As you can guess, I was the only man working for the company. I like being around women, but I wasn’t used to being around so many women all day long.
When I was hired, I was told that there would be a ninety-day probation period, to see how I would fit in with the company. A review of my work would follow, and then I would receive a full benefits package that would include medical insurance and vacation time.
At the beginning of December, all of the employees were told of a special company Christmas Party between Christmas and New Years, and it was to be held in a special cabin in the northern part of the state. I guess Jill, the president of the company held the Christmas Party there every year, and the other employees looked forward to it. All of the company stores would be closed for a day, and everyone told me how these parties were very special, and were a lot of fun.
I received a memo from Jill, the president of the company, that she wanted me to ride with her up to the cabin. I should bring things to stay overnight, since she would take the time to give me my work review the morning after the party. Since the cabin was about a two-hour drive from where I lived, I was very happy that Jill took this special interest in me.
Everyone was to arrive at the cabin around noon, and we would first eat lunch, and then celebrate the holidays, giving enough time for everyone to drive home safely. Since Jill was bringing up most of the food, she wanted to pick me up at my house at eight o’clock in the morning. Then I could help her with the food and getting the cabin set up.
On the way up to the cabin, we talked about what I liked about the company and how I felt my job was going. We got off the main freeway, and ended up taking small dirt roads to the cabin. When we arrived, I was amazed at the wonderful scenery around the cabin. There were very old and tall pine trees surrounding the cabin, plus it was almost right next to a small flowing river. There were birds flying around, and even an eagle. The cabin had windows on the second floor, so I knew it was a nice size old wooden cabin. The cabin and everything around it looked like the front of a Christmas card.
After we unpacked the car, Jill had me help her in raising the American Flag on the pole. Her father served in the military, so it was very important to her to raise the American Flag, whenever she was at the cabin.
When I entered the cabin, I was surprised how big it seemed. There were large windows surrounding the cabin, so you could see the river and the trees. On the bottom level, it was one large room, except for the bathroom in the corner. The kitchen was in one corner, and the other corner had an old wood fireplace. When I first entered the house, I noticed large logs that were stacked up, so there was plenty of wood for the fireplace. The cabin had electricity, with floorboard heaters, running hot and cold water, plus a large electric cooking stove and a refrigerator. There were many wooden tables and chairs in the room, plus a long couch.
“Go up the stairs to your right, the small bedroom on the right side will be yours for tonight. Put your overnight bag in there, then you can help me with the food.” Jill said.
It was a very small bedroom with only a small dresser and a single bed. The room also had a window in it, so I had another great view of the scenery. It was so different than being in the city, because everything was so quiet and peaceful.
Once I was back downstairs, Jill had some of the food already heating in the large oven. Jill and I next put several of the tables together, so we had a nice long table. Jill showed me where the plates, cups, and silverware were located, and then I set the table. Next, as the food slowly became ready, I put the food on the table too.
Soon, everyone started to arrive. Since all of the other employees had been here before, they helped out with moving the chairs, and building a raging fire in the old stone fireplace. Everybody had fun eating the food, playing card games and old board games, and enjoying each other’s company in this relaxed setting.
Around five o’clock, Jill handed out Christmas cards that contained a bonus Christmas check, and some of the employees stayed and ate leftovers, before driving back home again. I just got a Christmas card with no bonus check. Soon, it was evening and was turning dark outside.
Since I knew I wasn’t driving home, I was very relaxed and dozed off in a chair while Jill and Sandy, the vice-president of the company, washed dishes and cleaned up the cabin. I felt someone moving my shoulder and Jill said, “Sandy is going to stay overnight too. She wants to help out in your job review.”
Since there was no television or computers in the house, I went upstairs and slept very soundly all night. The house only had one bathroom, and when I got up in the night, I noticed it was snowing outside. But when I woke up the next morning, I was surprised at how deep the snow was. All of the trees were covered with snow, and it looked like we had more than a foot of snow on the ground. What woke me up was the smell of bacon and eggs. Since I was still in my pajamas, I put on a robe and my slippers and went downstairs.
“We were wondering if the smell of food would wake you up,” Jill said.
Both Jill and Sandy were dressed in sweatshirts and sweatpants. There was a nice big warm fire going in the fireplace, and the cabin felt very warm and nice.
As I ate my breakfast, Sandy said, “We were planning to go over your job review this morning, have a quick lunch, and head back to town. However, with this big snowfall, we may be here an extra day, before these small country roads get plowed.”
“But don’t worry, we have plenty of food, and the electricity should stay on,” Jill said.