The Contingency Plan (The Lonely Heart Series)

by Nelson, Latrivia

  “In person for most. Some of them will be conference in,” Frank said, shaking his head. This was bad. Really bad.

  “Prep the room,” Charlie said, pushing back from her desk. Standing up, she pulled down her suit jacket and grabbed her purse. “I’m going to the restroom to freshen up.”

  ***

  Alex had called Charlie over a hundred times, but she didn’t answer her cell phone, her office line or even email. Knowing that tonight they would need to be alone, he had already asked his brother and his wife to watch the kids and dropped them off hours before. Now, he just waited. And it was a miserable, torturous, agonizing wait.

  As nightfall, set in, he sat at the dinner table alone with a bottle of wine and his laptop browsing the hundreds of online posts regarding their situation.

  In hindsight, he should have handled the entire thing a lot differently. Mason had warned him, but it didn’t matter. Emotions had gotten the best of him. Hindsight was twenty/twenty. Now, he wondered what his premature actions had done to his wife’s career. She had the opportunity the night before to ruin his life by creating a scene at the firehouse, but she had not.

  She had a chance to air his dirty laundry in front of his co-workers, but she had not. She had a chance to make him feel like the scum of the earth, but she had not. And how had he repaid her? When given the first opportunity, he had done all of those things and more to her.

  His guilt consumed him. It ate him up from the inside out and made him sick with disgust at himself. Eleven years of devotion and he hadn’t even given her the respect he would have given Lola, a woman he had just met.

  Pouring the last of the Merlot into his glass, he gulped it down and then ran his hands over his head. “Shit,” he growled. “Where are you?”

  Picking up the phone, he began to dial Charlie again, when he heard the garage door open.

  Standing up quickly, he almost fell over himself as he ran to the kitchen door and flung it open.

  Charlie got out of the car slowly and looked up at him. Closing the door to the car quietly, she lugged her briefcase and coat up the stairs and into the house.

  His heart raced. “I was worried,” he said, moving out of the way for her to get into the house. Words couldn’t express how relieved he was to know that she was at least physically alright.

  “I had to sit in on an emergency board meeting,” she explained in a low voice as she passed him. Even in her state, she recognized that he had not changed clothes since that afternoon and still wore the bloody shirt and pants that he was hauled out of her office in.

  Alex immediately began to explain. “Charlie, I’m sorry. I know I overreacted. I know that I messed things up…” Shaking his head, he rubbed a hand through the stubble growing on his chin. What could he say to make things right? “If there is any way to make this up…”

  Charlie walked over to the kitchen table and put her things down. Looking at the wine bottle, she groaned. “Do we have anything stronger?”

  Alex was caught off guard. “There is some gin up in the cupboard,” he said, looking at her shaking hands. “Charlie what’s wrong. Are you alright? Did we hurt you?”

  “We need to talk,” Charlie said, sitting down at the table. “Make me a glass of that gin, please.” Her eyes were still red when she looked at him.

  “Sure,” he said, going to the cupboard. Quickly, he poured gin into a crystal goblet and brought it to her. Sitting across from her, he put his bruised elbows up on the table and clasped his swollen hands together waiting for her to say something – anything – to him.

  Charlie took the glass in her hands and took a large gulp. Swallowing gratefully, she closed her eyes and tried to get her thoughts together. The burn felt good to her throat, and she hoped it would numb her senses. “Where are the children?” she asked finally. Her eyes opened and she locked on him.

  “They are at Mario’s house,” he said, watching her face. Her makeup had run and tear stains were visible on her cheeks. She looked a mess, but on the verge of losing her, he realized just how beautiful she was.

  Great, he thought to himself, you’ve driven the poor woman mad.

  Charlie went into her briefcase and pulled out a document. Sliding it to him, she put her hands under her chin. “I want a divorce,” she whispered. Tears started to form at the side of her tired eyes.

  Alex was lost for words. A divorce? Pulling the document to him, he looked down and read it. When he was done, he put his head on the table and began to cry.

  “I’m sorry,” Charlie said, feeling her heart break more as he sobbed. “I just can’t do this anymore.” Getting up, she walked over to him and knelt by his side. Putting her hand on his muscular back, she rubbed him. “You’ve been a great father and a great friend. And you never deserved what I did to you.”

  “It’s not your fault,” he said, raising his head. He looked at her and took her face in his hands. “I’m so sorry, baby. God, I’m so sorry,” he cried. “I tried.”

  The tears burned Charlie’s eyes. “I’m sorry too, but I’m grateful for you. These eleven years have been beautiful. It’s just that we can’t continue on anymore. We’ve taken different paths.”

  “I know,” Alex said nodding. “I just…what about our family?”

  “We’ll make it work,” she assured him. “We always do.”

  Alex pulled her close to him and kissed her lips gently. Their tears mingled together as they held each other tight.

  217

  The Contingency Plan

  Chapter 15

  Saturday came quickly for Sophie’s Choice and during the process they had garnered more press about their IVF avocation and their women’s programs than they had in over five years. The gala was filled with people dying to see Sullivan Orrin, his children, Charlie Mendoza and be a part of history unfolding. Even the White House had benefitted from the story, because of their pro-choice/pro-alternative medicine approach to women’s health. On the outside, it was a win-win situation.

  From the inside, Charlie watched with bitter-sweet emotions. Alex had signed the papers and moved out. He was currently living with Mason and seeing the children on his days off. Reporters were hiding in her bushes trying to get pictures of her and reporting on the papers that had been filed with the County regarding her pending divorce. She had tried, unsuccessfully to reach Sully, who had only sent her one text. We’ll talk after…

  She was a ball of nerves now as she stood behind the curtains waiting to go on stage in front of hundreds of people to welcome them to their annual fundraiser and share the importance of their organization. She laughed at the thought. Nothing she was talking about seemed important to her anymore. She glanced at the note cards in her hand and then threw them in the garbage.

  “What are you doing,” Frank asked, fishing the note cards out quickly. He stood up and frowned. Charlie never did a speech without her note cards, plus she had rehearsed that speech for two days, making him listen each and every time.

  “I don’t need them,” Charlie said, as the director pointed at her.

  She had avoided the Orrin family until the point, hoping that they could speak privately before they were asked to take a million photos and remark on private and public affairs. Instead, she had remained in the backroom alone, staring at herself in the mirror and praying for strength to get through the night.

  As the spotlight beamed on her, she made her way out to the podium. The crowd clapped for her and cheered, but to her, the entire room was empty except for the people sitting at the head table. Sullivan sat looking at her in his perfect tux. The children sat beside them looking on curiously as to what their mother would say.

  “Thank you,” Charlie said as the crowd quieted. She looked out at the crowd and took a deep breath. “I’d like to thank Mark for their amazing introduction and everyone here for attending. To our wonderful board of directors, I’d like to say thank you for your dedication to holding up Sophie’s Choice on your shoulders every day.” Looking dow
n at the empty podium, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, then adjusted her microphone.

  “We’ve had some kind of week at Sophie’s Choice, which I’m sure that you’ve all heard about. I have single-handedly become the poster child for the InVitro Fertilization Advocacy program and my family is now because of YouTube.”

  The crowd erupted in laughter and applause.

  “But the real stuff has just been looked over. So, I’ll start by saying that women’s rights, the right to choose to terminate a pregnancy because you’re not ready, or it wasn’t your choice due to rape – and if you didn’t know over 32,000 of those pregnancies take place a year to victims, whether you want to use your health care benefits to assist in the process of trying to create new life through the IVF process, which Sophie’s Choice under my leadership has advocated successfully for here in New York, or you want to adopt an unwanted child, our organization is here to help you. We have raised $137 million under my leadership over the last eleven years. I’m very proud of that. I’m very proud that we’ve sent over 2,500 women to college, helped 12,000 women get jobs, counseled 3,765 rape victims, coordinated the adoption of 4,893 children and helped 10,000 women and their children transition from shelters to homes of their own and out of abusive marriages or relationships.”

  The crowd applauded again. And this time, for the first time since Charlie had left Norfolk, she smiled. As the crowd died down, she pulled the microphone closer. Just as she did, she noticed a person coming into the banquet hall in a tux who looked a lot like her husband. She paused and looked closer. It was Alex.

  He waved to her and sat at the back table.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her children and waved. It felt so good to know that they were here to witness this.

  “Hello Charlize and Benny,” she said, blowing them a kiss.

  Looking out at the crowd, she cleared her throat. “Right. Let’s get back to the stuff you don’t know. I am most proud of my families. I say families, because I have one that I have been with for eleven years – Alex, Hunter and Hanson – three men who has given me the gift of happiness and pride. My husband, Alex, is in the back. And I want to thank him for his many sacrifices and for being the man that he is for so long. I know that you’ve heard the bad things about us and what we are going through, but I want you to know that there is so much good that reporters don’t report because it doesn’t sell papers or ads. We are not together anymore, but we will always be friends and we’re blessed to have our boys. He’s a great man, and you can sleep well at night knowing that in the event of an emergency whether fire or terrorism, he will be there for you, risking his life and trying with everything he has to protect you.”

  Alex nodded proudly. It was good to hear her say the words, to know that she didn’t hate him. It felt good to know that she still was proud of him.

  The crowd erupted again, this time in a boisterous applause.

  “And I have another family, who I helped bring to this world with Sullivan Orrin. I just met them a week ago, but I have to tell you that love at first sight does exist. I fell in love with my children the first time that I saw them, and I was proud to know that they were mind. As you know Charlize was picked among over 100,000 applicants to represent our great president in his upcoming campaign. Benjamin has been there at every interview in support of her despite his football practices, homework and just trying to be a normal kid. They are a team, a beautiful team.” She looked down at her family again. “And I fell in love again with their father. Be as it may an inappropriate statement, tonight we are dealing in facts. And that ladies and gentlemen is a fact.”

  Sully’s eyes were locked on her with tears in them. Blowing her a kiss, he mouthed the words, I love you and sincerely put his hand over his heart. He wasn’t expecting such a public display of her affection, but he knew what it meant and he was so ready to receive it.

  Charlie nodded. “So, one last thing that you didn’t know. One last fact. It has been my honor to…” She paused; feeling herself began to cry again, she batted her eyes. Her voice quivered. Wiping the tears, she nodded and looked out at the crowd. “It has been my honor to serve as your president, but effective one month from now, I am giving my resignation as the head of this great organization.” She cleared her throat and tried to continue. “It has been an honor to serve you. It has been an honor to serve the women of New York. I have given countless hours and energy to this wonderful cause, but like my predecessor, I have reached the point, where I must pass the baton on.” She wiped her face. “But fear not. I leave you in the care of a wonderful man, Frank Orbitz, who will be taking over the helm and leading you into a new era. We’re making history because he’s the first man over a woman’s organization, but fear not. He is dedicated to the cause and will focus on all of our past goals as well as new ones like the protection of Lesbian women who are currently being ostracized, victimized and denied rights as first women. So, this is not only my best speech, but my last. But I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and your love.”

  Stepping away from the podium, she wiped her eyes as she received a standing ovation. The crowd cheered her name as she extended her arm and welcomed Frank onto the stage.

  Hugging each other tightly, they both wiped away tears.

  “That was one hell of a speech,” Frank said, moving Charlie’s hair from her shoulders. “How am I ever going to outshine you?”

  “I’m sure you’ll find a way,” Charlie said, kissing him on his cheek. “Good luck.”

  As she walked off the stage, she was met by her daughter and son who gave her a huge hug. Holding them tightly, she kissed their faces. “I wanted to tell you,” she said, rubbing the backs of their heads.

  “We know,” Charlize said. “Daddy explained everything. We understand.”

  “Yeah and we love you too,” Benny said, hugging her waist.

  “I love you,” Charlie said crying. “So much. I can’t wait for you to meet your brothers. I told them all about you.” She stood up and smiled at Sully.

  “Some speech,” Sully said, wiping the tears from her face. “You should take a job with the DLC. They are always looking for a good woman.”

  “I think I’m just going to focus on me for a while,” she said with a chuckle.

  “I was hoping that it would be more of a focus on us,” Sully said, stepping closer to her. “We came here to ask you…” Sully paused, praying that she would not deny him again. He swallowed hard, eyes wide with hope.

  “We want you to give us a try,” Benny finally said in a matter-of-fact tone. “You already said you were in love with him.”

  “Shut up!” Charlize said, pushing her brother. “Let Daddy talk for a change.”

  Sully laughed. “What he said.”

  Charlie laughed. “I was hoping to ask you guys the same thing.”

  Sully grabbed her and kissed her deeply. Rubbing through her hair, he held her hand tightly. “I love you, my sweet Charlie Meadows. I should have never let you go the first time, but if you give me a chance, I’ll spend the rest of my life driving you crazy. I can’t promise you sunshine everyday but I can promise you that I’ll be there through rain and shine.”

  “You’re proposing before I even get divorced?” She giggled. “That’s so Sully.”

  “Well, you’re a hot commodity. A man would be crazy to let you go,” Alex said walking up.

  Charlie held her breath. “Alex,” she said, turning to him.

  “Hey,” he said, giving her a hug. “I just wanted to stop by and…” he turned to Sully, “give you my blessing and let you know there are no hard feelings.”

  “Same thing here,” Sully said, shaking his hand. “I’m sorry, man.”

  “So am I. We both screwed up,” Alex said, looking at Charlie. “Don’t make the same mistake that I did.”

  “Hey, man. It’s not often that we get a second chance, right?” Sully said, sincerely happy that they could bury the bad blood b
etween them.

  “This was big for you to come here tonight, Alex,” Charlie said, in disbelief.

  “Well, I just…I wanted you to know that we’re making the right decision. You with Sully and me with Lola. As long as we keep the kids first, we’ll be fine,” Alex said with a nod.

  “Thanks,” Charlie said, hugging him again.

  “Thank you,” Alex said, looking at his watch. “I better go. I just wanted to talk to you.” He nodded at Sully and the kids and excused himself.

  “He’s a good man,” Sully said to Charlie.

  “I know,” Charlie said, watching him walk away.

  221

  The Contingency Plan

  Chapter 16

  Charlie finished up her consulting work for Dane’s new non-profit, Second Chance, and closed her computer feeling like she had accomplished something. With his contacts, she had managed to raise $1.5 million this quarter with new money being promised every day. And still she had time for her family.

  Looking at her watch, she pushed away from her desk and looked out of the window at the view of the beach. The sun was shining bright – a perfect day to have a birthday celebration with family and friends.

  Standing up, she rounded her desk across from Sully’s and headed out of the room only to almost fall on a football cleat.

  “Benny!” she screamed. “Come and get these cleats.”

  “Not mine,” Benny screamed from down the hall. “It’s Hunter’s.”

  “No it’s not!” Hunter screamed, running past her. “It’s Hanson’s.”

  “Well, someone needs to pick it up!” she screamed bending over. She picked it up and sighed. That someone was her today.

  The caterer passed her with a huge birthday cake and headed to the kitchen and his assistant brought in more bushels of bright balloons.

  “Where is everyone?” Charlie asked, picking up another toy at the base of the stairs.

  “I think they are outside on the patio,” the man answered, before he disappeared down the hall.