I’ve sat through countless meetings in this boardroom. I can recite in my sleep how many awards and plaques hang behind me without having to turn and peek. The long, rectangular oak table, the particular orange-yellow hue of the overhead lights, the large window with the view to the busy avenue outside the fences are all commonplace to me. I could probably even describe the color of clothes the peasant is wearing in the landscape painting across from me. In my sleep, no less. That’s how familiar I am with this space.
This morning, however, I hopped down into the black leather chairs with a knotted stomach. The tension didn’t ease much while Mother revealed the plan to the board directors. Now, in the silence stretching after her words, I literally feel jittery.
How will they react? I let my glance wander over the faces of my colleagues.
Erica, the only female in the room besides Mother, adjusts the blue folder in front of her—for the third time in the last ten seconds. Steve and Lloyd are rocking back and forth in their chairs as if the undulating movements will help to ease the puzzling turn of events. Harry and Richard cling to their glasses of sparkling water as if the fragile glass could advise them about the best way to behave. Larry, my former competition and the oldest member of the board, wears a stony expression as he tugs at his narrow shirt collar, pulling it back in small repeated motions with his thumb. He’s the one the news affects the most besides me. His eyes are fixed on a picture behind me, carefully avoiding my gaze.
It’s clear that none of them expected Mother to deliver this news. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t have believed such a decision could even be acceptable to me a short time ago. Even less than the fact that I would be its mastermind.
But then again, fourteen days ago I didn’t know Eva.
My chest tightens as I recall our last conversation. Despair takes hold of me as I contemplate whether my actions will be enough to demonstrate for her that I’ve changed. That I’ve learned my lesson about people having to come first. Her having to come first.
I know that by sitting in this room right now and renouncing the very thing I’ve betrayed her for is the first foundational step to rebuilding her trust in me, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.
I can’t lose Eva. I need to make this right.
I’d love to jump up and hurry over to her house. I wish to tell her that she’s been my muse for finding my new career, a path that will combine all my aspirations and strengths into a strategy that will benefit my family’s company as well as this town. But above all, it will leave me the time to live. To live with her. If she accepts, that is. She needs to know that she’s the sole reason why I realized what I truly want from this life.
She won’t listen to your words, Nate. Only to your actions. So be patient, stick to the plan, and it will be all good.
I take a calming breath, Murphy’s advice ringing in my ear. Isn’t it ironic that I need my brother’s voice to guide me, so that I won’t veer from the strategy we came up with together? Normally, I should be the one following the established method, instead of buzzing around recklessly.
Even the fact that I discussed with Murphy what my best course of action could be is a miracle. But after having discovered the elaborate spiderweb my brother wove to save me from a successful but extremely solitary life, I decided it was safe to give more weight to Murphy’s ideas. Not on all occasions, though, otherwise he might get smug.
I return my attention to Larry.
Does he cheer inside, or is he frightened by the sudden responsibility? I truly hope it’s the former. My plan will only work if Larry is glad to step up to the role I would like him to take.
Mother taps a pen against her glass, and a few condensed bubbles slide to the table. “So, I imagine we’re all happy with this proposal, aren’t we?” She asks, letting her gaze travel from one face to another.
Larry clears his throat and finally dares a peek at me. “Well, as long as Nathan is okay with this, Holly. If anyone is entitled to take over your place, it’s him.”
Mother smiles at him then at me. “Your promotion was Nathan’s idea, in fact.”
Larry’s jaw drops. “Really?”
Finally, the time has come to say my own points. I adjust my elbows on the table and lean forward. “I understand your surprise. But my idea about Larry taking a five-year mandate as a CEO before his retirement, is advantageous for all of us.” I lift a hand for emphasis and count on my fingers. “One, AMEA can profit from Larry’s invaluable knowledge and experience.” I flash a smile at the white-bearded man and he beams back at me, clearly proud of hearing me praise him. “Two, Larry will retire from a position he deserves. Three, five years will allow me to become a more seasoned leader. And, four, I can dedicate some attention to AMEA’s trainee program. We have always regarded this potential investment in HR as interesting, but nobody ever took the time to ward it properly.”
My voice acquires an excited edge at this point. I wasn’t sure how Mother would react to my proposition about creating the Fresh Start traineeship, but she was thrilled when I explained the details to her. Quite frankly, it makes perfect business sense for AMEA.
I raise my eyes and let my gaze meet each one of my fellow directors. “Through this traineeship, we’ll improve our reputation by giving back to the community. That in turn will attract more clients interested in associating their name with a
