Chapter 2
The matter of Mr. Swindley’s disappearance was troubling, even though he had been replaced. Why would a man who had been with the organization, almost from inception, suddenly up and leave? Richard pondered this as he nibbled at the stale bagel on his counter. Jasmine was with her mom this week and the cook was given the day off. The fridge was full of options, but since the divorce, the smell of bacon in the morning gave him bad memories and hence it was no longer prepared in his family kitchen.
Thoughts drifted from his business to his family life, or lack thereof and then back to business. The lawsuit they were facing would not put Tabletop in financial ruin, but it certainly would dent the company image. Products were still being churned out at the factory and flying off shelves, but when all the details were revealed in open court it would surely impact their steady following of economy customers who relied on them for affordable furnishings.
Tabletop produced plastic and resin furniture that resembled the finest of hand carved wooden tables, chairs and any other item usually made of hardwood. The pieces usually snapped and locked together like children’s blocks, but with much more security. Patents filed in the US and most developed countries, secured their leadership position in the marketplace and also satisfied the company mandate to save trees with every furniture piece produced.
Richard gazed at the clock on the wall, monogrammed with the company seal of an oak tree with a chair carved into its trunk. The motto engraved along the bottom said ‘Sitting in the present and standing for the future.’ As he considered the timepiece also made of Eco friendly resin from his factory, he wondered how long the pending case would loom for. Fatigue from worrying about every aspect of his life was becoming overwhelming and he was exhausted from the weight.
There was a flutter in the kitchen, distracting Richard from his depressing thoughts and his head snapped around, a blue jay had gotten lost en route to his destination and after circling the kitchen several times he settled for a perch on the stack of fruit near one of the many open windows. Cocking his head to a side as if inspecting Richard, the bird sang and cooed while his human audience looked on. As Richard observed the small creature, it took flight, drifting to the window sill glancing back before floating into the breeze that would take it to his destination-if there was any. For a moment, Richard wished he could join the bird on his adventures where he would no longer have to worry about menial things like money and law suits. He knew he couldn’t fly, but if he died, at least he wouldn’t have to think about such earthly matters again.
*****
The sleek, black entertainment cabinet was flung open and the iPod connected. A selection of the loudest and most abrasive music was chosen and Kimberly hosted a private party for one. A fourth glass of wine down, she held no reservation in pouring another. Celebratory drinks were in order and she would be the one to both celebrate and drink on this momentous occasion.
The quest of finding the ever elusive dream job was over and she was the one with the prize. The package Tabletop offered her was one hundred percent better than her last job and if the Human Resources Manager and CEO were any indication of company culture, she would be joining a warm corporate family.
Speaking of family, Kimberly needed to call her aunt. Yes, she was an independent modern woman in many ways, but the traditions of family and upbringing dictated that she check in at least once a week with her. An older woman, Audrey was still very active and appeared combative to most who met her.
It was this warrior spirit that helped her survive the civil unrests in the south and then discrimination in New Jersey, where she now resided with her youngest daughter, Maya and regal cat, Ebony.
This was Aunt Audrey’s hundredth cat and each one bore the same name. They were the Albino looking variety with pink eyes and almost transparent skin. Maya hated it and paused mid cuss word to answer the phone.
“Hey Maya, what’s up? It’s Kimberly.”
“Yo Cuz, what’s good in the high rise? How are the folk treating you over there?”
“Everything is great! I got a new job today, where is your mom?”
Maya didn’t like people to know Audrey was her mother because she was conceived late in life by a pastor delivering words of comfort after the passing of Audrey’s husband-or so it was rumored. The neighborhood was rife with gossip after Maya was born and as she grew up, she was haunted by questions about her questionable paternity. Audrey abruptly put a stop to all queries after she bitch slapped the nosy neighbor who dared utter in public that the girl was a bastard and ill conceived. The street brawl turned violent when plant pots and garden fixtures were thrown and the neighbor left the battle missing a few teeth.
It was after that they moved to New Jersey and subsequently all fights, street brawls and brash behavior were put to one side and seventy five year old Audrey finally became a lady.
Her voice could be mistaken for a man’s but Kimberly knew well it was her when a gruff voice barked hello into the phone.
“Aunt Audrey! How are you, it’s Kimberly.”
“Hey darlin, this is the second time you called this week, is everything ok?”
“More than ok auntie, I got a new job today.”
“I didn’t know you were looking! Congrats honey. Any word on a husband? This one here isn’t giving me any grand babies and my time in the world is measured. Y’all gonna let me die without seeing the next generation?”
Kimberly had anticipated the question, or demand as it often sounded and the same answer was there, ready to fire back at the old woman.
“I am not ready yet auntie, I can’t be tied down to a man and children right now. I have a career and that’s all I wanna focus on right now. But soon auntie, real soon.”
“Been hearing that same song for years now girl. Don’t be distracted from the things that really matter in life child. When poor Ali passed it was the most devastating thing, but I would never have made it without hearing him and seeing him every day. Love is important sweetheart. Don’t you lose sight of that when you are raking in the money. You hear me girl?”
Aunt Audrey’s tone was more solemn than usual and this concerned Kimberly a great deal. Watching her toes wiggle in the strands of the colorful modern carpet, she waited in silence to be sure the old woman was done with her words of wisdom. A raspy cough punctuated Audrey’s words and she rested for a while before continuing.
“Anyway, enough rambling from someone old enough to remember Nixon. Where is this new job and are they paying you better than the last place?”
She was old and this allowed Audrey to ask questions that would be considered rude by the average person.
“Yes ma’am, they are good people and the benefits are decent. I think it’s a good fit for me. I start in the morning.”
“Well best of luck to you and I hope you are blessed with every good thing that you desire. Keep your eyes out for a good God fearing man. I want to see you happy Kim. We love you.”
“I love you guys too auntie. Look out for the wire transfer on Monday.”
“Alright honey. Bye.”
The line went dead in Kimberley’s ear as she ran the conversation through her head. When the screeching tone pounded in her ear, she clicked the off button but didn’t move.
So much pressure all around to be married and have children. She didn’t mind the husband so much, but was apprehensive of the children that came along with the institution of marriage. Her mother was horrible. Even though Kimberly was raised by other women who were strong and mostly morally upright, the fear that she would end up treating any children she bore the way her mother did her, haunted Kimberly’s thoughts every time the subject came up.
Crack and booze were the staples that held the loose fabric of Camilla’s life together. Yes, she needed to mind Kimberly but the pimp didn’t care if one had children or not- money had to be made. Prostitution was conducted in the daytime at many elite places in America, but Camilla’s trade was plied at night on the dark dangerous streets and often, Kimberly was left alone.
Her mother didn’t prepare dinner and with a tummy growling, an ambitious Kimberly decided to cook the one box of Mac and cheese in the otherwise empty cupboard. The salt shaker on the counter sang as she added the salt and after the artificial orange cheese was stirred into the soupy pasta, she was satisfied that she had done an excellent job.
Jeopardy was on. The show intrigued Kimberly because there were a few black people who had made it to the finals and this proved to her that not all of her kind were as stupid as the media made them out to be.
The smoke was faint at first, but then billowed through the small door of the greasy kitchen door and drifted into the dining room, enveloping the ugly, floral Formica chairs. On her last forkful, Kimberly lifted her head to see the curls of smoke enveloping her head and instantly went into a panic. Should she call 911? Should she try to turn off the stove? Where was the door?
As it turns out, all options would be closed to young Kimberly as the room became more filled with white and gray clouds. It ended up on the ten o’clock news. The fire fighters descending from a tenth story window of semi neglected apartment building, a rag of a girl flopped over his shoulder.
Six months would elapse before Granny Jenna would gain custody of her and try to fix what Kimberly’s cracked out mother had permanently damaged. It would be another six months before Camilla would commit suicide committing Granny Jenna to a lifetime of remorse. She had failed in her mission to raise a good child.
The law was laid down for Kimberly and she followed it to the letter. Granny was not going to let another one slip through the cracks of the ghetto and her grandmother was more proud than Kimberly when she was called to The Bar. Young, black and a lawyer. Surely Jenna had raised a rose among the thorns of the streets. Redeemed, she died a happy woman.
*****
Jasmine was home. She was happy because her mother had gotten her a new easel for her painting and it was her priority to check it out. Her kiss to her father was customary, but somewhat more abrupt than usual as she rushed up the stairs, following the butler who had gone before her.
Richard stared after his daughter with a hint of sadness in his eye. His little girl was growing up and soon thoughts of boys and parties would fill her head. What would her old lonely father do all by himself when she went off? Stop it Richard, he though. Life is not over. You act like the world is coming to an end. Sufficiently chastised, his hands drifted over the paper where he tried to concentrate on his writing.
This was his second year on this book and he was growing frustrated with the characters. The main man was on a quest to his destiny around the world and Richard had him stuck in China simply because his mind wouldn’t generate anymore interesting adventures for him after the monastery visit he last wrote.
For the second time today, he found himself thinking about the woman he had hired on impromptu. They were not professional thoughts and that was what bothered him. Kimberly’s references had checked out. The law firm she worked for had said she was a diligent worker with great standards and a brilliant work ethic. He had of course spoken to her supervisor who was a friend. Shelly Deer knew of Kimberly’s dramatic exit from the company and felt it justified. She had tried time and time again to tell the partners that were shoveling extra work on Kimberly unnecessarily, and one of the ole boys made a quip about color and servitude. It was then that Shelly knew there would be no chance of equality for her friend and was more than happy she had told the boss to shove it. Shelly’s friends called her a liberal. She called herself a human and inside her white skin, she deeply believed there was hope for mankind.
Kimberly would be starting in the morning and even though he wasn’t due to go into work, Richard would be there. Making certain she settled in was going to be a personal point of his. He hoped the greeting wouldn’t appear too eager.
There was a strange stiffening in his pants as he stood observing her in the office and it caught him off guard. In his former days, he dated exclusively white women and only after his visit to Asia did he venture outside of a western woman. The sudden stirring movement below his belt in the presence of Kimberly was unusual and foreign. Richard didn’t know how he felt about it and decided to leave it alone. Only when he awoke around three am covered in sweat from an almost wet dream did he realize he was smitten.
*****
The building of Tabletop industries was glass on the interior for a good degree. The escalators were encased in glass and so were the cubicle sections. Only the offices of management had solid wood doors, but Richard was satisfied that the glassy image communicated the transparency he wanted the company to depict.
He was chatting to the receptionist when Richard spotted Kimberly setting foot on the escalator on the lower level. From there, she would cross the lobby and enter the elevator where he would be waiting for her. He was the boss. Richard decided that he wouldn’t worry if someone deemed his escort of her overzealous.
With the ping of the elevator doors, Kimberly stepped into the foyer of her new place of work, ready to face the day of orientation. Richard stuck out his hand and offered her a welcome handshake which she returned with vigor. Why the hell was this man waiting for her at the elevator? Did they change their mind about hiring her?
Suspiciously, Kimberly followed him down the hallway she had walked before. This time they approached another elevator and went up another two floors. Like the escalators, this one too was transparent and gave a view of the busy street below. Kimberly reminded herself to take the stairs back down.
She is so short, Richard thought to himself. Kimberly wore pink today. The dress ended just above her knees and fit her hips perfectly. Height offered him a vantage point of her breasts that seemed to be heaving as the elevator ascended and the small owl pendant around her neck quivered. The top of the dress was abstract with pastel colors that only accentuated her skin that seemed to glow as the sun and artificial light mixed together, streaming into the moving box. The familiar braid at the back of her head hung loosely, but not a hair was out of place.
On the walk to his office, Kimberly pointed out that she wouldn’t be taking the elevator back down and Richard resisted the urge to laugh at her silly fright. Her heels were dangerously high, but she balanced with the poise of a lady, never stumbling, only gliding. Opening the door, Kimberly accepted his invitation inside and Richard found that he was making a habit of watching her ass, which was much more ample than he was accustomed to. Suddenly aware of the half eaten sandwich on his desk, he swept it aside nervously and sat without speaking. When Kim cleared her throat, he remembered that he was the boss and he invited her here, so he was going to be the one doing most of the talking.
“Once again Ms. Walsh, let me welcome you to Tabletop and encourage you to approach anyone of the senior staff for assistance. Everyone has been briefed on your position and will be more than willing to help you with anything you need.”
“The pleasure is all mine. I can’t wait to delve into whatever you need. I am a hard worker and I don’t quit until the task is complete, so bring it on.”
That she spoke with such ease and candidness was pleasing to Richard who had become accustomed to half answers and diverted eyes when people talked to him. Kimberly maintained eye contact as she responded and this made Richard like her even more. Nodding enthusiastically at her positive response he continued.
“Now, I suspect that working here will be a bit different from working at a law firm. You won’t have any external clients and your main responsibility is to keep me... Well, the company rather, happy and legally protected. Other things like contracts and patents will fall under your portfolio and whenever we open a plant or retail store, you will be the one to make certain we follow the letter of the law.”
Inside, she was jumping for joy. This would be a cake walk compared to the sweatshop of Goldman & Parks. Just one client. Kimberly was positive she would nail it.
Glancing around the office, she observed that, though the office was well decorated, it lacked warmth. The pictures that usually filled the walls of the well accomplished stood bare and the mantle above the unused fireplace was devoid of plaques of trophies. Either Richard didn’t have anything to shout about or he didn’t spend much time here-maybe it was both.
Assessing that he was a bachelor without children was mostly correct on Kimberly’s part, but she didn’t dare ask personal questions. As she awoke from her mental ramblings, she found Richard pondering her face and she was immediately conscious.
“Is there something on my face?” She asked while looking around for a tissue to clean any blemish that may have suddenly landed on her. Richard turned into a deep shade of pink as he stammered and reassured her that she was fine.
Maybe he should have used a different word but fine was very appropriate. Kimberly was attractive and it was getting in the way of his concentration. Her eyes were doleful and innocent but when she blinked her dark eyes became hooded with mystery and this added to her alluring persona.
“I apologize for staring,” he laughed. “I get lost in my own little world sometimes.”
Straightening his jacket and shifting uncomfortably, he made note of the legal issues that would arise from sexually harassing an employee- a lawyer at that. He needed to focus on the job at hand not how her mouth closed into a pout when she finished speaking or how her chest heaved when she was excited. Richard didn’t miss the fleck of fire in her eyes when she passionately expressed her admiration of their company motto. He had found a keeper-in more ways than one.
Now it was time for the dirty work. Tabletop industries were being sued for negligence. A chair they had manufactured was allegedly responsible for the death of a customer and consequently, a recall of the entire batch of chairs leaving the facility around the same time was issued. Millions in revenue were lost and when the case hit the airwaves, they could expect a further impact.
Millie Thomas was an old lady in the Suburbs who was gaining weight steadily and had ignored the threshold warning for the chair. Ballooning at six hundred pounds, she had flopped down into the chair after a brief walk to the mailbox. Hitting her head as she went, she became unconscious and was still, to this day, in a coma at a hospice for the terminally ill. She was not expected to recover.
As he recounted the story to Kimberly, she became quiet and pensive. Having dealt with these types of matters before, she was confident that it could be resolved out of court and stated this to Richard but he had more news.
Initially, the family had accepted the out of court deal of a quarter of a million dollars, but then, Millie’s vulnerable daughter was approached by a group who targets large manufacturers and the feeding frenzy had started. The Citizens With a Say had hired a lawyer on the behalf of the family and had filed the suit a year earlier. CWS didn’t gain much traction in the media and only a few small newspapers had reported the matter. Richard himself had read such an article near the obituaries just over the ad for chicken at ninety cents per pound. It bothered him all the same.
Kimberly reclined in her chair as she listened to the layman version of the story, knowing full well she would have to look over the files herself to draw her own professional opinion. Crossing her legs at the knees, she tilted her chin pensively and Richard did all he could not to stare at the exposed legs on display before him. His wife had been a thin woman and it was a look he thought he enjoyed. Lately, he had been feeling quite different.
Kimberly’s were solid. The knee fanned out into a smooth thigh and disappeared under her skirt to meet her wide hips. He was looking directly ahead and listening to her views on the situation, but his focus was not on company business-it was all personal.
She had finished a while and was now glancing around at the bare walls bored. Announcing that she should get to work and standing, abruptly cutting his view short, she paused expecting him to escort her back to the elevator at least. Instead, Richard simply leaned over and shook her hand as he wished her a good day leaving Kimberly perplexed by the sudden dismissal. Clicking the door closed after she swayed though it, Richard exhaled and wiped his brow. As a gentleman, he should have walked her out, but he could not. His smaller head was talking and arguing with his brain to ask Kimberly out. Looking for attention, it stood erect under his desk.