Note: This story takes place over several chapters. Some are faster to the action than others. If speed is your thing, this story isn't really for you. Otherwise, enjoy.
*****
Monday morning was, predictably interesting back at the office. I mean, sure there was the whole "Gosh, Mondays," but also, of course, Joann had just visited my house for the first time.
Having the boss over is usually stressful. You want to make a good impression. I'm not sure my mother and girlfriend leading the charge into a skinny dipping party was the impression I wanted to make. Sure, Joann joined it remarkably easily. And sure, she seemed to have a fine old time. That said, I didn't know what the following week would bring. Would she be cool with everything? Would she have questions? Would she ignore it all? Would she find reasons to not renew my contract or usher me off the project? Would it become watercooler gossip? I really had no idea.
Michelle was quick to assure me in lots of colorful ways that Joann was really not shockable. She told very interesting stories of campus streaking, of making out in semi-public spaces, and of being... adventurous... in the bedroom. She didn't get into a lot of detail on that front, but it was clear that a group of folks swimming in the altogether was not really outside her experience. That my mom was involved might have raised an eyebrow, but not objections per se. In a certain light, it actually made it more acceptable. Nothing wrong with family nudists. Absolutely nothing sexual about that.
Well, in most cases.
"Gil, glad you could join us," I heard from around a cubicle wall. Joann stepped out into my view with a stern expression that telegraphed displeasure. I quickly glanced at my phone. Quarter til. I was early. What the hell?
"Uh, good morning Joann. I, uh, was there a meeting?"
"Was there a meeting? Well, that's a helluva thing. I mean, seriously Gil. If you can't manage your calendar, then perhaps we should re-think this whole arrangement. I mean, maybe you should look to other contracts for future career moves."
"I. Uh. I, mean. I thought today was-"
"The day I gave you a lot of extra shit because I knew you were worried?" Joann arched an eyebrow questioningly, then broke into a full-throated cackle. I blushed, and was simultaneously relieved, pissed, and amused.
"Joann, were I an older man, I'm fairly certain you'd be accompanying me to the hospital right now. As it is, I may need to change wardrobe."
"Oh, Gil. I DO like you. But you should know that Michelle dared me. That woman is evil. Delightfully evil, but evil. She said you were concerned for some reason that I might have an accurate impression of your home life. Weird, huh?"
"Yeah, a big mystery. But, I will seriously have a stern talk with Michelle when I see her tonight."
"Tonight, too. You guys might as well be living together, you know."
"I do. And I hope. But until then we're paying all the rent people can pay while deciding if she's going to dump me or I'm going to kill her for putting you up to that."
"Oh, don't give her too much credit. She suggested it. But, she knew that I'd do it with gusto. We're probably bad for each other. Whereas the two of you seem to make each other better. Michelle and I used to make each other ... louder and more likely to be arrested. That's not always good."
"But fun."
"Definitely fun," she agreed.
"And so now I'm going to my desk to work diligently and without attached scandal or shock."
"Wise move, bud. Remember we've got a 10AM with AR."
"Got it. Later, bosslady."
I found my desk and my bearings before texting Michelle, "Soooo much trouble. There will be reckoning."
She sent back immediately, "Promises, promises. XO."
What have I gotten myself into?
---
At the end of the day, Joann stuck her head around my cubicle wall. "After that thing with Schmidt, I need a drink. You?"
"Or two."
"O'Malley's?"
"Sure, it's near my gym. It'll be like working out."
"See you in a bit," she said dragging along a trail of bags. What was it with that woman and extra work-luggage?
I shut my laptop and packed the folders that I would need to read tonight. There was plenty of relaxation in my life, but some nights I did have to spend a little extra time prepping after hours. Normally I'd do it at my desk to save the cross-contamination hassle, but when the boss wants to have a drink with you, you agree. Also, I like Jo and would rather not sit at my desk until 8 if I could instead hang out with a fun person.
I opened up the group text I was on with Michelle and Mom to say, "Leaving work. Stopping for a drink with Joann at O'Malley's."
Michelle responded, "I'm jealous and hurt. Give her a smooch for me."
Anna replied, "Of course you are Mikey. At the gym. C U Later."
I gathered my things together and headed to the bar.
When I walked in, Joann waved me over to her table. She'd bought a round of drinks apparently.
"You're a Smithwick's guy, right?" she asked a little late if I hadn't been.
"Yeah, actually. Very observant," I said while pulling up a chair and taking a welcome swallow.
"I try to keep up. And, yeah, I'm observant," Joann took a drink and added, "speaking of which..."
"Yes...?"
"Well, I wanted to say that I appreciate that you are cool with my past with your girlfriend. It could easily be awkward between us all. I'd still want you two to be happy, but I could definitely see leaving me out of social things. Not everyone would be as easy going about the whole situation. You have been gracious and understanding."
"Joann, you'll find that I'm pretty laid back about a lot of things. I guess it comes from years with Anna's attitude."
"Your mom?" she asked.
"Yeah, right, you met her. So, you know that she's clearly pretty laid back about a few things, right."
"Certainly about wardrobe restrictions."
"At least. But, even when I was younger, one of the things that she was serious about was the fundamental truth that we are all better when we embrace love over jealousy and hate. There's just no margin in getting bent out of shape about who likes whom. Or whatever the right formulation of that is."
"Smart lady. I probably could have used her advice a little earlier in my life."
"I don't always hew to it, but it is pretty good knowledge to have."
"Yeah, if I'd been a little more understanding then Michelle and I would have ended differently."
"Uh."
"Yeah, I mean, of course, we would have ended. That was going to happen and I'm glad that the two of you are together. We get to be drinking buddies, co-workers, and compatriots in the 'Michelle does this wacky thing that makes me crazy' wars."
"Now that you point it out, what's with the pillow thing?" I asked.
"I. Don't. Know. But, man, it is annoying isn't it?"
"Mostly it's confusing. I get wanting the cool side of the pillow. That makes sense. But wanting the cool side of MY pillow. That speaks weird volumes, don't you think."
"Cheers, my friend. Cheers."
"All of which is to stay, there is no quirk that would make me want to stay away. I'm pretty smitten," I confided.
"No joke, Captain Obvious. No joke," Joann chuckled. "But seriously, it's all really lovely. And I appreciate you leaving room for all of us to be friends. That means something to me."
"Well, you're always welcome to swim naked with my girlfriend at my house, bosslady. I'm just generous like that." I tried to stay straight faced. But I admit that I might have cracked a smile.
