The Other One

I have a partner who is mostly involved in the fund-raising aspects of the business, operations, and recreation. This doesn't mean he's not in the same line of work, he's just off the premises much more than I am. He works the day shift off-site, then comes to work the night shift and weekends with me.

The clients prefer him. 

This morning started out peaceful, but once the clients realized that The Other One was still on premises, the Ginger and the Brunette started arguing about access to his cuddle therapy zones. He was willing to provide access to both clients, but the Brunette seemed to think that the therapy provided wouldn't be as effective if not provided one-on-one. 

(Note to self: If contract is enacted at a later date, include section on exclusivity. All clients entering into a relationship with service providers are advised that said relationship is in no way exclusive. All access, rights, services and privileges are provided to clientele as a whole. Service providers will distribute said access, rights, services and privileges at their discretion.)

The Ginger and Brunette argued over access to the other (mostly unconscious) service provider, and (in good faith) I tried to provide an alternative. I am neither as handsome nor as cuddly as my partner, so I worked on selling other attributes. This morning, I decided it would be my conscious state, or the ability to interact with the clients. The Other One had me beat for a good ten minutes. His strategy? Lay on his side in bed, occasionally lifting up his arm to allow small clients access.

Finally, the Ginger had enough. He left the Brunette to The Other One and initiated an impromptu study session of a classic: The Velveteen Rabbit. 

(Note to self: If contract is enacted at a later date, include section on acceptable conditions for study sessions. On weekends and mornings before such-and-such time (to be determined), study sessions may take place in beds in a supine position.)

I was thrilled. The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic, and knowledge of classic literature is an area that I feel is important. There have been a few occasions where I would have referenced themes in the work, but couldn't because the clients hadn't yet been exposed. 

The Ginger was serious about hearing the book all the way through, but the Brunette had other ideas. He stuck his foot in the Ginger's face repeatedly, and kept trying to distract me by pulling my face away from the book. This was frustrating, but ultimately not a bad thing. As a service provider, my goal is to provide training for all kinds of situations. Handling conflict effectively is a recurring theme in our training.

The Ginger and I concluded our text. (Spoiler alert!)

Autumn passed and Winter, and in the Spring, when the days grew warm

and sunny, the Boy went out to play in the wood behind the house. And

while he was playing, two rabbits crept out from the bracken and

peeped at him. One of them was brown all over, but the other had

strange markings under his fur, as though long ago he had been

spotted, and the spots still showed through. And about his little soft

nose and his round black eyes there was something familiar, so that

the Boy thought to himself:

"Why, he looks just like my old Bunny that was lost when I had scarlet

fever!"

But he never knew that it really was his own Bunny, come back to look

at the child who had first helped him to be Real.