So I walked into my office to wait for my meeting with Claire. Sat at my desk. Looked at Ana's picture. Almost cried but held myself in check. Barely.
I was about to walk out and find the nearest bar when Claire strode in, as she always did, looking like the master of all she surveyed. Or Mistress I guess.
I was grieving and short tempered and didn't like her attitude much right then to be honest.
"Good. I'm glad you managed to drag yourself out of the bottle long enough to make this meeting. "
"Stop with the preaching Sister Claire. I'm not in the mood."
"You're going to sit there and listen to what I have to say. I'm...."
"Claire, stop! I know you can see that I'm hurting. I know you're hurting too. I'm glad that you can still just go on like nothing has changed. But I've lost everything!"
"Stop. Stop right now and listen to me..."
"No!", I snapped "Remember whose firm this is Claire. Mine. You work for me. And I said STOP!"
"Oh? So you think I work for you? A drunk? No, I don't think so."
"Fine, I'll accept your resignation if thats what you want. Just go Claire."
"You know, Ana, my best friend, loved you more than anyone or anything in this world and I tried to help and I kept my mouth closed but now....I'll say it....you can be a really dumb bastard sometimes."
"Yeah." I said holding my head in my hands.
" Have you read Ana's will, oh great and mighty lawyer boss?"
" What?"
" The will. Ana's will. Have you been sober enough to read it, even once?"
"What are you talking about? Ana died. Her stuff goes to me."
"You're a shit lawyer if you don't know probate. Wait, I take that back. You're just a dumbass. She had a will. All her personal stuff goes to you. Her shares of the firm go to me. I had 10% and each of you had 45%. Remember?
Now, I have 55%. I'm the managing partner and I'm your boss. So I don't tnink I'll be submitting my resignation today."
"I'll sue you then."
"Go ahead. But not a single member of this firm will so much as pass you a piece of paper to help. Because they work for me. And they all know it."
"Fuck Claire. How could you?"
"Ana did it, you ass! To take care of you! She made me promise. But you're going to have to meet me half way."
"No, I'll tell Richard about all the times you..."
Claire started laughing. Out loud.
"Go ahead. You've got his number. He will just wonder why you are upset. Richard really likes when I take him in hand."
"Huh. Well...... Shit, Claire."
" I know buddy. Are you done with your little fit now? We need to get to business. I have things to do."
So we sat and I listened. With a pounding headache. Claire went over how things were going to run going forward. At least I would get to keep my
big office suite with the bathroom and butlers kitchen. I could stock it with bourbon.
" Lastly, we come to your job performance. I'm not going to be taking care of your little testosterone imbalances anymore. I'm the boss now. Don't want any sexual harassment lawsuits. So I've hired someone."
"No, Claire. I can't. I'm not ready. Hell. I'm not even thinking about that."
"You're going to be. Eventually. Listen, either get with the program or get out. I've got a package ready for you. Just sign for it and I'll move some other guy in here to do the client smoozing and show up for the verdicts. But then you're done. We both know where you'll end up."
I had to think a few minutes. Claire just waited silently. She was right, damn it.