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“We’re in the car, Dad.”
“I understand, but showing respect is always important, Reagan. You’d be surprised what rubs people the wrong way, or what you can miss if you’re not entirely focused. When you’re in a situation where someone wants or is paying for your attention, always be sure to give them one hundred percent of it.”
I nod. “I got it.”
We walk into Dad’s office. He has about twenty people who work for him in his company. He proudly introduces me to just about everyone, including his assistant Juliette who he said I will help with a few filing and copying duties.
I notice that the office is pretty split with there being half men and half women. They’re all very nice and they seem to like my dad a lot. Everyone comments on how much I look like him. I guess we both have blond hair and blue eyes, so we do resemble one another. Harley looks exactly like Mom. Skylar is a combination of both of my parents, with my dad’s coloring and my mom’s green eyes.
I sit down in Dad’s office. He picks up the phone and presses a button. “Rochelle, can you come in here?”
She answers back, “Sure thing, Scott.”
I don’t think I met a Rochelle when we arrived at the office. An attractive woman who must be about thirty years old walks into his office. She’s tall with auburn colored hair and blue eyes. She looks like Dr. McDreamy’s ex-wife from Grey’s Anatomy. She smiles at Dad. “Good morning.”
He smiles back. “Good morning. I want to introduce you to my daughter, Reagan. She’s going to intern with us this summer. Reagan, this is Rochelle Sanderson. I want you to divide your time between her, Juliette, and me this summer. She runs our business development department. She’s very good at her job, and I think you stand to learn a lot from her.” Rochelle smiles at the compliment.
“Thanks, Scott. Welcome, Reagan.” We shake hands. “Your dad has told me so much about you. You want to go into business one day, right?”
I nod. “Yes, I’ve always wanted to run a business, just like my dad.”
“You’re lucky that you get to learn from the best. He’s very good at his job.”
Dad smiles. “Rochelle, can you explain to Reagan what it is that you do?”
“Of course. In a nutshell, my job entails identifying the right business and growth opportunities for the company. I do my best to help us expand our client base, our revenues, and I also help create brand awareness. There’s a big marketing component to what I do.”
Dad looks at me. “Does that sound like something that would interest you?”
I enthusiastically nod. “Absolutely. That’s exactly what I’m hoping to learn this summer.”
“Wonderful. Rochelle, I want to talk to Reagan for a few minutes, but then I’ll send her down to your office. I’d also appreciate you sharing with her some of the added pitfalls that women face in business. I can tell her until I’m blue in the face, but I want her to hear it from a woman.”
Rochelle quickly nods. She then leaves, closing the door behind her.
Dad looks at me. “Before you head down to Rochelle’s office, I want to share a few things with you. I would appreciate a break from the eye rolls. I want you to really hear me.”
I instinctually go to roll my eyes, but stop myself. “Sure, Dad. What is it?”
“This is hard for me to say as your father, but it’s the truth, and I want you to hear it, so you’re armed to deal with things. Reagan, I’m so proud of the intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful person you’ve grown into. And while, yes, you can be a little reckless at times, I’m mostly proud of the honest and principled young lady you’ve become. Having integrity means something. Never lose sight of that.”
He takes a deep breath. “But like your mother and sisters, you also happen to be extremely attractive, becoming more and more beautiful as each year passes. While I’d like to believe that most men in the business world will treat you based on your intelligence and principles, you’ll encounter assholes who make assumptions based on your looks.”
“Like what Harley deals with?”
“Yes, exactly like what she deals with.” Harley was always in the gifted programs at school growing up. On the first day of school every year, teachers assumed she was placed in the wrong class because of the way she looks.
He continues, “Unfortunately, it’s the sad world we live in. Don’t stand for any disrespect. There’s no deal worth your self-respect. There will always be more deals. Advocate for yourself, and never compromise your principles.” He looks at me straight in the eyes. “Don’t you for one minute take anyone’s shit. Ever. You’re the boss of your body and your actions. Maintain that control. Always.”
“You’re kind of scaring me, Dad.”
“Good. You should be a little scared. Scared enough to always be aware of your surroundings and scared enough to never be one hundred percent comfortable. I’ve rarely offered any opinions on the activities you and your sisters are involved in except the karate. It’s important to me that all of you know how to defend yourselves on the off chance you’ll one day need it.” All three of us took karate classes for years. Skylar still takes it.
“Okay, Dad. I understand.”
“Good. Reagan, I have no doubt that you’ll go on to do great things. I’ve been in business long enough to recognize those who have that special intangible trait. You have it. I can’t wait to sit back and watch what you do with it.”
I smile. “Thanks, Dad. Thanks for believing in me.”
