The Chauffeur

by A. P. Hallmark

  “Jason, why wasn’t I informed that you planned on hiring two new engineers? I understood we had all the help we needed right now, especially with the FAA embargo,” Scott finally says, breaking the thick silence.

  “I was unaware I needed to consult with you when making management decisions, Mr. Scott, but to answer your question, the embargo has been lifted. I’ve been given the go-ahead to begin producing my planes again. I hope that meets with your approval?” I ask sarcastically.

  “Of course, Jason, I was just … I just thought I would be included in the hiring process, that’s all.”

  “No worries. I heard through the grapevine that Paul and Matt were seeking employment, and I wanted to snatch them up before our competitors recruited them,” I say through a forced smile. “Boeing was romancing both of them, and I thought they would be a perfect fit for our little project.”

  “When will they start? Officially, I mean?” Scott asks, looking at Matt and Paul skeptically.

  “Why, right now, of course,” I reply while looking at my watch. “I have a meeting with the FAA in an hour, so I’m leaving you three to it.”

  After I shut the door, I lean against it and take a deep breath, trying to act as if nothing is amiss. Each and every time I work with Sector, there’s that rush of possibly being discovered. Pushing off the door, I hurry outside to the van to hear the conversation taking place at this very moment.

  “Let’s cut the shit,” Paul says, setting the tone of the meeting.

  “Excuse me? What are you talking about?” Scott asks. I can hear the fear in his voice.

  “That fuck, Rowe, doesn’t know what’s going on in his own fucking company. We got hired using phony resumes, and he fell for it. How in the hell did someone that fucking stupid get voted as Chicago’s leading entrepreneur?” My mouth drops open when I hear everyone laugh at my expense. Even the Federal agents laugh at the sarcasm.

  “What is going on here?” Scott asks. It’s clear from his tone that he’s going to play his cards close to his chest.

  “We’re not here as engineers like that idiot thinks. We’re here to finish what Kate started,” Matt responds.

  “I remember you, you know?” Scott says casually. “You were here when the plant first opened, but you bailed after the polygraph tests were arranged. Rowe thought you were the one that sabotaged the plane.”

  “Well, we know who it really was now, don’t we?” Paul breaks in. “Robin told me all about it.”

  “How do you know Robin?” Scott asks hesitantly. He swallows so thickly I can hear it through the microphones.

  “All it took was one night with her, and after I was done, she told me everything. She loved her pillow talk,” Paul says, laughing.

  “Wait! You were fucking her too?” Scott barks.

  Paul begins to laugh. “Seriously? Who wasn’t? Even Rowe had a piece of that pie.”

  “I wasn’t,” Matt speaks up. “She’s not my style.”

  “Don’t tell me you were fucking her too, Scott!” Paul says, laughing. “Hope you wore a glove because I think every dick in Chicago tapped that.”

  “Can we get off the subject of Robin and who she was fucking?” Matt asks snidely. “We need to get this show on the road.”

  “Yeah, why are you guys here then if not as engineers?” Scott asks.

  “As I said, we’re taking over where Robin left off. There’s a shit ton of money out there that she was working at getting her hands on and we want it. The cartel said that if we can take Rowe down, we can have it. We’re here to see if you want in,” Paul explains. “That is if you don’t fuck it up again.”

  “What do you mean ‘fuck it up’?”

  “We mean that you blew that plane up but killed the wrong fucking people, dumbass. How can we trust you to get the next job right?”

  Good one, Matt, draw him out.

  “I didn’t fuck it up. Rowe did! The plane blew up as scheduled. It was Rowe who changed the passenger list at the last minute, not me. I couldn’t help that!”

  Bingo!

  With that, the Feds quietly exit the van, storm into Scott’s office, and take him into custody. When Matt and Paul leave the office, they find me casually leaning against the wall, waiting to hear their explanations. I raise a questioning brow.

  “Fucking stupid?” I say. “Idiot?”

  “Hey, I had to say something to gain his trust,” Paul explains. “Feeling insecure, Rowe?”

  “No, but I’ll remember that.”

  As soon as Scott exits his office in cuffs, I push off the wall, and the three of us face him with our arms crossed over our chests. Matt and Paul then try to restrain me—unsuccessfully.

  “You motherfucker! Do you know how many times I wanted to come here and kill your lying ass?” I growl out through my teeth. “I want to make you pay for the innocent lives you took. Even more so for the fact that my family was supposed to be on that plane. You will never see the light of day again, Scott.”

  “You set me up?” he shouts as if the realization only just hit him.

  “Yes,” the three of us say in unison.

  I can’t hold my anger inside any longer, and take a step back to put all the force and energy I can muster into my arm. I ram my fist straight into his face. Blood gushes from his nose and mouth while he shouts at me.

  “Did you see that?” he shouts to the Feds as they hold his arms. They look at each other and shrug.

  “See what?” the agent says as they drag him down the hall to the waiting van.

  “Okay, gentlemen, let’s go have a much-needed drink, shall we?” I say, clasping my hands on their shoulders eagerly guiding them down the hall.

  After arriving at my favorite pub, and having consumed more shots than I care to admit, Paul asks me about my plans for MileHigh.

  “I’ve had a new man ready an waitin’ for this day. He’ll star-art tomorrow, and it’s our plan to start buildin’ by Aug-August. I have ten planes, no wait,” I look at my twenty fingers and give up counting. “Twelve planes on order and espect more once the deals are final—ized.” Am I slurring? “Fu—uck. April’s gonna kill me.”

  “Why?” Paul asks, his eyes heavy lidded.

  “Um … ‘cause I’m fucked up, moron.”

  “Come on you, guys,” Matt says soberly.

  “I’m fucking jealous ‘cause he’s not drunk with us,” I say, pointing at Matt. “April won’t be mad at him. She’ll prolly kiss him. She won’t kiss me cause I’m drunker than him. You better not kiss her, fucker.”

  “Let’s get you home,” Matt says, shaking that longhaired head of his.

  During the ride home, Matt stops at every Starbucks known to man for an espresso shot. This doesn’t sober me up. It only makes me want to piss every five minutes.

  “I’m going to take you home first, Jason. April’s worried about you since you’ve been drunk texting her for the last two hours. I told her you were on your way, and then I’ll take Paul home.”

  “I’m in so much trouble,” I say to myself, hanging my head in shame.

  As soon as Matt drops me off, I sneak into the house through the back door, hoping to get Rita to give me something to eat before I face April. Unfortunately, Rita, April, and Garrett are sitting around the kitchen table.

  “Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” Garrett says.

  “Who?” I ask, looking behind me. I stumble as I turn back around to face the firing squad.

  “Did you have a good time, baby?” April asks, slowly walking toward me.

  “Yes … no … um … wha’s the right answer?” I slur into her smiling face. Laughter bubbles from her and love shines in her eyes. I like it when love shines in her eyes.

  “There is no wrong answer, baby. I love you, and if you had fun, I’m glad of it,” she says, kissing me full on the lips.

  “Let’s get some food in that stomach. Rita, do you have any more of that roast beef? I think Jason can use a thick sandwich.” I can feel the gleam
in my own eyes at her suggestion.

  “Yeah, that sounds really good,” I say, nodding, but stop doing that because it only makes me dizzy.

  I think I may be sick.

  Chapter 32

  ~Jason~

  The fall came and went, and the first holidays April and I enjoyed together followed suit. Her work at the University is challenging, but one I know she can handle. Her students love her, and her classes fill up fast. Our families have blended seamlessly, growing to love each other. Kyle and Emily formally announced their engagement, and my mother got to plan the party of the century. April told me Emily would be in her element, but that didn’t describe it. Emily is a force to be reckoned with when she has something to plan.

  Matt is attached to April and is extremely protective of her. He designated himself her personal driver, and I’m in full agreement on that. It’s safer if she’s not in the driver’s seat when her stomach rests so close to the wheel.

  Today, April started having contractions, and her little growl gets my attention. She still has a week to go, but I guess our little princess is just as anxious to meet us as we are to meet her. From the sound of it, she wants to grace us with her presence.

  “Are you okay, baby?” I time the contraction, knowing she’s not ready to go to the hospital yet.

  “Yeah. That was a good one.” When I see her curl into a ball with each contraction, I wonder if this is normal, so I call for my mother.

  “Here’s a fresh bowl of crushed ice, April,” my mom says, coming into the room and setting it down on the bedside table.

  “Her contractions are eight minutes apart and have been for about forty minutes. They seem to be getting more painful for her. Dr. Russell said that when they get to be five minutes apart, I’m to take her to the hospital. Will you let Matt know, so he can get the Maybach ready?”

  “Jason? Do you really think you need to tell me that?” my mother asks while checking on April. “That car’s been in the driveway ready to go for the past two hours. Matt’s downstairs with Rita and Garrett, waiting for the word.”

  I should have known that already.

  I return my focus to April who is going into another contraction, and I’m getting concerned at the level of pain she’s experiencing.

  “Come on, baby. Hee—hee—hoo,” I repeat, just as we learned in Lamaze classes.

  “Jason—please—shut the fuck up!” she scowls, pushing me away. Then, she pulls me to her.

  “Oh, God, I’m so sorry, come here.”

  I’m so confused.

  “That one hurt. I think maybe we should get to the hospital now. These are getting too painful for me,” she cries.

  “Mom!” I yell, yanking the blanket away from April.

  “What?” Mom yells back, running, or shall I say sliding, into the room.

  “We need to go. Now!” I lift April into my arms, carrying her safely down the stairs. Matt runs to open the door for us and then to the Maybach, holding the rear door open.

  “We’ll meet you at the hospital, Mom. Tell everyone.” I lower April onto the seat. “Matt, drive as fast as you can, but be fucking careful.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get you there!” he calls out as he runs around the front of the car.

  “Shit!” I shout to myself.

  “What?” Matt yells back, looking over his shoulder.

  “I forgot the gate takes forever.” When I glance up, the gate is already open. Looking at Matt with a new appreciation, I can honestly say he’s thought of everything.

  I return my attention to April, who is now going into another contraction.

  “Are you all right, baby?” I ask, wiping her brow. She nods while taking deep breaths.

  “Jason, I think something's wrong.”

  “There’s nothing wrong, sweetheart. The doctor says this is a healthy pregnancy. All your tests are good, so don’t talk yourself into a panic. We’re almost there,” I say, trying to soothe her. “Just think, April, tonight our little one will be born into this world.”

  I look into her pain-filled eyes and lower my lips to hers. “I’m sorry you have to go through this, babe.”

  “I’m not. I’m excited to meet our daughter.”

  “Me too. I hope she has your hair. And your eyes. And your smile. And your smarts.”

  “Don’t you want her to look like you at all?” she asks, squeezing my hand when another contraction begins.

  “Not when her mother is so beautiful,” I reply, wincing at the pain she’s inflicting on me.

  “We’re here,” Matt calls out. He hops out of the car and opens the door for me, and I jump out and run around to help April out. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she hangs onto me through another contraction. They’re coming faster now, so I carry her into the emergency room.

  April had pre-checked herself in, so she was soon settled in her birthing suite. The nurse comes in to check how far she’s dilated, and that’s when she calls the doctor to let him know it’s time. I run out to the waiting room and my mother, along with Rita, Garrett, my father, and Matt, are talking amongst themselves.

  “Will you call everyone, Mother? Let April’s friends know?”

  “I already have, Son.”

  “She’s about to deliver.” The smile couldn’t be smacked off my face right now, and I run back to be with April, who reaches for my hand. I can see she’s nervous.

  “Are you ready, April?” Dr. Russell asks. “I hope so because I see that your daughter is eager to meet you.”

  I look down and see dark chocolate brown hair peeking out. While April pushes, I am in awe at the whole process and what a true miracle it is. Knowing that she and I created this little being, and watching our baby come into the world, is beyond words.

  “Okay, one more,” the doctor instructs. April takes a deep breath, and I hold her up into a sitting position with my arm locked behind her knee to help her.

  When April throws her body back onto the bed, my daughter cries her first breath.

  “Jason, would you like to cut the cord?” the doctor asks, placing the baby on April’s chest. I beam at the tremendous honor and wipe the tears that I have from witnessing this miracle on my sleeve. Taking the scissors, I cut the thick cord, separating my child from her mother. The nurse immediately lays a towel over our daughter and gives her a quick rub then takes her to do an assessment. I hand a little pink knitted cap to the nurse and wait to hold my child for the first time.

  “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” April asks, gently wiping the baby’s face.

  “She sure is. She looks just like her mother.”

  I thought they would never finish and when I’m handed my baby, I’m reduced to tears. “Hey, beautiful, I’m your daddy. I’m going to take care of you for the rest of my life.” I take her over to April and place the small bundle in her arms.

  “Hey, baby,” April whispers to our daughter. “Hey, little one.” I reach over for a tissue, wipe her eyes for her and place a kiss on her brow.

  “I can’t believe how much love I have for her,” she says, sniffing.

  “I’m going to take her to meet her new family while they finish up here with you, all right?” I say, lifting my daughter into my arms again.

  “All right, but hurry,” April says, lying her head back on the pillow.

  “I will if her grandmother doesn’t abscond with her. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  After kissing April, I take my daughter out to greet the world. Just as I walk through the double doors, my family stands waiting for me. They’re quiet as I approach.

  “Do we get to know her name now, Jason?” my sister asks, reaching out to touch her.

  “Everyone, meet Antoinette Nicole Rowe,” I say proudly. Everyone gathers around her, each wanting a turn to hold her, but I’m not having any of it.

  “Oh, Jason, you named her after me?” Nicole walks behind me and slips her arms around my waist, and hugs me tight.

  “It was April’s idea,” I say as
I coo at my new daughter.

  “Where on earth did you get that darling cap, Jason?” Mom asks, tracing the four small letters embroidered in white.

  “April found it. Toni is her nickname.” I’m still not ready to hand her over. I think I’m a little selfish, but they’ll all get their turn.

  “I’ve got to get her back. I think you can come in to see April in a few minutes,” I say to Toni.

  “How is she?” Emily asks.

  “She’s doing great. No complications at all,” I answer. “She’ll be happy to know you’re all here. I’ll let you know as soon as you can come in, okay? It will probably be about fifteen more minutes.”

  “Tell April we love her, Jason. And thank her for our granddaughter, would you?” My dad says before I walk away.

  “I will, Dad, but you can tell her yourself when you all come in,” I say, shifting Toni when she begins to cry. “She must be hungry.”

  When I return to the birthing room, April has been cleaned up and in her nightgown. She looks at home in the double bed with Toni resting in her arms.

  After a long visit with family and friends, and after everyone has had their chance at holding Toni, April is exhausted, and it shows. Once the second round of goodnights to the baby have been made, everyone leaves.

  “Would you mind placing Toni in the bassinette?” she asks, making sure Toni is wrapped up warm and safe. After making sure the baby is tucked in, I scoot Toni closer to her mother then turn down the lights and crawl into bed beside my girls.

  “Goodnight, Mama. I love you.” Even though she’s tender and sore, she snuggles next to me as close as she can get, and we both drift off to sleep—until Toni starts to cry.

  And so it begins.

  Chapter 33

  ~Jason~

  “You know, Jason, your mother wouldn’t let us move back to the apartment, but after that racket, she might join forces with your father.”

  “I think mom said something about hiring someone to sound proof our walls. Don’t know if anything came of it, though.” I pull her under the covers and hold her close to me where we fall asleep until the first cry of the night is heard.