My husband is a partner at a large law firm. I married him because of his earning potential, but lately his career is stalling out. I sure didn't marry him for his looks, so I'm thinking of leaving him.
I met Fernando at a Whole Foods in November. I was impressed by his chiseled biceps, but I kept that to myself. He accidentally bumped into me, and apologized-- he said he was distracted because he just got home from his job as a first-year associate at a big law firm and he was very stressed. I soon realized he was talking about the same law firm at which my husband is a partner.
It turns out, Fernando is always always offering to support his boss, a senior associate, and just generally being super helpful and responsive. I couldn't keep my eyes off his arms as he told me that he called the senior associate to offer any possible help that he could.
But instead of gratitude, he received a tongue-lashing. I wondered what it would feel like if I gave Fernando a tongue lashing. The senior associate asked him if he even knew what an indemnity clause was (Fernando insisted to me he did), and told him to never offer help again, because it was completely worthless and Fernando should leave him alone.
"I thought we were boys," said Fernando, his eyes focused on his shoes. I touched his forearm for emotional support. "I never knew Jeremy Spingleman could be this cold."
I suddenly realized, as I gently patted Fernando's pectoral muscles, again for emotional support, that I recognized the name. Jeremy Spingleman is the same senior associate who works for my husband.
"There, there, " I told Fernando. "My husband is a partner at your firm. I'll tell him to handle it." I texted my husband, and ordered him to fire Jeremy Spingleman, the bad-tempered senior associate.
"Don't you worry Fernando, everything will be ok, I told him. Jeremy won't bother you again. Now, would you like to get drinks?"
"Absolutely," said Fernando. And off we went to the local bar together, while my husband picked up a few more client billable hours at the office, without the help of his now-fired senior associate, or my new friend, Fernando.