Nadalia sucked in a heap of air and blinked at Pearson.
“Pearson,” she called her name gently.
“He came back when my mom got sick. I’m trying to do everything right to make sure he stays. See, Nadalia. You’re not alone.” Pearson sniffled. “We’ve all got issues and some of ours can really trump others.” Pearson laughed a little. “I bet if the other women were here, they could tell of so much more. Ryan with that controlling, womanizing Anderson. Vonnie and Mike with...” Pearson thought for a minute. “I swear Vonnie and Mike seem like they have never had any problems.” Both women laughed.
Nadalia put her head down. She really felt for Pearson, but still wasn’t ready to reveal her own truth. She couldn’t imagine telling her that facing life without Sage seemed impossible, but he had left her with no choice. She could never admit that she felt like less of a woman because Sage cheated on her with a man. If she could help it, no one would ever hear any of this from her lips.
Chapter 45
Vonnie
Mike and Vonnie sifted through scores of envelopes, dividing the house bills from his company’s bills and then organizing them by due date. The pile of those that were past due towered high over bills that were current. Mike rested his head in his hands and let out a frustrated breath.
“What do we have in savings again?”
Vonnie got up from the table, yawned and stretched her back. They had been maneuvering funds from their savings and investments trying to work out strategies to fix their financial problems for hours.
“From my savings, I can bring the car notes, utilities and some of the credit cards up to date. We’ll have to cash in some investments to get Noelle’s tuition back on track. We can loan the business a little money to pay one of the bank loans, but the bottom line is we are going to have to pull Noelle out of that school. We just can’t afford forty-five thousand a year for tuition anymore, especially if we plan on sending her to college someday.” Vonnie sat back. “It would be great to have her back home. She can go to the public school right here in this district.”
Mike shook his head. “Where do we stand with the business accounts?”
“It doesn’t look good. Based on what’s going out on a monthly basis to cover rent, the bank loans, and your regular creditors, you may be just making payroll.”
Mike dropped his head back. “I may have to let a few more people go. This new project will get things moving again.”
“But Mike, without the money you need to invest in developing the software, there’s nothing we can do. You’re maxed out with the creditors and the banks are refusing to loan you any more money. And you better not even think of going to Andrew.” Vonnie let him know just how serious she was with her tight expression and pointed finger.
This time Mike stood and started pacing. “Think!” he chanted to himself. “How many people would I have to cut to maintain again?”
“At least six.”
“I’m just going to have to do it.” He shook his head.
“You may not want to hear this, but the reality is we just can’t afford this house anymore. We have three options; we can take some money and pay a few months of the mortgage to buy us some time. That way we can put the house on the market and hope it sells before the bank takes it. We could do a short sale, or we just let it go and let the bank foreclose on it. If we can sell it, we may be able to walk away with a few dollars to put on a more affordable home. If the bank does a short sell, we walk away clean, but we won’t have any money for a down payment on the new house and all of our accounts are cleaned out, lastly if we let the bank foreclose on us, we lose it all.”
Vonnie read the frustration in the lines of Mike’s stressed eyes. She didn’t mention the fee his lawyer was charging to represent him in the case for the gun charge, which could wipe them out if it went to trial.
Vonnie sat back in her seat and sighed. Mike was still pacing, his bloodshot eyes narrowed in deep thought. His cell phone rang, pulling him from inside of his mind.
“What’s up, my man?” Mike said cheerfully, masking his irritation from the person on the other end of the phone. Vonnie looked up at him, and shook her head at the fake smile in his voice. “Yeah that sounds cool...when...I know this weather has been crazy, but I hear the weekend is supposed to be nice...Yeah... you think the course will be clean enough? Cool...sure...count me in. Look man, I gotta run and handle some business. I’ll call you back.”
Mike ended the call and tossed his phone onto the teak wood table a little too hard. “Dammit.” The smile had left his voice. Mike leaned against the counter and folded his arms. His eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted as he gnawed on the inside of his bottom lip. A gesture that gave Vonnie a clear indication that his anger was getting the best of him. Mike wasn’t much of a liar and Vonnie knew that the little game he just played on the phone would affect him. The man in him wouldn’t allow others to see him sweat.
Vonnie wanted to mention that they couldn’t afford for him to go golfing right now until she remembered that one of the only bills he did pay was his country club membership. The little reminder made her scream on the inside, yet she understood. The Beck was their haven. Had he not paid his dues, the others would have known right away that they were having financial problems. Mike was too proud to expose himself like that.
But, how long would it take for them to realize that they had been ejected from their economic status? Would they remain friends with Mike?
“Dammit!” he yelled again, startling Vonnie.
“Mike! Relax. We will get through this.”
“I messed up. I messed up bad,” he repeated with his teeth clenched tight. “I fu–”
“Mike!” Vonnie yelled again before he released the expletive on the tip of his tongue.
“I did this to us. I ruined us.” Mike’s hands flopped against his thighs.
“Everyone has ups and downs.”
“This wasn’t supposed to happen to us!” With a single swipe Mike sent the invoices, cups and calculators that were scattered across the table crashing to the floor.
Vonnie grabbed the laptop and jumped out of her chair. “Mike!” she yelled, but he wasn’t listening.
With a growl, Mike swung his arm again and sent the rest of the paperwork fluttering to the floor, then lifted the table. Vonnie screamed his name one more time before he turned it completely over. She placed the laptop on the granite counter and pulled on his arms until he let the table go. She called him repeatedly, trying to bring him from the dark rage that had come over him. She hadn’t seen him that mad in years.
“Stop it!” she yelled and melted into the chair beside her, burying her muffled tears in her hands.
Mike finally came around. Spent, he crumpled to the floor and held onto her legs.
“I’m sorry.” Mike was out of breath, panting as if he’d just completed a marathon. “I sorry for messing up our lives, baby. I promise I’ll make it up to you. Just don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said in a tone that let him know how absurd he sounded. She continued wiping her tears. “We will get through this.” She rubbed Mike’s head. “We’ll be fine.”
Getting over the issue of their finances seemed like the easy part to her. She always felt like she’d been living a dream—almost like she was living someone else’s life. The wealth seemed surreal.
Now it was time to float back down to reality. She would always cherish the memories they made while they were filthy rich. The hard part would be facing everyone else once their lifestyle had been downgraded.
Vonnie patted Mike on the shoulder letting him know she wanted to get up. He lifted himself and together they cleaned up the mess he’d created. Picking up the mail, Vonnie came across the elegantly designed invitation for Pearson’s annual gala. At five hundred dollars a ticket, she and Mike certainly couldn’t afford to attend, but what excuse would she give Pearson for not showing up? Surely she couldn’t tell her the truth.
<
br /> Chapter 46
Pearson
Today would be Pearson’s day of full reconciliation. Candice’s health scare and Niles’ absence were too much to bear. After Candice passed out, Pearson had an opportunity to speak with her doctors when they arrived at the hospital. She realized just how fragile life was for her mother. Dehydration had claimed her strength, leaving her listless on that elevator floor. What if she died? Pearson couldn’t imagine losing her mother without making the most of what little time they had left. She planned to prove to herself and everyone else how strong she could really be.
Her visit with Nadalia helped her come to this decision. Pearson’s world was small and she was at risk of losing the two most important people in it.
Pearson had gotten up early and taken a long walk down her beautiful tree-lined street. The pre-dawn stroll gave her much uninterrupted time to tangle with her thoughts.
As she expected, Niles was still in bed when she got back. Pearson peeked in on him, feeling grateful for his return. He was rolled snugly inside the covers and she quietly pulled the bedroom doors together, leaving a small crack and then headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. Quickly whipping up fried eggs, turkey sausage and a toasted English muffin, Pearson poured a tall glass of ice cold orange juice and carried it to the room on a wooden tray.
“Niles,” she called softly, pushing the door open with her foot. She nudged him awake. “Babe. Wake up. I made breakfast.”
Niles woke with a start, staring past Pearson with wide eyes.
“Niles,” she said again gently.
Niles pushed himself up until he was sitting, squeezed his eyes and stretched.
“Morning,” he finally said, his voice gruff from sleep.
“I made you breakfast,” she said again, hoping he would see this as the effort she intended it to be. “Come on, eat.”
Niles stared at her for a moment before taking the tray. Pearson walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in. For a while, she let him eat without interruption.
“I’m sorry.”
Niles stopped chewing, but did nothing more to acknowledge her apology.
I just need you to tell me that you won’t leave me again. Even if I...mess up...while I’m trying to get it together.”
Niles released a long sigh and put his tray to the side. Tears had found their way down Pearson’s cheeks. Niles turned to her and wiped them with his thumb. “If I were going to leave again, I wouldn’t be here now.”
Pearson leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his firm body. For a while they just held each other until Pearson pulled back.
“How do you want to do this, again?”
“I’m going cold turkey. If that doesn’t work, I’ll seek out a group, attend meetings, I’ll do whatever I have to do. These next few months are so important and I need to be able to absorb every minute of every hour of every day.” Her tears streamed faster as she thought about spending more time with her mom and her desire to be fully in those moments. “I won’t be able to do this without you.”
“I’ve got your back, baby.”
“I’m glad that you’re not mad at me anymore. Those days without you were unbearable.”
“I was never mad at you, just frustrated. It felt like I was fighting a battle that I wasn’t equipped to win. If I were losing you to another man, I would know how to handle that. But how do I win against a force as strong as...”
“Alcoholism.” Pearson saved Niles the agony of actually putting the label on her issue. The sad look Niles gave her confirmed that he was hesitating to say the same thing.
“Yeah. It had you, baby. You’ve been slipping away for a while.”
“I know. Eat your breakfast, I need to jump in the shower and head over to my mother’s house. If she’s up to it, I’m going to take her out for brunch.”
The way Niles paused midway as he reached for his breakfast told Pearson that he was surprised. “You want me to come.”
“No.” Pearson kissed his cheek. “But, thanks. I need to do this alone.”
“I’ll be here if you need me.”
Pearson kissed him again. Niles pulled her in, looked into eyes and kissed her a few more times before letting her go.
“I’m proud of you.”
She paused a moment to absorb Niles’ admission before heading toward her walk-in closet, smiling.
The crisp cold air whirled around her when she stepped out her front door, pulling her coat tighter. The chill seemed harsh when she was sober and she realized her drinking had numbed more than her feelings.
Pearson climbed behind the wheel of her two-seater Jaguar and took a long breath before starting the car and pulling out. The glare of the eastern sun poured through her windshield, forcing her to dig in her purse for a pair of sunglasses. Fortunately, the ride to her mother’s wouldn’t take more than twenty minutes.
Finally ready to move past her fears, Pearson looked forward to the surprise visit to her mother’s lavish home. She pulled into the circular drive, got out and rang the bell, listening for the chime to resonate through the spacious corridors. She waited a while giving her mother a moment to respond since the hour was still early.
Glancing at her watch, she rang repeatedly until Candice showed up at the door clad in a silk robe and slippers.
“Pearson?” Candice smiled and moved aside inviting her in.
“Good morning, Ma,” she said, stepping past her mother. “You look better. How do you feel?”
“Fine. And to what do I owe this,” Candice looked around and took Pearson’s arm to look at her watch, “early visit?”
“If you’re up to it, get dressed. We are going to spend the day together. We’ll come back if you get too tired.”
Candice’s face illuminated like a child on Christmas Day. “Really!”
“Yes.” Pearson started walking up the steps toward Candice’s bedroom and Candice followed eagerly. “While we are out, we’ve got a lot to discuss, like your plans for...well, you know.” Both women knew she was referring to her final arrangements. Pearson couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Also, you’ll have to bring me up to speed about the company.”
“Oh, Pearson. You’re going to take over?” Candice all but squealed.
“I didn’t say that just yet. But we’ll need to at least get me on the board.”
“Done.”
“And I could use some advice. I never really had another woman who I could run certain things by, you know.” Pearson continued down the second floor corridor toward Candice’s room. “No offense, but it’s the truth.” Stepping into Candice’s room, Pearson stopped when she noticed a figure lying under the sheets in Candice’s bed. “You didn’t say you had company,” she whispered.
Candice walked past her straight into the room. “Oh, it’s no problem at all! Walter, dear! Pearson is here.” Candice sat down on the edge of the bed and nudged his pecan colored back. “Wake up, honey.”
Pearson’s hand flew to cover her gaping mouth. “Mr. Walter,” she said as he began to stir. Pearson turned so she wouldn’t mistakenly gaze upon any of his private parts. The sound of Walter’s stretch reached her ears, the groans along with a few snaps and cracks from his joints.
“Hey, sweetheart! How are you doing?”
“I’m fine,” Pearson said with her back still turned.
“Walter, she came to spend the day with me. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“That’s good to hear. Have you had enough rest, honey?”
“I feel fine.” Candice’s excitement rang through her words. “In that case, you ladies have a great time.”
“Thanks,” Pearson said. “And don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t overdo it. Mom, I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Pearson was shocked. It was interesting to actually see the man in her mother’s life. Since childhood, she couldn’t recall meeting a single male friend. As she thought about it, the only man who had been around the family was Walter, who had
been a great friend of her dad’s for many years. Pearson thought of him as an uncle. Now it was obvious that he was a little more than that.
The whole idea of her mom dating tickled Pearson and she covered her mouth so they wouldn’t hear her sudden outburst as she laughed. Her stiff mother was getting it. Seeing this made Pearson feel like Candice did have a softer side. She found herself wondering how long they had been dating, screwing, or whatever it was that they called themselves doing. Then she thought about her mother’s limited time.
The laughter in her heart and the smile on her face faded. Pearson swallowed hard as she tried to keep tears from falling. Candice was going to die. Pearson would never get used to that reality. Soon she would be in this world by herself, with no other family besides Niles.
Candice’s foot hit the landing, bringing Pearson back to the present moment. As stylish as ever, Candice had on a pair of jeans, a gray flowing top and matching gray suede booties. No one could ever guess that she was well into her sixties.
“You look cute,” Pearson said, taking her mother in. “And I love the boots.”
“It will all be yours eventually. These,” Candice twisted her foot giving Pearson a better view of her ankle boots, “this house, the cars, the business—all of it.”
Pearson cringed at the cavalier way her mother referred to her own death. “Ma!” She rolled her eyes.
Candice waved away her concern and then paused, studying Pearson’s weary expression. “Come; let’s chat a little before we go.” Candice led the way to the gallery, sat on the sofa and patted the seat beside her for Pearson to sit.
Pearson hesitated, dropped her shoulders, and then took slow steps toward the couch. She felt like a child about to be reprimanded. Instead of looking at Candice, she looked around the artsy space, focusing on some of her father’s favorite paintings, sculptures and artifacts from his travels. Her mother made sure that everything was preserved well.
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