That sentence stayed with me.
By Wednesday, I had made my decision.
I declined the overseas assignment.
Not dramatically.
There was no speech.
No grand resignation.
I simply called the appropriate office, thanked them for the confidence, and explained that I wished to remain available for a stateside strategic planning position I had previously overlooked.
They were disappointed.
They were also professional.
By Friday, I accepted the Pentagon assignment.
It was meaningful work.
Demanding work.
But it kept me in the same city for at least two years.
For the first time in my adult life, I signed a lease longer than twelve months.
Madison reacted to this news as though I had announced I was settling permanently on a farm.
“You mean you’re buying furniture?”
“I own furniture.”
“You own a sofa designed for people waiting for dental appointments.”
“It is practical.”
“It is gray.”
“Gray is practical.”
