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- Office Politics: Part Thirteen
Office Politics: Part Thirteen
- By Tracy Ames
- Published February 2, 2010
- Chance Meetings
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A week later
“I received orders,” Mo sat atop Lisa’s desk, her voice cracked. “I leave for Alaska in three weeks.” Her eyes read frantically over the papers in her hand. “I don’t understand. Why are they sending me away so soon?”
Lisa took the papers from her. “Save it. The colonel is breaking up the team. We all came in together and for continuity purposes, she wants us to leave together. Our replacements arrive tomorrow.”
Mo’s eyes began to well. “So this is it? This is how it ends?”
“Yeah,” Lisa forced a smile. “Stacy’s going to Scott AFB, IL when she returns for maternity leave. Tony and I are going to Hanscom, MA. John’s going to Guam and Charlie is headed Mildenhall.”
“I can’t deal with it,” Mo brushed a tear from her cheek. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you guys.”
“You’ll get by one horrible day at a time.”
Mo sighed heavily and looked out into the sea of Servicemen and civilians busy with work, Lisa’s eyes followed hers. “I’ll never experience anything like this again.”
“None of us will.”
Tess hurried into the office, placed her laptop on her desk and joined Mo and Lisa. “Hey! Why the long faces?” She asked, twisting her ginger hair into a bun.
“The colonel’s breaking up the team. We’re all PCSing in three weeks.”
“Good!” Tess took a seat. “Just in time, I’m going to Hickam AFB.”
“Hawaii?!” Lisa frowned. “How’d you swing that assignment?”
“Frank got me in. I was gonna tell everyone tonight over dinner.”
“You little devil,” Mo said. “You’ve learned the game and played it well. Congrats!”
“Thanks,” she spied Jeanette walking in with a tall handsome gentleman in tow. “Who’re they?”
Lisa’s stomach flipped. “Shit! That’s Master Sergeant Russell, John’s replacement.” She hastily cleared her desk. “He wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow. The Major’s gonna have a fit.”
“Why?” asked Tess.
“We don’t have anywhere to put him, no desk available until the communications guys finish the wiring. It can’t be done until after hours.” Mo replied.
After awkward introductions and small talk, Lisa invited him to dinner. Shameless as she was, Tess didn’t bother hiding her attraction. Then again it wasn’t everyday that a Hugh Jackman look alike strolled in the office oozing charm. Try as he may to show each of the ladies equal attention, his attention was soon pulled back to Tess. Mo tried to distract him with questions about his past: He was originally from Scotland and came to the U.S. to attend university and joined the AF shortly after. His last duty station was Korea. He was single and hoped the ladies would soon remedy that problem.
Tess swooned. He was in her crosshairs and she was in his.
It was to be their last dinner together. The house was noisy as ever with kids running to and fro. For three years they’d shared at least one meal a week. Their children bonded to one another…everyone was “Auntie” or “Uncle” and they were cousins. In some small way they’d created their own family microcosm. They’d seen each other through long hours, birth, death…the loss of parents and children; marriage and divorces; graduations and personal growth; the ups and downs of day-to-day life. They’d supported one another not with meaningless words but with actions—they were there, present, whenever needed. They’d hurt and healed together because none was stronger than the sum of all parts. Each individual brought something special to their family. And each would take something away.
Yes, they’d gather together in nine months for Charlie and Paula’s wedding, however it wouldn’t be the same as seeing each other everyday. This would be felt deepest by Sarah—she was losing the only real mother she’d known. She wouldn’t be pacified until they agreed to her spending her summers with Paula. Surprisingly enough this worked out for everyone—John would be in school and Paula could use the company. Leave it to Sarah to come up with a mutually beneficial solution.
The departure of Stephanie and Ryan began a tearful domino effect in the group. Within days Lisa and Tony would be gone followed by John and Sarah. Mo and Tess took personal leave and went to help Stacy get settled into her new duty station in Illinois before Mo was off to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and Tess to Hawaii. Gio left the service and he and Cathy returned to his hometown in Minnesota.
Charlie and Paula were the last to leave. And watching the distant behavior between each of their replacements only solidified Paula’s belief that what they’d shared was indeed precious and rare. Her last day in the office, she gave MSgt Russell a bit of advice: Take care of one another.
THE END
Where Are They Now:
Cathy and Gio live in Minnesota on a huge horse ranch with their six sons.
Stephanie and Ryan live in England with their three children. Ryan is still in uniform.
Mo is still in uniform and lives in New Mexico with her husband and son.
John is still in uniform and he and Sarah live in Florida. Sarah graduated school earlier and is now completing her undergrad studies. She spent every summer thereafter with Paula. John remains single.
Lisa and Tony both left the service and live in Florida with their two children. The consulting firm Tony and Charlie were building is now based in Vancouver and has gone global—their clientele list reads like Forbes.
Tess lives in New Mexico, not too far away from Mo, with her husband. She married MSgt (now Chief) Russell and they have two sons. She oversees all DoD contracts for Tony and Charlie’s firm.
Stacy is still in uniform and married. Her husband is raising (with the help of Shawn’s nieces) the twins and their son in Michigan while Stacy completes her final year in Iraq. Captain Canfield and Stacy keep in regular contact.
As promised, Charlie left the service after his last enlistment. He and Paula married in a lavish ceremony and now live between Vancouver, Florida and West Virginia with their four children—three sons and a much pampered little girl. Along with Lisa, Paula oversees new development for their husband’s company. Charlie is a devote Christian (through not an evangelical nut case) and has never touched another drop of alcohol.
Sadly, Shawn’s father passed away within a year of his son but he spent his last days with his granddaughters…spoiling them rotten! Shawn is never too far from their thoughts…it has become a tradition within their circle to name one son in his honor. As you can imagine it’s very confusing—too many Shawn and Sean’s.
Once a year everyone gathers together in Gatlinburg Tennessee for a week long reunion. Loud, kids running around, cooking up a storm and laughing…something’s never change.
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Office Politics: Part Thirteen
19 Responses to "Office Politics: Part Thirteen"
said this on 02 Feb 2010 9:49:22 PM CST
Tracy, thanks for a great read. Glad to read that after all of the tragedies, divorce and happiness of new life and weddings that they all still have contact with each other. Thanks for sharing such a personal story. Take Care
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said this on 02 Feb 2010 11:26:38 PM CST
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
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said this on 02 Feb 2010 10:50:19 PM CST
I hate you. You had me crying all thur this story untill the end. I am so happy they are all still freinds. Great story. Thank you and your friends for sharing. I was kind-of hoping Stacy and the Army Medic would have hooked up.
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said this on 02 Feb 2010 11:35:02 PM CST
LOL!! Sorry Lisa! I didn't mean to make you cry. Yes, I'm thankful for the amazing people I have in my life. I don't know what I'd do without them.
I think everyone was pulling for Stacy and Brad at one point but when she met Dan, that was it. Brad is one of the group now and can hang with the best of us. :) |
said this on 02 Feb 2010 11:08:27 PM CST
Thanks Tracy and to all of the gang for sharing this story.
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said this on 02 Feb 2010 11:36:54 PM CST
Thanks Pam. This one was a tough one to pen but well worth it.
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said this on 03 Feb 2010 8:14:30 AM CST
THanks for such a wonderful story Tracy. And to the rest of the gang thanks for allowing her to share this with us. Wish you all the best.
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said this on 03 Feb 2010 8:15:38 PM CST
This has been a beautiful story!! What a wonderful ending. I enjoyed each and every chapter. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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said this on 04 Feb 2010 4:33:58 AM CST
Thanks! I tried not to make you guys cry on this one.:)
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said this on 03 Feb 2010 8:34:30 PM CST
Great story I loved it. Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm so glad to hear Charlie and Paula are still togther . I'm very sorry to hear about Shawn's father passing away so soon after him.
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said this on 04 Feb 2010 4:31:48 AM CST
You're welcome. Girl, yes those two nuts are still together. No one else could handle them. :) Shawn's dad an awesome. I still have some of his recipes, he could throw down in the kitchen.
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said this on 03 Feb 2010 10:30:37 PM CST
BEAUTIFUL AND BRAVO!!!!
You have taken me through just about every emotion known to man with this story... You know at one point I didn't even think I would be able to continue reading I was so emotional... I can't thank you and your friends enough for sharing what I know has to be a very personal experience. Personally this helped me deal with some personal lingering stuff, for that I will be forever grateful. You and your friends have an amazing friendship that has withstood the test of time and all that comes with it... Continue to cherish and love each other... What you all have is NOT the norm but truly a GIFT! Thanks again for sharing your amazing talents with us! |
said this on 04 Feb 2010 4:27:39 AM CST
Thank you so much. Whew, I can shake it off now. This one was difficult to write....it brought up alot of emotions for all of us. It's my job as a write to evoke emotion but this one was rough.
If sharing our story helped you in anyway, then I'm glad I shared it. I've gotten so many emails from readers...sharing their stories--I'm truly touched. And my friends are thankful for all of your comments. Like Tony said, "It's funny seeing yourself on paper. Spooky!" Yes, I have amazing friends and I'm blessed beyond measure. |
said this on 04 Feb 2010 12:52:42 PM CST
Fantastic!! Bravo!! Loved the story and how we were there for all of their trials and tribulations, ups and downs. Just viewing a slice of someone's life. I had no idea it was based on you until I read the comments. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy it, you and them.
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said this on 04 Feb 2010 9:15:04 PM CST
Thank you so much. Yes, the story is based on events my group of friends went through years along. I'll be posting a blog later today, please have a read. :) And thanks again.
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said this on 04 Feb 2010 8:09:33 PM CST
I absolutely LOVED the WHOLE STORY!!!! AWESOME JOB!!!
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said this on 04 Feb 2010 9:16:20 PM CST
Thanks Caremlla. That means a lot coming from you. :)
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said this on 22 Feb 2010 7:16:58 PM CST
Thank you for sharing this story. It had everything in it. Awesome, awesome job/1
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said this on 18 Jun 2010 11:18:09 AM CST
Tracy, this story brought back some good memories, there is a special bond among those in the military. When I enlisted, I swore I would only do 4yrs, 4yrs turned into 6; 6 turned into 8; and so on. Now that I am out I can't wait to put the uniform back on?!?! Great Job
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