My grandmother laughed — a sound of genuine, delighted approval.
“You are absolutely ruthless. I love it. Let’s draw up the paperwork.”
I bought the building for $1.3 million through an LLC. The purchase had no obvious connection to me. The medical practice expanded, renovated, and when they needed a new office manager, they promoted from within. My mother, who had quietly stopped drinking, started therapy, and not called in sick once in four months, was their candidate.
The practice manager called me, as landlord, to discuss the staffing decision as a routine courtesy.
“She’s really impressed us lately,” she said. “I know she had some personal struggles in the past, but she seems genuinely committed to doing better. I’d like to offer her the promotion.”
