Page 78 of Under the Weatherman
“She basically told me I was being paid to lie. I might as well let her write up whatever weather report she wants, show up at ten minutes before the segment, and read the teleprompter.”
“She’s such an asshole.”
“And then she brought up what happened on Monday.”
“Oh, shit.” I hoped he wouldn’t get in trouble on account of me. “What did she say?”
“She said, ‘That was some scene I walked in on.’”
“Well, is there anything she can do about it? I don’t even work there anymore.”
“If she was going to lodge a complaint, she would have already. Anyway, there’s nothing to report.”
“Let’s hope not.”
He sighed. “I don’t know how I’m going to survive another unethical work environment. No wonder you quit.”
“Freedom. Horrible, horrible freedom.”
“Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I’m not too worried about it.”
My phone buzzed with another call coming in from Kate. “Hey, I have to go. Getting a call.”
“See you later?”
“Not tonight. Working late.”
“Okay. Call you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
I swallowed down nervous anticipation and connected the call.
“Hi, Kate. Did you get my email?” I’d sent her the finishedTristram Shandychapters this morning, but with no more promised work on the horizon, I’d had to beg Henry, the manager at the restaurant, to put me on rotation on the bar.
“I did. Thank you for your quick turnaround. You’ve saved my ass a few times, and we haven’t even made it to Thanksgiving break.” She always spoke professionally to me now that we were closer to colleagues than student-teacher. “I wish all my copy editors were as diligent as you.”
I appreciated the praise, but it only proved what Evan had said to Kate. She should be hiring me full time if I was that valuable. I considered whining about my needs, but she’d taken advantage of my availability for years. What would a straight white man do?
I channeled Evan’s blithe confidence and stated my case.
“Kate, I love this work, but without reliable hours, I’ll need to quit to pursue another opportunity.” I clenched my left hand, steeling myself for the ask. “If you put me on a salary, forty hours a week, plus benefits and paid time off, I could focus only on this job. You know it would cost far more to let me go. Nobody else will turn the work around as quickly or as thoroughly.”
I forced myself to stop talking and wait. I’d done the hard part. The worst she could do was say no.
“Well, Elizabeth. It’s good that you know your worth.” I heard her chuckle. Was sheproudof me? “However. I met with the provost to discuss creating a new position for you.”
I had to take a seat on a nearby bench. I didn’t like thathowever. It was my MFA rejection all over again. “He said no,” I predicted, my body deflating with defeat. It had been worth a try.
“No, he didn’t say no, but he was cagey about the budget. I explained how much more efficient it would be to have you on staff. I made him see that it would be a bargain to bring you on.”
Buoyed by her faith in me, I sat up and landed the killing argument. “But that only scratches the surface. You’ll be getting a partner in me. I’d shoulder more of the load than just the editing.”
She laughed. “Preaching to the choir.”
At least I had her on my side. But what was that worth if she couldn’t fight for me? Had she built me up just to let me down? Was I destined to juggle gig work forever? I was prepared for the sting of disappointment. “Okay, so now what?”
“Now, you’re going to have to be a little patient while he pushes pennies around, but he thinks we can bring you on full time starting spring semester. It wouldn’t permanent, but we can renegotiate each semester.”
