Page 43 of Collateral Damage
I snort. I can’t help it. Miriam Katz has been with the company for ages and has been talking about retiring for the better part of ten years. She’s the type who will move somewhere glamorous, like Europe, instead of the typical Florida or Arizona like most retirees flock off to after leaving Manhattan.
“You’ve already told everyone you’re leaving in the fall. I think he can wait a few months, Miriam.”
Her white bob bounces as she shakes her head. “He better give you my job when I leave or I’m not going anywhere. I’ll die in this office if I have to.”
I stifle a laugh. As much as I’m gunning for her job, I love the woman and wouldn’t mind working for her for many more years. But that’s not whatshewants. She’s ready to retire.
“I don’t think it works that way,” I say. “You can’t demand I get your job when you leave. You’re not on the hiring board for higher-level positions.”
“Well, itshouldwork that way. Nobody can fill my shoes like you can.”
She gives me a wink, and I return it with a smile.
This woman is incredible and has worked tirelessly to build The Laurence Foundation to what it is today. We provide millions of dollars to charity every year, providing a great tax write-off for Laurence International. This job is highly sought after since it pays like a regular corporate job, but the work is more rewarding. I’m not the only person in New York City who knows this work like the back of my hand. There are many qualified people who would kill for this chance.
But this isLaurenceInternational. My last name. My legacy.
And I want it so badly I can taste it.
“We’re both gunning for me to get the job,” I assure her. “But either way, you will be able to retire in October as soon as our Able to Rise event wraps up. You have nothing to worry about.”
She tuts to herself. “We’ll have to make sure we do excellent work for the next five months, right? They’ll have to hire you in my stead. We won’t give them any excuse not to.”
“They will.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I don’t like that Mr. Vale. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”
“Shh.” I look at the door, grateful it’s closed, but this is a busy office, and there are listening ears everywhere. “Keep your voice down, would you? He’s your boss, too.”
“No,your fatherwas my boss. Vale is the interloper here by default.”
“He’s done a pretty good job, though. Most of the board has recommended him to be the next CEO hire. Mom is on the fence, but I think she’s almost convinced.”
“Your mom said it’s better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. I told her he’s still the devil.”
I bark out a laugh, then cover my mouth. “Don’t say that.”
She points at me. “He’s missing a lot of the qualities your father had.”
My heart sinks. As if my father was an angel? “My dad…”
My voice trails off, and my eyes burn. I don’t know what to say, nor do I want to cry at work. Doesn’t matter if I see Miriam as more than a mentor; it would be embarrassing and unprofessional to cry here. My office is like a fishbowl sometimes.
Miriam doesn’t care. She comes around my desk and tugs me into her arms, hugging me tight. She feels small but strong in my arms, and yet she’s the one who’s holding me upright.
Grief is a sleeper-cell sometimes. I was good this morning. I’ve been busy and distracted. Maybe it’s because the one-yearanniversary of his death is coming up. That and having to talk to Vale about work when I should’ve been talking to my dad.
“Gregory was a good man,” she insists. “He did some bad things and made mistakes. He had secrets. But he was still good, and don’t you ever forget that, okay, honey?”
I nod and let go. She steps away with a tight smile. “And don’t ask me to suck up to Vale. I’ve never done it before, and I’m not about to start now. As far as I’m concerned, when I retire in October, he can kiss my crusty-old ass on my way out the door.”
I can’t help but giggle-snort for the third time during our conversation. Her humor has a way of lessening the sting of sadness. God, I love this woman. I want to be just like Miriam Katz when I grow up.
Nineteen
Cooper
Past - Age 22
