Welcome to Envy Park by Mina V. Esguerra Read Free Book Online

friendship, it
was Roxie giving me a panicked phone call at random times of the
day, asking for the answer to number 3 or cab money or a sanitary
pad. I was never caught unprepared for these major life moments. I
ran straight for the major life moments before they even thought of
getting to me.
    So Roxie, surely wanting to show
off, didn't just say "Sure, I'll find you a job." I talked to her
on Saturday. A person from her company's HR called me on Sunday.
And by Monday afternoon, I was in a fancy waiting room in her
building, wearing a blazer, a smart-looking dress, and
heels.
    "Do people work on Sundays now?" I
told her.
    "They do for me," she
said.
    Point taken, Roxie.
    But I did know that she was a big
shot by now. We were in touch the whole time I was away, and in
between telling each other about guys we dated, we talked about
work. Her work stories became more and more, well, mature over
time. Some people she used to call "sir" or "ma'am" she began
addressing by their first names. Eventually her daily annoyances
weren't about arrogant bosses, but disappointing
assistants.
    She became the (arrogant) boss, I realized, at some
point.
    What was I expecting? That my people and my hometown
would be frozen in time? It felt that way on my annual visits, but
it was silly to think that nothing had changed.
    My own stories stayed the same, for the most part. I
worked on short-term contracts that didn't allow for promotion or
growth. It was like they knew I was just there to make rent and
save up. No one really asked me if I wanted to be more and do
more.
    Good thing I was wearing a blazer. This waiting room
was cold. I'd been in Roxie's office building before. Was it always
this cold?
    My phone lit up with a message. My
mother: You might want to meet my friend
Yoly who has that events company—
    There was more, but I was allergic to messages from
her of this type. I didn’t even read the entire thing.
    Roxie got me an interview with a guy named Jonas. He
was apparently two years younger than both of us. Already, not a
good sign, but I was playing along. I did need a job.
    "What does a project consultant do
exactly?" was his first question, right after shaking my hand. I
hadn't even gotten comfortable in the black shaky swivel chair
across the table from him yet.
    "Well, um," and as soon as the
syllables left my mouth I knew it was a weak opening. "You mean my
most recent job? I moved to a company that had just undergone a
restructuring, and was part of the new CEO's transition
team."
    He was very well-dressed. Bright
tie, sort of psychedelic print, could swear it moved when I turned
my head. "And that included clerical stuff like filing?"
    I cleared my throat. "Data
organization, yes."
    "You weren't there a long
time."
    "I decided not to extend my
contract and come home instead, yes."
    "And previous to that, you were
also a consultant."
    "Yes, I explain there the projects
I managed..."
    "Moira. Am I pronouncing that
correctly?"
    "Yes, that's right."
    " Moira ." Jonas said that right, but
it felt foreign the way he just pounded it out of his mouth and
into the room. "Your Roxanne's friend, right? So I guess I can be
frank with you and tell you exactly what I need."
    "Of course."
    "Based on your resumé, I really
think you're the most qualified for this position. I've been
rushing to fill this job and I've been looking for months. I like
that you can file things, that you can organize, that you were in a
transition team, that you worked for international firms. I need
someone who can quickly set up product teams for me, and then have
them go on their way when they're ready. You seem a little too
qualified, actually."
    "Thank you."
    "I'm just concerned that you're
Roxanne's contemporary."
    "I'm sorry?"
    Jonas touched the knot on his tie
and then slid his fingers down the length of it. "How do I explain
this. You're the contemporary of Roxanne, who is manager level, and
you will be reporting to me, assistant manager level."
    "I work