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“You’re thinking about when you left?”
I nod. “Sure am.”
“We were young. I made mistakes back then. I should have kissed you, but I was too scared.”
“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, but I did that anyway.”
The oven timer beeps. She grabs the food from the oven, and I realize I'm starving. We sit at her tiny table and dig into the delicious meal she's made. I look up and catch her gaze. We smile at each other, and I feel like maybe we can make it this time. She’s the best person I’ve ever met and I want to be something special to her.
This is how life should be, not what my parents had, but this. No amount of money, no wealth could come close to what I feel for Heather. I had made a huge mistake leaving her behind. I wanted to make up for the mistake.
After dinner, she pulls out her sketch pad and begins drawing. I watch for a little while, then I check my email. I’ve received a note from the CEO and the chairman of the board. I open the email from the chairman first. It’s not bad news at all.
They are tired of my dad’s antics. The company may have been started by my family, but it hasn’t been helped by my dad lately. The company is more profitable now that my dad is out. He wants me to come for a meeting in the morning. I confirm I’ll be there.
Heather yawns and I shut down my email. I take her by the hand and lead her into the bedroom. She drifts off with her head on my shoulder.
I’m afraid this will end. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I fear something happening that will drive a wedge between us. After kissing her goodbye, I roll into the office close to ten. It’s the first work day I’ve not arrived early. I feel free. The meeting has more than just the chairman, the whole board is there, along with a few other officers in the company. I know I could run the company on my own, but is it what I want?
“Baxter, it’s good to see you,” Mike, the chairman says as I step in.
“Hello, it’s good to see you too.”
“Let’s get down to business. I’ve looked back at your records. Your school, every job in the company you’ve held. No doubt, you probably know this company and the people working here better than any of us.”
I nod as I adjust in my chair. I’m not sure what they’re getting at, and I don’t want to jump the gun and assume what they are trying to say.
“We think you would be the perfect person to join the board. We’re going to put it to a vote at the next meeting. We want you here guiding us.”
I let my gaze settle on the table as I fight to remain calm. I glance up, meeting Mike’s stare. “Who would be out?”
“Your father.”
“He won’t like that.”
“No, he won’t. But he will be voted down.”
I nod, thinking the change would be good. “If he finds out I’m his replacement, he will try and fight you on this all the way.”
“We know. That’s why we don’t want you to say anything. We understand you leaving your position. Honestly, you leaving has allowed us to invite you to the board.”
I nod and tap the table with my fingers. “I was thinking of starting a charity.”
"That would be great. Approach me with a proposal and I'll see what I can do to help you get funding. Baxter, I've been with this company for a long time, and I've seen your dad do some questionable things. He's a good man—"
I lift my brows and Mike holds up his hand.
“He’s had some issues. We want you in. Since his heart attack, he’s not been the same.”
“I want you all to know I don’t want to force my dad off the board.”
“That makes you a better man than your dad,” Daniel, one of the guys at the end of the table, pipes up.
“I would be proud to serve this company. I’ve been working here for years. Actually, since before I was old enough to work legally in another company. I’m bought in. I want to start a charity to give back. I think this company can do more. We’re better than we’ve been pretending to be.”
“Once you’re on the board and in an official capacity, I’d like to hear your ideas,” Daniel says.
I nod as my excitement builds. Working for Baxter-Scott had been my focus for so long but was it what I wanted for the rest of my life. Being on the board will grant me a position I can do and be involved in a charity.
