HIDDEN TRUTHS REVEALED - PART 12

Carl and I had an opportunity to work together as comanagers at a retirement facility in Riverside. During the interview we had discussed the possibility of putting Jonathan into boarding school but were not certain. Jim didn’t seem concerned. When we got the offer, I again reiterated the fact about boarding school and what if Jonathan didn’t go. Jim said he could stay with us permanently. Verified my understanding by asking Jim, “You mean that if Jonathan doesn’t go to boarding school, he can stay with us permanently?” Jim said, “That’s what I’m saying.” We jumped at the chance of working together. Also wouldn’t have to worry quite as much about Carl since we’d be together almost 24/7.

We lived onsite and worked four 12-hour days and ate in the dining room twice a day during work. On our days off we could get food from the kitchen and usually went out to dinner at Sizzler. Loved the job. Worked part of the time in the office and the rest of the time in the dining room/kitchen or attending resident meetings or “walking the beat.” Jonathan even got a job as a kitchen helper. Carl gave the announcements during meal times and had to go out of town to attend his mother’s funeral (Carl would be dead two years later). When Carl was gone, I had to give the announcements and am not much of a public speaker but was proud of the results and the residents seemed to appreciate my delivery.

Loved the residents, especially Mildred, a gal in her 90s who reminded me of my grandmother. She could resolve any situation and whip everybody into line, and I started adding “Sergeant” to her name. But did have a run in with one in particular during the first week. Part of the job required pouring coffee during meal times and filled up this lady’s cup. She chewed me up and cussed me out, and I quietly retreated. Later learned that she had Alzheimer’s, and I knew there would be more interesting days ahead.

Overall I functioned quite well in this type of atmosphere and had a voracious appetite. There was a running joke around the corporation that all managers should only own inflatable furniture because of the constant relocating. Jim and Mary had to move to another facility and had us move into their apartment adjacent to the office not only in order to have extra room for Jonathan, but he thought we would eventually become the managers.

In came Art and Naomi, temporary managers who only would be staying until they were shipped out to Oklahoma. They had caused an uprise at another facility (apparently not the first) and one of the residents was the mayor’s mother. The district manager told Carl and me to keep an eye out and to call if there were any problems. Art was not to change anything. Couldn’t figure out why they were still employed with the company. Art started changing everything from no walkers in the dining room to no removing food from the dining room and didn’t want us coming into the kitchen on our days off. Residents were upset--here we go again. Called Linda. She would take care of it. Even called Jim who tried to give us reassurance. Linda had a meeting with the residents to assuage their concerns (she did it with lies).

Jim came down and talked to us and asked if Jonathan was going to go to boarding school. Jim seemed surprised he wasn’t going and pretty much said Jonathan couldn’t stay with us. Apparently Jim’s “permanently” meant until the end of the school year (sure it did) but thought something could be worked out as was done in another facility. Jim said that many of the managers didn’t understand why Art was still around either (he must have something on somebody). Art was two-faced and by the way he talked behind closed doors you could tell he had no concern or compassion for these people. When Art came in the room, Carl and I asked how we were doing. The response was quite favorable. Over the next two weeks there were secret meetings that didn’t include Carl and me. You just knew something was wrong.

Two weeks later Art gave us our evaluation--unsatisfactory on all fronts. It would be putting it mildly to say I was devastated. Never had a bad evaluation (and believe me I’ve had many jobs). Carl saw my face; saw my reaction and got upset. Didn’t understand. Asked for examples and got excuses. Words were exchanged between Carl and Art. Carl moved in closer and Art backed up and the wives tried to calm their husbands. Art also said we would have to move back into the other apartment during our days off (we had made plans to be out of town) and when the school year ended Jonathan could no longer live with us; otherwise, … (you get the picture). More words were exchanged. Carl said Jonathan was not leaving and refused to move on our days off. Art said he would then have to fire us. Carl got in Art’s face and dared Art to fire him. Art took the dare. I thought Carl was going to deck the guy (know it took everything he had not to).

The door to the office and our apartment was bolted, we were banned from entering the facility, couldn’t say anything to the residents, and given one week to get out. Probably the most humiliating time of my life. So out of character for Carl, but you could say he was defending my honor. Now, how could you not love this man!

Some of the residents could see us packing the U-Haul and we told them flat out the real reason--not the lies being told. They were upset to say the least. I can honestly say Art was the first individual I utterly despised who I thought was the devil incarnate. Must have been a conspiracy theory--trying to get us to quit after finding out Jonathan would be staying for fear of a lawsuit for misrepresentation or discrimination. Who knows. So, what did I learn from this experience--always cover your back by documenting everything, keeping records, and tape recording all conversations. And in case you were wondering, no, I still have yet to do those things. What can I say? I had to leave my second favorite job.

Jonathan wanted to stay in Riverside. He was doing well in school and looking forward to going to high school with his new found friends. We wanted to leave and went down to North San Diego County. Jonathan lost out again.

(to be continued)