My grandfather catches my eye and gives a little wave. He's sitting at the head table, looking slightly embarrassed to be in the spotlight, but pleased. Dylan is sitting next to him in the seat that would have been reserved for Hank, his usual smarmy expression on his face.

I haven't even unpacked yet the fact that Jenny has been sleeping with him. Sure, he's good looking and puts on this suave manner that I guess someone younger and more than a little naive would find attractive, but from what I've seen the sleazy manipulative side of him is barely beneath the surface. Then I remind myself that for awhile he even had CJ fooled, and he managed to turn half the lawyers in the firm against me.

Spreading rumors is one thing. The fact that he seduced and actually had sex with the young receptionist is a new low, especially considering what I've now learned about the issues he had with women at his previous law firm. I'm as angry at the way he used Jenny as I am at the plot he contrived to embarrass and discredit my grandfather.

By the time the lunch plates are discretely removed by the hotel staff and dessert plates slid onto the tables, the president of the local Bar Association has gone to the podium and started the business meeting. It's short, mostly announcements of upcoming events, and a brief report on the Bar's involvement with a program that allows local law students to appear in court under the supervision of a nonprofit legal clinic. Then he turns the microphone over to Joanne, who gives a little background on the Lifetime Achievement Award, and notes that no one should be surprised to learn that this year's recipient is Andrew Reese.

There's a lot of enthusiastic applause, and my grandfather looks both gratified and humbled by it. My blood is boiling at the fact that Dylan planned to use this forum as a vehicle to spread lies about my grandfather's career and humiliate him in front of a roomful of colleagues who obviously respect and admire him. I'm so grateful that Jenny became suspicious and checked the deck, and that she came to me about it.

"Hank Finegan was planning to share with us a brief review of Andrew Reese's illustrious career and his dedicated service not just to the legal community but to all of Miami," Joanne continues. "Unfortunately, Mr. Finegan had a medical emergency this morning." At the looks of concern in the room she hastily adds, "I'm told it was just a case of food poisoning and that he'll be fine."

She turns to Dylan. "Fortunately, another attorney in the firm stepped forward to make the presentation. Dylan Barclay, the floor is yours."

He stands up with barely contained glee.

"Thank you, Joanne." He uses the remote to start the slide presentation, and steps behind the podium to address the group.

"As some of you know, I just recently joined Andrew Reese and Associates and don't yet know Andrew very well, but his reputation in the community goes back decades."

He advances the first slides and starts with some comments from Jenny's script about my grandfather's humble beginnings, how he attended Harvard on scholarship, and his early years as a young lawyer at a firm that is still one of the most respected and established business law offices in Miami, before starting his own firm. There's a recap of the growth of the law firm from the original storefront to its luxurious space in a downtown office tower today.

He moves to a photo of our conference room, with the wide windows and panoramic view of the skyline.

"Recently," Dylan says, "Andrew Reese decided to expand the firm into a new area of practice - criminal law. Of course," he says, leaning into the microphone, "associating with known criminals isn't anything new for Andrew Reese. He's been doing it for decades."

He clicks to the next slide, but his eyes are on the audience, anticipating their reaction. But instead of the shocked disapproval he's expecting, the room bursts into laughter. Dylan stares out at the room then turns to see the slide on the large screen.

It's not the photo of Andrew Reese and Maxwell Bennett, Sr. that he's expecting.

It's a photo of me, at three years old, turning toward the camera, smears of chocolate and a guilty look on my face and my hand in what is unmistakably an old-fashioned cookie jar. It's the photo that has been the screensaver on my dad's phone for years.

I take advantage of Dylan's confusion to walk up to the podium, elbowing him aside with a sharp jab to the ribs that the podium conceals from view, all the while keeping a smile on my face.

"Thanks so much, Dylan," I say, "for stepping in to do Hank's part of the presentation." I turn to the audience, effectively dismissing him.

"Now it's my turn to say a few words about the amazing man I'm honored to call Grandfather, and even more honored to have the opportunity to practice law with."

Dylan has no option at this point but to return to his seat. It's obvious his slide deck isn't what's coming next, and everyone's attention is turned to me. He'll look ridiculous if he just stands there, and he'll make a spectacle of himself if he tries to push me away from the podium.

Checkmate, asshole.

Dylan sits down.

Meanwhile, I look over at my grandfather, who is smiling at the photo of me on the screen. It's one he's never seen before and he's probably wondering how Jenny got her hands on it, then realizing that, of course, I gave it to her.

"As you can see from the slide, and my presence here as a lawyer today, my grandfather believes that criminals can be rehabilitated."

More laughter ripples through the room.

I click to the next slide which shows my grandfather at an event for a local organization that provides a juvenile diversion program for teens who get in trouble with the law, and say a few words about his support of that program. I move on to his support of the LGBTQ community, including a photo taken at a Pride fundraising event last year handing over a check from the firm and shaking hands with the Chair of the event.

Jenny even included a part about him helping the employees in his firm grow to their full potential, using the scholarship program - and herself as a recipient - as an example. Even though I read through everything when we were making the switch this morning, it still brings a lump to my throat and a few tears to my eyes. It's hard to believe that in such a short period of time my perception of my grandfather has changed so much.

The section on supporting the LGBTQ community supporting the professional growth of employees segues nicely into talking about diversity in law offices and my grandfather's commitment to a zero tolerance policy on discrimination and sexual harassment.

I look out over the group. "As you know, our firm will be presenting a seminar after the award presentation this afternoon, and I hope you all can stay. CJ Burrows, who provides advice and training to businesses in complying with labor and employment laws, will be presenting a program on best practices to avoid sexual harassment claims. Not only is this valuable information you can pass on to your clients, it's also an issue within our own law firms, and one that each of us needs to take very seriously. The days are gone when law firms could afford to just pass off these incidents as 'boys will be boys.' We're better than that."

I hope that makes Dylan squirm in his seat.

I wrap up by highlighting some of the many Bar committees my grandfather has served on locally, state-wide and nationally, and the awards he's received over the years.

I turn the microphone back over to Joanne, as applause fills the room.

Joanne then asks my grandfather to join her, and she presents him with a fancy plaque. Then it's applause all over again, and people are actually standing up at their tables. My grandfather says a few words about how humbled he is by this recognition, and how it's so much more meaningful now that he has his granddaughter here practicing with him. He adds that he knows that he'll be turning the reins of the firm over to me in the future, confident that I'll continue the firm's commitment to the values he has always aspired to - zealous representation of clients, equity, justice, and community service.

When he sits back down, Joanne concludes the meeting and again invites everyone to stay for the seminar, pointing out that it counts for CLE - continuing education credits lawyers are required to accumulate to keep their license in good standing.

There's a brief break first, and I notice Dylan trying to slip out the door. My grandfather intercepts him, completely clueless about the train wreck Dylan had planned for what turned out to be a successful presentation.

"Dylan," he says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate you stepping in at the last minute and helping out this morning."

"No problem. Congratulations," Dylan says, managing to look and sound sincere.

There's an awkward pause.

"Well," Dylan says, "I need to get back and work on some documents for a closing next week." He starts to turn away.

"Nonsense," Andrew says, tightening his grip on Dylan's shoulder. "The work can wait. I'd like all the lawyers from the firm to stay for the presentation. Not just as a show of support for CJ, but because this is valuable information we all need to keep apprised of, for our clients and, like Hadley said, for our own firm."

Dylan looks trapped. Several other lawyers are standing by and heard the exchange. There's no way he can leave now without looking ridiculous.

"Sure," he says, "I can stay."

"Excellent," my grandfather says, then turns toward me. I'm watching from a few feet away.

"I didn't know you were going to help present today," he says. "And I was so surprised and pleased to see that photo of you as a child." He actually chuckles. "Caught with your hand in the cookie jar."

I realize, with a sudden flash of guilt, that my grandfather missed out not only on my childhood but on all the mementos of it, and I resolve to put together some photos for him.

My grandfather walks over to me, leaving Dylan to head back to his table.

"I wish you'd been a part of my childhood," I tell him quietly, and he just shakes his head.

"We can't change the past," Andrew says, "but we have the now, and we have the future."

Impulsively, I step in closer and hug him. Then I glance at my watch and excuse myself to make a quick stop in the restroom before CJ starts her presentation. As soon as I move away, other lawyers crowd in to congratulate him.

I can only imagine how awkward it all would have been if Jenny hadn't tipped me off to Dylan's plan.

Just as I turn the corner on the way to the ladies' room, I see a man stepping into the elevator. Even from this quick look at the back of his expensive Italian suit, I recognize him. Just that brief glimpse of him stabs through my heart like a knife.

Max.

The elevator doors close.

What was Max doing here?