The Boardroom Went Quiet When My Mother’s Phone Rang

straight ahead.

Mom signed last.

Then she slid the papers across the polished table toward me.

For my signature.

I took my time reading every page.

Not to make a point.

Well. Maybe a little.

Then I signed.

The ink dried.

Nobody clapped.

Nobody needed to.

Down in the lobby, Granddad kept staring out from that giant portrait in his stained coveralls, like he already continue reading …