“What's going on? I got a call from Bennett, Joel's attorney, first thing this morning. He was fuming. Said you told Joel he couldn't see Michael without a court order.”
“I did. He upset Michael so much he hid in a closet for over fifteen hours. We had a search party out looking for him the entire time. I can't take any more of this. Neither can Michael. Now I find out Joel has a very big deal with a chain of hospitals throughout the United States. Worth millions. Wouldn't you think he could take care of his debts and help with Michael too?”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Positive. Can you subpoena any of the records, if I give you the name and address?”
“As soon as we're finished, I'll put you back on with my secretary. Give her the info. Anything else?”
“We just need to get Michael's custody straightened out as soon as possible. No more delays in court. Use everything we've got to get this settled.”
“I'll call you tomorrow.”
A few moments later, after giving John’s secretary the information, she went to her private restroom to freshen her makeup. This is it, my friend. Last chance. She headed to Gil’s office.
Gil's secretary waved Dana in. She closed the door behind her and held onto the knob for support. “Don't say a word until I'm finished.” He leaned back in his winged chair. “The least you can do is sit down. I'd rather talk eyeball to eyeball.”
Reluctantly, she sat in front of his desk. “Teal wants to talk to you and the board. She’ll exonerate me from any involvement. She also wants to avoid any legal charges against her. I told her that would be up to you and the board. I'd try to support her in any way I can. I've already started putting a case together, but if she comes clean, backs off, maybe Patrick and I can get this contract settled.”
“What about you two?”
“There is no ‘you two.’”
Gil frowned but said nothing. “I'm glad you're making your move.”
“I want to present the plan I proposed before all this happened with Michael.”
“Are you through?”
“No. On the personal side, I called Joel and told him that he couldn't see Michael until we go to court. He's PO'd, but I'm not letting him sit on me anymore.”
“Good. You should have taken that stand from the get-go.”
“Hindsight is twenty-twenty.”
After dinner that evening, four sharp knocks at Dana’s door startled her. Michael ran to his room as he always did when someone came unannounced.
“Who is it?” She listened through the unopened door. A long silence followed. “Who is it? I won't open this door unless I know who it is.”
“It's me,” Joel snarled.
“Oh, God!” She should have filed a court order preventing him from coming near her. She hadn’t. She either had to let him pound on the door or let him in and hear what he had to say. He was probably angry because she refused to let him see Michael. Was he angry enough to drive all the way over to deal with her in person? She opened the door.
He burst into the room, wearing enough cologne to knock her out. The wind had tousled his hair, and his shirt hung outside his jeans to cover his newly acquired paunch.
“What's the matter? You live in a bad neighborhood or something? Can't open the door without the third degree and twenty dead bolts?”
Their ten years together had been a bad dream. “What are you doing here without calling first?”
“I came to talk some sense into you.”
“I have come to my senses. Talk to my attorney.”
“Get off it, Dana. We were married for ten years. I'll talk to you anytime I want to. With or without an attorney.”
Michael slammed his door shut, hard.
“I'm not changing my mind about anything. When we go to court and a judge decides what we should do about custody, I'll comply. Whatever it is. Until then, I'm keeping Michael here with me. If you push, I'll get a restraining order.”
“You think that'll stop me?” Joel roared. “I'll do what I want where Michael is concerned.”
“Why now? You never did before.” “Everything's different now.”
She wanted to tell him that she knew about Teal and his hospital deal, but she bit her tongue. That knowledge was all she had going for her.
Joel went to the couch and sat down. “Bring Michael out here.”
Knowing Joel would never leave without seeing him, Dana went to Michael's room. She opened the door and found him huddled in the corner, his thumb in his mouth, his eyes darting with fear.
“Daddy's here. He wants to see you.”
Michael cowered, shaking his head.
She wouldn’t force him. She returned to the living room. “He doesn't want to see you.”
“I want to see him. I want him to tell me that he doesn't want to come with me.”
“No. I won't force him.”
Joel sprang to his feet. “You're screwed up just like your mother.”
“You better leave before I call the police.”
“I'll leave when I see Michael.” Joel strode to the bedroom door.
“Don't open that door.”
He spun on his heels. “You think you're going to win this, don't you? Well, little lady, I've got a flash for you.” He strode to the front door. With his feet firmly planted, he held onto the knob. “I really came here so I could see the look on your face when I told you that you overlooked one important detail.” He paused for dramatic effect. “You signed those tax forms you're using against me, right under my name. Squirm out of that one, pussycat.”
“We were legally separated. I did not sign those forms. They’re forged. I filed separate taxes.”
He yanked the door open. “Don’t worry. My papers will stand up.” Before the door had completely closed, she yelled out in total frustration, “Your hospital deal is getting me out of that one!”
Twenty Three
Dana hurried to her bedroom window to watch Joel slide behind the wheel of his silver Mercedes, her heart pounding. She should have never mentioned the hospital deal. Now, out of anger, she played her trump card. Why, in God's name, had Mullen, her first attorney, and John Meyer not seen her signature on those tax forms?
Michael came into her room and crept to her side. She rubbed his head, grateful he stood next to her. He wrapped his arms around her hips and glanced up with a probing look in his eyes that melted her heart. For the first time, she could see his thoughts. From within, he seemed troubled. He stammered a moment, then blurted in his broken speech pattern, “I love you, Mama.”
A cry of joy broke from her lips. He’d never told her that he loved her before. “Oh, Michael.” She dropped to her knees and held him by his shoulders. “I love you too.” With tears streaming down her cheeks, she pulled him to her. “I’ll never leave you again with anyone I know doesn't just love you to pieces.”
He drew back, grinned impishly, reached over, and ruffled her hair just as she always did to him.
“You're the best boy in the world.” She laughed and hugged him.
“We’ll make it, Michael. No matter what.”
She’d been waiting for this moment from the day Michael was born. Now she could communicate with him through their eyes too. As angry as Joel was, and no matter how much he threatened her, she finally had her son completely. She had to give Patrick credit for helping Michael come around. What a man. And soon he would be gone. A lump formed in her throat.
An unsettling feeling drew her attention back to the window. Something wasn’t right. Joel's car was still down under the streetlight, and he was sitting inside, his head on the steering wheel.
She swung around. “Michael, your daddy hasn't left.”
Michael stood on tiptoes and peered out the window. Dana stepped back, pulling him with her as Joel got out of his car and headed back toward her apartment. She smothered a groan. Why had she mentioned his new business without her attorney?
The cement-slab stairs rumbled under hi
s heavy footsteps. Her first thought was to call the police, then her mother. What could they do? Joel's knock came before she had a chance to call anybody. Michael clutched her skirt.
“I’m scared, Mama.”
“Go to your room,” she whispered and patted him on the bottom.
“No.”
“Please, Michael. Do as I say. I'll come and get you in a little bit.” He inched away, staring back at her, a disappointed expression on his face.
When Michael had retreated to his room, Dana walked to the door, paused, and then pulled it open. “Now what?” Her insides quaked from fear, but she wouldn’t allow Joel to see that.
He leaned against the doorframe, looking down. “May I come in?” His subdued tone startled her.
Stepping back, Dana gestured him into the living room. “I told you that we can't talk without our lawyers. I meant it.”
Joel sat on the couch, his head bowed. “I'm beat, Dana. The fight is over. You won a long time ago. You can keep Michael. I'll settle my debts. Our attorneys can set up the support payments.”
“Why didn't you tell me about your deal?
He shook his head. “It all got out of hand. When I told you that I was going to Washington, I lied. If you hadn't pulled that lawsuit on me, none of this would have happened. I would have taken care of the bills, and you.”
“You mean to tell me that you made me drive all the way over to Casa de Fruta to pick up Michael and you were coming over here?”
“That was Teal's idea. She didn't think it would be a good idea if you knew I was in town.”
“You’re the most despicable man I know. You have no idea what you've put us through. And as for this business with Teal, I don't even care to discuss it. It's too bizarre for me.”
“We thought you'd break down and call this thing off when I asked for Michael.”
“I knew what you were doing.” Still stunned by his sudden surrender, she sank into the chair across from him.
Lifting his head, Joel averted his gaze. “The whole idea to get a continuance was Maxim's. Then I thought I'd try to make it work. After spending some time with Michael, I knew I just couldn't do it.” He licked his lower lip. “I can't deal with him.” He rose as if he planned to leave. “Don't look at me like that. I can't help it. I'm not the first man who walked away from something like this. A tragedy either pulls you together or drives you apart. I'm the loser.”
“You are. Your son is getting better. You'll miss his growing up.” She got up and went to Michael's room.
“Come on, Michael. Daddy wants to see you.” She nodded and smiled. “ Come on.” She beckoned him with her hand. Michael reluctantly followed her.
Joel stood in the middle of the living room. “Hi, son.”
Michael clutched his mother's skirt, digging his fingers into her waist, looking beyond his father.
Joel knelt and reached out, fanning his long, thick fingers. “Come here.”
Not budging an inch, Michael held his ground. “Come on,” Joel coaxed.
She knelt, placing her hand under Michael's chin. “Go to your daddy. He's leaving, and we won't see him for a long, long time.”
Michael turned his gaze to his father, released his grip, and then walked to the middle of the room to Joel's outstretched arms. Dana watched Joel embrace Michael for the last time. Two tears leaked down his cheeks. Joel never cried for anybody or anything.
“There’ll be a generous settlement, and your checks will be on time. You’ll be set financially.” He glanced around the room. “I hope you’ll find a better place to raise our son in.” He rose. With his back to Dana he said, “I’ll never do this to you again.”
“I’m sorry for you, Joel.”
He left. How sad to be so shallow he couldn’t see through to Michael's heart. He’d never seen through to hers either.
With Michael snuggled down in bed, sound asleep, Dana crept out into the living room and poured herself some hot tea, sat on her frayed old couch and let out a sigh of relief. Joel was going to take care of everything. Their war had ended. Once Teal met with the board at Templeton, maybe Dana would be back on track with her floundering life and career.
Only the ticking of the miniature Grandfather clock hanging directly across from her broke the silence in the room. She glanced around at her shabby apartment. She yearned for that nice little place outside of town, where she could have a garden and enough room for Michael to play outside. Was her conviction to live alone with her son the right one? She thought not. Having someone like Patrick sitting by her side, talking about the day’s activities, sharing their ups and downs was what she truly wanted. She dreamed of him lying in bed with her at night, listening to his soft breathing while he slept. That sounded heavenly. Had she been too harsh on him, lacked trust in him? What if he had been trying to protect her from the outside world? Maybe he didn't know who saw them on the lake. He'd call soon, and they'd straighten out the mess.
The clock struck ten p.m., and he hadn’t called. A dull ache settled in her heart. Maybe he'd had enough of trying to live up to her expectations. After all, he had been married before to a woman who wanted everything her way or not at all. He lost touch with his child because of her, and now Dana, in many ways, had done the same thing to him. The confusion and pain swirled around in her head. “Stop it!”
She knew Patrick had no intentions to subject himself to any more of her shenanigans. She’d blown it, and now she must take responsibility for her actions. Because of her fear of another man hurting her again, the wall built around her grew so thick no man could ever penetrate it.
At midnight, she collapsed in bed, exhausted, an unrequited feeling overtaking her. She was alone.
* * *
Following a delay, the next day Patrick sat in front of Ed Foreman's desk, apprehensive about this meeting with his boss. An unsettling rumor had sprung up this morning that worried Patrick.
Ed, stocky and Patrick’s age, reached across his large desk and held out his hand. “Morning, Patrick. Thanks for coming in on such short notice. Sorry I couldn't meet with you yesterday afternoon, but what we're going to talk about hadn't been finalized yet.”
Something was afoot, and Patrick didn't like the feeling niggling in his stomach. “So what's up?”
“Sorenson and I have reached an agreement for a contract.”
Patrick flinched. “The Sorenson on Templeton's board?”“The same.”
“What about mediation?”
“Screw it. We decided over drinks last night you and that Claiborne woman don’t have enough going on between you to help you get a contract.” He rose from his seat and leaned on his desk. “If you're going to screw the opponent, at least make it work for you.”
Stunned, Patrick just shook his head, rose, and leaned on the desk, inches from Ed's face. “We couldn't reach an agreement because you and Sorensen were spending too much time wining and dining each other instead of giving us more to work with than you did.”
“I’m going to overlook that smartass remark because you're going into a meeting this afternoon with those dollies and sell them this contract.”
“If I don't?”
“Kiss your New York job goodbye.”
“What about Dana Claiborne? Does she know what's coming down?”
“I’m sure after her meeting with the board this afternoon, she will.” “What’s the offer?”
Ed walked through the proposal. It represented half of what Patrick had been trying to settle for. He'd lose face if he tried to sell the nurses on that agreement. They might take it, for him, because they believed in him. They trusted him, even though Teal DeLuca had been trying to discredit everything he and the nurses had been fighting for all this time.
“Well?” Ed asked. “Are we talking or are you walking?”
“I’m thinking.”
“You’ve got until noon.” “Then what?”
“I’m going in to wrap it up myself.”
“I’ll get back to you.”
He thundered out of Ed Foreman's office.
Twenty Four
Returning from lunch, Dana and Gil made their way across the parking lot toward the hospital. “Why are all the cars in the employee parking lot?” Her tone curious.
“Don't know. They're lined up at the gate to get in.” He placed a hand on Dana's shoulder. “Teal’s making her presentation to the board today. The board is pushing for your termination.”
This did not come as a surprise to Dana. She hadn’t delivered the goods as promised.
Teal waited in Gil's outer office, early for the one o'clock meeting. Dana entered first and drew back at another one of Teal's startling new looks.
Gil held out his hand. They shook. “I'm glad you've come in to help out your friend.”
Teal smiled. “I guess I went off the deep end, but you know what fear can do to one?”Unable to hug or even shake hands with her longtime friend, Dana stepped back. Though Teal committed to doing right by Dana, she couldn’t forgive her for all her deceit during the past few months.
“Shall we?” Dana gestured to the boardroom door, anxious to get the meeting over with.
“It's time.” Gil shot his cuffs.
The three strolled leisurely into the softly lit boardroom. They all sat around the table, waiting for what they expected to be a brief apology from a union rep who’d stepped on Dana's toes, if that was, indeed, what she did.
Dana led Teal to the head of the long, oak table, seating her where Dana usually sat next to Gil. She went to the back of the room and took a seat next to Sal Morton, her only ally.
The shifting of chairs and idle chatter came to an abrupt halt. Gil, dignified in his silver-gray threaded suit, his snow-white hair slicked back, a rosy glow on his wrinkle-free skin, cleared his throat and opened the folder in front of him.
“Ladies,” he glanced first at Dana, then at Teal seated next to him, “and gentlemen.” He scanned the entire twelve-man board. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Dana and I appreciate it, knowing your busy schedules.”
Conflicts of the Heart Page 24