Snack: 1 c plain yogurt; one apple; cinnamon

Affirmation for Today:

I’m sure that somewhere in the world there is a boss

more psycho than mine. I just haven’t met him yet.

Stephan Sherrod burst into the conference room without warning. “Greetings, employees!” He settled into an armchair, his long legs stretched in front of him. “I take it we’re flexing our creative pecs and abs in here this morning?”

Stephan chortled at his own pun and waited for someone-anyone on his staff-to join in appreciation of his wit. Lucy didn’t volunteer, but her assistant, Veronica King, managed a vague giggle. “We’re reviewing the Palm Club account,” Lucy said, handing Stephan the month’s media summary,

“Marvelous. Don’t let me stop you.”

Now that was truly funny. Everyone in this conference room knew that Stephan Sherrod could single-handedly suck the lifeblood out of anything-and did so as a matter of course. Meetings. Client outings. Parties. And, since his partner, Sarah Thorns, died eight months ago, Stephan had been doing it to his own company. Sherrod amp; Thorns had been steadily losing loyal clients, and it was a battle to find new ones. The company lost its heart and soul when it lost Sarah.

Lucy looked around the conference room and noted that Stephan had managed to ruin her team meeting as well. Moments ago, they’d been reviewing everything from graphic design to Web site development for the Palm Club account and the room had been filled with creative energy, good humor, friendly competition, and teasing. Now, there was nothing but discomfort.

Barry Neikirk stared at the ceiling. Maria Banderas clicked away at her laptop in silence. Veronica nervously snapped her gum and doodled on her agenda.

Lucy had taken the position with Sherrod amp; Thorns last year because of Sarah Thorns. Sarah had been in her midfifties, outgoing and witty, devoted to her clients, and full of life. Her creativity and drive had made this little company a big presence in the Miami-Dade market. It didn’t take Lucy long to figure out that Sarah was the heart and soul of the operation and Stephan was the face man, the schmoozer. It had worked.