The Mercer Foundation's new chair took over at the beginning of the next month. I wasn't on the board. My temporary contract ended, and Margaret offered me a permanent role in the audit office.
I accepted, with one condition: my reports would go to the full board, not just the Mercer family.
The first time I entered the office after the appointment, my father was there. He didn't try to stop me. He didn't congratulate me, either.
"I heard you took the position," he said.
"I did."
"You'll be working with Margaret?"
"Yes."
"Good."
It was not an apology. It was more than silence.
My mother invited me to dinner two weeks later. I went. Everett didn't come. My father stayed in the study until dessert, then joined us. We spoke about the weather, the foundation, and the contractors. No o
