Taste of Reality by Kimberla Lawson Roby Read Free Book Online

professional positions, so it’s not like you’ll spend your entire day recruiting employees.”
    “No, but I’ll be supervising everything that those specialists do, and I’ll be completely responsible for all management and executive recruiting.”
    “But you’ve worked in benefits the entire two and a half years you’ve been here. And if I might add, you’ve done a helluva fine job the entire time.”
    “Thank you, but if you’re so happy with my performance, Lyle, then why don’t you think I’m capable of doing the same in recruiting?”
    I was becoming a bit agitated, and I could tell he was surprised at my expression and tone.
    “There’s no need to get upset, Anise. I’m just trying to get you to see my point. I don’t want you thinking that the only way you’re going to move up to management is to apply for the first management position you see posted.”
    I refused to make any further comments because I couldn’t guarantee what I might say next. Whatever it was, though, I didn’t think it would be something Lyle wanted to hear.
    He leaned back into his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “All I’m asking is that you take a couple of days to think about this.”
    “I appreciate you offering to give me more time, but I don’t think I need it. I’ve already given my application to Jim, and I thought that was all I needed to do.”
    “We’re not trying to be the enemy here, Anise. What we want is for you to make the best career choice. We want you to be happy with whatever job you have, and it just seemed like benefits or training might be better departments for you to manage.”
    “I appreciate your concern, but corporate recruiting is really what I want to do,” I said as pleasantly as I could.
    “Then that’s all I needed to know. We’ll be doing interviews next week, and shortly after that we’ll be offering the job to the most qualified person, which just might be you,” he said, smiling.
    I didn’t know why he seemed to be having such a change of heart, but I was happy about it just the same.
    “All I want is to be given a fair chance, Lyle. That’s all. And like I told Jim, I would never expect you to promote me into a position that I’m not qualified for.”
    “I’m glad you feel that way,” he said. “And I hope you know that the only reason I asked you to come see me was because I wanted to be sure that you wanted this job for the right reasons. At first, I thought you were just looking to be promoted to any managementposition, but now I realize that your interests really do lie with recruiting.”
    “I really appreciate hearing that.”
    “Thanks for coming, and we’ll be in touch,” he said.
    I turned and walked out of his office feeling somewhat better than I thought I would. I still couldn’t be sure of what was going to happen, but I was hoping for the best.
    I prayed that Jim would have a change of heart the same as Lyle had.

 
CHAPTER 5
     
    D AVID HAD CALLED MY OFFICE to say he wouldn’t be home until late, so Lorna and I made last-minute dinner plans and decided to meet at Antonio’s after work. Normally, advance reservations were required, especially on a Thursday night, but fortunately Lorna knew the owner’s wife, and we were seated as soon as we arrived.
    I loved this restaurant—the atmosphere and the food. The entryway’s focal point was a mesmerizing waterfall surrounded by beautiful multicolored stone. The marble flooring was something I wished David and I had chosen for our own foyer at home. It was the one place residents always chose whenever they wanted to impress someone visiting Mitchell. They specialized in Italian food, but they also served the best steaks in town.
    We scanned our menus by candlelight, and I decided on the rib eye. Lorna had vowed to give up red meat two months ago, so she ordered meatless baked lasagna instead. Now we were eating fresh tossed salad covered with ranch dressing.
    “So Lyle turned soft on you,