"Because he's driving me up the freaking wall," she says as if through clenched teeth. "He can't get his connection right, he can't log into the network, he can't even get Word to load up ... the kid's computer illiterate, I swear. Whoever hired him should be shot."
"I'm sure he's not that bad.... "Already I don't like him. This is a software company, for Christ's sake. If the guy can't find his way around a PC and this is only his first day, I don't think he's long for the job. "And he's in development?"
Behind me Joel cups his hands to his mouth and makes slow, deep breathing sounds à la Darth Vader. I ball up a piece of paper and chuck it over the partition at him, but he bats it away playfully.
"He's in documentation," Becky explains. "Fresh out of college. He's here to do the website, but they want him up to speed on the programs and he can't even get the damn computer to work."
I groan. "So you're calling me."
"You are support." I hear the smile in her voice. She's just happy to pass him on to someone else. "His name's Jared. You still want to give Joel the call?"
I consider it when I hear Joel doing his damn Sith impression. "Luke," he intones. "I am your father."
Let him deal with the new guy. But I'm not like that. With a dramatic sigh, I concede. "I'll take it. You owe me dinner, sister."
"Chinese tonight," she promises.
Does that count? She was going to bring in take-out for Joel and me anyway. She gets off at five but every now and then Joel manages to talk her into coming back with something good to eat around seven or so, when we break for dinner. Tonight it'll be the Chinese buffet down the street. Before I can ask, she puts me on hold.
"What're you doing talking to my girl?" Joel wants to know.
I cover the mouthpiece and joke, "Trying to steal her away from you."
Joel laughs--he knows he has nothing to fear from me. Becky's nice but I'm not into girls. Right now I'm not into much. I listen to the canned hold music through my headset. It's been months since I last went out with a guy.
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