“Good morning. Your name?”
“Naomi Carter.”
The receptionist checked the list.
Then smiled.
“Of course. You're expected in the main conference room.”
Naomi nodded.
“Thank you.”
As she approached the hallway, she saw a familiar face.
Rosa Mendoza.
Rosa had worked for Northstar's contracted hospitality service for nine years. She was fifty-four, with dark hair threaded with silver and the tired kindness of someone who had spent decades caring for other people while rarely being noticed herself.
On the morning of the confrontation, Rosa had been working in another conference room.
She heard Graham shouting.
She saw Naomi leave.
And she worried that the younger woman would never be assigned another shift.
Now she stood beside a serving cart, arranging clean coffee cups.
When she recognized Naomi, she stopped.
For a moment, she stared.
Then smiled.
“Look at you.”
Naomi laughed softly.
“Hi, Rosa.”
The older woman approached.
She looked toward the suit.
Then toward Naomi's face.
“I'm proud of you.”
Naomi's eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
Rosa shook her head.
“No. Thank you.”
Naomi frowned.
“For what?”
Rosa looked toward the boardroom.
“For reminding some of these people that we're not invisible.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Naomi reached for her hand.
“I wish I'd handled that day differently.”
Rosa smiled.
“Why?”
Naomi laughed nervously.
“I slammed a tray on a boardroom table.”
The older woman chuckled.
“Yes, you did.”
Naomi looked down.
“I was scared.”
Rosa squeezed her hand.
“I know.”
For a moment, the hallway became quiet.
Then Rosa continued.
“But you were right.”
Naomi felt tears rise.
She looked toward the boardroom doors.
Then back at the woman.
“Are they treating you better?”
Rosa considered the question.
“Some things have improved. We have a clearer process for reporting problems, and managers have been told not to retaliate against workers who raise good-faith concerns.”
Naomi nodded.
Rosa continued.
“That doesn't make every executive polite.”
Naomi laughed.
“I wouldn't expect it to.”
The older woman smiled.
Then she adjusted the cups.
“Go on. They're waiting for you.”
Naomi glanced toward the tray.
For a moment, she remembered carrying one just like it six months earlier.
Then she looked at Rosa.
“Thank you for everything.”
The older woman nodded.
“And Naomi?”
She turned.
Rosa smiled.
“Don't let that suit make you forget how to make coffee.”
Naomi burst out laughing.
“I won't.”
Then she walked into the boardroom.
The executives stood as Naomi entered.