted to smile.
"Let's hope the next one sticks to the standard interview questions and not already trying to make a name for herself," Greg said.
"Boston is extremely divided when it comes to abortion. She would've had more luck with her story if she were interviewing in the South," John added.
"Still, not good form in an interview. Actually a little creepy come to think of it," Lynn added.
Christine, meanwhile, hurried into the hallway while the others continued conversing. The sounds of their voices faded as she rushed to the ladies' room. Once inside, she put her hands on the edges of the sink, and slowly faced the mirror. She wondered if she would even recognize the young woman she was eighteen years ago. It felt like it happened in a different lifetime.
YOU ARE READING
An Unforeseen Turn of Events
General FictionA-list actor who thinks he has it all realizes what he has shunned all his life turns out to be his biggest blessing. Ryan Monti is tall, strikingly handsome and one of Hollywood's top actors. He's perfectly content with his life devoted to career a...
