“I’m sorry.”
“That is acceptable at nine fifteen.”
Evelyn almost smiled.
Then:
“I want a special board meeting.”
Rachel sighed.
“Why?”
“Because of last night.”
“Are you planning to resign?”
Evelyn stopped.
“Do you want me to?”
“That is not my decision.”
“You have an opinion.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Rachel took time.
“I think dramatic resignation can become a way powerful people escape the slower work of changing behavior.”
Evelyn sat at her breakfast table.
Outside, snow had begun falling over Lake Michigan.
“So no?”
“I did not say that.”
“Rachel.”
“I think the board needs to review the incident because the chair called security on a child performer.”
“Yes.”
“I think your role should be discussed.”
“Yes.”
“I also think you should not arrive with a punishment already chosen and ask everybody to perform accountability around it.”
Evelyn leaned back.
“You dislike me.”
Rachel laughed.
“I have known you eight months.”
“You have disliked people faster.”
“True.”
Then more seriously:
“I do not dislike you.”
“I dislike that you often confuse protecting the foundation with controlling everything around it.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Charles had said something similar.
Less politely.
“You are becoming my husband.”
“I hope he had better benefits.”
Evelyn laughed unexpectedly.
Then became quiet.
“Rachel.”
“Yes?”
“I want to know what Amaya wants.”
“No.”
The answer came immediately.
Evelyn stared at the phone.
“No?”
“She is ten.”
“I know.”
“She does not need to become the moral consultant for a sixty-three-year-old wealthy donor.”
Evelyn winced.
“Fair.”
“Her parents can decide whether they want to participate in any follow-up.”
“Yes.”
“Do not ask the child what consequence you deserve.”
“I wasn't going to.”
“Good.”
Rachel paused.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Do not donate money today.”
Evelyn almost laughed.
“What?”
“You will want to.”
She did.
“Do not.”
“Why?”
“Because money is your most practiced language.”
Evelyn stared.
“That is insulting.”
“It is also true.”
Rachel continued.
“If you increase Amaya’s scholarship immediately after this, everyone will wonder whether she earned it or whether you bought relief.”
Evelyn hated how accurate it was.
“So what am I allowed to do?”
Rachel’s voice softened slightly.
“Listen.”
There.
The board met three days later.
Not all trustees could attend in person, so two appeared by video.
Rachel opened with facts.
Not accusations.
At approximately 6:25 p.m., board chair Evelyn Harrington approached Young Composer Award recipient Amaya Reed while Amaya was warming up at the gala piano.
Amaya wore a performer credential.
Evelyn questioned her authorization.
Asked about her parents.
Instructed her to stop playing.
Requested assistance from hotel security.
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