The week dragged by and, as expected, Katherine was against Gia going to the conference with me and my boss, Ray. The boss is the one that actually talked her into it in the end. He insisted, actually, stressing that this conference was an excellent networking opportunity for Gia and her getting a foot in the door this early could mean the difference in a long job search after college or having offers waiting on her to graduate.
Katherine talked to Gia, who basically said she was either going with her sister’s permission or without it, and Katherine relented. My wife pulled me aside and said, “Don’t leave Ray alone with her, at all, or I will castrate you when you get home.”
I promised Ray would not be left alone with her, even for a minute. I sat between Gia and Ray the whole trip. It clearly annoyed Ray, but I bluntly told him my wife’s ultimatum and he backed down and gave up on his hopes of more than a professional experience with her on this trip.