WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Moving forward

Drake

I open my eyes to darkness and look at the clock.  The time was in that awkward stage of being too early to get up,  but too late to go back to sleep. I huffed and grabbed a cold pillow. Someone told me that closing my eyes and resting was better than worrying about not sleeping.  I didn’t know how true it was,  but in this purgatory, it was the best I could hope for. 

Except Toni’s words came through to repeat through my brain like they had since yesterday.   I sighed. This wasn’t going to work. I sat up and switched on the light then glared at the time.  I was lucky this building had a gym. Hopefully, the exercise will help deafen the noise inside my head.

An hour later, I came back to the apartment a lot sweatier but feeling strangely calm.  The repetitiveness of the sets on the weight machines had organised my thoughts.  Even if Toni was apathetic to me,  she was passionate about people with disabilities, and she was excited to work with me on formalising the company hiring policy.

Even if all we have is the time we spend making this experiment into a formal policy, it’s more time with Toni than I’ve had since we got married.  And this time there are no distractions.  Just us working together.

I jumped in the shower,  feeling a little lighter.  One bonus of waking up this early was that I could have a decent shower and breakfast before Monty came to pick me up.  I considered sending him a message to pick me up early and we could take the long way to the office.  I shook my head. I’ll do that on Saturday.  I’ll get him to take me to the beach.

I bounced up the stairs to the first floor. I surveyed the empty rooms with their lights over the doorways and remembered Toni’s impressed look.  I sighed contentedly.  I was on the right track to becoming a decent human being. That was the goal that I’d set myself.

I pushed my shoulders back proudly and jogged to the elevator. Today was going to be a good day,  no matter what.

I switched on the light as I entered my office. All the mess I’d left yesterday was cleared away,  it was ready for a new day of strategising. Time to take over the world.

Toni

I woke sluggishly. Technically, I had a full night’s sleep,  if you didn’t count the constant wake-ups.  I was grateful that I’d been able to get back to sleep after stirring, but I still felt like I was fighting a hangover. 

I rolled out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom, feeling double my age.  It was getting frustrating,  I just wanted to feel normal and not have to wake up each day wondering how much energy I’d have and what my priorities for the day were to spend the energy on. 

I gripped the doorway and paused for a break. Ok, today’s going to be a bad day. I really wanted to follow up with Drake about the hiring policies, but today should be a bed day. I rested my head against the frame and thought about how to handle this.  Drake knew me,  and my condition had been a lot worse when we separated. A small smile crossed my face. I can make the call from bed. It wouldn’t be the first time that I’d conducted business in my pyjamas, and it wouldn’t be the last.

I let the team know that I was on a low-energy day today, and they kicked into action.  Food was brought for me,  my work pulled onto an over-bed table, and the most helpful part was Risa choosing a soft work shirt and helping me put it on. She also quickly did some make-up.  It always amazed me how much Risa helped by taking over my clothing choices.  The fact that I didn’t have to use what little energy I had choosing what to wear or how to look was a huge relief, and she seemed to enjoy it.
“Thank you everyone.” I sighed.

The call came through mid-morning from Edward, who had taken on my legal requirements.
‘Are you sure Toni?” He asked after going through the contract with me, “are you sure you want to do this?”
I rested my head back on the pillows behind me.
“Edward,  it’s my vision chiming to fruition.  A successful business that celebrates disabilities. Drake had set up true diversity and I want a part of it.”
“But you’ll be working with Drake directly.” He pointed out. 

It was time to clear the air.  We’d all heard the rumours that Mother Dearest was not so cherished anymore.
“Edward,  whose idea was the pregnancy debacle?”
“Bitchface,” he answered, barely hiding his smile. I chuckled,
“You really hate her don’t you?” I observed. He sighed shaking his head.
“His father wanted a big family.  He wanted as many kids as he could.  She destroyed his dream and then trapped him in the marriage.  She’s a manipulative bitch. I’m not surprised that Drake failed. Although if the rumours are true that he’s keeping her in a home, I’ll be very proud of him.  That’s something his father wasn’t able to do.” Edward said. I nodded wearily.
“How about I make you a deal?  If Mother Dearest is involved in any way, I’m out. But I doubt she will be.  She hated imperfection,  which included disabilities.”
“Ok Toni, I’ll agree to this,  but you be careful.”
“I will Edward.  I promise.”