Frank patted my forearm under the edge of the table.

“It’s fine, Raymond.

Let the boy sign it.”

The lead negotiator nodded with approval.

“That shows real leadership continuity, Garrett.

We like seeing a smooth transition.”

Garrett clicked the silver pen, laid his left hand flat on the paper, and wrote his full legal signature across the top authorization line in my place.

I sat silently at the head of the dinner table while my son signed the preliminary guest registry in my name.