Page 97 of Executive Decision

“He went back and forth over it. It’s been bleeding money. The new president he hired had a lot of success?—”

“In a value business,” Cal sighed. “In discount stores for middle-class people. Delphine’s has never been chasing that customer.”

“Well, whenever I try—it’s pointless!” Davey shook his head. He dropped to the floor with the rest of us. “I… I am holding onto all of it by a thread, Daphne. You sniping at me?—”

“I’m not sniping. You gave me a position I’m not qualified for to placate me! You treat me like a child. I’m not, Davey! I’m good at business. I have ideas about how to fix it. I’ve poured over the financials. I have a proposal and the votes on the board to make it work… not that you care.”

“I don’t think you have enough. I don’t even know what to do. I know you’re smart and talented. I have spent my entire life trying to outperform you.” His voice lowered. “I thought for once I had. I thought Dad finally saw it.”

Instead of anger, I felt compassion. “And I thought he always loved you more.”

“He didn’t. I’m sorry if you felt that way, Daphne.”

* * *

Cal

“Your father loved you all. Stop fighting!” Danna said, annoyed. “This is ridiculous. Davey, you must listen to Daphne and let her have a stake in the company. You’re convinced you know best—blinded that you don’t always know what is good. Your father was a brilliant man, but in the end—the last few years—his acumen failed him. I think he saw it. He resigned himself to it, hoping new blood would spark change. He felt he lost his biggest sounding board and reverted inward. Even before the cancer took over, he was like this.”

“His biggest sounding board?” Daphne asked.

“Cal,” Danna said. “Calvin, I know you were always there for him, but as you grewyourbusiness and built massive buildings, he realized his silly questions probably distracted you. Then you ran for mayor, and he gave up. He didn’t have a clue how he fit in with you anymore. The apprentice became the master and felt ridiculous monopolizing your time.”

Davey and Daphne appraised me as I fought tears. Daphne looked ready to comfort me, even as she sat in pain. I felt terrible for everyone. I’d wounded Danna by sleeping with Daphne. I insulted Davey by existing. Davey’s righteous anger hurt Daphne in more ways than one. Even David’s memory seemed insulted.

Voice soft, I said, “I always thought he pulled back because he was sick, and that is a hard pill to swallow. I didn’t ever think he was being silly. I owe him so much. I hate that he felt that way and never said it.”

“You know how Dad was,” Daphne said. “Sweet to a fault, but always wanting to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

“Now we must,” Davey groaned.

“We—all of us,” Daphne reminded. “Not you. Not Mum. All of us—together.”

“Yeah, with Cal Markham to ride in and buy us out, right?” Davey’s words cut deep.

“Why the fuck would I do that?” I chuckled.

“Because you could.”

“I’m flattered you think I care so much. I don’t make unwise business decisions for companies with bleeding balance sheets. There is still time to save it. I suspect Daphne’s plans might make it worth the investment. However, as it stands today, I’d not buy it.”

“Well, then fucking buy the retail ops and make Daphne President or whatever.” His tone was more exhausted than dismissive.

Davey knew he was outhorsed but felt compelled to hold it together as the new patriarch. I knew how he felt. My mom was a single mother from the beginning until I started college. No one was there for me. But unlike Davey—still a boy in many ways—I grew into it and liked being that point person. Davey had never done this before. Daphne or David had been there to lift him when he tripped.

“Well, he’d be stupid to do that,” Daphne said. “One, because it’s a massive conflict of interest, and I have to pull a bunch of permits if I get my way. Two, we’re sleeping together, and the press would have a fucking field day.”

Davey glared at her, then me. “Now, why the fuck would he do something as stupid as sleeping with you, Daphne?”

“Because I love her.” I gently rubbed Daphne’s shoulders. “Because I’m stupid—not stupid enough to buy your retail holdings, mind you.”

Daphne snickered.

“I didn’t realize… it was serious,” Mum said. “Just like that?—”

“Love is stupid, and I don’t make the rules. For once, I’d like to admit I have no grand plans. The only roadmap I have is for the company. My life is… disastrous at times, but I am trying to choose happiness. Beyond Cal, it’s just the business. And if I can throw myself into it, I know we can make it work. Davey, let’s save it—together. Please!”

Davey softened. “You’re right. We have to save it. Dad only contemplated selling it when he realized he’d leave me with this mess. And I guess he never thought I could manage it. Fuck! That’s a kick in the teeth.”

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