"Do me a favor," he said wearily. "Spare me the amateur analysis, okay?"

"Just stating the facts. You don't like change."

"Who does? And I love Jessica. You know that."

"Fine, you `love her," Esperanza said dismissively.

"You're right, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Good. Are we done?"

"No." Esperanza stopped playing with the straw wrapper. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. "'l`his isn't easy for me to talk about," she said.

"Do you want to do it another time?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, I don't want to do it another time. I want you to listen to me. Really listen."

Myron stayed silent, leaned forward a little.

"The reason I don't want a raise is because I don't want to work for someone. My father worked his whole life doing menial jobs for a variety of assholes. My mother spent hers cleaning other people's houses." Esperanza stopped, swallowed, took a breath. "I don't want to do that. I don't want to spend my life working for anyone."

"Including me?"

"I said anyone, didn't I?" She shook her head.

"Jesus, you just don't listen sometimes."

Myron opened his mouth, closed it. "Then I don't see where you're going with this."

"I want to be a part owner," she said.

He made a face. "Of MB SportsReps?"

"No, of AT&T. Of course MB."

"But the name is MB," Myron said "The M is for Myron. B for Bolitar. Your name is Esperanza Diaz. I

can't make it MBED. What kind of name is that?"

She just looked at him. "You're doing it again; I'm trying to have a serious conversation."

' 'Now? You pick now when I just got hit over the head '

with a tire iron "

' ' Shoulder. ' '

"Whatever. Look, you know how much you mean to me "

"This isn't about our friendship," she interrupted. "I

don't care what I mean to you right now. I care about what I mean to MB SportsReps."

"You mean a lot to MB. A hell of a lot." He stopped.

"But'?"

"But nothing. You just caught me a little off balance, that's all. I was just jumped by a group of neo-Nazis. That does funny things to the psyche of people of my persuasion.

I'm also trying to solve a possible kidnapping. I

know things have to change. I planned on giving you more to do, letting you handle more negotiations, hiring someone new. But a partnership . . . that's a different kettle of gefilte."

Her voice was unyielding. "Meaning?"

"Meaning I'd like to think about it, okay? How do you plan on becoming a partner? What percentage do you I

want'? Do you want to buy in or work your way in or what'? These are things we'll have to go over, and I don't think now is the time."

'Fine." She stood up. "I'm going to hang around the players' lounge. See if I can strike up a conversation with one of the wives."