I answer Joel anyway. “They’re a broad mix of people. Teachers, retirees, a dog groomer, a caretaker. Some of them save up all their vacation days so they can splurge them on these two weeks at camp. These people are committed.”
Joel eyes me carefully. “Watch it, Thorpe. You sound like you’re drinking the Kool-Aid.”
“They actually serve Kool-Aid in the cafeteria. This week’s flavor is cherry.”
Joel shakes his head. “As long as you lock down that deal, you can drink Tang for all I care.”
“I love Tang. My parents used to give it to us when we were kids. They were hoping one of us would become an astronaut.”
He claps me on the back. “Instead, they got a future partner at Melvin, O’Reilly, and Gaines, quite possibly the youngest in our history.”
“Shoot for the moon and you’ll still end up among the stars,” I say, trying to match his level of enthusiasm.
“You up for a round of golf on Saturday? I’ve got a tee time with Brandon and Lawrence at nine. Could use a fourth.”
“I’d love to, but camp doesn’t end until Sunday. It wouldn’t look good to the client if I skipped a full day of sleuthing to go golfing.”
Joel aims a finger gun at me. “And that level of commitment is why you’re going to be our next partner.” He grabs a bagel on his way out.
A long shadow passes over me as I reach my office.
“Hey, Matt.”
“Didn’t think you’d make it, Chucky.”
“I know.” I bite into my bagel and chew. “Good thing my assistant likes me.”
“You look like hell, and you smell even worse.”
“It’s called fun, Matt. You should try it sometime.” I bump his arm aside and enter my office. I figure while I’m here, I may as well catch up on emails and other messages. I spend the next hour working until I’m sure there’s nothing else that requires my immediate attention.
The landline buzzes and Jeannie’s voice cuts through the quiet. “Your mother’s on the line. Should I take a message?”
I pick up the phone. “Hi, Mom.”
“There you are. I’ve called you a couple times, but you haven’t answered.”
“I’m working offsite for a client. Cell service isn’t great.”
“I hope this client is the one that makes you partner. Your brother won an award. Did he tell you?”
“No. I haven’t spoken to him recently.”
“You should ask him about it,” she says. “Very prestigious.” And then she proceeds to tell me every detail known to man about the award. I put her on speaker and manage to change out of my suit and back into camp clothes before she finishes.
“I’m glad for him.” I mean it. Michael is smart and ambitious. My parents may pit us against each other, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be happy for his achievements.
“When can we expect to announce the happy news about your partnership? The anniversary party?”
“It’s out of my hands, Mom. You know that.”
“Well, it would be nice to make some sort of announcement. It won’t be fair to you if we’re extolling your brother and sister’s virtues and leaving you out. What will people think?”
I already know all of this has more to do with impressing their peers than my well-being, but she could at least try to hide it better.
“I’ll be at the party, that’s as much as I can promise you. Listen, Mom, it was nice catching up, but I need to go.”
Jeannie is in the doorway when I hang up. “Does that woman ever tell you she loves you?”
