Protecting Her(35)

CHAPTER NINE


9


PEARCE

My father has cancer. I was so shocked when my mother told us the news that I wasn’t sure how to respond. I kept imagining Shelby’s father; all bones and barely able to speak. Then I remembered that my father will be treated at the Clinic so will be getting the very best medical care. I wanted to ask my mother more about my father’s treatments, but I couldn’t with Rachel there. She can’t know about the Clinic.

So the next day, when Rachel’s upstairs with Garret, I call my mother.

“Pearce, I was just heading out. What do you need?”

“I wanted to know more about Father’s treatments. Which clinic is he going to?”

“His treatments will be done at the hospital, not the Clinic.”

“Why? The Clinic is far superior than any hospital.”

“Not when it comes to cancer. The Clinic’s treatments thus far have been unsuccessful, so your father will be going to the hospital, but his doctor from the Clinic will remain involved in his care.” I hear a door open. “I need to go. Goodbye, Pearce. Oh, and tell your wife that the dinner she prepared was very good. I don’t believe I told her that.”

“I’ll tell her. Goodbye, Mother.”

My mother is making a real effort to accept Rachel. I never thought she would. But when Garret was born, she realized she wouldn’t see her grandson if she continued to treat his mother poorly.

I’m at home, sitting in my office. I need to call Jack. I dread telling him the news. He knew eventually I’d have to quit, but both of us were hoping it wouldn’t be for a while.

“Jack, it’s Pearce,” I say when he answers.

“I already heard,” he says. “Holton has cancer and you’re going back to the company.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Through the Dunamis grapevine. Word travels fast.”

“He wants me to start back there on Monday.”

“I assumed he would. So back to a hundred-hour work week? Rachel’s not going to like that.”

“I’m not going back to that schedule. If my father disagrees, he can fire me again.”

“Pearce, it’s not just your father making you go back. This came from the top. The higher level members are concerned your father won’t make it, and they need you ready to step in and take his place.”

“Why would they think my father won’t make it?”

“Lung cancer has a low survival rate. Didn’t you discuss this with him?”

“He wouldn’t tell us anything. But my mother told me the Clinic couldn’t help.”

“They could, but their treatments are no better than what he’d get at a hospital. I’m sure your father will be fine. He’s a tough bastard.”

“I don’t know if he’s tough enough to beat cancer.” I hear someone yelling for Jack, probably his wife. “I’ll let you go. Tell Martha I said hello.”

“I will. And don’t worry about cleaning out your office. I’ll have everything packed up and sent to you.”

“Thank you, Jack. I’ll miss working with you.”

“Damn straight, you will.” He laughs. “Goodbye, Pearce.”





On Monday morning, I return to my old office at Kensington Chemical. It sat there empty while I was gone, waiting for my return. I didn’t want to get up this morning, knowing I had to come here. I’m trying to be positive, but it’s difficult because I have such bad memories of this place.

“Welcome back, Mr. Kensington!” a man says as he passes by my office door. I have no idea who he is. I’ve never seen him before.

“Good morning, Mr. Kensington.” A young blond woman walks into my office. “I’m Candace. Your new secretary.”

I didn’t have my own secretary before, but apparently I do now.

“Would you like some coffee?” she asks.

“Yes. Thank you.”

She takes off and another person comes into my office. A man who is probably in his forties. “Mr. Kensington. I’m Lou Armin. Your new head of marketing. I just wanted to introduce myself.”

I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Everyone is being overly friendly today. But I won’t get any work done if they keep stopping by. I go to close my door and notice a nameplate on the wall next to it that reads, Pearce Kensington, Interim CEO.