Tilting at Windmills Read Online Free PDF

Health Group’s account sealed this agency’s financial future, so Franklin felt he could retire on this very high note.
    “So, as of today, I am assuming the responsibilities for the company and therefore have been named the new chairman.”
    The gang broke into spontaneous applause, and I joined in, though hardly with the effort I would have given, say, last Tuesday. He enjoyed his moment before shushing us and proceeding to his next announcement. He was renaming the agency the Beckford Warfield Group, and this was also met with hearty applause—and with whistles. All in all, a lot of energy and noise for a Monday morning. Justin must have put something in the coffee.
    Once again, Justin quieted everyone down, the chairman quickly assuming command of the ranks. I’d already stopped and had my arms crossed over my chest. There was more to come, I sensed, as everyone focused in on the person standing beside the newly appointed boss. Maddie looked confident on the surface, but I could tell, as someone who knew her well, that this was just a façade. Maddie was nervous.
    And that’s when it hit me. Like a ton of bricks.
    “Technically, I’ve already made two announcements,” Justin said, “but those are intertwined, so we’ll just count them as one. Which leaves me with still one more announcement. Colleagues, I ask you, when the president gets promoted to chairman, does that not open up a position for a new president? Of course it does, and I’m happy to say that the perfect candidate is someone we know, we respect, we love. Our own—anyone for a drum roll?—Maddie Chasen.”
    For the third time in ten minutes, the room was full of applause. This time, it was more raucous, the obvious support for a person from their ranks succeeding beyond anyone’s hopes. Maddie had played the game and been rewarded, a shining example now for inspiring hard work in others. I saw not one person in the room who looked disappointed in this news. Yet had I seen myself in a mirror just then, I’d have seen plenty of disappointment. No one, though, was paying me any mind. They had gotten used to my not being around, and guess what—they’d have plenty more time to get used to it.
    I slipped out of the conference room undetected and returned to my office.
    So far, the morning had not gone as planned. I still had to talk to Justin. I still had to quit.
     
    T ime dragged as indecision racked my nerves and butterflies danced in my stomach. My plan, if I went through with it, was twofold. First, find the guts to face Justin. Second, avoid running into Maddie. Twenty minutes passed when I finally made up my mind to confront Justin, and that’s when I looked up and saw him standing in the doorway.
    “Hey, sorry to cut you off before, but . . . well, it was important that we tell everyone together, and quickly, before rumors started. I like my staff to know what’s going on. But anyway, it’s your first day back—an exciting one, too.” He paused, and I guess he was studying my face, because the next thing he said was, “You don’t share the excitement?”
    “No, it’s not that. It’s . . . great news, for you. Sorry about Franklin, though it sounds like he’s got the better end of the deal. Get all the money from a buyout and travel the world . . .”
    “I get the sense that there’s a ‘but’ to your less-than-pronounced enthusiasm.”
    Isn’t there always a “but”? As in life is great, but . . .
    “We need to talk,” I said.
    He gave a quick nod of his head. “Okay. Shoot. What’s up, big guy?” Here it comes—the supportive boss, the pal who signs your paychecks.
    “Maybe you should come in.”
    “Okay.”
    “And close the door.”
    He did so, and then sat down in my guest chair. A case of role reversal that I hoped enabled me to keep control of the situation.
    “Are you all right—healthwise?”
    “Yeah. I mean, I still get tired here and there and I’ve got to make sure that I get lots of rest. But