So much has happened since last Friday night and Mark’s outburst. For all who had been there on different levels.
Monday afternoon, about the same time Tim, Matt and Peter finish their meeting at Microga; Mark arrives for his appointment with James at Pathways. He does not see Abbie today. Mark feels bad as he wants to apologize to her in person for his bad behavior on Friday.
Mark’s time with James, relating how he and Brian are reconciled, is for Mark filled with soul-searching. Relating the weekend’s results to James, Mark is a bit apprehensive. Mark is happy with the outcome but also worried about what Brian expects of him to go forward. He tells James about the rest of the weekend from when Brian opened not only the door but both of their hearts.
On Sunday, after a good night’s sleep from Saturday’s emotions, Mark and Brian talk seriously. For the first time, Mark faces the fact that he has to more or less shit or get off the pot. A crude way to describe his choices, but a very succinct description of what he needs to do.
If what Mark feels for Brian is true, he must willingly acknowledge it to his family and friends. If it is not acceptable to them, Mark needs to decide who he needs more in his life. But truth be told, during that discussion, Mark thinks about how his friends openly accepted what is now between Tim and Abbie. Who she is does not seem to matter. Mark realizes they would probably be the same way with him and Brian.
And Mark’s mother and sisters will be complaisant also. They never see anything Mark does as wrong.
Talking about all this with James, they decide that Brian should be part of their next session on Wednesday. Mark agrees but is apprehensive about Brian hearing some of the issues he is still grappling with.
oOo
Meanwhile, at Matt and Martha’s, they are adjusting to the addition of Timara in their lives. It is working out rather well. Martha can breastfeed from the start without problems. Both their mothers are in and out of their house, checking if anything is needed. A bit of an annoyance at times but appreciated.
Martha came through the delivery nicely. After all their close but no cigars, this time it seemed like everything was in their favor. They have a lovely, healthy daughter to cherish.
oOo
After a night of Peter, Tracy, and her merriment over his job change, Tuesday morning, Sarah wants to do something with Peter’s friends to celebrate his and Matt’s promotion. Not to mention the birth of Matt and Martha’s daughter, which she learned of this morning. Sarah does have some guilt-ridden feelings about not including Tracy. Sarah wants her to be in all parts of her and Peter’s life, but they are not quite ready for that step. Tracy makes things easy for Sarah, saying she has to be out of town Friday and Saturday with her job, campaigning with the House member.
When she is alone on Tuesday afternoon, Sarah calls Debbie, Mary, and now Abbie to plan a celebration for Friday night. Oh, there is also Mark, but they will figure that out down the road.
Sarah finds her best ally in this endeavor in Abbie, who is overjoyed to help make such a party happen. They plan to have it at the sports bar when they all gather for the game. Though unsure about Martha and Matt’s availability so soon after the birth, the women plan accordingly to be flexible. Nothing elaborate, but to show how happy everyone is about how their lives are so evolving suddenly.
oOo
On Wednesday afternoon, Abbie sees Mark at Pathways, and Brian is with him. Abbie smiles to herself, glad to see it seems to have worked out between them since the previous weekend. Both are excited to learn about Timara’s birth and all the other news from Monday.
Mark and Brian are elated over the birth. Deep inside, Mark is hurt that he seems to have been taken out of the loop. From his total foolishness last Friday, his best friends seem not to feel the need to include him in their good news anymore. Realizing this, during Brian and his session with James, Mark realizes how important it will be for him to come clean about his life choices. Not to mention all the nasty outbursts he has made in the past to try to hide his true self.
With James’s help and Brian’s support, Mark works through some of these issues during their session and feels more confident about moving forward introducing Brian into his world.
Mark jumps all in to help make the party memorable for everyone. Talking with Abbie about details, he asks her if he should introduce Brian that night and be clear about who and how important Brian is to him. Or would doing so take away from the thunder of the other’s promotions and birth?
Without hesitation, Abbie tells him that yes, letting his best friends know that he loves Brian and his true inclinations would be an addition to be celebrated as well. Abbie knows Mark is scared to reveal this true side of him, so she kids him that if Mark doesn’t introduce Brian himself, she will, as revenge, for his outing her last Friday. Feeling comfortable with each other now, they both laugh at Abbie’s idle threat.
Mark tells her he will bring some trays of hors d'oeuvres and cheese from his store. Abbie is getting balloons and congratulation signs to put up. Sarah is letting the bar know and to hold ‘their table’ for them. Debbie, with John, promises to be there early to help set up. Mary is making a congratulations cake, and she and Luke will be there early also.
Plans are all in place, except knowing if Martha will be up to coming out relatively soon after Timara’s birth. Matt, along the same lines. Mary calls Martha in the middle of the week. She asks if they feel up to being at the bar and tells Martha about what is planned for Matt and Peter.
Martha is ecstatic about the plan and is feeling fine to join with Matt. And maybe even have a drink or two. Martha tells Mary that she will pump herself a few times to have plenty of milk for Timara so she can indulge some. Martha knows the two new grandmas will be happy to watch Timara for the evening. They have been checking in each day, wanting to fuss over the baby.
Everything is set by Thursday morning for the party on Friday.
oOo
Meanwhile, things have happened at Microga following Monday’s meeting between Tim, Matt, and Peter. As planned, Phillip, Tim, and Meghan, with some of Tim’s productivity staff, tour and observe the plant operations.
‘The Problem’ foreman drips honey over them. Patting himself on the back for all the supposed improvements he has instituted. Checking his lines, they can see visible discontent in the staff working under The Problem. And the lack of quality of some of the materials produced. Not from the employees' fault, but the pace the foreman is demanding.
Phillip and Tim meet with all the foremen after the tour. They begin a dialog about the foremen's take on ways quality can be improved. Phillip emphasizes that volume is not as important as offering a dependable, top-grade product. The meeting is being taped for Meghan to transcribe later and on speaker phone for Tim’s team to be in on.
During the discussion, The Problem, with a grim look on his face the whole time, keeps interrupting others as they try to speak. He is called on it several times. By noon, some excellent recommendations can be deciphered among the interruptions. Phillip and Tim stand to leave for lunch, thanking them for the input.
After they leave, the foremen stay, collecting their thoughts together before separating. That is when The Problem digs his own grave, saving Phillip and Tim the trouble of finding proof to dismiss him. Either not knowing the speaker phone is still on and taping, or so arrogant that he thinks nothing of it, The Problem steps over the line for the last time.
The Problem, grumbling about wasting half a day bowing to management when they should be keeping track of their workers, finishes with, “And you can bet I am not going to kowtow to that pansy with his gurl friend, no matter what fancy title they gave him.”
The other foremen gasp at the statement and tell The Problem that type of talk is not allowed at Microga. He just replies, “Microga putting on a front of tolerance is just a bunch of hot air to be politically correct at the moment. All just window dressing. They probably don’t believe it either.”
By the time Phillip and Tim reach their offices, Meghan is running to meet them. The three go into Phillip’s office, and Meghan apologizes to Tim for having to hear this as she relates what The Problem had said. Tim blushes profoundly, hearing the remark. Phillip, on the other hand, has steam blowing out his ears and is furious.
Trying to keep calm while so angry at the idiot, Phillip says, “Meghan, thank you for telling me. I take it the comment is on the tape, and some of the staff on the call heard it too?” Meghan tells him that is correct.
“Send two of the security guards to the plant, have The Problem clean out his desk and locker. Have them make sure he is not taking anything that is not his. Then have the guards bring him to my office directly. Well, this is going to make moving forward a breeze now.”
Phillip tells Tim that he will meet with The Problem alone with the company lawyer, who he also summons. Tim did not have to be there to hear any other possible slurs or defamations coming from that man’s mouth.
The next hour passed swiftly. The Problem is called on the carpet, and after angry muffled voices being heard through the door, within fifteen minutes, a sullen man is escorted to his car and off the company’s property.
At three that afternoon, Phillip, with Tim, returns to the plant. All employees there are told to turn off their machines and gather. In the office building, all employees are tuned in to see the broadcast of Phillip’s statement live. It is clear that Phillip has had enough. He wants it embedded in all his employees' minds his mandate of a couple of months ago.
Tim is not on the stage when Phillip starts talking. “I call all of you, our Microga family, together at this time to make sure this is clear to everyone.”
The Chairman clears his throat and continues, “We, here at Microga, are supposed to be an open and accepting company, regardless of an individual’s diversity in any way, which does include sexual identities and relationships.
“All diversity, whether due to things that are just a fact we cannot change, such as race or ethnicity. Something that we chose to follow, such as religious beliefs, political affiliations, social or moral leanings. Or those personal diversities which are of no business of anyone other than themselves.
“We do not have to agree with others and can even think they are wacko for such beliefs, but to act disrespectfully or aggressively against someone else for being different is not tolerated.
“If anyone, regardless of their level, ever acts in a harassing way to fellow employees or their partners, it is grounds for dismissal. Any harassment, negative comments, or actions, no matter how minuscule, made at any time or to anyone will result in immediate termination.
“This I am making clear today with the termination of employment of one of our foremen. Who, for some reason, did not think this mandate included him or felt it was just all smoke and mirrors. He found out that I am serious and will not tolerate any such behavior by anyone.
“It is time that at least this company, but I would hope the world as a whole, would become more open and accepting of others' personal choices. It is not something to gossip or speak belligerently about.
“The necessary action taken today leaves a blemish on our company. As we advance, all employees will be expected to sign a statement of understanding and agreement to adhere to this policy. But it is not just the signing of a piece of paper. It is to change your mindset to accepting each person has their own choice, and even if you personally are opposed to such choice, you still act with politeness and respect of each other.”
Phillip let out a deep sigh. It hurt him personally; this is his company. He founded it, and he does feel it is a blemish on Microga to have anyone who would harass their coworkers or anyone for that matter. But things will hopefully now begin to get better.
Suddenly Phillip hears rousing applause from the whole plant. Cheering and clapping are coming from everyone in the company, both at the plant and in the office building. The feeling of unity and the freedom of working in an environment that no matter how small or large a difference you might have, you could feel safe and valued for who you were.
The positive response to his statement fills Phillip’s heart. His company feels like a family to him at that moment. Sure, a family, like all, with its quirks and differences, but one that accepts each other’s uniqueness.