Pink Slips and Glass Slippers (23 page)

Brooke opened her double-door closet and her baby dolls were still lined up. She recalled dressing each doll, cradling them in her arms, and even bathing them. She had always loved children—of all ages—but, especially the innocence of infancy. She longed to nurture her own babies. Brooke hugged her favorite doll—the American Girl replica her father bought for her ninth birthday. She could still hear him proclaiming she was even prettier than the doll.

Brooke noticed her childhood scrapbook in the closet. She carefully opened the tattered cover and laughed—Billy looked adorable in a sailor outfit holding hands with her. She flipped the yellowed pages that crackled with each turn. Memories rekindled like they were still in the present. The pictures of birthday parties and riding horses brought a warmth to Brooke. Her daddy always threw her lavish parties and spoiled her with every gift she asked for. Though he wasn’t in any of the pictures, she knew he was responsible for each one—usually snapping the shots on that oversized camera with the exploding flash. In addition to her daddy, her girlfriends were everything to her. She giggled at an early college picture of “the trio”—Amber, Brandi, and Brooke. Melissa got the prize for the silliest photo—clad in Halloween costume, dressed as Dorothy from
Wizard of Oz
. The old pictures brought back happy times, but the tattered cover of the scrapbook reminded her of the friendships that had faded.

When Brooke met Tanner, everything revolved around him.

Reaching inside her bag, Brooke pulled out the book from Shane,
The Bliss List: The Ultimate Guide to Living the Dream at Work and Beyond!
She had started it, but Dixie-dawg’s office wasn’t the ideal setting for concentration—especially an inspirational career book. Examining the cover, it looked different. Less daunting. Tonight, she wanted to read all of it. She flipped her pink shaded bedside lamp on, and settled beside her doll on the bed that seemed smaller than she remembered. It had been a while since she spent the night in her old room.

Thirty minutes into the book, Brooke was captivated. She could see why Shane loved this book so much. Half the time, she thought the author’s voice was Shane. She even double checked the back cover. Brooke remembered the saying, “When the student’s ready, a teacher appears.” The central message of finding meaning in life—where time stood still—resonated inside. She realized how far she had strayed from her core at Pharmical. Brooke had tried to convince herself she enjoyed the place—partially to keep her own sanity—only to realize now, it was an illusion. Everyone had forewarned her—Todd, her father, Shane, even Melissa—but, she had to do it her way. Not joining Pharmical after acquiring GenSense meant abandoning Tanner’s cause.

Now that Pharmical was shelving leukemia research, Brooke felt helpless. She prayed to the same God who brought her Tanner.

Brooke surveyed the room. I wonder if it’s still there…

She knelt in front of the dresser, then pulled out the bottom drawer. She reached underneath and felt it—her diary. Brooke peeled back the tape, then stared at the faded cover, realizing she hadn’t read her diary in twenty years. Holding it generated a mix of amazement and apprehension. Carefully opening it, she whisked back in time.

She giggled at how she detailed her name— vintage Catholic school penmanship. She sighed, considering the time wasted on math and penmanship—now that calculators were built into everything and keyboards replaced pencils and pens.

Brooke thought it fitting that reading a book about inner discovery and dream realization had led her to her original dream book—her diary. Studying the date of the first entry, she was nine. Not surprising, she wrote about her doll: “This is the greatest birthday ever. I got a doll that looks just like me from my daddy. She sleeps with me every night and I hold her lots. Also I got this diary and a new saddle for my horse Jessie. I can’t wait to ride Jessie tomorrow at my birthday party.”

Leafing through, each page ignited dormant memories. She had forgotten how boy crazy she was, giggling at all the pre-Tanner crushes. Every boy she sat next to made her heart go “boom boom.” She realized how her dreams had evolved—going out with different boys from eleven on, winning races, getting gifts for Christmas and her birthdays. Today, “The Bliss List” recommended writing seven dreams. She returned her diary to its hiding place, then retrieved a blank sheet of paper and began writing her Bliss List:

1. To find a man who loves me for me, lifts me up when I need it, makes me laugh, lets me do things I enjoy, and who’s sexy, but faithful.

2. To live on the ocean and be able to walk the beach holding hands with my dream man at sunrise, sunset, and under the stars.

3. To ride horses.

4. To have children of my own.

Brooke glanced at her closet and smiled at all her dolls looking back at her. She realized she hadn’t written anything about a new job, then continued:

5. To have a job that I love doing, where I make a real difference, and feel a sense of purpose and meaning.

6. To help ease the pain and suffering of the sick.

7. To use my money to truly help others.

Brooke picked the book back up and continued reading through the night—something she hadn’t done in a long time. Near the end of the book, she took a stab at doing her resume, something she normally hated. Yawning, she glanced at her alarm clock—3:18 a.m. —yikes.
Bedtime, I’ll format it on my laptop tomorrow
. Travis had placed her at GenSense without a resume, but she looked forward to dazzling him this time.

Clutching her doll, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit her familiar puffy pink pillow.

At dawn, Weston knocked lightly, then opened Brooke’s door and poked his head inside. He nearly melted. His sleeping daughter evoked so many memories. He recalled her sleeping sweetly with the doll like it was yesterday. One of the first people to purchase the nifty American Girl doll, he couldn’t wait to see her eyes light up beside the illuminated Christmas tree.

Brooke’s eyelids fluttered, then she uttered
Tanner
while still sleeping
.
He wanted to kiss his sweet daughter’s forehead, but decided to let his little princess dream.

***

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“Thanks Mr. Allman, I mean Chase.”

The light turned green, and Chase accelerated slower than usual, “Seriously, Oksana, I don’t know what I’d do without you. I totally forgot about Parker’s birthday.”

“I’m sure you would’ve remembered.”

Chase said, “I don’t know which way’s up anymore.”

Oksana held her hair down as the convertible gathered speed. He reached behind his seat and grabbed a hat, then said, “Here, this will help.”

Oksana inspected the underside of the baseball cap and paused. Chase spotted the blond hair—Brooke’s—and hoped Oksana wouldn’t comment. Without saying a word, she pulled it over her head.

Chase said, “Thank you for going along with me today. I was thinking about getting Parker his own mini fishing pole, but beyond that, I have no idea what to get him.”

Oksana laughed, “You think a Ukrainian girl would know?”

“Probably better than me.”

“I called Miss Stanton at Angel Academy and she gave me some good ideas.”

“That was so smart. I didn’t even think about her, but she’d sure know.”

“Thank you, Mr. Allman.”

“Chase.”

“Sorry. I guess I’m not quite as smart as you say—I can’t get used to calling you by your first name. In Ukraine, is so, how you say, formal.”

“Do you miss home?”

Oksana demurred, “Is different here. Ukraine, girls do not wear blue jeans, hoodies, or flip flops. We try look…sexy but classy—like girls.”

Chase glanced at the twenty-six year old and
sexy
and
classy
were perfect descriptives. Her boyfriend was a lucky man to have such a well-grounded girlfriend with such great family values. She mailed money back to her parents each month. Chase thanked his lucky stars to have her; plus, Parker adored her.

“Parker sure loves you and I don’t tell you often enough how much I appreciate all that you do—including today.”

“I enjoy working for you and I love Parker like he is my own son.”

“There’s something else I need to discuss with you.”

She turned and widened her eyes, “What is it? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not like that,” Chase paused, then, “Have you gotten any more calls from Heather, Parker’s mother?”

“No sir. You told me to tell you and she only called that time I told you about.”

“That’s good. As you know, Parker’s mother has problems—for one, she’s addicted to drugs.”

“I know Mr. Allman. I found a bunch of her pill bottles in the kitchen.”

Chase raised an eyebrow, but didn’t want to expound. He said, “She’s living in the middle part of the country—in a place called Minnesota.”

“Where is?” Oksana didn’t attempt to repeat the word.

“It’s a long way from here. Anyway, I heard she has a boyfriend—a bad person—and I don’t want to scare you, but she might try to come back here and take Parker.”

“Really? Is she coming here now?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ve hired an investigator to watch her and apparently, she eluded them. I doubt she’d come back here, especially without me finding out, but just keep an extra eye on Parker. You know what Heather looks like.”

“Yes, she is so pretty. I still have the picture you gave me.”

“Good. I don’t know what this guy looks like but he’s 6’3” and about 230 lbs.”

“How tall are you, sir?”

“I’m 6’3” also, but don’t weigh that much.”

Oksana’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Chase said, “I don’t mean to worry you. We have a state-of-the-art security system at home and, like I said, I’ll know if she gets near North Carolina.”

They drove in silence for a few blocks, then pulled into North Hills, Raleigh’s upscale outdoor mall. Chase drove down the main drag, searching for a parking spot. North Hills had over one hundred stores and boutiques, restaurants, a multi-plex movie theatre—even a luxury hotel. The place offered something for everyone, including a four year old.

Oksana pulled out a piece of paper, and said, “We should park near Learning Express or Omega Sports if you see them.”

“Wow, I’m impressed. You made a list. You’re very organized.”

Oksana blushed as Chase turned down another road, still hunting for a parking spot.

Chase said, “I tell you what. Before we buy Parker his birthday gifts, I want to get you something for all that you do.”

“Oh no, Mr. Allman, I mean Mr. Chase, you do not have to do that.”

“Are you kidding? It’s the least I can do. I probably missed your birthday too. When is it?”

Oksana giggled. “My birthday last month…”

“I’m sorry, but better late than never. I’ll get you something, anything you want.”

“This place expensive—”

“Nonsense. Don’t worry about how much, just tell me what you would buy if you had a blank check.”

Oksana frowned, “What is
blank check?
”

Chase laughed, “Never mind. What would you buy if you found a bunch of money on the street?”

They passed For Beach Bums Anonymous. Oksana stared at the store and pursed her lips. Chase stopped, put his blinker on, then waved the car behind him to pass, saying, “Did you see something in that store?”

“My boyfriend wants to take me to beach, but I have no svimsuit. All the bikinis are so expensive—”

“That settles it then.” Just after Chase uttered the words, tail lights flashed ahead and a well-dressed woman sauntered to her driver’s side and opened the door. With his blinker, Chase reserved the spot, then parked, saying, “See, it’s meant to be—we even found a parking spot.”

Once inside the store, Chase excused himself to call the office. He felt uncomfortable helping his nanny find a bikini. He said, “Pick out as many as you like. Here’s use my credit card. I’ll be right outside.”

Before Oksana could protest, Chase bee-lined for the door with cell pressed to his ear. Once outside, he glimpsed back inside the store, then dialed Brooke’s number—voicemail.
Dammit
. He didn’t leave a message. Her irrational response to the severance package shocked him…he feared she planned on exposing him. He dialed and once again, she wasn’t answering—not a good sign.
And I only have myself to blame
.

His mind wandered; he felt like James Bond, with all the bad guys hiding around the corners. First, Heather and the blood-hound reporters, always salivating for a juicy story. Second, Henry, The Butcher, and the board of directors at Pharmical—all bulldozing him. Now, Brooke, who could destroy him in an instant.

Fine work, Chase
.

“Excuse me, Mr. Allman.”

“Huh,” Chase spun around and met Oksana’s eyes.

“Sorry to bother you, sir, but the owner wants to see you.”

Chase shook his head, then followed Oksana to the cashier. The forty-something clerk said, “Is this your credit card, sir?”

Chase glanced at it and said, “Yeah. It’s okay. She’s with me.”

Oksana whispered in Chase’s ear, “Is $120. I am sorry. Is too much?”

“No, buy this one and something else while you’re here. You deserve it.”

The clerk peered over her thick reading glasses as she lifted the credit card up. Oksana said, “No, no. This is too much. Just this one please.”

Chase carried the bag for Oksana, wondering if it was empty. Swimwear was never this small when I was a kid. They passed his car and gazed inside each store window as they strolled.

Oksana said, “Thanks again. I would never be able to buy that bikini.”

“Don’t mention it. If you see anything else you want, tell me. What were the names of the stores we’re looking for again?”

Oksana stopped, pulled out her paper and read them again. Chase surveyed the street and said, “Of course there is no map when you need one.”