Chapter Two
It was a bright sunny morning and the air was clean and crisp, a nice change after the previous day’s rain. Sarah was up early, fussing over her wardrobe and making sure her hair was just right. She opened her walk-in closet, noting everything was organized and in its place. She decided on her navy blue suit with a white frilly blouse. A silver chain and bracelet would complete the outfit perfectly. Sarah took great pains to make sure her makeup was just right and her new hairdo brushed to perfection. Satisfied with the way she looked; she was out the door before nine and stopped at the café for a coffee. She decided to walk to the end of town for her ten o’clock meeting and getting her coffee to go, she headed north towards the chemical plant. She walked up Main Street looking in the shop windows as she passed. Bridgetown was a small town with the Ford River meandering through it. There were ten bridges over the Ford, within the town limits. Sarah walked over the large stone bridge next to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Apple blossoms were budding in the park. She looked over the bridge railing at the river and the fishermen on the bank. Several of the locals fished from the shore and there were four or five small boats and canoes, with fishing lines trailing behind. She waved to one of the men before continuing up the street.
She passed the public school, quiet and subdued while the youngsters were inside. The park was on her left. One of the boys’ baseball teams was practicing. She smiled as a small boy ran for a pop fly, missing it at the last second. Sarah inhaled the clean, fresh, spring air. She was feeling much better today after her respite at the spa. The night before, after giving it some thought, she decided to forego her visit to Jack. It gave her some time to think about their relationship and where it was going. Sarah knew that she had to support Jack through his recovery, but she didn’t see a future after that.
She arrived at ten o’clock sharp for her meeting. The CEO and COO of Martin and Schultz Chemicals were waiting in the boardroom, laughing at some private joke. Four other board members chatted idly. She walked into the room silently. “Gentlemen.” They looked up as she set her briefcase next to the small projector, on the table.
“Miss DeVries it is nice to see you. We hope you have something exciting to show us.” Mr. Martin rose from his chair and shook her outstretched hand. “Martin and Schultz are very anxious to get started on our “Green” campaign.” Sarah looked at the tall man before her. CEO Charles Martin was forty three years old and considered very handsome. Sarah had seen him around town but he travelled in different social circles than she did, although she longed to be part of high society. She smiled widely and thanked them.
Sarah made her presentation based on the information they had provided. She had their full attention. “We want people to see Martin and Schultz as a company with a ‘Green’ work ethic in all areas. That is why I have included this green leaf in your new logo. I don’t have to tell you that chemical companies do not have a good reputation for doing what is best for the environment. It is going to take a lot of publicity to make everyone identify Martin and Schultz Chemicals with a green, ‘we love the planet’ work ethic.” The two men nodded, looking at each other knowingly. Everyone else remained stone faced.
“I like it Miss DeVries and I agree it will take a lot of publicity to convince people that we are not here to harm the environment. My great grandfather started this firm with Heinz Schultz and I am proud of my heritage. Martin and Schultz have been in this town for seventy five years and we want everyone to know we are current in our thinking and our actions.” Mr. Martin, and one of the junior partners in the firm, asked a few more questions before finalizing the contract with Sarah. His COO, Alvin Cooley, didn’t say much. He was in charge of plant operations and was the one that would have to make sure the plant lived up to its new “green” image. He was not convinced that this was going to work.
Sarah agreed to work on the campaign with Martin and Schultz Chemicals for a period of one year or until the project was completed. The contract was worth more than sixty thousand dollars to her and she was very pleased to sign the final agreement. She and four of the members of the board left at the same time. Sarah walked out of the building feeling very proud and happy.
Back in the boardroom things were heated. “I’m telling you, Charles. If we start strutting around with a green leaf on our logo and anything happens, we’ll not only look like idiots, we’ll be out of business. Don’t forget I was here in 1975 and you were barely out of diapers. I know what I’m talking about and you had better be careful.” Alvin ran his hand through his thinning hair.
“Alvin, you worry too much. Just relax and start recycling the trash, the newspaper reporters will be here next week and I want them to see our recycle depot up and running. Buy some signs that promote ‘reuse and recycle’ and hang them up in the plant. This is all window dressing and we are going to make it look good.”
“That Miss DeVries has some good ideas, so you might pull this off.” Alvin lifted his bulky frame from the chair. He was forty pounds overweight and one of these days he promised himself that he would do something about it. “I have work to do. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Alvin, just forget about 1975. I mean it!” Charles gave the other man a look that could only be interpreted as a threat. “As a matter of fact, let’s have some flowers and trees planted out in the back. That should make the tree huggers happy. I know you have worked here since 1973, and I don’t have to remind you that it is because you have kept your mouth shut, that you are still working here thirty plus years later. Now, don’t forget what I said.” Alvin frowned; shook his balding head and walked from the room.
Charles sat congratulating himself for another great idea, “Some trees and flowers, yes, that’s what we need.”
Sarah went back to her bungalow, feeling very confident. The morning newspaper was on the porch when she arrived. She picked it up and carried it into the house. Opening the door, she found a stack of envelopes that had been dropped through the mail slot. She scanned the envelopes, her student loan, followed by a water bill, electric bill and finally her bank statement. More bills, just what I need. When Jack lived with her, the bills were shared and Sarah had much more disposable income. Now things were tight, very tight.
Sarah’s grandmother left the house to Sarah when she died. It was post war, circa 1950’s with two bedrooms, a large living room and a nice sunny kitchen. Sarah had many happy memories in this house with Grandmother DeVries and she missed her. Her only living relative, her older sister Edna, lived on the other side of town in the house that the girls were raised in. Setting the paper, mail and her handbag neatly on the table by the door, Sarah went to freshen up before going to see Jack. She had spent a lot of money renovating the house two years ago and the bathroom was one of her favorite rooms. Black marble tile with gold fixtures gave it a very modern and elegant look. She wiped a few water spots from the mirror. Staring at her reflection, she could not help but think about Jack and his reaction. How am I going to tell him? He won’t be pleased to hear that I have signed on for a year with Martin and Shultz Chemical. She fixed the towel on the rack, and picked some lint from the floor. Where did we go wrong, Jack? Why can’t you just be happy for me? One final look around the room and she went to her room to change.
Two hours later, she arrived at the hospital dressed in casual navy blue slacks, a blue and white striped blouse and a sporty navy jacket. Jack was sitting up in bed looking better than he had in months. “There you are. I thought you had deserted me.” He smiled at her. She walked in and kissed his cheek. Laying the parcel containing his new pajamas on the chair, she walked to the window.
“So how are you today, Jack?” With her back to him, she watched the lawn crew cutting the grass below the window as she spoke. She was gathering her thoughts on how to tell him her news.
“Much better and it was nice to see Chris, yesterday. She was telling me that she has a new journalism assignment with the Bridgetown Banner. She’s a hard worker, that
girl. How is your business doing?” It was the opening she needed. She took a deep breath before turning around to face him.
“Actually, business couldn’t be better. I signed a contract this morning worth sixty thousand dollars.” She walked over to the chair beside the bed and sat down. Absentmindedly, she arranged the magazines in a neat pile, avoiding Jack’s stare.
“Sixty large! Wow, that is good. Who is it with?” Again she took a deep breath.
“Martin and Schultz Chemical, it is a one year contract.” He glowered at her in astonishment.
“Not those bastards, how could you, Sarah? You know how chemical companies are destroying this planet.” She glared at him, rendered speechless by his comments. “How many times did I picket that place? Not to mention them being responsible for my going to jail! How can you work with the enemy?” He was getting excited and concerned for his health, she knew she had to calm him down, but now she was angry too.
“First of all, Martin and Schultz are not ‘the enemy.’ They are simply, a company that needs some marketing. The campaign is all about how the company is going ‘Green’ and, if anything, you should be happy about that. It is just a job, Jack.” She tried to look at him calmly, but inside her stomach was turning over and over. She was trying her best not to over react, as she clenched and unclenched her fist behind her back.
“Martin and Schultz going green, that’s a joke. You can’t be serious.” He wasn’t going to see her side, so there was no point in talking about it with him.
“Just forget about it. It is my marketing company and my business whether I want to work with them or not. This is why we broke up in the first place, Jack. Now stay calm before you make yourself sick.” She reached for the bag and removed the pajamas. “I bought you these.” She handed him the pajamas roughly, her lips pursed tightly.
Seeing the annoyed look, he swallowed his next comment and took the pajamas from her. “Thank you, they are very nice.” Jack was fuming inside. How could she betray me and turn her back on everything that I believe in, for money? Is this the woman I love? He couldn’t talk to her right now. “I’m very tired, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go to sleep. Thank you for coming.” He lay back on the pillows and closed his eyes.
“Let me put the bed down for you first.” Sarah moved to the bottom of the bed and turned the crank. This was going very badly. The bed slowly flattened out and Jack made himself more comfortable. She felt terrible for upsetting him. “Goodbye, Jack. I am sorry.” She kissed his cheek and waited, but he didn’t open his eyes.
Sarah walked out of the hospital with tears in her eyes. I was so happy this morning and now you’ve ruined it. You always do this, Jack. One minute I am flying high and the next you knock me to the ground. We have no future together. I’m glad you are better, because I’m done with you, Jack. She wiped her cheek, straightened her shoulders and walked stiffly to the parking lot.
Christine was working on her novel when the apartment buzzer rang. She looked at her laptop, perched on a desk stacked high with books and paper, longingly. Not wanting to be disturbed, she was going to ignore the buzzer, but decided it might be important. “Hello?”
“Christine, it’s me. May I come up?” Sarah’s voice sounded strained. Christine pushed the button and opened the door. She wondered why Sarah was here at this time of day. Everyone knew that Christine worked on her novels from six in the morning until three o’clock everyday and it was an unwritten rule that she not be disturbed. Saving the file on the laptop, she headed for the door.
She opened the door and found Sarah crying on the doorstep. “Come in, what’s the matter?” Sarah walked into Christine’s open arms.
“I am done with Jack. We are over for good.” Sarah rested her head on her taller friend’s shoulder. Christine’s arms embraced her gently.
“Sit down and tell me what happened.” Christine put the kettle on the stove. She took two mugs from the pile of dirty dishes on the counter and rinsed them in the sink “I will make some chamomile tea and you can tell me all about it.”
After filling her friend in on the day’s events, Sarah felt much better. Christine told her to do whatever she thought was best with Jack. If the relationship was over, then it was over. He was better now and would be going home soon. Christine changed the subject.
“So you landed the Martin and Schultz contract, good for you. That will make your bank account sing!” Christine was full of praise and it was just what Sarah needed. At least, someone reveled in her success.
“Now I can pay my bills and my student loan. I was getting so far behind, Christine. This contract is exactly what I needed. I am trying to build a business and this could be the break I have been waiting for. Why can’t Jack see that?”
“Because, Jack only sees the planet being pillaged and destroyed by chemical giants like Martin and Schultz. He doesn’t think about money or bills, and you know that better than anyone. I remember when you used to think he was so dedicated and worldly, so unselfish and caring.” Christine watched Sarah’s face. She wanted to remind her of how much she had loved Jack for the past three years.
“I did think that, but now he just irritates me. I need this contract and I am not destroying the planet or ‘working with the enemy’ as Jack put it. I think he needs a dose of reality.” Sarah pouted, she was angry.
“Having a kidney transplant at twenty-five is a pretty big dose of reality, Sarah.” Now it was Sarah’s turn to feel guilty. Christine sipped her tea and watched her friend wrestling with her emotions. Christine liked to play the devil’s advocate in conversations especially when the stakes were high. Sarah and Jack had been together for three years and for the most part, they had been very happy.
“I know, that is why I stuck by him over the past two months, but he is better now and I am not ruining my future because he got sick. We broke up just before he went into hospital and as far as I’m concerned, we are still broken.” Sarah realized that she meant what she said this time. She was done with Jack for good. She looked at Christine. “It’s final this time, Christine. I know it in my heart. Jack is a good man, but he is not the man for me right now. In fact, I don’t need any man right now.”
Christine wondered if Sarah was really being honest with herself, but she remained silent.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I brought you something.” Sarah lifted the gift-wrapped box from her bag. Christine looked at her strangely.
“It’s not my birthday.”
“I knew you would make fun of the wrapping, but it is special just like you, so take it and be quiet.” Christine laughed at her friend as she opened the package.
“Oh Sarah, it’s lovely, thank you very much.” Christine draped the scarf around her neck dramatically. It looked ridiculous with her faded sweatshirt and old jeans. Sarah smiled, feeling much better now that she had talked to Christine and made her friend happy with her gift.
She left after an hour and Christine returned to her work with her new scarf draped haphazardly around her neck. The phone rang on her desk and again perturbed she thought of ignoring the interruption, but something told her to pick it up. “Hello?”
“Hello, Miss Hill? This is John at the Bridgetown Banner. I have an assignment for you.” Christine searched the piles on her desk, finally finding her pen. At last, the local newspaper was going to give her some work. Looks like Sarah is not the only one that is going to make some much needed money.
“What have you got John?” She posed her pen over the corner of a Chinese food menu and began scribbling as he talked.
“I need you to go out to Martin and Schultz Chemical on Monday. We are doing a piece on the local businesses and how they are trying to work with the environmentalists to make improvements. After you leave Martin and Schultz Chemical, you will go to the Agricultural building at the fair grounds and cover the livestock sale. Interested?”
“Absolutely, and thank you, very much, John. I won’t let you down. I’ll come in on Monday morning first thing
and go over the basics with you. Good-bye, John.”
Well what a strange twist of fate, maybe I can convince Jack that the chemical giants are sincere after all. There might be hope for Sarah and Jack yet. Very strange that Sarah was just hired this morning and now I have this assignment; the power and synchronicity of the universe is at work once again. Christine believed that the universe orchestrated everything and there were no coincidences. In her mind, fate would always set things on the right path. She tore the corner off the menu and stuffed it in her laptop case.
Too excited to work, she put on her jean jacket and headed to the hospital to see Jack. The room was empty when Christine arrived so she took a seat and waited for him to return. An orderly wheeled him into the room a few minutes later. “Chris, this is a surprise.” Jack was genuinely pleased to see her.
“Nice wheels, been out for a spin?” She laughed as the orderly wheeled him over to the window and then left the room. “I guess you are staying in that contraption for awhile.”
“Actually, I was down in therapy. They had me up walking and I should be going home in a week. I have to be honest with you, Chris. I had been hoping to go back to Sarah’s, but I don’t think that is going to happen.” He looked away sadly.
“I have some news about Sarah and about me, actually. Remember I told you I have been hired by the Banner to do some freelance work? Well, I got my first assignment. It is interviewing local businesses that are going “Green,” and guess where my first stop is?” She looked at Jack with her eyebrows raised but didn’t give him time to guess. “Martin and Schultz Chemicals!” Jack looked at her in surprise.
Bridgetown's Eleventh Hour Page 2