A Billion Reasons (Wish 8)

19 - RIP

"No, thank you. You can go straight up. Do you know your way?"

He nodded, and under his breath, he said, "I've been to hell before."

Instead of down into the fire, he traveled up to the thirty-seventh floor. A woman with a wireless phone headset greeted him.

"Mr. Whitby is running behind schedule. Coffee?"

He waved her off and took a seat in an uncomfortable chair. His father liked to make everyone uncomfortable. He looked up to see the perfect vision.

"Deidre, can I get on his schedule for a moment."

"Certainly Ms. Calhoun. He'll see you next."

Of course, he would keep his son waiting.

She wore a narrow skirt and high heels. It was the uniform of millions of businesswomen, but no other looked as perfect as her. She turned towards the seating area and smiled.

"This is a surprise. I didn't know you could find this building."

"Ha, ha." He responded dryly as he stood for her.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "You look good."

She brushed his shoulder to remove lint. His body went haywire in her presence. Like a deadman walking, he grasped at his last meal.

"If I never have another drink and work every day, would you dump your jock and come back to me?"

A smile didn't quite reach her face. "I'll always love you, but not like I do Ben. We were best friends and our first everything, but we were just kids. It wasn't just that one night, I saw a different future than you. I hate the phrase, but I was right. I have dedicated myself to work and you just haven't."

"Even if I have?"

She smiled. "Ben's a great guy. You'd like him." Monty would bet his fortune on a big fat 'no way'. "I never felt for anyone how I feel for Ben. He's my future. I am in love with him."

"Just punch a guy when he's down."

She laughed. "I always love your sense of humor."

"I wasn't joking. I never stopped loving you." By the time he said the last two words, they were a faint whisper. He was bleeding out.

She lunged at him and hugged him. "I'm sorry I never loved you enough. Don't forget, I'll always be your friend and on your side against your father."

"He won't treat you like his favorite."

She sighed into his ear. "All I ever wanted was him to treat you like a father should."

He squeezed her closer. "Are you sure I can't change your mind?"

The familiar clearing of a throat interrupted her answer. He wanted to whisper don't let go, but she was too quick as she pulled back and turned around.

"Montgomery, I need a few minutes, but I'll come back since your son is waiting."

"Now's fine. You're more important." His voice changed to commanding. "Monty, come. You can sit while I speak to Sloane."

Sloane turned towards him and tilted her head and frowned. For him, it wasn't enough that she still cared.

Once in his father's large office, Sloane said, "I'll be to the point..."

Monty didn't listen to what she said. Her lips moving mesmerized him. When he was sent away to get better, there was a community room with a small selection of DVDs. A girl used to play Pretty Woman repeatedly. The hooker in the movie taught him kissing was too personal. The mouth talking about security was the last he had devoured.

His lips hadn't been retired completely, but they focused on other female anatomy. Perhaps it was the foolish decision of a boy which guided him for years. Realizing those plush pink lips would never tease his lips, constricted his fractured heart.

He startled slightly when she turned and said, "Monty, he's all yours. Thanks for letting me go first."

He hadn't. "I don't have much time. I have a therapy session to discuss my Daddy issues."

Sloane frowned but kept walking. Montgomery said, "Your only issues are that your mother pampered and spoiled you."

Monty bit his tongue. His father's comment was typical. "Why am I here?"

"Because this is your legacy. You know nothing about our business."

"I know you allowed foreign hackers to compromise your customers because you had antiquated systems in place. Now you are so proud of the one you wish was your child for saving you. I know the resort in Malaysia had a horrible laundry service, a rude front desk employee and..."

"I read your report. It was well written. I want more feedback. I also want you to be more involved. I don't plan to retire, which is good because you may never be ready to take over."

"My birthright." The words tasted sour.

His father nodded. "You need to straighten up and stop screwing around and take steps towards a legitimate heir."

"You mean find a woman worthy of being a Whitby, love optional."

"That's entirely up to you, but Whitbys don't divorce."

He couldn't unpack his statement. "And they don't have fidelity either."

"You imagine things which are false." His father was a hypocrite.

"Can we finish so I can leave?"

"I have a list."

The older man handed him a neat list of mostly hotels, but some restaurant chains and retail stores. They had other businesses from manufacturing to services, but the in person consumer entities were the focus. He scanned it.

"Scranton. Grand Rapids, Toledo. You're kidding me." The list continued. He read some large cities he could work with, but he preferred back roads. Whitby didn't have interests in small towns. If they did, the old man wasn't concerned about them. The cities on the list couldn't satisfy his own interests. "How about LA and Chicago? Large cities?"

"This is where you're needed."

"May I be excused?"

His father had already started reviewing papers on his desk. He waved his hand to dismiss him.

He would have plenty to discuss at his session between his father and his final rejection. He had enough time for lunch. He slipped into the restaurant across the street and sat at the bar.

"Scotch, neat."

He lifted the light glass to his lips. To my heart, RIP.