"i don't know," i replied.

She said; "well there is always retail over the christmas season," to which i answered that i wasn't going that quickly.  i explained that i would stay long enough for the new girl to be comfortable with the position. 

"Why?" asked the woman and her eyebrows rose in surprise when i said it mattered to me that the job was done well.  She had a very pleased smile though, as she realized i wasn't going to be like most of the previous employees she has dealt with, and leave her with a mess to deal with.  But i think it also gave her false hope that i might change my mind.  She didn't tell the boss.

     Tuesday the woman gave me the responsibility of compiling the data for a safety manual, pertaining to gas fitters.   That was in the morning.  In the afternoon, she took me to the locates department (another, unrelated, branch of the company).  She asked if i could look at the program and teach or do it at the same time as my own work.  After a half hour of examining it, i told her there wouldn't be any problem handling it at all.  It is a relatively easy, although time consuming, program.  i explained that it could indeed be done in conjunction with the work i had already in place, and that if things got too hectic, she could hire a part-time assistant for handling the paper flow.  This saved her from hiring a full time person to do this particular job only, and also the expense of a second computer. 

     She didn't tell the boss i was leaving.

     Yesterday, she had to take her mother to the hospital for cataract surgery.  i continued to teach the new girl my job, although it was not a busy day.  Which resulted in my sending her home early and having those few blessed hours to myself.  And because i had, i think the manager took that as a sign that i might be changing my mind, and having the new girl as a backup helper as originally intended.

     This morning i attended a meeting with the boss, the crew foreman and the Head Hauncho from the parent company we work for.  During that time i outlined very clearly some of my concerns and expectations for my department.   i sat quietly at first, letting them chatter away and do their manly-beating-of-chest thing.  (okay i know that is slightly sexist)  It allowed me time to assess the different moods they were in for the day, and how best i should approach the topics i wanted to discuss.  And which person i should focus on to get what i needed for the fitters.  At the end of the meeting i came away with exactly what i had wanted, and the Hauncho felt He had kept the control while giving these things to me.  Needless to say, i felt very good about all of it.

     But the boss still didn't know i was leaving. 

     As it neared lunch time i knew i had to do something.  So i went to the office manager, and started chatting her up a bit.   Asking, with genuine concern (i really do care) how her mother was after her surgery.  While she was explaining, i closed the door and sat down, and began talking about my bank and how i would be transferring things. 

"When?" she asked.

"This weekend." i replied.

     She sighed, and pulled out a calendar.  We began discussing pay periods and when it was i needed to leave.  She tried to negotiate me staying until at least the end of the year, so that i would be paid "stat" holidays.  i said i would consider it, but that if the new girl progresses quickly, then i would be gone sooner.  She sighed again and said okay.

     Finally the boss was told.  He came down the hall and looked in my office, then away.  Then hovered over the copy machine.  Walked away and came back about 15 minutes later.  Looked in again.   "Is it money?" he asked. 

"No.  It's much more than that," i replied, and i smiled.

     It's all about the rightness of a circle.    :)

... back to the beginning