Hot steam poured from the kettle’s mouth as it whistled angrily, demanding Patricia’s attention. Hurrying over, she turned the stove down and lifted the kettle to pour hot water into her waiting cup. Setting the kettle back onto the element, she reached for a spoon and stirred the tea bag around in her mug. Slowly the liquid turned darker until it reached the perfect shade that she liked. Lifting the tea bag out with her spoon, she set it into the bowl she’d put there for that use and added some sugar and milk.

Heading back to her office, Patricia passed her new co-worker, Dorothy, in the cubicle assigned to her. Dorothy didn’t look up. She appeared intent on figuring out the new program she’d been trained on in the last few weeks.

Patricia sighed heavily and continued on to her corner office, the best spot on the whole floor. As she walked into the room, she closed the door behind her and set her mug on her desk. The view from her corner windows was spectacular, overlooking the downtown core of the city. She never tired of the sight and that she’d been given this spot was something she was grateful for.

The expensive leather chair Pat now called her own, was nearly too comfortable for work purposes. She sat down and pulled the chair up to the elaborate mahogany desk. Her position came with incentives and perks and she quite enjoyed it. It had been two months since her promotion and she thoroughly appreciated the opportunity for advancement in her career.

Operations Manager was her official title now and Dorothy was newly hired as one of her assistants. The previous girl, Leila, who held Dorothy’s position for a number of years, had quit within a month of Pat’s promotion, sighting Pat impossible to work for. Anger still flared over the derogatory words Leila spoke before she left. Leila wasn’t really a girl but a young woman in her mid-twenties. Her words had left an indelible mark, marring this great accomplishment. Being promoted to this position was something to celebrate and enjoy but she hadn’t felt that euphoria at all.

Pat didn’t understand why she couldn’t let go of the nefarious words Leila had spoken. Trusting her staff was harder now. It was even harder to rely on this new girl, Dorothy. She’d been here just under a month and Pat didn’t know much about her. Dorothy was older than Leila; Pat guessed she was somewhere in her forties. It was hard to tell age sometimes. Pat found herself being more cautious but she hated it. She just wanted to be herself and not be criticized as an awful boss just because someone didn’t like her style. She was who she was and so be it! Her underlings would just have to adjust and cope with her strong personality. It was her spirited style that got her this far, garnered the promotion. Knowing how to get a job done was one of her attributes and she was good at it.

Patricia highly suspected that it was jealousy that motivated Leila to verbally abuse her the way she did. Gossip through the grape vine, from other women in the office after Leila left, had filled her in that the girl had made several bids to move up in the ranks in the business but had been turned down and overlooked for those more experienced. When Pat, who had simply been a division manager, directly over Leila, was promoted, the talk in the office began. Pat never knew about it till after Leila quit. If she’d been aware of it, perhaps she could have diffused the situation somewhat.

When Leila resigned, she’d come to Pat’s office with a loaded gun, or that’s how it felt at the time. Leila came equipped with a full barrage of ammunition. With a bang, she discharged all her negative verbal vomit in a torrent meant to squash Pat. The words had crushed her and she still struggled to see her new job as an exciting opportunity. Fear laced her decisions. Everyone wanted to be liked and Pat was no different. But she had a job to do and so she did it faithfully, dutifully and exceptionally.

If only the awful words hurled at her hadn’t penetrated her heart. She’d known Leila for a number of years and had really liked the girl. Leila was bubbly, talkative, full of energy and she’d been a huge asset to her division and so, when the promotion came, Pat asked Leila to continue as her assistant in her new position. At first Leila was very excited and jumped at the opportunity. The first two weeks seemed fine but then Leila’s attitude began to change. Her job didn’t really change much, she had to do the same things she’d always done and eventually it must have gotten to her and the talk began.

That the gossip Leila spread around was mostly behind Pat’s back didn’t make it easier to swallow. Pat now knew the full extent of the verbal garbage Leila had broadcast around. The rest of Pat’s office staff had informed her of most of it. The words directed straight at her from Leila’s own lips were the most harmful of all.

Useless employer, uncaring idiot, demanding and manipulative ogre, unreasonable twit and cocky, full-of-yourself jerk is not how Pat saw herself. Maybe she was using some liberality in remembering Leila’s exact words but that’s how Pat internalized them.

Leila’s words were always there, waiting in the wings of Pat’s mind, echoing through her consciousness, demanding a repeat performance.  “You think you’re so much better than everyone else around here. You’re a useless employer, bossing everyone around like you’re the queen bee and we’re your little workers. Well I have news for you. You’re a nobody! You’re a dominating bully, a complete jerk, and I can’t work for you anymore. You’re absolutely intolerable in your new position! You’re so full of yourself, demanding, demanding, demanding! You’re a manipulating, controlling idiot! I hate working for you. I quit! I’m leaving today and I hope we never cross paths again! I am done with you!”

Leila might have said more than that but those were the words that recycled through Pat’s mind from time to time. It was tiring having that recording replay over and over. It interfered with her work sometimes. If only she could make it go away, she would. She’d prayed that the words would lose their strength, that she’d remember who she really was and gain her confidence back again.

Pat had always thought of herself as a caring, understanding boss and so when Leila spat out those hateful words it had sent her into a tailspin of self-evaluation. It had altered her faith in those she surrounded herself with and had shifted the poise she once had in who she thought she was.

Taking a sip from her mug, she turned her attention to her agenda for the day. Her mug of tea had cooled considerably. Too much time had been wasted recounting the altercation with Leila. Pat knew she had to concentrate or else she’d get nothing done. There were two meetings she’d planned. They’d take place in the boardroom, one at ten and the other at two in the afternoon. Then there was the specific agenda to plan for each of the meetings. Dorothy would have to help with that, get it typed up and looking pretty for the second meeting. Dorothy would also have to attend both meetings and take notes.

After another long sip from her tepid tea, Pat set the mug back down. She knew she needed to give Dorothy a heads up on the day’s happenings so she’d be prepared. She was about to pick up her phone to call her new assistant when there was a knock at the door.

Pat looked up and said, “Yes?”

The door opened and Dorothy walked in. Stopping just inside the room and still holding the door handle, she said, “I came to find out the plan for today. What should I be preparing for?”

Pat sighed in relief. Dorothy was turning out to be a huge benefit. Her proactive style was just what Pat needed. After she listed off the items needing attention and the meetings for the day, Dorothy nodded in understanding.

“I’ll get right on that.” She turned to leave but then stopped and turned back into the room.

Pat looked up in surprise. “Yes, is there anything else?” There wasn’t much time left to get her report ready for the first meeting and she was eager to get to work on it.

Nervousness shone in Dorothy’s eyes. “I just wanted to say thank you! This job means the world to me! It is such a blessing and just what I was looking for.”

The words were unexpected and felt like warm oil to an open wound. “You’re welcome. You seem like a good fit here and I’m glad for that.”

“And another thing.” Dorothy looked hesitant.

“Yes?”

“I’ve heard from the other women in the office about the row with the previous girl, Leila. They’ve told me about some of the horrible things she said about you, spreading rumors around the office. I want you to know that from what I’ve experienced here already, you are a wonderful boss and a pleasure to work for. From what I’ve heard, I believe Leila was full of anger and jealousy. You were an easy target for her bitterness. Try not to let her words dominate you.”

Pat stared at Dorothy stupefied. Were her feelings that obvious and her vulnerability that glaring?

Dorothy smiled. “I know from experience how damaging harsh words can be. I just left an abusive spouse. I couldn’t handle the verbal wounds anymore and I finally stopped believing his assessment of me. I’m more than what he’s been declaring over me.”

“I see,” Pat finally said. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I didn’t know.”

“I didn’t tell you so you could feel sorry for me. I told you because I can see it in your eyes.”

Although this surreal conversation felt totally out of line to Pat, after all she hardly knew Dorothy, she couldn’t help but ask, “What can you see?”

“Hurt and wounding.”

“How can you see that in someone’s eyes?”

“Because I’ve seen it in my own, you know, when I would look in a mirror.”

Pat didn’t know what to say.

“You’re so much more than one person’s opinion. You are a wonderful boss and I’m thankful to be here working for you. Don’t let anyone declare you’re something when you know you’re not. You’re amazing at what you do and you’re also a wonderful person.”

After getting over the shock of the praise, Pat nodded graciously and said, “Thank you.”

Dorothy then turned and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Pat fought off tears that threatened. It shocked her. She didn’t cry easily. The kind words had felt like a balm of healing that soaked into her heart and softened the fears there. The unexpected kindness Dorothy had extended did more for her in that moment than anything she’d tried to do to get peace since the Leila episode.

Suddenly everything felt lighter and her work load more doable. With a small smile nudging at her lips, Pat dove into the task of preparing for her first meeting, knowing that her prayer had been heard and that help had been sent. Dorothy had turned out to be an unexpected gift.