“Like I said, the next 24 hours are crucial.” Lynwood turned to his parents. A fear in his eyes his parents never saw before.
“I hate to ask this,” The doctor said, “does she have a living will.”
Izzy and Edie began to weep while holding one another. Ron and Martin had to grab Lynwood quickly when his legs gave way.
“Doctor, I’m sure she does,” Ron said calmly feeling an undeniable sadness himself.
Martin stood beside his son heavy hearted consoling his son, while his heart broke for Vessa. These passed few months knowing her; he had come to love her like his own daughter, and didn’t want to lose her when she has just entered their lives.
Lynwood began to tremble, feeling a pain so deep he doubled over with the intensity of it. He couldn’t live without her; she just can’t leave him and Marty. She was his life.
“Can I see her, I need to see her?” Lynwood asked helplessly.
“In a minute,” the doctor informed them. “She’s been set up in ICU.”
Lynwood went to the window and looked out. Ron went to him. “Lyn,” Ron said, “she is going to be alright, Vessa strong.”
Lynwood looked at his friend while tears streamed without restraint down his face.
“I can’t lose her Ron, Vessa and Marty are my life.”
“Just say it Lyn,” Ron coaxed.
“I love her,” he stated. “I love her,” Lynwood repeated with more conviction.
“Then go tell her.” Ron stated strongly.
Finally, Lynwood, Martin, and Ron were shown to her room. Nothing could prepare them for the sight of her tiny body in the bed. Machines hissed, beeped, and echoed in the room. Her eyes were swollen and had turned purple .The blood had dried and caked in her tangled hair while one side of her face was bandaged. Her leg hung in a sling above the foot of the bed and her chest down to her waist wrapped in bandages.
Lynwood almost fell to his knees. Martin wrapped a supporting arm around his son.
“Son, I know this is hard, she needs you now. Tell her much you love her, even if you don’t; you are her lifeline, because she loves you with all your faults. Love her now,” Martin told him tears rolling down his face. “Don’t let her leave us without hearing the words from your mouth.”
Lynwood gathered his composure, pushing away the fear that threatened to overwhelming him. His father was right. She needed him. He went to her side pulling a chair with him and took her hand in his.
“Vessa,” he called her name softly.
“Vessa Baby, I’m here. You hold on for Marty and for me,” his voice tearful, “You can’t leave us, we need you.”
He paused. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I love you Vessa, I was scared to give you my heart, I love you more than life, I understand now, please don’t let me be too late, give me a chance to show and prove my love for you.” His head lowered, and he wept.
Izzy and Edie joined them. When they saw her, they held onto one another. Ron and Martin went to their wives. Lynwood raised his head, sorrow on his face.
A police officer entered. “Mr. Holland,” he said softly, “We need to see you about the accident.”
Ron stood. “I’m his attorney.” Martin and Ron went outside with the officer.
“We wanted to let you know that we have arrested the man who caused the accident.”
“I’m sorry this happened, we are all prayed for Ms Sanders, for a minute we didn’t think anyone could have made it out that wreckage. When we finally got to her she told us to tell her family she loves them.
"Who is Lynwood?" The officer said. Ron tilted his head toward the room. "She kept calling his name."
Martin swallowed the lump in his throat.
“We’re happy she survived.”
“About the driver?” Ron asked.
“Truck driver DUI eight- wheeler. She was hit broadside, and rolled over into the ravine,” the officer shook his head, “she blessed.” “Here’s her information and the location of the car.” The police officer said, handing a plastic bag to them.
“What about the driver?” Martin asked.
“Not a scratched on him.”
Ron and Martin thanked the officer.
They returned to the room. Lynwood had not budged from beside Vessa, his head lowered and gently caressing her hand. Izzy and Edie seated in chairs supplied by the nurse. The men stood behind their wives, consoling them. The nurse looked at the family feeling so sorry for them.
“Talk to her,” the nurse advised, “she can hear you. We have her in an induced coma, just talk to her.”
“Hey baby, were here,” Lynwood said emotionally. “Mom and Dad are here, so is Izzy and Ron.”
Martin and Edie went to the foot of the bed.
“Daughter, you get better, you hear me. Mom and I love you.”
Ron and Izzy stood at the foot of the bed beside them. “Vessa, you get better girl, you promised me a shopping spree.” Izzy said tears in her voice, “So get better so that we can spend Ron’s money,” she turned her face into her husband’s chest and wept.
“Hey there Bluffer, this is the Traitor, you get better so that I can get a rematch in spades,” Ron said swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat.
Her lips moved smiling slightly. “Did you see that?” Lynwood said, “She smiled.”
Lynwood looked directly in his father’s eyes, and fell into his arms and cried, his mother holding him, the three holding each other and crying.
“I love her, Dad, I love her.” Lynwood admitted huskily.
“You always did Son. Now sit with her, let her know how much the family loves her. We're going to go; we’ll send the car back for you later.” His parents kissed him, and he received hugs from Ron.
Lynwood sat beside the bed holding her hand, talking to her about anything that came into his mind, while he prayed for her recovery.
Lynwood’s head lay on the bed beside her, when he felt something touching him. Disoriented he lifted his head and met Vessa unfocused eyes.
“I love you,” she mouthed. He took her hand. “I love you too,” he said smiling through his tears.
After a week, the tubes were removed, and Vessa became restless and was anxious to be released. Before the family went back to Atlanta, they had insisted she come back to Atlanta to recuperate. Lynwood visited Vessa daily, staying late into the night or at least until Vessa slept. Everything was arranged for Vessa to travel with him when released from the hospital, and he was happy to have her home so he could prove how much he loved her.
Lynwood lay in the hotel room bed at a nearby hotel in Cherry Hill, when his phone rang.
“Yes,” Lynwood said.
“Lyn, it's me Bea, where are you?” I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for days,” Bea said annoyed.
“Bea, I’ve had a family emergency, I’m out of town.”
“When will you be back, I miss you.”
Lynwood paused. “Look Bea, I won’t be seeing you again ever.”
“Why?” She asked resentment in her tone.
“I’m in love with my son mother,” he stated simply.
“You haven’t given us a chance Lyn; I know you still care about me.”
“Believe me Bea I don’t, not in the least.”
“Okay Lyn, I’ll give you time, you want me, I was your first love, and you never get over your first love.”
“Believe me Bea, I am over you, have been for years, Goodbye Bea.” Lynwood hung up. His main concern now was Vessa and her happiness.
Chapter 14
Her leg itched, and her ribs were sore and mending painfully. She and Lynwood had flown back to Atlanta to find that Martin and Edie had her room set up with all she would need, around the clock nurse, and the personal physician who made house calls. Home for two weeks and confined to the bed, miserable and not in the best of moods. She was alone now; the family had taken Marty to Disneyland, which they planned before her accident. They wanted to postpone it, but Vessa insisted that they
go. That was all Marty babbled about, Mickey Mouse. She assured she would be fine. Reluctantly they all went to Florida, to be gone for a week.
Vessa was cranky and contrary this one particular day. She reached over and pulled a magazine from her nightstand. While thumbing through the Wall Street Journal, she came across an article on the clothing industry in. Her eyes skimmed over the written words, when she came across a news article on the Vessa’s Boutique. In a report, she read, how the ever-popular Vessa's Boutique Conglomerate stock has plummeted, and sales were down. The public needed to know was it because of her unfortunate accident that sales have plummeted...
“Damn it,” she swore aloud and grabbed the phone punching out the direct number of her general manager.
“Eric why didn’t anyone tell me about the stock dropping and the loss of sales!” Vessa yelled into the phone.
“Mr. Holland said…”
“Mr. Holland doesn’t run Vessa’s. I want an emergency meeting set up. Call Chicago, LA, Vegas, and Philly and reserve them at the Ritz, I expect all heads in Atlanta, by tomorrow, no excuses, and tell them to bring their assistants.” She ordered vehemently.
“Yes ma’am, but Vessa are you up for this...?”
“Yes,” she interrupted. “This is my business, we are going to get that stock up, spare no expense for the heads; whatever needs to be done.”
“Vessa,” Eric started, “Lynwood...”
“Lynwood is not losing stock, please, do it Eric. Since I cannot get to the hotel, the meeting will be here at my parent’s; I need to see all stock reports starting with the day of the accident and any newspaper articles about the accident. We need to find the problem.”
“Vessa."
“Eric, please do this for me.” She pleaded with him.
The next morning Vessa ignored the pounding headache while the nurse protested, but still helped her dress and get her downstairs.
“Ms Vessa, you need to take your medicine,” the nurse told her.
“No medication, I need my head today,” she told her stubbornly.
“Please, Miss, Mr. Holland is ...”
“Sara, don’t badger me, I’m fine.” Vessa replied curtly, interrupting her.
Vessa hated being rude to Sara, she was extremely personable, but this was important, this was her business, her mother’s business, she just couldn’t lose it because of her accident; she had to stay on top.
By 9am, all the department heads were at her parent’s house along with their assistants. In total, about twenty senior management heads seated filling the large formal dining room.
Vessa sat at the head of the large table, with newspaper spread out in front of her that her assistant Byron was ordered to bring. Quickly she read over some of the newspaper articles. She looked up at her staff. “The vultures have come to roost, I see,” opening another paper to read. “This one says I was badly scarred and is now living as a recluse on some island; my God where do they get this stuff.” She asked incredulously.
Later Vessa discovered that her fierce competitor, a boutique named Untimely Beauty, was behind the start of the rumors that she was going out of business and the one buying her stock. Vessa should have known it was that bitch Constance Harding. She has been trying to destroy her for many years without success.
Vessa containing her anger stated, “Okay, let’s get started. We need to find out when everything started falling; Philly you start.”
Store managers went over their reports. In addition, she was told some of the designers were pulling out.
“Damn it!” She cursed.
“Okay, we need to get a great ad out to let the industry know that I’m still around and healthy. Make it extravagant; like I was a sighting or something, each store will produce one or two and get them to the magazines and papers."
After about four hours, Vessa was starting to get tired but refuse to stop. Dark circles began to shade under her eyes. However, she pressed on. Vessa went down the line of each department, all given a task to complete and wanted to know how they were going to achieve their goal.
The nurse came to her. “Ms Vessa,” she said, “I know you have pain, please let me at least give you a shot.”
“No!” She replied brusquely. Taking a breath, “I’m sorry Sara, I’ll make this up to you, now go anywhere, please,” Vessa said fanning her hand.
They all worked through the catered luncheon, opting to eat while they worked. Vessa pushed her half-eaten sandwich away and took down the notes she would need to present to the board.
Vessa ignored the pain and wetness she felt in her side. Her staffs were starting to worry when she started looking a little wan.
“Vessa,” Eric replied concern in his tone, “We can continue tomorrow.”
“No Lynwood will be back tomorrow,” she paused taking a breath. “Please,” she continued, “Help me with this. This is our livelihood; I won’t see my business ruined because of my accident, I won’t see all of you without jobs, please indulge me.” Everyone around the table reluctantly agreed and went back to work.
Lynwood frowned when their limo pulled into his parent’s driveway. There were about three hummers styled limos parked in the driveway. Edie and Martin looked out the window and then they looked at Lynwood.
“What’s going on?” Martin frowned, but could probably guess, shifting a sleeping Marty in his arms.
Ron and Izzy eyes met. “She’s in trouble now,” Ron whispered to his wife.
“Go deal with this Son,” Martin told Lynwood.
Lynwood entered his parent’s house. The place was like Grand Central Station. Servers were in the kitchen cleaning and assistants on cell phones at the kitchen table, all talking at once. The fax machines were ringing and sending faxes, while the sound of finger moving rapidly over the keyboards of their laptops. Lynwood frowned; he could not believe what he was seeing. Vessa had turned his parent’s kitchen into her communication center. He moved to enter the dining room off from the kitchen. Vessa sat at the head of the table listening and on occasion making suggestions.
The phone beside her rang. Byron, her assistant answered it.
“It’s Paris,” he told her handing her the phone.
“Bonjour!” She said in perfect French.
“Bonjour Mon Ami.”
“Comment allez vous? How are you?
“Oui” Ca va bien, I am well.”
“Le commerce’ comme il faut, voulez doute’ moi,” switching to English, “seeing that they lack the report of my business…,” she paused.
“Oui.”
“Oh, non!”
“Merci Cheri Ami’
“Au revoir.”
She handed the phone to Byron, “Book me a flight to Paris,” she ordered Byron.
“Vessa, you’re...” Bryon said.
“Do it Byron!” She interrupted him.
Lynwood was immediately angry now. Didn’t that simple woman know she is in no condition to travel anywhere? He'd be damned if she was going to Paris. His eyes focused on her. She appeared pale and weak. He noticed a light sheen on her forehead, and he couldn’t help noticing the circles that settled beneath her eyes and occasionally her eyes would drift shut.
So engrossed in her meeting, Vessa didn’t notice Lynwood, but the nurse saw him. He motioned for her to come to him.
“What’s going on?” He asked her sternly eyes intently on Vessa.
The nurse was afraid. “She has been having this meeting since 9 am, and won’t take her medication. I know she’s in a lot of pain, but there something else wrong, she won’t let me look at her.” Sara informed him. Lynwood looked over at Vessa. Her head bowed over some files she was intently reading. Lynwood saw a trickle of blood come from her nose. She absently touched it, then opened her hand to her assistant who handed her a tissue, and wiped as if it were just an ordinary runny nose, dropping it in a wastebasket beside her chair half filled with bloody tissues.
The nurse continued. “The people at table begged her to
stop, but she won’t Mr. Holland, will I lose my job over this?” Sara asked.
“No, you’ll be fine. Can you stay while I clean house?” He said gruffly.
“As long as you need me, sir,” Sara agreed.
“Call the Doctor.” Lynwood ordered.
Eric saw Lynwood first. He shook his head and shrugged.
“Eric which designers want to leave?” Vessa directed the question to him.
Eric listed the designers. “Byron, get Oleg on the phone!”
Vessa finally noticed Lynwood, frowning trying to clear her vision, she looked at him through blurry eyes. He was livid; she knew because she could see the stern set of his mouth, and the tick in his jaw line.
“Lynwood not now!” Vessa said, stubbornly.
Vanessa your meeting is over,” he said going to her.
“Lynwood, I’m losing my business…,”
He stopped by her chair. “Vessa, I’m not one of your employees, end this meeting now!” He said through his teeth.
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m losing stock Lynwood. Look at them Lyn, this is their job; I can’t see my staff jobless because I’m losing stock in all my stores. I will not allow someone like you to come and take everything, I have to stay on top, there has already been inquires. I have to stop them.” She argued.
“Vessa end this meeting,” Lynwood repeated calmer than he felt.
“Lynwood, let me finish my business, please I can’t lose…,”
Martin and Edie entered with the baby followed closely by Izzy and Ron, taking in the activity of the room shaking their head.
“Dad can you come in please?” Lynwood called to his father. Martin was not happy; he looked just a tense as Lynwood did.
“Dad, she's booked a flight to Paris,” Lynwood informed his father.
Martin had heard it all. “Vanessa Sanders, you are not going to Paris in your condition, and that is that, so, Daughter, let’s end this meeting,” he paused. “Now!”
“Dad, I’m losing stock and sales, the designers want out, because they think I’m a scarred recluse. Dad you don’t understand.”
“Daughter you will end this meeting now, Lyn, and I will take care of everything.”
One Night (Found Love) Page 13