That's just the way it is .... some things WILL change

About a week and half, two weeks ago my coworker mentions that she might be leaving the company. We've been working together for almost 9 years now, so this came as a huge shock. It weighed heavy on my mind, and I was frantic .... worried about how I'd handle whatever may come of my job. Would I take over as the general manager? Could I handle it? Did I even want that responsibility?

That weekend I had a sudden feeling of ease, that I was okay with whatever would happen. I was open to what was to come, and that Monday, I overheard her on the phone mentioning how she spoke to the boss over the weekend.

This immediately raised a red flag, as he travels a lot for business for his other job, and to speak with him over the weekend is pretty much unheard of. I knew something was up, and that afternoon she said "We need to talk."

That's when she let me know that she was going to be starting the new job and trying it out. That the boss was willing for her to test out of the waters before completely leaving the company. She would still be coming in during the evenings as needed, but that she had 2 weeks to make the decision, and that by the time she'd need to go to California for training for the new job, she'd need to decide.

It's all been a whirlwind since then. I sat down with my boss last Thursday, discussing my future fate with the company. I was offered the position of general manager, provided she does leave the company.

In the back of my mind, I've been thinking "Okay, it's mine - but there's still that chance that she's not going to like this new job and everything will go back to the way it is/was." I left work on Friday, with the possibility that that would be the last normal day of working with her.

When I got into the office today, her personal affects and photos were gone from in her office. I am thinking this is much more than likely a definite change of path for both of us.

Speaking with the boss again today, I'll be having another meeting with him tomorrow to discuss my salary. I am hopeful this is going to mean great things for my family and us clearing up our debt and being able to start really saving and getting ready to buy a new car. I'm also very afraid that they will take this to their advantage, and offer me a minimal raise, seeing as how the general manager now makes approximately $15,000-$17,000 more than I do (I do not know this for sure, but I have an idea that I'm in the ballpark). Who's to say they won't think I'd be happy with just 1/2 of that difference and offer me a measly raise of only $8,000 (or worse .... less!). Now, I know ..... an $8,000 a year raise? That might sound pretty considerable to some. And it's not too shabby, BUT ..... I don't make a ton of money from the get go. I always thought I made little money, but I enjoyed my job for the most part, and loved that it was small, family orientated and that I had the flexibility to almost come and go as I pleased (within reason - but I never had a problem getting a day/week off that I needed).

So, my stomach is in knots; afraid of what they'll offer me and afraid that I won't have the balls to say anything about it. I've got a figure rolling around in my head, and I sure hope theirs is right up there with it. It'd be an answered prayer.