Focus. This is not the reason I took Court out of the house.
Because I know about Mom’s propensity to eavesdrop, I walk in silence for a couple of blocks, then look around. We’re clear.
“Now we can talk,” I say.
I expect Court to look concerned or slightly upset, but he just gives me that easygoing smile. “Sure. About what?”
“Did you hear anything I said in Maui? My ‘no dating until the promotion’ thing?”
“Sure, how could I forget? I’ve never heard anything so crazy.”
I shake my head. “You don’t understand.” And he never will because he’s a man. “The firm’s very male-dominant. It’s hard to stand out or be heard as a woman. A man and I can say the exact same thing, and everyone’s going to praise him for his great idea, while acting like I said nothing.”
I brace myself for an argument. Things like that don’t happen anymore.
Companies are much more egalitarian now.
Maybe it’s just you, not your gender.
“That sucks. And what a waste. Fifty percent of the population is women. Ignoring them is stupid.”
My anger and resentment recede like a tide at his sincere tone.
“I’m surprised your dad lets people do that to you.” He stops for a second. “They do know who your dad is, right?”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t want any appearance of nepotism.” Actually, it’s worse because he acts just like the VPs. But I don’t want to admit that to Court. It seems…somehow disloyal to speak that way about Dad to him.
Court frowns. “He still should say something. If they’re doing it to you, they’re probably doing it to other women, too.”
Maybe. There are two other female junior analysts, but we don’t socialize much, since they’re both covering Europe. And “Hey, is your boss ignoring you, too?” isn’t something you can just bring up at the annual Christmas party.
“It’s better he doesn’t. I don’t want any special treatment.” My tone is prickly as the scene from the meeting flashes through my head. Frustration and anger entwine around me. I shouldn’t have to feel the need to defend how I’m treated by other VPs or my own dad at work.
But I don’t think my defense makes a difference. Court is still looking at me like Dad should say something.
He shakes his head. “Never mind nepotism and your dad. If the promotion is that important, wouldn’t you get it if you had a huge account that you could manage?”
It’s sweet of him to try to help, but it’s obvious Court knows nothing about how SFG works. “I could bring in an account, but that’s about where it would end. Nobody lets a junior analyst manage a big account.”
“That’s just a small detail. I can put some money in with the company. Let’s say…a hundred million?”
I stare, unable to believe what he’s suggesting. A hundred million?
He continues, “That should be enough to get you noticed… Don’t you think?”
No kidding. My thoughts and emotions spin out in all directions. It’s like what Rodney and I discussed after the meeting telepathically transported itself into Court’s head. Rodney thought I’d have to do some convincing to do. But it doesn’t look that way. Court is actually volunteering.
A hundred million.
The amount takes my breath away, but he’s talking about it like it’s nothing.
But why is he doing this for me? He doesn’t know me well enough to do that. My promotion means nothing to him. What’s his deal? In most normal cases, I’d say he’s hoping for some nights out and getting laid, but a hundred million is a way too much for that.
He isn’t finished. “And I can say that the condition of me keeping my money with SFG is you managing my portfolio. What do you think?”
Holy cow. “You know if you do that, I really will end up managing your money, don’t you?” I say weakly. I do grunt work. Even if I get promoted, I’ll be building models, not managing a full portfolio for a client on my own.
“Yeah, so? Aren’t you good?” He smiles.