Alice braced herself.
“Dylan Fall has made Durand Enterprises the most profitable and fastest-growing company in our industry. As a shareholder, I wouldn’t want to do anything to hinder the growth or value of this company. Alan Durand was smart enough to see his potential, and since then, Dylan has proven himself as worthy of that trust again and again. I told you all that I wouldn’t be able to answer a lot of your questions, but I can tell you this for certain: Dylan Fall will continue as the CEO of Durand Enterprises for as long as he wants the job.”
By the time she finished with two other questions and sat down, Alice’s legs were rubbery from adrenaline running weak in her blood.
Dylan’s full attention appeared to be on Special Agent Lee making the FBI’s statement. Beneath the cover of the white cloth that covered the table, however, his hand closed on Alice’s knee. He gave her a squeeze. As always happened at Dylan’s touch, Alice’s tottering world slowly steadied once again.
A party-like atmosphere prevailed in the anteroom of the ballroom after the press conference came to an end. Not all of the Red Team had been able to come, but the ones who had were escorted back. A few of them looked a little tongue-tied at first by the news of Alice’s discovered identity and past. As soon as Alice hugged them each warmly, however, the hesitant ones quickly slid back into their former camp comfort levels. Dylan had surprised her—yet again—by having someone bring the Team Championship trophy. Alice and her kids finally got their opportunity to pass it among themselves, admire it, and share stories about what had led to their victory.
After they’d reminisced and caught up for a while, Judith covertly asked Alice if she could talk to her alone for a moment. Alice agreed and they went over to an empty corner.
“You did a good job up there,” Judith told her. “It must have been hard.”
“Yeah. I always was telling you guys that public speaking isn’t my forte,” Alice agreed dryly.
Judith shifted on her feet, clearly hesitant.
“Is everything okay, Judith?” Alice asked.
“It’s just . . . I know what it’s like. To go from one world to another,” Judith finally said reluctantly. She noticed Alice’s confusion. “My mom, grandma, and I lived on Wyoming Street in Detroit while my mom finished her college degree and first started out at the bank. When she got promoted to a management position, we moved to Sterling Heights. It was like moving to another planet. Maybe my leap wasn’t as huge as yours, but still—I at least have a hint of what you’re going through.”
&n
bsp; “How long did it take you to adjust?” Alice wondered.
Judith shrugged and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. For a few seconds, Alice thought she was going to go aloof on her again.
“I never really did,” Judith blurted out suddenly. She gave Alice a sheepish glance. “Not until recently, anyway, and I’ve still got a long way to go. Look, I know I was a bitch when I first got to camp. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time.”
“Apology accepted. I probably could have been a little more patient with you.”
Judith rolled her eyes. “If you were too patient, I would have walked all over you. You know that.”
Alice grinned in agreement.
“I wasn’t sure where I belonged. My mom wanted me to cut off all my ties with my friends in the old neighborhood and start out fresh in Sterling Heights. It was like she wanted to wash off the taint of Wyoming Street and never think about it again. Part of me agreed with her. I wanted to blend, just like her.”
“And the other part?” Alice asked softly.
“Felt like a hypocrite,” Judith said, her mouth twisting in anger.
“That’s understandable. I know I felt that way when I first went to college. I didn’t tell anyone where I’d grown up. It was one of my deepest shames.”
“Yeah. But even though I felt that way, I sort of wanted to get back at my mom for turning my whole life upside-down, too. I was always doing things to piss her off.”
“Like applying for Camp Durand?” Alice asked. She’d long wondered why Judith had insisted upon defying her mother and attending a camp that was largely populated by impoverished kids, especially since Judith had acted so superior and above everyone once she got there.
Judith’s chin went up in a familiar gesture of defiance. When Alice didn’t say anything else and just waited, the girl’s rebellion seemed to drain out of her. For a few seconds, she looked exactly like what she was: an intelligent, pretty, very vulnerable teenage girl.
“How pitiful am I?” Judith wondered gruffly under her breath.
“It’s not pitiful at all,” Alice said. “I think it makes sense. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Know what else I think?” Judith glanced up at her uncertainly. “I think maybe you thought getting back at your mom was the only reason you applied to Camp Durand, but I think there could have been another reason. I think you felt alienated and missed your old neighborhood, and your friends, and your roots, and part of you just wanted to connect again. And you did, Judith. In the most amazing way. Personally, I think you’ll be able to do it anywhere from now on. Wyoming Street. Sterling Heights . . . wherever you want to make a difference, you will.”
“So will you.”
Alice shrugged and grinned. “As far as Durand goes, they’re sort of forced to put up with me, at this point.”
Judith gave a bark of laughter. “Well, it’s like you were always proving to me. Sometimes the best leader isn’t the obvious one.”