Chapter 30: Early Departure Due to ‘Trouble’

The next morning, as we’d arranged the night before, we hosted the brunch at the Four Seasons. The place leaned over backwards to make sure the six of were happy and well fed: Bart and Penny – Kim’s step-father and mother; Joel and Rachel – Kim’s step-brother and his wife; and Kim and me. Kim arranged for payment and gratuity for the meal before anybody even got there.

Bart grumbled through the meal and I heard him make a couple of marginally insulting remarks to his wife, and then to Rachel, who did not look happy with him. He was not content that we dined in luxury at the posh hotel versus camping down for breakfast at the local and more reasonably priced Waffle House. More grumbling ensued.

Joel and Rachel were very pleasant people and much of the conversation was between the two of them and Kim and me. We got congratulated about our recent engagement, and chatted about possible wedding plans. Penny talked about our new jet, and that occupied some discussion. They were obviously impressed, but that wasn’t what we were trying to do. We weren’t out to snow them either, so tried to keep the conversation on non-monetary situations.

Later, Kim and I learned that Joel had bought into TNA on the day it went public. They had held retained their shares through the meteoric rise in price. I could see that Bart had a bout of indigestion after hearing that news from his son. Kim made sure to mention that her step-father sold out way too early. Joel looked disappointed in him.

Penny was talking with us about something that Rachel had accomplished at her work. Bart over rode her and said, “Don’t talk about that. Never bring that up in my presence. We don’t talk about work at meals like this.” I didn’t see the subject as anything but totally benign. His action completely belittled his wife and daughter-in-law, and made them go mute for the rest of the meal.

As the meal ended, I wondered how we’d spend the rest of the day, when Kim’s cellphone went off with a call. She answered in a soft aside at the table so as not to disturb the others; “Kim here.”

I watched and listened to her side of the call as did the others at the table; we could all hear her. Her eyes got large and she got agitated. “What time?” “Was anybody hurt?” “Did they go to the hospital?” Ambulance? “What about the others?” “Who’s managing the situation?” “The police?” “No, but I could be there in a little over three hours.” “Can you stall them until then. I feel that I should be the one to meet with them. The press – oh, God, I guess I can talk to them. Can you prepare a script for me – a statement of some kind that deals with the situation? Not now, I’ll get the details from you on a call from the plane after we’re in the air.” “Tell the hazmat team to wait before going in and be sure they’re in protective gear. I want to be there.” “Okay, I’ll be out of here as soon as possible.”

Kim turned to me and said, “We have to go – right now! There’s a major problem at the plant.” From what Bart and Penny had heard, there was no doubt it wasn’t a major problem of some kind and probably newsworthy. Kim offered no details other than we had to move fast and get to North Carolina. She was asked and said, “I can’t talk now.”

I said, “I’ll alert the pilots.” I did just that with a quick swap of text messages.

Joel and Rachel promised to get Bart and Penny home. We raced upstairs in the hotel, got our bags, and by then our limousine was waiting with the motor running. I kept asking what was going on. Kim kept saying, “I’ll tell you in the limo. I’ll tell you in the limo.”

We said an abbreviated goodbye to everyone, and then shot out of the hotel and into the car. I was an anxious as Kim was. Everything, including the meal, had been paid on my card. The driver already knew where we needed to go at Centennial airport.

After we were underway, Kim did a theatrical swipe of her brow. She turned and said, “Whew. Quickly, there’s no problem at TNA, at least that I know of. I just couldn’t take my step-father another second. There was nobody on the phone. I faked the entire call.”

I laughed. Probably if she hadn’t done that, I would have. I told Kim, “You deserve as Oscar for that performance.” Moreover, I can’t say that I’m sorry to leave, except to leave your mother in an awkward situation with him. Man-oh-man, he is tough to take. How you lasted four or five years with him is beyond me.”

Kim sighed, “I got a few minutes to talk to her. I told her that a quick opinion,, that I was sure you shared, was that she was being badly verbally abused. I told her that I would have her back if she wanted a refuge – either in the short term or the long term. I just said, ‘Money is no object if you want out. We’ve got your back.’ I emphasized that she’d never have to worry about money with us. I didn’t mention divorce or separation, but I told her that she’s a glutton for punishment if she stays in that relationship. He’s horrid to her, and I suspect everyone around him except his clients. We saw the tip of the iceberg. Note that he was on his good behavior.”