“What’s up Karen, I’m right in the middle of something.” “Your daughters on line one sir.” “Thanks, I’ll talk with her.”
Karen pushed the button on the phone to connect them and went back to her other duties.
All the thoughts and memories of Charlene’s problems and psychiatrists visits flooded Nick’s brain as he waited for Charlene to speak. He waited but heard nothing.
“Hello sweetie, how are you?” Daddy, it’s me, Charlene.” “I know dear, now nice to hear your voice. How are things going? How’s your mother doing?”
“Oh, she’s fine. Same as always I guess.” Nick knew what that meant. His ex was a bigger mess these days than when they were together and preoccupied with worrying about things out of her control, as always.
“What have you been up to Charlene, it’s been a while since we talked.” Oh you know daddy, mostly working and just living day to day the rest of us single, working girls in the city.”
Nick looked out from his windows and peered down the ten stories to the streets below. Many yellow cabs and black cars were slowly making their way past his bukding and across town or wherever they might be going. “How may I help you?”
“I have a chance to go on a fabulous vacation which my lead to marriage. I just need twenty thousand dollars or so to make it happen. Nick didn’t like the sound of that situation but remained silent. “I see dear, who might the lucky man be? Does your mother know him or his family?” He knew he didn’t. He hadn’t heard any thing about a man in his daughter’s life. “No daddy, but I have worked with him sometime now. I’m his personal secretary and he is a fine gentleman.” “I see. When will we meet him?” he asked with a hint of jealousy. We should have if this is a serious relationship. He remembered her past relationships with anger and pain. “We only want the best for you, honey.”
Her father, Nick Carpenter, ran in the New York and north eastern social circles. Her mother had little or no social life left these days. Her erratic behavior had seen to that. Her mother’s health was also declining for some unknown reason that her doctor hadn’t quite figured out yet, or so her mother had told Charlene and anyone who might care to ask. She never mentioned her penchant for drinking or smoking too much or that she hardly ever ate anything. Charlene had figured out years ago why her mother’s health was failing. Few other outside of their home knew or cared. There were few left who did. Charlene thought it a wonder that her mother was still living.
Her ,other’s failing health was obviously due to her over drinking, lack of sleep, smoking endlessly and the failure to eat a decent meal now and then. The staff tired to make her eat like a normal person but she just would go into a rage when any food was put in front of her unless she had asked for it. Her mother was totally absorbed in her drinking and her weight, while her world crumbled around her.
Nick listened and the spoke when a chance arrived. “That would be great dear. Are you happy at work, Charlene?” “Yes daddy, I never miss a day. and now with Joe and I becoming closer, it’s much better. Nick wondered about that comment but was afraid to ask what that actually meant. “Well, I’m glad to hear that dear. However a work related relationship is filled with peril, honey.” “This is different daddy.” “I do worry about your moods and choices, you know Charlene.”
Charlene bit her lip and held back her tears. her father was always bringing up her mental issues when they spoke. That was one of the reasons they spoke so seldom. She hated being reminded of that so often when they talked.
That new medicine that the doctor has given me seems much better than the last batch. I’m not as tired and restless as the last one I was on. I don’t feel so tired and depressed anymore.” “I’m glad to hear that dear. She didn’t mention that her imagination was now playing tricks on her or so it seemed, now and then. She saw things and when she tried to approach or touch them they seemed to vanish. “I’m glad to hear that dear.”
Nick turned his chair large leather swivel chair behind his antique desk and moved a mouse across the pad of his computer. He pulled up his daughters savings account and added twenty thousand dollars to it with a click form his large vacation account.
“I just put the money into your account sweetie. You sound great at the moment, by the way. Perhaps you are right about the new drugs. Just remember to take them.” “Thanks daddy, I feel great.”
Sadly depression ran in Charlene’s mother’s family and Charlene had not escaped the ravages or the hardships of that disease. Nick wondered why it seemed that the most beautiful of women were so often affected by that terrible affliction and were mentally disturbed? he would have to look into that when he had a few moments to spare. Work was getting busier and busier as the year was coming to an end.
He had been victim of it twice now with his wife and then his daughter afflicted by it. “You need to take your meds everyday honey, not just when you feel a little off. You need to promise me that. They don’t work that way.” “I know that daddy, I’m being very diligent about that lately.”
“Alright then. the money has been transferred to your account. Please be careful out there. I would like to meet your new man as soon as possible.” “Sure daddy,” Charlene added. “I’ll make that happen soon.” “Great honey, have a great day. I have to get back to work now dear. Let me know when you are about to leave on vacation and email me the itinerary so I might keep track of you on your adventure. That might be fun for the both of us.” “I will daddy, thanks again, bye.” The conversation ended with a promise from his daughter that Nick knew she might never keep. Charlene was like that.
Joe thought about the final argument with Suzan. Joe now remembered some her departing words. They had something to do with and reminded him of his mantra, “I’ll get to it later dear.” her constant response to him was, “No you won’t Joe, you’ll never change.”
Joe remembered that he had swirled around to look at her two Gucci suitcases on the floor in the outer hallway outside the front door of their apartment. She stood there between the suitcases looking at Joe with disdain and closed the door behind her as she stood in the narrow hallway. She was truly finished this time. He could see it on her face. She didn’t even have the energy to slam the door as she left.
Well, a little more is revealed. So here we stand. I happen to know a few things that you don’t.
We will hear from Suzan soon and she will have lots to tell us and her girlfriend. Some serious things have taken place.