Twenty-Nine
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Gladys rolls into Helen’s office. From the look on her face, it doesn’t appear that Gladys is ready to give any ground. Always uncomfortable in situations like this, I sit out of the way, hoping that this scene will play out without me having to get involved. Dan, with nerves of steel honed first in combat in Iraq and then being the father of four children six and under, stays where he is near Helen’s desk.
At first, Gladys and Helen eye each other like two sumo wrestlers circling a mat. They’re obviously waiting on the other to speak first. Watching them, I’m aware how alike they are. Both are strong women. Both are at the top of their fields.
Both are stubborn as hell. Both are not afraid to butt heads with each other.
They really are like mother and
