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Madison
Posted On 12/18/2014 06:39:13

MADISON

December 18, 2014

 

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

“If you decide to come back, you will immediately apologize to Vicki and ask her to rejoin your team. Vicki needs a job. She is a single parent with three children. And I need her talent in the office. She made a mistake. We all make mistakes.

“And let there be a clear understanding between us, Madison Belmont. One more outburst like your performance today and you’re fired.”

****

Failure. It was what it was, rejection. Defeat. Painful. Madison could not dismiss what had happened, rationalize it, or hide it with an explanation. She sat on the bed, stunned how the day had destroyed all of her dreams.

And the cat. It even sensed something was wrong and hid under a chair in the living room.

Madison wanted to curl up on the bed and disappear from life. There’d be no remorse that she had failed, nor would an explanation be required on why she had failed. There was no need, she didn’t exist. It was the perfect solution, just wave a wand and disappear from life and its consequences.

It was also ridiculous.

Disappear, is that what you want to do? Or, do you want to admit it for what it is, surrender? Peter rejected you, so you quit. You give up. The thought unsettled her and she called for the cat. She needed a distraction. The cat ignored her and her black mood remained.

Madison, I can’t believe you’re thinking about quitting. When did you ever quit? Did you quit when your classmates taunted you? You fought back and proved you were better. Did you quit on Wall Street? No. You worked harder than the rest and beat them all. That’s what you did. You were the Tiger of Wall Street. So get a grip. You don’t quit for anyone.

Madison’s mood brightened. Calling for the cat, she wanted to share her decision. The cat ignored her and remained under the chair. Okay, now that you have decided not to quit, what’s next? Are you going to quit working for Peter and go back to Wall Street? Or, are you going to take the tougher road and go back to Peter? You know, you’ll have to drag your tail between your legs. Madison chuckled. When did you ever do that? And how are you going to face Peter and Vicki?

She felt a sense of relief. Though still fuzzy on the details, the genesis of a plan had started to take shape. You have been knocked down, Madison, not out. Show them you can do it. Make them want you to come back. Bring in more business than they can handle. They’ll beg you to stay.

Madison smiled. She did that often when she had achieved a significant victory or had overcome a difficult problem. However, the smiles were always private. To do so publically was to admit she was emotional and therefore, vulnerable.

Hold on girl. Not so fast. You’re forgetting one thing.

What?

You’ve got to say it.

No. I can’t do that.

Yes, you can. It can’t be that hard. Swallow your pride, Madison.

Madison rejected the thought of drinking any more wine and put her glass on the nightstand. The cat, sensing that her mistress mood had improved, returned to the bed. Curled up into a ball, eyes closed, Madison stroked the cat’s neck and said. “Okay, I admit it. I was wrong. I made a mistake.”

There, you said it. That wasn’t so hard.

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 12/16/2014 07:20:22

MADISON

December 16, 2014

 

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

“Don’t you dare interrupt me! Your incompetence almost cost us the Palmer account. Now you go back to your desk and somewhere in that mess is that report. Find it and bring it to me immediately. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” Vicki said, hesitantly.

“And one last thing,” Madison said. “I will not tolerate mistakes. You’re off my team. I will not accept your unsatisfactory performance. If it were my decision, I’d fire you immediately. Now go find that report.”

****

Stepping into Madison’s office an hour later, Mary said, “Got a minute?”

Madison signaled for Mary to enter and close the door. She did not speak nor did she make an effort to hide her sour mood.

Refusing the offer to sit, Mary said, “You don’t look very happy.”

Dismissing Mary’s comments with a wave of her hand, Madison said, “Staffing problems.”

“I heard about it. I’m sorry it happened,” Mary replied, soberly. Remembering the reason for her visit to Madison’s office, she said in an upbeat tone, “I saw you come back from lunch with Peter. You seemed very happy.”

“It was a nice lunch.”

“May I give you a heads-up?”

“About what?” Madison replied, confused as to where Mary was taking the conversation.

“You’ve met Grace Parrish, the family law division manager?”

“We’ve talked briefly several times,” Madison said. “I don’t know her very well.”

“Madison, I need to talk to you about Grace. She and Peter’s wife Lori were close friends for years. Grace is desperately in love with Peter. Probably has been for years. I see it in her eyes every time she looks at him. Trust me, she never did anything inappropriate. And Peter, well he’s in love with Grace. He just doesn’t know it yet. They need each other and they belong together.”

“Madison, I know you’re attracted to Peter. My money is on Grace.”

Before Madison could react to the crushing news, Heather stepped into the office and said, “Excuse me, Madison. Peter would like to see you in his office.”

****

The atmosphere in Peter’s office was as cold as the countenance on Peter’s face. The raw smell of defeat, and the death of her dreams, permeated the air she breathed. Her mind was numb when she sat in front of Peter’s desk. The smiles and light banter between them had evaporated. She sucked in air trying to shore up her defenses but it did little to help her. Even her long-standing resolve to hide her emotions was gone.

Panicked, Madison waited for Peter to speak. Her destruction was at hand.

Peter folded his hands on the desk and spoke with a cold icy tone in his voice, “First of all, Madison, lunch with you today was a mistake that I do not intend to repeat. I am very angry with you for your uncalled for outburst at Vicki. I want you out of the office. Go home. I don’t want to see you again until you decide where you want to work. Do you want to work under Wall Street rules, or under my rules?

“If you decide to come back, you will immediately apologize to Vicki and ask her to rejoin your team. Vicki needs a job. She is a single parent with three children. And I need her talent in the office. She made a mistake. We all make mistakes.

“And let there be a clear understanding between us, Madison Belmont. One more outburst like your performance today and you’re fired.”

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 12/11/2014 04:02:14

CHAPTER 6

December 11, 2014

 

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

Dominic chuckled. “Well, well, well, aren’t you quite the scrapper. I have to tell you, Madison. I admire that in you. I called you to withdraw my interest in your representation and you told me that was unacceptable. All right, Madison. Get me the report and clean up your staff. Fair?”

Relieved the crisis was over, Madison said appreciatively, “Fair. Thank you.”

Returning the phone to the receiver, she yelled, “Heather, find Vicki. I want her in my office now!”

****

“Close the door behind you,” Madison snapped. She refused to call Vicki by her name. Such recognition would establish that each had a name and there was some sense of equality between them. Vicki was only an administrative assistant.

Shocked at Madison’s anger, Vicki asked, “Is there something wrong?”

“Is there something wrong?” Madison said in exasperation and threw a pencil down on the desk. It bounced onto the floor. “You better believe there is something wrong.”

Vicki stepped backwards toward the door trying to escape Madison’s wrath.

“Don’t you dare step away from me,” Madison warned. “Sit down!”

Eyes moist from fear, Vicki sat in front of the desk. A short plump woman, her face suggested that life had been difficult for her, and that she was older than forty-five. Her short, dull-brown hair revealed no evidence of any styling other than brushing. The little makeup she wore did not hide the wrinkles in the corners of her eyes.

Madison glared at Vicki and said, “For fourteen years, I worked on Wall Street. There was no one better than me. Do you know why I was the best?”

Vicki’s tears refused to be confined and her face showed confusion on how to answer the question. “No. . .ma’am.”

“Because I didn’t make mistakes,” Madison barked. “And I immediately fired anyone on my staff that did make a mistake. Do you understand me?”

Vicki swallowed hard and replied meekly, “Yes. . .ma’am.” She smudged her thin makeup when she tried to wipe away her tears.

“I just got off the phone with Dominic Rowlands from the Palmer Group. You ignored my specific instructions and failed to send the Taylor report. I—”

“I’m sorry,” Vicki said, appalled.

“Don’t you dare interrupt me. Your incompetence almost cost us the Palmer account. Now you go back to your desk and somewhere in that mess is that report. Find it and bring it to me immediately. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” Vicki said, hesitantly.

“And one last thing,” Madison said. “I will not tolerate mistakes. You’re off my team. I will not accept your unsatisfactory performance. If it were my decision, I’d fire you immediately. Now go find that report.”

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 12/09/2014 04:40:20

December 9, 2014

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

“Well, Peter,” Madison, said. Perhaps—. She paused to allow the waiter to present the check. Alone again, she said, “It seems that we both have decisions to make about our futures.” Say it, Madison. Give Peter a reason to say yes. “Perhaps, Peter, we should get together for lunch again and compare notes on our decisions that we’ve made.”

Surprised, Peter said. “I hadn’t thought about that, Madison. I like that idea.”

 

 

CHAPTER 6

 

“Dominic Rowlands from the Palmer Group is on line one,” Madison’s secretary Heather said.

Still wearing her coat from lunch with Peter, Madison said cheerfully, “Thank you.” The time she had spent with Peter at lunch was still on her mind. The end of her perfect day would be Dominic asking her to represent them. It’s going to happen. I know it. Quickly, she had thrown her coat over a chair and sat at her desk. Holding the phone away from her, she took a deep silent breath to calm herself. Peter is going to be so happy when I tell him the good news.

Speaking calmly, Madison said, “Dominic, it’s nice to hear from you.”

“I am very disappointed in you, Madison,” Dominic said, angrily. “Very disappointed,” he snapped.

Madison was stunned, unable to speak or rationalize Dominic’s sudden burst of anger.

“I am seriously reconsidering having your firm represent us,” Dominic added in a cold voice.

Speak, Madison. You’ve been attacked. Defend yourself. Gathering her thoughts, Madison said, surprised, “Dominic, I don’t understand what has happened?”

“We have received the market demographics and Ecopolitics of Ohio reports.”

“Yes.” Madison explained. “I had assembled the reports myself. My administrative assistant assured me the reports had been sent to you.”

“Well, young lady, you didn’t include the Taylor Market Analysis Report on Ohio’s Enterprise Zone Rules and Laws. I specifically requested you include that information. Your incompetence has made it impossible for my market committee to make their recommendation to me. We took out a bridge loan while we waited for the venture capital funds to become available. I don’t need to remind you that the loan requires us to pay substantial amounts of interest each day.”

Fighting to control her own anger, Madison said firmly, “No one, Dominic, has ever accused me of being incompetent, and you will know why when I represent you.”

Dump the anger, Madison. You’re in control. Dominic answers to you.

Ignoring her own advice, Madison spoke in an even stronger voice, “Now as to the Taylor report. I specifically gave it to my administrative assistant. I will find out immediately why it wasn’t included. Obviously there’s a problem with the staff that was assigned to me. I will correct that problem immediately, and I will personally send the report to you. Make no mistake, Dominic Rowlands, don’t underestimate my competence to represent you.”

Dominic chuckled. “Well, well, well, aren’t you quite the scrapper? I have to tell you, Madison. I admire that in you. I called you to withdraw my interest in your representation and you told me that was unacceptable. All right, Madison. Get me the report, and clean up your staff. Fair?”

Relieved the crisis was over, Madison said appreciatively, “Fair. Thank you.”

Returning the phone to the receiver, she yelled, “Heather, find Vicki. I want her in my office now!”

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 12/04/2014 03:27:39

December 4, 2014

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

He was different from any other man she had met, and she struggled to define the difference. Most of the men were serious, driven by the pursuit of money and power. Peter on the other hand, didn’t take himself too seriously. His laughter was genuine and he enjoyed telling silly stories about himself. He seemed dedicated in having a positive influence in other peoples’ lives.

Seldom permitted, she signaled for her cat to jump up on the bed. Gently stroking the cat, her mood was buoyant, almost giddy.

Oh, I am going to dazzle you, Peter.

****

The luncheon went better than Madison could have imagined. Even the ambiance of the restaurant was beyond her expectations. Following the willowy hostess wearing a teal silk dress that highlighted her softly-curled blonde hair, Madison was struck by the elegance of the bar. Extending for much of the length of the red oak bar was a display of liquor bottles of all shapes and colors from around the world. Resting on glass shelves with a mirrored backdrop, indirect lighting highlighted the subtle differences of each bottle. Moving into the dining room the white alabaster-plastered walls, Grecian columns, and a hand-polished crystal chandelier complemented the tables covered in white linen tablecloths and Waterford bone china dinnerware. Madison could not remember smiling so much as she sat in a black leather barrel chair and toyed with a single red rose in a lead crystal vase centered on the table.

Peter was perfect too. Smiling often, he talked mostly about his late wife Lori and their two children, Beth and Ethan. Married for fourteen years, Lori had died from cancer. Weary of talking about himself, Peter finally asked, “I know about Madison who worked on Wall Street. I don’t know much about Madison away from work. Tell me a little about yourself.”

Oh, Peter, you asked the perfect question. Thank you. He likes you, Madison, I can tell. He’s smiling. . .laughing. Now be careful. . .don’t get excited. It’ll spoil everything.

She quickly glossed over her father’ imprisonment and the taunts she had received from her classmates. A few additional comments covered her educational achievements and successes on Wall Street. Her comments were simply an introduction to the message that she wanted Peter to carry away with him from the lunch.

She was available.

Madison had carefully practiced her final comments to Peter’s question. Calmly, with little expressed emotion, she said, “I’ve made one mistake in my life, Peter, that I wish I could take back. I’ve never fallen in love and gotten married. I always put my career over any thought of marriage. I’m thirty-five, and I’ve missed so much.”

Madison settled back in her chair with a pensive expression while Peter seemed unsure of himself. He finished his wine, and signaled the waiter for the check.

Peter, the ball is in your court. Tell me we must have lunch again and become better acquainted. Tell me, Peter. I need to know you’re interested in me.

“Love and marriage should be the cornerstone of anyone’s life,” Peter said, solemnly. “I’m so sorry, Madison, you haven’t found someone to love. Lori and I had a wonderful marriage and we had two beautiful children.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Peter,” Madison said. Carefully, she inquired, “Have you started dating again?”

“No, but I’ve been thinking about it. My children need a mother. It’s hard to wrap my head around the thought it would be someone other than Lori.”

“Well, Peter,” Madison, said. Perhaps—. She paused to allow the waiter to present the check. Alone again, she said, “It seems that we both have decisions to make about our futures.” Say it, Madison. Give Peter a reason to say yes. “Perhaps, Peter we should get together for lunch again and compare notes on the decisions that we’ve made.”

Surprised, Peter said, “I hadn’t thought about that, Madison. I like that idea.”

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 12/02/2014 06:07:48

December 2, 2014

 

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

“Thank you. The information is essential, Madison, to assist my team’s recommendation to me. On a lighter note, my wife and I will host our annual cancer benefit. My wife is state chairperson for the Pink Ribbon Challenge. I want you to meet our daughter who runs our South American operations. I speak with no disrespect, Madison, when I tell you that she’s an ice queen like yourself.”

****

It started simply enough with an invitation to join Peter for lunch. Later in the day, Peter called her into his office. Sandwiched in between was coffee with Mary. At the end of it all, Madison was distraught, and her self-confidence badly shaken.

It was a tough decision when she prepared herself for lunch with Peter. Spread out on the bed, were Madison’s Aikris blue pants suit and the Armani Collezioni wool dress and jacket. Which one would Peter like for me to wear? I think. . .yes, Peter would enjoy the dress. It’s less formal and Peter will be more relaxed seeing me wear it. And I have attractive legs. Why not?

Peter had invited her to lunch in order to become better acquainted and review progress on retaining the Palmer Group as a client.

Leaving the apartment, Madison had spent a lingering moment at the hallway mirror examining herself. Perfect. Not a strand of hair had escaped from her French-twist hairstyle and the skirt was a modest two inches above the knee. So what do you think, Peter? Do I look nice? You know, I dressed especially for you today.

Madison was unsettled when she had first received Peter’s invitation for lunch. She could have told herself it was a routine invitation. Having attended untold hundreds of business lunches in her career, she was a master on how to conduct herself and capture the attention of the barons of industry. It was not a manipulative effort on her part. Rather, it was the alpha power of her personality that attracted people to her.

But, this was no ordinary lunch. It was lunch with Peter.

Such an invitation required thoughtful study and there was no better place to do it that than lounging in bed. With a glass of Margaux 2006 red wine, the first question she had asked herself was perhaps the most important one. Why was she attracted to Peter Marshall? Or, maybe an even better question, why was she attracted to any man? She had discarded the thought of marriage years ago. There was too much emotional maintenance involved in marriage. But relationships, well, they were a different matter.

Madison’s relationships with men had always been brief without any emotional entanglements. She ended them when they began to interfere with her life, or the man hinted he wanted something more from her, such as a commitment.

But, that was then, and Peter was now. Not one of the men in her life had been a Peter.

He was different from any other man she had met, and she struggled to define the difference. Most of the men were serious, driven by the pursuit of money and power. Peter, on the other hand, didn’t take himself too seriously. His laughter was genuine and he enjoyed telling silly stories about himself. He seemed dedicated to having a positive influence on other peoples’ lives.

Seldom permitted, she signaled for her cat to jump up on the bed. Gently stroking the cat, her mood was buoyant, almost giddy

Oh, I am going to dazzle you, Peter.

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 11/25/2014 09:25:10

CHAPTER 5

November 25, 2014

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, the next installment of Madison will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2014

 

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

Madison had felt the sudden urge to skip down the street in joy. She laughed at the thought of a thirty-five-year old- attorney, wearing a four-thousand-dollar Alexander McQueen business suit, skipping down Wall Street. She ignored the man who looked at her as if she was strange when she laughed. Hurrying down the , she needed to do a million things before Monday. There is no way, Madison Belmont, that you are going to fail.

****

Exhausted, Mary said, “Excuse me, Peter, I’m not being very ladylike at the moment.”

Discarding his jacket and tie, Peter laughed and joined Mary.

“I’m beat,” Mary said.

Equally exhausted, Peter replied. “I’ll admit to that. It’s been a week-and-a-half.”

They had sat on the sofa drinking tea in Peter’s office at the end of a tense Friday. Mary had won a case earlier in the day, successfully defending a husband from charges filed by a vindictive ex-wife. Stretching her legs and kicking off her shoes, Mary balanced a cup of tea in a bone china cup on her lap. Peter’s deceased wife Lori had purchased the tea set when Peter first opened his office.

“So, tell me, Peter. How’s our girl Madison doing? I haven’t seen much of her in the past month.”

“Peter sighed to alleviate his own exhaustion and answered, “She’s doing well. Madison has already brought in a couple of small accounts this month. She has spent most of her time back on Wall Street looking for prospects. Right now, she is working on a major client that could bring in several thousand jobs to Hillsdale. Oh, by the way, I’ve appointed Vickie to head up Madison’s support team here in the office, and Heather will be the lead secretary.”

Mary sat up straight on the sofa and warned Peter. “Oh, that’s a mistake. Vickie and Heather are sensitive people. They could easily clash with Madison.”

“Mary, you know Vickie is the best administrative assistant we have in the office. Heather has been with me a long time. I’m confident,” Peter, added, “they’ll get along fine with Madison.”

“I hope you’re right.” Retrieving her shoes and returning her teacup to the granite-topped bar cabinet, Mary asked, “When is Grace coming back from vacation?” Grace Parrish managed the family law division in Peter’s office.

Stuffing his tie into his coat pocket as he returned to his desk, Peter answered, “She’ll be back in the office on Monday.”

“She’s a special lady,” Mary said wistfully. “I like her.” Smiling Mary added, “You like her too, Peter.”

****

Returning to his desk chair with a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline seen through the floor to ceiling windows, Dominic Rowlands said, “My compliments to you, Madison, You have presented a strong argument for our company to expand into the Great Lakes region. Chairman of the manufacturing conglomerate Palmer Group, Dominic had focused most of his attention on expansion into the European and South American markets.

“Thank you, Mr. Rowland. I appreciate your confidence in my presentation.”

“Please, Dominic.”

“Of course, Dominic.” Madison refused to show Dominic her reaction to the prospect of landing a contract that would bring in substantial revenue to Peter’s office. Back ramrod straight, legs positioned off-center, and forearms resting lightly on the arms of the chair, Madison imagined herself equal to him. She was aware Dominic would try to gain control over her, and the outcome of the negotiations.

That is not going to happen.

Madison said, “I will begin to assemble the additional market demographics and the Ohio Economic Forecast Report when I return to the office.”

“Thank you. The information is essential, Madison, to assist my team’s recommendation to me. On a lighter note, my wife and I will soon host our annual cancer benefit. My wife is state chairperson for the Pink Ribbon Challenge. I want you to meet our daughter who runs our South American operations. I speak with no disrespect, Madison, when I tell you that she’s an ice queen like yourself.”

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 11/20/2014 09:59:55

November 20, 2014

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

Madison watched the traffic as the taxi dodged a parked delivery truck. She felt off-balance and it upset her. Careful, Madison. You’re losing your edge. Always stay one-step ahead of them. And don’t let anyone ever tell you no.

Leaning forward and touching the driver’s front seat, Madison said. “Excuse me, you asked how I am today?

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Determined.”

****

Sitting in the executive lounge of Kenner Acquisitions and Mergers Group, Lawrence said, “So, what are you going to do, Madison?”

Looking out the window at rain-soaked Wall Street, forty-seven stories below, Madison said, “I don’t know. It’s been three days since the interview. I don’t understand why Peter hasn’t called me. Turning away from the window, she continued, “It isn’t rocket science, Lawrence. Either he wants me or he doesn’t.”

“Madison, come over and sit with me. Your coffee is getting cold.” Adjusting his cardinal-red bow tie, Lawrence patted the cushion of the mocha-colored leather couch.

Taking a small sip of coffee, Madison said, “You are so good to me, Lawrence. What would I do without you?” Years ago, Lawrence had slipped into her heart as her surrogate father. She had never forgiven or seen her real father since his arrest for the murder of his business partner.

As he did with everyone, Lawrence yelled at her when surrounded by other employees. But, in the privacy of his office, she was the only one whom he gave a hug around the shoulder and a big warm smile.

“Lawrence, I know you were very angry at me when I first told you about the job opening. Can you wait it out until Peter makes a decision?”

Setting his cup down on the coffee table, Lawrence chuckled. “Madison. I love getting mad. Even at you sometimes. It keeps me young. And yes, I’ll wait until Peter makes a decision.” With an affectionate gleam in his eyes, he said, “In the meantime, why don’t you make yourself useful. Go make me some money.”

****

Sitting on the sofa in Peter’s office at the end of a bad day with the loss of a case in court, Mary said. “You need to think about Madison.”

“Working on that case we lost didn’t leave much time to think about her.”

“Peter, don’t worry about it. The judge’s ruling was wrong. We’ll appeal.”

Loosening his tie, and unbuttoning the top button of a wrinkled dress shirt, Peter said pointedly. “You better believe we’ll appeal.”

“Now that we have cleared that off the agenda, that only leaves Madison.” Peter looked at his late wife’s portrait as if seeking inspiration. “One minute my gut tells me she’ll do great things for this office. The next minute, she’d be a terrible mistake.”

Mary laughed at Peter’s conflicting gut instinct messages. It hadn’t been the first time she’d heard of Peter’s mixed signals. “I like the, ‘she’ll do great things,’ better.”

“All right, Mary Jamison. I’ll offer her the job, but if you’re wrong I—”

“Peter, you know I’m never wrong,” Mary teased.

****

“Hello, Madison.”

Stepping into the intersection of Hanover and Wall Streets, Madison answered. “Peter.” She struggled to control her emotions. The next seconds would brand the day as either very good or very bad. “I’ve been expecting your call.” Stop talking Madison. Don’t sound anxious. Let Peter talk.

“When can you start, Madison?”

“Monday.”

“Good. Remember, my offer is contingent upon a review at the end of six months. You and I will sit down and decide if Madison Belmont and Peter Marshall and Associates are a good fit for both of us.”

“Peter, I remember. See you Monday.”

Madison felt the sudden urge to skip down the street in joy. She laughed at the thought of a thirty-five-year old- attorney, wearing a four-thousand-dollar Alexander McQueen business suit, skipping down Wall Street. She ignored the man who looked at her as if she was wierd when she laughed. Madison hurried her step down the street. She needed to do a million things before Monday. There is no way, Madison Belmont, that you are going to fail.

TO BE CONTINUED



Madison
Posted On 11/18/2014 08:15:37

November 18, 2014

FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE

“Don’t get me wrong, Madison. Peter and I are not having an affair and I don’t love him like my husband. But I love him for his integrity and silly humor. I love him for the dignity he gives his employees. He honors and appreciates their contribution to the firm. He’s not their best friend. He’s their best supporter. He gives them the tools to do the job, and then steps back and let them work. He’s there for them when they get married and when they have a baby. And most importantly, Peter is beside them when there is tragedy in their lives. He helped two secretaries escape family abuse and he helped one of our attorney’s whose daughter was critically injured. We work very hard not allowing stress to overwhelm us or have unattainable expectations of our employees. That’s my Peter.”

****

“Madison,” Peter said gently, “you come from a high-stress, ruthless environment. I don’t know if you can adapt to working in our office.”

She was back. Her mind and heart had returned to the years she had worked on Wall Street. Peter said she couldn’t do it. She had been told it couldn’t be done for thirteen years. She proved them wrong each time. Peter said she couldn’t work in his office. No way, Peter, are you going to tell me I can’t do something. No way.

“With all due respect, Peter, why am I sitting here if you don’t think I can work in your office? Careful Madison. That was too harsh. Relax, relax. Remember, diplomacy.

Peter moved his chair closer and rested his elbows on the table. “Your resume told me you were more than qualified to fill the position. I wanted to meet you, Madison, to see if you would be a good fit to work in our office. You come from an intense work environment. I have concerns you may be unable to adjust to working in our office.”

“May I speak freely, Peter?”

“Of course, we need be honest with each other."

“You are not being fair to me, Peter. You are telling me I can’t do something without first giving me a chance to try.”

“That’s a point well taken, Madison. On the other hand, I can’t afford to make a mistake. I’ve worked very hard to establish my relationship with the staff. I don’t want to hire someone that could damage that relationship.”

“Will you at least give my resume serious consideration before you make your final decision?”

“Of course, Madison. Thank you for submitting your resume and taking the time to visit with me today. I will call you with my decision.”

The weather outside matched Madison’s mood when she stepped into the taxi. Dark clouds suggested rain but there was blue sky on the horizon. Would the afternoon be wet or warm with sunshine?

Pulling away from the curb, the taxi driver asked, “How are you today, ma’am?”

Hesitating with her response, Madison said “I don’t know.”

Peter said I do the job sitting on my hands. Then he doesn’t know if I’m the right person for the position.” That I can’t adjust to working in his office. . .and why do I feel an attraction to him?

Madison watched the traffic as the taxi dodged a parked delivery truck. She felt off-balance and it upset her. Careful, Madison. You’re losing your edge. Always stay one-step ahead of them. And don’t let anyone ever tell you no.

Leaning forward and touching the driver’s front seat, Madison said. “Excuse me, you asked how I am today?

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Determined.”

TO BE CONTINUED





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