round.
When Myron got settled again, Esperanza said, 'I
want to talk to you about something.'
'Shoot.' +
'It's about my graduating law school.'
'Okay,' Myron said, dragging out the word.
'You've been avoiding the subject,' she said.
'What are you talking about? I'm the one who wants to go to your graduation, remember?'
'That's not what I mean.' Her fingers found and began to fiddle with a straw wrapper. 'I'm talking about what happens after I graduate. I'm going to be a fullfledged attorney soon. My role in the company should change.'
Myron nodded. 'Agreed.'
'For one thing, I'd like an office.'
'We don't have the space.'
'The conference room is too large,' she countered.
'You can slice a little out of there and a little out of the waiting room. It won't be a huge office, but it'll be good enough}'
Myron nodded slowly. 'We can look into that.'
'It's important to me, Myron.'
'Okay, it sounds possible.'
'Second, I don't want a raise.'
'Don't?'
'That's right.' +
'Odd negotiating technique, Esperanza, but you convinced me. Much as I might like to give you a raise, you will not receive one penny more. I surrender.'
'You're doing it again.'
'Doing what?'
'Joking around when I'm serious. You don't like change, Myron. I know that. It's why you lived with your parents until a few months ago. It's why you still keep Jessica around when you should have forgotten about her years ago.'
'Do me a favor,' he said wearily. 'Spare me the amateur analysis, okay?'
'Just stating the facts. You don't like change.'
'Who does? And I love Jessica. You know that.'
'Fine, you `love her,' Esperanza said dismissively.
'You're right, I shouldn't have brought it up.'
'Good. Are we done?'
'No.' Esperanza stopped playing with the straw wrapper. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. ''l`his isn't easy for me to talk about,' she said.
'Do you want to do it another time?'
She rolled her eyes. 'No, I don't want to do it another time. I want you to listen to me. Really listen.'
Myron stayed silent, leaned forward a little.
'The reason I don't want a raise is because I don't want to work for someone. My father worked his whole life doing menial jobs for a variety of assholes. My mother spent hers cleaning other people's houses.' Esperanza stopped, swallowed, took a breath. 'I don't want to do that. I don't want to spend my life working for anyone.'
'Including me?'
'I said anyone, didn't I?' She shook her head.
'Jesus, you just don't listen sometimes.'
Myron opened his mouth, closed it. 'Then I don't see where you're going with this.'
'I want to be a part owner,' she said.
He made a face. 'Of MB SportsReps?'
'No, of AT&T. Of course MB.'
'But the name is MB,' Myron said 'The M is for Myron. B for Bolitar. Your name is Esperanza Diaz. I
can't make it MBED. What kind of name is that?'
She just looked at him. 'You're doing it again; I'm trying to have a serious conversation.'
' 'Now? You pick now when I just got hit over the head '
with a tire iron '
' ' Shoulder. ' '
'Whatever. Look, you know how much you mean to me '
'This isn't about our friendship,' she interrupted. 'I
don't care what I mean to you right now. I care about what I mean to MB SportsReps.'
'You mean a lot to MB. A hell of a lot.' He stopped.
'But'?'
'But nothing. You just caught me a little off balance, that's all. I was just jumped by a group of neo-Nazis. That does funny things to the psyche of people of my persuasion.
I'm also trying to solve a possible kidnapping. I
know things have to change. I planned on giving you more to do, letting you handle more negotiations, hiring someone new. But a partnership . . . that's a different kettle of gefilte.'
Her voice was unyielding. 'Meaning?'
'Meaning I'd like to think about it, okay? How do you plan on becoming a partner? What percentage do you I
want'? Do you want to buy in or work your way in or what'? These are things we'll have to go over, and I don't think now is the time.'
'Fine.' She stood up. 'I'm going to hang around the players' lounge. See if I can strike up a conversation with one of the wives.'
'Good idea.'
'I'll see you later.' She tumed to leave.
'Esperanza?'
She looked at him.
'You're not mad, right'?'
'Not mad,' she repeated.
'We'll work something out,' he said.
She nodded. 'Right.'
'Don't forget. We're meeting with Tad Crispin an hour after they finish. By the pro shop.'
'You want me there?'
'Yes.'
She shrugged. 'Okay.' Then she left.
Myron leaned back and watched her go. Great. Just what he needed. His best friend in the world as a business partner. It never worked. Money screwed up relationships;
it was simply one of life's givens. His father and his uncle two closer brothers you never saw had tried it. The outcome had been disastrous. Dad finally bought Uncle Morris out, but the two men didn't speak to each other for four years. Myron and Win had labored painstakingly to keep their businesses separate while maintaining the same interests and goals. It worked because there was no crossinterference or money to divide up. With Esperanza things had been great, but that was because the relationship had always been boss and employee. Their roles were well defined. But at the same time, he understood. Esperanza deserved this chance. She had earned it. She was more than an important employee to MB. She was a part of it.
So what to do?
He sat back and chugged the Yoo-Hoo, waiting for an idea. Fortunately, his thoughts were waylaid when someone tapped his shoulder.
Chapter l7
