The Alpha For Her

“I’m not so sure that I like that,” she said, standing her ground. “What gives you the right to use people like that?”

“I’ll tell you,” he said, approaching her and taking her arm.

Jennifer pulled away from his touch. He then nodded toward the couch. She took a moment. She was still angry and confused, but the look on his face was so kind and reassuring. Jennifer decided to, at least, hear him out. She brushed past him and took her seat.

“Jennifer,” he said, refreshing their coffees, “I meet a lot of people who want things from me. Money mostly, and I can understand that; start-ups need seeding, and I try to choose carefully and give generously. But I’ve come to realize that I can give people more than money; I can give them opportunity and experience. I can give the opportunity and experience to lead, and in so doing they can discover more about themselves than they could simply sitting at home and wondering how best to use a million dollars.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Jennifer said.

“So, let me ask you; how would you assess the qualities that I’m looking for in people?”

“I certainly wouldn’t needle them.”

“Then what would you do?”

Jennifer had to think about that.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “I think that I’d start by talking–”

“Talk, like talent is cheap.”

“Well, perhaps I’d…”

She looked down at her hands, then out at the ocean. The soft roaring of the waves soothed her some. Then she frowned, sighed, and looked at the man.

“I suppose,” she said a little sheepish, “that I’d concoct some sort of…test.”

Flint grinned, boyishly.

“Alright,” she said. “But did you have to go and get all in my face about my love life? Why didn’t you go to my looks instead?”

“What about your looks?” he asked. “You’ve a very beautiful woman.”

“My body?”

He looked at her, and he seemed genuinely puzzled.

“You have a lovely body,” he said.

Jennifer was thrown. Did that man actually see beyond what she had always seen as, what people would delicately call, her portly frame? Or was that just another set-up. Old fears, welled inside, but she quashed them with a sip of coffee.

“Thank you,” she said, softly. “But getting back to going on about my lovers…”

“It’s where most people are the most vulnerable.”

“Okay, but what if – what if instead of standing up, I ran out of here crying?”

“I wouldn’t have let it get that far.”

“Because you know people so well?”

“I know nothing of people,” he said, sipping his coffee. “People are bundles of confusion. I know hearts.”

“That’s a bold statement.”

“It’s true.”

“Okay,” Jennifer said.

She set down her coffee, walked to the window and gazed out. Then she began to pace.

“Forgive me,” she said, “but this is all a lot to process. If, as you say, you understand hearts, then you can understand the sort of emotional ride I am on right now?”

“Well then,” he said. “Let me see if I can calm that some. Let me tell you, I’ve had thirteen interviews so far, and only one other person has reacted as you have.”

“Bea?” she asked.

“Seems that you understand hearts too.”

Jennifer stopped her pacing.

“Anyhow,” Flint continued, “I want to give you – both of you so far – an opportunity to experience leadership. I want you to be one of the main faces of Site-Legs. I want to put your picture on posters and in the advertising, and I want you to lead some seminars.”

“What? How can–”

“Everything’s all set. My people have snagged a few of your face pics from your blog and Facebook, though I wished you had more on Selfie-Nation. All I need is your okay, and we can get started. You’ll spend the rest of your time here being groomed for the seminars. What do you say?”

“I – I can’t do that.”

“Can’t do what?”

“People – stand up and talk in front of people.”

“Then, you can sit down.”

“What? No.” She began pacing again, folding and unfolding her hands. “First – first off, I’m no good in front of people. I hated having to stand up in front of the class and give a presentation – everyone all looking at me and everything. My stomach would churn, I’d actually shake, and – and I’d perspire around the waist.”

“That’s because,” Flint said, chuckling, “those were people who knew you, and some were hoping that you’d fail, no doubt. Teenagers can be so evil. This is different. You’ll be standing up in front of people who respect you, and who want to hear what you have to say. You walk in that room, and you will just feel the vibes for success. Trust me, I know.”

“Respect me?”

“I put your name on a marquee and a program, and that gives you instant cred.”

“I can’t do it,” she said, wringing her hands. “I just can’t. Thank you for the opportunity, but—”

“Hey, listen,” he said rising, facing her and stopping her pacing. She felt that he wanted to put his hands on her shoulders. “I am not going to send you out there cold. You’ll be coached. We’ll teach you how to walk, how to speak, we’ll prep you like you were the president getting ready for a debate. We’ll even show you how to dress—well, no. I think that you got that part down.”

“Thank you,” she said with a small laugh and a little smile.

Flint smiled back, and this time he did put his hands on her shoulders. She caught her breath at his touch, but then, seeing the warmth in his eyes, she relaxed.

“In fact,” Flint said, “maybe you can give some of the others a few pointers.”

“Others? How many?”

“I have two. I want six.”

“Candy,” Jen said. “You pull your little test on her, and she’s gonna rock you good.”

“I am so hoping. I have high hopes for her – and you.”