Brian Davis was like most people. He did some of his best thinking in the shower. Yet, today, all Brian could think about as the water hit the back of his neck was which underwear he was going to wear to work.
Black?
It’s strong. Black makes a statement, even if no one can see it.
But, Brian was going to wear the blue suit, so maybe blue to match the suit. Although, matching the suit was not the intention. It was the tie that really mattered.
Yes, this was the biggest day of his career and his life. So, why was he focusing on his underwear instead of the real decision that was about to take place, that would affect so many things in his life?
Brian stepped out of the shower, wrapped the towel around his waist, and began shaving his face as his wife, Jen, came into the bathroom.
“Suit, shirts, and ties are on the bed,” she said as she grabbed her hairbrush.
“I’m thinking black at this point,” Brian replied.
“Uh-huh,” she answered.
After 24 years of marriage, she knew him better than he knew himself.
“You don’t think so? You think blue?” he asked.
“Brian, you have agonized over your colors every big day of your career. I love you with all my heart, but don’t drive me nuts before you even have all your clothes on.”
“This is the biggest day. You know that.”
“I know,” she said.
“I need all the good vibes I can get today. It’s a big day for all of us.”
“Right, and wearing the right colors will send the forces your way. I understand.”
“You’re mocking me,” he said.
“I would never do that to the potential future CEO of a Forbes five-star luxury brand,” she smiled.
Brian smiled back at her. She was still playful and sarcastic. She challenged him in all the right ways.
“Finish shaving, do that thing with your hair I always like, and meet me in the bedroom. We’ll help you like we always do.”
“Thank you,” Brian smiled.
Maybe the color thing was his way of not dealing with the stress of the meeting, or the pitch, or the promotions he faced throughout his life. Maybe it was his way of maintaining control of what was about to change.
Brian finished shaving and walked into the bedroom. There, laid out on the king-size bed were the choices. Jen was standing with her arms outstretched in her best Price Is Right pose.
“Kids!!!” she yelled, “color time!!!”
It was a fun ritual when the kids were young. When they started it, the kids were just six, four, and two. Jen read that including them in decisions around the house would improve their self-esteem. Having them help their father pick out his “colors” for the big days was fun for everyone. And majority vote always won. That way everyone had a chance to be part of the good fortune if and when it happened. After 12 years, the kids still had an unblemished record.
Which is why at ages 18, 16, and 14, Brian strongly encouraged them to continue helping to pick the “big day colors.” Couldn’t stop a good thing. Superstitious? Maybe. But, more importantly, Brian knew it really annoyed them.
“This is getting ridiculous,” said 18-year-old Drew as he dragged himself into the room. “I’ve got a paper I’m trying to finish before school.”
“Tell us again why we have to pick out your clothes for you. If my friends knew about this . . .,” said 16-year-old Sara.
“For good luck,” Jen interjected.
“Blue,” said 14-year-old Kyra.
Drew rolled his eyes.
“She always picks blue, ’cause it’s your brand . . . whatever . . . fine,” said Sara.
Drew nodded.
“Okay. Blue it is. Thank you for your help everyone,” Brian said as the three kids shot out of the room.
Brian looked at Jen. “That was fun.”
“Always is,” she laughed.
“So, blue?” he said, holding the blue tie against the blue suit.
“Yes,” she nodded, “Yes. This one goes with your eyes, which are very blue today. And it has been your go-to color all along. Trust yourself.”
Brian did trust himself. He had put in many years of hard work and dedication. But so had the other candidates who were up for the position. They all worked hard, and some had twice the tenure with the company that he did. They all put in long hours at the office, traveled internationally, and always took their jobs home with them. The hardest part of the whole situation was the fact that they could all do the job, but only one would eventually run the global organization. They were all friendly, but to call them friends would not be entirely true. They were colleagues. However, they all respected one another, and each of them knew the decision would not be based on who was least deserving. It would be based on who was the best choice for the future of the organization.
So, what was it that was going to sway the decision in his favor? What quality or little something was going to convince the current CEO, and the board of directors, that he was the one who should be trusted with the future of the company? When the talent is that even, the decisions always come down to the little things. The final decision usually rests on a feeling or an instinct. Emotion. Brian kept wondering, had he done enough?
He tightened the blue tie around his neck, gave it a final tug, looked at the dog, who was watching him from across the room, and proclaimed himself ready. The dog seemed impressed, but she chewed her own feet, so how much could he really count on her? He threw his suit jacket over his arm and headed down the stairs into the kitchen where Jen was having a cup of coffee.
“Anything going today?” Brian asked as he poured himself a cup.
“I have a buyer for the building on Third Avenue,” she replied.
He nodded.
Jen continued, “Drew’s got track practice till 6:30. Sara is studying at the library with the girl we can’t stand, but how much trouble can she get into at the library? Never mind . . . don’t answer that. And, Kyra is going shopping with me for dinner. We’ll all meet back home by 7:30 and whatever happens, we will all be together.”
Brian smiled at the thought.
“All three kids with us, eating together, at the same time?”
Jen smiled back and gave him a hug.
“Let’s just say that when it comes to special moments in life, I want to make it an experience,” she said.
“I like the way you think, Mrs. Davis.”
“Thought you might. If I’m not mistaken, you did remind me of the same kind of thing a while back. Now go out there and bring us home a CEO for dinner. And remember that no matter what happens, we love you. At least I do. I’m not really sure about the kids.”
Brian chuckled as he gave her a kiss goodbye. He maintained a smile as he turned to head out the door, not wanting to let on that deep inside, he was as nervous as he had ever been in his life. Win or lose, his life was going to change. Everyone around him was going to be affected.
He called goodbye to the kids as he walked out the door and got into his car.
Had he done enough? He would soon find out.
