Businesswoman Chapter 305

Navy Captain Lucy Brampton (Ret.) looked her daughter in the eyes.

“Why are you not going to the Academy?”

“I want to study business, you know that, Mom,” Loreen answered.

“You want to be a beam counter exploring the world. I rose my way up through the ranks in a male dominated field….”

“And you don’t think I’ll have to do the same, if not more?” They stood in the kitchen of the Brampton home. “Your father and I sacrificed so much. It takes a lot for a black man to become the first black Commandant of the Marine Corps.”

“I know your path. I know Daddy’s. I want my own.”

“I understand that, but you’ll earn a business degree just to be somebody’s secretary.”

“I’d love to be a secretary. I’d do it for free. I would gain enough knowledge and experience and start my own business…and get a secretary.”

Lucy closed her eyes and breathed in sharply.

“Your insolence….” she said through clenched teeth.

“It’s just part of my charm, Mama,” she displayed a sly grin.

“I’m serious, young lady. Your whole future should be grounded in the military. You ought to be an officer. I don’t even care if you go to the Army or the Chair Farce. As long as you have shiny stuff on your collar for the officer ranks, you’ll be alright.”

“I don’t want to be alright. I want to excel. I want to be an entrepreneur.”

“Yes, and after you maxed out all your credit cards building a business and have to pay for licensing and zoning law, drown in legalese, you’re going to come clawing back to something prudent and promising.”

“I’m aware of what lies ahead. If I fail it’s like pride. If I destroy a business, I’ll make another.”