Snapshot

by Kay Cove

“With everything that happened…it got me thinking. Maybe it’s time for Hessler Group to go public. We can take on investors and hire a board who actually gets to make decisions. The burden wouldn’t be all mine anymore. We could walk away and have a normal life if you want. Move back into the Las Vegas house, be neighbors with Finn and Avery. See your parents every weekend. What do you think?” What do I think? It’s my dream come true. But I can’t help but wonder if that’s what’s best for Dex. “Going public means pretty much giving up your company, right? If you have a real board in power, they could fire you as they please.” “Yes, and they most definitely would. Their decisions would be made on the biggest profit margins, not about what’s best for the employees and customers.” “Then why would you even consider that?” I ask, gripping the phone tighter in my hand. “Because I don’t want to waste away in an office like Grandma and Harrison. I also don’t want to lose you like Jacob lost Grandma. I want to see you every day I’m alive. I want to be there for our future kids and have priorities that matter. After forty years of marriage, I don’t want to be writing apology letters to you as you pine for another man. I refuse to let the woman I love live a lonely life.” “Dex, I won’t⁠—” The front door opens behind me, and Avery peeks her head around the door. “Hey, I thought I heard you out here. Am I interrupting?” “It’s Dex,” I tell her. “Oh, okay,” she says, stepping out onto the ...