When the door closed behind him, Margaret turned back to me.
"Bennett," she said, "I believe Meridian owes you restitution, back pension adjustments, royalties, and a formal apology. We would also like to discuss a consulting contract, if you have any interest in one."
I thought about all the years I had given that building. All the loyalty that had been treated like weakness.
Then I thought about Rose, who used to tell me, "Never let people decide your value for you."
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So I nodded once and said, "Put it in writing."
A week later, I stood in my kitchen again.
This time, there were contracts on the table instead of bills.
That morning, sunlight spilled across the wood grain of the table. Rose's photo caught it just right, making her smile look warmer than usual.
I sat down with a cup of fresh coffee and looked around the house.
