Devonne Brown

Her worst nightmare had come true. Diane was due back to assume command of operations in two weeks after being out for twelve for surgery. Her employees were happier without her. People got along better, things ran smoother, life was more relaxed. There were fewer feuds among staff, fewer emergencies popped up, things were just handled. Her staff didn’t want her back. 

Her acting chief, Rebecca, had a better attitude and a personality much more suited to leadership. She was calm, friendly, took no shit nor prisoners, and everyone liked her. She returned calls and stood up to challenges. She didn’t hide and faced everyone equally. She didn’t have cronies either. Though some tried to become her besties, her work moms, and sisters, she would have none of it. She refused to engage in the cliques that Diane had formed around her that let certain people privy to insider information and created a hierarchy of hard feelings throughout the building. Rebecca did her job and put the cliques on sabbatical with Diane. For some, it was a hard pill to swallow, for most, it was a breath of fresh air.

Rebecca talked to Diane at least twice a week since her leave began, keeping her abreast of every development in the building. Diane approved of everything going on, but she could tell by the tone of Rebecca’s voice that things were going better than she would have handled them. Fights between kids, CPS reports, state department meetings, nothing disturbed Rebecca. It was all just a matter of fact reporting. Where Diane saw drama, Rebecca saw details that had to be addressed, and she did. Diane was jealous. 

She couldn’t wait to come back and get her hands on the reins again. Reins for the most part, she handled poorly. She’d have her old contingent in the office first thing filling her in on all the gossip as soon as possible. 

Rebecca didn’t run on gossip, Rebecca ran on procedure and protocol with grace. Diane was jealous and though she respected her friend Rebecca, was fearful and didn’t like the vibe coming off of the staff her sources were sending her. Rebecca was doing too good of a job handling shit. She made Diane look bad.