Chapter 7 - RICHARD OFFERED MICHAEL A JOB
Richard changed strategies.
Three days after the club dinner, he asked Michael to lunch.
Michael almost declined.
Jessica encouraged him to go.
“You need to hear what he actually wants.”
So he did.
Richard apologized first.
Badly.
“I came on too strong.”
Michael waited.
“I’m protective of Jessica.”
Still waiting.
“I shouldn’t have discussed your salary at dinner.”
Better.
Then Richard offered him a job.
Vice president of development at Caldwell Atlantic.
Salary almost triple what Michael earned.
Car allowance.
Bonus.
Immediate title.
Michael stared at him.
“What do you want?”
Richard looked offended.
“I’m giving you an opportunity.”
“I don’t qualify to be a vice president at your company.”
“You’re an engineer.”
“I have six years of experience.”
“You’d learn.”
Michael understood.
The job was not about his career.
Richard needed Michael closer.
If Michael worked for Caldwell Atlantic, Richard could present the family connection to me as aligned interests.
Son working inside sponsor company.
Possible future marriage.
A narrative of continuity.
Perhaps even influence.
Michael said no.
Richard became angry.
“You complain I don’t respect you, then I offer you something and you refuse.”
“I never asked you to respect my paycheck.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Respect me enough not to buy me.”
Richard stood.
According to Michael, that ended lunch.
When he told me that evening, I was furious.
Not because I thought the job itself was corrupt.
Because Richard still had not learned.
First Michael needed to be wealthier to deserve Jessica.
Then, upon discovering Michael’s father had influence, Richard suddenly wanted to manufacture the wealth himself.
Same belief.
Different direction.
Money determined worth.
Michael called Jessica afterward.
I heard only his side.
“No, I’m not angry at you.”
Pause.
“Yes, I still want to come Saturday.”
Pause.
“No, your father does not get to cancel our relationship for us.”
That made me smile.
May you like
Michael was handling the personal problem better than Richard.
The professional problem was getting worse.
