Free Miss Independent by Kiki Leach Page B

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                  “That’s just in a few weeks. Is a new chairperson really even needed for just a few weeks’ worth of work? It’s a high school reunion, she’s not running the entire country. I imagine the worst thing that will happen to her is that she’ll run out of streamers or something. Whatever . When does the evil queen plan to grace us with her presence?”
                  “She’s supposed to be flying in tomorrow night to take care of a few last minute things with the hotel, bookings and everything.”
                  “ Wonderful . Is she flying in with Nathan?”
                  “I don’t know. I didn’t ask Joan, I’m sorry.”
                  “It’s fine. I wouldn’t have wanted you to, it’s not part of your job. And it doesn’t matter anyway. That gutless guttersnipe doesn’t deserve the satisfaction.” She moved her hands to her temples and began massaging them with the tips of her fingers. “Besides, I have so much to get done today and as much as I’d like to toss a book through the window or skip out for an early kickboxing class while imagining Sheila’s face on the bag, I can’t afford to. Do me a favor and make some phone calls to our publishers. Every number is in the rolodex. Let them know that I am here today, bright and early and ready to speak to them as soon as possible so that we can get the next issue out on time. Remind me to approve yesterday’s bylines as well as todays.” She stopped to think for a moment. “What time are we scheduled for the ‘What’s in For Summer!’ photo shoot in Central Park?”
                  “10:30.”
                  “Good. I’m going to need you to attend in my place because I have too much to take care of here.”
                  She grew timid. “Me?”
                  “Yes. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t normally send you out to the wolves so unprepared, but since I skipped out yesterday, I’m going to need all the time in the world today to get things done. Which means I might need to stay overtime. My mother comes back from Paris soon, and the last thing I need is for her to once again regret hiring me for this position. Felicia had it first, my sister. And then she met some guy who was in art school, became a modern day hippie and moved to the beach on the opposite coast. Alexis constantly admits that she only appointed me to keep it in the family, but I’ve done my damnedest to prove my worth.”
                  “You’re a fantastic editor, Vanessa, the numbers prove it.”
    “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome. That’s why I was so eager to get this position. I knew I’d be up to task for whatever you wanted me to do, whenever, however possible…” She cleared her throat. “Having said that, I don’t think I can handle an entire photo shoot by myself.” She curled her fingers around the pen in her hand. “I can hardly get the order on your coffee from day to day, I don’t think I’ll be able to handle photographers, and models. What if someone falls or breaks a heel?”
                  “We have people there for that.”
                  “Yes, me! If I’m you for the day, who am I going to appoint to get a new heel for the flailing model? No one is going to listen to me, they don’t even know my name yet.”
                  “We’ll make them learn it before the day is over.”
                  Vanessa noticed she was shaking a little and placed her hands on her shoulders to calm her. “Listen, Samantha. I like you. I don’t say that to many people because I don’t like many people, especially my employees. I’m not supposed to say things like that, but it’s true. And I wouldn’t send you out there if I didn’t like you, or if I was certain you would screw it up, because ultimately, my name and reputation with regards to