Without it, he looked even younger.
He stood when Margaret entered.
"Mrs. Whitfield."
"You heard?"
He gave a weak smile.
"The whole building heard."
Margaret sat beside him.
"Sit."
He did.
For several seconds neither spoke.
Then Sam said:
"So you're really the owner."
"Apparently."
"I thought Daniel was joking."
"He rarely jokes."
Sam looked at his hands.
"I feel stupid."
"Why?"
"I told you everything."
"About my mom."
"About Derek."
"I brought you tea."
Margaret smiled.
"Those are not stupid things."
"I complained about corporate to the owner."
"You were correct."
That made him look up.
Margaret continued.
"You said corporate likes numbers."
"I've been thinking about that all morning."
Sam looked nervous.
"Am I fired?"
Margaret's heart hurt.
"No."
"You're reinstated for today's shift if you want it."
"Your lost time will be paid."
"But I would prefer you go home and sleep."
His shoulders dropped.
Relief.
Real relief.
"Thank you."
"No."
Margaret shook her head.
"Thank you."
Sam looked uncomfortable.
"I didn't do anything."
"You did."
"You treated me like a person."
"That's not supposed to be exceptional."
"But apparently here it was."
Sam stared at the floor.
"My mom would've been mad if I didn't."
"I like your mother."
"You've never met her."
"I like her anyway."
He smiled.
Margaret took an envelope from her handbag.
Sam saw it.
His expression changed immediately.
"No."
"You don't know what it is."
"If it's money, no."
Margaret paused.
Interesting.
"Why?"
"Because I wasn't nice to you for money."
"I know."
"I don't want people saying—"
"They will say things regardless."
Sam shook his head.
"I don't want a reward for doing what I was supposed to do."
Margaret studied him.
Then put the envelope away.
"Fair."
He relaxed slightly.
"But I would like permission to ask about your mother's treatment."
"Why?"
"Because Whitfield Hospitality has a family foundation."
"We fund medical hardship grants."
"Independent committee."
"Employees apply."
"Nobody told you?"
Sam stared.
"No."
Margaret's anger returned in a quieter form.
Benefits existed.
People did not know.
Another system failure.
"Would you let someone explain it to you?"
"Maybe."
"Good."
"And Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm not promising your mother will be cured."
He nodded.
"I know."
"But I can promise we will make sure you understand every legitimate resource available."
His eyes filled.
"Thank you."
Margaret stood.
At the door, Sam said:
"Mrs. Whitfield?"
She turned.
"You shouldn't fire everyone."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Some people are scared of Derek."
"I know."