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“Liz.”

“Liz. Well, I hope I get to hear more about her in the future. And, Joe?”

“Yeah?”

“You deserve everything you want. Not just crumbs.”

?

Chapter Eight

Liz

In the first three weeks since I left Minnesota, I didn’t get many bites on the resumés I’d sent out. But the few weeks since have been better—almost like meeting Joe was a stroke of good luck—and I’ve had three interviews this week alone. Today, I am on round four of a very elaborate interview process with Qpik, a local software behemoth. It’s a far larger company than I’ve ever worked for—it might actually be scary big. I’ve had multiple meetings with everyone from Accounting, which makes sense given that that’s the division I will be working for, but then I met several people from Human Resources, then representatives from Purchasing, Legal, and Marketing & Sales. However, today they also want me to see the rest of the campus and I get to meet a few of the software developers. They say knowing people in different departments increases company cohesion and loyalty. I hope this is a good sign.

But I have seen so many new faces and heard so many new names and shaken so many new hands that my head is spinning. Coupled with the fact that my morning involved multiple cups of coffee and bottles of water, I need an urgent bathroom break.

When I get out of the stall, there’s a striking woman at the sink. She’s really tall, in jeans and a simple top, and she looks like a cross between Cher and the Stella Kidd character from Chicago Fire. She’s leaning back against the counter and giving me a curious look.

“Not many women in the women’s bathroom on this floor,” she says.

“Uhm.” I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond. “Okay?”

She chuckles. “I mean, it’s mostly software developers in this building and I’m one of the only two female developers on the floor. The other one is on family leave now, so I don’t usually see anyone else here.”

“Erm, okay. Sorry.”

She throws her hands up in the air. “Oh, my God, I am coming across like I’m upset that you used the bathroom—I’m not! I meant to imply it was great to see a new female face here.” She sticks out her hand. “Hi, I’m Roxie.”

I shake her hand, feeling embarrassed for some reason. “Liz.”

“Are you a new developer on Mitch’s team?”

“Uhm, no. I’m interviewing for Accounting. They’ve been showing me around all morning.”

“Oh! That’s great. Did you meet some of our managers? Sometimes they will introduce new nontechnical hires to group leads.” I nod, and she continues. “So who did you meet? Mitch, I assume. Gordon is my team lead. On this floor, there’s also Steve.”

“I did meet Steve and Gordon.”

“Good. Good. I hope they didn’t scare you off. They’re good people, just not the most congenial.”

I smile. “They were pretty great.”

“I hear a bit of the northern accent. Are you from upstate?”

“No actually. From Minnesota.”

“Oh? Where in Minnesota?”

“St. Cloud. It’s a small town.”

“Not that small. I know it. I also watched Fargo the series, Season 3.”

I laugh at that.

“So you’re new in town, huh? Do you know people here?”

“Not many.”