“You sure, Dad? You only have one retirement party.”
Fifteen minutes. That’s how long it’ll take everybody else to shake his hand if nobody starts a long conversation.
Fifteen minutes, and I can breathe again.
The well-wishes keep coming.
I bet you’re looking forward to your golden years.
Take advantage of your newfound free time and travel. I hear Italy’s magic.
Play as much golf as you want. You deserve it. If you ever need someone to drive the cart—
“I’ll give you a call,” Dad promises.
He won’t.
I’ve always looked up to you, Mr. Hughes.
My father’s proud that I work for a company like yours. I’m glad I got the chance to shake your hand.
“I’d be nothing without my team,” Dad says over another handshake. His team is down to me, Hemingway, and his nurses now. “It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.”
The man he’s speaking to blinks, but doesn’t ask Dad to clarify.
Time to wrap things up.
I put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s about time we headed out, Dad. Don’t you think?”
He nods, turning toward me. I open my mouth to say our goodbyes.
They don’t make it out, because the CFO angles in and shakes my dad’s hand. Alex Wong doesn’t miss a thing, which is why it’s great to have him in that role. It’s also the reason why I want to keep him far away from my father.
They’ve only ever met at fake, staged meetings like this one, only ever shook hands and waved as he did a walkthrough under my supervision. But he’s conversed with my father over email plenty of times, in depth emails that discussed confidential, complex financial matters.
“Mr. Hughes. Before you go, I wanted to get your take on the reinvestment strategy for next quarter. Seems important that we’re all on the same page.”
“We are. Of course we are. That’s what makes us an effective team.”
“I’m in total agreement. The specific strategy, though. I sent you my thoughts, but I know you disagree on the dividends. We’ve gone back and forth a few times, but I thought maybe we could talk in person.”
Dad frowns, pulling slightly away. He clutches the watch box with both hands.
“I can take it from here, Dad.” I meet the CFO’s eyes. “We’ll discuss the strategy next week. I’m the CEO starting at the open of business on Monday.”
“Of course. I mean no disrespect. Your leadership isn’t in question.” Wong refocuses on my dad. “It’s just that your father has one of the best financial minds I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Even though we only talk over email, I’ve learned so much.”
“What happens at the open of business?” It’s as if Dad has completely forgotten about Alex Wong. “Phineas. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Wong’s brow furrows. “Sir?”
“What’s happening Monday?” he demands.
“Dad, let’s talk about this outside.”
Wong glances at me, suspicious now. I want to cover his mouth with my hand. I want to drag him out of here by his collar. “Didn’t you sign off on that? The board voted on it. Unanimous agreement. You voted by proxy. Are you saying that you don’t know?”
“Young man.” My dad’s face is flushing. “I have been the head of this company for ten years.”
Fuck.
“Dad, we should go. Everybody needs to get back to work. You’ve got appointments on your schedule.”
“Ten years?” Wong repeats.
Other people are beginning to listen in. He’s been the official CEO of Hughes Industries for more than three decades, not one. This is going off the rails.
“That’s right. And I have no plans to step down. I’ll be in my office on Monday. If you’ve got a problem, you can bring it directly to me. Make an appointment with my secretary.”
The silence in the room is as thick as the tension.
I keep a calm smile firmly in place. “He’s having cold feet at the last minute. The prospect of all those beach vacations and endless golf holes don’t appeal to someone as industrious as my dad.”
There’s confusion in everyone’s eyes.
They’re wondering if it’s a power struggle. And it is, but not a power struggle between father and son. It’s a power struggle between the Hughes men and our curse.
And right now, as sweat beads on my forehead, the curse is winning.
My father meets my eyes. “What’s going on? Where’s Geneva? Where am I?”
“He’s not feeling well,” I tell everyone. “I should have rescheduled the party. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
“Mr. Hughes—”
Dad whips his head toward Wong. He takes a shaky breath and then steps back.
“Why does it say retirement on the sign?” He glances down, discovers the box in his hands, and hurls it to the floor like it burned him. “I’m not retiring. I’m not old enough for that. I have work to do. I wasn’t finished. Where is my secretary?” His eyes search the room. “Where is my office?”
“What’s going on here?” Wong asks. “Is this some kind of episode?”
Yes. That’s what I’ll say. I’ll pretend to be shocked and horrified.
I don’t have to pretend to be worried sick.
But then…
“I just dealt with this with my Dad.” A woman’s voice. “Alzheimer’s. Or dementia. Mr. Hughes—”
She tries to move forward, but my dad startles back.
“How long has he been like this?” The CFO asks, his voice sharp with blame. “How long, Finn?”
He’s still thinking this is some kind of hostile takeover.
He has no idea that my dad wanted this. He asked for it to happen this way to preserve his dignity, but it’s not working. It’s not working.
“I’m late for my meeting,” my father snaps. His eyes pass over me like I’m one of the strangers in the crowd. “I don’t know who the hell you people are. My son is supposed to be here. Phineas. Where the hell is he? What did you people do with him?”
22
EVA
The director of the charity benefiting LGBTQ+ youth faces me across my desk, her chin held high, expression stoic. Her eyes reveal the truth. She badly wants this grant. And I want to give it to her. I always did, even before, but I’ve seen too many millions squandered in administrative costs and never-finished projects to hand it out without due diligence.
I flip the last page on her completely reworked presentation and meet her eyes.
This is one of the best moments in my job. Telling people we’re about to change their lives. And the lives of so many more people that the charity helps.
Even sweeter that I get to do it with Finn’s ring on my finger.
“I’m impressed. You brought me all the information I asked for and then some.” I rise from my seat and offer her my hand. “I’m looking forward to working together on your project.”
She clasps my hand, no longer attempting to hide her nerves. “Oh my God, thank you. This is amazing. You have no idea how much this means to us.”