Miranda by Sheila Sheeran Read Free Book Online Page A

important that, if we got the expected contracts, Medika would be the biggest in the business. More than business, we would be improving access to health services for people who don’t have the same opportunities as we do–yes, on this side of the map where we mistakenly take so many things for granted.
    It’s not every day that one meets with a nation’s health minister.
    During the flight, the movie that I chose turned out to be boring. Perhaps because the only thing I did was think about the fact that I never got a chance to speak to Norman about his wife’s visit. I also didn’t feel like I had the confidence to do it. But why did she return? Where had she been for so long? Where had she been for the last two months? Where had she been for the last twenty years?
    Did she really think that there was more than a business and friendly relationship between Norman and I? What did she think of me? What did she think of Norman?
    ***
    It was my second day in a Latin American country. When the meeting was over, I dialed Ethan’s number. He picked up, but didn’t begin speaking to me right away; rather he apologized to those at his meeting, which wasn’t as important as mine, of course.
    “Ah! Took you long enough!” I smiled, because he didn’t abandon his sarcastic tone even at long distance.
    “What’s going on, Ethan? I was with the Minister…” He interrupted me.
    “I don’t care, Miranda. You need to come back immediately!” Something important was definitely happening, and it was not the meeting that he had arranged, that I repeat, was not as important as my own.
    “Why? Has Norman gotten worse?”
    “Norman has gone crazy! Does that count?” He paused his speaking to think, to explain as well as his stress could allow. “Miranda, Medika has undergone a form of coup d’etat!”
    For a few seconds, confusion dominated my thoughts.
    “What are you saying, Ethan?”
    “Your beloved Norman has named his son, Eliezer, President of the company! That stranger bastard is our boss!” He announced, finally, and because I couldn’t seem to react, he started talking again. “The jet is on its way to pick you up. Be sure to be at the airport at six o’clock. Please, Miranda, be punctual.”
    Alone, my thoughts attacked me.
But what can you do, Miranda? He’s his son, and moreover, Norman is the principal shareholder in the company. He can name whomever he wants to any position, even though that might put his mental capacity in question.
    I called Norman.
    He picked up on the first ring.
    “Hello, Miranda. How are you?”
    “I’m fine, Norman.” I lied. “How are you?”
    I noticed relief in his voice.
    “Much better, thank you. Tomorrow they’ll be releasing me. They are going to transfer me to the rehabilitation center to begin therapy.”
    “Then I’m going to come by in the morning to help you.” It wasn’t a question, it was an assertion.
    “No, Miranda, don’t worry, Isabel will help me.”
    Isabel? His wife?
It took me a few seconds to continue the conversation. I must admit that it took some work for me to get used to hearing him pronounce that name: Isabel.
    “Say no more. Let me know if you need me.”
    “As I always do, Miranda. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
    That he would hang up so quickly surprised me. Norman is not one of those people that presses the “END CALL” button while saying goodbye. He likes to take a few seconds, even if only as a courtesy.
    He didn’t ask me the obligatory question, a habit that, in reality, was his personal way of saying hello. He didn’t ask me where I was as far as the country. He didn’t say those words that always managed to make me feel at home. “Hello, traveler. In what part of the world do you find yourself today?” The events seemed more confusing to me each time–much more confusing.
    ***
    The return flight was like a dream. It came so quickly, barely the next day after my arrival, at the end of the day of meetings. Everything