Humbled by Patricia Haley Read Free Book Online Page A

made the call. Tamara answered.
    â€œWhat do you want, Mother?”
    â€œDo you have to answer in such a mean way?”
    â€œOh gosh, Mother, please! What do you want? Haven’t you badgered me enough? I’m not working for DMI. What will it take for you to stop?”
    â€œIf you’d give me a chance to speak, you’d find out that I’m calling to apologize.” Madeline could hear what sounded like Tamara fumbling with the phone. “Are you there?” More fumbling ensued. “Tamara, are you there?”
    â€œI’m here. I’m sorry. I dropped my phone. I guess your apologizing was such a shock that I dropped the phone. Did I hear you right? You’re apologizing?”
    Madeline would have hung up on anyone else, but she remained on the phone. Tamara had more power than Madeline cared to admit. The bond of love was too strong to ignore and often too intense to manage effectively.
    Just then Don walked back into her office.
    Madeline let her gaze trace the edge of her shoe as she leaned against the desk. “You heard me,” she said softly.
    â€œWhat did you say?” Tamara asked. “I can barely hear you.”
    Madeline knew Tamara could hear perfectly well. She just wanted her to grovel. Madeline was reluctant, but if groveling kept Tamara in Detroit, she was willing to swallow a jumbo portion of her pride. “I apologize for pushing so hard with you earlier. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” Don gave her the thumbs-up. “I just wanted to . . .” she said before Don gave her the time-out sign. “Excuse me for a minute. Your brother is trying to tell me something.” Madeline covered the mouthpiece and lowered the phone.
    â€œMother, don’t rehash the discussion with her. It’s bound to end up in a bad place.”
    Madeline pushed the mute button on the phone. “Can’t I at least let her know why I’m so passionate about my proposal?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy not?” Madeline whispered.
    â€œBecause she’s heard it over and over. I mean no disrespect, Mother, but you should give it a rest. Apologize and leave her alone.” Don took a seat in front of the desk.
    Madeline was being double teamed. She wasn’t going to win this round.
    â€œMother, I can’t stay on the call much longer. What were you saying?” Tamara asked.
    Madeline fumbled with the mute button before pressing it. “Nothing. I’m apologizing, and that’s basically it.” Tamara didn’t respond as quickly as Madeline wanted. “Did you hear me?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDo you have anything to say?”
    â€œNot really. I’ve heard you semi-apologize in the past. It never lasts, Mother, and you know it.”
    Madeline sat on a corner of the desk. “Look, young lady, I’m trying, so give me a break.”
    â€œYou never give me one. What do you expect me to say? I could tell you the truth, but you don’t want to hear what I have to say.”
    â€œTry me,” Madeline said, latching her hand onto her hip.
    Don grimaced.
    â€œI’m starting my own company if Zarah will sell me the West Coast division.”
    â€œHold on. Your brother is here. I’m putting you on speakerphone.” He was the reason Madeline had overridden her better judgment and called Tamara, and that earned him the right to hear her nonsense firsthand.
    â€œI’m putting together my business plan over the next few weeks,” Tamara continued.
    â€œIf you’re not going to work here, at least let me help you with a solid start-up plan. You can start a small business without the West Coast division,” Madeline said.
    â€œI won’t need your help or your money. I’m getting the division on my own.”
    â€œWhy are you being so stubborn?” Madeline asked.
    â€œYou call it stubborn. I call it being independent. I have to go, Mother. See you later,