Society Wives (30 page)

“Stop it!” she yelled and melted into the chair beside her, burying her muffled tears in her hands.

Mike finally came around. Spent, he crumpled to the floor and held onto her legs.

“I'm sorry.” Mike was out of breath, panting as if he'd just completed a marathon. “I sorry for messing up our lives, baby. I promise I'll make it up to you. Just don't leave me.”

“I'm not going anywhere,” she said in a tone that let him know how absurd he sounded. She continued wiping her tears. “We will get through this.” She rubbed Mike's head. “We'll be fine.”

Getting over the issue of their finances seemed like the easy part to her. She always felt like she'd been living a dream—almost like she was living someone else's life. The wealth seemed surreal.

Now it was time to float back down to reality. She would always cherish the memories they made while they were filthy rich. The hard part would be facing everyone else once their lifestyle had been downgraded.

Vonnie patted Mike on the shoulder letting him know she wanted to get up. He lifted himself and together they cleaned up the mess he'd created. Picking up the mail, Vonnie came across the elegantly designed invitation for Pearson's annual gala. At five hundred dollars a ticket, she and Mike certainly couldn't afford to attend, but what excuse would she give Pearson for not showing up? Surely she couldn't tell her the truth.

Chapter 46

Pearson

Today would be Pearson's day of full reconciliation. Candice's health scare and Niles' absence were too much to bear. After Candice passed out, Pearson had an opportunity to speak with her doctors when they arrived at the hospital. She realized just how fragile life was for her mother. Dehydration had claimed her strength, leaving her listless on that elevator floor.
What if she died?
Pearson couldn't imagine losing her mother without making the most of what little time they had left. She planned to prove to herself and everyone else how strong she could really be.

Her visit with Nadalia helped her come to this decision. Pearson's world was small and she was at risk of losing the two most important people in it.

Pearson had gotten up early and taken a long walk down her beautiful tree-lined street. The pre-dawn stroll gave her much uninterrupted time to tangle with her thoughts.

As she expected, Niles was still in bed when she got back. Pearson peeked in on him, feeling grateful for his return. He was rolled snugly inside the covers and she quietly pulled the bedroom doors together, leaving a small crack and then headed to the kitchen to start breakfast. Quickly whipping up fried eggs, turkey sausage and a toasted English muffin, Pearson poured a tall glass of ice cold orange juice and carried it to the room on a wooden tray.

“Niles,” she called softly, pushing the door open with her foot. She nudged him awake. “Babe. Wake up. I made breakfast.”

Niles woke with a start, staring past Pearson with wide eyes.

“Niles,” she said again gently.

Niles pushed himself up until he was sitting, squeezed his eyes and stretched.

“Morning,” he finally said, his voice gruff from sleep.

“I made you breakfast,” she said again, hoping he would see this as the effort she intended it to be. “Come on, eat.”

Niles stared at her for a moment before taking the tray. Pearson walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in. For a while, she let him eat without interruption.

“I'm sorry.”

Niles stopped chewing, but did nothing more to acknowledge her apology.

I just need you to tell me that you won't leave me again. Even if I...mess up...while I'm trying to get it together.”

Niles released a long sigh and put his tray to the side. Tears had found their way down Pearson's cheeks. Niles turned to her and wiped them with his thumb. “If I were going to leave again, I wouldn't be here now.”

Pearson leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his firm body. For a while they just held each other until Pearson pulled back.

“How do you want to do this, again?”

“I'm going cold turkey. If that doesn't work, I'll seek out a group, attend meetings, I'll do whatever I have to do. These next few months are so important and I need to be able to absorb every minute of every hour of every day.” Her tears streamed faster as she thought about spending more time with her mom and her desire to be fully in those moments. “I won't be able to do this without you.”

“I've got your back, baby.”

“I'm glad that you're not mad at me anymore. Those days without you were unbearable.”

“I was never mad at you, just frustrated. It felt like I was fighting a battle that I wasn't equipped to win. If I were losing you to another man, I would know how to handle that. But how do I win against a force as strong as...”

“Alcoholism.” Pearson saved Niles the agony of actually putting the label on her issue. The sad look Niles gave her confirmed that he was hesitating to say the same thing.

“Yeah. It had you, baby. You've been slipping away for a while.”

“I know. Eat your breakfast, I need to jump in the shower and head over to my mother's house. If she's up to it, I'm going to take her out for brunch.”

The way Niles paused midway as he reached for his breakfast told Pearson that he was surprised. “You want me to come.”

“No.” Pearson kissed his cheek. “But, thanks. I need to do this alone.”

“I'll be here if you need me.”

Pearson kissed him again. Niles pulled her in, looked into eyes and kissed her a few more times before letting her go.

“I'm proud of you.”

She paused a moment to absorb Niles' admission before heading toward her walk-in closet, smiling.

The crisp cold air whirled around her when she stepped out her front door, pulling her coat tighter. The chill seemed harsh when she was sober and she realized her drinking had numbed more than her feelings.

Pearson climbed behind the wheel of her two-seater Jaguar and took a long breath before starting the car and pulling out. The glare of the eastern sun poured through her windshield, forcing her to dig in her purse for a pair of sunglasses. Fortunately, the ride to her mother's wouldn't take more than twenty minutes.

Finally ready to move past her fears, Pearson looked forward to the surprise visit to her mother's lavish home. She pulled into the circular drive, got out and rang the bell, listening for the chime to resonate through the spacious corridors. She waited a while giving her mother a moment to respond since the hour was still early.

Glancing at her watch, she rang repeatedly until Candice showed up at the door clad in a silk robe and slippers.

“Pearson?” Candice smiled and moved aside inviting her in.

“Good morning, Ma,” she said, stepping past her mother. “You look better. How do you feel?”

“Fine. And to what do I owe this,” Candice looked around and took Pearson's arm to look at her watch, “early visit?”

“If you're up to it, get dressed. We are going to spend the day together. We'll come back if you get too tired.”

Candice's face illuminated like a child on Christmas Day. “Really!”

“Yes.” Pearson started walking up the steps toward Candice's bedroom and Candice followed eagerly. “While we are out, we've got a lot to discuss, like your plans for...well, you know.” Both women knew she was referring to her final arrangements. Pearson couldn't bring herself to say it. “Also, you'll have to bring me up to speed about the company.”

“Oh, Pearson. You're going to take over?” Candice all but squealed.

“I didn't say that just yet. But we'll need to at least get me on the board.”

“Done.”

“And I could use some advice. I never really had another woman who I could run certain things by, you know.” Pearson continued down the second floor corridor toward Candice's room. “No offense, but it's the truth.” Stepping into Candice's room, Pearson stopped when she noticed a figure lying under the sheets in Candice's bed. “You didn't say you had company,” she whispered.

Candice walked past her straight into the room. “Oh, it's no problem at all! Walter, dear! Pearson is here.” Candice sat down on the edge of the bed and nudged his pecan colored back. “Wake up, honey.”

Pearson's hand flew to cover her gaping mouth. “Mr. Walter,” she said as he began to stir. Pearson turned so she wouldn't mistakenly gaze upon any of his private parts. The sound of Walter's stretch reached her ears, the groans along with a few snaps and cracks from his joints.

“Hey, sweetheart! How are you doing?”

“I'm fine,” Pearson said with her back still turned.

“Walter, she came to spend the day with me. Isn't that wonderful?”

“That's good to hear. Have you had enough rest, honey?”

“I feel fine.” Candice's excitement rang through her words. “In that case, you ladies have a great time.”

“Thanks,” Pearson said. “And don't worry. I'll make sure she doesn't overdo it. Mom, I'll wait for you downstairs.”

Pearson was shocked. It was interesting to actually see the man in her mother's life. Since childhood, she couldn't recall meeting a single male friend. As she thought about it, the only man who had been around the family was Walter, who had been a great friend of her dad's for many years. Pearson thought of him as an uncle. Now it was obvious that he was a little more than that.

The whole idea of her mom dating tickled Pearson and she covered her mouth so they wouldn't hear her sudden outburst as she laughed. Her stiff mother was getting it. Seeing this made Pearson feel like Candice did have a softer side. She found herself wondering how long they had been dating, screwing, or whatever it was that they called themselves doing. Then she thought about her mother's limited time.

The laughter in her heart and the smile on her face faded. Pearson swallowed hard as she tried to keep tears from falling. Candice was going to die. Pearson would never get used to that reality. Soon she would be in this world by herself, with no other family besides Niles.

Candice's foot hit the landing, bringing Pearson back to the present moment. As stylish as ever, Candice had on a pair of jeans, a gray flowing top and matching gray suede booties. No one could ever guess that she was well into her sixties.

“You look cute,” Pearson said, taking her mother in. “And I love the boots.”

“It will all be yours eventually. These,” Candice twisted her foot giving Pearson a better view of her ankle boots, “this house, the cars, the business—all of it.”

Pearson cringed at the cavalier way her mother referred to her own death. “Ma!” She rolled her eyes.

Candice waved away her concern and then paused, studying Pearson's weary expression. “Come; let's chat a little before we go.” Candice led the way to the gallery, sat on the sofa and patted the seat beside her for Pearson to sit.

Pearson hesitated, dropped her shoulders, and then took slow steps toward the couch. She felt like a child about to be reprimanded. Instead of looking at Candice, she looked around the artsy space, focusing on some of her father's favorite paintings, sculptures and artifacts from his travels. Her mother made sure that everything was preserved well.

“Pearson.”

Finally, she looked her mother's way, trying to keep the tears from falling. Candice cupped Pearson's hand between hers.

“I'm dying.” Candice's admission hung in the air for a few moments. “And I have accepted that fact. The most important thing to me was making sure I made amends with you before I went. Now that it seems that I have, I couldn't care less if I had one month or one year left. As long as I know I have my daughter in my good graces, The Lord could take me today.”

“She didn't mean that!” Pearson said looking up.

“Ha!” Candice slapped her thigh and shook her head. “Really Pearson, I didn't want to leave here without reconnecting with you the right way. I'm content now.”

“So…how long do you have?” Pearson didn't want to ask the question and wasn't sure if she was ready for the answer, but she had to know.

“Does it really matter?”

Pearson thought for a moment.

“No,” Candice answered for her. “We matter.”

“You don't look that sick.”

“I'm wealthy and vain!”

Pearson chuckled. She completely understood. “You're not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope. All I want to focus on when I'm with you is enjoying your company. I don't want you or anyone else trying to count down my days. I plan to live them out as fully as I can so I don't need pity or reminders. I've lived a robust life. I have no regrets. Well, I had one.” Candice looked at Pearson and pouted. “But now that we are on better terms, my life really feels complete.”

Pearson sighed again, feeling like that's all she'd been doing in her life lately, living from one sigh to the other. “Did you tell Walter?”

“He knows I'm sick, but he doesn't know how much time I have left either. Now I have some paperwork in the safe in the back of my closet.” Candice transitioned to the next subject as if they were simply talking about the weather. She pulled a small key from her jean pocket and pressed it into Pearson's hand. “It contains everything you need to know and all of the important paperwork. Besides a few donations I'd like for you to make on my behalf, everything else is yours to do with as you wish.”

“Ma—”

Candice put her finger to Pearson's mouth and shook her head. “If you don't want to take over the company, that's fine too. I realize you have a life of your own. All I ask is that you remain as the chairman of the board.”

“Remain.”

“Yes. In the case of my death, that position goes to you. Just keep an eye on it for your dad and me.”