My mother enjoyed the dinner immensely.

Sensing that something was on my mind, she asked me to sleep with her that night.

After much contemplation, I couldn't help but ask, "Mom, did Dad ever mention anything to you before his company ran into trouble?"

She sighed and said, "I only heard from the company's old employees that he must have offended someone, but I don't know who."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "Your father had a tendency to upset people—it was part of his nature, which is why we divorced. But Tina, setting aside his personality, setbacks and successes are part of business. It's been so many years. What's...