Both men sat quietly for the moment. The doctor was prepared to sit with Serge all day if that was what his patient needed. He had broken devastating news such as this far too many times. Everyone reacted differently. The one common factor was the doctor would be there until the end, providing them with every ounce of support he had at his disposal.
“I have some business to attend to this weekend then I would like to leave. I would say Monday, Tuesday at the latest,” he informed the doctor.
“I will make arrangements for your medicine today. How long will you stay?” the doctor asked.
“I’m not coming back.”
The doctor deciphered what Serge was saying then gave him his blessing followed by some instruction. “Serge, I hear what you’re saying. I respect your decision. I am going to prescribe you twelve months worth of medication which I would like you to pick up here tomorrow. I would like you to inform my medical assistant of the address you will be residing. Arrangements will be made with one of my colleagues in that country to oversee your needs. You will be in good hands.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Serge stood up, shook the oncologist's hand.
“I wish I could have done more.”
“You did everything you could,” he thanked him again then turned and walked towards the door.
“Serge,” the doctor spoke, “you weren’t selfish. Attaining one’s dreams is not a selfish act. I am certain those loved ones you speak of are extremely proud of your achievements. Far too few conquer their visions.”
“Thank you, you’re a kind man.”
Serge left the office and made his way to the parking lot. He found his truck, opened the door, jumped in and began to cry. He had been aware of his failing health and that the end was near for some time now. But there was bewilderment about hearing the words from your specialist.
He pushed a button and spoke into his Bluetooth, “dial.”
A robotic female voice asked, “Please say the name or number.”
“The boss.”
The call was answered on the second ring, “Mr. McGinnis’ office, how may I help you.”
“Brooklyn, its Serge. I’ll be at the ranch in an hour. Would you be kind enough to pen me in with Jacob?”
“Serge, he has a tight schedule today. Can we do this tomorrow?”
“No, tomorrow will be too late. Truth be told, it’s already too late. I will be there in an hour, please work your magic,” he made it clear there was no other option. Then he pressed the end call on the steering wheel column.
David woke up early. The goal was to be in the hotel’s fitness center by six. A three quarter hour workout then he would call Renée and they should be ordering breakfast by seven thirty. Then off to the track.
He dressed in his exercise clothing, grabbed his iPhone, keycard, opened and closed the door. With a clearer head, a quick glance at Renée’s room on his way to the staircase reaffirmed that it was most definitely her room. Just as he was exiting the hallway to take the stairs down to the gym, he heard the sounds of a door closing. Instinctively he turned and took a look down the hall. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Was he hallucinating? The door was Renée’s suite or the one next to it. He couldn’t be a hundred percent sure as the person who came out was already in the hall. It wasn’t Renée who was making her way down the corridor to the elevator. But it was a familiar face. David recognized her. It was Gabriela D’Angelo. He knew her. She was an A-List jockey. His stable had been perusing her to ride for them for some time now without any success.
He quickly stepped into the staircase landing not wanting to be noticed. Keeping out of her line of vision he watched her light up the wall button to summon an elevator. What was she doing here on the West Coast? There were only two stake races and he had an entry in one of them. At her caliber, it would take that level of card to lure her to L.A. He made it a point to know his opposition and he didn’t like to compete against her. She was the best, winning more than not. Her name didn’t appear as the jockey on any of the horses. She must be a last minute replacement. And what the hell was she doing in Renée’s room.
***
Gabriela thought she caught a glimpse of a man entering the staircase at the far end of the hall. She hadn’t seen his face, just the back of him and only for a split second. There were no recognizable features. Yet, she had this unsettling gut feeling. Riding the elevator alone, her thought was, I hope to god that wasn’t David. But something inside her was saying it was. In her line of business you rely on instincts. When mounted on an eleven hundred pound horse running more than forty miles per hour surrounded by ten others, it was a necessity. She never fought them. You had to feel your horse, make split second decisions. Did he want to run, did he want to chase the horse in front of him. Were the other horses going to pass her or block her in? She had to feel the whole race and react. What she was feeling now was that the man in the hallway was Renée’s boss, David.
***
When Jacob was notified that Serge was driving up to the ranch he cleared his desk and informed Brooklyn to put everything on hold until further notice. Serge had been a trusted employee a very long time. More importantly he had been a close friend, one of Jacobs’s only true friends. There were lots of business associates, but few friends. Throughout all those years, never once did Serge demand such a meeting. He had been raised in England with a formal mannerism. Certain protocols were followed during his time at the McGinnis ranch. Appointments which were few and far between were scheduled far in advance. Maybe he had information pertaining to the fire. Whatever the case Jacob cleared his calendar.
Serge presented himself to Brooklyn, who immediately showed him into Jacobs’s office.
“Serge, please, come sit,” Jacob directed him to the couch near the fireplace.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Jacob. I know you are busy. I do appreciate it.”
“Serge, we’ve been together for a long time now. I assure you that you have my undivided attention whenever you require it,” he told him. “What’s on your mind my good friend?”
Jacob sensed Serge was off his game. He didn’t seem himself. The arrogance had vanished. Whatever was on his mind was weighing heavy on him.
Serge took a deep breath, joined his hands together resting his two index fingers together then to his lips. Then he exhaled as his watery eyes met his friend’s.
“Jacob, I can find no easy way to say this,” he paused for a second. “I have found myself in a position that requires me to inform you that I will be resigning effective Monday.”
“I don’t understand Serge,” Jacob was confused. “I thought we were going to be in this together until the day we die. That’s the promise we made to one another.”
“Jacob, I am dying.”
“What do you mean you’re dying?”
“I haven’t been feeling well for some time now,” Serge began his explanation. “This morning, actually an hour ago I received the results from my doctor. I have terminal cancer. There is no cure. He has given me three to six months. It would mean a great deal to me if I could spend that time with my family in England. I will be making arrangements to leave on Monday after the weekend races.”
Jacob was blindsided. It took some time to comprehend what his head trainer and friend was telling him. Sometimes life throws you curves and they just do not seem fair. This was going to be difficult for him to accept. Jacob’s general state of mind was to be in control of everything that materialized within his realm. He did not want to accept this diagnosis.
“Serge, we have access to the very best physicians in the world,” Jacob began. “I will make some calls. The progress our medical professions have made with this disease is remarkable. So many people are surviving this challenge nowadays.”
“Jacob, I assure you my oncologist is at the top of his field. I do appreciate your kindness but trust me, my condition is incurable.”
“There must be something we can do,” he said not wanting
to give in.
“No, Jacob there is nothing we can do. It is what it is. I’m okay with it. I am prepared. However, I would like to spend the time I have left with my family in England. I want you and David to promote Renée to lead position. She has listened and learned—the best student I’ve had. Renée has established herself as a quality horse person. Her passion for our animals is something you rarely see. I actually believe she has grown to fit this role better than I do.”
When passed he wanted to be assured his beloved horses were taken care of, and she was the only person he was prepared to support.
“What can I do to help, Serge?” Jacob resigned to the fact that his trainer was at peace with the meeting of his maker.
“I have everything under control. I need to resign. It is important to know that I am leaving the stables in the hands of someone I trust and that will continue our legacy,” speaking to Jacob quietly. “I would ask that you not mention this to anyone until I leave for England, with the exception of Sandy, Renée, David, and Brooklyn, of course. Once Renée has accepted her new duties, a press release should be issued stating that I have embarked on a planned retirement and spending time with my family in England. It is imperative that the industry be made aware that Renée was my handpicked successor.”
“Serge I would like to take care of your travel arrangements,” Jacob said.
“Thank you Jacob but I have already made a reservation for Monday afternoon.”
“I insist. I will have a plane waiting for you at the airport. Let Brooklyn know the time you would like to depart.”
Serge didn’t put up much of a fuss. He knew his boss would prevail. Actually it was a relief to be flying private and avoiding the frustrations of public transportation. He accepted.
Jacob was getting chocked up. His good friend was dying. They’d been through a great deal together. Side by side they built the most successful stable of thoroughbred horses in the country. How do you say goodbye to that. There was no proper way. Offer your love and support. That’s all one could be expected to do. Respect the person’s wishes. As emotional as the situation was, that’s what Serge needed now.
Both men knew the conversation was nearing its end, Jacob not wanting him to leave, Serge just wanting to get on with it. They stood up, proceeded to shake hands but stopped short of that and embraced each other in a lengthy hug. Both had tears rolling down their cheeks.
“My good friend, it has been an honor to have included you in my life,” Jacob expressed his gratitude of their friendship. “Anything you need and I mean anything. Doctors, money, transportation or just a conversation, you call. Brooklyn will be instructed to authorize any request from you. Please keep in touch. I will be praying for you.”
“Thank you again Jacob, I’ve been blessed to have known you. You’re a good man.”
They gave each other another hug. Serge turned and left the room. Jacob stood and watched.
Jacob went back to his desk. He was overwhelmed by his emotions. It took a few minutes to compose himself at which time he asked Brooklyn into his office. She was saddened by the news.
“Brooklyn, please arrange for a plane to fly Serge to England on Monday. He will advise you as to what time he would like to depart. Make sure the hostess is a fully qualified nurse. She must keep that to herself.” He continued with his instructions, “Please enact his pension payment. Also deposit an additional ten million dollars into the account. Should he need our assistance in any way, shape or form you have my authorization. Thank you.”
She said nothing, turned and left the office. Within an hour all would be taken care of.
Jacob asked her to hold all his calls for an hour or so and to close the door on her way out. He sat there and cried. This was a very sad day. He would cancel all his appointments this coming weekend and spend the two days at the track by Serge’s side.
***
David completed his morning workout, called Renée and they were now eating breakfast at one of the hotel’s restaurants. The nature of the discussion was all business. There was no flirtation. They compared notes gathered on the competing horses. When millions of dollars are at stake from the outcome of a race that lasted less than two minutes, you want to have all your t’s crossed and i’s dotted. The chat lasted an hour.
“I happened to notice Gabriela D’Angelo in the hotel this morning. Did she catch a ride this weekend?”
Renée’s reply was delayed. She felt guilty, like a kid playing hooky. Not sure why. It was a large hotel. He could have noticed her anywhere. What were the chances of him knowing she made love to Gabriela four hours earlier? Even so, she was an adult and owed no explanation to anyone about how she chose to live. David picked up on the delay.
“Is there something wrong?”
“No,” still hesitating, “no, she’s riding Natures Gift. I’m sorry David I thought you knew. I believe I have a grasp on how she will position him. That was the basis for my race strategy. She’s the one we need to beat. Again, I’m sorry, I took for granted you were aware of the jockey change when we discussed the race yesterday.”
“Now I understand your wanting to position Charlotte’s Choice as you do.”
“Sorry, I thought you knew.”
They finished eating then hailed a ride to the race track where they would spend the better part of the day. There was no mention of the past evening’s activities by either of them.
***
Sandy spent the day in the Palace. After getting reacquainted with Fyad she slipped down to the gym. They had promised to catch up with one another for a luncheon, at which time she would be introduced to his fiance. She opted for the gym as she didn’t feel it was appropriate to take a jog outside. Although great strides were being accomplished pertaining to female rights in the country, it still was considered one of the most conservative in that regard. Fyad’s mother was a strong minded person. She orchestrated a movement for women’s rights within the country. Her challenges were many, being up against some hardliners, but she was making slow positive progress. Inside the Palace it was a different story. Women were seen as equals. They were now of equal entitlement once only granted to the male population.
On her way back from the gym she was approached by one of the King’s special security personnel.
“Miss McGinnis,” he said coming up to her from behind.
“Yes,” she stopped as she replied to the man.
“If you will, the King has asked me to extend an invitation to join him in the library,” he pointed down the hall towards the room.
“Absolutely,” she began. “Just let me run up to the room and change into something more presentable,” bringing to his attention her workout attire and that she did not want to greet the King in her present state.
“Miss McGinnis, I believe the King would like to see you now.”
“Kamal,” Sandy had been introduced to him at the airport. He was one of the two men assigned as an escort to the Palace. She continued, “please inform the King that I would love to meet with him. But first I need to change into something more respectable. I will be with him in fifteen minutes.”
“As you wish, I will notify the King of your plans,” he conceded not relishing the thought of announcing the delay. The King planned appointments around his schedule, not that of others. He did not take kindly to being delayed.
Fifteen minutes later Sandy was ushered into the library by the two men stationed in front of its doors. It was a large room. The oak cabinet shelving provided a resting place for the volume of books shelved floor to ceiling. Given the ceiling was thirty feet high it housed over a million books. Being one who loves to read, Sandy drooled each time she entered it.
“My dear Sandy,” the King held out his hand to greet her. “My security personnel were a bit distraught relaying your request to arrive late for our appointment.”
“Your Highness, I would not consider myself late. We didn’t have an appointment, you summoned me.”
“Y
our Highness, my dear, you’re being a tad formal."
They stood for a second than both began to laugh.
“Come here and give me a hug,” the King spread his arms.
They embraced each other then retreated to one of the many lavish sofas within the room. The two spent many nights in this room discussing literature, life, and numerous other topics. They had become close friends.
“Sandy, I’m so glad you could be present for my son’s wedding.”
“You and Fyad are my second family. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“You know. I always let it be known to you that my wish would have been for you to be exchanging vows with my son tomorrow.”
“Yes, Ahmed,” she dropped the formality and called the King by his first name, the way she’d addressed him for a number of years now.
“Have you forgotten that I am happily married,” she continued.
“I know, please forgive me. David is a fine man. However, I always foresaw you as the Princess. I will have to settle with you being the daughter I never had,” a smile came over both faces.
“How is your father?” the King inquired.
“He’s been in better spirits this year than he has been for some time now. His health is good, but he still works far too hard.”
“He must be saddened by the tragic fire which your family experienced.”
“It is troublesome, heartbreaking that two beautiful animals lost their lives.”
“I understand the fire was deliberately set,” he said catching her off guard by how fast the information traveled to this part of the world.
“We believe so. Your intelligence network must have more pressing issues to deal with than a stable fire in the good old state of Kentucky,” while saying this she gave him an inquisitive look.
Love Lonely Page 9