(Avery)
The car ride to the company building was quiet. My parents sat in the back with me while Caleb sat in the front with the driver. I stared out the window at the tall buildings as we passed. The closer we got, the more my nerves grew.
Mom placed a hand on mine. “Remember, Avery, speak when asked. Listen to the questions. Be calm. You do not have to know everything, but you must sound sure of what you do know.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
Dad added, “This is not just about you. It is about showing the board that our family’s future is secure. They need to see you as the next voice in the room.”
I pressed my lips together and stayed quiet. Their words were meant to encourage me, but they added weight too. I wanted to do well, not just for them, but for myself.
When we arrived, the
