Wendy Chapter 7: HR and HQ

Things get more serious

CHAPTER SEVEN: HR and HQ

 

I did not want to go back to work. I had no idea how Dave would behave after my refusal. I was determined to do something though. I wasn’t helpless any more. Allowing things to go on one minute longer without some action on my part seemed intolerable; I would seek out June Harvey from HR first thing tomorrow morning and report Dave.

 

Dave said he could make my life hell and he did his best. As usual he was scrutinizing every room I cleaned as if we served royalty, not businessmen and tourists. He called me back three times before lunch to repair tiny flaws and failed one of my rooms. There was nothing wrong with that room. The hair in the bathroom was his, the film of dust in the crevices of the dresser almost invisible, and he flat out lied that I had neglected to vacuum. I had no recourse. The small part of me that demanded justice grew as the day went on. I didn't have lunch with Eric to look forward to as he was on second shift. All I had was an ever growing flame inside. Dave thought he had things his way now, but he would regret messing with Wendy Gaff.

 

Keyed up from constant stress at work, I threatened to make Pam take the bus home if she didn't bridle her impatience. I didn't bother to make dinner either, satisfying myself with left-overs. I took a long bath and that worked out some of the kinks in my neck, but I still had that flame inside, burning blue-white hot.

 

“I'm feeling awful,” I responded to Eric's inquiries. He called me a little after eleven.

 

“What can I do?” he asked.

 

“Nothing, tonight. But let's go to the movies tomorrow night after work. I want to do something ordinary.”

 

“I give a good massage,” he tempted me. “I could come over now.”

 

“No, I'd better get to sleep. But I'll take a rain check.”

 

Amidst all this turmoil I still had room for a thrill, thinking of Eric's strong, gentle hands touching me. I went to sleep with that happy prospect.

 

The next day was tolerable as Brenda was there to moderate Dave's crusade. She managed to inspect half of my rooms before he could get to them, and her presence had a general dampening effect. He didn't want witnesses.

 

After clocking out I ascertained that Dave was firmly ensconced in his office and made my way up front, where Ms. Harvey’s office was located.

 

I crossed the immaculate expanse of carpeting. Peter was at the front desk today, along with another woman. Both were busy checking in guests, so I by-passed them and knocked on the door jamb of the open door labeled “Human Resources.” A secretary looked up and smiled, inviting me in.

 

“I’d like to see Ms. Harvey, please.”

 

A friendly woman rose from her desk in the inner office to greet me. Her warm manner encouraged me when she asked what she could do for me.

 

“I am having a problem with my boss, with Dave Mason,” I plunged in. “He’s harassing me.”

 

Once again, I detailed his unreasonable inspections, the encounter the night of the flood, the veiled propositions and threats. Ms. Harvey took notes as I spoke, and asked detailed questions about locations and times, the exact wording Dave used. Her initial warmth had cooled and she was quite clinical. I felt more and more inadequate as this went on. My complaints sounded so nebulous and impossible to prove.

 

When I finished, she leaned back and gave me a level look.

 

“Here at Larchmont Hotels, we strive to provide a safe and fair work environment. These are serious allegations, and I assure you we will take this seriously. You will have an opportunity to present any evidence you have. I will look over your work record and will conduct interviews, with the assistance of another human resources staff member. We’ll have to wait for the hotel to send this staff member from Chicago headquarters.”

 

I was surprised that someone from HQ would be called in and felt even more intimidated. What had I done? Things had gotten away from me and that the ball I set rolling was out of proportion with my paltry little tale. Had I done the right thing?

 

We exchanged good byes and I walked back across the lobby, navigating on auto-pilot. When I reached my car, I shook myself. I had to concentrate on driving.      

 

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home. Immersing myself in cooking would be relaxing and help take my mind off my fears. I wanted something comforting and homey, so I picked up a head of cabbage, some onions and a few other items. Once home, I changed into a soft t-shirt and comfy leggings. Donning an apron, I began chopping the cabbage and onions, and microwaved a quart of home-made stock I kept in the freezer for just such occasions. Soon I had a big pot of Swedish cabbage soup simmering on the stove.

 

Pam breezed in not long after, having gotten a ride from Marcy for once. Half an hour later, I was removing an oval loaf of hearty whole wheat bread from the oven and setting it out with cheese and summer sausage on a large cutting board. Pam grabbed a bowl and a plate with bread and cheese and retreated to her room. I set two places at the dining room table. Preparations complete, I went back to my computer research about sexual harassment.

 

Eric called at seven, as he was walking across the hotel parking lot, just off work.

 

“Come have dinner, and we can go to the 9 o’clock showing of Upside Down at the Brew and View.” 

  

***

 

“Oh my god, Wendy, this is delicious,” Eric said after a spoonful of soup. It pleased me to see someone enjoying my cooking. Pam didn’t eat with me half the time and when she did she took my cooking for granted. After Eric finished his second bowl of soup, I described my interview with Ms. Harvey.

 

“What will you do? Do you have any evidence to give?” he asked.

 

I told him of my notebook recording every incident with Dave, and the hard copies of my commendations and progress reports. Thanks to my research, I knew I could ask the HR investigators to compare my rate of room failures and reprimands with that of the other staff. Dave failed my rooms so frequently compared to the other housekeepers, it would be glaringly obvious. I was a bit encouraged when I explained that point. It was something concrete, objective and well-documented.

 

“I’m counting on Brenda being honest about the quality of my work. She knows I didn’t earn all those room failures.”

 

“Brenda’s a stand-up lady. She’ll do you right,” Eric assured me.

 

Eric’s hand on my own pulled me out of my apprehensions and insecurities.

 

“I owe you a massage. You look like you could use one.” Eric began rubbing my hand, then switched to kneading the muscles. My entire arm relaxed as he massaged the palm of my hand. Like an expert, he moved up my arm, then got to his feet to work on my shoulders. His professional technique impressed me and I let my head loll forward. As muscular tension drained away, I became aware of how large and warm his hands were and noticed his smell, a faint and pleasant woody scent. My sensuous trance was interrupted by Pam’s entrance.

 

“I need to run the washer. Did you move your clothes yet?” she demanded.

 

I sighed.

 

“Yes, my clothes are put away. You can use the machine.” 

 

Eric gave my shoulders a final squeeze. “Does that feel better?” he asked.

 

“Incredibly better. Thank you.”

 

I glanced at my phone and was surprised to find it was time to leave if we wanted to catch the movie.

 

Reviews

[AUU]

I thought I'd just number my comments in order of what I read. Not all of them are criticisms.

1. I like the first paragraph because Wendy is very determined to see this Dave problem through.
2. I feel as though the second paragraph isn't as cut as it could. It kind of reads a bit soft. For an example, instead of "and he did his best." You could write, "and he did." Or an even more condensed version could be "Dave maid my life hell." Of course this is all opinion.
3. It's nice to see Wendy struggling with this. From the moment you introduced her we've gotten to know her, and this circumstance with Dave is bringing out a new side of her. It's refreshing.
4. I like the line "Keyed up from constant….if she didn't bridle her impatience." I had to read it twice; as I thought it I missed some interaction with Pam giving Wendy lip. But it plays well on my expectations of Pam causing problems. So good. It does feel like a step back after Pam's breakdown. I guess that's just the nature of relationships.
5. I like the repletion of the burning Wendy is feeling.
6. Eric appears a little passive. I know you said you worked on making him interesting, and you have given him a personality, but I feel as though he's just kind of losing out, blending into the noise of things. I don't know what you have in store for him, but like Wendy before, I hope he's there to make a tough decision. That maybe he decided to take matters in his own hands.
7. The chemistry between the two is palatable though. I really enjoy reading their interactions.
8. You do well to capture the uphill, and inner battle, Wendy will be having with HR and Dave. I've sat in on meetings like this (as a witness), and it's a very raw nerved experience.
9. I like the cooking bit, and since I read ahead, I know the pay off. I think it's a great trait you have given Wendy. And looking back, I remember scenes, like at the Italian restaurant, where it was plain that she's in love with food/cooking, so I see you were planting the nugget even then! Great work. However, maybe go back and give some more of that. Pay attention to food descriptions, highlighting even the simplest potato chip. If Wendy is truly in love with food, than any mention of food should be a comforting one, and descriptions should say as much. I think you did this, but I'm not entirely sure if all readers would pick up on it.
10. Eric's excitement over Wendy's soup is great---I wish I liked cabbage soup that much…stuff smells awful---though I will say the "Oh my god," didn't sit right with me. It almost seemed out of character, like something a woman would say.
11. Wendy formulating a plan of attack is good.
12. Eric putting a lot of faith in Brenda is suspicious. I wonder if she's going to come through like I hope she does (reader), but hope she doesn't (writer).

Your writing remains very clean. Do you edit a lot? I wish I had an eye like yours. Mistakes slip by me no matter how many times a reread.

[SweetNutmeg]

Thank you so much! I won't respond to every comment you made, that would be a bit silly. But I want you to know every single one was helpful. I'll be going back and revising soon with all of this in mind.

I actually don't edit that much. I guess clean is just the way I write. I wish I did better with the bigger picture. You can always go back and fix the little mistakes, but you have to have something interesting there in the first place to make it worth while.

As for the soup... Swedish cabbage soup is different from Russian and English cabbage soup, much better, no unpleasant smell, mushiness or brownish color. You'd have to smell and taste mine to really understand. I love to cook, lol.

[Shep]

A very short Chapter but a good one, love the Character of Eric and Brenda. Still hating Dave which is a good thing awesome job in keeping want int me wanting to read more.

[SweetNutmeg]

Thank you!