Sins of the Father by Angela Benson Page B

Thomas.”
    “You’re kidding me,” Isaac said. He didn’t want to even think about his mother’s reaction
     to this news. He sat in the chair nearest him. Rebecca and Alan followed, taking seats
     on either side of him. “When did Dad do this? I knew he’d offered Deborah a job and
     that she’d taken it, but he didn’t mention anything about the board.”
    “He was supposed to tell you and them the night of the accident. I know why he didn’t
     tell them, but I’m not sure why he didn’t tell you.”
    “He tried,” Rebecca said, “but the conversation deteriorated pretty quickly.”
    “I understand,” Alan said. “Abraham didn’t think the news would go over well.”
    “Then why did he do it?” Isaac asked, thinking how much his world had shifted in the
     last four months. He rubbed his temple as he felt another stress headache coming on.
    “His only explanation to me was that they are his children.”
    “Leah is not his child,” Isaac said, angry on his mother’s behalf. “She’s his former
     mistress. Putting her on the board is a slap in my mother’s face. How could he disrespect
     her this way?”
    Alan put a hand on Isaac’s forearm. “It wasn’t about disrespecting your mother. It’s
     that he didn’t trust Michael Thomas. His mother is on the board in his stead.”
    At the mention of Michael’s name, Isaac met his wife’s gaze. “At least Dad is rational
     where Michael is concerned,” he said to Alan. “But I still don’t like the idea of
     Leah and Deborah with seats on the board.”
    “I’m sorry, but it’s a done deal. When I leave here, I’m meeting with the two women.
     They need to be at the press conference.”
    Isaac shook his head. “No way,” he said. “Their presence will only add more uncertainty
     to an already uncertain situation.”
    “But your father—”
    Isaac met the older man’s gaze. “My father’s in a coma and I’m running MEEG. I’m not
     going against his wishes. If he put them on the board, they’re on the board, but we
     don’t make that announcement at the press conference or at the companywide meeting.
     We do it down the road in a month or so. If Dad’s back at the helm by then, all well
     and good, then he can make the announcement. If he’s not, then people will have become
     used to his absence and the announcement won’t generate much interest.”
    “If that’s the way you want it.”
    Isaac nodded. “That’s the way I want it.”
    “We need to have a board meeting in the next day or so.”
    “Let’s talk about that tomorrow morning. Right now, I need to spend some time with
     my family.”
    Alan checked his watch. “One more thing. Have you told Leah and her family about the
     change in Abraham’s condition?”
    Isaac shook his head. “Mom wouldn’t hear of it.”
    “I know this is hard for her, Isaac, but you’re going to have to make room for your
     half brother and half sister. It’s what Abraham would want. It’s the right thing to
     do.”
    Isaac winced at the terms “half brother” and “half sister.” Deborah and Michael weren’t
     only Abraham’s children, they were also his brother and sister. He pushed away the
     childhood memory of himself asking his mother for a baby brother or sister. “I know
     you’re right, Alan, but she’s my mother and this is killing her. She has to come first.”
    “Look,” Alan said, “I’ll let Leah and Deborah know when I go over there, and we’ll
     work out a visiting schedule of some sort. Talk to your mother. She can’t make those
     kids go away.”
    “I’ll try but you should talk to her, too. You’ll probably have more sway with her.
     She trusts you.”
    “Good enough,” Alan said. “I’ll come back here around lunch and force her to get something
     to eat. While we’re eating, Leah and Deborah can visit with Abraham. I’m pretty sure
     Michael won’t be visiting, so he won’t be a problem.”
    “I understand about Deborah and Michael,