Taste of Reality by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page A

thinking.
    “I’m glad to hear it, because you don’t look like everything is going well. But I guess looks can be deceiving,” he said, and took a bite from his sandwich. It was clear that he knew something was bothering me.
    I chewed a forkful of casserole but didn’t comment.
    “I’m not trying to pry, but sometimes it’s better to talk to someone you don’t know all that well than it is to your closest friends.”
    I smiled to myself, because prying was exactly what he was doing.
    “Okay,” he said, raising both his hands in surrender. “I’ll talk about something else, because I can see you don’t want to go there with me.”
    “It’s not that.”
    “What is it then? Because if you’re worried about me repeating anything you say, you don’t have to. I’ll die with whatever you tell me.”
    I couldn’t help but grin at his humor.
    “See, I knew I could raise your spirits. And I wasn’t going to leave here without seeing you smile.”
    I appreciated his empathy, and I couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was. Like a lot of Italian men I knew, he was tall, fine-looking and had stunning black hair, and now that I was looking into his eyes, I had to admit that there was a certain amount of chemistry between us. Which I didn’t want to think about, because there was no way I could date outside of my race or commit adultery. David was doing both, but he and I were not the same. At least I didn’t think we were.
    “So how’s the training department?” I asked, changing the subject.
    “Oh, I get it. That’s a hint, right? You’re telling me on the sly that you don’t want to discuss anything that has to do with you.”
    “No, I’m simply asking how your department is coming along.”
    “If you say so,” he said, smiling skeptically. “It’s fine. We’re implementing some new programs and planning to hire two additional trainers in the coming months.”
    “Good for you.”
    “How’s the benefits section? Jim was telling me this morning that you applied for the HR manager’s slot again.”
    I nodded and wondered why Jim thought it necessary to discuss my career decisions with anyone other than Lyle and Elizabeth, my current immediate supervisor.
    “Why was he telling you that?”
    “He was saying that they had three candidates for the position, and that he really wanted to give it to you, but his hands might be tied.”
    “His hands might be tied how?”
    “He said something about Kelli Jacobson having more seniority with the company and in the department than you do.”
    “You know, Frank, I won’t even say what I’m thinking, because I might regret it. But all I know is that they’re going to be sorry if they don’t do the right thing.”
    “Say whatever you feel like saying. I’m all ears,” he said.
    “Why? Did they ask you to see if you could get me to back down like a good little girl?”
    Frank stared at me with no specific expression and kept quiet.
    “Actually, I was joking, but you’re acting like they really did ask you to talk to me.”
    “They did.”
    “They what?!”
    “They wanted me to tell you how wonderful my job is and how I thought you would be perfect for it once I’m promoted. Jim said he had a feeling you were under the impression that he and Lyle were trying to discriminate against you, but that they weren’t. He told me that they wanted you to be in the job they feel you’re best suited for and the one they believe will make you the happiest.”
    I felt my blood roaring. What nerve they had, asking another employee to assist them with their scheming. I didn’t know whether to be angry with Frank or not, but apparently he wasn’t buying into what they were attempting to do, because he wouldn’t have told me about any of this if he was.
    “But, Anise,” he continued, “I want you to know something right now. I don’t agree with any of what they are trying to do to you, and under no circumstances would I do anything to hurt