“No wonder what?!” My tone was far more demanding than I intended.
“He called me asking me for a staff re-evaluation meeting.” I didn’t understand why he’d call the firm’s accountant regarding staffing concerns other than it being because I was the accountant’s best friend, the best friend who the accountant arranged to come aboard.
“Oh my god, Michelle, he’s going to fire me! And he thinks it’s the most opportune time because I just graduated. He feels he’s fulfilled his obligation of your request to have me come here to gain PT experience. You asked him to help me out until I get on my feet professionally and the time has come. He’s held up his end of the bargain and I’ve put myself in a precarious situation with him and he wants me out.” I was forced to take a breath.
I began feeling light-headed. But I had to continue. “Michelle, how can I get around the question of why am I not employed with Smith, Katz & Adams Sports Medicine Center after being employed by them while studying? Answer me, Shelly! What?” I screamed into the phone, talking a mile a minute.
“Calm down, Rayna.” She turned on the ever-so calming voice. She takes this tone when I’m out of sorts. “He asked for a meeting with me this evening over dinner along with Jim Katz. I’ll gauge where he is from there and get back to you. You just need to calm yourself down. It’ll work out. You’ll see.” She didn’t sound too assured herself.
“…you sure?” I quizzed. I didn’t believe she was confident about her words of comfort, but what else could she say to console me?
“Yes, Rayna. Go get a bite to eat and pick up a green tea smoothie from Kelly’s to relax yourself. If you don’t it’ll affect your work and make this situation far worse than what it is. Always show professionalism, even if your employer doesn’t. All you have is your dignity.” She attempted assurance again.
“Okay. Call me!”
“I will, hon…”
When we ended the call, I felt like I had to think this thing through. I eventually resolved to the fact that I had something working in my favor. Michelle was the practice’s financial advisor. Talk about being well connected. She took over after her predecessor retired. Her uncle, Dan Smith, was big on keeping business in the family and since he didn’t have any children, Michelle was the next best thing. He initially wanted her to ultimately take over the practice when he was ready to retire but Michelle didn’t exactly want to go into physical therapy. She wanted to be in business. She was open to any avenue the business profession had to offer so they came to a middle ground and she studied both. Michelle majored in Business Management with a concentration in Finance and minored in Sports Medicine. She immediately got an MBA after undergrad. He had her on the payroll shadowing her soon-to-be predecessor right after graduating with a Bachelor’s and after she was done with her MBA his former consultant retired. This only happened to privileged people. I have to admit my friendship with Michelle provided a sweet deal for me, too.
I did as Michelle advised to the best of my ability. I even approached Hailey with work-related instructions for the next day in lieu of my absence due to the meeting.
That evening Michelle called around nine p.m. as promised.
“Hello?”
“It’s me Na-Na,” Michelle’s voice was alarmingly low. My stomach churned.
“Well…is it bad?” I murmured filled with fear.