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“That’s not what you wore out last night. I also know you didn’t come home.”
“Really? And how do you know that?”
“I had to run to the studio quickly this morning for some plans I’d left behind, and your car wasn’t here.”
“I ended up staying at my parents’. Last-minute thing.”
“I see. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
“You think so? Is it a, I need to go turn the chicken down I think so, or an I think I should take the chicken out I think so?”
“It’s a do you have time to take on a side redecorating job I think so.”
“Um, okay. Wow. Sure. For whom? Your mom?”
“Me. I want the slate wiped clean, Lauren. I just need help.”
She smiles, slides over to me in her socks, and wraps me in a huge hug. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask. Stacey and I will bring some materials over tomorrow night, and we’ll make some choices.”
I can feel how truly happy she is, and it makes this next step even easier. “I’ll feed you both. Chicken parm, okay? I know that makes chicken two nights in a row, but it’s what I make best.”
She shoves my shoulder a bit. “You had me at you’ll feed me. I’ll bring a white. See you at seven.”
Chapter Six
Elijah
I don’t usually sleep well on Sunday nights. It started with the habits I’ve formed over time, especially since being on my own. Sunday used to be our day. Tori and I would wake each other with leisurely sex that lasted well beyond lunch, then while she was showering, I’d make us a brunch so big we wouldn’t eat the rest of the day.
We’d graze over that for an hour or so, then break off for a little solitude. I’d go for a double lap around the loop while she’d catch up on a couple hours of designing. We’d reconnect for dinner, if we needed it, and a movie that we’d sometimes watch and sometimes not.
This is the kind of repetition I never minded. I counted on it like the smell of the kitchen at my parents’ house. Since she left, my new Sunday routine leaves a lot to be desired. The run is still an absolute staple. I’d never give that up. The homemade dinner and a movie have turned to takeout and my laptop at the kitchen table.
I’ve decided that being prepared on Monday gives me better focus. The downside to that, however, is my brain decides when, or if, I’m going to be able to shut down for the night. Tonight was different. The takeout and emails still happened, but even though I got up way later than usual, I crashed equally early.
My alarm goes off at five in the morning, and it feels like I’ve just gone to sleep. The light is on next to the bed, my messenger bag contents are cascading all over the left side of the mattress, and my laptop has tipped to its side. This is pure evidence of sleeping hard. I can’t remember the last time this happened.
There are two emails I recall in the haze my brain is left with while I’m in the shower. The firm-wide email went out last night about the town hall today at eleven, announcing the upper management shift. The other was from my former academic advisor at NYU.
Professor Will Stone has elevated to one of my most trusted friends since I left campus. He consults for us from time to time on special projects as they arise, and in turn, I speak during his senior seminar every year. Will initially wanted me to come in to scare his students. After the first year, we’ve altered it to look at AnSa as an industry leader example. We have a lengthy question and answer session afterwards to address the needs of that particular class of students.
AnSa takes four interns from him each semester to give them the experience they need to take their first steps with the firm of their choice, whether in the nonprofit sector, in-house with a corporate giant, or part of a boutique firm with a smaller client roster. Each student is different. What they need is different. It’s my way to give back and lend a hand.
My speaking date is next month already. Pops always says time goes by so fast. You blink and tomorrow is yesterday. I feel like that’s a great way to describe our shuffle. I guess I wasdestined to be in the spot I am. I’m so grateful for the belief my father and grandfather have in me.
I don’t want to take anything for granted, so when congratulations start coming my way during our board meeting, then in the town hall with our staff, it’s humbling. There is genuine happiness, and if there is any doubt or concern, it isn’t shown.
I will also leave Operations in a good direction. My right hand, Skye Vaughn, will walk into the vice president slot I’m vacating, and the chain won’t be broken. This was the position for her from our initial interview five years ago. She’s smart, tenacious, and will meet any challenge this role will toss at her with grace, kindness, and humility.
The knock at my door at the end of the day comes as no surprise to me. Board meeting days come with a check-in from my father at day’s end. “Have a minute, Eli?”
“Here I was thinking you’d forgotten. Come in, Dad.”
My father closes the door quietly. “I see the new title hasn’t eliminated your sense of humor.”
“Did you expect it to?”
