Old Souls

          I look at Anthony and he looks at me. His eyes are full of derision as he runs his eyes from the top of my head, down. Then he sniffs and looks out the window, obeying his wife, mouth pursed shut.           Oh boy. I’m not putting up with this twice in my life, and certainly not from another Templeman. My temper snaps.           “Your son is incredibly talented. Focused. Ridiculously intelligent. He is instrumental in keeping a publishing house running.”           “What, licking stamps? Answering phones?” We lock eyes.           I bark a laugh. “Is that seriously what you think he does?”           “I’m not going to sit here and be spoken to like this by you, young woman. I’ve seen his email signature block. Assistant TO the CEO. I don’t know who you think you are.”           He’s attempting to reestablish his authority. Maybe I’ll sit down and be a good little girl. Josh’s instinct to protect me is making him rise up out of his chair but I wave him back.           I got this.