by Cee, DW
I sighed, heavily. “I get why he’s mad, but it pisses me off that he’s that mad. I mean, he and I weren’t together when you and I hooked up.” Donovan gave me a look that claimed innocence from any hooking up. “I know we didn’t really hook up. I mean...” Now, it was Donovan who was pissing me off. “You know what the hell I mean. Max was the one who told me to figure things out with you.”
“Jane. No man wants to hear that his girlfriend figured anything out with any other man.”
“But that’s just the thing—we were not boyfriend-girlfriend at the time.”
“Semantics, Ms. Reid.”
“Speaking of Ms. Reid, what are you going to do about Laney?”
“I was in London when you were in Mexico and no luck, again. I don’t know where she goes all the time. She’s never home.”
“Are you sure she’s just not answering the door?”
Donovan sighed, heavily. “It could be. But, I don’t think she could avoid me that many times. I’ve sat on the steps waiting for her for hours.”
“Tell me something—you seriously contemplating dating her?”
“Jane, I don’t know heads from tails right now. Kissing you in Chicago is up there as one of the biggest fucking wake-up calls of my life. Never was I so wrong about my feelings about anything and anyone.”
“If I’m not your biggest and worst wake-up call, what is?”
“Watching Delaney and Brent walking into Ashley’s wedding reception, together.”
“Is that why you went all mute, deaf, and angry on us at the table? Becky and I thought it was weird how moody you became, out of nowhere. What happened that night?”
“Too long of a story to tell over lunch. I’ve got a conference call to jump into in about ten minutes. Let’s wrap it up and go back upstairs.”
The rest of the day went slowly. I dreaded going “home” as it wasn’t my home. I’d see Max this weekend at JR’s christening. Of course, Jake and Emily—with their sadistic sense of humor—named us the godparents of their newest little one. I hadn’t seen Max since he got into town and neither of us made any effort to reach out to one another. Feeling pretty low, I went to “our” new place and started packing up my stuff. It seemed as though our relationship was over. There was no need to pretend that things were going to go back to normal.
“Knock, knock.” Josh and Garret said and walked in. “What do you think you’re doing?” Garret asked.
“Packing. It’s ridiculous that your brother is living at home because I’ve taken up residence in his place. He did buy the place and he is still paying the mortgage.”
“Just give him a little more time. He misses you a lot, Jane. He’s a mess right now.” Josh revealed.
I stopped packing, briefly, then went right back to what I was doing. I tried hard not to believe half the stuff the Davis brothers were telling me. “Your brother knows where I stand. I went to reconcile, and he’s the one who kicked me out of his tent.”
“Jane...” Garret called out and dragged my name and my arm. “You two have to stop this.”
“Guys, I’m tired. I can’t keep hoping. I did wrong, I tried to make amends, but your brother isn’t willing to forgive and forget.”
I took out my phone and texted Max.
I will have my stuff moved out tonight.
There was no answer back, so I figured that’s what he wanted. Was it so wrong of me to hope Max would text back and tell me to stay? Was it so impossible for us to work this out? I was still willing to try for a relationship. I still loved Max. Did he still love me? I couldn’t answer.
Friday morning, Gimpy called me into his office and surprised me with a proposition I had never considered. This could change just about everything I thought was stable in my life.
“What’s going on in your life, Janey? Have you and Max called it quits?”
“I’m unsure, Gimpy. I don’t want to think that we’re over, but it may be the best way to describe our situation...” I really didn’t know how else to explain our status.
“How would you like to move back to the New York office and be in training to be a partner, and eventually move to our London office?”
Say what??? “Gimpy, This is only my third year as an associate. How can I be a partner, already?”
“Well, you knew you’d end up being a partner at this firm, someday. I need you on a faster track since I’d like to retire soon.”
“I don’t follow...”
“Estelle wants me to retire. I agree with her, but this firm is what’s stopping me. After my two partners died, I bought their shares of this firm from their families.”
“So you own this firm, outright?”
“Almost. There are a few senior partners who own a small percentage of the firm, but the majority of it is mine. And since I don’t have kids, when I pass away, this firm will eventually belong to you Reids—you and hopefully another male partner here, if he can get his head out of his arse and do the right thing, will share the majority of the firm.”
Whoa‼! What the hell??? “Back up, Gimpy.” I had to sit down. This was big news! “First of all, this male with his head up his arse—are you referring to Donovan?”
Gimpy nodded yes.
“How’d you know? And how long have you known?”
“It’s only obvious that Donovan and Laney are in love. Laney knows her true feelings. It’s up to Donovan to open his eyes and realize it. And he better wake up soon. Michael is a formidable rival, and a good chap all around.”
“So, you and Gram are assuming that Donovan and Laney will get married? And somewhere down the road, you will hand down this firm to us???”
“That’s the simplified version of it. Yes.” Hot Damn! “The way your Gram and I have it set up, each of the five sons will get a share of the company as well as sit on the Board of Directors, along with you, Donovan, if he marries Laney, and Jake. Since you and Donovan are the only two practicing lawyers right now, you both will get larger shares—since most of the work will fall upon you two.”
“And what happens if Donovan and Laney don’t get married?”
“Donovan will get a chance to buy into the firm. But David will step in if Donovan chooses not to exercise this option, since David is still technically a lawyer. He’ll start practicing, again.”
“That’s huge, Gimpy.”
“It is. But even if I were to retire today, you wouldn’t be made partner right away. You still need to work towards it. But, your road to equity partnership is cut by several years, out of necessity. That’s why I’d like for you to go back to New York, and eventually work in the London office, in my stead.”
“How long do I have to think about this?”
“Take your time. It’s not something you have to decide right away, but I wanted you to know what’s in store so you’ll start preparing for the inevitable.” I nodded my understanding and started to head back to my cubicle. “And Jane?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that you are not to say any of this to anyone in the firm? Especially not a certain male partner with his head up his arse?”
I nodded my understanding once again.
Last night I moved from Max’s home back to my parents’ home. Soon, it looks like I’ll be moving back to my New York home, then off to Gram’s London home? That’s an awful lot of moving for someone who thought she’d live in that tiny little home with the extra shoe closet for years to come.
July 25, 2013 Paging Jerry McGuire
I was told that a christening was an act or an instance of naming something new. This happy occasion fell upon my newest nephew, Jonathan Robert Reid. Emily put Jake’s old christening gown on him and their home and backyard were set for the ceremony and lunch.
After my conversation with Gimpy the other day, I had so much on my mind, I bumped into Max without realizing what was happening.
“Jane.” He called me with more
emotion than I cared to admit.
It killed me to see him. Max looked like hell. His suit was way big on him because he’d lost so much weight in Mexico, and he honestly looked worse than when I saw him a week ago. At least another five-ten pounds came off this man. His face was gaunt, his eyes too big, and his once beautifully chiseled face was now angular and sharp. Good to know this breakup was hard on him as well. Or, it could’ve just been the hardships of Mexico and the whole team looked as hellish as he did.
“Hi.” I stood there and waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn’t, so I walked away.
Donovan walked in looking sharp as usual and gunned straight for Max. Jake also headed that way and so did Nick, Josh, and Garret when they saw what was happening. Too nervous to watch, I went upstairs to help Emily bring down JR for his big day.
The ceremony was quick and sweet and seeing as how Max and Donovan were still standing in the same room, I assumed their talk was also quick—though maybe not as sweet. Lunch was a crazy affair with so many people in and out of Jake’s house. During this time, I also saw Emily on her iPad and James in front of her happily kissing the iPad. I walked over to see what the excitement was all about and he was “talking” to Laney. She had called to be a part of the celebration. Uncle Henry and Aunt Babs talked to her, and she even said a brief hello to me, before I ran off to get Donovan.
“Hey.” I rushed over to him. I could see Max’s eyes on me as they were sitting at the same lunch table. “Get your ass in the kitchen. James is skyping with Laney.” That’s all it took for this man to practically mow me down and run into the kitchen. Josh, too, made a mad dash into the kitchen.
Gimpy walked over and talked to me further about New York and Max feigned an interest in our conversation, but in all honesty, I didn’t think he cared anymore. After seeing his apathy and feeling his detachment, I thought perhaps moving to New York wasn’t a bad idea.
“There’s a partners’ meeting on Monday.” Gimpy said. “Donovan and I are headed to New York, tonight. Why don’t you come with us? You can see what happens at these meetings.”
“Maybe, Gimpy. I’ll think about it.”
Emily came out with JR and told Max and me that we needed to go see the photographer. She handed JR to Max and pointed in the direction we were to go.
“How are you?” Max asked while we walked with the baby.
“Busy. Work is keeping me busy. How are you? Do you get a break at all?”
“I’ve got a break till late August.”
“What have you been doing? And what will you do till then?”
“This whole week was just time to get my life back in order here—answering mail, catching up on sleep, getting better acquainted with my parents—and I’m considering going to Europe with Josh for a couple of weeks to help him get settled out there.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I kept my lips pursed and just nodded my head.
“You didn’t have to move out.” He added after a few minutes of silence. “That’s not what I wanted...that’s not what I thought...you would do...” The confession caught me off guard and made my heart break for the both of us. How had we gone so wrong and so far off track?
“I didn’t know what else to do. I told you how I felt about you, and about us. And you pretty much told me how you felt about us when you let me leave Mexico. You didn’t give me too many choices.”
“What happens now?” Was he seriously asking me this question?
I was a bit pissed. “The last words I said to you were ‘I love you’ and you had no response to that except to kick me out of your tent. I don’t think you have any right to wonder what happens next. You are in the driver’s seat.” Why the hell had I given him so much power to this relationship, or non-relationship? “If you’re going to throw this whole Donovan incident back in my face every time we get into an argument, then I don’t want to get back together. Think about that while you’re wondering what happens now.”
JR’s christening pictures probably looked like two pissed off people holding a baby. As soon as pictures were done, I told Gimpy I wasn’t ready to leave with them today, but I’d leave on Sunday and join them for their Monday meeting in New York.
“If you haven’t hired a driver yet, I’ll take you to the airport, Gimpy.”
My grandfather was one wise man. He knew I was desperate to get out of this backyard and away from Max. “All right. We’ll leave in fifteen minutes?”
Jake and Emily also understood why I didn’t want to be here any longer and they, too, were fine with me leaving the party early.
“Your Max wasn’t too pissed with me anymore,” Donovan said while driving the car. “Did you two make up?”
“He’s still pissed with me. I don’t know what to think. I moved out of his place the other day and I’m trying to figure out what to do with myself.”
“Roland mentioned you might want to move back to New York?”
I nodded yes.
“Don’t do that, Jane. You’re in love with Max and you hated life in the New York office. You’ll only work yourself to death. You’ll end up an old spinster with cats, next time I visit you.” Donovan and Gimpy both laughed.
“What about you?” I turned the tables on him.
“Hell if I know. I’ll end up an aging playboy with young women all around me, while you’re with your cats.” Donovan and Gimpy laughed even harder.
“You get to skype with Laney earlier today?”
“Nope! She conveniently had to go, according to Emily.”
“Bummer. Maybe I’ll hop over to London after the Monday meeting. I think I have a bit of apologizing to do to my cousin. You think she’ll be in when I decide to visit?”
“Who the hell knows with her!”
The phone rang as we exited the freeway and Jake told Donovan he needed to speak with him privately. After a bunch of “got its,” he hung up.
“What was that all about?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why’d you have to speak to him in private?”
“Damn, woman. Don’t be so nosy.” He chuckled. “Jake just gave me a grocery list of things to buy for Emily while out in New York.” That was enough to satisfy my curiosity.
“Gawd! He’s become such a family man. It’s beautiful to see and yet sickening all the same. I never ever thought I’d want a man just like my brother—someone whose entire focus is only his family.”
“Jake always had it in him to be a good husband and father. He was always good to Kelley when they dated.”
“He was never this devoted to anyone. Emily and the kids are the fuel to his fire. He’d never survive without his family.”
“I agree. But, he’s good to the entire family, and not just Emily and the kids. Your brother always has your best interest at heart as well, Jane.”
“Whatever,” I answered. “Hey, why are you parking? I thought I was dropping you off?”
“I need someone to carry my bags in for me,” Donovan said with a chuckle. “Walk in with us. You’ve got nothing better to do.”
That was true. I walked a few steps behind the two men and wondered what my life would be like to be married to a man who thought I walked on water, and to be a mother to three children. Then, I thought about how I’d do all that and still be an equity partner of the firm. Too many conflicting thoughts ran through my mind, so I decided to drop those thoughts for now and join the two men ahead of me.
“Why are we hanging out in front of check-in? Is the plane not ready?” Then I thought about how stupid I was for going tomorrow when there was a private plane available for me, today. “Shoot! I’m such a moron. I should’ve just left with you today. Why the hell am I flying with the masses? Are there just two of you on the plane, today?”
“Yep.” Donovan grinned. “You can still come with us. You have nothing left in your New York apartment?”
“I do have some clothes and supplies left to
last me a few days...” I started weighing my options.
“This is New York we are talking about. You have everything at your disposal.”
Donovan was right. The only reason I was going to fly out tomorrow was because I hadn’t packed. How stupid was I? “All right. Let’s go. I’ll buy whatever I need tomorrow.”
Gimpy and Donovan looked at each other, looked outside, stalled for a bit, then had no choice but to get on the plane. Whatever was going on, they weren’t about to share it with me. The three of us walked out of the waiting room to the short walkway that led to the steps of the plane when I thought I heard my name. Deciding there was no way anyone here knew me, I kept pace with the men.
