Joel grinned and laid his hand on top of Madeline’s. “I don’t know,” he said, “but I had to ask.”
Madeline gently eased her hand away. “You’re a piece of work, Mr. Joel Mitchell, having the guts to come here and to make such an outrageous request of me, of all people.”
Joel grinned again. She offered him words of compassion for his wife and baby, hoping for the best. Joel thanked Madeline for listening and left.
Madeline sat there quietly long after Joel had gone, and contemplated his request. A rush of memories, both pleasant and otherwise, flooded her mind. Madeline rewound them to the days when she and Dave were building DMI. That was before she had hired Sherry as her husband’s administrative assistant. She remembered those few short years when her four children were young, impressionable, and were running around the house, enjoying what was rightfully theirs, long before Joel was born. Her soul was dampened as she thought about the tragic deaths of her two oldest sons, Sam and Andre. She pulled a tissue from the drawer and dabbed the corners of her eyes. They were gone, and nothing was going to bring them back. So she wouldn’t dwell on such a catastrophic loss. Instead, Madeline chose to focus her waning vitality on the two children she had remaining.
As hard as Madeline tried to rid herself of thoughts of Joel’s visit, he wasn’t easily discarded. There couldn’t possibly be anybody crazier or more brazen than he was. Yet Madeline loved his spunk. The more she contemplated the matter, the clearer it became. If she was stepping down, then Don and DMI needed a strong, fiery personality on the team to keep the ambers of progress burning brightly. With the right supervision and reins on his ideas, Joel could be a very effective force at DMI. Maybe he was the missing puzzle piece. He definitely had her thinking.
Chapter 53
Don hadn’t moved from his desk. The family bug had been awakened. The allure of having a wife and children was intensifying. He couldn’t write the urge off as a passing whim. His soul had confirmed that there was substance in his desire, which he had to pursue while Naledi was fanning the flames of his love. He shut his eyes tightly and wrenched his hands. In order to get to the life he yearned to have, Don had to step down immediately from his post at DMI.
He decided not to fumble around with the inevitable. He had to let his mother know his plans. He imagined her reaction. If he could conceive of the worst possible scenario, Don was certain it wouldn’t come close to how his mother was going to respond to his news. He pushed away from the desk. No sense delaying the chat. He would go to her now and make his intentions known.
There weren’t fireworks lighting his path as he approached Madeline’s office. There was mostly respect and sadness for a long history drawing to a bittersweet close. His mother’s assistant gave him the okay to enter the office. Madeline was on the phone. He turned to leave.
“Don, take a seat. I’m almost finished,” she told him after he watched her push the mute button on the phone.
If he wanted to be spared from the tirade that was sure to come, this was the time to bolt from the office and hide under a rock somewhere. Yet he wasn’t the running type. He’d have to stay and face his mother.
“Look, Mr. Young, I’ve already given you a deep discount. I’m trying to make this a win-win deal for both the Eastern Federation of Free Churches and DMI, but it doesn’t feel like you’re operating in good faith,” she told the prospective client. Don watched his mother’s facial expression go from cordial to irritated in a few seconds, which didn’t bode well for his revelation.
She went on. “Mr. Young, you have two choices. Agree to the terms I’m offering you or don’t, plain and simple. I know we provide the best leadership training program in the country, with a top-notch executive management team, but feel free to try another firm and see how well they do for you. In the meantime, we’re moving ahead with the same dedication, quality, and commitment we’ve had since the inception of DMI.”
Don took a seat after reconsidering the notion of bolting. He prayed silently for clarity and grace for his mother. Once he told her he was joining the Tamara bandwagon and would no longer work for DMI, she’d require a ton of prayer.
“You’ve definitely made the right decision. I’m glad you’re going with us,” Madeline said, winking at him. “I know you won’t regret this,” she stated, then got off the phone. “We nabbed EFFC.”
“I heard,” Don said, easing into position to throw his dagger. “You’re the best when it comes to running DMI.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she told him, then snickered. “This must be my lucky day. I’m seeing you twice in a few hours.”
“Is there anything wrong with a son visiting his mother?” Don said, stalling until he could formulate his message and deliver it without shredding his mother’s heart into pieces. In less than five minutes, Madeline would learn that neither he nor Tamara would be working at DMI, and her dream would be completely dashed. It was going to be tough for his mother, but she’d get over the transition.
“Mother,” he said finally, avoiding eye contact, “I came to tell you I’m stepping down.”
She sat quietly, which drove him crazy. He was prepared for her to be outraged and combative. Madeline wasn’t, causing him to cringe initially, until he recalled praying for grace. Maybe her tempered reaction was an answer to his prayer. He had to believe it was and continued with that perspective.
“I’ve been thinking quite a bit about pursuing the relationship with Naledi, settling down, and maybe having children in the next three to five years. What do you think?”
Madeline toyed with a small stack of paper clips. She wouldn’t look up at Don, which made him nervous. He continued praying silently for more grace, as the first dose might be wearing off. “Does it matter what I think if you’ve decided you’re out of here?”
No, it really didn’t matter, but he would never purposefully disrespect Madeline. He’d take another route to get her to understand his proposition. As far as Don was concerned, God had already spoken and released him from DMI. He’d fulfilled his role as the person tasked with reuniting his family. Once Don had clarity, his mother’s validation wasn’t necessary. He’d love to have her support, but honoring God would always take precedence.
“Mother, I’m not leaving you forever. I’m just switching gears. Besides, don’t you want grandchildren one day?”
She sighed. “Don’t even try it. Nothing you say is going to make up for your absence here.” So far Don was overjoyed at how well she was taking the news. “Needless to say, DMI will be crushed.”
“Talk about flattery,” Don replied, intentionally working to keep their discussion pleasant.
“Flattery my behind. It’s the truth. We need you.”
“You’ll be fine without me for a while. God will look out for you, if you let Him,” Don told his mother.
“Humph, we’re not going there. Let’s stick with you. When are you walking out?”
“I don’t have a definitive date, but a month would be ideal.”
“Too bad I couldn’t get Tamara to take over. That would be a perfect transition for us.”
Don didn’t agree. Tamara wasn’t ready. She didn’t have sufficient experience. He knew it, and Madeline did too. Since his sister had no interest in the job, he didn’t have to voice his disapproval. Instead, he focused on a viable replacement. “What about you, Mother? There’s no one more suited for the role of CEO than you. How about it?”
“Oh no, not me. I told you, it’s time for me to hang up my briefcase and lie on the beach, sipping on a cool drink of something.”
Don scratched his head. “Okay, so Tamara’s out and you’re out. That puts Abigail at the top of our short list,” he said, confident about the recommendation. Abigail had worked for his father, for him, and for Joel. She had DMI oozing from her pores. She was their best option.
“Abigail is a strong successor,” she admitted.
“Plus, she’s loyal and deserves the job. She’s paid her dues s
everal times over.”
“She has,” Madeline acknowledged. Then she said, “Abigail is good, but I have a better candidate.”
“You have to give up on Tamara.”
“I’m not talking about Tamara.”
Don was startled by her comment. “Then who?”
Madeline’s gaze bounced off the wall. “What about Joel?”
Don gave a few coughs. “Joel who?”
Madeline smirked. “Your brother.”
“I thought that was who you were referring to. You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m very serious.”
Don chuckled. “Then you’ll need to provide an incredible explanation to get my vote.”
“Simple. He’s smart, charismatic, and has the flare for this job.” Don couldn’t disagree. “On top of the basics, he’s a Mitchell. He has rights and privileges that should elevate him above other candidates.”
“But you don’t like him, and you’ve never seen him as a legitimate Mitchell heir.”
“I want our company to succeed, which means putting the best people in place.”
“But we know Joel has a history.”
“Yes, but he came to see me earlier. He apologized for his trifling ways and asked for a job.”
“And you’re obliged to give him one just like that?”
“Call me crazy, but I have a gut feeling Joel is the one for us. Don’t ask me why. I can’t explain it. I’m going purely on my gut.”
“And I’m going on faith. I say Abigail is the one.”
“Then, my son, it looks like we’ll have to agree to disagree.”
“I guess so,” Don replied.
“Well, let the games begin,” she told him. “Let me know when you’re ready to present your candidate to the board of directors. I’m putting Joel’s name on the table.”
“Are you sure about this?” Don asked.
“Positive. This should be an interesting fight.” She held her hand out and shook Don’s. “May the best candidate win.”
Chapter 54
Two years ago, Joel couldn’t have imagined approaching Madeline with an apology and a request for help. It truly was unimaginable. Yet he had done the unthinkable and didn’t feel ashamed or belittled. Truthfully, he was basking in a state of fulfillment. Had Joel known making peace with Madeline would facilitate such contentment, he’d have thrown her an olive branch a long time ago. He was riding high on positivity. The air was light, and so were his worries. He had problems, but they didn’t have the same bite. He strolled to his car, letting his thoughts gently flow.
Joel cruised to the hospital around five o’clock, eager to relieve his mother. When he entered the hospital room, he found Zarah sitting up in the bed and talking with Sherry. He was glad.
“You’re awake,” he said, approaching the bed.
“I’m tired, but I am much better. The baby is good, and I am good,” Zarah replied and took a sip of water.
“Well, we’re happy you’re feeling better. Right, Joel?” Sherry said.
“Most definitely. Have you eaten?” he asked.
Zarah shook her head. “Not yet. I’m not very hungry.”
“But you have to eat, my dear,” Sherry said, reaching for the water so Zarah wouldn’t have to stretch to get it off the tray.
“Joel, did you reschedule my meeting with the board of directors?” Zarah asked.
He didn’t want her worrying about work. “It was put on hold,” he said, stepping around his mother and taking Zarah’s hand. “I want you to put business out of your mind. I’d like you to trust me. Let me take care of those issues for you. I want you to rest, please,” he told his wife, peering into her eyes. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve spoken to Kumar, and someone will travel from India to help with Harmonious Energy.”
“Thank you,” Zarah said, and he saw the anxiety begin to melt from her demeanor.
“There’s no need to thank me. I’m your husband. It’s my job to take care of you.”
“Excuse me, but I’d like to grab a bite to eat myself. If you don’t mind, I’m running down to the cafeteria,” Sherry said.
“Go,” Joel said. “And bring me a bottle of water when you come back, please.”
“Will do. Can I get you anything, Zarah?”
“Nothing for me,” she replied, and Sherry left.
Zarah’s radiance was overwhelming. He took pride in comforting his wife. As he held her hand, she touched his heart and melted away any trace of indifference that might have remained. Gazing at her, he reminded himself that she wasn’t the woman he’d inherited from a business deal. Joel had to acknowledge Zarah as a living, breathing being with feelings, ones he’d trampled upon and hurt maliciously.
“I truly wanted to run my father’s company, but I can’t,” she stated, tearing up. “The baby comes first.”
“I know, and we’ll work with the DMI board and Kumar to structure a plan.”
“What about you? Can you run Harmonious Energy for me?” she asked, swiping at her tears.
“I can help you, but it’s not the company for me in the long run,” he said, sliding onto the edge of the bed, next to her. He had to be honest without disrespecting her beliefs. The task wasn’t going to be easy, but Joel had to try. “It’s based on an Eastern religion, and DMI is founded on Christian principles. I have to go back to what I know works for me. I’m not asking you to convert to my faith, but I can’t commit to yours. That’s the truth.”
“What about the West Coast division? Do you still want it?” Zarah asked.
“No. I’m withdrawing my bid.”
The doctor entered, interrupting their candid discussion. Joel wasn’t pleased.
“Any updates?” Joel asked.
“When can I go home?” Zarah interjected.
“We got your blood work back. Your test results look fantastic. The baby is stable, which is why I believe you should be able to go home tomorrow, or in two days, at the latest.”
“Very good,” Zarah responded, beaming.
Joel was thrilled too but maintained his composure. “Should we be concerned after she goes home?”
The doctor came close to the couple. “From what I can tell, a full-term pregnancy is highly possible, but she has to make changes. Rest and relaxation are an absolute must.”
Joel and Zarah thanked the doctor, and he excused himself and left the room.
Relieved, Joel caressed her hand. “Zarah, I apologize for not being with you from the beginning of the pregnancy.” Becoming a father was a blessing he couldn’t discount. “I truly am sorry for my actions, and I’m asking for your forgiveness.” Joel did not utter his apology because he was bound by duty or pity. He had faith that God could keep breathing life into his relationship with Zarah.
She was thrilled. They hugged and basked in the tranquility of the moment. He was committed to setting aside their personal and professional challenges. Whatever might come next didn’t trump their peaceful moment together. Tomorrow was sure to present complications, but Joel would worry about those problems when they actually materialized. Thankfully, that wasn’t today. They could both use a breath of relief.
Joel settled into the embrace. When Zarah attempted to pull away, he held on. There was hope for his wounded marriage as long as they were both committed to making concessions. He was, and he believed she was too. The only question that truly needed to be answered was, how could God save a marriage that had a major spiritual complication? Joel shrugged off the question. The ‘how’ was for God to determine, not him.
He continued to embrace Zarah. If his heart could be shaped to fit hers, then the possibilities of restoration were endless for others he loved. He even entertained the wild notion that unity resided in his family. Maybe there was hope for the Mitchell clan, Joel thought, imagining layers of strife being shed and hearts softening. Only time would tell.
Reading Guide
MAKES YOU GO “HMMM!”
Now that you have read Humbled,
consider the following discussion questions.
1. How would you define or label Joel and Sheba’s relationship?
2. Joel and Zarah seem to have very little in common. Their most significant disconnect is religion. Ironically, both their fathers based the family business on religion. For DMI, it is Christianity, and for Harmonious Energy, it is an Eastern religion. Do you think Joel and Zarah can or should stay married even though their beliefs differ?
3. Can Joel be a good father without being married to Zarah and living in the same house? If yes, how? If no, why not?
4. Tamara and Zarah have a friendship. Do you believe Tamara sincerely cares about Zarah, or is the friendship based on her ulterior motives? Did you agree with Tamara’s advice to Zarah on how to get Joel’s attention?
5. In the early pages of the novel, who did you want to end up with the West Coast division? Tamara, so she could gain independence from the family; Joel, so he could get a fresh start; or Madeline, so she could restore the company?
6. Who do you think should run DMI if Don resigns? Are you siding with Madeline, who has set her sights on Joel, or with Don, who wants Abigail to fill the post?
7. Why do you think Tamara is reluctant to embrace her mother fully and rekindle their relationship?
8. According to Sherry, Joel is repeating the same mistakes his father made. Agree or disagree?
9. Who do you think will get married first? Tamara or Abigail? Why?
10. Do you think Don will leave DMI and go back to South Africa, or will something keep him in Detroit? If he does go back to South Africa, do you think he’ll actually marry Naledi after having strong feelings for Abigail over the years?
11. Who’s your least favorite character in the novel, and why? (Base your answer solely on Humbled, and not on the other stories in the series.)
12. Do you believe Madeline and Joel have truly made peace? Is it possible for them to reconcile after so many years of bitterness?
13. Has Joel really changed, or does he have a hidden agenda?
14. Let’s say the Mitchell Family Drama Series is being made into a movie and you are the casting director. Who would you select to play Madeline, Sherry, Don, Joel, and Tamara?
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