Chapter 9 - THE EMPLOYEES WHO REFUSED TO STAY SILENT
The criminal case lasted eleven months.
Thomas pleaded guilty to multiple financial crimes after three former executives testified.
Adrian testified too.
He avoided prison on some charges because of his cooperation but lost nearly everything financially.
Before sentencing, he came to see me.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
“Good.”
He nodded.
“I loved Emily.”
“I know.”
“I loved you too.”
That hurt more.
“Then why?”
He looked at the floor.
“Cowardice doesn't always feel like cowardice while you're doing it.”
I understood.
That didn't excuse him.
We shook hands once.
Then he left.
June became chair of the Blackwell Employee Council.
She hated the title.
She accepted it anyway.
The council had authority to audit payroll practices independently.
Employees elected its members.
Not executives.
June eventually left domestic service completely.
She studied human resources at night.
The company paid tuition under a program available to every employee.
Not just her.
That distinction mattered to both of us.
Her mother got the oxygen machine.
Lila joined a soccer team.
Micah lost two front teeth and apparently considered this his greatest professional accomplishment.
June moved them into an apartment fifteen minutes from her work.
The first time I visited, she apologized because the living room was messy.
I stared at her.
She started laughing.
“Habit.”
“You're allowed to have a messy house.”
“So are you.”
That was harder.
For two years after Emily died, I had preserved our mansion like a mausoleum.
Her books untouched.
Her coat still in the closet.
Her coffee cup in a cabinet nobody used.
Then one Saturday, June's children visited.
Micah spilled grape juice on a rug Emily had chosen in Paris.
I stared at the purple stain.
He looked terrified.
June looked ready to die.
Then I laughed.
I couldn't stop.
Emily had hated that rug.
She bought it because an interior designer insisted.
She would have found the entire thing hilarious.
We cleaned the stain.
Mostly.
A faint purple shadow remained.
May you like
I kept it.
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