Chapter 11 - No Deal
Daniel read the proposal aloud in a closed meeting the next morning.
He stopped at the phrase mutually beneficial resolution.
"There is no legitimate reason for a public-relations complaint to be linked to procurement," he said.
"Then we won't link them," I answered.
We documented the offer and referred potential misconduct concerns through the proper channels.
I recused myself from any personal claim touching my mother's behavior and asked the board's independent committee to oversee the matter.
Procurement proceeded on its own merits.
For the first time all week, I felt clear about a decision that had nothing to do with being liked.
At lunch, Erin appeared with a small paper bag.
Inside were the pecan pies our mother had sent home untouched.
"I thought you might want one," she said.
I laughed despite myself.
"They were expensive."
"Mom told everybody you bought them to show off."
"Of course she did."
Erin sat down.
"I want to say I defended you. But I didn't."
Her eyes shone.
"I learned that staying quiet kept me comfortable."
I waited.
"I don't want to keep being that person," she said.
It was the first apology she had offered without explaining away her silence.
We ate pie from paper plates while snow tapped the office windows.
Then she told me something new.
Paula had invited Caroline to Christmas dinner but rescinded the invitation when Grandma said she would attend.
"She said Grandma would ask too many questions," Erin recalled.
I sent the detail to Daniel.
That afternoon Teresa brought me a preliminary recovery update.
Most critical clinical workflows remained in safe downtime mode, and staged restoration testing was beginning.
It was not a victory yet, but it was progress.
As I prepared to leave for a few hours of sleep, a local broadcast showed my mother outside her house.
She was looking directly into a camera.
"My daughter has always had a problem with the truth," Paula declared.
Then the reporter asked whether she had evidence.
Mom lifted a folder.
May you like
My private divorce papers were visible inside.
