Andrea and the Boss

ANDREA  

AND THE BOSS

Eventually I was an instructor who trained the operators and service representatives at the telephone company. I also served as a facilitator when new policies or new equipment arrived. There came a time when I was preparing for a new class that was to begin on Monday. I got the lesson material and study sheets all lined up. Then I checked to be sure I had enough headsets for all of the students who would be in my class on Monday. Unfortunately I was short two headsets. I looked all over the 6th floor for two more headsets without any success. There was a long distance switchboard on the 3rd floor so I jumped on the elevator and headed down to see if I might have better luck down there. I looked in the places that I thought might hold a stray headset or two, but had no luck. Then I asked one of the secretaries (Shirley) for any suggestions she could offer. 

She gave me the key to a huge unoccupied room that had desks, old equipment of all types, room dividers, etc. She said just maybe there would be some headsets in there. She warned me to be careful, there could be rats or anything in there. That was not very comforting information, but I continued down the hallway to that storage room.

I was weary and ready to get this equipment lined up and head home. I walked to the other end of the hall and unlocked the door. I thought I heard something move in the back of the room and it frightened me a little. I turned on the first bank of lights and began to look around. I looked in the first portion of the room and moved on to the next section, flipped on the light and got the shock of my life. There stood 2 people. 

They were crouched down just barely in the light. She had only a bra on and her blouse was slipped up on one arm, while his pants were on the floor but he did have his underwear on even though they were twisted. They looked up once they realized I could see them. I was even more shocked at that point. It was our General Manager and his secretary, Andrea. Both were married, but not to each other. Both were sweaty and very red-faced. I am sure that I was red-faced as well. There was a long period of time (it seemed like hours) we just stood, saying nothing. I don’t know about them, but I did not have an idea of what I could or should say. I had found myself in a position unlike any before in my life.

Mr. Edwards was a take charge kind of person, which is good when you are the top man in the office. He said, “you did not see anything,” “You did not see me”, “You did not see her”, “You saw nothing!”

I was speechless, really I was unable to speak at all for a few minutes. He then looked right at me and he asked, in a calm yet determined voice, “Did you hear what I said?”

With that question, I bounced back to reality and replied, “That is correct, I saw nothing!” “But, can I ask both of you one question?”

Andrea then said “What do you want to know?” 

I asked, “Do you know where I can find 2 headsets? I need them for my class on Monday and Shirley at the end of the hall told me there might be some in here”

She walked about three feet over, picked up 2 headsets and handed them to me with a smile. I thanked them both and exited the room, turning the light off behind me.

For years after that, when I passed either of them in the hall I got nervous and queazy. 

About five years later I learned that Shirley had suspected they were up to something and furthermore she suspected they were up to something at that time, at that place and that is why she sent me in there. She had extra headsets in the cabinet behind her desk all along that day that she sent me into the back room hell. For me it was an experience as shocking as the day President John F. Kennedy was killed or the day of the 911 attack on the World Trade Center. Just like when people ask where were you when President Kennedy got shot or when the 911 attack was announced. If you ever asked me, “Where were you the day you saw your boss with his pants down?” I would be able to answer that question without hesitation.

As a side note, within a couple of years of that frightening event, rumors spread that Andrea and her husband were divorcing. Everyone was shocked because they all thought she had a perfect marriage. Well I guess everyone was shocked except me.

Mr. Edwards remained married. He had six children and seemed very content with his life.

I think it was one of those examples of confusion sometimes when the woman goes into this kind of behavior thinking it is true love, while the man knows what it is from the beginning. For him it was just a little fun on the side. I know that is not always the case but I bet it is at least 80% of the time.

I realize they were equal partners in the situation and I am not trying to blame him over her, they both participated. I just personally feel that most women are wired differently than men and often see true love where there is none.

I continued working there and continued seeing both Andrea and Mr. Edwards for years. Sometimes they looked happy and spoke pleasantly, other times they looked sad and troubled. I never felt comfortable around them after that and I often thought they wished I would disappear because when they saw me they thought of that day and vice versa, when I saw them I did too.

I pass no judgement on either of them. It is their lives to live as they choose. I often wanted to tell them that, but I felt that could make things even more uncomfortable so I kept those thoughts to myself.

Many years have passed since that day and I hope their lives are going well and they are alive and happy.