Meredith looked down at the wine colored gown. “I picked it up at a consignment store down in Baton Rouge last time I was there.”

“The color’s perfect on you. I know you get tired of hearing this, but I do so prefer to see you dressed up than in those ratty clothes you like to wear on the weekends.” Mairee reached out as if to touch Meredith’s cheek, but lowered her hand again. “Forbes told us that you were feeling like we don’t respect you or your position in the company.”

Meredith closed her eyes and ground her breath in the back of her throat. “He shouldn’t have said anything. It wasn’t his place.”

“No. It was yours. Why didn’t you ever say anything?” Instead of looking affronted, sadness filled her mother’s expression.

“I guess because I thought that you’d eventually realize you were riding roughshod over me. I thought if I put up with it long enough, you’d see that you treat me differently than any of the other executive directors.” Meredith wished she hadn’t taken her jacket off. Chill bumps danced up and down her arms.

“You’re right.” Dad rested his hand on her shoulder. “We have been taking advantage of the fact you’re our daughter. And we promise that’s going to stop.”

“But you have to make us a promise in return.” Mom smiled. “You have to promise that you’ll come to us and talk about these things before they make you so mad that you take it out on other members of the family. Okay?”

Leave it to Forbes and Jenn to make it all about them. “Okay.”

The elevator chimed, saving her from more awkward parental attention. They moved on to take their seats, and Meredith returned to her post.

The room buzzed with voices, the twelve-piece orchestra barely discernable above the din. Meredith couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. The lead-up to tonight had been anything but easy; but the guests, dressed in their glittering best, talked and laughed and appeared to be enjoying themselves. These were the moments she lived for.

A Bible verse strayed through her thoughts: Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.