Maggie stood up and extended her hand across the conference table, she shook hands with the interviewing group of lawyers. She strolled from the room with confidence, head held high. The outer office was a somber, quiet place filled with low voices talking in the background, Maggie noticed that like all other legal offices she had interviewed with, this one was monochromatic in color and dismal. Pushing open the front door of the office, Maggie quickly exited the office and felt like a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. The elevator dinged and Maggie quickly got in and let her body relax in the empty elevator car.
Maggie was a complete contradiction from the group of lawyers she had just interviewed with again, and her previously scheduled interviews with other firms had been a similar experience. Today Maggie was in her favorite forest green suit and rose silk shirt with her amazingly comfortable rose pink kitten heels. No somber black suit with a stark white blouse and sky-high black heels for Maggie. Being a lawyer didn’t mean she was willing to give up her personality and soul for a job.
Elevator came to rest on the ground floor and Maggie alighted and pushed open the lobby door and exited into downtown Phoenix. It was early March and the oppressive summer heat hadn’t yet arrived. Maggie shivered slightly, wishing that there was just a little more warmth in the early spring sun. Maggie’s hand subconsciously reached down and felt for her two good luck charms, the two characters that had been with her on all important interviews, tests, and life events for as long as she could remember. Sure enough, the stuffed tiny mouse and turtle were in her briefcase and the pent-up tension seemed to melt away.
Stella glanced up from her needlework and saw her daughter exiting the building. Stella watched as Maggie’s hand patted the outside of her briefcase and the smile that flitted across her face was one of relief and exhaustion. Stella started the car and pulled up in front of the office building, Maggie slid into the car and Stella drove home.
“Hi Mom, thanks for taking me today.”
“No problem hon, just out of curiosity how are you going to get down here every day if you get the job?”
“Oh don’t worry, I won’t be getting the job. I was a great fit but a horrible fit at the same time. They would be foolish not to hire me but I would be floored if I got a request for a follow-up interview.”
“Why?”
“I don’t fit the mold. I may have the skills and intelligence they need but they want an attorney that fits the mold. You know black suit, white shirt, high heels in black, and somber face.”
Stella merged onto the highway and glanced over at Maggie’s face, it was a mask of rejection, determination, and frustration. “So, when is the next scheduled interview?”
“Oh you mean the last one? The one I got through e-mail and with the attorney that has never hired a woman in his legal career? That interview?” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and defeat.
“Maggie, that attitude isn’t anything like you and being bitter certainly won’t help.”
Maggie glanced over at Stella, “Sorry Mom, just frustrated and I have to be realistic that I may have to figure out something else to do professionally because I’m not willing to compromise my personality and ethics to fit some pre-determined mode of what a female attorney is supposed to be. I won’t be caught dead wearing the black and white uniform with high heels. What would be the point? I would be miserable and it would reflect back on my clients and that I would result in disaster. I won’t go down that path just for the sake of a job.”
Stella heard the range of emotions in her only daughter’s impassioned speech. “So, take all that frustration and determination and earn the respect of Carson Stone on Friday.”
“Don’t worry I will be over today by the time Charlotte picks me up Friday morning. She’s coming over later. I really appreciate the unwavering support and love from you and Dad. I am lucky and I know it. My professional life will sort itself out eventually, time and patience is all that is required. I just need to stop trying to pour myself into a mold that I know won’t work for me.”
Stella smiled, “I’ve always told Henry that you had an old soul and were wise beyond your years. Don’t be so hard on yourself, the right job will come along. Hey, how about we stop and get a slice of pie before going home?”
“Deal!”
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