LE DIVORCE

One reason Lex stayed in San Diego as long as she did, even though it was killing her financially and she was terribly homesick, was the relationship that she had with her boss. They seemed to be a perfect match for one another, each one's strengths complementing the other's weaknesses. Lex could do all the technical stuff that her boss couldn't, while her boss was the brash risk-taker. Because you don't often find a fit like that, Lex stuck by her even when business began to slump with the economy, and hours had to be cut. When things got worse, Lex was the only employee that didn't get laid off completely for several months. So what the hell is going on with her boss now?

A few weeks ago, after marrying her Australian fiance', the boss announced that she wouldn't be seeking any more projects in San Diego, and was planning to concentrate on Sydney instead. Also, since there was only enough work left on their big project in China to keep them all working full-time through October, hours would then be cut, and some people let go. You would think then, that she would have been quite relieved when, instead of getting hysterical, Lex smiled and said "Guess I'll be heading back to Texas, then!" She did seem relieved, at first, and tripped all over herself offering to write letters of recommendation and do anything she could to help Lex find another job. However, since that time, she has gradually turned into another person altogether, and seems to be going out of her way to find fault with Lex's work. What gives?

The only thing I can think of is that they are going through a divorce of sorts. I used to do something similar, as soon as I got wind that another transfer was in the works. I suddenly became hypercritical of everything and everybody. I think it was a defense mechanism - one that made it easier for me to let go and move on. Perhaps her boss is a bit nervous, knowing how heavily she has come to depend on Lex for all of the technical stuff she hates or is completely unable to do, and she needs to concentrate on finding fault just to keep the fears at bay. I don't really know for sure. All I do know is that it looks like these last few weeks are going to be a bumpy ride for the both of them!