Nora Ch. 03

She sat in the dark, looking out over her city, but seeing nothing. A chill ran through her, but it was May and it wasn't cold. Her world had come crashing down around her and life, as she knew it, was over.

**********

Phillip Duncan's first day back from vacation was pure hell. God, how he hated taking time off, but after his split with Katie he had needed space. His travel agent found the perfect mid-March adventure in Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, with its white sand beaches and impressive Corcovado (statue of Christ), the historic Salvador, and the Amazon. It was just the spot to forget about California and lose himself in the incredible wildlife of the greatest rainforest on earth. Photographs didn't do justice to the colors of the jungle flowers and their sweet, strong fragrance, the lushness of the green ceiling created by the trees, the markings on the wild birds, the screams of the playful monkeys, and the majesty of the waterfalls. It didn't matter that he constantly felt damp from the humidity. He was overcome by the beauty of it all.

The landscape in Rio also included scantily dressed, dark-haired beauties, whose bodies were barely covered by bikinis, at the Copacabana beach. There were tanned, rounded asses, covered only by a thread that ran up the middle of their cracks that could make a strong man, weak. Phillip steered clear; he needed space, time to get his head together, and not mindless sex.

His day started with a ninety minute debriefing with his staff. If the Chief Operations Officer can't go away and trust that his staff will carry on, then you need a new staff. His five senior vice presidents were more than capable, having been with the company longer than he. This meeting was followed by half an hour with his boss, the President and Chief Executive Officer, where he learned the forecast analysts were beginning to sound pessimistic about any business growth.

Phillip returned to his office to attack the many emails his assistant couldn't handle in his absence. Margaret buzzed him, just as he had settled in.

"John Anderson from Martin & Dean is on line two. Are you in?"

"Absolutely," Phillip said and smiled as he picked up the phone. "John! How are you, my friend? I haven't spoken to you since right after New Year's."

John Anderson had been Phillip's strongest supporter when he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing at Martin & Dean, at the young age of thirty-two. Although he hated losing him to another company, John remained Phillip's mentor when he accepted the C.O.O. position at the California-based firm, four years earlier.

"I'm doing well, Phillip. How's Katie?" John inquired.

Phillip noticed this was the first time in six weeks that his stomach didn't immediately turn over.

"Um, I'm not sure," he said quietly. "She left me over a month ago, saying something about needing to rediscover her womanhood. I should have known, John. She was only twenty-eight and I had no business thinking she would settle for an old guy like me."

Phillip was far from old at forty-one. He used to look like John Kennedy, Jr. in his prime, and now he had aged gracefully; looking very debonair with gray hair starting in his temples. He had creases around his chestnut brown eyes, so that he always appeared to be laughing at a secret joke.

"Be careful calling yourself old, when you're talking to me, Phillip," John chided. "I'm the one who's starting to wind down. In fact, that's why I'm calling. I'm coming out to the west coast next week. Is there any way you can put some time aside for me? It doesn't have to be during work hours. In fact, I'd prefer to talk to you away from work."

Phillip looked through his calendar. "I'm free Thursday night, if that's good for you."

"Perfect. I've got your address, so I'll meet you at around seven. Okay?"

"Are you going to tell me what this is about, John?"

"All in good time, Phillip. I'll see you next week."

When Phillip opened the door to greet his friend, he was surprised at how John had aged. John was dressed in khakis and a golf shirt, but couldn't have looked more out of place with his pale east coast skin. Phillip ushered him into the kitchen/great room and poured him a bourbon and water. They settled into a friendly talk about John's family, the weather, and Phillip's life in California. John seemed very interested in Phillip's feelings about where the business was headed.

"What's going on, John? Certainly you didn't come all this way just for a chat."

"I'm here on a mission and my goal is to report back with positive results. Phillip, I've had a terrific run with Martin & Dean, and even though I received countless offers to work elsewhere, I know I would never have been as happy as I have been with them, in New York." John took a deep breath and continued, "But now, it's time for me to go. I'm tired, and I want to be able to spend more time with my wife, kids and grandkids. That's why I'm here."

Phillip stayed quiet and listened to John's proposal.

"When I talked to the board about my retirement, I told them straight-out that there was no one at the company right now, who could support them the way I do. I'm not blowing my own horn, but I know what needs to be done. We've got some really talented people there, but they also need younger blood. Phillip, you know the company, you know what being a C.O.O. entails. If you're willing to listen, I'm here to make you an offer."

"What?" Phillip asked with an astonished look on his face.

"You proved yourself when you worked for them a few years ago. You left with grace and dignity, and didn't burn any bridges. You made a name for yourself out here, but I'm afraid that your company is going to go through a stagnant phase. I'm offering you a chance to come back to Martin & Dean as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. You're only forty-one, Phillip, and you've got a lot of years left to make another mark there. Who knows where this might lead, if you accept the job?"

Phillip stood up, paced for a minute, and ran his fingers through his hair. He was surprised, pleasantly, but nonetheless, surprised at what John was asking. He sat back down, leaned forward with his arms on his knees, and looked John straight in the eye. "Talk to me," was all he said.

John pulled a thin binder out of his briefcase. In that binder was a complete job description, organizational chart, benefits summary, corporate bonus schedule, relocation package, and a salary offer. It was literally an offer that could not be refused. John sipped his drink while he watched for any kind of reaction from his friend. Phillip took his time, studying each page intently.

"Nora's a senior vice president in Advertising? Why did she leave Marketing?" he asked John.

"Your replacement, Sean Kavanagh, has a strict policy about personal relationships between people in the same department. I'm afraid he fell pretty hard for our lovely Nora, so he came to me and asked if I could have her reassigned. Let me tell you, she was madder than a wet hornet, but they've been together for three years now. They're a wonderful couple, Phillip."

"I'm glad she found someone, John. She's a hell of a woman. He must be a real special man," he said sincerely, remembering the years he and Nora had been together.

"You'll find that out for yourself, if you accept the offer that's on the table. It's not bullshit, Phillip. This is it, take it or leave it. No negotiations, because what you see is the best you're going to get."

"I need time, John. I can't just answer you right now. I have to think about my current job, my loyalty to them, and then this offer."

"You're a good man, Phillip. I wouldn't have expected anything less from you. I'm flying out on Sunday. I'd like to take your answer with me."

"You're not giving me a lot of time, but I understand. We'll have breakfast on Sunday and I'll take you to the airport. You'll have my answer then."

The friends shook hands and went to dinner. After John left that night, Phillip reread the proposal. He wasn't stupid. This was the final offer, and a lucrative one at that. He'd be an idiot if he didn't consider it. The meeting he had with his C.E.O. had already indicated that it was going to be a tough next couple of years. Still, he liked the company. Hell, he liked Martin & Dean. He was going to call his financial advisor first thing in the morning.

John and Phillip chose a table in the garden, to have breakfast. John had to give Phillip credit; there was no indication, by looking at him, as to what he had decided. Juice and coffee was served, their order had been placed, and John sat as Phillip began to talk.

He pointed out all of the good things at his current position. He listed the advantages to living in southern California. He also listed the good things about moving back to New York.

"Oh for Christ's sake, Phillip," John sounded anxious. "Would you just come out with it?"

"I'll never be able to fill your shoes, John, but I'll make you proud. You'll never regret going to bat for me," Phillip said as he extended his hand. "Thank you for this opportunity. I accept."

As Phillip shook his hand, he handed John his signed contract. "I'm handing in my resignation tomorrow. It may seem like a long time, but I'm giving them until the end of April to find a replacement. I'll report to you the first Monday in May. Now, if I find they don't want me to hang around, you'll hear from me a lot earlier."

John enthusiastically shook Phillip's hand. "I'm so pleased. I wanted to be out of there before summer. Now, I can tell my wife she's got me full time, as of the beginning of June. My guess is she might look for a part-time job, just to keep me out from under her feet," he said joking.

**********

Sean sneaked up behind Nora to nuzzle the back of her neck, as she stood at the counter adding cream to her coffee, only to be greeted by a sharp elbow to his stomach.

"You mess this hair buddy, and you're dead," she said as she turned around, put her arms around his neck, and kissed the man she adored.

"Want to blow off work?" he asked, raising his brows and winking several times.

They probably would have made sick, any young person who saw them together. Sean was as much in love with her as he was when he told her for the first time, those few New Year's Eve's ago. Outside of work, he found reasons to constantly touch her; her hand, the side of her face, a kiss to her temple, his arm around her waist. This was the woman he was meant to be with for the rest of his life, and he had plans for her. He was finalizing the trip tomorrow, and then he would tell her – Scotland in September, for a honeymoon. He thought about buying her a ring and surprising her, but he decided to wait and take her with him to pick it out. He hoped she would be surprised.

Nora giggled in his arms, "And just how would it look with we both called in sick?"

"Do you really care? Come on baby, we've never done that."

"Sean, begging does not become you. Now, drink your coffee and let's get moving. I've got a ton of one-on-one's today, with my staff."

Their cab dropped them across the street from Martin & Dean when the icy, cold April rain started to fall. Sean and Nora dashed across the busy street to try and save themselves from a soaking.

"My briefcase! Damn!" Sean exclaimed as he ran back out into traffic, in an attempt to catch the cab that was starting to pull away from the curb.

It was as if the world had turned into slow motion; the sights and the sounds. Nora screamed as she saw a car trying to screech to a halt, slam into Sean's body, throwing it high into the air, coming back down on the hood with a sickening whump, before it rolled off onto the street. She dropped everything and raced to him, knowing in her heart it was too late.

When she reached him, she pulled him into her arms, needing to comfort him. There was blood everywhere, and she begged for someone to help him. Sean opened his eyes and she could see the creases around them, as if he were trying to smile at her. Then, the look faded and she knew he saw nothing.

That's how John Anderson found her. Cradling the man she loved in the pouring rain, in the middle of a New York City street, covered in his blood, and letting loose the most pitiful wail he had ever heard. His heart broke for her, as the ambulance crew tried to get her to let go of Sean's body. John pulled at her, urging her to release her hold, crying with her, crying for her. He held her in his arms as Sean's body was loaded into the ambulance, and promised her he would not leave her side. They followed, in silence, through the crowded streets to the hospital, knowing there was no hope. Sean was dead, and Nora was left alone.

During the next week, Nora proved exactly how strong she was. Sean didn't have any immediate family, so she went through their address book and personally called his relatives. Her own family was scattered, but promised to come to New York, if they could.

She and Sean had spoken about what their wishes for burial would be, and Nora made the arrangements to his specifications. She received friends and family at the funeral home. In the center of the far wall, was a cream colored marble urn etched with leaves containing Sean's ashes. Above it was a vase with three dozen red roses, for the three years they were together. The card read "You'll be in my heart forever." No one had to question that those were from Nora.

John and his wife had offered to hold a reception in their home, but Nora declined. Sean hadn't wanted a fuss. The only reason she agreed to a single showing at the funeral home was so that other people could get closure. When the last of the visitors had gone, Nora finally sat down and just stared at the urn. John went to her and knelt next to her chair.

"Nora," he whispered. "Come home with us. Spend the night and let us take you home tomorrow."

She never looked at him. "I'm fine, just leave me. I'll see you at work on Monday."

John was taken aback. "No Nora, don't come in. You need a few days to look after things. You've been running fifty miles a minute. Now it's time to stop. Take as long as you need, then call me. Please Nora, just take care of yourself."

John placed a kiss on top of her head and turned to leave. Nora shuddered at his touch. She needed to leave. She needed to go home. She needed Sean back, but that was never going to happen. She wanted to curl up in a ball, go to sleep, and then wake up from this nightmare.

Sean's death had delayed the announcement of John's retirement, and Phillip's return to Martin & Dean, as the new C.O.O. Senior management was brought together in the board room, before an all-employee email was sent. Eyes went to the two vacant chairs that were normally taken by Sean and Nora.

Nora was not taking calls. She had not answered the emails sent to her personal email address. She had locked herself away from the world, and would only surface when she was ready. John tried to stop by once, but she wouldn't answer his buzzer. He was worried, but knew that she needed time and they would give her what she needed. He couldn't help but wonder if she would ever come back.

True to his word, Phillip arrived the first Monday in May. As he walked down the walnut-paneled corridor, Phillip thought back to the first time he had been to the executive wing; when John had interviewed him for the Senior Vice President position. Today, John greeted him warmly, and brought him into his office.

"I'm so glad you're here Phillip. You and I will work together for the next month, transitioning the staff, and getting you comfortable with your position here. I'll set up in my conference room, so that you can make this space your own. Besides, with all the files you and I need to go over, the more room the better.

"Unfortunately for you, my assistant Pat has also decided to retire. She's interviewed quite a few candidates and has selected three for you to meet. We'll set that up for later in the week."

Phillip looked around the office that would be his. He already noticed that pictures had been taken down, and a couple of boxes next to the door were packed with John's personal belongings. The room was understatedly elegant with its walnut paneling and cream colored upholstered furniture. There were touches of teal blue accents around the room that Phillip found soothing. The only thing Phillip brought with him was his briefcase. He refused to move in until John was gone. He couldn't bring himself to take over his mentor's space.

John took Phillip on a brief tour, before heading to the Boardroom. A breakfast had been arranged, to introduce him to the other executives. There were a couple of faces that Phillip remembered, but never really had an opportunity to come to know. He felt immediate acceptance here. He had come home.

After they left the get-together, John explained that there would be a meeting at one o'clock, so that Phillip could meet his staff. John closed the door behind them when they got back to the office. John asked Phillip to sit down so they could have a private talk.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news, Phillip. About three weeks ago, Sean Kavanagh was killed right out in front of the building."

"Nora's boyfriend? Marketing department, right?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. Poor Nora was standing on the sidewalk when he was struck by a car. It was a rough couple of weeks here, and now you're going to be down two senior vice presidents," John said sadly, as her recounted the incident.

"Oh my God, poor Nora. How is she?" Phillip asked.

"I don't know. When I left her at the funeral home, I told her to take as much time as she needed, but we haven't heard a word. I tried stopping, but she never answered the bell. Her answering machine is full and no longer accepting messages. We've emailed and left notes with the guard at her apartment, but nothing."

Phillip didn't let on that this scared him. "You know how strong Nora is. I'm sure she just needs time."

The staff meeting went well, with Phillip knowing a good share of the vice presidents. It was explained that Rita Jeffries would be acting senior vice president in the marketing department, until a permanent replacement was found for Sean Kavanagh. Nora's second in command, Kevin Mack, would be filling in, until her return.

On the way back to his office, Phillip asked John take him to Nora's office. A very professional young woman sat outside, almost as if on guard. John introduced Phillip to Nora's assistant, Deb.

"Have you heard anything from her at all?" he asked.

"No. I thought of going over, because I have the key she gave me, but I don't want to intrude. I figured that if she needed me, she'd call," Deb said sadly.

"Well, I may call on you, yet, to help me get through to her," said Phillip. "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

The next week was a whirlwind of activity with meetings, consultations, budget concerns, and reviewing the files. Phillip began to appreciate just how much bigger this company was than the one in California. It was a huge challenge, but he felt up to it.

Unbeknownst to anyone at Martin & Dean, Phillip had tried to reach Nora by phone several times. On his way to a meeting, he stopped by Deb's desk and asked for the key to Nora's apartment.

"I don't know about this," she said, defensively. "I don't think Nora would want me to hand it over to just anyone, even if he is her boss."

Phillip bristled a bit, but realized Deb was just doing her job. She didn't know him from Adam. As discretely as possible, he explained his and Nora's relationship. Deb could tell he really cared about her boss so, reluctantly, she handed him Nora's keys.

He was surprised to see that Danny was still the night guard at Nora's building, when he stopped by after work that night. Danny had always liked Phillip, and the two shared a real love for the Yankees and the Giants.