Tina's Story Chapter 61- Acceptance-Open Hearts
TINA"S STORY CHAPTER 61- ACCEPTANCE-OPEN HEARTS
Life goes on at the DMV. It's another weekday morning, and Tina has just arrived at the office. She had recently moved into Colleen's office, though this made her uncomfortable. As a result, she kept things pretty much as they were. She has pictures of Ray and the pups on her desk. And she continued Colleen's practice of always having fresh flowers. Otherwise, not much had changed. Upon entering the office this morning. she picks up the big envelope of internal mail. Looking at the first item, Tina's face turns red. Dropping the rest of the mail, Tina stomps out, the offending mail clutched in her hand.
Minutes later, Tina arrives at the director of personal..
"Tina! Come in! How have you been doing? I've heard such wonderful things about you! You know, that whole thing with Felicity was such a mess. Everyone else bailed. You actually made her a functional employee; how did you ever do it?
Tina sat back, her anger somewhat defused by the director's compliment.
"She's not stupid; I just don't think she's ever been required to do work. Once I held her feet to the fire, and made sure she got it, she wasn't that bad. She can work the counter, and do the basic stuff. With all the rest of Colleen's duties, I've decided to have KC work with her. So far, so good."
"Well that's good. You're to be commended. You know, there was a pool on how long she would last...."
"Who won?"
"Me."
"What did you bet?"
"Six hours."
"Only six hours? That's not much of a vote of confidence."
"Everyone else bet less. She never made six hours in any of the other offices. Now, what brings you here today?"
Remembering her mission, Tina shakes the memo.
"What is this? Rosa had been in the office forever. How do they just remove her without even talking to me?"
Tina was mad, which didn't happen often. She was intensely loyal, however, which was one of those things that made her so popular.
"Tina, you know the pressure we're under. No increase in staffing levels."
"So, why move Rosa?"
The director paused.
"Because....we had a new hire to place. In your office. Look, I hate these things. But you know the reality. There are 'political' staffing decisions. I was told by the top floor that the new hire went to you. I know we should have talked, but I was under pressure to act now. Rosa's still here. With her good reviews, she'll be here a long time. I'm sorry Tina, but this is much bigger than us; it's people way above our heads...."
Tina understood. After all, this was New Jersey. Life here depended on being 'connected' Even though the civil service in theory prevented it, politicians, elected officials, even organized crime figures routinely tweeked the system for their cronies. Tina nodded her head and left.
Returning to the office, Tina went to look for the new hire. She spotted her immediately. She sat at a desk, in the middle of the pool, looking lost and scared. Tina walked over, and sat down.
"You must be the new girl"
The new girl immediately sprung to her feet to shake Tina's hand.
"I'm Nina" the new girl announced
"You went to Catholic School, didn't you?"
"Yes. But how did you know?" she asked, surprised.
The way you dress. How you sit up straight. The way you addressed me. I went to Catholic school too. You can always spot 'em.
Tina looked at the new girl. A small, solid Husky, she appeared to be about 25. Nina wore a green plaid wool skirt, knee length, and a starched white blouse, buttoned up to her chin. Tina sensed, however, that something was wrong. Trying to put her at ease, she noticed a picture on Nina's desk. The picture was of a little Husky pup. The pup was adorable- all gray and white fluff, cute as can be, except for one thing- the biggest ears that she had ever seen.
"What a dear!" Tina observed, picking up the photo "Yours?"
Nina grabbed the photo back almost immediately, and held it to her chest, as if it were the baby itself. Tina could see tears starting to form.
"Let's take a walk." Tina offered, leading Nina to the break room. Tina poured two cups of coffee, and gave one to Nina without even asking. She then sat down, after closing the door. Prepared to dislike her, Tina instead felt instant empathy. She saw so much of herself in Nina
"What's the matter, dear?
It was like the floodgates open. Nina began to sob, but still struggled to answer just the same.
"I'm so sorry! I know, it was wrong...."
"What dear? What was wrong?"
Tina slid over, and put her arm around the sobbing Husky.
"The job. I know I didn't deserve to get hired....I know people are going to hate me for getting their friend kicked out. But, I had this chance....and I needed this job so bad! I'm just scared I'll mess up and lose it. Ms Goldstein, I just can't lose this job, I just can't!"
Nina put her head on the table, sobbing uncontrollably. Tina let her cry herself out a bit, before they went on. Tina reached into her bra, and pulled out a lace hanky, with little purple flowers, which she used to blot the Husky's tears.
"There, there, now, there's no crying at the DMV."
Tina gave Nina a motherly hug.
"You'll be just fine. If you got through Catholic school, you're smart enough hard working enough and disciplined enough to succede here. And the girls will come around; if you pull your weight, and are a friend to people, they'll be fine with you. Is this about that baby?"
Nina said nothing, but her eyes told Tina all she needed to know. She decided to let it go for the time.
"I'll give you a few minutes to finish your coffee. Once I've had a minute to tend to some things in my office, I'll come over, and we'll start your orientation. "
There was almost a smile on the little Husky's face.
"Thank you Mrs Goldstein."
"'Tina' she corrected "You'll find that I'm not quite Mother Superior material. More like a den mother."
Tina left her to tend to other things. Leaving her office to start the orientation, Tina saw Felicia come running across the office, tottering as she was on her spiked heels. She hugged Nina, as if she were a long lost friend.
Tina stored this away for future reference.
Across town, Doctor and Mrs.Goldstein were having breakfast. The doctor read his paper, while Mrs. Goldstein talked at him.
"I was talking with Madge the other day at Haddasah. Madge just had a new grandbaby. Sees her all the time. Do I ever see my? You think my son could make time for his own mother? Not him!
'Stop it.' Abe Goldstein chastened
"What? It's too much to expect to hear from our son, occasionally?"
The doctor put down his paper.
"When Ray got engaged, you told him he was dead in your eyes. You didn't even call when he got married. When the babies were born, you never went to visit..."
"Puppies"
"Puppies?"
"Puppies. They're not babies. They're puppies.
"Damn it! Abe threw the paper on the floor. "You wonder why he wants nothing to do with you? How nasty and condescending can one person be? You're talking about their CHILDREN! I can't believe how cold and heartless you've become.
She said nothing. The doctor's words stun,. for at some level, she understood that there was truth to what he said. Still, she was not about to give in.
"They didn't even have a bris! They claim to be Jews, and they didn't even have a bris!
"They're Reform. Some Reform don't do the bris...."
"Call yourself what you want. That doesn't make it right..."
"Let me get this straight; if Little Stan has a bris, you'd go?"
"I might. I don't think it will happen."
"If it DID, you'd go?"
"Alright, enough already! If they have a bris, I'll go. I don't think they will, but, if by some miracle they do, I will go. Assuming they find a Rabbi to do it. He's already too old. "
"They're Reform; some reform Rabbis do it on adults..."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
The doctor looked at his watch.
"I better get to the hospital'
He got up to grab his coat. As he walked to the door, he smiled. The smile of a man with an idea.