The Click Trilogy (38 page)
Authors: Lisa Becker
From: PBCupLover – October 3, 2012 – 9:57 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Your help needed
Hey Shelley. Hope this email finds you doing well. And congrats by the way on your upcoming move. Really happy for you and Nick.
Listen, I know this may be a bit awkward and if you’re not comfortable talking about it, just say so. But I could really use your insight.
Ever since I proposed to Renee, she’s been acting a bit strange. I can’t really put my finger on it, but something’s not right. I don’t know if she’s stressed out about getting married, thinking she’s made a mistake because I’ve been working so much or if there’s something else going on. But I’m worried. Every time I try to talk to her about it, she says that everything is fine. I’m not really sure what else to do. I figure you know her better than anyone and perhaps
you
knew something
I
should know. Again, if this is uncomfortable for you, just say the word.
From: Shelley Manning – October 3, 2012 – 10:07 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Nothing like you and me to make things uncomfortable again, huh? Well I’m not normally one to get involved in other people’s business. And I promised Renee I wouldn’t say anything. But you’ve come to me for advice and I want you guys to work this out. You also know I’m not one to mince words, so I’m going to give it to you straight.
Dude! You proposed at a goddam football game! Now that may have been a really special place for
you
, but Renee has been dreaming about getting engaged since she was a little girl. And nowhere in that fantasy did it involve the Buckeyes.
From: PBCupLover – October 3, 2012 – 10:08 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
FUCK! You’re totally right. She must be so pissed.
From: Shelley Manning – October 3, 2012 – 10:12 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Yeah! But she’s super happy about the end result anyway – being engaged to you. She loves you beyond measure and knows you guys are going to have a great life together. But when she tells the story to her grandkids, she’s going to be secretly seething.
From: PBCupLover – October 3, 2012 – 10:13 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
FUCK! What can I do? Do you think she would be open to a do-over?
From: Shelley Manning – October 3, 2012 – 10:15 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
I think that’s a great idea. Why don’t you give it some careful thought (hint! hint!) and then I’m happy to have you run some ideas by me.
From: PBCupLover – October 3, 2012 – 10:16 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Thanks, Shelley.
From: Shelley Manning – October 3, 2012 – 10:17 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
You’re welcome, Ethan. Just remember, from now on, it’s never going to be about you. ;)
From: PBCupLover – October 3, 2012 – 10:17 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Got it!
From: cassidy – October 4 – 3:08 PM
To:
Subject: Fwd: soooooooo cute!
if these baby kittens dont bring a tear to your eye, your heart just be made of stone.
h’s & k’s,
cassidy
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 8:25 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Worried about you
Ashley, you didn’t seem like yourself yesterday when I came by. What’s going on?
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:02 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Nothing unusual is going on. I’m fine.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:22 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
You’re not fine. You were way too interested in hearing about Shelley and Nick, didn’t make one comment about my hair ;) and were on the verge of tears. I’m always here for you. So talk to me. What’s going on?
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:24 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
You are such a good friend and such a good person. And I’m not!
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:25 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Why do you say that? Of course you’re a good person.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:27 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
I’m not! The baby isn’t even born yet and I’m already miserable.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:28 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Oh, Ash! That doesn’t make you a bad person. I think you’re depressed.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:32 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
I just didn’t realize how hard this would be. I’ve been good at everything I’ve ever done. Why can’t I handle this?
And I don’t just mean the pregnancy and bed rest. I just know this is a precursor to the next, I don’t know how many years. I’ll be home alone with the baby and everyone else will be out and about, working, dining, enjoying…I don’t know if I can do this.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:32 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Have you talked to Greg about this?
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:34 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
No! He’s so elated about the baby that I just don’t know what to say to him. So I put on a brave face and then when he leaves, I just cry.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:34 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
How long have you felt this way?
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:35 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
How long have I been pregnant?
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:35 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Seriously! That long? Have you talked to your doctor?
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:36 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
No. Up until now, I haven’t told a soul. Sad to say, but people can be so judgmental.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:37 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
I think you should talk with your doctor. She’s not going to judge you. I bet this is very common.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:39 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
You’re probably right. As I told you before, every symptom I seem to have is “normal” in pregnancy. HA! (At least I’m
trying
to keep a sense of humor.)
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:41 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
I don’t think how you’re feeling is normal, though. I bet it’s common. But it’s not normal. I understand if you don’t want to talk with Greg, but talk with your doctor…please!
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:42 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
And say what? The thought of having this baby is turning me into a bawling baby?
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:44 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Yes! Your doctor is there to help you. You need to tell her everything you’re feeling. I just know she can help. Please!
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:44 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Okay. I have an appointment later in the week.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:45 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
In the meantime, please hang in there and know that I will do anything – anything – for you.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 5, 2012 – 6:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Thanks.
From: Renee Greene – October 5, 2012 – 6:45 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Worried about you
Okay. Talk soon.
From: PBCupLover – October 8, 2012 – 11:45 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Maybe I could re-do it at the Coffee Shack where we had our first date and you, Ashley, Greg and Mark could all come?
From: Shelley Manning – October 8, 2012 – 11:46 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Meh.
From: PBCupLover – October 8, 2012 – 11:46 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Tough crowd.
From: Shelley Manning – October 8, 2012 – 11:47 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Hey, it’s for Renee.
From: PBCupLover – October 8, 2012 – 11:48 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
You’re right. I’ll keep thinking.
From: PBCupLover – October 11, 2012 – 1:15 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Hot air balloon ride.
From: Shelley Manning – October 11, 2012 – 1:16 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
She doesn’t like to fly, remember?
From: PBCupLover – October 11, 2012 – 1:18 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Of course. She would hate that. Gondola ride down at Venice Beach?
From: Shelley Manning – October 11, 2012 – 1:19 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
She gets sea sick.
From: PBCupLover – October 11, 2012 – 1:20 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Boy, she’s really not a fun girl, is she?
From: Shelley Manning – October 11, 2012 – 1:22 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Your help needed
LOL! No, she’s not. ;) Keep thinking!
From: PBCupLover – October 11, 2012 – 1:23 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Your help needed
Will do. Thanks.
From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2012 – 10:02 AM
To: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, PBCupLover, Mark Finlay
Subject: Advice needed - desperately!
You will NOT believe this. Shelley, you will probably remember when I first moved to LA and I had that horrendous job interview. For the rest of you, I had this horrible job interview years and years ago. The woman, Miranda Jencey, asked me a question about what I would do in a particular situation. I was trying to showcase that I would be thoughtful and take into account all of the pertinent information. So I replied, "Well, not knowing all of the specifics, I would..." and she snapped at me, "Well, of course you don't know all of the specifics. I'm not expecting you to."
She yelled at me! During a job interview! I left there and thought a) what a bitch; b) I'm never going to get this job; and c) I will never work for this woman. I figured if she yelled me during a job interview, how is she going to (over)react when I
really
screw something up? Not that I'm in the habit of making mistakes, but I am human after all. (I know, Ethan. Hard to believe, since you're convinced I'm perfect.)
Anyway, Miranda just came into the office to interview for a senior vice president position. I would partially be reporting to her. Apparently, senior management LOVES her and wants to hire her. I've been asked to interview her since I've been with the company so long and they want to know from the team whether they think she would be a good fit. Unless she's attended – and passed – a series of anger management courses, I don't see her fitting in here. Do I tell my boss that? What if she hires her anyway and it gets back to her that I didn't want her? Or do I just let them hire her and deal with it?
UGH! Thoughts? And fast!
From: Shelley Manning – October 16, 2012 – 10:06 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon, PBCupLover, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
I say torpedo the bitch!
From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2012 – 10:07 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Ashley Gordon, PBCupLover, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Oh, Shel. How I do love you!
From: Shelley Manning – October 16, 2012 – 10:10 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon, PBCupLover, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
I’m easy to love. Seriously, why should she get the job? You should lobby them to give YOU the job. You could be a senior VP. You've been there forever, clients love you, the team respects you. Why not?
From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2012 – 10:12 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Ashley Gordon, PBCupLover, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
From: PBCupLover – October 16, 2012 – 11:13 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
If you really don't think she would be a good fit with your team, you need to say something. Do you feel like you can speak candidly with your boss? Sounds like you've been there long enough and have a good enough rapport with her to tell her the – somewhat – truth. If you decide to go this route, just try to be as calm and emotionless as possible.
From: Renee Greene – October 16, 2012 – 11:15 AM
To: PBCupLover
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Are you suggesting that I get too emotional about things?!? HOW DARE YOU! ;)
From: PBCupLover – October 16, 2012 – 11:20 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
LOL! I love you, Babe, but you do have a tendency to get a bit stirred up about things. Just try to lay out a case of why she won't work well with the group. Don't make it personal.
From: Mark Finlay – October 16, 2012 – 1:32 PM
To: PBCupLover
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Renee Greene, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
From someone who is his own boss, let me say let them hire her, quit your job and start your own firm.
From: Cassidy – October 16, 2012 – 1:32 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, PBCupLover, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
if it was me, i would grin and bare it.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 16, 2012 – 11:45 PM
To: cassidy
Cc: PBCupLover, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Sorry I'm just getting to this now. Baby Gordon and his/her in-utero nighttime somersaults are my continued excuse for late night emails. In this economy, I think you should be happy to have a job. I say keep your mouth shut and play nice. Can she really be worse than bosses you’ve had before?
From: Renee Greene – October 17, 2012 – 8:02 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: PBCupLover, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Okay, guys. Thanks for the advice.
I think I'm going to talk to my boss and tell the truth. If I don't and they hire her, my life will likely be miserable. If I say something and they still hire her, they clearly don't care about my opinion that much, which indicates that maybe it's time for me to move on.