Perfect Match

7:18 a.m.

The plush, king-size bed was a wreck from a wild night of lovemaking.

But D.R. Fallington, thirty-eight year-old CEO of Fallington Enterprises, had never thought of it as lovemaking, just good sex. He rolled to his left and felt the warm pink breasts of Mindy Woods against his face. She wiggled slightly before her deep breathing resumed.

D.R. would usually be ready for more sex at the slightest movement of any female who happened to be in his bed. But in the quietness of the moment he was thinking that he’d turn thirty-nine in another ten months. Bothersome, but that didn’t alarm him nearly as much as the cold hard fact that Mindy would turn twenty-four at the end of the week.

Now that was scary, a woman getting older. And he’d made a promise with himself as a college fraternity man that he’d never date a woman older than 23. Somehow D.R. had this notion that a woman was at her prime between 21 and 23. Not a year older.

Mindy had been his sex buddy for about a year, but at times her ditsy ways frayed his nerves, but she offered good sex. Couldn’t argue with that arrangement, but lately she’d crowded him with her whining questions and neediness. More good reasons to distance himself from her, and start looking for another twenty-one year old, young and tender.

But on this lazy morning, maybe a little more sex and then make the decision to ditch Mindy later. His arm slipped over her and his hand pressed her firm ass against his manhood that was more awake than the rest of him.

She stirred closer and mumbled in her thin treble voice, What color D.R.? Have you decided on the color yet?

He thought, here we go again with her nagging questions first thing in the morning. Yeah, I’ve decided, pink is the color. Pink it is. His eyes feasted on her pink, full breasts.

She pushed away, facing opposite from him. I’ve told you I don’t like pink. I like bright lime green; that’s my favorite color. You know that. I’ve told you that a thousand times already. Her poutiness riding on each word.

Damn it, Mindy, I’m not getting a lime green Corvette next time I trade. That’s a stupid color. I like silver. It’s got prestige, class.

She jerked the covers around her and snapped, Silver, gray, whatever, is an old color, then added, old, just like you.

Growing irritated, he said, Well, that does it. Get your clothes and get—

D.R.’s smartphone blared with a ring tone that was assigned to his brother, Rodney.

Sitting up, as he answered the call, Why the hell you calling me this early in the morning?

He listened, as he ran his fingers through his thick black hair. Son of a…! I can’t believe she’d do this, but that’s just like her, always full of surprises.

He cocked his head, listening. Don’t worry about the damn status reports, tell taco woman to clean them up and have them ready. I’ll head to the office shortly. As he ended the call, he jerked the covers off Mindy and motioned for her to get moving.

She scowled as she scurried for the bathroom, D.R. gazing after her wiggling ass. He called out as she slammed the bathroom door, Hurry it up, we’ve got an emergency staff meeting this morning.

He surveyed the large bedroom with sitting area, equipped with soft chairs, ornate lamps, and low cocktail table. Posh pillows added colorful accents. A fireplace was the room’s exclamation point. He eyed the almost empty bottle of Jack Daniels. No wonder he had a headache that was beginning to bang away, making last night’s tumble a dull memory.

He entered the separate bathroom, turning on the shower full blast. He looked at himself in the wide mirror, admiring his physique, still steamed at Mindy’s cutting remark about him being old. The nerve of that little bitch, he thought. He’d kept her ass busy last night hadn’t he?

Or did he? Doubt crept in. Maybe she was faking it. Oh, no. No woman has ever faked D.R., or has she? Damn Mindy for making him have these questions. He didn’t need this kind of crap with an emergency staff meeting breathing down on him this morning.

He’d have to get rid of her; no doubt about it. She’s too damn old for him. He flexed his muscles, admiring his firm chest, six-pack abs, arms, and shoulders. He still had good solid legs, perfect health on his last physical a couple months ago. Nothing to worry about. In perfect shape. Ageless. He admired his handsome looks from head to toe. Full head of hair, smooth tan skin, and virile looking male equipment. Yeah, especially that, he thought.

He reached for his special shampoo that would keep the gray strands out of his black hair, and stepped into the shower. A hot shower always got rid of a few joint aches after a rousing night in the bed.

Chapter 2

7:30 a.m.

Madison Winston poured herself a second cup of coffee, and breezed through the Asheville Citizen-Times. She loved reading about the local scene, always feeling better after catching up on the latest news. She also checked out her favorite online sites on her clunky computer, and then she was ready to take on the day.

After being laid off during the economic downturn, she was glad to have a job, but she detested her boss. But she needed the job.

Being a single mom was challenging, but she loved her daughter more than anything. She would do whatever job she had to in order to remain independent.

Her clothing inventory was meager and basic, but professional. She loved bright colored scarves and usually wore one with every outfit for accent. Her almond-swept hazel eyes sparkled with her color combinations. Full, rich, dark brown, over-the-shoulder hair, anchored her attractiveness.

Asheville weather offered a variety of seasons. It was mid-April, cool days remaining as spring teased the popular mountain area. Today she opted to wear a black just-above-the-knee skirt with matching jacket, and off-white blouse, accented with a soft turquoise scarf. Two-inch heels put her height at five-ten with a lean weight at 119.

The younger women in the company where she worked always dressed for a sports bar. But at thirty-four, Madison didn’t mind being a professional woman who stood out. A little touch of makeup here and there did wonders for today’s modern woman. And of course her fitness workouts kept her in Olympic shape.

She did wonder about her love life, or the lack thereof. She wondered if she sent some kind of invisible signal to men that said danger, stay away. Since moving to Asheville five years ago, the few dates she’d had turned out to be duds, uninteresting. She yearned to meet that special man. But her plate was full right now, trying to hold on to the job she had and care for her daughter.

Madison glanced at the clock, finished up her power breakfast of fruits, yogurt, and cereal. In her small, two-bedroom apartment five miles from downtown, she went through her mental checklist of coffee pot off, lights off, computer off, bed made, and then headed out to her ten year-old faded blue Cavalier. She always said a prayer before turning the key. As a backup she’d been putting money aside each paycheck to trade for a better car, hopefully in a few months.

She usually arrived at work a good thirty minutes before her actual work day began. Do more than is expected of you, and unexpected good things will happen to you. So far that saying from her dear mother hadn’t produced much for her. Oh, well, it doesn’t hurt to try.

She had her own key code to the top-floor headquarters of Fallington Enterprises in downtown Asheville. After hanging her coat, she turned on her desktop computer. While it booted up she scanned three other desks in separate cubicles. She thought of them as the Roxy, Jasmine, and Mindy cages. Roxy was 26, Jasmine 25, and Mindy almost 24, two former, and current bedmates of D.R. Fallington, arrogant playboy, and CEO of Fallington Enterprises.

As Madison observed the three desks in disarray, she knew she was looking at her work for the day. Papers spilling out of the fax and printer trays, lipstick smears on desk blotters, nail polish bottles, mirrors, hair brushes, perfume sprays, and assorted eye markers, all gave one the feeling of having stepped into some baby doll play room. She didn’t touch anything; just observed, as always.

She returned to her desk and got to work checking and responding to emails and listening to phone messages that had been received overnight from the Hong Kong office. She quickly took care of her own faxes and some print jobs that she’d sent to the printer overnight.

She was among the rare women of America who had mastered Microsoft Office and all of its components. Her last employer wrote, Madison is so fast and efficient with Microsoft that I have to take Dramamine. Watching her work the keyboard and software programs is dizzying.

She had finished with her last file when Rodney burst into the office, face flushed, tie and shirt askew. Thank God you’re here. Grandmother has called an emergency staff meeting this morning at 9:30. He paced jerkily back and forth in front of her desk, stopping briefly to wring his hands, before pacing again. "We’ve got to do something. Madison, you’ve got to do something. You’ve got to help me."

He ran his hand across his face, as if to wipe away his tension.

How can I help, Rodney?

We’ve got all these reports to have ready for Grandmother.

Mine are ready at the end of each day.

But…but…what about Roxy, and the other two?

Have you asked them if theirs are ready?

Well, no, but they usually don’t come into work until around 9:30 or 10:00. He glanced at the clock.

I’ve noticed that, and they usually leave earlier than everyone else.

Rodney looked embarrassed. I know Madison, I know. We have a mess around here. He paced again, driven by panic. I just know Grandmother will fire some people, and I’ll probably be one of them. Oh, God, my wife will pitch a fit for sure. Perspiration trickled down his neck.

If people are doing their job, why should they be worried about being fired?

He looked at Madison like she was an idiot. You don’t know Grandmother like I know her.

Maybe you don’t know your grandmother very well. She’s always seemed like a very fair and kind woman.

His shoulders slumped in surrender, arms fell limp, as eyes closed, head shaking from side to side. We’re dead. I just know it.

She got up from her desk and led him to the three concubine cubicles. Let’s take a look at the Ménage a trois stables.

He rolled his eyes.

Rodney helped her gather up all the loose papers and folders from each of the offices and place them in three separate piles on her desk. She said, Three stacks, Roxy, Jasmine, and Mindy. When they arrive, have them stop by my desk. I may have questions.

Yes, as soon as they come in. Almost bowing in front of her desk. Thanks, Madison, thanks. I’ll owe you a big time favor.

Yes you will, and I won’t let you forget, Rodney. She gave him a level stare.

He scooted down the hall to the bathrooms, his stomach in an uproar.

Madison thought back for a moment to when she was hired three years ago. She’d been interviewed by Rodney on a morning similar to this one, full panic mode. He’d asked her if she would retype a couple documents and reports. She jumped at the chance to demonstrate her skills with Microsoft Office and Excel in particular.

She’d made a few suggestions on improving the appearance of a report that someone had left unfinished. Rodney hired her on the spot, but she later heard D.R. chewing him out for hiring an ‘older’ woman. Her feelings had been stung more than once when she’d learned of another of D.R.’s insulting remarks about her. But she’d developed a pretty thick skin. She needed this job.

For the next forty-five minutes she compiled and entered data, toyed with layouts, ran some formulas in Excel, and prepared a PowerPoint presentation. The printer was soon spitting out collated reports. She’d almost finished with Mindy’s stack, when she and D.R. came through the door in a hustle at 9:20, minutes before the dreaded staff meeting.

D.R. yelled out, Rodney, in my office pronto.

Be right there. Rodney managed to direct Mindy over to Madison’s desk, before going to meet with him.

Madison said, Good morning, Mindy. Got a couple of questions on some of the L.A. stats.

Okay-y. Looking puzzled.

Did you do a double check on the latest data compared with the past 90 days?

Well, no, D.R. said I didn’t have to worry about tha—

Madison tried another question, Do you have a file showing our increases and decreases in L.A. revenues?

D.R. said you’d take care of that stuff—

Madison cut her off again. Did you make any recommendations concerning inefficiencies in our L.A. operations? I didn’t see any in your…umm…notes?

I don’t know why you’re blasting me with all these stupid questions. D.R. said you’d clean up all these crappy reports. This is boring shit anyway.

Madison looked up from her screen and smiled pleasantly. Thanks, Mindy, for your help.

Mindy looked puzzled as she wiggled away on her high-heels, short skirt of the day revealing lots of leg.

In D.R.’s office Rodney was pacing again. He stopped, looking at him, and said, We’ve got one hellacious mess in this office.

Well, you’re supposed to be the operations guy around here, straighten it out, and quit bitching about it. D.R. leaned back in his rich leather chair, propping his feet on the corner of his polished walnut desk.

"D.R. cut me a little slack, will you? It’s hard to get three non-functional bimbos to do anything, when you tell them they don’t have to do anything but sit around the office and look cute."

D.R. grinned. They’ve earned their keep in my bed, so this office stuff is simply payoff time for them. Quit worrying about it. Besides taco lady seems to handle everything just fine. By the way, does she have the reports ready for the meeting? He glanced at his watch, growing tense, as his headache became insistent.

She’s working on it, but the data from your three girls were in shambles.

D.R. snapped forward from his chair, strode for the door and headed to Madison’s desk. Got those reports ready for the meeting? Harsh tone rasping through his voice.

Without looking up, she said, Probably. Her manicured fingers flashed across her keyboard.

He gave a sarcastic chuckle. Probably? Probably won’t cut it. Either they’re ready or you’ve got a real problem.

Madison stopped typing, looked up. He averted eye contact. She thought, he never looks me in the eyes. She could recall only once. She said, I don’t have a problem; but you do.

Veins swelled along his neck. He stalked back to his office, slamming the door. He couldn’t contain his anger. His voice was loud. Rodney, you should’ve never hired that woman. I want that taco bitch fired. I mean it. I’ll not have some peon talk down to me. He kicked a small table over; a pile of car magazines fell and slid across the floor.

There was a knock at his office door. The door opened and Madison stepped inside and said, Yes? I heard you call my name, ‘taco bitch.’ That’s me. What can I do for you, Mr. Fallington? Her head tilted slightly. She looked at D.R. He averted her eyes, looking through his floor-to-ceiling windows at the rolling mountains of Asheville. Rodney stood speechless, petrified.

Silence seized the room.

Well, I can see there’s not a real man in the room. But if you need me, just call out ‘taco bitch’ and I’ll come running. But remember, I’m Hispanic and I’m a proud bitch. She turned and quietly closed the door, heading to her desk.

She held her head high, as her heels sounded her pride across the hardwood floor. She was reaching for her pocket book in her desk drawer, when Rodney flew out of D.R.’s office, approaching her, his face filled with anguish. Madison, please don’t leave. I’m…I’m…so sorry for—

I’m not leaving. I needed to get a pack of tissues. She took her seat, dabbing at her eyes.

She needed this job. Desperately. No matter what, she needed her job, and her daughter needed her.

Chapter 3

9:25 a.m.

Edna Fallington was the fierce 80 year-old matriarch of the remaining notorious Fallington family. She had homes in Asheville and New York City. Her husband, John Fallington, ran off with his secretary when Edna was 50, and she was left with a business that was failing miserably. With raw determination she’d built Fallington Enterprises into a multimillion-dollar profit operation. Her biggest fear was that her two grandsons, D.R. and Rodney, would destroy what she’d worked so hard to preserve.

Five minutes before the staff meeting, she walked through the doors carrying a small black leather business bag. She was dressed in a charcoal business pantsuit that fit her trim figure and matched her natural platinum hair. A single diamond pendant sparkled at the opening of her colorful green blouse that complimented her gray eyes. She gave a warm greeting to Madison, and walked directly to the conference room with a view of downtown Asheville.

Rodney scampered over to Madison’s desk. Uh…D.R. wants you to attend the staff meeting, but don’t say anything. If he wants you to talk, he’ll let you know. Understand? Just…please don’t speak out unless he asks you. You know how upset he gets. Can you do that…for me? Rodney was 45, the older brother, but he’d always bent to the arrogance of D.R. He felt inferior to him in every way.

After a long pause, Madison said. I’ll try.

Rodney cringed, thinking that his sphincter muscle would either never function again or it would go completely, uncontrollably ballistic. He didn’t know which, but right now he was scared shitless.

Edna sat at the head of the walnut conference table that could seat twelve. D.R. sat to her right, Rodney next along with his secretary, Janice Smithfield, a fiftyish quiet woman who’d worked part time for her church before being hired by Rodney to do some light typing.

Madison sat to Edna’s left in an extra chair against the wall. She gazed silently out the window at the mountain ranges in the distance, but was attuned to everything happening in the tension-filled room.

Let’s get started. Edna nodded, looking at D.R.

He responded, distributing blue-bound company reports that Madison had quickly assembled. Reports are pretty standard, much the same as last time we met. Everything is pretty much on target for another good year for the company. He took a deep breath, headache still nagging him. Damn it! Should’ve taken two headache powders before this meeting began, he thought.

Edna glanced through the pages, flipping back and forth, sighing audibly from time to time. Finally she looked up and said to D.R., This report doesn’t indicate another good year.

D.R. looked flustered, gestured toward Madison. Well, there must be some mistakes with the data. He gave a hard look, and then glanced away, as Madison tried to lock on his eyes.

Edna asked politely, Who prepared the report?

Rattled, D.R. said, Maude did. He pointed at Madison.

She snapped, My name is Madison, Mr. Fallington.

He shrugged and smirked.

Edna looked back and forth between the two, and then asked, Where did you get your information, Madison?

Madison looked, with raised eyebrows, at D.R., waiting for his cue before speaking.

He beckoned with his hand. Tell her where you got the info.

Edna held her hand up as if to stop Madison, then addressed him. When I ask someone a question, I’m not accustomed to them getting permission from you, before they can answer. Is that clear to everyone in the room?

D.R.’s face flushed crimson.

Rodney cowered lower in his seat, thinking how pleasant instant death would be.

Edna extended her left hand toward Madison. Come join us at the table, please.

She took the seat across from D.R. He crossed his arms and stared at his blank legal pad on the table.

Edna said, I thought there were three people coordinating our data from Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta. Why aren’t they present for the meeting? Do they still work here? I didn’t see them when I came in.

D.R. cleared his throat. I didn’t think it was necessary that they attend. The report speaks for itself.

But the report is vague. I need fine details, not generalities. Edna thumbed through the pages again, turning to Madison. Can you explain the sharp decrease in revenues coming out of Los Angeles, cited on page 32?

Madison was on her feet, walking to the other end of the table where a laptop and rarely-used projector sat.

I can show you the numbers, gaps, and projections with a cumulative report that I’ve maintained from month to month. Before anyone could object or speak, she had accessed her files, clicked on her PowerPoint presentation and for the next 20 minutes gave a comprehensive report of Fallington Enterprises.

The PowerPoint graphs were colorful, but painted a failing future for Fallington.

The Excel sheets were just innocent numbers, but projected disappearing dollars.

Her presentation was delivered with feminine charm, but the results forecast financial ruin for Fallington. When she finished, she clicked off the projector. Are there any questions? Truly a woman in charge of the moment.

The room fell silent.

Edna stood and walked over to the window, taking in the majestic view of rolling mountains.

Rodney made little back and forth rocking movements.

D.R. fumed silently.

Edna said to no one in particular, Don’t you just love Asheville in the spring? There was a brief pause. I do. Spring always brings with it a breath of fresh air.

The room was deathly quiet, while Edna gazed a few minutes longer at the graying sky, before walking back to the head of the table and saying quietly, I want everyone to leave.

D.R., Rodney, and Janice gathered up their papers and pens. Madison gathered her report and folder, and turned for the door.

Edna spoke again. Everyone out…except Madison. Madison, you stay. Everyone else…leave.

After Janice Smithfield closed the door, Edna started flipping through the report again and said, Madison, get me a cup of coffee.

Madison took a deep breath before answering. Ms. Fallington, I took this job because I wanted to work, not be a coffee service for you or your grandsons. Fire me if you want; I’ll look for meaningful work elsewhere. The sooner she started looking for another job, the better. This company was going to crash and burn.

Edna looked up from the report. A little smile spread across her face. I was hoping that would be your response. Anyway, I have a better idea.

She got up, and opened the door and caught Rodney lurking nearby. Rodney, would you please go downstairs to Starbucks and get two Venti-size coffees for Madison and me. I want two creams and one sugar in mine. Madison…?

I’ll take mine black.

Rodney shivered at the thoughts of a woman who could drink a black Venti. With that much caffeine she’d probably deliver hard core sex in the bedroom or boardroom. Oh horrors, he thought.

Here’s a twenty dollar bill; bring me back a receipt and correct change.

Gladly, grandmother, gladly. Anything else?

Yes, take your brother with you and have him help you carry it. Edna saw D.R. peeking through a crack in his door. She motioned him out. Go with Rodney. He’ll tell you what to do. She turned her back and closed the door.

The clock was pushing noon. Edna and Madison were still meeting. The rest of the office lingered in shock. Rodney was almost catatonic. D.R. sat at his desk stewing with a mixture of incensed arrogance and angry embarrassment. He was growing impatient by the minute. He needed a stiff shot of Jack Daniels. He had a small bar in the corner, well-stocked for special occasions. Better not risk it with grandmother around, he thought.

Roxy and Jasmine had sauntered into the office around 10:30 and had congregated in Mindy’s cubicle, chit-chatting about night life around Asheville. They were oblivious to the unfolding drama surrounding them.

Mindy had ventured into D.R.’s office half an hour ago, closing the door behind her. She put her arms around him and whispered, Have you thought any more about the color? She ground her hips against him. He felt a sexual urge, but it faded quickly.

Damn it! I’ve told you to forget about the color of my next Corvette. It’s going to be silver, and that’s final.

Well then, I guess you won’t get to see my pink flesh any more. I know you like looking at me…all over. She giggled, as she rubbed her breasts against him.

He hated it when a woman bargained with him for her sex. He always felt weak and out negotiated.

Mindy tried pushing him down on his desk, grabbing at his belt.

Damn it! Don’t do this with my grandmother in the next room. Have you lost your mind? He held her back from him and said, Okay, maybe later tonight we can talk about colors of cars, but not now. I can’t do anything until grandmother leaves town. Go on back to your desk.

She grinned and bounced on her toes. Okeydokey, I’m going to hold you to your promise. She left him frustrated as hell.

At 12:15 Edna had Janice assemble everyone in the outer office. Madison and I are going for lunch, and everyone else should too. Get yourselves refreshed because there will be a joint meeting at two o’clock. Everyone be here. She looked directly at D.R.’s three bedmates.

Janice had lunch at her desk. Edna and Madison strolled two blocks, and had a delightful lunch at the Early Girl Eatery. The others went to another downtown restaurant. D.R.’s three girls giggled while they ate, but he and Rodney sat and stared at their plates. Rodney retched bile before they left the sports bar. D.R. had a wave or two of nausea, but he thought a couple drinks after work would cure that.

During lunch Edna asked a number of searching questions of Madison, although she’d quietly been observing her performance since she came to work for Fallington. "Your resume indicates you have a two-year associate degree in Information Technology. That’s not exactly an in-depth business curriculum. How did you grasp the full business aspects of Fallington?

I’ve always made it a practice to understand what I type or do for others, even if it wasn’t specifically required of me. Business operations, such as project management, advertising and marketing intrigue me. I’ve always been curious and observant. She gave a slight shrug.

You’ve done a fine job, Madison.

Edna ran through a few more questions before their session came to a close.

Madison looked at the clock. Ms. Fallington, are you sure about your decision? A lot is at stake.

The success of this company is riding on it, but I’m certain that I’m making a sound business decision. And from here on I want you to call me Edna.

By 2:00 p.m. everyone was rigidly seated around the conference table. Edna addressed the group. "After pouring over the disappointing details of the company report this morning, I’ve made a major decision I want to share with you.

Most of you know that I built Fallington Enterprises single-handed. My husband of 20 years ran off with a younger woman, leaving me with a son and a mountain of business debt. I had only a high school education, so I had a lot of learning to do on my own. With the help of good employees along the way we became successful, until recently. She cut a hard look at her two grandsons.

Fallington is a family owned business. I am the major shareholder and major decisions have always been made by me and my close advisory legal group of a couple attorneys and accountants. They are advisory; I listen to their advice but I make the final decisions. We have other good people in place for day to day operations, and you are some of them. I will always appreciate genuine work.

She took a beat.

Effective immediately, Madison Winston is the CEO of Fallington Enterprises. Silence gripped the room. Madison let her eyes catch the expression of everyone.

D.R. was rigid as stone, refusing to look at her. Rodney stopped breathing, waiting for his grandmother to start nailing others to the cross. Mindy’s brows came together. Roxy was looking at her bracelet, Jasmine was picking at one of her nails, and Janice Smithfield had a serene look.

This was not a snap decision. For several months I’ve been aware that Madison has fulfilled the responsibilities of some of you. She glanced at D.R. and Rodney. "She already knows and understands the job responsibilities of almost everyone in the structure of our company. She has full authority to make personnel changes at her discretion.

She has a full working knowledge of company mission and operations. I believe her leadership will help us become the best company possible. I expect renewed commitment to that goal from each employee of company. Edna scanned their faces, as she took a breath. After Madison shares some information with you, I want to meet with her, D.R., and Rodney. She gave a nod to Madison, and took a seat beside D.R.

Madison stepped to the head of the table, paused a moment and said, I welcome the opportunity to serve as CEO of Fallington Enterprises. I’ll give you my best efforts, and I expect the same from you.

She glanced at the wall clock.

At three o’clock I want to meet with you in your office, Rodney. She looked down the table at Roxy, Jasmine, and Mindy. At four o’clock I want to meet with the three of you and Janice back here in the conference room. She paused. This meeting is adjourned. D.R., Rodney, remain here for the meeting with Edna.

As the door closed, Edna stood again at the head of the table. "So there will be no misunderstandings or back room gossip, I want to say the same thing to the three of you. I was disappointed to learn that after Madison has been working here for almost three years she’s being paid only $24,000 a year.

Did you know she makes the least of any employee company-wide? Did you know that D.R.? She glared at him. He looked away. You ought to know that. A smart CEO always knows who the lowest and highest paid persons are. Of course you knew you were the highest paid at $175,000 per year plus benefits.

She took a few steps to the other side of the table, facing her grandsons again. Tell me again what kind of car you drive D.R.?

Corvette. His voice was low.

Oh, yes, how could I forget that flaming red toy with loud mufflers? You know what kind of car CEO Madison Winston drove to work this morning, Rodney?

He jumped. N…no.

She drives a ten year old Cavalier, with a good dose of rust spots, and Rodney you drive a yahoo or wahoo of some kind, right?

It’s a Ta…ta…Tahoe.

Well it’s probably a $70,000 monster of some kind. How much is a Corvette, D.R.?

$125K plus. He was torqued by another grandmother lecture.

Smart purchase, D.R., real smart. Edna continued. I found it highly interesting that each one of your bedmates is being paid $40,000, and they don’t even keep regular working hours. But Madison has been doing most of their work. All of this craziness and more, while the company is on a spiraling course to lose over $1,000,000 this year!

She shook her head at her two grandsons.

I’ll not prolong this misery. Rodney, Janice has cut a check to Madison for an advance of $50,000. She will sign it, and you will run the deposit to her bank and get back here for your meeting with her.

Edna turned to D.R. "A letter has been prepared for you by Fallington’s attorney, legally relieving you as CEO. In the next thirty minutes I want you to clean your office of any personal items. That office will now be used by Madison.

"Further, you’ll be paid a salary of $24,000 annually. Madison will inform you later what job you’ll have with the company, if you can even qualify for one.

I’m going to start Madison out at $150,000 and when she closes other money gaps she’ll get a raise. Rodney your salary is being cut $50,000 as of today, until you can improve significantly efficiencies in the operation. Any questions?

D.R. and Rodney tried to speak at the same time, both dumbfounded.

Rodney whined, Grandmother, I’ve got bills. How—

Edna cut him off. Get a part time job. Have your wife get a job.

D.R. got up nerve to say, I can’t pay the mortgage on my new condominium on $24,000 a year. What am I going to do?

I don’t know, D.R. I’m sure you’ll figure out something. Maybe all three harem girls can move in with you. Their combined $120,000 and your $24,000 ought to help you make your mortgage payment. That ought to be a cozy little romp for the four of you.

D.R. huffed, This is ridiculous. I can’t believe you’d do this to us, your grandsons?

I’m not the blame here. You did this to yourselves. You might want to remember that you’re not entitled to more than you’ve earned. Both of you have squandered your privilege. We’re done here. She shooed them away with her hands. D.R., clean out your personal items. Rodney, run your bank errand. Madison and I have business to tend to.

As D.R. and Rodney were leaving the room, Madison thought what a handsome man D.R. was, but what an arrogant, selfish, s.o.b he was, and how his insults had cut her to the quick.

Madison and Edna wrapped up their follow-up meeting by 6:00 pm, with plans for Madison to meet with each Fallington office manager, including Hong Kong, in the next few weeks. She was excited about the challenges before her, and she was anxious to let her daughter quietly know of her job promotion, but she knew she was about to become very busy with major responsibilities. Edna had assured her that she’d help her when she hit a speed bump, but that Madison was in charge.

What do you plan to do with D.R.’s un-Holy Trinity of sex-mates?

Madison laughed. I’m going to turn them into productive business women. You need to be getting your money’s worth.

Edna laughed. That I’ve got to see. Well, I’m not a hovering micro-manager, so I’m expecting you to run with this company and take it to new levels of success. You’re in charge. You’re that breath of fresh air I mentioned earlier this afternoon.

Chapter 4

At home in his timid way, Rodney broke the news to his wife of ten years that she’d need to get a job to help pay the bills.

Like hell I’ll go to work! Your grandmother is a very rich woman. She can afford to keep us all up. Wilma padded over to the stainless steel refrigerator and snapped open another can of Bud Light. Her fourth. Why did you let her do this to us?

I didn’t let her do anything. She…she just did it to D.R. and me, without any warning. He stared at the floor.

She snorted. You expect me to believe that you two he-men couldn’t control that scrawny old woman. There’s more to this than you’re telling me, Rodney. She downed the rest of her beer, grabbed another from the fridge, and swilled half of it in three swallows, some running down her chin, dripping onto her short, white tennis outfit.

Rodney looked at her with a mixture of pity and embarrassment.

Wilma’s eyes became glassy; her words slurring a bit. You know, Rodne-e-y, I don’t think I need to look for a job; I need to look for a man who wants me-e-e. That’s what I need. She took another long gulp of beer, sat the can on the gleaming granite counter and pushed herself against him. "Rodney, I’ve got nice breasts and I’m hungry for you to be on top of me, but you never show interest in me-e. Take me to bed and have sex with me, please-e-e…

He pushed her away, his face flushed with anger. Wilma, don’t start with the sex stuff, not with all the other pressures, don’t start screwing with that old argument about our differences.

She swayed, focusing more with her head than her eyes. She belched and then started to laugh, the beer loosening her emotions. You’re right, we’ve been screwing with that old argument for years, but…but…but we haven’t been screwing each other. Her laughter trailed on and on before turning to a wail of rejection, hurt, and disappointment. She slumped to the ceramic floor, sobs shaking her.

He sat and leaned against her, taking her hand in his. It’s okay, it’s okay. I understand, really I do.

She sniffled and leaned closer to him. Rodney, you’re such a good man. I know that about you. And I thought all the things you do for me and all the stuff you give me would be enough, but it isn’t. She paused. "I know you’d rather be with your best friend,