by Sandi Perry
She shook her head.
"O.k., the police had uncovered some threatening e-mails he sent your father shortly before the accident. They were going to bring him in for questioning. They suspected he was part of the failed embezzlement swindle that cast suspicion onto Bradley. When they couldn't locate him at the office in the middle of the workday or at home, well, you know the rest."
She was fighting to keep her eyes open and he insisted that she rest up. He walked out into the hall and was standing in front of the room when Allison's mother came back with the coffee. She handed him a cup, and he drank from it gratefully.
"Did you tell her everything?" she asked.
"Almost. Her eyes started to get heavy, so I left the room," he said.
She smiled at him, "You know, you remind me a lot of my husband."
"Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment, but do me a favor and don't tell Allison," he leaned toward her as he whispered; "It might ruin my chances."
A short while later they went back into the room and Allison was awake again.
"When can I leave? We have to get back to New York for the unveiling on Sunday," she whispered.
"The doctors want to observe you for a few more hours. You won't be allowed to fly until Sunday afternoon at the earliest. I've pushed the ceremony back a week."
"Mom, I'm so sorry I messed everything up. It was so selfish of me. I've been acting selfish for months now, years, even."
"Stop it, sweetheart. You've been through a trauma, beating yourself up about your life choices isn't going to be productive. You have your whole life ahead of you; that's plenty of time to make any changes that you'd like."
"So, you think I do need to change things."
"Change doesn't hurt. As long as it comes from a positive place."
Allison looked at the two of them looking at her and her head started to hurt all over again. "I can't believe you saved me...how did you save me anyway? How did you get here so fast? I had the jet."
"You must be feeling better since I see you're back to asking a million questions. Michael had his pilot fly Alex and me up here. Alex called up the local police and threatened everyone with a lawsuit if they didn't 'get their butts' over to the cottage pronto," she smiled.
"I remember using language a lot more colorful than that. Sorry to subject a lady such as yourself to that, but hey, we got results," he said.
"Allison, we're going to leave now. Alex will be in later to take you back to the hotel. I'm going to head back to New York first thing tomorrow; Michael has a business trip scheduled and he needs the jet. Feel well. I love you," her mother said as she slipped from the room.
Chapter 43
Allison sat on an Adirondack chair on the large wraparound porch of the hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean the next afternoon. Her head turned when Alex approached.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," she responded as she looked pensively out onto the water as the sun was beginning to set. "You know, there's a spot on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park where you can go and watch the sun set. Apparently it's the first place it sets anywhere in the East. We went one summer and stood there for what seemed like hours. There were tons of tourists there, and being that I was so small, I didn't even get to see it. This view is much better."
Alex nodded his head slowly.
"If this were a movie this would be the moment where I walk along the sand and reflect on all that just happened to me. It's supposed to be a pivotal moment, but it feels flat."
"You're numb," he said. "Give yourself some time."
"Now you sound like my Jewish grandmother. I'm not going to break, Alex, why don't you have a seat?"
He eyed the chair next to her, "It doesn't look all that comfortable," he said suspiciously. "Whoa!"
She smiled as he sat down and slid toward the back of the chair. "I know they take some getting used to. You see, we North-Easterners only know how to relax when we're forced to, so some genius designed a chair that makes you put your head back from the sheer force of gravity."
He nodded and looked out over the water silently.
"Whatever happened to Paul? Did the police arrest him?" she asked quietly.
"His car was found off 1A. He had a bullet wound to the forehead."
"Well, that sounds about right," she said slowly. "Suicide is the ultimate selfish act. I feel sorry for his children. They deserved better."
"Let's not talk about Paul, he isn't worth our breath."
"Okay, then. How's the damage to the cottage. Did you just come from there?"
"I did, how did you know?"
"I think I'm feeling more connected to it than I expected. What condition is it in?"
"Not bad, considering the goal was to burn it down. It seems as if Paul's original intention was to shoot you and he abruptly changed plans. When he decided to burn the place, he only had a cigarette lighter with him. He set the wood kitchen cabinets on fire and left. It was enough to make it very smoky, but absent furniture and curtains, the fire never raged and the police and fire department got there in enough time."
"I'm thinking of holding onto it," she said softly.
"I think that would be a nice idea. I also think we should go inside and get something to eat," Alex said,
"In a minute," she responded. "Tell me something about yourself that I would be surprised to hear."
He looked at her startled, "Um, let me think...I play classical violin."
"Really? I never would have guessed that. When I was back at the cottage, watching Paul trying to set it on fire, I had some time to think. Almost like I was trying to put my affairs in order," she said.
"Allison, please, don't do this," he interrupted.
"But I have to, just listen to me. I realized that there were a lot of things I didn't know about you and it made me sad."
He closed his eyes as he relived the waves of panic that he had felt the day before when he thought she was dead. "I thought the same about you. How we were on the brink of something good, really good, and had never had the chance."
"But it seems we've been given a second chance," she smile.
"I'd say its fate," he said nervously.
"Alex, is your voice quavering?"
"What? No, of course not. Just a little salt air scratching at my throat."
"I see."
"Allison, tell me something about yourself I might be surprised to learn," he said.
She took a deep breath, "I'm nervous around kids. I don't understand them at all," she replied.
"I know."
"You do? How?"
He laughed, "The barbecue at my house. Your eyes had the deer in the headlights look whenever one of nieces or nephews approached you. We all noticed it. It was entertaining, actually."
She folded her arms across her chest, "I think my feelings are hurt."
"I'm sorry. We only discussed it that day; we never brought it up again."
"You're not making it sound any better."
"Well, for what it's worth, I think you'd be wonderful with your own kids."
"I don't think I'm having any."
He took her hand, turned it over, and kissed her palm gently. He felt her shiver. "We'll discuss this another time,"
She looked at him wordlessly for a beat, and then she said, "Did you book your own room here?"
"I did."
"I think you might have wasted your money."
"No, Allison. The doctor said..."
"That I can't fly until tomorrow. That's the only thing he said I can't do. I'm not fragile. I need to feel alive, only you do that for me."
He took her tenderly by the hand and looked into her eyes, "Only if you're sure."
She nodded enthusiastically, at the risk of having her headache return. They linked arms and walked into the lobby and up to her room.
Chapter 44
Allison called the press conference a couple of days after as she got out of the hospital. She stood in the glass-enclosed l
obby of 1251 Avenue of the Americas and read a brief, prepared statement. There was a lot of industry press gathered, as well as the local press. Apparently, almost being killed can land you in the news.
"...And so with no further ado, I'd like to present to you the new vision of RossAir Industries, Mr. Alexander Hamilton Coventry," she smiled widely at Alex as he stepped up to the podium
As he brushed past her, he gave her a wink and whispered in her ear, "Hamilton—that's the thanks I get for rescuing you?"
She handed over the microphone to Alex and briskly walked toward the back of the room. She stood at the edge of the crowd for a minute and spotted Alex's parents and his oldest sister, Annabelle.
She walked toward them, "Mr. and Mrs. Coventry, Annabelle, how wonderful that you came up to see Alex accept his new position. I'm sure he'll be thrilled with the surprise."
"Yes, of course, and how are you doing? Alex relayed your harrowing experience to us. We were quite concerned for your welfare, needless to say," Horatio Coventry said.
"Thank you, Alex saved my life. Thank you for raising such a kind and caring son. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sure you're anxious to hear Alex's speech."
She left the lobby and went to sit outside on the ledge around the large fountain in the promenade in front of the building. The large pool of water seemed an incongruous oasis of serene, gurgling water set amidst the chaos of the city. It had always been a favorite spot of hers. She watched Alex through the glass for a few minutes and then turned her face toward the sun. She wasn't sure she would ever feel warm again, but the late April air was making a valiant attempt. She turned her head back toward the lobby and saw that Alex had finished his speech and was now embracing his mother and sister warmly and awkwardly shaking hands with his father. A small indistinct-looking gray bird hopped up on the ledge next to her. It chirped insistently.
"Oh, sure, you're here, now. I could have used you a few days ago when I thought I was done for this world. Don't start acting like some merry bird now, like you're part of a Disney movie." She looked at him disdainfully, "Besides, you would never the make the cut for a movie, because you have no color. Where are the robins? When they show up then, I'll know Spring isn't too far behind. And let me tell you," she said looking at the bird meaningfully, "I really need the season to change. This was a brutal winter." She closed her eyes once again to the warmth of the sun. A shadow covered it a minute later and she opened her eyes to see Alex, his foot perched on the space near her, leaning his elbow on his knee as he peered into her face.
"I missed you, why did you leave?" he asked.
"I didn't leave, I'm right here."
"No, I wanted you near me, by my side."
"I'm sorry; I can't do that just yet."
He nodded.
"You know, Alex, I was just thinking that we have something in common. We both grew up with strong fathers who tried to control us, and we learned how to push back and stand up for ourselves. The only difference now is that your father is still around and you have a chance to stop pushing back and learn how to accept him for who he is and love him. Don't blow your chance." She stood up, "I have something else I have to take care of before the unveiling tomorrow."
"It's at noon, right?"
"You don't have to come," Allison responded.
"I know I don't. I want to come."
She smiled and reached over to kiss him on the cheek and smooth his hair out of his eyes. Her gazed lingered on him a minute longer before she headed into the throngs of people out enjoying the early spring day.
****
She got to her loft a short time later. As she laid out her clothes for the next day, her stomach was in knots. But closure was important, right? She dug out an old diary that she had kept in the back corner of her closet. She had not looked at it in eighteen years and opened it to the first paragraph. It felt toxic and she decided that there was no point in revisiting the past. The future was the only thing that counted now.
She ripped out all the sheets of paper and put them in a pile in the fireplace. She poured herself a glass of wine and brought it over to the sofa. She lit a match and tossed it into the fireplace. She sat mesmerized by the flames as she watched them burn the papers to ash. She shuddered when she thought a similar fate had awaited her a few days ago, if not for the quick thinking on the part of everyone who loved her. Her eyes welled up at the thought, and she vowed to start acting like an adult rather than a recalcitrant child. She was determined to treat even total strangers with kindness and respect. And especially those nearest and dearest to her. She sat for a few minutes longer with her musings when she heard a knock at the door. She got up to answer it and was surprised to see Annabelle.
Allison's expression must have belied her shock because Annabelle hurried to explain, "I didn't mean to pop over unannounced, but I didn't have your phone number and I was reluctant to call Alex. Then, as I was coming toward the building," she gestured behind her. "Your neighbor was coming in and he said you wouldn't mind if I simply knocked...I'm rambling."
"Oh, what, no. Not at all. Please come in. It's just that you're the last person I'd expect to appear on my doorstep—with the exception of your mother. And maybe Brad Pitt."
"Well, she was really the one who wanted to come, but I volunteered. My mother has a way of saying things that come out sounding differently than what she means," she shrugged ruefully.
The old Allison would have argued that Alex's mother knew exactly how something would sound when she said it, but she found herself nodding in agreement. "I was having some wine. Would you care for some?"
"I would love a glass, thank you."
Both women sat down at the edge of the couch. After a few sips Annabelle spoke up. "When Alex called us to tell us what had happened to you, we were shocked. It must have been scary and awful. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking."
Annabelle twirled her glass in her palm, "I was the one who picked up the phone. His voice was shaking so much he could hardly get the words out. It seemed like he needed to really talk to someone right at that moment." She looked at Allison, "I've never known my brother to be that way. He's Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected. He doesn't even sweat when he exercises. I don't know if the two of you spoke, afterward..."
"We did," Allison jumped in. Her newfound manners would only let Annabelle poke around so far. She was not about to let Annabelle catch a 'big one' on her fishing expedition. She got up to signal the end of the conversation. "I have a very busy day tomorrow; I appreciate that you came by to check on my welfare."
Annabelle got up reluctantly, "I know we could have been more welcoming when you came down a few months ago."
Allison waved at her with her hand. "Don't think about it. The whole circumstance was odd. I should be the one apologizing, crashing your family celebration like that. I don't know what I could've been thinking. It was kind of you to come over and check on me," she said once again.
They stood at the door awkwardly because Annabelle showed no signs of leaving, and Allison didn't know how she could graciously throw her out. It felt oddly like a standoff to her, and she decided to say what they had both been skirting.
"Look, Annabelle, a lot of things were said when emotions were flying high and a lot of it was the adrenaline speaking. If you've come to make amends because you think I'm the new woman in Alex's life, don't worry—I'm not. At least not in the way you might be thinking. I won't be joining the family at your barbecues and parties. And I doubt I'll be providing your parents with any tow-headed grandchildren to carry on the family name. I know you're all anxious to see Alex move on and you might have gotten the mistaken impression that I'm the one he'll be moving on with. Sorry, but it isn't me."
Annabelle looked shocked. Allison didn't know if it was what she said, or the way she had said it, but none of that mattered because there was no way she was going to be manipulated by Alex's family. Nice only went so far.
"I'm sorry if I was ou
t of line. You're right of course, the heat of the moment was what it must have been," Annabelle said. "Well, then. Good night."
Chapter 45
The small group of intimate friends and family were gathered at the gravesite the next day. The sun shone high in the sky and the birds chirped merrily. The Rabbi said a few brief words, and they all repeated the words of the psalms after him. Allison's father was buried near his younger brother, Joey, and in some measure, Allison felt relieved that he had someone to be with him so he was not alone.
She turned to Emily and gave her a hug, "Thanks for coming Em. I could not have gotten through these past few months without you."
She turned toward Kenyon, "Ken, you've been my rock."
"Of course, darling. I'd do anything for you."
She nodded at Bradley and Uncle Martin, hugged her mother and Aunt Carol and Jeremy. Then she turned to Alex. "Could you give me a few minutes? There's something I need to say to them," she gestured at the ground, "before we head back to the city."
"Sure. I'll wait by the car."
She watched him walk off— tall and confident. Looking at him made her smile. Maybe he was her future—but she had to take things one step at a time.
She turned back to the graves. "Listen up, gentlemen. You've been taking up a lot of my available mental space. I like you both a lot, but it's time I devoted myself to a living, breathing man who is amazing and kind and very, very, patient. So, be warned, you're being downgraded to one hour a week. It's the best I can do under the circumstances, and I'm sure you want what's best for me."
A loud chirp brought her head up. A beautiful blue jay was hopping along the top of the freshly erected monument. It tilted its head and warbled convincingly. She laughed at him and said, "Now, that's what I'm talking about."
Chapter 46
"Alex, I'll swing by your apartment when I'm done," Allison said as she walked into the reception area. She introduced herself.
"You can go right in—he's expecting you," the secretary smiled. .
She turned the knob to let herself in, and walked into the posh surroundings and almost missed the small man sitting behind the desk near the window. He stood up, gestured to a chair, and sat down in the one next to her.