Chapter 24: CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“So, we are going to proceed with the re-launch of your line. We’ll have certain individuals wearing pieces from your line while they mingle within the crowd. Before we open the banquet side of it, we’ll do a fashion show.” Savannah yawned.
Duncan Clarke narrowed his eyes. They were sitting in Savannah’s newly converted home office. The kids were at school and daycare respectively which allowed her to have this meeting. She rubbed her cropped hair cut and smiled apologetically to Duncan. “I’m sorry Duncan. Just a little tired.”
“Understandable. Everything sounds good. The press releases that you have sent out have been working. We’ve seen an increase in sales already. Not to mention the new local warehouse that you suggested we build. We are looking to create over 1500 jobs in this area which was a major concern. So, we’re giving back to the community just like I wanted. I knew I could trust you with my business. How are you feeling though?” He leaned forward, his gray suit creasing from the pressure of his body.
“It’s been a few weeks since I started the treatment. With the nausea and fatigue, it’s been tough. I thought I would be used to it by now. But the doctors are all excited about my progress. And they love my new cut.”
“I love it too. It really fits your face.” Duncan paused and took a sip of his coffee. “I have a colleague who is interested in hiring you as a consultant for his business. He’s not in the clothing business which is why I decided to pass along his information to you.” He handed her a folded piece of paper. “I wasn’t sure you would be up to it, so I made him no promises.”
“Thank you. I’ll give him a call.”
“No thanks required. You’re family now. I should be thanking you for taking care of Dwight and Izzy.”
“I’m not sure I can call it that. Especially since I’ve been sick a lot.”
Duncan chuckled. “You’re doing more than you know. Izzy was going through a phase where she was acting out to get her father’s attention. She was clingy and did not take to strangers well. But since you’ve been in her life, she’s happier and friendlier. And she talks about you all the time. Savannah this. Savannah that. And my nephew? Dwight is in love. It’s all over him. He’s smiling more and he’s less uptight. So, take your credit sweetheart.”
Savannah could not help the smile that spread across her face. Even though they had put off planning the wedding, she was still excited. After Duncan left, she took a quick shower, careful not to steam the curls out. She had a few hours before she had to pick up her kids, so she curled up on the couch and fell asleep.
“I need the financial prospective for Gordon and Sons before noon today. Also, if you could send a memo out to our clients letting them know that the deadline for sending in their financial paperwork has been extended.” Dwight’s assistant scribbled down the instructions and headed off to complete his tasks. Dwight stood up and loosened the tie around his neck. He smiled at all the new pictures sitting on his desk and hanging on his office walls. Savannah and him. Them and the kids. Izzy and the boys. The boys. Him and the boys. Izzy and Savannah. He was blessed. He felt it. Even the panic that he felt lingering at the back of his mind was quieter. At least for the moment. The truth was he was scared. Scared of losing Savannah. He saw the deepening of the dimples in her cheeks. The darkening of the circles under her eyes. The protruding of her bones through her skin. The vomiting.
He relished the few nights a week that he stayed with them. He tucked the kids in and watched them sleep and then he curled up next to Savannah and pulled her closer to him. She would turn and fold herself into him, the scarf around her head tickling his arm, her warm breath sweeping across his face.
Going to the doctors with her was taking its toll though. Watching her sleep while she was wrapped in the hospital gowns, with the machines beeping and whistling was beginning to freak him out. She always looked smaller and weaker in the hospital. They made him nervous anyway. A building full of sick or dying people. And his wife was there. He liked the sound of calling her wife. It was how he talked about her whenever anyone asked about the beautiful woman in the pictures.
“Mr. Clarke, Mr. Dutes on the line.”
Dwight sat in his large chair and grabbed the phone. “Alex, good to hear from you. Is everything okay?”
“Of course, it is. You’re still the best numbers guy I know and I’m still rich beyond my needs. I was checking to see if you made a decision about that job offer in Seattle.”
“How did you know about that?”
“Your boss called me thanking me for my business and we got to talking about what a great guy you are. He let it drop that he was offering you a job.”
“I’m honored. Really, I am. But I don’t see how I could. My wife is sick, and our kids are here. Along with her family.”
“Wife? I didn’t know you were married.” Alex sounded surprisingly excited.
“Well, not officially. We’re getting married. It’s just not a good time to think about moving to another state.”
“I understand. Family first. I love that. I wanted to put out my own offer.”
“What?!”
“I need someone like you on my team. I have accumulated a lot of money over time. My main goal is continuing the community drives and work that I started years ago. You’ll have your own department to run. Corner office. Housing. Company car. I’ll even right in where you own shares in the company. I’ll set up a fund for Izzy. You tell me what you want.”
“Is this a coincidence that this is in Seattle as well?”
Alex laughed. “No. I happen to have one of my offices based there. Seattle is important to my family so that’s why it’s there.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good time. I appreciate the thought though, man. That’s what’s up.” Dwight knew that this chance was one once in a lifetime, but he had made a promise to Savannah by asking her to marry him and he would keep it.”
“I understand.” Alex sounded slightly disappointed. “Let me know if there is anything, I can do for you guys. Anyway, I have some buddies that I want to introduce you to. I keep telling them how rich you are keeping me.” He cleared his throat. “If you ever change your mind about Seattle let me know. I want to move forward with this. Dutes out.”
Dwight replaced the receiver and reached for the mouse to his computer. He wanted to make sure all of his tabs had been marked completed.
“I’m sorry to bother you again, Mr. Clarke,” his assistant appeared in the doorway, “but I have a Thomas Anderson here to see you. I don’t see that he has an appointment.”
“Send him in George.” Dwight straightened his tie.
Thomas entered his office and casually looked around. His dark suit fit him nice but the numerous rings on his fingers were out of place. It was like he was trying too hard. He sat in the chair across from Dwight’s. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“Next time make an appointment. I just happened to have some free time in between meetings.” Dwight sat on the corner of his desk.
“I figured it was time for us to have a face to face. So that we have an understanding.”
“I’m listening.”
“Those are my kids. They belong to me. So, any decisions regarding their welfare must be okayed by me. That means schools, anything medical, everything. You want to buy them anything, that goes through me. You may have Savannah’s body now but remember who had it first. Do you understand?” Thomas crossed his leg over his knee.
Dwight chuckled. “I suppose if I don’t listen, you’ll bust the windows in my house and call and harass me.” The change in Thomas’s expression was slight but not missed by Dwight. “That’s right. I was there. I boarded up her windows and made sure she was safe. Something that you weren’t worried about.
‘As for your boys, I see them daily. And they don’t hesitate to welcome me either. But rest assured that they will be taken care of.”
“Yeah, I know. By me. We’ll see how long you stick around. You’re not married yet.”
“Let’s make one thing clear. Savannah and I already had our talk and made our agreements. If you are saying that you would rather have your children naked, starving and neglected until you get around to providing for them, I will not allow it.
“As far as Savannah goes, you have nothing to say or ask her about outside of how the boys are. If at any time she tells me that your behavior is inappropriate, the last thing you will have to worry about is the cops because I handle my own business. Personally.”
Dwight walked around to stand behind his desk and placed both hands on the back of his leather chair. “Now. If we are done here, I really have to get back to work.”
“We’ll see.” Thomas redid the buttons on his blazer and walked out of the office. Dwight stared after him for a long moment until the elevator doors closed. What the hell was he sniffing around for? He wouldn’t tell Savannah. The last thing she needed to worry about was this guy running around trying to make trouble. He walked over to the small bar on the opposite wall. He could hardly call it a bar. It only had water and different types of juice. His intake of alcohol was minimal at best, his more drunken moments happening in high school and college. He took a quick swig of his tropical V8 juice and packed up his suitcase. Home never looked so good.