Mr. Baxwell burst into Tierra’s office excited, smiling from ear-to-ear, and out of breath.
“YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN! If anyone ever had their doubts about my promoting you to the head of this department, you show them every time you walk into a boardroom why you deserve it! You are just so…” he paused, took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and began again. “I mean, you know Ms. Rodriquez, you are very good at what you do, and a huge asset to this company. I’m very grateful to have you as a part of my team.” He never gave out compliments, but Tierra had him doing it on a regular basis, and he hated it as much as he loved it.
“Tierra, take a week off. You’ve more than earned it. Hell, take two! Go somewhere hot, sandy, and exotic and relax! And don’t try to give me any of that, I can’t take any time off right now, stuff either. You’re not working on any accounts at this time. I know you just closed your last one,” Mr. Baxwell said, walking over to her.
“Listen Tierra, even I take a break, and take the Misses out every once in a while. I don’t know if you’re actually dating anyone, but I do know you’ll burn out if you don’t find time to relax. Live a little, have some fun. Let that pretty hair of your down for once. That’s an order,” he demanded, and turned to walk out of her office. “Matter of fact, leave that envelope in your desk until you return from your vacation. I need you relaxed when you open it and view the contents,” he smiled peeking back in. He turned towards Terri and continued, “Ms. Terri, two weeks paid vacation for you as well. Tierra can’t do what she does without your support,” he tapped her desk with his well-manicured nails as he made his way by her.
“Thank you sir,” Terri cooed, in an upbeat-excited tone, waving her hand, as he disappeared down the hall. She stood up from behind her desk and walked into Tierra’s office. “Well, where are you going to go?”
“Hmmm… me? You know I’m not going anywhere. Did you want something?”
“Oh yeah, I’m sorry. It’s your mother. She said it’s urgent.”
“It’s always urgent with her. Tell her I’m still in a meeting.”
“Ok,” she sighed and went back to her desk, and told Mrs. Rodriquez that her daughter was unavailable, as she always did.