Healing Inc. (23 page)

“
Harry,”
she began
, “I know damn well you’re back in New York by now and that you have your phone on you son-of-a-bitch!  You’d better have something for me soon or else!  Enjoy your hooker or your hand, whichever you end up doing tonight
!”

“‘You better have something for me or else!’” he mimicked, knowing full well he would never be allowed to do such a thing to her face.  She was right about the release thing.  He needed to have sex before he exploded.  Hopefully he could convince one of the dancers to go home with him.

***

Earlier that Evening in Las Vegas, Nevada…

Nita’s family was large, taking up multiple rooms in the glorious five star hotel.  As usual, Tyler and Evy stayed in a smaller suite specifically designated for him.  The suite in Vegas was the largest of the owner suites they had stayed in but it was still significantly small compared to the other rooms in the hotel.  The layout was much the same as the one in Italy but the color scheme was white walls with red stripes and contemporary black leather furniture.  The carpeting was red and all the furniture tiger wood.  Tyler became concerned that Evy would want to stay in one of the larger rooms but she was more than content with the quaint accommodations.

After finally leaving England, they had stopped in Mexico and Hawaii to complete his annual maintenance review of his hotels.  He was glad to have Evy with him as she was able to help him go over the invoices and the maintenance schedules, shaving a lot of time and headache off of the ordeal.  She had even come up with a few ways to cut cost yet increase productivity. 

Tyler fed off her patience in Mexico.  He had warned Angel that he’d better not blow off his visit this time and that he had better be available when needed.  He’d come very close to decking the man on a couple of occasions.  The man had no couth.  Upon arrival Tyler found himself correcting the man’s tone after he tried to berate him in front of the staff.  Tyler could tell Angel had made the mistake of thinking him a pushover. 

He felt the need to keep Evy from him on most accounts because of his vulgar language and his male chauvinistic attitude.  Again, he found himself correcting him.  He warned Angel that he would not tolerate such behavior toward his wife or any other female.  He very much considered firing him after catching him with his ear to the door of their suite.  Tyler started to suspect that he was trying to catch them having sex so he could listen in on it but he couldn’t prove this. 

Worst of all, the way he eyed Evy sent such fury through him he thought he’d go insane.  Yes, Angel was strange and in the past Tyler wouldn’t have hesitated to get rid of him.  However, now that Evy was around he was willing to give folks a second chance because that was in her nature. 

Their arrival in Vegas put the stress of Mexico behind them.  The wedding was beautiful.  Nita looked the part of a princess bride, adorning her mother’s long sleeved sweeping gown that buttoned up over her neck.  The intricate beaded embroidery emphasized the glow of her skin and her voluptuous figure.  Her green eyes looked softer than usual that day as they locked on her future husband waiting for her at the front of the steeple. 

Her father held onto his only biological daughter possessively as he walked her down the aisle in tune to the traditional wedding march song.  He wanted to assure everyone present that she was still his until the “I do’s” were said.  Evy was so happy for her friend and proud that she had played a role in their coming together, no matter how gruesome the circumstances had been.

The reception followed in one of the large halls.  Tyler went all out, offering fresh Maine lobster, filet mignon and salmon as dinner options.  Hors d’ oeuvres lined the massive tables flanking each end of the hall and an open bar was off to the side of one of them.  A stage was set up catty corner to the bar.  Large round dining tables occupied most of the space, with the long bride groom table in the front.  Plenty of room was left between the wedding party table and the other guest for a dance floor. 

All the hotel managers and their spouses had been flown in to support their new boss on his wedding day.  Tyler and Evy along with Tony and Nita were making rounds and now stood at their table.

“Congratulations,” all at the table offered with the exception of Angel from Mexico.  He was still miffed over having been spoken to and not getting his raise when they were in Mexico.

“Thank you,” Tony and Nita gushed, fulfilling their role as the happy couple.

“So, I hear you’re the CEO of a major corporation,” Steve from Hawaii acknowledged in reference to Nita.  “You must be very lucky to catch a hot ticket like her,” he complemented his new boss.

“Oh, lucky I am indeed!” Tony agreed, exchanging an affectionate glace with his new bride.

“The company can’t be too major if a woman is in charge of it.”  Angel’s comment drew the attention of all those in the small crowd, including his very embarrassed wife.  He had begun drinking well before the ceremony started and was now at the point of allowing stupidity to seep from his lips. 

Tyler was the first to break the silence.  “I happen to know of several major companies, including Healing Inc., that have performed very well under a female’s guidance.  My wife would be a phenomenal CEO, if she chose to be,” he boasted, trying to remain civil in light of their present surroundings.

“If you allow your woman to go out into the working world, who would you put in your kitchen and have take care of the other only thing that women are good for?” 

His eyes roamed over Evy causing her skin to prickle and respond in disgust.  Her arm went around Tyler’s waist in an inconspicuous gesture to quell her husband’s temper.

“Well, I’m proud to say that only one man knows just how good I am at that one thing,” she stated while slipping her husband a bodacious grin.  “And, as far as my staying in the kitchen, perhaps when I find one hot enough to contain me I just might consider doing that.”  

She slowly turned her gaze away from her grinning husband to meet Angel’s stupefied stare dead on.  Every male face within hearing range reddened with embarrassment while the women, with the exception of Nita who laughed outright, tried with difficulty to contain their mirth. 

Little did Evy know, those few words had won her the admiration of the women sitting at that table.  They had endured Angel’s sexist comments in the past because the boss was never around when he made them, and no one else had dared to stop him.  It was good to see him put in his place for once, especially by a woman.  The look that Tyler gave him should have made Angel privy to the fact that he no longer had a job.  It didn’t. 

Just then, the wedding planner announced that it was time for the bride and groom’s first dance.  Tyler took his seat while Evy made her way to the stage.  Tony gently took Nita’s hand and headed for the empty dance floor.   Tyler had waited eagerly for this part of the reception.  Other than hearing her sing and hum around their dwellings, he had only seen Evy perform the one time back in March.  The only information she would share on the song she had chosen was that it was meant for him.  The overhead lights dimmed, replaced by two spot lights illuminating the couple and Evy on the platform.

Tyler didn’t recognize the music at first but it didn’t take long for him decipher that it was Christina Aguilera’s
I Turn to You
. 
He sat stonelike in his chair, totally mesmerized by his wife’s vocal abilities, while Tony and Nita swayed to and fro to the music. 
He couldn’t help the moisture that gathered in his eyes from knowing he felt the same way about her.  He noted every movement of her body, appreciating the fact that when she closed her eyes she saw only him.  This was the woman who had endured, the woman who had blamed herself for the loss of a life.  She had carried a burden for almost fourteen years, yet she was now on stage honoring
him
.  At that very moment his heart felt as if it would burst with all the love it held for her.

The audience was unable to control the standing ovation they afforded Evy at the completion of her performance.  Those that had heard her sing in the past cried tears as if they had finally gotten an overdue taste of a fine wine.  Everyone was left with goose bumps from the experience.  Bowing graciously, she left the stage. 

Nita greeted her on the dance floor, hugging her tightly as tears spilled from both of their eyes.  She couldn’t help but notice the change in her friend.  Evy was more confident and more assertive than she had ever been.  Many stared peculiarly at the two women, not apprehending the significance of what had just happened.  Only the two of them and Tyler understood that the act of her singing in front of so many people was not just a performance for her, but a huge sign that she had forgiven herself for what had transpired on that night so long ago.  It was an indication that the guilt and anguish over her lost child would no longer hold her down. 

The dance floor started to fill and their husbands waited.  They released each other.  Tyler was surprised when Nita, not his Evy, jumped into his arms, holding him tightly against her.  She pulled back to make eye contact with him.

“Thank you,” she stated with tears still staining in her eyes.  “You don’t know what you’ve done for me and my sister.”  Her statement was heartfelt and sincere.  She had spent many years and a lot of energy hoping for this moment.  Tyler had been instrumental in making it happen.

Tyler couldn’t respond, his rising emotions rendering him speechless.  Nita turned and walked away with her husband, leaving him standing on the dance floor with a large lump in his throat.  It was Evy’s turn to hug him.  As she did so, they began to sway to the slow song that was playing.  He closed his eyes, continuing to rock his wife and silently thanking God for the miracle he was now holding.

Snow fell in Oklahoma City a month after New Year’s Day.  Evy had finally made it over to her apartment to start packing.  After Tony and Anita’s wedding they had spent a few days in Las Vegas before heading out to meet Cecile in New York. 

As planned, they all spent Christmas Day with Ralph and Abby.  After actually having to put up with Abby and the way she treated Cecile, Evy told Tyler to consider it a Christmas present from her.  A big one! Although Abby was on her best behavior with her husband around, she was quick to be anything but in his absence.  She only acknowledged Evy in his or Tyler’s presence.  

An undeniable strain existed between Abby and Cecile.  There was no way the two could ever fathom a good relationship due to Cecile’s lack of trust for her mother.  Evy’s presence didn’t help the situation.  Cecile often used her as an ally.  Abby sensed the bond between them and it infuriated her to no end.  Few words were exchanged between the two women but Cecile made it a point to make sure Evy was with her wherever she went in the house.  At one point, her mother tried unsuccessfully to separate the two by asking Cecile if she could discuss something important with her alone.  Evy thought Abby was going to strike the girl when she told her “Not without Evy”.

 Evy actually felt bad for Abby and tried to be nice to her.  But, the damage was done.  Tyler and Ralph did their best to be civil and ignore the tangible tension between the women but it was impossible.  They ended the visit early. 

New York wasn’t a total waste.  Evy got to meet the couple that had positively influenced Tyler’s life.  Fredrick and Margaret Wilson were the ideal parents to Tyler and self-appointed grandparents to Cecile.  It melted Evy’s heart to see how well they treated her stepdaughter, which was a sharp contrast to the way her maternal grandparents did.  Cecile had only seen them twice since her mother had left her as a toddler. 

Tyler had told her that they were lucky to catch the couple at home.  After purchasing his first hotel in Hawaii, he had paid off their home and given them their own penthouse suite in his new establishment.  Now that Mr. Wilson was retired they spent winters there, avoiding the frigid New York weather.  Tyler and Cecile had made it a point to spend Christmas with them wherever they were, with this being the first time in years that they hadn’t.