A new plan

When everything was straightened out, letters written and staff leaving, it became quiet at the compound. I went up to the nursery and breastfed Anthony…at his age, he drinks from both of my breasts. I burped him and I brought him into the kitchen for solid food. Anna came in and helped me with Anthony.

“Lee? Tío wants to talk to you. He’s in your office.”

“Thanks, Anna. Does he know that I’m feeding the baby?”

“He does,” she said. “I can take care of this part of feeding him.”

“I appreciate that,” I said as I made a mental note to give her a raise. 

As promised, Tío was in my office and we both know why he was there. I’d walked in on him in my office going through the books on the shelves. He knew that at this point in time that my books are off limits as many of them are first or second editions and in fragile care.

"You know my policy about my books," I said sternly.

"Sorry, Lee," Tio said sheepishly. "I love your collection of books. As much as I appreciate your collection and variety of selection, it's not why I am here. I need to resign."

"You stayed behind because Doc asked you to in order to make sure," I said. 

"How do you know everything? No one slipped up!"

"Tio, how do you figure that I lasted so long in government work? I trust my gut and very few people," I explained. "Did you thoroughly read your contract with me prior to signing it?"

"I doubt it."

"Well, here it is," I said as I pulled it out of my locked filing cabinet. "Kay is here to look it over with you. Kay? Come on in. I'll let you two be."

I let Tio and Kay be in office. Thirty five minutes went by when Kay texted me to let me know that I was needed in the office. Told her that I was on my way but it'd take a few minutes as I was on the other side of the main house. 

"Hey, what did we decide?" I asked.

"Why wasn't I made aware of this clause in the contract?"

"It was always there," I said. "On the day of you signing this contract, I had asked you multiple times how thoroughly you read your contract. You said that you combed through it with a fine tooth brush. Had you, you would've know that if you resigned from working for me AND with me to work for Doc, you wouldn't be allowed to work in security within the country for twenty five years. It's in large, bold font just above where you signed your name."

"Kay, is there anything that you can do to get me out of this contract?"

"I can't say anything as it would be a conflict of interest as Leeandria is my main client here plus she and I have a friendship spanning many years," she said. "I can suggest different attorneys for you to use but it would take many years to end the contract plus thousands of dollars and you wouldn't be able to work at all after it all.”

“How can I get out of my contract and work for Doc?”

“Tío, it’d take you years before you’re able to do so,” I explained. “Is this something that you want to do?”

“What if you fire me?”

“You know that I’ll never fire such a great person and distant cousin of mine. There’s only one way that I’d let you resign,” I said. “You’d never be able to work for Doc nor I, though.”

“Diplomatic protection?”

“Exactly. You’d have little time with your family, practically no sick time, no health benefits, missed holidays and birthdays of loved ones,” I explained. 

“What if I have six months to live?” he asked.

“You know that your doctor’s second call would be me,” I said. “You’re healthy. However, if you had months to a few years to live, you’d be able to resign. You’d still be able to have medical benefits and your funeral expenses would be paid.”

“Am I allowed to hang out with the guys from Doc’s? Let me guess. I have to sign a NDA?”

“You can and yes,” I said. “I’d expect Doc have the same.”

“I’ll sign it,” Tío said. 

After signing the NDA, Kay and I followed suit. Kay then notarized it.

Tío and I shook hands as Kay winked. We had a plan set in place.