Chapter 8
Kendall
I woke up as Bo licked my face, it appeared he had responded well to his medication, so, at least I wouldn’t have to be so concerned about him during the day. Another good thing was I only had today and tomorrow remaining before I could tell Elijah to shove his job where the sun doesn’t shine.
***
I arrived at work and noticed that Elijah’s car wasn’t in the car park which I thought strange, even though he was a total prick, there was no denying his commitment to the company and his work ethics. But maybe he just had one drink too many last night. That made sense.
I exited the elevator and walked across to Jefferson’s desk, “Yo, Jefferson, how’s it hanging?” I said with a giggle.
“Hey homey, it's hanging okay for this time of day,” he laughed at our fun.
“You see any sign of Elijah? His car is not in the lot,” I said with a puzzled look on my face.
“Not seen him, and don’t care if I don’t see him at all today!” He grinned at me and winked.
“While the cat’s away, the mice will play and all that eh?” I replied.
“You got it, girl, make the most of it, it won’t happen very often,” he added.
I returned to my desk and got the day’s duties underway, I answered a few calls for Elijah, but I had nothing to tell them, I had not seen him. "I didn’t know when to expect him in," wasn’t an answer they wished to hear.
I had one call from Mr. Roddenberry who was Elijah’s personal lawyer, yet I had thoughts that he was much more than that. He asked where Elijah was as he had the information he wanted, but he wouldn’t leave a message, which I thought was a bit strange.
***
I had a normal day up until just before lunch when Peter came into to the office. He had a worried look on his face which was unusual for him. He was generally a laid-back sort of guy that everyone wished Elijah had been. He wore blue jeans and a dark sweater. His face didn’t match his casual clothes.
“Hi, Peter. What’s wrong? Oh my, you look worried. It’s not something Elijah has said, is it?” I asked.
“No, no, nothing like that, he has been in a serious accident,” he said looking distraught.
“My God, is he okay? Is there anything I can do?” I replied.
“It’s alright, just give me any messages to do with work, and I’ll take care of it for him,” he said.
“Of course, whatever you and he need, just let me know,” I said
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” he’s lucky to have you as an employee. “He does think highly of you.”
“So, how did it happen, the accident?” I asked Peter as he took a seat and a deep breath.
“They are not sure why it happened, but he did show signs of alcohol in his blood so he must have been drinking. They found him and his bike on the mile flat between here and the other side of the hill,” he said.
“What was he doing all the way over there?” I asked with a puzzled expression om my face.
“He goes out on his bike sometimes to let off steam, he has always said the pressures stay out of his head that way, and it’s the only time he feels totally free,” Peter said.
“You did say they know how it happened,” I asked with concern.
“Ah, yes, the emergency services and the police reckon he was at top speed on his bike and drove straight into that freezing rain we had. They said, there was no way he would have been able to control it at that speed, especially if he was trying to slow down as the road would have become very slippery very quickly,” Peter explained.
“So, is he in a conscious condition or what?” I asked.
“He’s in a critical condition, but they said it could have been much worse. Had he not worn such a good jacket and helmet, the speed he crashed and hit the road at would have cut straight through,” he said.
"He was extremely lucky then, and he was lucky someone actually found him, he could have been lying there all night,” I replied as my stomach sickened from the news.
“Of course, he has a broken shoulder and a heavy concussion which is the biggest concern,” Peter said with his head bowed. “The doctors actually said that the traces of alcohol might have helped his body relax as he fell from his bike. So, it could have been much worse if he had not been drinking.”
“Anyway, I need to get back to the hospital and see how he’s getting on, just let me know if there are any messages for him, or if there is anything else that I need to do," Peter got up and started to walk back toward the elevator.
I sat and thought about what Peter just told me. I had a feeling of remorse for all the bad things I said about him over the past couple of weeks. I mean, he might be a dick, but he’s a human after all, and no one deserves for that to happen to them, no matter what anyone says.
There was no way I could go straight home, so I called Mandy to see if she was available for a chat. She told me she was always available for me, after all, that’s what friends are for, she reminded me.
I arrived at Mandy’s house, and as always, she stood waiting at the door, she sensed there was something wrong by the way I shuffled toward her house, with my head bowed rather than looking at her. She came out with some sarcastic comment anyway.
“So, what brings a girl like you out on a night like this, eh?” she asked. “And why the hunched shoulders? What’s up?”
“It’s Elijah, he has…” I started to say.
“Don’t tell me the dick has been shouting his mouth off again?” she asked as she screwed her mouth up in disgust.
“I wish it were that easy, he has been in a bad motorcycle accident and is in a critical condition, Peter came and told me just before lunch time.” Tears blurred my vision.
“Well, if you ask me, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Obviously, he deserved it, and he does deserve everything that comes his way,” she said in an angry tone.
“Now come on Mandy, that is a little unfair, no one deserves that to happen to them,” I retorted in anger.
“Well he has been a total dick toward you. You should stop being so naïve with everything,” she replied.
“Well I’m not like you, maybe that is the difference between a city girl and a country girl?” I asked. “Accidents happen, and they are forced on people no matter who they are, that is why they are called accidents.”
“Well, in my eyes, it might make him realize a few things, he’s not as immortal and unbreakable as he thought he was,” she said. “He’s just human after all, just like you and me, and no matter how much money or power you have, there is no way you can avoid something like this.”
“I see your point, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a person and a person shouldn’t be blamed for being on the receiving end of an accident. Mandy, we should have some compassion rather than being bitter and twisted toward people like this while they are vulnerable,” I said with a sarcastic smile.
“So, you think I’m bitter and twisted, do you?” Mandy replied with a chuckle.
“Well you do have quite a blunt outlook on life, you make everything black or white, right or wrong. It's like there is no middle ground,” I said.
“Ah, it’s the middle ground where confusion sets in, that is where most people’s problems start from.” She pointed her finger to emphasize the point.
“I wished I could look at life so simply, I have feelings, and I know that people have the same feelings, no matter who they are or what their attitude is toward everyone else,” I said as I held back my tears. “There are times, I can see it in his eyes, that is when he’s not screaming at someone, I think deep down he’s afraid of something, and he just needs someone to help him conquer his fears,” I said with a sympathetic expression on my face.
“In Elijah’s case, it’s obvious something made him go out on his motorcycle and want to be free from everything. Fuck, what was he thinking and what could someone have done to prevent him from shooting off?” Mandy said.
“I don't know. But he’s going to be needing someone now, and I probably know him better than anyone apart from Peter.” I said with an obligation.
“Don’t tell me you have had second thoughts about leaving,” Mandy said in a shocked voice.
“Well, you know, I do like the job, and now it may be different, he may be different. We know people can have some trauma and their whole personality changes. Maybe it will bring out the best in him,” I said.
“I’m not sure Elijah has a good side, or if he has, it’s so well hidden it will take more than an accident to reveal it, he will probably be bragging about how he survived a fatal accident. Yeah, another thing he can say to charm a woman into his bed no doubt.” Mandy returned from the kitchen with a refill of our coffee cups.
“I think now is not the ideal time to leave, even if not for him, the business needs someone, and Peter is not in a position to always be available to help out. And anyway, he’s not up to speed on how the company functions on a daily basis,” I said.
“God, you make it sound like you are the boss’ wife,” Mandy said with a laugh.
"What?"
“Kendall Hanson... Elijah returns from the dead, and beds a virgin, just think of those headlines in the news, you could be famous,” Mandy said as she choked on her coffee in a laugh.
“Fuck you, Mandy, you know I’m just a little inexperienced in the love department, unlike you, spread them and bed them,” I said a bit pissed with her, now.
“I might have had a few men, but it has all been my choice, I have never been swayed by anyone if I didn’t want to do it. I’m in control, not them and certainly not their cocks,” she replied as she clenched her fist to show her strength.
“Well enough joviality, I’m being serious, I may just give it a little longer before quitting, I would feel better in myself if I hang around until he’s fit again,” I added.
“I know you would, and I’m not going to stop you, even though I have different opinions. Because it would eat you up if you walked out on your 'knight in shining armor,'” Mandy said with a Cheshire grin.
“I can see why you are my best friend, you know me just a little too well,” I replied as I threw my arms out to give her a big hug. Gosh, she is so annoying sometimes!