Sam never cared very much for his stepfather but you have to understand his mom hooked up with him during his senior year of high school, so almost a man, and therefore his opinions were locked in place.
Now many years later he reflects on those days and sees them quite differently, most of all he owes his stepdad a big thanks. The one thing that held true from the very beginning was his stepfather was successful and the first and biggest kindness was getting him on at "The Company" without even a degree. These four or five-year-jump over most paid dividends and within a handful of years he was appointed the youngest executive in the company's history.
During that time his mom and stepdad moved away as he took an early retirement and they were both tired of the cold winters. Speaking of cold winters they were in the middle of one, so when it was announced that Sam would accompany some of the top execs to California he had reason to be happy in more whys than just one.
The trip went well and it was decided that they would stay the weekend on the company dime before heading back. That Friday night Sam wasn't really up to anything but was still glad to be away from the tundra back home. Just then the room's phone rang, he was even hesitant to pick it up thinking how could it be for him. But he did and it was life-changing.
It was Mark, one of the others with him for the meeting. Mark was the only one even close to the age as Sam, an extremely smart guy who earned his Ivy League education in just two years. Mark informed Sam they had been called up to the boss's suite at eight o'clock. At first, Sam feared it was bad news for him, still not feeling comfortable in his new role. But seeing it was all of them and just not himself to receive his walking papers he was able to breathe again.
Sam who was always prompt headed up and found Mark there at the elevator waiting for it. Great timing but Mark was in street clothes and Sam presuming it was official was wearing his suit. Mark didn't make anything of this but it only got worse when they walked into the boss's suite, There inside were the two top execs wrapped up in towels as if they just got out of the shower.