The Women's Job - Part 19

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Pat had been Mike's secretary for only about six months. She liked her job and enjoyed traveling. I confided in her that I would like to travel more but I had only been with Connie for a couple of months.

She was a very friendly person and it wasn't long before we started talking about our personal lives. Pat told me she was married, then surprised me, asking if I was? It felt funny telling her, "No, not yet."

"Oh, you're engaged?" She said, sounding excited for me.

"No," I answered, trying to sound sad. "There was someone up north but it never got a chance to develop into anything before I moved down here." She didn't have to know I was talking about Tina.

"That's too bad. You haven't met anyone here yet?"

"Well, there is someone but it's not serious." I couldn't picture anything serious developing with Christy. I wanted to change the subject. "What about you? What does your husband do? Do you have any children?"

I actually enjoyed talking with her and by the time lunch was over we were friends. It was a little awkward at times, making things up, but enjoyable. I was still nervous. I was afraid she might realize that I wasn't what I appeared to be but she gave no indication that she thought anything was wrong. I watched her every move, every gesture, glad that my friends and coworkers had taken the time to teach me to act appropriately.

It was nice to find we worked so well together too. Pat's being there actually made the afternoon pleasant. The four of us tackled the tasks one at a time.

I don't remember when I forgot to feel self-conscious about myself. It wasn't right, of course, my wearing a dress and pretending to be a woman but for a while, I was just a person, comfortable interacting with other people. It had everything to do with enjoying being around Pat, how much I was beginning to like her and the reassurance I felt from Connie.

Locations for the shoots were the first order of business and it took us all afternoon to complete them. Connie allowed me to participate and I realized that I had learned a great deal from her in the past months.

Connie and I had made arrangements for dinner and when 6:00 rolled around, we quit work.

Pat and I took the back seat in Connie's big Cadillac. I didn't mind at all that Mr. Park joined Connie in the front. He was a gentleman and opened my door for me. I would have laughed if I wasn't so nervous.

I wasn't so lucky when Connie parked the car and we got out. Pat and I were walking side by side when he came up behind us. Coming between us, he put his arms around each of our waists.

"I feel so sorry for those guys that only get to go out to dinner with only one pretty girl. I get three." He pulled us close to him.

He caught me by surprise. I didn't know what to do. I took my que from Pat and did nothing. He only released us so he could open the door.

There were a few people waiting for tables when we got inside.

"You'll have to excuse me a moment," Pat said to us.

She reached over and gave my arm a gentle squeeze. I knew what she wanted. She wanted me to go to the ladies’ room with her. I wasn't particularly anxious too but thought I better. "I think I'll go with Pat. We'll be right back." I said to Connie.

Connie seemed to understand and gave me the slightest of nods.

The ladies’ room was across the foyer. We were almost to it when Pat said under her breath to me, "I hate it when he does that."

Old habits are hard to break. I pushed the door open for her.

"He's always doing things like that." She sounded angry.

I didn't know what to say.

"He's got a wonderful wife at home and three beautiful children and he still just wants to fool around."

I had to say something. "I hate men like that."

"I'd like to just haul off and belt him."

I told her what he did the first time I met him. When he kissed me.

"It just burns me up that he can get away with stuff like that."

"Robert wasn't much better." She was appalled when I told her the way they competed over me.

"He's another one."

We stood in front of the mirror, putting on fresh lipstick and powder.

"There ought to be something we could do about men like that. It's just so frustrating. I like my job, I really do, but Park just won't leave me alone. He's always telling off-color jokes, making innuendos. He drives me crazy sometimes."

"There's no one you can go to about him?" I asked.

"You know what happens if you complain."

I wasn't naive. "I know."

"It was so rude of him to do that to you too. It's not fair. If you complain, you could blow the account for your company. You're no better off than I am."

I hadn't thought about that. She was right. Did this mean that he could get away with almost anything? How could I, a man, lodge a sexual harassment complaint against another man? That would be disastrous.

"If I told Jimmy about him, the way he treats me, he'd wring Park's neck."

And that would be the end of her career. "Let's see if we can help each other get through this."

She stopped pulling her brush through her hair and looked at me, smiling. "You're really sweet Jennifer, but I don't want you to get into any trouble with your boss. I've kept him at bay up till now, He's my problem."

I felt very close to Patty at that moment. I felt sorry for her and angry with Park, as she called him. "I still want to do what I can." Whatever that was.

"I'm glad you're here Jennifer." She squeezed my arm, affectionately.

It gave me a warm feeling. "So am I."

She zipped up her purse. "They'll be wondering what happened to us. We better get back."

Patty held the door for me as we walked out to rejoin Connie and Park. Connie took an opportunity to ask me, in a whisper, "Is everything alright?"

"We're fine," I told her. I really was. Having been accepted by Pat, sharing her confidence, went a long way toward bolstering my confidence. I did feel sorry for her with her dilemma.

Connie sat to his left. I was on his right. I suppose it might have been Connie's presence that kept Park's behavior in check. He made pleasant conversation, he told a few off-color jokes but none seemed too offensive.

No one seemed to notice, during dessert, when, under the table, he reached out and took my hand that properly lay in my lap. He didn't say anything. He just squeezed it and smiled at me.

I was at a loss as to how to react. Should I have pulled my hand away? Everyone would have seen and Patty's earlier remark came to mind. How would he react to being shunned? I endured it for almost ten minutes as his hand rested on my leg, holding my hand.

Connie took care of the check. They were our guests.

As we drove them to their hotel I wondered if Patty would be all right? I couldn't help but think that there ought to be some way to ensure he couldn't make advances toward her, once they were alone at the hotel.

I had an idea but it put me in a very awkward position. I couldn't make any suggestion without consulting with Connie first. I reached the conclusion that I would have to wait till after we left them.

We weren't out of the parking lot before Connie complimented me. "Honey, you were wonderful today."

I was rather proud of myself for carrying it off. "Thank you."

"You and Patty really seemed to hit it off."

We really did. "I like her. I felt comfortable around her."

"She's a sweetheart."

I was glad Connie liked her too. "She has a problem with Park."

"Is that what the two of you were talking about in the ladies' room?"

"He's been coming on to her."

"He's married too." Connie remarked, sounding cold toward the man.

"And he's got, two kids."

"Is Patty worried about being out of town with him?"

"We didn't get very long to talk." I was concerned.

"There's nothing we can do tonight," Connie read my mind. "but I suppose she could stay with us the rest of the time she's here. There is the other bedroom?"

She was leaving it up to me. I had, by no means, forgotten the role I was playing. That would mean I would have to pretend to be Jennifer every moment they were here. That wouldn't be easy for me. I would have to be constantly aware of what I did or said. Short of Patty's moving to a different motel, I couldn't come up with another alternative and even that would raise questions with Park. Connie's and my solution wouldn't.

Then I thought about Patty and how much I liked her and how well we had gotten along all day. It wasn't very hard for me to imagine what might be going through Mike Park's mind, even at that moment.

"It doesn't seem right that she should have to put up with his harassment."

Connie took that as meaning I had decided. "We'll suggest our idea to her in the morning, at the office." Connie reached over and squeezed my hand. "I'm very proud of you. There are not many people who would be willing to put their own feelings and their fears aside to help someone the way you are."

It did make me feel good. I wasn't all that sure how brave I was.

They met us at the office in the morning. She was hardly in the door when I took her aside.

"That's a really cute top," I said commented. She dressed very well.

"Thanks. My Carolyn bought that for me for my birthday."

I remembered, Carolyn was her 2-year-old daughter. "That's sweet."

"Jimmy's wonderful. He never forgets birthdays or anniversaries."

"How did last night go?" I was worried and took the first opportunity to ask. Park had gone into Connie's office with her.

"Last night was all right. I went straight to my room. I told Park that I was exhausted and wanted to go to bed early. He made a crack about what a shame I had to sleep alone. I didn't even respond to it."

"He said that!?"

"Yea, the jerk."

"At least he left you alone."

"Until breakfast. He started in at the restaurant."

What did she mean, 'started in'? "What did he do?"

"Oh, just his usual remarks about how great I looked and that he really liked women in short shirts."

Patty's skirt was short and she did look terrific in it. I was glad I wore what I did that day. We dressed alike in a skirt and blouse, only my skirt wasn't nearly as short. I could only wish I might look as good as she did. For some reason, it was important to look as attractive as I could. Maybe it was because I wanted to impress Pat. It mattered to me, what she thought of me.

I asked her the question, "Connie and I were wondering if you'd rather stay with us instead of at the hotel. We have room."

"You and Connie live together?"

I didn't realize that might sound odd, me living with the boss. "She offered to let me stay with her when I accepted the transfer from New York. I don't know the area very well and she offered, while I look around for a place of my own."

"You're really lucky to have a boss like her."

I was. "She's been really wonderful. I really like her."

"Are you sure that wouldn't be too much of an imposition?"

"No, really. There's plenty of room. Connie has an extra bedroom. It would get you away from 'him'. Besides, I'd enjoy having you stay with us." I admitted.

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely!" I was glad she accepted. "When we quit this afternoon, I'll drive you back to the hotel and we'll get your things."

She was a little nervous about what Park would say. "Let's not say anything till we have to," Patty suggested.

Connie and I had already discussed how to tell the man. "Connie said she would handle Park. We'll let her bring it up to him later."

The morning went by like a shot, we got a lot done. We went out for lunch to one of the local places. It was over an hour before we got back to the office.

I couldn’t help but feel more nervous, outside of the office. I had begun to develop confidence in myself around people that I knew. I wasn't threatened by them, but with strangers, I was a wreck. I wanted so much to be accepted by Patty. I watched my every move and tried to emulate her mannerisms and those of the women around me.

When the three of us went to the ladies' room Connie asked my new friend, "So Patty, what did you decide?"

"I'd really appreciate staying with you and Jennifer. You're sure I wouldn't be an imposition?"

"Not at all. We'd be happy to have you. Just let me take care of Park"

The issue was already settled as far as I was concerned.

I couldn't wait till work was over for the day. The afternoon seemed to drag as it got nearer and nearer to six o'clock.

Connie finally told Park about the arrangements we made with Patty. She waited until we were wrapping up for the day and offhandedly remarked about Patty staying with us while they were here. Park looked shocked for just a second but caught himself and dismissed the change in plans casually.

"That's nice." He couldn't object.

We had obviously ruined his plans. Good, I remember thinking to myself.

Connie suggested, "Why don't you girls take off? Mr. Park and I can wrap up here."

He looked a little surprised at Connie dismissing us. Patty was his secretary. His look was, just for an instant, disapproving, but he said nothing.

I had brought my car, in anticipation of driving Patty to the hotel so we could move here and her things back to the apartment. It seemed very odd, helping her pack up her things.

I thought I'd be nervous, off on my own with Patty, but it was nice. There was no question of her acceptance of me as Jennifer. It was a beautiful summer afternoon and that only added to my good mood.

It only took us a few minutes to get her things and check her out. We rolled down the windows in the car and let the wind blow our hair. I remember thinking how fresh the air smelled that afternoon.

Connie was home when we got back to the apartment. "That didn't take you two very long."

"I was anxious to be out of there before Park got back," Patty admitted.

"You didn't have to worry. He asked me where he could find a place to get a drink. I sent him to a place miles from the hotel." Connie said with a smile. "I offered to take him to dinner, just the two of us but he seemed to have other plans."

"He was probably going to see if he could pick up some company for the night," Patty said with destaining.

She really was disgusted by him and I could see why.

I helped her unpack her things, using the empty dresser drawers in the guest room.

"Have you ever been to Atlanta before?" Connie asked Patty.

"No, this is the first time."

"Is there anything, in particular, you'd like to see or do?"

"To tell you the truth, it's just nice to get away from the normal household routine. I don't get a chance to get out alone at home. Not with Carolyn, Jimmy, and the house to take care of. Most of my girlfriends are married and they're always too busy to spend any time alone, without kids and husbands around."

"What would you like to do?"

"Is there a big mall anywhere nearby?" She asked.

"There's one a few blocks away." I offered. It was where I shopped with Connie and Virginia on Wednesday.

"Do you suppose we could run over there so I could find a pair of jeans and just browse a little?" She asked. "I didn't bring any jeans with me and I'm lost without a pair to wear."

I wasn't anxious to go shopping but we wouldn't be shopping for me this time. I didn’t have anything to be afraid of. "Sure," I told her.

"Why don't you two go ahead, Jennifer knows the way. I have some things I need to do."

When I was little, I endured shopping with my mother. She would think nothing of dragging me from one store to the other all day long. She loved to shop, even if she didn't buy anything. I remembered how I wished I was home, playing with my friends instead.

Shopping with Connie and Virginia had been a different experience. They were the ones who decided what I would try on. They picked my clothes, much like my mother had done.

As Patty and I wandered through the stores, searching through the racks of clothes, I found I developed a new interest in the things I saw.

I was taught or learned through observing, that it was taboo for a guy to show an interest in shopping. My Dad would have cut off his arm before he would so much as touch a pretty blouse or dress in a store. The sheer fabrics that looked and felt so pretty on women were not supposed to interest a man. I found myself more than a little curious.

I began to discover, or I should say, Jennifer did, the fascination my mother had known for clothes. I didn't mind at all the hours we spent shopping, with Patty trying on clothes. I was having fun.

It was probably fortunate I had little money to spend. There were a dozen things I might have bought myself. I liked Patty's taste in clothes and I wanted to emulate this woman that I admired. Secretly, I told myself, if I had to play the role of a young woman, it was this woman that I wanted to be most like.

Patty was beautiful. If I looked like her, the role I played would have been easy. I even wished, for a while at least, that the changes my body was undergoing would eventually change me enough to look like her with her beautiful shape and full breasts. It started me thinking of ways I might look and act more convincing as Jennifer.

We stopped and had dinner at the food court in the mall. It was very crowded wherever we went. It was a Friday night. I watched Patty and the hundreds of other women around me, learning.

We talked a lot. Patty had told me a lot about herself and her family. We compared our experiences at college, the classes we took. She talked about her experiences with men, I listened. I slanted the tale of my relationship with Tina to fit my role. It was difficult but I was very careful. I talked about my family, again being very careful to change things appropriately. For the most part, I listened, volunteering only what she asked me about. It was safer than making things up I knew nothing about.

Like men, girls develop their personalities from their experiences. I had so little to contribute and it bothered me. Patty was bubbly and outgoing, I wished I could be that way. I had to be content to be a good listener.

We got home a little before ten. Connie was there, curled up on the couch in front of the TV. "Did you find what you were looking for?" She asked Patty.

She had found more than the white jeans she showed Connie. She also brought two new blouses.

I wished then that I had jeans like them. She looked terrific in them in the store.

"I think I'll get comfortable too if that's alright?" She said to Connie.

"Of course!" Connie insisted. "Do you like 'Love and War'?" She asked.

"I watch it all the time. I'll be right out." Patty went into her room to change.

"Did you have fun?" Connie asked when we were alone.

"I really did," I admitted. "I like Patty. She a delight." New words had been creeping into my vocabulary. "I had fun shopping with her."

"I like her too. Go ahead and slip on your nightie and come back and watch the show with us." She said urged.

It was one thing to sit around in a nightie with Connie in the privacy of the apartment but with Patty there, I was a little anxious about it. Still, I did want Patty to accept me as Jennifer.

She was already with Connie, on the couch, when I came out of my room. I curled up between them with my bare smooth legs tucked up underneath me. It didn't take long to lose that nervous feeling as we watched TV.

It was Connie's suggestion, at bedtime the night before, that we all dress casually. That was how we always dressed on a Saturday anyway. I wore my jeans, not the baggy ones that Connie bought me. I wore Christy's tight jeans, they fit a lot like Patty's new ones. With my peach-colored vee neck top and my white flats Virginia bought me, I felt comfortable with how I looked.

I was excited about spending the day with Patty. I hardly gave a thought to Park. I spent a little more time than I usually would, getting ready for work on a Saturday. I fussed over my hair and makeup.

As we were heading out the door for the office, I nervously told Patty, "I hope you don't mind, but I have a date with some of my friends to go workout at the spa this afternoon. I'll only be about an hour."

"I'll go with you if that's ok?" Patty suggested.

The idea worried me at first but what could it hurt? I would be pretending to be Jennifer anyway.