“My vote would be get the damn funds back from him, then fire his ass quietly so there is no negative press and issue receipts to our donors,” Wendy says, a little more savagely than she intends to.
“That seems like the best solution, and we will issue receipts to our donors regardless of what we decide tomorrow. But the bigger questions are, do we really want to fire someone who has raised so much money in such a short time? And if we don’t press charges, what liability might we have if we let him move to another company?”
“Ugh. This is making my head hurt, and I know we will cover it all tomorrow, but seeking charges is going to put SERF in the media spotlight and I don’t think any of us want this to happen so early in the organizational life span.”
Bonnie sighs. “No, we don’t, but something has to be done and what if Jim isn’t the one who is responsible?”
“Come on, you can’t really believe he isn’t. Besides, didn’t Skip say a donor mentioned it and Jim was the one who was in contact with the donor? Who else could reasonably be responsible?”
“It’s not that I don’t think Jim is the culprit. It has to do more with what can I prove.”
Wendy nods and they sit in silence for a few moments before she says, “Bonnie, I need to share some information with you, because I’m not sure what I should do from here, but before you say anything please hear the entire story. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Remember during our last telephone conversation when you asked me to come to San Francisco and I told you I had casually dated someone but it wasn’t anything serious?”
“Yes. Is it more serious now?”
Wendy represses a sigh. “Substantially, but let me explain. The person I was seeing was Jim. He stopped by my office and took me to lunch. When I told you I needed to see a client in San Francisco, I actually went to Jim’s place in Sausalito. He made me dinner and we had some terrific sex, then he came back down to San Diego and again we had a fantastic time. I had to be up early the next morning for a conference and was supposed to be back very late. Instead, I wound up thinking about him all day and skipped out on the conference, arriving home much sooner than expected. Long story short, I found him in my bed with another man, I told them to get out, and I have only had one conversation with Jim since then, telling him we were nothing more than business associates. He keeps calling my office and cell phone wanting to speak with me face to face at least one more time. So two questions. Should I meet with him and see what I can find out, and should I disclose all of this to the other board members and abstain from voting on anything that pertains to Jim this meeting?”
“Wow. That’s a lot to absorb. First of all, why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me it was Jim you were seeing?”
“At the time we talked, we had only had lunch and agreed we would have dinner and see where it went. It wasn’t until we had dinner at his place anything developed. Then I was scared, because of how I was feeling about him. He hurt me. I had let him close to me and not seen the true man whore he is. Men are off the table for me for a while.”
“I’m so sorry it turned out that way, but you can’t judge all men by what he did.”
“Sure, I can.”
“No, you can’t. Anyway, let me answer your concerns. I think to avoid any potential conflict of interest we should disclose you and Jim dated very briefly but aren’t any longer. Because of that, you will voice your concerns but will abstain from any vote that may be taken. With regard to any meeting you may or may not have with Jim in the future, the board will advise you will not discuss any matter pertaining to SERF. That way there is no need to discuss the sordid details of what you just endured with anyone else. Now that the business crap is taken care of, how are you doing?”
Wendy smiles bleakly. “I’m crushed. He insisted I open up to him emotionally, and I did, only to have him destroy that trust I placed in him after two dates. I really liked him. We got along incredibly well; he’s sarcastic, intelligent, witty, monetarily stable, emotionally supportive, and perceptive. I was falling hard for the man, and then I came home and got hit right between the eyes.”
“Do you think he’s gay? Or was he just experimenting?”
“I really don’t know, nor do I care. It’s not about any real or perceived orientation for me. It’s all about violating my trust in him. I don’t trust him any longer and I never will.”
“Wendy,” Bonnie scolds softly, “people make mistakes. People overcome infidelity all the time, and believe me, I know. You should at least speak with him in person and if you still feel as you do now, fine. But I think you need to find out how you truly feel after you meet with him and hear what he has to say. I bet you haven’t even spoken to him about your feelings since then, have you?”
“No, not really, and I don’t care what his reasoning is at this point. If he had told me he was dating other people, I might have been able to deal with this better. I know I could have if it was another woman, but it never should have been in my home and my bed. I’m still not sure about how I’d feel competing with another man. And if he’s been embezzling, that proves trusting him is a bad idea!”
“Meet with him and either close this chapter of your life or determine where the two of you could go from here. Promise me you will at least speak with him about all this in an adult fashion.”
Wendy pouts for a moment. “Fine. Next time he calls to tell me he’s in San Diego I’ll get together with him for dinner.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. Thanks for listening, even though I don’t like your advice.”
“Sweetheart, I hope you know I’m here for you no matter what and I’ll support you even if I disagree with you. We’re family, and that’s what family does. We love each other all the time, even if we don’t like one another sometimes. That’s a non-negotiable!”
“I know. I’m just really embarrassed. I should have been able to see this coming and I didn’t. It has even shaken my confidence in my perceptive instincts and abilities as a counselor.”
“Is that why you want to take such a long break?” Bonnie asks, prepared to reassure her.
“No, not really. I’m truly just burned out, but I’d be lying if I said this didn’t have some impact on my decision. It was probably the pivotal point in making up my mind. Well, this and Mona’s ex-husband’s suicide.”
“You are an incredible counselor. Look at all the people you have helped in very trying times! Hell, without you, I doubt Sean and Jessica would be together and they are so happy and madly in love with each other.”
“Well, good. At least it’s working out for someone.”
“Oh, dear, it’s going to work out for you, too, one day, if you remain open to the possibility.”
“I’m not sure I want it to. I like being by myself. It’s easier.”
“That it is, but it’s also very lonely at times. Think about how you felt when everything was going well with you and Jim, and remember that feeling regardless of what happens between the two of you. It can happen again, and it is possible for it to remain. It did for Mark and me. As long as you’re open to it, it will for you as well.”
“If you say so, Bonnie.”
“You’ll just have to trust me on this one.”
The limousine pulls into the estate and, after a light snack and a couple glasses of wine, they both call it an evening and head to bed.
The next morning, Bonnie has her staff prepare poached eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast, then she and Wendy head to the SERF offices. Skip Duren is the first to arrive, followed shortly by Jessica and Sean. Both Hugo and Hector are brought into the board meeting via video teleconferencing. The meeting is called to order and Bonnie explains the purpose then turns it over to Skip. Skip carefully details every donation and each subsequent deposit suspected to have been transferred into that SERF1 account, based upon donor acknowledgements.
“While I can’t verify the deposits into the off shore bank account, I have no r
eason to doubt the donors’ truthfulness, especially given every declared donation into SERF1 is exactly one percent of their larger donation.”
Hector asks, “Is Mr. Bush aware he is being investigated at this moment?”
“No,” Skip answers. “The only people aware of this investigation are those currently present.”
Hugo interjects and offers, “My opinion is that it is fairly clear. Jim is the one responsible for the diversion of funds into the Caiman Island bank. Someone on the board must confront Jim with the information they have, and insist he return the funds to SERF.”
Everyone is quiet for a moment, then Sean asks the questions everyone is thinking about. “What if he refuses to return the funds? What’s our next step? And if he returns the funds do we fire him, seek criminal charges, or allow him to quietly disappear?”
After a very lively discussion sparked by Sean’s question, it is decided Bonnie will confront Jim with the information they have, and see how he reacts, with the goal of retrieving the funds for SERF. The board decides not to pursue any criminal charges due to the potential of devastating negative press, but they are split on firing or retaining Jim, because he is truly a talented fund raiser with many more significant contacts.
Wendy, not being able to remain silent any longer, says, “We can always simply withhold the skimmed amount from any more of Jim’s bonuses. Then, if he continues his practice, we simply fire him and let the chips fall where they may.”
Everyone makes some sort of approval of this plan, and Bonnie says, “Well, we can play this tricky game. Let’s not say anything to Jim until after he has finished calling on his entire significant donor list. When he is done, which should be by the end of next quarter, we withhold all the funds from his bonuses, like Wendy said. This way, SERF gets the benefit of all his skills and contacts, and we can fire him once his initial usefulness is achieved in firmly establishing SERF’s cash flow for the next ten years. At that point, SERF can hire someone not as dynamic and with less significant contacts who can maintain the donors and develop others over time.”
Hugo makes a motion to accept Bonnie’s proposal and is seconded by Jessica. There are four affirmative votes and one abstention. The motion is carried and the meeting is concluded. Skip is told to closely monitor Jim’s situation and report back to the board with any significant changes.
CHAPTER 18
excuses
Upon returning to San Diego Thursday morning, Mona gives Wendy several messages from Jim. When she laughs, Mona tells her, “You have got to return his calls. The man is driving me crazy.”
Wendy, still chuckling, says, “Well, get him on the line while I get a cup of coffee and I’ll speak with him.”
“Finally. Thank God for small favors.”
Wendy gets her fresh cup of coffee and by the time she reaches her desk Mona has already transferred Jim to her.
“Good morning, Jim.”
“Thank you for finally taking my call. I’m going to be in San Diego next Tuesday. Can we have dinner Tuesday evening?”
Wendy sighs. “Where do you want meet?”
“How about the restaurant we went to for lunch the first time I was in San Diego?”
“That will be fine. Six o’clock? Or would seven be better for you?”
“Six o’clock will be perfect,” Jim says, slightly confused at this new acceptance.
“I’ll see you there,” she says and hangs up. She walks out to Mona and explains she is having dinner with Jim, so he won’t be bugging her for a little bit.
“Fantastic. How do you feel about having dinner with him?”
“It unnerves me a bit. I’m not sure if I should be angry, curious, or empathetic.”
“Are you interested in continuing to date him?”
“No, I can’t imagine anything he could say that would alter how I feel, but Bonnie insisted that I hear him out for my sake more than his, and I think she has a valid point. Even if I could get over the infidelity and dishonesty, I’m not sure I can get over the fact it was with another man. It’s really strange, but I now have a greater empathy for men who find their wife is seducing or being seduced by another woman. How does one realistically compete?”
“Well, I can’t say I have ever really thought about this type of dilemma before,” Mona says, genuinely puzzled.
“I’ve counseled men when their wives were having affairs with other women, but I have to admit, until now, I have never really understood the hurt, shame, or helplessness associated with that type of infidelity.”
“None of this is your fault or anything to be ashamed of. It’s a choice that Jim made. Personally, I think he is an idiot. You’re an amazing woman, smart, beautiful, and caring. He’s the one that screwed up, not you!”
Wendy smiles and shakes her head. “I love you, too.”
***
When Wendy walks into the restaurant, Jim is sitting in a booth and stands to greet her. She orders a glass of wine and senses indignation rising within her being. Before Jim can say a word, she asks, “So how are you doing?”
“I’m fine, but I’m really concerned about you.”
“I’m a big girl, and I’m okay. But I need to know, why in my bed? Why would you do that in my space?”
“I’m sorry. Things were not supposed to happen the way they did, and you weren’t supposed to be home until midnight.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the best one I’ve got.”
“Well shit, that makes me feel so much better about you and myself.”
“This isn’t about you at all,” Jim says pleadingly.
“The hell it isn’t! I come home, excited to be with my lover, who has gotten me to open up and trust him – something no one has been able to get me to do for a very long time, mind you – only to find him in my bed with another man. From my perspective, it’s all about me,” Wendy replies, indignant.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then enlighten me, please. And this had better be a better answer than the last one.”
“It was all business. He was attracted to me and the idea of introducing me to my first male experience. Because of it, SERF received a two-million-dollar donation.”
“Oh, well in that case, I completely understand.”
“Really, you do?”
“Yes, I do. Not only are you completely without morals, a player, and dishonest, you’re also a whore who feels no shame in prostituting himself for a five percent bonus. Shit, if that’s all it takes to get you to leave me alone I’ll gladly write you a check for whatever sum necessary. That would come with one condition. Leave SERF and crawl back under whatever rock it was from which you came.”
When Jim tries to respond, Wendy raises her hand, stopping his speech. She stands up from the table and drops a twenty-dollar bill on it.
“That should cover my wine,” she says bitterly, then walks away and out of the restaurant. She drives home with tears streaming down her face, unsure if they are because of how much Jim hurt her, or the sheer rage that he was so flippant about his reasoning. She throws her keys onto the kitchen counter and pours herself espresso vodka on the rocks, then calls Bonnie.
“Hi, Wendy. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Pleasant indeed,” Wendy says, her voice thick with emotion.
“Oh, no, baby girl, what’s wrong?” Bonnie asks immediately.
“I just met with Jim. He is a complete pompous ass.”
“Okay, slow down and start at the beginning.”
“I followed your suggestion, thinking it would be good closure for both of us. I asked him a few questions, and his answers were flippant, self-serving, and totally without any remorse for his actions.”
“Well, I guess you know how you feel about him and you can close that chapter of your life. But what are we going to do to stop you from hating or distrusting all men?”
“At this point in my life, I don’t hate or distrust all men. I’m just not sure I want
to be involved with one.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. You can’t just close yourself off from any type of emotional experience.”
“Sure I can. I’m actually very good at it.”
“That may be true but it’s not healthy for you, and you of all people should know that.”
“I just need some time to recover, that’s all.”
“Well, that I understand. If it’s just time to take a vacation, you’re welcome to come up north and lay around the pool.”
“Actually I think I’m going to travel for a week or two, and maybe go somewhere different and be pampered. I have a few days I promised to work at the local animal shelter first though. Mona has basically transferred all my clients and she is getting ready to begin school, so now would be a good time for me to start my travels. Anything new with the SERF situation?”
“Nothing since our last board meeting.”
“Okay. Thanks for listening. I think I’m going to relax, finish my vodka, and then head off to bed. Let’s touch base later in the week okay?”
“Okay. Just call if you need anything.”
“I will. Goodnight, Bonnie.”
Wendy spends the rest of the evening researching all-inclusive vacation spots and decides Cancun looks good. She marks the Hyatt Zilara in her favorites then heads off to bed.
She arrives at the office a bit later than normal and looking a bit rough. Mona gets her a fresh cup of coffee.
“I suspect your meeting with Jim didn’t go well last night?” Mona asks.
“I wouldn’t say that. I got all the answers I needed, then I went home and got drunk. All in all, I’d say it was a successful evening,” Wendy replies sarcastically.
“And?”
“He’s a complete ass who only cares about himself.”
“Okay then. I’m so sorry. He called this morning and wants you to call him back.”
“Screw him. If he calls again tell him I’m not interested in any more of his excuses and, unless he has a business item he wishes to discuss with me, I’m done talking with him.”
Unrestrained Behavior: The Pleasure and Risk of Choice (The 'Un'missable Series Book 3) Page 18