Page 31 of The Write Choice

“Great. Let’s get started. Where are we with the planning?” I direct this question to Jasper. He launches into the driest and least enthusiastic update about the initial meetings with school district and community officials, including space constraints and design preferences. It only lasts about ten minutes, but it feels more like thirty. Marianne and Orlando write notes to each other on a notepad that lies between them. They try to be stealthy, but the way they take turns writing on the same notepad and hiding smirks behind their hands is a dead giveaway.

When Jasper wraps up, Thalia jumps in. “My turn. I have been the primary contact with the school. They have billed this as a new student center, which encompasses a lot. The space needs a bigger cafeteria to house their growing student population. They would like to fit more students so they can have fewer lunch periods.”

“How many lunch periods do they have currently?” I ask.

“Eight. They’d like to have six.”

“And how many students attend the school?” I start making notes on my notepad.

“This year, they have an enrollment of around 3,300. This is up 300 from two school years ago, and enrollment is projected to reach 3,800 in the next five years.”

I let out a low whistle as I scribble some notes. “They want a cafeteria that houses upwards of 600 students?”

“That’s not all,” Thalia dips her chin and looks at me as if the best is yet to come. “They also want the building to include a faculty cafeteria, lounge, plus something they are helpfully calling ‘educational spaces.’”

I frown. “What does that mean?”

“Unclear,” Thalia says.

“I think it’s pretty obvious,” Jasper intrudes. “Large rooms for multiple classes, reading areas. What more do students need?”

He says it like it’s the simplest thing in the world, and I try not to outwardly bristle at his tone. Thalia, Marianne, and Orlando are less conspicuous than I am. Marianne and Orlando shoot knowing glances at each other. Thalia leans back in her chair and folds her arms, clearly irritated he’s interrupted her part of the presentation. Calvin, the engineer, is utterly unfazed.

When Jasper doesn’t add anything more, Thalia continues. “I have been trying to set up meetings with the teachers to get their wish lists, but the administration is being difficult for some reason.”

I regard Thalia, impressed. The planning process shouldn’t exclude any stakeholders, and who better to ask about the functionality of educational spaces than teachers?

“I’m not sure why the admin would drag their feet on that, but, as luck would have it, I have some contacts within the school. I can reach out,” I offer.

Thalia smiles and takes a breath as if to speak, but Jasper interjects. “How are your contacts better than the ones we already have?”

Jesus, this guy. If it wasn’t clear already that Jasper has an issue with me being team lead, it is now. It’s also clear to me that he hasn’t been pegged for a team lead position because his people skills are severely lacking.

“Well, my contacts are teachers at the school. Since we are trying to talk to teachers, I would think that would be helpful.” I’m failing miserably at keeping the edge out of my voice.

Thalia snickers, and Jasper glares at her. This has the potential to go south quickly, so I address Marianne and Orlando. “Anything to add?”

“No, sir. We were enlisted to help draft blueprints once everything that needs to be included is decided,” Orlando speaks for both of them, and Marianne nods in agreement.

“Once you have the final plans, I can work up the materials and budget,” Calvin offers, gathering his things to leave. The others follow suit.

I guess the meeting is over, then.

“Great. Okay, I’ll reach out to the teachers and we can reconvene tomorrow,” I say as the team starts filing out of the room.

I close my eyes and rub my temples with the fingertips of one hand. I didn’t plan on controlling the adults on this team, but I did think they’d at least afford me the courtesy of deciding when our meeting ended.

I hear someone clear their throat to my right. My eyes fly open to see Thalia standing in the doorway, her stack of papers in her arms.

“Oh, sorry, Ms. Gutierrez. I didn’t realize you were still there. Is there something you need?” I lean my forearms on the table in front of me to give her my full attention.

A corner of Thalia’s mouth tips up, then she furrows her brow as she forces her expression to look less amused at my distress. “I wanted to apologize for my tardiness this morning.”

I wait a beat, thinking she’s going to offer more. When she doesn’t, I shake my head. “I’m probably supposed to care that you weren’t here on time, but I have the feeling I have bigger issues with this team than you running in here a few minutes late.”

She smirks again, then indicates the seat she had been sitting in. “May I?”

I wave at the chair, indicating she should sit. She does, setting her papers down. They fan out in front of her again. “If I might be so bold as to offer some advice, Mr. Conley?”