“Which is?” Rico growled.
“I want you to come up with a program that will force the sales, marketing and operations teams to work together. Design it, implement it and after two weeks, assess it. I want you to report the results to me at the end of the period. I guarantee you’ll see a huge difference in the results of your teams’ combined efforts.”
“Uh, huh,” Rico said sardonically.
“Don’t knock it, just try it.” Asia was not fazed by his sarcasm. “That’s your assignment number one. Remember, you agreed to work with me so I expect you to keep your word. Do I have your commitment?”
She could see the reluctance flit across his face. He wanted to say no but how could he when he’d already told her he would fulfill her requirements? He may be a lot of things but she could sense that he wasn’t the man to back out on a promise.
“Alright,” he said finally. “We'll reconnect in two weeks. And if what you say works, I’ll eat my hat.”
That made her laugh. “I have a better idea. If my suggestion works you’ll have to agree to my next task, no grumbling, no questions asked."
“That’s it?”
“That’s it,” she said. “Just be prepared to do anything I say because I know my experiment will be successful."
“And I know it won’t,” he countered, his look bold and confident, "so I agree.”
Asia got up then, her briefcase in hand, but she did not reach out to shake his hand. This time she wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’ll see you in two weeks,” she said by way of farewell.
He got up and walked her to the door where he held it open for her. This time when they parted he was smiling.
“I look forward to it,” he said confidently as she walked through the door.
******
“Robert’s on his way over,” Shelley whispered as the tall, gangly youth ambled toward them, his jeans threatening to fall off his lean hips, “and you know what he wants...”
Asia’s friend and fellow volunteer left the sentence hanging in the air. There was no need to say another word. They both knew Robert and they were more than prepared this time. He walked up to the counter behind which both women stood holding long-handled ladles.
“Double on the mashed potatoes?’ Shelley asked with a stern frown. “Triple,” Robert said, his thin face glowing as he gave them a wide grin. “You know I’m a growing boy.”
Asia shook her head. “Don’t we know it. I’ve got double portions of chicken for you. And,” she looked to the right and to the left then leaned forward, "I’ve got something in back for you,” she said in a staged whisper. “Half an apple pie.”
Robert’s eyes shone and his smile grew even toothier. “Apple pie is my favorite. You’re the greatest, Asia.”
“Hey, what about me?” Shelley gave a perfect pout. It made her look all of six years old.
That made Robert laugh out loud. “I love you too, Shelley. I wouldn’t give you guys up for the world.”
He gratefully accepted the plate piled high with food and rested it on his tray then headed for the table in the far corner by the window, his usual eating place. There he sat down and dived into the meal.
Asia couldn’t help smiling. She loved to watch him savor every bite of his meal. “That kid’s an eating machine,” she said, her eyes still resting on him.
“Yeah,” Shelley said with a chuckle, “all six feet five inches of him.”
“D'you think they’ll pick him for the community center basketball team?”
“They’d better,” Shelley said, her voice indignant, “or else they’ll have me to answer to.”
“Yeah, right,” Asia said, rolling her eyes, “as if anybody’s scared of your little four foot eleven self.”
“I’m four feet eleven and a half inches.” Shelley glared at Asia and straightened to her full height.
“Still a shortie,” Asia said with a laugh.
“And I’m in good company,” the smaller woman said, looking Asia up and down.
When Asia moved away to serve the next teenager she was still smiling. She enjoyed the teasing fun she and Shelley engaged in each time they met. They'd both started on the same day as volunteers at the youth shelter and community center and had become fast friends. That had been four years earlier when Asia had been twenty-one and still in university. Shelley, on the other hand, was a widow and the mother of two teenage girls. But, as tiny as she was, everyone knew she was a no-nonsense woman who spoke her mind but who was always quick to offer guidance, comfort and love.
Sunrise Community Center was a refuge for the young people in the neighborhood. It was a place where they could escape from the troubles of abusive homes and dangerous streets, and just be kids. The land and the buildings were a donation from a long dead philanthropist but his legacy lived on in the positive impact the center was having on so many young lives. Here, the kids could play basketball, soccer, squash and tennis and a warm meal was provided each evening to all who desired it.
Robert was a regular, and one they both loved. At the tender age of eighteen he'd found himself alone in the world, no longer eligible for the protection and support of the foster care system. He’d found a part-time job on a construction site but his wages were not enough to cover the rent and provide for his needs. That was where the center came in. He could count on getting one good meal each day and his entertainment requirements were satisfied with the variety of sporting activities available on the location.
Robert’s situation was not unique. Even though some of the users of the facilities were children from working families the majority were disadvantaged and this place was their only means of escape. Asia was glad she was a part of their world, a part of the solution to their problems. She made a good living in her consulting business and made regular donations to the center. Still, nothing was more satisfying to her than interacting with her young mentees. Through her relationship with such a diverse group she’d learned courage in the face of adversity, perseverance and patience.