Forever

by Mary Wasowski

  “Why the questions, Walker? You are out of control and behaving all paranoid.”

  “Like I said, I have somewhere I need to be, and I need to leave right now.”

  “Fine, go on, but when shall I expect you back? What shall I tell your mother?” I grabbed my bag as I exited my apartment. “Tell her I left to go find my heart.” I stormed out to hail a cab and make my way to the airport.

  I was able to catch the last flight to Georgia. I just arrived at the gate when the doors were about to close. I caught my breath and handed my first class ticket to the gate attendant. I finally began to calm down and ordered a drink. The flight attendant raised her eyebrow at me, but I gave her the “don’t fuck with me look” and she served me my double scotch. I downed my drink and was offered another. I declined, and waved her off. I closed my eyes, and Reese took over my thoughts. Please God, let me find my girl. I need to hold her in my arms and help her. I don’t believe her letter. All this time we have spent together has been real, something has driven her away, and god help the person that is responsible for this.

  I take out her ring and get lost in it. I see myself sliding it on her finger and watching my beautiful girl light up with love for me. She is so happy, and her eyes are sparkling as much as the diamond that is now in its rightful place. Snapping the box shut, I vow to find Reese and bring her home. I am not letting her go without a fight. I snap my finger at the flight attendant and order another double.

  IT’S CLOSE TO midnight by the time I arrive and get settled in my hotel room. I want so much to go out to her grandparent’s home, but it’s too late for that. They are early risers from what I can remember. I will go see them first thing in the morning. I shower and try to get some sleep. Lack of food and too many drinks later, my head is spinning, and my stomach is churning. Room service brings me my very late dinner. I try to eat what I can. My body rejects the food, and my stomach does one final flip before I find myself empting the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I haven’t gotten sick like this since my first year of college when I rushed during pledge week.

  I crash down on my bed, while Reese takes over my dreams. My head is pounding. Holy hell! And what the hell is that sound? I look over to the phone that is ringing. I had forgotten that I asked the front desk clerk to give me a wake-up call. I quickly shower, and drive my rental out to Mitchell’s Café. I enter the café, and the sweet smells of apple pie and cinnamon remind me of the last time I was here, and with Reese.

  “Good morning, darling! What can I get you?” The friendly clerk smiles up at me and wants my order.

  “Good morning to you. May I speak to Lila or Thomas Mitchell? Are they here?”

  “Sorry darling, the bosses usually don’t come in this early. Can I get you some coffee?”

  “Yes, please, and a scone to go.” I drive out to their place, hoping to find Reese with them. As I pull up in front of their home, I don’t see her grandfather’s truck. Please let them be home. I knock on the front door and wait for an answer. No one comes to the front, so I walk to the back and repeat my knocking. No one is home, and I begin to make my way to my car when I hear the sweetest voice calling out to me.

  “Walker dear, is that you, son?” I let out the breath that I was holding, and turn to see Lila, Reese’s grandmother, standing before me. She’s holding a basket of wild flowers. I don’t know what comes over me, but the flood gates open and I almost crash into her arms. She drops the basket and holds me while I cry on her shoulder.

  “Oh Walker, come in the house and I’ll make you some tea.” Here I am sniveling like a child, and she comforts me like a parent should. I can see why Reese loves her so much. I enter the familiar room that I visited only a few months ago. My eyes find hers. Pictures of Reese are all around the room, and I can’t stop staring at the one of us sitting on Lila’s mantle. This picture was taken on Thanksgiving. I want to just take it and hold it to my hurting heart. She gestures to me again to sit and talk with her.

  “Walker, she’s not here.” Her grandmother sadly answers my unspoken question.

  “Please, Lila, you have to tell me where she is. I found this letter yesterday at my apartment, it doesn’t make any sense. I went to her apartment, and it’s been completely emptied with no sign of Reese. I left her yesterday morning asleep in my bed, and came home to find her gone.” I realize what I just revealed to her grandmother, because Lila was now blushing. I apologize for my slip, and she shrugs it off.

  “Walker, if I knew where Reese was, I would be the first person to tell you. I’m so very sorry, but I really don’t know where she is. She phoned me late yesterday afternoon and explained to me that she needed some time away. She said she would be leaving New York. I of course questioned her about it, but she only said not to worry about her and she would be in touch with me soon. Of course, I was upset, but I couldn’t even tell her grandfather. He is away on a fishing trip with friends. I was beside myself with worry, but she also told me something else.”

  ‘Which was? Please, Lila, you have to tell me everything.”

  “She asked me to tell you that when you come looking for her, please let your search end here.”

  “What? Why on earth would Reese say that to you? Please, Lila, what have I done to push her away from me? I am dying inside without her.”

  “Oh Walker, I wish I knew. Someone put a world of hurtin’ on my granddaughter, but it wasn’t you. My girl loves you with all of her heart. She tells me so in every phone conversation we have. When she called, I begged her to tell me what’s wrong. All she said was for me not to worry and that she would fix this. Walker, I don’t know what ‘this’ is, but she’s running from something, I can feel it in my bones.”

  Reese’s grandmother took me in her arms and held me as I cried again. Here I was, a man, and again I was crying like a child. My heart was broken, and my love was gone. I could still feel her ring pressing against me in my pocket. I broke free of her hug, and I took it out. She covered her mouth in surprise when I handed it back to her. “No, Walker. This ring belongs to you now, and this is the ring that you will marry my granddaughter with.”

  “Lila, please don’t make this harder for me. Reese is gone, and I have no idea where she is. I feel like she has sliced me wide open, and bled me dry. It wouldn’t be right keeping the ring.”

  “Walker, for the last time, this is your ring now and you will keep it. My granddaughter will come back to you when she is ready to. I don’t know what made her run or who for that matter, but the truth has a way of rearing its ugly head. You wait and see.” Her words were just as painful as Reese leaving me. Has someone made her leave me? Who could have done such a thing? Then as if the light just went off in my head, only one person comes to mind: my father…Phillip Reed.

  “Lila, forgive me, but I need to get back to New York. If you hear from Reese, can you please call me immediately? I love her so much, and I need to see her.”

  “I promise. Walker, please don’t give up on her.” Give up on her? Like she gave up on me, and us? I shove the ring back into my pocket. I hug Lila one more time and then head to the airport. I was so sure that I would find Reese today with her grandparents that I checked out of my hotel. I need to get back to New York as soon as possible, so I can confront my father.

  The last forty eight hours are a blur to me. My body is exhausted from traveling and calling everyone I know to try and find some information. I even check with her professors at school. All they can tell me is that they were informed by administration that Reese had taken an academic leave from NYU. No one knows of Reese’s whereabouts. My father is conveniently out of town when I arrive back in the city. My building’s doorman, Warren, has been replaced by a new employee. His name is Randolph. I ask why he was replaced, and I’m told by the building manager that Warren retired. Huh…another coincidence or just my father covering his long track of deception? My apartment is still cold and empty without Reese. I’m so lost without her. No phone calls, no text messages, n
othing from Reese.

  My body is craving her touch. I’m remembering our last time together right here on this bed. She was spread out for me and waiting for me to make love to her. Our bodies were in sync with each other, we never missed a beat. Her breasts were made for my hands to hold, and her lips were made for me to kiss and suck on. I’m inhaling her scent that still lingers on her side of the bed. I’m the one that stayed. I’m the one that is tortured and broken. Where are you baby? Please come back to me. I plead with God, as if I am waiting for divine intervention to help me.

  I need to speak with my father. It only took some flirting with my father’s assistant to get the information I needed on his location. The company plane would be arriving at J.F.K. Airport around eight o’clock this evening and then he was off to the Midtown Club to meet my mother. I certainly don’t wish to have another scene played out in front of her. I will just be waiting for him when he walks off the tarmac. One way or another, he will answer my questions and tell me what he did to Reese.

  HIS PLANE IS on time. I stand in the shadows without Ralston seeing me. I watch my father walk down the stairs, as he glances around. What is he looking for? He looks guarded, as he should be. He’s been avoiding me for days and he has to know his time is up. Just as the limo is about to leave, I open the door and slide in next to my father. He is not surprised, but Ralston hits the breaks. My father starts to put up the sound proof divider and instructs him to travel on.

  “Walker, I’ve been expecting you. Why all the cloak and dagger? You didn’t have to take the limo as if you were seizing it. You look like hell by the way. When was the last time you slept or showered?”

  “Well, father, here’s the thing. Reese… you remember her don’t you? Well, she’s missing, and I don’t know where she is. So, yes, I not only look like hell, but I’m in hell without her. I want her back. Where is she?”

  “What makes you think that I know?” He scoffs.

  “I know you know. You have tried from day one to extricate her from my life and now you’ve succeeded. I will only ask you one more time, where is she?”

  “Walker, I don’t know where your Reese Mitchell is. Yes, it’s true I never liked the girl. As your father, I want more for you, and she was not your match. Now Elizabeth is the one you should be focusing your attention on. I just saw her while in California. She asked about you.”

  Clenching my fists at my side, it will be a miracle if I am able to hold on to my control without hitting the smug bastard. I take one calming breath and look directly in my father’s eyes. “You are either the most deluded motherfucker who ever walked the face of the earth, or you just play dumb really well. Who do you think you are talking to? I’m your son, you bastard. I know you and I know what you are capable of. You are not innocent in this; I feel it and would bet my life on it.”

  “Walker, if you ever speak to me in that manner again, I don’t care what you believe your rightful place is in our company, I will cut your balls off, and serve them to you on the silver platter that you have been accustomed to your entire privileged life. I’m your father and you may not like me half the time, but you damn well will respect me. Do you understand me?” He issues his warning as his jaw clenches down.

  “I will respect you, when you respect me. My life is my own and you will not control me! Today, tomorrow, or any day for that matter. You do not get to decide who I marry and who I choose to spend and share my life with. I’m done playing this game with you. I can’t prove it now, but I will. I know you had something to do with Reese leaving me. When I do find her and confirm what I already know, you will not be able to hide from me. Fuck you and your empire.” The car comes to a stop at a red light. I jump out from my father’s car and never look back as I hear him call out to me.

  “Shall I go after him, Sir?”

  “No, Ralston, let him go. Please take me to the office.”

  As we drive through the city, I am haunted by Walker’s words. His declaration of independence and truth gives me chills. As it is written in the bylaws of the company, and my father’s will, once Walker graduates, all that is mine will now be his. In three short months, he can force me out and all that I’ve done would have been for nothing. He is brilliant, and I know with the right guidance and discipline, he can be spectacular. He just needs to get his personal life under control, and Elizabeth is the key. She has always had a way of leveling him out and making him see reason.

  I am in an impossible situation. If I reveal my duplicity in Reese’s leaving, then I risk losing my son forever. Olivia will divorce me, and I will quite possibly go to prison for the rest of my life. Townsend made sure to bury my crimes, and now I have to deliver my son to his daughter as payment.

  I phone my wife from the office and regrettably cancel our dinner plans. I love my wife dearly and hate to disappoint her, but she is well accustomed to how I work. I just want the very best for my son, but it’s the way that I’ve gone about it that occupies my thoughts at night. These are my sins…the ones that I will undoubtedly take to my grave.

  Sitting behind my desk at Reed Global, I struggle to find solace in the quiet that is surrounding me. Walker calls this office the Throne Room. He may be right, with the relics that hang on the walls and the pristine pieces that fill this office. As I drink my finest scotch, my thoughts are interrupted by Miles, who is standing in my doorway.

  “Sir, may I come in?”

  “Miles, why are you in the office at this late hour?” I glance down at my watch. The dial is hard to read on account of my brain flooding with the scotch that I have now consumed since Walker ran from me.

  “I took a chance that you might be here and wanted to give you an update on Ms. Mitchell.”

  “Yes, what about her?” I pour myself another drink while I wait to hear his report.

  “She’s in California, with her agent, Marsha Malin. She’s renting a furnished loft, while she works out on the west coast.” I let out a sigh and run my fingers through my hair.

  “Miles, where in California?”

  “She’s modeling in Los Angeles, but she has a place outside of the city near the beach.”

  “What else do we know?”

  “From what we know in our monitoring reports, Torrance has her routine down. She runs every morning up and down the beach. She reports to Elite’s downtown office in Los Angeles, and only has been photographed with her agent or agency staff members.”

  “What about the baby?”

  “As far as we know she’s still pregnant, and hasn’t seen a doctor yet. Torrance has only tracked her from her home to the office. When she finishes up for the day, she goes back to her loft.”

  “What am I doing, Miles?”

  “Sir?”

  “That precious girl is carrying my grandchild, and I forced her to leave my son and her entire life, because I am everything my son says that I am.” I knock back my drink and lay my head down in my hands.

  “Are you reconsidering the plan, sir? I just received confirmation this morning that all funds have been received and the company is back on track. Files have been sealed and the investigation to the building collapse has been closed. The few families of the workers that were killed have been amply compensated. If you go back on your word now, Townsend will make sure you go to prison.”

  “I’m well aware of what Henry Townsend is capable of. He’s been my friend for twenty five years. He can be your best friend or your worst enemy, and right now I don’t even know where I fit. Walker is completely destroyed by my manipulations and he is going to down spiral quickly if he doesn’t find her soon. I know my son; he will not rest until he finds her.”

  My lawyer peruses the file he is holding and gives me yet another status. “He’s already been to Georgia, sir.”

  “Of course he has, we knew that would be his first stop. I was sure she would have gone to her grandparents, but with Ms. Mitchell believing our threats, she was probably too frightened to risk it. I want you to keep tracking him, b
ut use someone that Walker does not know. Keep him in the shadows, and I want to receive daily reports on his coming and goings. He is to return back to campus Monday morning, make sure he gets there. He just needs to complete his last course, and then he will be cleared for graduation. Once school is finished for him and we move him out to California, he will forget about Ms. Mitchell and concentrate on his future.”

  “Phillip, may I speak freely?”

  “You’re asking me now? By all means…what’s on your mind?” I am about to pour myself another drink, and the bottle is grabbed from my hands. “What the hell! Miles, if you value your job, you will give me back that bottle.”

  “If you value your liver, you will stop drinking your guilt away tonight.” He calmly says. He knows I won’t fire him. He places the bottle on the bar and turns to me with his palms now flat on my desk. “Phillip, you still have the power to stop this. We can find another way to fight Henry, and your son can be reunited with Ms. Mitchell.”

  “No Miles, I can’t stop it. Any power I may have had has now been ceased by Henry. He will never let me go back on our agreement. I have destroyed my son. I have destroyed that innocent girl. I am everything my son believes me to be. What I have done solidifies my place in hell. I deserve nothing less.”

  I get up from behind my desk, and stride over to my bar to pour another drink. I raise my glass to Miles. He is looking at me with disappointed eyes. I’m not surprised… another person I have failed. Yes he’s my lawyer, but he’s been my friend longer.

  “To redemption and the sins I have committed. May God have mercy on my soulless soul.” Slamming my glass down on the bar, I turn away from Miles and leave him standing in my office.

  WEEKS HAVE GONE by, and no word from Reese. I’ve called her grandmother every day since I left Georgia. Lila hasn’t heard from Reese either. If she has, she’s not telling me. I’m completely lost without her. I’ve called everyone we know, and our friends are also confused by her actions. The one person that I thought I could trust and could rely on to help me was Freddy, but he hasn’t returned my phone calls.