The First Time I Said No

# Chapter 1: The Assignment

"Morgan! My office, now."

I looked up from my computer screen to see Gerald Winters, editor-in-chief of The Boston Sentinel, standing in the doorway of the newsroom. His perpetually loosened tie and rolled-up sleeves did nothing to soften his intimidating presence. Around me, the newsroom fell silent, all eyes darting between Gerald and me, wondering what I'd done to warrant such a summons.

I saved the article I'd been editing—a piece on local business closures that needed serious work—and grabbed my notebook. As I crossed the newsroom, I mentally reviewed my recent assignments, searching for any mistake that might have caught Gerald's attention. Nothing came to mind. My stories had been solid if not spectacular, turned in on time, properly sourced. I'd been at the Sentinel for just over a year, having worked my way up from intern to junior reporter, covering everything from town council meetings to charity fundraisers.

"Close the door," Gerald said as I entered his office. He was already seated behind his desk, reading glasses perched on the end of his nose as he scanned a document.

I closed the door and took a seat, trying to project confidence I didn't feel. Gerald had a reputation for being fair but demanding, and in the year I'd worked at the paper, I'd seen him reduce seasoned reporters to stammering apologies with just a raised eyebrow.