And so, just like that, I'm not responsible for the fortunes of the company. I'll serve in an advisory capacity for two years unless my former partner accelerates the payments and thereby shortens that term.

My brother, who is also a consultant, says there are really just two requirements for the job: grey hair, to look distinguished, and hemorrhoids, to look concerned.

Today's meeting went as well as anyone could have hoped. An agreement was reached with the other partner, as well - and the balance of power shifted smoothly right before my eyes.

I'm sure I'll quickly adjust to having no obligation to be anywhere at a certain time or work on specific days. I purged my cell phone contact roster of the people who will no longer call me regarding problems related to the business. I'll respond only to the two individuals (the other one being the Office Manager) to whom I'll be lending support. I changed their names on the list to "Batphone 1" and "Batphone 2".

There's some additional significance to this. Gone now is the one recurring interface for which I had to maintain a male facade: the weekly meeting. After over twelve years, I'm no longer bound to that Wednesday ritual. I may even have heard my last hunting story.

Like any major lifestyle change, this one comes with stress. It's not a negative. The mind simply needs time to accept the finality...the realization that what has been anticipated for so long has suddenly come to pass.

Tomorrow, I'll purge the other computer of any remaining personal information and take it out to the garage to join the rest of the moving sale items.

It's logical for people to see this event and my age as indicators that I am slipping into retirement. Most don't know that I'm very excitedly pursuing another career. I've kept that fact secret from co-workers in order not to influence my buyout amount. I wanted to be seen as someone who really needs money. I do, of course - but I hope that won't always be the case.

Friday, I'll be going to the office a little later than usual. A real estate person's coming early in the morning to make a pitch to list our house for sale. She has a somewhat different marketing approach, and I'd like to learn more about it.