by Janis Powers
Deirdre was speechless. Having served my retribution, I, too, was at a loss. And so the only person who had yet to say anything finally spoke up.
Jacques Deschemel got up out of his chair. Ever the gentleman, he preferred to address the McCale team while standing. “Deirdre. Caine. I want you to know how much I value the work that your firm has completed for my company over the past year and a half. Maxine may have won me over,” and he smiled graciously in my direction, “but the rest of the team, including Monsieur Seaver, handled some very delicate matters with extreme professionalism.”
“Thank you,” mumbled Caine resolutely.
“I would like this relationship to continue. This company, Parfum Aix, is my identity. I have spent decades building and maintaining a reputation. Perfume X is not the first to attack my brand, and it won’t be the last. I need to know that Parfum Aix will be protected aggressively. And that we will be protected with integrity.”
Deirdre gathered up the pages from the folder and stood up as well. “We, too, would like this relationship to continue. Would you give me until the end of the week to discuss the terms of your proposal with the partners at our firm?”
“Of course,” said Jacques.
As the rest of the group collected their belongings, Deirdre worked her way over to Jacques. I heard her apologize again and make some genuine-sounding admissions of regret. I also heard her add, “You got a good one there in Maxine. I am looking forward to watching her career unfold.”
I knew which career she was talking about. But Maxine Pedersen, attorney, was just one of my jobs. There were others, which required varying levels of energy and commitment. Mother. Wife. Daughter. Friend. I, like so many before me and so many to come, would have to juggle these roles to find a personal equilibrium. At least now I knew that the best way to achieve this balance was to invest in the vocation most critical of all: the job of being me, Maxine Pedersen.
epilogue
Henry took his first steps today. He pulled himself up on the ottoman in the living room and lunged to the couch. When he got there, he realized that he didn’t need to hold on, and he just kept walking. He was so proud of himself. I sent a video to Dale and I think he was tempted to hijack the monitor in the trading room at Worthington so everyone could bear witness to his son’s extraordinary athleticism. Maybe I needed to get Henry a toy cash register so Dale could help him learn math by counting fake money. How apropos.
McCale, Morgan & Black lost the Parfum Aix account. The key partners voted two-to-one not to pay the financial penalty that I had demanded. Deirdre Morgan voted against McCale and Black and was over-ruled. Again. But she didn’t lose; she went with the Parfum Aix account to Hershel & Dixon, which is now Hershel, Dixon & Morgan. I hear they have a newly instituted work-from-home program that’s the envy of the city.
Caine is still with McCale. Apparently, he is trying to persuade Nancy Lallyberry to join him for his business meetings. I’m sure their collective charisma has clients beating down the doors. At least that’s what Joy tells me. She sends me updates regarding Jeffry Hsu’s outrageous requests, now that she’s become his admin. Joy is just about the only thing I miss about McCale & Black. But she seems content to stay, which is probably for the best. If she left, the organizational infrastructure of the firm would probably collapse.
I am in professional bliss managing Jacques’s myriad projects. I’ve been more than busy, given the lack of legal know-how that characterized Parfum Aix before my arrival. I’ve also been structuring deals for the production of Créneau gin. And as a side stream of revenue, I have been concocting cocktails designed specifically for his liquor. We’re working on a special promotion for the release of Créneau, so be on the lookout at your local spirits shop!
Dale is happier than ever now that his Beat the Boss tenure is up. He’s got more contacts than he can manage, but with the browbeating demands of Worthington Investments, it’s tough for him to carve out his own niche. Not surprisingly, Bobbie Macaluso is moving to semi-retirement over the next few years. In preparation, Dale and Rajeev have been in secret talks to start their own company. Rajeev just got married, and Dale wants to spend more time with me and Henry.
And the next addition to our family. . . .
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Epilogue
