Humbled

by Patricia Haley

  “Have you forgotten Tamara wants the division?”

  “How can I forget? It’s kept me awake for the last week. But I’m thinking that if we get the division, it can be used as a bargaining chip with Tamara. What do you think?”

  Don’s eyebrows arched. He took another bite of his sandwich in order to buy a few more seconds before having to respond. Madeline continually stared at him with each chew. He grabbed the napkin and wiped his mouth, gaining a few additional seconds before being forced to reply.

  Surprisingly, he wasn’t completely opposed to the idea. There was definitely merit in wanting the division restored to DMI. The part causing him angst was her use of the term bargaining chip.

  “Well, say something,” Madeline demanded.

  “My initial reaction is that you have a decent plan, with the exception of trying to bargain with Tamara. You know how much she hates feeling manipulated or pressured into a situation. She’ll never go for it.”

  Madeline let her gaze dip. She played with the uneaten food on her plate for a bit and finally said, “You have a point, but I’m not left with many other choices. We have to get the division from Zarah.”

  “It may become a bidding war. How much are you prepared to spend?”

  “Money is no object when it comes to my children’s well-being. I’ll spend ten times the market value if necessary,” she declared and gripped his forearm briefly. “This has to work.”

  Don wasn’t so sure. He saw the merit in both pursuing the division and walking away to let Zarah have it. He decided to stay neutral unless compelled to take a position. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Call Zarah and set up a meeting where we can present the offer.”

  “Are you sure about this?” he asked, sliding his plate away.

  “A thousand percent sure. Make the call,” she said, slapping the table with force.

  Chapter 36

  Madeline’s persistence wasn’t to be ignored. Don reluctantly placed a call to Zarah from his cell phone, having no idea what to expect. With his mother fixated on him like a laser beam, he attempted to dodge the heat.

  “Zarah, this is Don Mitchell,” he stated, shifting his glance from Madeline so as not to get distracted. “I hope this is a good time to speak with you.”

  “Not really, Don. I am not well today. I’m very tired. I would be honored to speak with you in a few days, once I’ve rested.”

  Don scooted away from the table. “I’m sorry to hear you’re not doing well.” He didn’t want to push. Even with his back to Madeline, he could sense the heat of her desperation scorching him. Yet he couldn’t justify pressuring a pregnant woman into an undesired conversation. Madeline would have to accept that she wasn’t getting the division back today and maybe no other day. Time would tell. For now, this conversation was over. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

  “Don’t you dare hang up,” Madeline mouthed, not speaking loud enough for Zarah to hear.

  Don fumbled to mute the phone after asking Zarah to hold for a minute. “What, Mother?” he answered, quite irritated. His mother wasn’t known for her decorum when it came to holding back on sensitive issues.

  “Put her on the speakerphone,” Madeline demanded and reached for Don’s phone.

  “No, Mother, she’s sick. I’m not going to stress a pregnant woman. This can wait.”

  “No, it can’t,” she retorted. “Put her on the speakerphone. If you don’t want to ask her about the division, I will.”

  Don shut his eyes and handed her the phone, absolutely certain he was making the wrong decision. He prayed silently, recognizing that when his mother was on a mission, only the Lord in heaven was going to slow her down. Anyone else had better steer clear of Madeline Mitchell, or they’d get run down.

  “Zarah, this is Madeline,” she said after unmuting the phone, trying to sound gentle. Don didn’t know whether to laugh at her boldness or hide under the table due to her bullying and recklessness. “I understand you’re not feeling well. So let me keep this very short. We’d like to buy the West Coast division from you.” Madeline paused. Don didn’t know why. “Price is not the most important factor, which means any serious offer from you will be considered. How does this sound to you?”

  Zarah was silent.

  Madeline pushed the mute button and flung her hands in the air. “Is she deaf?”

  Don saw how anxious his mother was becoming. It hadn’t been his choice to make the call, but the deed was done. He had to find a way to salvage his mother’s offer, since a bottomless bucket of cash didn’t appear to influence Zarah. He had to sweeten the deal. Don unmuted the phone, put Zarah on speakerphone, and tossed in their trump card. “We are willing to consider an even exchange of DMI’s majority ownership in Harmonious Energy for the West Coast division.”

  Don watched as his mother’s tension eased. He didn’t want to think about what they were forfeiting. An equal exchange was a steal for Zarah, but neither Don nor Madeline planned to quibble over the offer. The possibility of such a monumental win for the family outweighed the financial loss.

  But Zarah remained silent.

  “Did you hear him? You can have your father’s company. Fifty-one percent is worth about eight hundred million on the sales block. The West Coast division isn’t worth more than a hundred million, max, if it’s run independently from DMI. Zarah, please be smart about this,” Madeline said.

  Don could taste freedom and a break in his near future. He wanted this deal to work almost as much as Madeline did, but he contained his enthusiasm.

  “I am overwhelmed with so many offers,” Zarah said.

  Don’s and Madeline’s stares were frozen. As the number of bidders went up, the cost would too. The revelation wasn’t encouraging for DMI. Don figured Madeline was beginning to get antsy about her bottomless offer. She could anticipate overpaying significantly to stay on the bidder list. Maybe Zarah wasn’t as docile as she appeared. Don suspected Madeline was going to find out, having practically offered a blank check.

  “Exactly how many offers are you talking?”

  “There have been three, if you and Don are counted. There’s also Tamara and my husband.”

  “Joel?” Madeline yelled as the oomph drained from her. “You’re kidding,” she said, barely above a whisper.

  Don was numb. Without sufficient preparation, he was engaged in a battle pitting four Mitchells against each other. Would it ever end? He wanted to flee from his mother’s house and keep on running until he reached the airport. Quarrelling had taken its toll. He was sitting out this round. Madeline would have to duel alone.

  He was about to say good-bye when Zarah’s voice rang out. “I must speak with my attorney about your offer. It is a very good deal.”

  With the snap of a finger, Madeline’s zeal was restored. Don could tell by how animated Madeline was becoming as she listened to Zarah.

  “Are you saying yes to our offer?” she asked.

  “I cannot answer this for you until I meet with my family’s attorney.”

  “That’s fair,” Don said.

  “Why don’t you take time to digest the offer and we can call you in a few days? How does this sound?” Madeline asked.

  “I must go. I’m not well,” Zarah stated.

  Madeline rattled off a question before Zarah could escape. “Can you at least agree not to make a decision without letting us know? We’d like to counter any offer submitted to you.”

  “I can make you aware.”

  “One more question,” Madeline said, but Zarah abruptly ended the call, citing she was going to be sick and had to go.

  Madeline stewed a bit. “I wanted to ask how much of a shot we have, but Ms. Zarah hung up.”

  Don didn’t add to his mother’s disappointment. He’d sit quietly until she was ready to talk about a plan B, as plan A had most likely run to the restroom with morning sickness that had extended into the afternoon. He’d roll his sleeves up and get busy with drafting a refined strat
egy, one that didn’t depend on Zarah. He got up to grab another sandwich. It was going to be a long afternoon for sure.

  Chapter 37

  Monday afternoon skipped by. Madeline was pleased with the proposal she and Don had labored over for the past five hours. With the exception of a couple bathroom breaks, she’d stayed planted at the table. She gathered a bunch of loose papers spread across the table and produced a neat stack. She tapped the top page.

  “This is it. I’ll have my assistant type this up first thing tomorrow,” Madeline said, wanting to believe this was going to work.

  “Have her run it by legal too. Let’s kill two birds with one stone,” Don replied.

  “Agreed,” she said, reaching for a glass of water, intentionally suppressing any inkling of doubt she had. She had to be sure and project confidence too. “Ah, this is warm. I’m going to get some ice. You want anything?”

  Don yawned. “Nah, I’m beat. I’m calling it a day and going home. I’ll see you tomorrow, that is if you come into the office,” he said, chuckling.

  “Look, I’ve paid my dues. I’ve earned every day off and more. It’s your and Tamara’s turn to run DMI.”

  “Not so fast, Mother. You don’t look like someone who is ready to be put out to pasture. Cut the drama.”

  She stood and walked to the refrigerator. “Seriously, I’m not retiring this week, but the day is coming quickly.”

  Madeline pressed her glass against the ice dispenser on the refrigerator door.

  Don approached her. “And you think buying the division from Zarah will be the impetus for Tamara to take a position at DMI?”

  “Absolutely. I have to believe it.”

  Don leaned his hand against the refrigerator. “I’m not nearly as confident as you are.”

  Madeline swished the glass rapidly, letting the ice hit the sides. She chose her words very carefully. She couldn’t lose Don’s support. “You know, you’re right. I’ve spent the entire afternoon drafting a deal. What I should have been doing was presenting our case directly to Tamara.” Madeline plopped the glass on the island counter. “She has to understand what this is about,” she said.

  Don placed his hand on hers. “We’ve put our best offer together. We can’t do any more. Let’s get it typed, present it to Zarah, and see what happens. I’m praying for God’s direction, because we need all the help we can get before dealing with Joel’s wife and your daughter.” He chuckled. Madeline didn’t.

  “I’m not waiting for the formal document.”

  “And what does that mean?” Don asked, his voice quivering.

  “I’m going to find Tamara this evening and tell her what’s going on,” she said, leaning her hip against the counter and folding her arms tightly. She sincerely wanted to be transparent with Tamara. One of the challenges of their relationship in the past was an inability to communicate. Madeline wasn’t going to lose ground with her daughter. She preferred putting the facts out in the open and let Tamara handle it like adults did. “It’s no secret. We’re going after the West Coast division. She has to be told.”

  “I don’t think we should tell her unless Zarah agrees to our deal.” Madeline shook her head frantically, her eyes closed, as Don continued. “Why create tension for no reason? If Zarah says no, and there’s a fifty to sixty percent chance she will, then you will have stirred your sleeping giant. And you can believe there will be a price to pay from her.”

  Madeline looked Don straight in the eyes and said, “Tamara doesn’t scare me.”

  “Me, either, but why start a fight with her if we don’t have to?”

  “Thank you for your input, but I’m going to see Tamara.” Madeline glanced at her watch. Five thirty. “She should be home, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t know,” Don said. “Since she moved out of my place, we haven’t spoken much.”

  Madeline wasn’t sure she should believe him. “Well, give me her new address.”

  “No way.”

  “Why not?” she replied indignantly.

  “It’s not a good idea. The two of you should keep your distance until this business stuff is resolved. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  Madeline pressed against the counter again with her arms stretched out, and her neck bent downward, as if she were about to do a push-up. “This isn’t about feelings. It’s about birthright.” She lifted her gaze to pierce his. “If you won’t give me her address, that’s no problem. As my mother used to say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. My phone works fine. So I’ll call her.”

  “Suit yourself,” Don said. Madeline detected a sharp bite in his tone. “You don’t need me to run this train off the track. I’m out of here,” he said, going to get his keys from the table.

  “Wait,” she said. “I need your phone.”

  “Why, Mother?”

  “You know Tamara might not answer when she sees my number come up.”

  “I don’t want to be in this.”

  “Are you telling me no?”

  “I am,” he replied.

  Madeline didn’t know whether to be more upset with Don for telling her no or for hindering her effort to contact Tamara. She could have badgered him until he gave in, but she had no desire to do so. Madeline would take her chances and use her own phone.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?” Don said.

  “Maybe,” she said as cordially as she could given her disappointment.

  Don laughed briefly. “Oh, Mother, you’re something else. You’re in my prayers.”

  “Uh-huh,” she uttered. She wasn’t asking God for help, and Don shouldn’t act like he had to on her behalf. Madeline and God hadn’t always maintained stellar communication. As a matter of fact, they didn’t have any. During her twenties and possibly her thirties, she could have used His help with Dave and his wavering commitment to the marriage. She could have used His interaction during her single parenting years. Yet there had been nothing. As far as she was concerned, Dave and Don could keep God to themselves. She’d handle her problem solo. Madeline liked her odds better that way.

  Chapter 38

  Don was gone. Madeline drew on heaps of fortitude and then went to get her phone upstairs. Shockingly, Tamara answered. Madeline wasn’t prepared. She hadn’t formulated her spiel and wouldn’t get the chance now. Madeline realized that if she didn’t start talking quickly, Tamara was going to hang up, and who knew when she’d answer her mother’s call again.

  “Hello, darling,” Madeline said to lay the foundation for a sensible discussion.

  Tamara returned the greeting. “What do you want, Mother?”

  Cranky and irritated was the way Tamara sounded. Madeline wasn’t deterred.

  “I have to tell you something very important.”

  “Did something happen to Don?” she asked, sounding overly distressed.

  “No, no, nothing like that.”

  “Oh, you scared me for a second.”

  “Didn’t mean to,” Madeline said, stalling. The proposal had to come across perfectly for Tamara to give it any serious consideration. Madeline smirked. She could present a proposal to a board of directors without losing an ounce of rest. But not to her daughter. Tamara was her Kryptonite.

  “If it’s not Don, what about you? Is there something wrong with you?”

  “Nothing a good night’s sleep can’t cure.”

  “Then what is it?” Tamara demanded.

  There were a million ways to tell Tamara they were going after the division, but none sounded right. Madeline wasn’t going to beat around the bush any longer. She decided to blurt out the truth and deal with the fallout. “You need to know that DMI is going after the West Coast division, and we’re offering a sizable price, far above market value.”

  “Really?” Tamara retorted, her tone snide. “When did this happen?” she ranted.

  “Today. We’re pitching the proposal to Zarah as soon as the paperwork is finished.”

  “DMI wasn’t interested in the divisio
n until you found out I wanted it. Why am I surprised?” Tamara said, cackling and then abruptly quieting down.

  Madeline didn’t want to let Tamara get too angry. “This move is for you.”

  “For me? You must be kidding.” She cackled again. “This is about you, Mother. It always is. I should have known not to let you get too close. You’ve burned me again.”

  Madeline had to find the mechanism that would calm Tamara down and allow her to see the big picture, the one where their family was working together. “I am doing this for you and Don. You both mean the world to me.”

  “Huh, you have a funny way of showing your love, going behind my back to buy a company you knew I wanted.”

  “I’m sorry you feel this way.” One division wasn’t a company. If Tamara had the business savvy necessary to build a company, she would understand the flaw in her statement. Yet Madeline would rather eat nails than criticize Tamara, a daughter who was three seconds from ending the call and possibly their relationship. Madeline swallowed her negativity, and her pride slid down her throat too.

  “Just so you know, I’m not withdrawing my interest. You might have more money, but I have a friendship with Zarah. It’s got to be worth something,” Tamara declared.

  Friendship was great, but offering Zarah an even exchange for Harmonious Energy wasn’t to be matched. Madeline opted not to share that piece of information. The fire was already burning out of control without fuel being added. “Once you think this through, I’m hoping you’ll agree this is best for everyone. You can return to DMI and assume your rightful place as president.”

  “Second in charge, right?”

  “I don’t think you should see it as second.”

  “I really don’t care what you think, Mother.” Under normal circumstances, Madeline wouldn’t allow such a flagrant show of disrespect from her child or anybody else’s. She’d give Tamara a pass in this case but placed no guarantees on doing the same in future encounters. “Mother, I’m not letting you bully me into changing my mind.”

  “Is that what you think I’m doing?”