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Furniture shopping was a celebratory experience. Andy’s only request was that the items selected, ‘look like us, Bellissima.’ She giggled; but she knew exactly what he meant. In the end, Christopher and Ellen guided the whole process effortlessly. Jessica was a good sounding board, and Sara left each store increasingly excited. The last store awaited them as they walked two blocks to where his truck was parked.
“Baby, we may need to skip lunch and go back to your room,” she giggled. “All this is giving me some serious feels for my man.”
“Happy?” he asked smiling.
“No baby, I’m ecstatic. Andy, this is all so — I mean — it just kicks ass. I spent my whole life trying to fit in; but thinking I needed to hide who I really was. Even at Colton I felt like I had to do that. Our kids will have a very different experience. If my beautiful man hadn’t come along, I’d still be hiding in the Commons with Eden.”
Andy’s smile quickly turned into a frown, and then got his 1000-yard stare.
“Dammit Andrew David, we’re having an amazing morning! Don’t go and clam up on me suddenly. That shit will not fly.”
She had stopped walking, and had her hands on her lovely hips. Sara’s face was a mixture of love and concern. Andy stopped and looked at her. ‘Damn she’s beautiful!’ he thought, and began grinning uncontrollably.
“Jeannie Flannery,” he said, looking into the lovely pools of her brown eyes.
“Baby, she’s great — but she’s got nothing to do with this,” Sara said heatedly.
Andy took the two steps it took him to close the distance, put his hand behind her neck and pulled her into a kiss; and this was a real kiss. Soon his tongue was darting in and out of her mouth, and he felt her moan in his mouth.
He stopped, and pulled back from her, smiling.
“No, my love; she has everything to do with it. I love what we’re talking about for our kids — but to what end? Listen, I want them to kick ass, and feel free to be as talented as they may or may not be. But if we don’t teach them to tell snarky cheerleaders to back off when they make fun of the Jeannie’s in the world, what the hell have we done? We’ve just made it worse. Peter Parker, Bellissima. With great power comes great responsibility. They’ve got to use their gifts to serve others, not just add to the shit-ton of money the family already has. It’s the old beatific vision of Jesuit education: love God and love your neighbor. The purpose of all their kick-ass awesomeness isn’t to be elitist, it’s got to be others focused.”
She smiled at him, and kissed him back. “I need you inside me. ASAP. You feel me, Dreamy?” she giggled. “I love you so much, my beautiful man.”
“Not for nothing, but I love the idea of you changing your major. I’m feeling hot for teacher right about now,” he said softly. “Plus, you can tell me to do all kinds of deliciously dirty things to you in French.”
Andy’s phone buzzed. He looked at it and smiled. “I love Miss Helen, but sometimes her timing stinks.”
He heard both Helen and Jane on the other line when he answered. “Hey grandma, give me a second, we’re almost to the truck.”
He unlocked the door, opened it for Sara, and then leaned against the open door while putting his phone on speaker. “OK, I can talk easier now,” he said.
“Andrew, she is a top-notch young woman,” said Jane excitedly. “You have quite an eye for talent. With your permission, we’d like to offer her a position.”
Andy smiled at Sara, who was trying hard not to celebrate too loudly. “I appreciate that, but Sumner-White is your baby. I’m not sure you need my permission.”
“Yes, we do. You’re the one who will end up working with Grace for the long term,” said Helen. “It’s sweet of you, but this is as much your decision as it is ours.”
“Done. What’s the number you’re thinking?”
“We pay for her master’s and her doctorate. She’s a shoo-in for early admission at MIT. Plus, $100,000 a year until she’s done. We’re also adding a new boathouse by the cabin. All senior Sumner-White staff will have full access to that. We’re upping our timeshare with the flight service, as well. Grace will want to be able to get to Winnipeg this year, at least. These are small perks, but we thought them in good faith.”
“We also met with Jen Land this morning. Jen has agreed to do some consulting for us, and she’ll mentor Grace in her graduate education. She really knows her stuff, and seemed shocked by the offer we’re considering for her protégée. That was our goal. Hire talent and pay them well. You’ve done very well here,” said Aunt Jane lovingly.
“That sounds amazing,” said Andy. “When are you making the offer?”
“We’d like you and Sara to do it over lunch,” said Helen matter of factly. “We just emailed you the proposal. Have her get a lawyer to look it over. Kail’s parents would do well, or Brian’s agent. See if you and Sara can get a few moments with she and Brian over lunch.”
Andy was grinning, and Sara was beaming with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Done. Thank you.”
“And Andrew, you’re getting the same offer. We’d like your title to be VP of Talent Acquisition. You’ve got two years to build a team and get a physical location. We have some ideas we’d like to discuss after brunch tomorrow with you and Grace,” added Jane.
“Well then, we’ll have lots to talk about. Aunt Jane, are you coming to dinner with us?”
“I am, thank you.”
“Good. We came up with an idea over breakfast we’d like to run past the two of you and The Judge,” he said, smiling.
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Andy dictated a text for Sara to send to the group they were meeting for lunch.
Stoddard’s. Noon. Jake and Grace, Sara and I need a moment of your time over lunch.
The last stop to make was an outdoor furniture store. Andy chose what he wanted for the enthusiast’s room, while Christopher checked on specs for a pizza oven. As they were on their way to lunch, Andy found a Fed-Ex store, and had copies made of Grace’s contract offer.
As he was waiting for his document to print, he quickly called Jake.
“O Captain, my captain,” answered Jake.
“Will your agent take your call on a Saturday?” asked Andy.
A stunned Jake replied in the affirmative.
“Good. Please text me his email address. No surprise to you; your lady is phenomenal. I’ve got an offer for Grace, but a lawyer should look it over. You trust your guy, don’t you?”
“He’s great. He’s a Groton alum. About 15 years before us.”
“Sweet; and Jake, two things: mum’s the word on this, and please speak well of your buddy Andy.”
He laughed, “Got it Captain.”
As they met their friends and family for lunch, Andy and Sara got a table separate from the others. He’d texted his family, and explained what was going on. Ellen and Jessica ran interference on Kail and Eden, and they talked about their morning before getting down to business.
“So, Gracie, how do you think your interview went?” asked Sara innocently.
Grace set down her burger to consider her friend. “Well, to be honest, I was kind of in awe the whole time. Sara, I get what you mean when you say you want to be Helen when you grow up. They’re both stunning women. They’re charming, and ooze class. But the questions they asked were insightful. They know their stuff, that’s for sure. Even if I don’t get an offer from them, I feel fortunate just to have been interviewed by women of their caliber,” she said honestly. “I knew I was getting grilled, but they’re so delightful that by the end of it you’re thanking them for the experience.”