Unforgiving

by Patricia Haley

  “It’s true,” Joel said, leaning his chin against his closed fist. “Our family is very unforgiving.”

  “We can do better, and we will as soon as you accept the CEO post.”

  “I thought you wanted Abigail?”

  “I did, but she withdrew her candidacy. Regardless, this is your season, and you have my vote.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. You squandered two key DMI divisions, but those poor decisions can’t keep you strapped to the past. It’s your time to accept forgiveness and move on. There’s work to be done at DMI. This is your destiny.”

  Joel fumbled with the ball for a while longer. Don prayed silently as he patiently waited for Joel to accept the invitation.

  “Are you sure no animosity will come from you if I run the company your mother helped Dad build?”

  “None. Besides I can’t worry about what you’re doing if I’m submerged in my next assignment.”

  “Which is what?” Joel asked. He stopped tossing the ball.

  “Not quite sure yet, but I know it’s in South Africa.”

  “You’re definitely leaving?”

  “How many ways do I have to say yes before you believe me? I’m out of here this month. I have my own company to run.”

  “And a lady friend to help you,” Joel said, grinning and resuming his ball tossing.

  “We each have our incentives,” Don answered, upbeat. This was one of the best chats he’d ever had with Joel. There was maturity and wisdom in their conversation, which hadn’t existed between them previously. Whatever was causing them to connect so well, he’d take in triplicate. “So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to do the right thing and come back to DMI as the CEO-elect?”

  Joel stared directly at Don. Neither of them blinked.

  “Yes. What the heck? I’ll come back,” Joel said finally.

  Don stood, and then Joel followed suit. They shook hands. Elation overtook Don, and he hugged Joel tightly.

  “Welcome back, little brother. This is a great day for the Mitchell family,” Don told him.

  “Careful or I might think you actually consider me your brother,” Joel said as they stepped apart.

  “You are. That’s a fact.” Don patted Joel on the back. “I have to get home and check on Tamara.”

  “Sure. Go on. I’ll catch up with you later,” Joel said with a dose of excitement.

  “Oh, and please give Zarah my regards.”

  “And you do the same with Tamara for me.”

  “Will do,” Don said, hustling down the hallway.

  Before he reached the foyer, Joel stopped him. “Thanks.”

  “No need to thank me. I did what had to be done.”

  “You’ve done more than that.”

  Don was pleased. “I have to go. Take care and stay strong in the Lord, little brother.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Joel said as Don walked out the front door.

  Don hurried to his car and called Madeline, eager to give her the good news. “Mother, it’s done.”

  “He accepted?”

  “Uh-huh,” Don said, feeling both smug and relieved.

  “This is great. We have to move quickly,” she said, talking extra fast. “Let’s meet in my office tomorrow morning at eight. We have to put together a stellar presentation for the board. Choosing Joel over a qualified candidate outside of DMI will be a hard sell, but I’m not worried.”

  Cool, Don thought. “If you’re not worried, I’m not, either.”

  He ended the call and coasted down the driveway. Good things were finally happening for DMI and the Mitchell family. He prayed they’d be able to maintain this unfamiliar state of euphoria. It would take a miracle for them to keep working together, but then, he did know a miracle worker. Don careened into traffic with the wind at his back and the Mitchell worries in his rearview mirror. He’d focus only on today. Tomorrow would have enough troubles of its own.

  Chapter 45

  Late last night Joel had gotten a call from Madeline, instructing him to be at DMI by 8:00 a.m. It was 6:15 a.m., and he was dressed and ready to go.

  “Must you go so soon? The office is only thirty minutes away,” Zarah told Joel.

  “I know, but this is important. I can’t be late, not today,” he said, clearly oozing with joy.

  She was pleased that Joel had something to be happy about, but her soul wasn’t as content. Many days and nights would have to pass before her heart could mend from the loss of their child.

  “I can see how important this is to you,” she said, reaching for his hand. “Then you must go and do well.”

  He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and darted to the door. “I’ll be gone most of the morning. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  “But I do,” he said.

  His concern melted her. “Please don’t worry.”

  “I’ll call your assistant on my way into the office and see if she can sit with you.”

  “No, please, no. She hasn’t been over here since I went to the hospital . . . the first trip. I don’t want to bother her with this. I will be very well. The cook is here, and the housekeeper will be in later. I am not afraid to be alone. It is good for me.”

  Joel peered at her adoringly before saying goodbye.

  Zarah lounged around the bedroom after he left, wishing her self-imposed fifteen-minute grace period would fly by. That eliminated the chance of Joel running back in the house for something he’d forgotten and finding her on the phone. She rubbed her moist hands together, longing to see Tamara after having her friend rush from the hospital. They hadn’t spoken since, and Zarah couldn’t wait a single minute longer. She dialed the phone frantically. Her greeting erupted when Tamara answered.

  “Zarah, I didn’t expect to hear from you this soon. Are you at home or still in the hospital?” Tamara had wanted to call several times over the past couple of days. She’d decided to show Joel some consideration for a change and not bother his wife. She owed him that much for protecting her from Remo. Staying away from Zarah had been hard. She desperately needed her friend.

  “Joel has gone for the morning. Can you please come for a visit?”

  “I don’t know about that. Joel might not like me dropping by.”

  “I was most worried for you. Joel told me why you had to rush from the hospital. I must see you. Please, come for a visit.”

  Tamara considered the request and weighed the many reasons why it was a bad idea. In the end she said, “Okay. I’m on my way, but I hope this doesn’t cause a problem for you.”

  “No problem. I will look forward to seeing you soon.”

  Tamara dressed and made her way to the lobby.

  “Excuse me, Ms. Mitchell, but we’ve been instructed not to let you leave the building,” a security guard told her.

  “What? I have somewhere to go.”

  “I’m sorry, but we were given strict orders by Mr. Mitchell.” The guard wasn’t budging, and Tamara wasn’t interested in waging a fight. She was exhausted. “Then how do you suggest that I get to my appointment?”

  “There are only two options.”

  “I’m listening,” she said, tense.

  “We can call your brother to get a release,”

  Unless Tamara had missed the processing center, this wasn’t a prison. He didn’t have the right to detain her. Remo had tried, and look where it had gotten him. Yet Tamara didn’t make a scene. She acquiesced and actually appreciated the spirit behind this effort to protect her. Don meant her no harm, and the guard didn’t, either. She opted to be gracious and let him finish. The sooner she found a way to get out those doors, the quicker she could see Zarah.

  “I don’t like that option. What else can you do?”

  “We can escort you to your destination.”

  “Without calling my brother,” she stated ardently. Tamara was willing to go along with the program, but the guard had to give her some
decision-making ability. She wasn’t a child.

  “As you wish.”

  “Fine. Let’s go,” she said, eager to get rolling.

  Tamara sat quietly in the backseat of the private car as the security guard pulled up Zarah’s driveway. “I’ll be in there for maybe an hour,” she told the guard.

  “Take your time. There’s no hurry. I’ll wait as long as you need.”

  “Okay,” Tamara said with reluctance. Although he didn’t appear to be rushed, she’d be conscious of the fact that he was waiting outside. It was awkward, but she didn’t contest the arrangement.

  Zarah came to the door immediately. Jubilation glowed on her face. “I am most happy to see you. Would you like a bit of breakfast?”

  Tamara had too much on her mind. Food hadn’t been a priority over the past three days. “I’m not hungry, but I’d like some of that tea you drink with milk.”

  “Yes, indeed.” Zarah conveyed her request to the cook. “We have so much to share. Let’s sit in the library. It will be quiet in there,” she told Tamara.

  Tamara followed Zarah to the library, and they sat next to each other on the wide sofa.

  “You look and sound much better than you did at the hospital. How are you feeling?” Tamara asked.

  “I’m better.”

  “I’m very sorry about the baby. I know you would have made a great mother.”

  Zarah blushed. “It is my dream,” she said as her voice dipped. “But it must wait. This was not our time.”

  Tamara patted the back of Zarah’s hand. “Good for you. That’s a great attitude. I’m sure that one day you and Joel will have a beautiful baby.”

  Teardrops formed on Zarah’s eyelids. “If he stays married to me.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? You’re an amazing, beautiful woman with a kind heart.”

  “Thank you,” Zarah squeaked.

  “I mean it. You’ve been an incredible friend to me. Joel is blessed to have you in his life. I hope he knows it.”

  “In the hospital he said we would stay together.”

  Tamara stroked her hand across Zarah’s cheek to catch the falling teardrops. “Then why are you crying?”

  “I was most pleased to hear his commitment to me. Then I began to think about his words. Now I feel like a burden to him. He is bound to me out of obligation. It is not fitting. I desire to have a husband who loves me and sees my worth.”

  Tamara was kind of confused. From the day she’d met Zarah, her sister-in-laws goal seemed to be to win Joel’s affection and his dedication to the marriage. Zarah had clearly done that if Joel was talking about staying married even when there wasn’t a baby to force his hand. She figured if Joel was staying with Zarah, it had to be because he wanted to.

  “Joel hasn’t been my favorite person, but I can tell he cares about you.”

  “But I do not have his love. What if he cannot bear me in a few years?”

  “Does love really matter as long as you’re together? And who knows? In time he could grow to love you in the way you want.” Tamara had to pinch herself. “I’m shocked to be saying this, but people can change, including Joel. Give him a chance.”

  The cook interrupted with their tea. She set the cups on the table and slipped out the library. The ladies continued their chat.

  “I will take your advice. This is a good day for my marriage,” Zarah said.

  The two hugged briefly as Tamara had learned that embracing wasn’t natural for Zarah. Her displays of affection were different, but her love and friendship seemed to be the same. No language translator was required to figure that one out. Tamara and Zarah were more alike than different, and that was what made their relationship work.

  “Now it’s time for me to share my news,” Tamara said, briefly shifting her gaze toward the ceiling.

  Zarah sat up tall, with anticipation glistening in her eyes.

  “I wanted you to be the first to know that I’m leaving town as soon as the proceedings are over with Remo. Hopefully, it won’t take much longer for his trial or deportation. Either way I have to stick around, since I’m his victim. Ugh. I hate that term,” she bellowed.

  Sadness overcame Zarah, and Tamara was touched. “You mustn’t go away. You are my only friend. I would not want to be here without you.”

  “You’ll be fine. You’ll have Joel. You’ll have plenty of babies running around. Plus, you’ll have Harmonious Energy to run. Trust me; you’ll be very busy once you fully recover. You’ll forget that I exist.”

  “Never will I forget you.” She squeezed Tamara’s hands tightly in her typical way. “Where will you go?”

  “I’m honestly not sure. I’ll go to the airport and just pick a flight to somewhere in the world that doesn’t require a travel visa.” The same sadness that Zarah had expressed fell on Tamara. “It’s better that way. Nobody can follow me and try to lure me back to Detroit.”

  “It’s not good for you to be in the world alone.”

  She had a point, but what alternatives were there? Oddly, a longing for familiarity gripped Tamara. Her five months in Detroit were the most she’d spent with family in fifteen years. The time hadn’t been all bad. The extended stay had brought a boatload of trouble, but also some much-needed rest and reflection too. The longing drew stronger, making it tougher to walk away.

  Tamara grappled with her feelings, hoping to avoid making an irrational decision. If she stayed, there would be a ton of emotional and relationship repairs that had to be done. Tamara wasn’t sure she was up for the challenge. Being vulnerable might lead to pain, and she didn’t like the thought of suffering. Running was simpler. It was what she’d become good at doing. Besides, after a few months the Mitchells would settle into a state of normalcy, and no one would miss her. She had no choice. Taking flight was right.

  Chapter 46

  Madeline basked in her victory. She bopped through the DMI lobby as if there wasn’t a single concern weighing her down. She hummed while waiting for an elevator. Minutes clicked by as she stood there. Normally, she’d grow impatient, but Madeline was too happy to get upset. Several minutes later the elevator arrived, and the doors opened. She sashayed into the elevator without shedding an ounce of bliss. There was no guarantee that her mood would last, but she’d savor the moment.

  At 7:15 a.m., the executive floor was silent. Madeline approached her office and paused. Accustomed to getting what she wanted, Madeline shouldn’t have been surprised to see Joel standing outside her office. Having him waiting for her direction was a sweet reminder she’d savor. She fumbled with the keys on her ring, searching for the DMI ones. “I see you’re here early. How long have you been waiting?”

  Joel reached for her leather bag, and she let him hold it. A few seconds later she found the key and opened the door.

  “Ten or fifteen minutes. No big deal.” He handed her the bag. “I would have gladly waited another four or five hours.”

  “Now, that’s the right attitude.” Madeline opened her laptop and set it on the conference table. She took off her suit jacket and placed it on a chair, then beckoned for Joel to join her at the conference table. “Nothing worth having is going to fall in your lap. Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and put in backbreaking work. This, Mr. Joel, is one of those situations,” she said, glancing at him and refraining from smiling. Somehow it didn’t seem appropriate. Instead, she ended up with what felt like a silly grin. “Have a seat and let’s get to work on our presentation.”

  “Just the two of us?” he asked, taking a seat.

  “Don should be here by eight, but we can get started without him. The more we get done now, the longer we’ll have to plug the holes in our proposal.” Madeline pulled a bottle of water from her bag, followed by a pair of reading glasses. “Would you like a bottle of water?”

  “No thanks, but I’m eager to get going.”

  Madeline was glad to see Joel’s enthusiasm. She could push his candidacy, but ultimately, he had to deliver the knockout punch by coming
across as a strong and personable leader who was receptive to change. She plucked a stack of folders from her bag and slid several papers over to Joel. “Take a look at these sales reports. Our selling point is going to be a presentation of the facts. For two years, you were a success as CEO. I looked over the reports and realized I was mistaken. Revenue didn’t double while you were in charge. It tripled. That’s a compelling case.”

  “Think it will be enough?”

  “Hope so. At the end of the day, DMI is in business to provide leadership support and make money doing it.” She adjusted the glasses on her nose.

  “You think the board will put sales above my indiscretions?”

  Since Madeline didn’t read tea leaves or believe in magic wands, she didn’t have an answer for Joel. Realistically, getting the board to approve him as head of DMI would require every contact and favor Madeline could tap. She’d have to cash in all her chips and go for broke to get Joel appointed.

  “I wouldn’t have asked you to consider the position if I doubted our ability to win.” She peered at him. “You should know me by now. I don’t take on battles with the intent of losing.”

  Joel smirked. “Yes, I do know that.”

  “But we agree that you have to get rid of Harmonious Energy. That is an albatross around your neck. There is zero chance in hell that you’re getting the appointment if you’re juggling a conflicting company. We have to sell it and fast. Did you talk to Zarah about this, like I suggested a few weeks ago?”

  “I did, but then she had the miscarriage.”

  “Right. I get that the timing is pretty lousy to ask her to give up something else, given that she recently lost the baby, but there’s no other choice. Either Harmonious Energy goes or your CEO post is out the window. I’ll let you choose.”

  “I’ll take care of it. You have my word.”

  Madeline desperately wanted to believe him. He was her last hope for filling the CEO position from within the family. “We’ll put a strong case on the table and let the chips fall as they may.”