I found my seat in the back as the waiters were delivering the entrées. Everyone was already paired off in conversation, raising their voices against the echo of the big room. My arrival went unnoticed. I cut my chicken and asparagus into small, careful bites, taking up as much time as I could. I buttered a roll and ate it, then buttered and ate another one.
Thank God, I thought when the waiters cleared our dishes and Henry Fletcher approached the podium on stage. He cleared his throat, and the microphone screeched with feedback. He rattled off a list of thank-yous, then droned on about the importance of supporting young and emerging artists. That during these trying economic times, it was crucial to ensure that arts programs retained funding. It was very dreary. Half the room was checking e-mail by the time he was finished.
At the end of his speech, Mr. Fletcher paused. He folded up the piece of paper he had been reading from, removed his glasses, and returned both to his pocket. Then he cleared his throat again. “And now, before I turn it over to the formidable Laurie Silver, I’d like to make an announcement.”
This was a surprise.
“I’m pleased to say here, for the first time, that Dot and I are making a donation of ten million dollars to the Fletcher Foundation to establish a new series of grants for next year and future years. And for all donations made in the next six months, we will personally match your gifts dollar for dollar.”
The room erupted in applause. Mr. Fletcher smiled a stiff smile.
“We want to show our commitment to the vitality and endurance of the great achievements of the foundation during the past decade, and we hope you’ll join us in doing so. And, without further ado, Laurie Silver, president of the Fletcher Foundation.”
The room rose to its feet, the applause swelling as Laurie ascended the stage. I was relieved. Even if I hated it, I would be able to keep my job until I found something better. Laurie and Mr. Fletcher embraced. She was smiling, but she looked less exuberant than I expected. From the snatches I’d overheard, Laurie had asked for another three or four million to keep things running. Henry Fletcher had just thrown us a lifeline above and beyond what we needed, I was sure of it.
After Laurie’s speech, I found Abby and Jake by the bar. I ordered a double vodka on the rocks. Eleanor’s rule probably wasn’t real, and I didn’t care. Something about the news of the donation, and Laurie’s reaction, had unsettled me. I suspected that I had very little understanding of what was really happening. It was all occurring under the surface, where I couldn’t see. But a minute later, after the drink, I felt better. Calmer.
“That was nice, right?” Abby said to Jake. “It’s great that your parents are doing that.”
Jake shrugged. “Yeah. It’s good.”
“Did you have fun?” Abby asked me.
“Sure. It was fine.” I tipped back my drink, the ice rattling in my glass.
“Let’s get you another one of those.” She waved at the bartender.
“We’re going out after this, right?”
“Not me. My alarm is going off tomorrow at six whether I like it or not.”
“What? Abby!”
“Do you know what it’s like teaching kindergarten with a hangover? Fucking miserable is what. I learned my lesson the first time. Sorry, Jules, I can’t.”
“It’s just been so long since we went out together.” I sounded whiny.
Jake faked a yawn, slipping his arm around Abby’s waist. “Yeah. I’ve got an early day tomorrow, too. Should we go get a cab?”
“Sorry, sorry.” Abby hugged me. “You look great, though, you really do.”
When the bartender came over, I ordered another drink. The ballroom was emptying fast, the guests bolting for the coat check and their black cars. I noticed Laurie and Dot Fletcher by the side of the stage. The vodka emboldened me. I ought to go and thank Mrs. Fletcher for the donation. Laurie sometimes seemed to forget that I was a real person, equipped to handle more than the most basic administrative work. This—a chance to sound articulate and thoughtful—might help remind her of that. I was smart, I was interesting, I was capable of intelligent conversation. I deserved more than I was getting. Maybe I just had to take it for myself.
I touched Mrs. Fletcher on the elbow. She looked startled to see me. “Oh, hello, Julia. Laurie’s speech was wonderful, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was. Mrs. Fletcher,” I said, glancing over at Laurie. Her lips were drawn in a tight line. “I just wanted to say thank you, so much, for your and Mr. Fletcher’s show of support tonight. It was inspiring, really.”
Dot and Laurie made brief eye contact, something passing between them. “There’s no need to thank us, dear. We see this foundation as our responsibility. It bears our name, after all.”
“Of course. Well, I thought it was very nice.”
“Yes,” Laurie said. “In fact, we were just talking about what this donation is going to allow us to do in the upcoming year.”