Chapter 18 - THE COMPANY AFTER THE FIRE
Morgan Events survived.
Barely.
We lost two major clients.
Then won one back.
We sold the shell warehouse.
Recovered money.
Rebuilt vendor controls.
No one person could approve payments above fifty thousand.
Including me.
Especially me.
Anna became CFO.
Leo became head of information security.
He negotiated aggressively.
Good for him.
I stepped down as interim executive chair after nine months.
The board asked why.
“Because ownership isn’t the same as competence.”
One director laughed.
I didn’t.
We hired an outside CEO.
Maya Reynolds.
Forty-seven.
Brutally practical.
First week, she canceled three “tradition” meetings.
I loved her.
Chloe gave birth to a girl.
Sophie.
She did not ask me to visit.
I did anyway.
Months later.
Not hospital.
At Mom’s house.
Chloe opened the door.
We stared at each other.
Then the baby cried.
Chloe said.
“She hates naps.”
“Smart.”
Tiny laugh.
Awkward.
Good.
I held Sophie for five minutes.
She grabbed my necklace.
Chloe said.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Silence.
Then she whispered.
“I won’t ask you to be her aunt.”
I looked at her.
“You don’t have to.”
That surprised us both.
I was her aunt.
Whether I liked the road there or not.
I did not forgive Chloe that day.
I did something smaller.
I did not leave.
Sometimes that is enough.
Dad worked as a volunteer at a legal aid clinic.
Not as a lawyer.
Intake.
Filing.
Coffee.
He hated the copier.
Good.
Mom started therapy.
She told me after three months.
I said.
“Good.”
She looked disappointed.
“What?”
“I thought you’d say more.”
“I’m pacing myself.”
She laughed.
Then cried.
May you like
Family.
