It's an Idea

*Grant*

I lie awake most of the night, staring at the ceiling, listening to my wife breathe. Her inhales and exhales are steady, which gives me hope that, unlike me, she is fast asleep.

I’d like to fall into slumber as well, but I can’t at the moment. I keep going over everything Anna suggested tonight when I accidentally woke her. If she was ever actually asleep. Sometimes, I think she just pretends to be asleep so she doesn’t have to speak to me.

Find out what Mr. Savage wants that he doesn’t have. It’s an interesting thought. I don’t know if I’m capable of pulling that off by myself, but if I suggest it to Grandmother Trudy, I might earn some respect from her. I know she’s looking for someone to take over the company when she retires. While it only makes sense that it would be my father or Uncle Fred to do so, I’m certain Carson will throw his hat in the ring–so why shouldn’t I.

I try to ignore the answer that pops into my head. “Because you’re not capable, Grant. You can’t even run a successful marriage, let alone a successful multi-billion dollar corporation.”

Sighing, I roll over, press a pillow to my head, and reach for sleep.

My alarm goes off what seems like only a few moments later. I turn it off quickly and look over at Anna. She’s not in bed. That’s too bad. Part of me wanted to speak to her again about her idea before I run it by grandmother, but it looks like I’m out of luck. Even if I run into my wife in the kitchen before I leave, she’ll be busy helping out the house staff, like she usually does. I wish my family could see her worth and not expect her to putter around the house all day. She really is a brilliant business woman. She’s always been a gifted student, so she did well in college. It’s too bad she’s never gotten to put any of her skills into practice.

It's like she was born to run a large corporation.

I take a shower and get dressed, putting on my favorite cufflinks that Grandmother Trudy gave me the day I started working at Young Corporation, and then head out the door, briefcase in hand. I swing by the kitchen to grab a bite to take with me to the office. Unfortunately, my wife is nowhere to be seen.

The office isn’t far away. I pull into my designated parking spot and stroll inside, determined to have a word with my grandmother before she gets too busy, but when I reach her office, Carson is already inside. I curse myself and check my watch. We aren’t even supposed to be here yet.

“I’m sorry, Carson, but that’s almost as asinine an idea as the one you had yesterday,” Grandmother is telling my cousin. I take a step backward, away from the partially open door so as not to be seen. I don’t want to eavesdrop, but I do want to know what his idiotic idea is so that I don’t suggest the same thing.

“But I’m certain they’ll hire me,” Carson is saying. “We must give this a chance, Grandmother Trudy.” Technically, she is not his grandmother but his great-aunt, but everyone here calls her Grandmother Trudy–except for the secretaries and clerks. They call her Mrs. Young.

“No,” Grandmother Trudy says with resolve. “I will not have you attempting to take a job for our enemy to infiltrate his company. It’s stupid and bound to backfire, now get out of here before you actually do need to go looking for another job.”

Carson huffs and turns around, plowing toward the door so quickly, I barely have time to step aside. He’s grumbling under his breath and barely notices me.

Grandmother Trudy's astute eye doesn’t miss much, though. “Grant?” she calls. “Did you need something, grandson?”

I sort of wish I hadn’t come. I can’t even remember what I was going to say, but I find myself walking into her office with a broad smile plastered on my face. “Good morning, Grandmother,” I say. “Carson arrived to work early today.”

She rolls her eyes. “He’s up to no good again. Fool.” With a sigh, she composes herself. “Now, what does my favorite grandson want?”

I let out a soft chuckle. “I don’t think you have a favorite.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.

“Well, I may say the same thing to my other grandson.” She lets out a little giggle. “Please tell me you’ve decided to take my advice about that wife of yours.”

My stomach churns as I sit down across from her. Last night over dinner, she tried again, and most of the rest of the family chimed in, agreeing with her. I should divorce Anna and marry Barabara. But my mother had stood up for my wife, as she always does, and I had left it without an answer.

I should’ve told her no.

“I’m not here to talk about that,” I reply. “I want to talk to you about Savage Enterprises.”

This time, her sigh is not so contained. “What about them? Don’t tell me even you are coming up with hairbrained schemes to infiltrate them.”

“No, nothing like that,” I assure her. “But you did say you wanted ideas, and I have one.”

“Well, let’s hear it.” She folds her hands in front of her chest on the desk.

I take a deep breath and launch into the speech I’ve sort of been rehearsing since last night. “What if we find a property that he really wants and get there first? Then, we’d be able to bargain with him. Trade it for the property we want.”

She stares at me for a moment, and I’m about to run out of the room when she says, “That might work.”

For a brief moment, hope bubbles up inside of me, and I think I might have actually scored some points with her.

Then, she shakes her head. “But it would be nearly impossible to find out that information. I’m quite certain Mr. Savage guards his acquisitions as securely as we try to.” She emphasizes the word “try” because it’s obviously become quite clear to many people that we want this specific piece of property.

“Well, it’s worth a try, isn’t it? I can do some searching, see if I can find any property owners who are selling who have been contacted by his firm. It never hurts to check.” I shrug nonchalantly like I don’t feel like all my hopes and dreams are crumbling.

Her face softens a bit as she says, “As long as it doesn’t interfere with your other work, grandson, of course you can see what you can find out. Just don’t go embarrassing yourself like your cousin did yesterday.”

“I would never do that,” I assure her, hoping it’s true.

Grandmother Trudy chuckles. “Give me another kiss before work starts, and then get to your office.” She taps her cheek, and I lean over and kiss her again before grabbing my briefcase and leaving.

I have one foot out the door when she says, “Oh, and let me know what you think about Barbara soon, Grant. A woman that beautiful won’t be single forever.”

My shoulders slump as I turn to look at her, forcing a smile. “Yes, Grandmother.”