On my seventy-first birthday, my granddaughter stood at the head of my table and announced, “Starting Monday, I’m taking over the company.”

I did not look at Natalie when the number appeared.

I looked at the board members.

Some looked ashamed.

Some looked afraid.

A few looked calculating.

Power reveals character because it forces people to choose quickly.

Natalie stood before the vote.

Her voice trembled beautifully.

She had always known how to perform pain.

“I made mistakes,” she said. “But everything I did was because I love this company. My grandmother is not well. Everyone knows it, but everyone is afraid to say it.”

Then she turned to me.

“Grandma, I love you. But you are confused. You are hurting everyone because you cannot let go.”

For one second, my heart reached for the old rhythm.

Protect her.

Comfort her.

End the tension.

Then Miriam placed Graham’s email on the screen.