“You’ll be leading the company.”
I looked down at the paperwork.
My name was everywhere.
For the first time all week, I couldn’t think of anything to say.
Richard let the silence sit for a moment.
Then he said, “I’ve watched you for years.”
I looked at him.
“I know.”
“No. Not the way you think.”
He pointed toward me.
“I watched what you did when things went wrong.”
That surprised me.
He continued.
“When projects fell behind, you didn’t look for someone to blame.”
“When clients were angry, you listened before defending yourself.”
“When employees were overwhelmed, you stayed.”
“When you didn’t know something, you asked.”
He paused.
“That last one matters more than people think.”
I looked down at the papers again.
Richard had always been difficult to read.
He wasn’t someone who handed out compliments.
If he told you something was “fine,” that was practically a standing ovation.
“You really think I can do this?”
“Yes.”
He answered so quickly that I looked back at him.
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“I’ve already done the thinking.”
He pointed toward the folder.
“The lawyers have done plenty too.”
I laughed softly.
Then his expression changed.
“But I have one condition.”
There it was.
Of course there was a condition.
“What?”
Richard looked toward the pond.
“Don’t become the kind of person who makes employees feel disposable.”
I stayed quiet.
He continued.
“You’ve spent this entire week terrified, haven’t you?”
I nodded.
“Every strange conversation felt like a threat.”
“Yes.”
“You probably imagined yourself being escorted out.”
“Several times.”
“Good.”
I frowned.
“Good?”
“Remember it.”
His voice became firmer.
“Remember how it felt sitting here before you knew why I called you.”
