Broken

by Patricia Haley

  Don left Tamara reluctantly, not sure how she had managed to pull a scheme on him, igniting a fresh battle for DMI. He stayed put in the car, letting events of the day fully digest, first Abigail and then Tamara. Tamara was entitled to the emotional damage resulting from her rape, but what made her think she had exclusive rights on disappointment, heartache, and rejection? It certainly didn’t give her the right to wreak havoc on others. He had his portion and so did every other Mitchell family member. He wasn’t going to minimize her former trauma, but to carry it for eighteen years, long after the perpetrator had died, was a waste of life.

  Don wanted to go back to Tamara’s apartment and plead with her to change her mind. He knew it probably wouldn’t do any good, but he preferred diplomacy over war, especially when there wasn’t a viable exit strategy. He was willing to try Tamara again, especially since he wasn’t sure how many rounds of warfare he had left in him.

  A quick flight to South Africa and the drama could be over. Who needed the company now? The fight didn’t seem worthwhile any longer. He had LTI. Madeline was gone. Joel was defeated. Abigail had given notice. Sherry would be okay. Tamara was left, but she would be fine without DMI, having never cared about the company previously. Maybe that was the answer, finally: to let the source of the family strife collapse. Let DMI die a natural death and be done, leaving nothing to fight about. Don started the car’s engine. The thought was compelling.

  On second thought, why delay the inevitable? Don turned off the engine. He called Madeline, prepared for the hurricane of the century. Somehow she’d blame the entire business on Joel or Sherry; it was easier to blame the bogeyman than her own misguided child. He was prepared. He dialed her number and the call went into voice mail. The recorded voice played, followed by the beep, signaling it was time to leave the message. Don held the phone and disconnected. He’d try to reach Madeline by calling the LTI office. Halfway through dialing the string of international numbers, his PDA buzzed. He answered.

  “Don, I saw your number come up. I was finishing an introductory meeting with marketing.” Madeline was in her element. He was pleased to have her at his company and allowed himself to be rescued for a brief period, focusing on the positive. “How are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’ve been better.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that. What’s going on?” Don was reluctant to share the details. “Come on, out with it. I know you’re trying to figure out how to protect me, aren’t you?” He couldn’t deny it. “Well, I’m a big girl. I have my war wounds. I’ll survive. Lay it out.”

  Madeline thought she wanted to know. Don was certain she didn’t. “Tamara wants to start a business,” he blurted.

  “Okay, it’s not what I want to hear. I’d like to see the two of you work together at DMI, but if you don’t it’s not the end of the world.”

  “Mother, she wants to use the West Coast division as the cornerstone of her company.”

  “What are you talking about? Why would she want to do something like that? How is she going to get the division?”

  Don had a similar question, one of many. “Some craziness about talking Zarah into selling it to her.”

  “Oh my goodness, that’s not going to work. Did you tell her I tried that once and it backfired? The poor woman tried to commit suicide when Joel found out what she’d done behind his back. Please tell her not to go there. I haven’t lost any sleep over Joel, but I certainly don’t want any permanent casualties. It’s not that serious.”

  “Mother, I talked to Tamara until I was blue in the face. She is not budging.” Madeline gave an “umph.”

  “She’s as stubborn as you are,” he told her.

  “She is my only daughter; not many ways for her to get around the genes.”

  Don normally would have appreciated her humor. Today he was somber. “I just got a reprieve from Joel and now it’s Tamara nipping at my heels. I’m not ready for the next battle. I thought the war was already over. I blink for a second, let my guard down, and my ally attacks.”

  “I’m sorry, Son. I know this hurts coming from Tamara. I know she’s mad at me, but I didn’t dream she’d shun you, too. If you want, I can come home tomorrow and talk to her. It’s okay if she cuts me out of her life. Well, it’s not okay, but there’s not much I can do. But it’s definitely not acceptable for her to do this to you. You’ve gone out of your way to help her. This kind of crap has Joel’s name all over it. I bet he has something to do with it.” Don knew Joel or Sherry would be blamed sooner or later. “Joel is a snake. I should have known he was up to something. I will gladly come home if you think it will help.”

  Don didn’t believe Tamara was interested in listening to anyone. “Thanks for the offer, but based on where Tamara is, I think your being here will only make matters worse.”

  “I agree. Then what can I do for you from here?”

  “You’re already doing it by being where you are.”

  “I have to admit, the time here has been therapeutic. I love it,” she said. “I can see why you hibernated in Cape Town. The place is amazing, the weather, the people, and the food. I’m having a ball. The air has done me good.”

  Don was pleased and told her so. At least one member of his family was content. “Mother, one more note before I go. Tamara was on edge when I was with her.”

  “I would be on edge, too, if I was backstabbing my devoted brother.”

  “No, this was different. Some guy called the office looking for her. The call was odd. He hung up, refusing to give his name. When I told Tamara about the call, she seemed distressed.”

  “Who is he?”

  He heard the roar rising in the lioness. When the den was threatened she was known for leaping into action, going for the kill. He’d try to contain her concern until more information was available.

  chapter

  45

  Zarah’s alarm was fitting. She’d had the same problem two months ago. Zarah was stronger and was feeling much better up until the last few weeks. She emerged from the restroom, hoping a spot of tea could calm her restless stomach. She yearned for Joel. Whatever the ailment, it was better when he was at home with her. She went to the kitchen, finding the cook there. Getting something to eat was simple. Getting Joel wasn’t. She took a rest, hoping her husband was coming home today. His business required him to be in Chicago a couple of days this week; his trips to Chicago seemed to get longer each time he went. Maybe one day he would let her come with him. Then it wouldn’t matter how long he had to travel. They could be together.

  The phone rang. Zarah grabbed the call before the housekeeper had a chance to answer from another room. “Zarah, it’s me. I’m calling to let you know I need to stay another day.”

  “But it’s Friday. Will you be home for the weekend?” She desperately wanted a yes.

  “I should be in town tomorrow.”

  “Joel, is there something I’ve done to displease you?”

  “No, what made you ask?”

  She wouldn’t soon forget the despair, a deep, deep cut that only his love could heal. She was willing to do anything he wanted to be the wife he desired. She’d tried repeatedly with the same outcome: they spent many days apart. Zarah wanted to cry out. She couldn’t. Her father would be disgraced along with her entire family in India if she was set aside in marriage. She had to work harder.

  The ringing doorbell permeated the house. Zarah was still a bit squeamish and didn’t rush to the door. It couldn’t be Joel; she’d just spoken to him. There was no one else who could spark her troubled soul. Within a few minutes, Zarah saw Tamara walking into the kitchen. She was a pleasant surprise. Her day was brightened by a visit from a member of Joel’s family. Tamara was very nice to her and made her feel not as alone in the United States. “I’m very glad to have you here.”

  “Figured I’d stop by. I really enjoyed my visit a few days ago and thought I’d see if you’re up for another outing.”

  “Yes, I would be honored.”

/>   “Do you want to go to lunch, since we didn’t make it last time?”

  Zarah squinted as she rubbed her belly. “I’m not good for lunch.”

  “You still have that virus?” Zarah nodded. “Maybe you should go get some medication before it gets worse.”

  The possibility of being really ill without Joel shot a chill through Zarah’s body. She remembered dehydration had had her in bed, near death. The doctors said her problem was dehydration and an emotional overload, but a broken heart was her diagnosis. The sickness was bad; being without Joel’s love was unbearable. “I will see the doctor soon, but not today. I want to get out.”

  “Let’s go, then.”

  “Ana is coming to meet me, but I’ll give her the day off. I’d very much like to get a breath of fresh air. Our last visit was lovely.”

  Zarah made the call, telling her personal assistant to take the day off.

  Tamara pulled the taxi receipt from her pocket and called the driver back. If Tamara had known they were going to leave so soon, Zarah suspected she probably would have held the taxi.

  “Since the driver just left, he isn’t far away. He’s turning around and coming back. Should be a short wait,” Tamara said.

  Zarah didn’t mind the wait. She was pleased to have a companion.

  “We still have to get our license,” Tamara said.

  “Yes, we must. I will have my husband teach me how to drive here in the U.S.”

  “You rely on Joel a lot, don’t you?” Tamara asked.

  Zarah was uncomfortable, not knowing the right answer. In her family, dependence on one’s husband was honorable. She was being obedient, but the way Tamara asked made it seem wrong. She didn’t want to lose her new friend, the only person who spent time with her.

  “He is my husband and I respect his wishes.”

  Tamara couldn’t imagine total submission. “Is it working out for you?” she asked Zarah, keeping watch for the taxi. Processing the concept was difficult, let alone applying it to her own life. She actually liked Zarah, and would like her more once the shroud of Joel’s dominance was ripped away. “You know men like gutsy women who can stand on their own.”

  “My culture has roles for women and for men.”

  “Mine too, but I decide how I’m going to be treated, not my culture.” The response was automatic. Had Tamara taken an extra second, she would have refrained, not wanting to offend Zarah. Culture, like family sins, was heaped on a person without their say. Zarah wasn’t any different from Tamara when it came to where they were, clawing their way out of a ditch created by the men in their lives. The taxi hadn’t arrived. They kept talking. Tamara wasn’t wasting a moment with Zarah. Tamara needed to gain her trust as quickly as possible. “If you want my advice, take charge. Show Joel you’re exciting and full of spunk. Show him another side of you.”

  “What shall I do?”

  Tamara decided to go for it, putting the notion out there and getting a read on Zarah’s reaction. “Buy your father’s company and run it. Not Joel; you do it.” Zarah listened as Tamara continued. “Sell me the West Coast division. I’ll take the tiny group and turn it into my own large company. All I need is a seed to get started.”

  Zarah was processing the suggestion but didn’t pounce as enthusiastically as Tamara would have liked. “I don’t want to run a company. I want to take care of a family.”

  “Fine, then hire a strong team of people you can trust and who can run your company.”

  “I trust my husband; let him do it.”

  Trust and men were incompatible, never to exist together. Whether she sold the division to Tamara or not, Zarah had to get real and take charge. Tamara would settle for no less. Women couldn’t be totally dependent upon men. Watching Zarah cling to Joel nauseated her. “Where do you think Joel is right now?”

  “In Chicago for business,” Zarah said with an element of certainty.

  “With whom?”

  Zarah couldn’t answer.

  “For how long?”

  No answer.

  “Has he ever offered to take you with him?”

  “No,” Zarah said, sounding downtrodden.

  No cause to fret, Tamara thought. The solution was to take charge and regain power. She was gladly willing to offer an encouraging push.

  “Do you really believe he’s there for business? Think about it. Why would he go so often, stay so long, when he doesn’t have a job or a company there? I can only think of one answer: another woman.” Tamara didn’t want to be cruel but Zarah had to know. This wasn’t about coercing her into selling the division. This was one woman encouraging another to regain the power a man had snatched from her and was keeping in a stranglehold.

  “I can’t bear the thought of another woman. He’s my-y husband.”

  “Then make him act like it.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Make him treat you right. There’s no justification for you sitting in this big house by yourself half the time and socializing with the housekeeper, the cook, and your assistant the rest of the time.” Tamara couldn’t quite relax. Joel was a wild card who could return home without notice and would be quite upset with Tamara. Until he surfaced, she would continue destroying his yoke of bondage over Zarah. “What did your father leave you in his will?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You better find out. He probably left you everything as his only child.” Tamara was fueled by the suspicion that Joel was manipulating Zarah’s money and independence.

  “I don’t care about the money. It doesn’t bring me happiness.”

  Wake up, Zarah, Tamara almost screamed. “Don’t you understand? If you have the money, for men like Joel, you have him too.”

  She could tell the cobwebs were finally being cleared away and Zarah was thinking.

  “I never had to worry about business with my father. Maybe I can find out about my father’s will from his attorney.”

  “Joel isn’t your father.” He didn’t appear to be a husband either. “He’s not supposed to take your worries away. He’s supposed to love, respect, and protect you. He should make you feel like the most important person on earth.” Zarah’s eyes watered but not a drop fell.

  The taxi pulled into their driveway, moving slowly. It was about time. If Tamara hadn’t been talking with Zarah all this while, she would have been upset about the wait.

  “Excuse me, I have to go inside,” Zarah said, covering her mouth and holding her stomach.

  That pesky virus was disrupting Tamara’s afternoon again. Zarah had to hurry up and get over the bug. Distractions weren’t welcome. Two meetings down and she had no idea how many more to go before Zarah would consider selling her the division. Tamara stood near the taxi waiting patiently for Zarah. Time was short but there were a few minutes to spare. Joel was most likely far enough away to pose no threat.

  chapter

  46

  Sunday morning ushered in another day of reflection. Days and nights had blended since Don’s meeting with Tamara and Abigail midweek. He had to shed the distress, not allowing seeds of resentment or excessive disappointment to take hold. Forgiveness was his weapon to defeat the emotional and spiritual attacks. Reconciliation was his path to recovery. His pride made him want to stand up and retaliate against those who wronged him, but God’s word had been deposited in his spirit, saturating his conscience, and wouldn’t be silenced. The time of his greatest despair was the precise moment to forgive and let go. It was a mandatory step in the journey to healing and restoration. Depleted and struggling, Don decided to go where he’d get answers and a surge of hope.

  He gave Abigail a call.

  “Don, this is a surprise. I don’t think you’ve called me on a Sunday morning since we went to church together earlier this year.”

  “That’s why I’m calling. You feel like going to Greater Faith Chapel with me? I need a dose of inspiration.”

  “I don’t know, Don. You’re not going to use this as an opportunity to ta
lk me into staying on board, are you?”

  “No, not at all, this is about church, nothing more.” He could easily go alone and wouldn’t hesitate if she said no, but hopefully she wasn’t going to.

  “I’ll go. Do you want me to meet you there?” she asked.

  “I’ll pick you up around a quarter after nine.”

  Don would dress right after calling Tamara. He wasn’t pleased with her actions, but she was his sister, flaws included.

  “Tamara, I’m calling to see if you’re interested in going to church with me. I figured we could shake off our disagreement and start over today. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s early, Don, and I’m sleepy.”

  “Come on, Tamara, you’re coming up with excuses. Give us a chance to work out the issue. Church is neutral territory. You’ll be safe.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’m passing. Sleep is more appealing. You have fun.”

  Don wasn’t going to push. They ended the call and he got dressed. An hour and a half from the time he called Abigail, he was sitting in front of her town house. She got into his car. “I’m glad you’re coming with me.”

  “Why not? If I wasn’t going to Greater Faith Chapel, I’d be going to my church anyway,” she said.

  Don didn’t let awkwardness prevail. This was Abigail, his beloved friend. They had to work beyond her discontent with him and the Mitchell family. He would do his part. “We haven’t talked much since you submitted your resignation.”

  “I haven’t been avoiding you if that’s what you mean. I’ve been busy at the office.”

  “Actually, I didn’t mean anything,” he said. Personally, Don wanted to see Abigail fulfilled, but professionally he needed her to stay on board for at least six months. He knew what would have taken precedence with Joel. The company would have come first. Maybe it was to his detriment, Don thought, but the bonds of love had a tighter grip on him than selfish desires. He had to support Abigail, and what a difficult feat that was going to be with DMI in its current state. “I want you to know directly from me: I admire you. I appreciate what you’ve done for me, for the company, for my family—you name it, you’ve been there, and I want to say thank you.”