Free The Writer by Rebekah Dodson Page B

her. "We have the accident reports from last year I've compiled, and some health and safety tips for the holidays. I'll get those to Alex."
    I looked at Alex. "So I need the articles in PDF format submitted by the close of tomorrow, so I can get the final editing done on Wednesday. Tim, I'll have the file formatted for upload Thursday morning, if we have no other hiccups."
    I looked at my team once more, knowing this was the last time I would see them all in one room.
    It was bittersweet.
    They all looked back at me.
    "Meeting adjourned." I banged my gavel just once, for the last time. The quiet shuffle out of the room was deafening.
    Tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

Chapter Seventeen
    As the hour hand was dangerously close to 5pm, I poked my head out my door. "Marion, can I see you in my office for just a sec?"
    "Yeah," she said.
    I motioned for her to close the door. I knew I had her full attention when I didn't use her familiar nickname. My serious tone had her on alert right away.
    "Marion, how long have you worked with me?" I asked as she took a seat.
    "Three years now, boss man," she smiled. Her folded hands in her lap twitched slightly.
    "How many food editions have you done solo?"
    She thought about it. "The Christmas special last year, the Bacon edition a few months before that, and the dessert one we did a year back. Why, Rochelle?"
    "Because I'm taking some time off. You're my new editor."
    "What?!"
    She stood then, her face a mix of confusion and elation. "Why? Where are you going?" She pushed her pink rimmed glasses up her nose.
    "I just have to get out here," I said. My hand flew to my abdomen, glad for the high desk that blocked it from her view. "A change of scenery, maybe do a little research. Consider it a sabbatical."
    "I can't do this on my own."
    "Nonsense," I said, shuffling some papers around aimlessly. "Tim can do the web design, and Alex is taking over the graphics publishing. All you have to do is use your amazing leadership abilities during the weekly meetings, and check our staff progress. Write a few articles, maybe."
    "But you do so much more..." she protested.
    "I'll have my tablet, and we can Skype – weekly – if you have any problems. You can do this – there's no one I trust more."
    "Please tell me you're leaving after the wedding."
    "No. I fly out Monday morning. I've made a list for the meetings, and I just e-mailed you the spreadsheet of articles for the next couple of editions..."
    "Rochelle." She dropped her voice. "Does this have to do with whatever this thing is between you and Elijah? The tension has been sky high around here; you could cut it with a knife. You two hold us together, and when you're not in sync, none of us are!" Then in almost a whisper: "Have you told him?"
    I glanced beyond her, where Elijah's assistant editor desk sat next to the frosted window. Elijah sat hunched over his computer, with Alicia peering over his shoulder, pointing at the screen. He turned to face her and planted a kiss on her lips.
    "I really don't think he'll care."
    "He cares," Marion said. "Besides Alicia, you are his world."
    That was precisely why I needed to go.
    "You sure you can't fix this?"
    My insides fluttered. I lowered my eyes. "No."
    "Okay," she conceded. "Go get your fresh air; I'll hold down the fort, the best I can."
    "Thank you," I told her. "I know you will do fine."
    "Just promise me one thing," she said her hand on the door. "In three years, you have taken this publication far beyond you have thought possible. I am so proud of you. And you know he is a big part of your success. Don't lose him."
    I nodded, too afraid my emotions would betray me if I spoke. But that was part of my inner pep talk today. Losing him was the healthiest thing I could do.
    I lifted my coffee cup to her as she left. "Here's to vacations."
    She smiled. Half way out the door she turned to me, and said, "Hey, what are you doing on Christmas?"

Chapter Eighteen
    Elijah
     
    I reached over and turned the radio