The Promise of Change Read Online Free PDF Page A

experience in the day-to-day routine is uniquely situated to bring an understanding of what works well and what doesn’t–what the client likes and dislikes.”
    Mr. Cheswick looked impressed, while Mrs. Dillard looked at her watch. Mr. Spalding frowned as he flipped through Sarah’s résumé.
    “You don’t have a litigation background.” It was a statement, not a question.
    “No. I came to work here after graduating from law school. Health law is mostly regulatory, so Ken didn’t find it necessary . . .” She trailed off, unsure where Mr. Spalding was headed with his comment.
    “In today’s litigious society, it would be helpful to have someone with a litigation background.”
    “Ken didn’t have a litigation background either, and since our malpractice cases are handled by the risk management department, this office doesn’t generally get involved.”
    “Malpractice isn’t the only litigation the health system could face, and an experienced litigator could cut down on our outside counsel bills.”
    “Most in-house legal offices don’t handle litigation because it is frequently more cost-effective to hire outside counsel with expertise in the specific legal matter being litigated.” Sarah felt sick. If this is the direction they were headed with Ken’s position, then she didn’t stand a chance.
    “The board hasn’t decided yet that this is the direction they would like to go.” After exchanging looks with her fellow board members, Mrs. Dillard said, “Unless you have any additional questions gentleman . . . .” She turned to Sarah. “Thank you for speaking with us today. As you know, we have two more candidates to interview this week. We expect to have a decision by the end of next week.”
    Sarah stood and, reaching across the table, shook each committee member’s hand, and thanked them for the opportunity to discuss her qualifications.
    Well, Sarah thought as she walked to the door, she’d done her best. Mr. Spalding’s pointed questions had been disconcerting, but she thought she’d handled them well. The concerns over her lack of litigation experience were troubling, but at this point there was nothing left for her to do but wait.
    Waiting didn’t come easy to Sarah. She’d always been patient. She’d make plans, and bide her time, methodically taking the steps necessary to achieve her goal. But when things were beyond her control, when there was no longer anything she could do to affect the outcome, she worried. And when she worried, she didn’t eat.
    Even the enormous buffet laid before her couldn’t tempt her appetite. The family, which included Ann and her husband and kids, were gathered at her father’s for his sixty-fifth birthday.
    The dishes she passed on were a combination of those prepared by her father, who was an artist with the grill, and home-cooked selections from the rest of the family.
    The kids splashed in the pool, accompanied by the occasional “Marco” followed by “Polo” as she walked from dish to dish, passing on most of them, and only picking up small portions of the rest.
    “Where’s your usual appetite? Ah, fretting over the promotion?” The Admiral laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
    She looked up into his pale green eyes, lined from years of squinting at the sun aboard aircraft carriers. Putting her hand on his chest, she leaned her head against his strong shoulder. Those shoulders had carried the burden of commanding men, raising a family, and saying goodbye to his one true love—her mother.
    “No reflection on your cooking, but yes.” She sighed. “I’ll be glad when they’ve made their decision.”
    “I know you will, baby, but can there be any doubt that my girl is the perfect candidate?” He heaped a spoonful of potato salad onto his plate.
    “Mr. Spalding didn’t seem too impressed with me.”
    “Brett Spalding, of Spalding Development Corporation?”
    “Yeah, you know him?”
    “Yep. He’s a real pain in the ass. A little too