Real life always gets in the way.
Chapter IV
Ring ring!
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings," Bradford Meade thought wryly. Everything here shined with light; so much so it was almost blinding. She called it "the Waiting Room," a sort of in-between place until your next destination.
Her confidence was the first thing that brought him to her, an anchor through the chaotic storm of his thoughts. He chuckled amusingly. Strong women seemed to mark the milestones of his life.
Ring ring!
The bell signaled the next person on the waiting list. Sometimes it seemed that the next person was called within a few seconds after the last. Sometimes it seemed as if days passed.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
He laughed quietly. It appeared like money was the all important influence on all of his decisions: His choice in profession, his marriage, how he raised his children…
Alex, no Alexis, and Daniel…
Initially he feared that he and Claire would not conceive a child. Both were so old when they married: Claire nearly a spinster; he, an ultimatum by his father the only reason why he even settled down. The confident Ice Queen had caught his eye at one of the rich and famous soirees and soon both mutually agreed that a union between their two families would greatly benefit the other.
When Alex was born, he was the Golden Child. A son, someone to carry on his name, and his legacy! He spoiled Alex rotten but made sure the boy knew the reality of hard work. No, he didn't want a mooching trust fund squanderer running his empire.
Then, joy of joys, Claire had come to him again announcing she was with child and he was pleasantly surprised. Their relationship had become stale and monotonous and he was beginning to take notice of the blonde editor at Mode.
Daniel in all honesty was his back up plan. Bradford Meade did not get to where he was without having a Plan B to fall on.
"You're thinking of your family again. You always look happier when you do."
He spent some time with Daniel but really he let his wife have full reign of the boys' upbringing. Sure he paid the bill for their every need but in truth, Daniel was Claire's child not his. Occasionally he would reprimand Daniel for his foolish indiscretions but the company was first and foremost in his thoughts. It wasn't until Alex's "death" did he realize he had a second son.
No, Daniel was a poor substitute for Alex. It was clearly evident as Daniel retaliated by spreading his womanizing ways into the office.
"You wish to control everything."
Yes, he figured he would control aspects of his son's life rather than deal with his son personally.
Good fortune must have smiled on him as Bradford spotted that strangely dressed girl at Mode headquarters. Her exceptional resume made her a perfect candidate but her looks guaranteed fewer romantic office liaisons.
Imagine to his surprise when Betty Suarez not only curbed Daniel's romancing ways; she actually had him focusing on the magazine and his responsibilities. Daniel arrived promptly for meetings, prepared with detailed knowledge of The Book and inputted valid arguments and ideas for the next issue. Bradford thought that he could finally breathe freely.
"You ran away from your marriage."
He turned sheepishly to his companion. Of course she would know. The temptation of a cold, loveless marriage… why else would two lonely people turn to each other? He addressed the familiar voice.
"When I first saw you, I was scared and lonely. You were so blunt and told me to get over it. For the first time, the great Bradford Meade must let someone else make a decision."
Ironically, the one place where his decisions needed to be made the most, his family, was the most neglected. Claire had begun to drink and did not even attempt to talk to him. Daniel drifted apart after Alex died and Bradford buried himself in the magazine. It wasn't until his last moment of his life in the ICU was where everything seemed to turn out well.
In that room, he and his wife acknowledged their love for each other. Funny, if they had done so when their marriage had first experienced problems, maybe he wouldn't have turned to Faye. He remembered seeing Alexis and Daniel actually getting along with each other, plus, the appearance of one girl who brought them all together.
If only he had a second chance, but it was too late.
"Everyone everywhere always gets a second chance and it's never too late."
Bradford froze a hopeful flutter bubbling in his chest. Staring at the woman before him he studied her. Like everyone here, her age was not apparent but the happy smile on her face invited him to listen to her. Her advice, in his experience, was always comforting. That's probably what drew him to her in the first place.
"What, I can relive my life?" he asked.
She cocked her head as if listening to an inner monologue.
"You may see one person to pass on your thoughts for a brief moment." She stressed the word, "brief."
Immediately several possibilities sprung out on him: saying "I love you" to Claire, seeing Alex one more time, seeing how Mode was doing. Suddenly he knew the obviously answer. Something he should have done years ago.
The tall, lean young man traced the leather trim on the armrest of the worn chair. Here, in this office was where his father was best represented, not that lifeless tomb in a barren cemetery. A soft breeze drifted through the room. He closed his eyes concentrating. Something told him that he had to wait here for something important.
"Daniel…"
Again the soft whisper, "Daniel…"
"I may not have shown it but I'm proud of you. I'm sorry I never said it earlier but I love you."
Daniel jerked awake. He had fallen asleep in his father's office. No one had gotten the opportunity to remodel it yet and he was so tired and stressed out recently. Bradford Meade's office seemed to exude strength and determination.
"I'm proud of you… I love you…"
It sounded like his father.
He felt all of the oppressive weight that had been sitting on his shoulders lift as he recalled those few short words. Magazines and petty dramas can disappear like dust in the wind. Yes, love was what he needed. That was all that mattered in the world. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
Bradford Meade took a big breath. He said the words he needed to say to the one whom he neglected the most. He regrettably thought of Claire.
He turned to the cheerful woman beside him.
"My wife killed for me."
"Love can unfortunately lead people to many things, even killing somebody else." Her voice, unusually somber had a haunted tone.
"I can see where Betty gets her determination, Mrs. Suarez."
"I'm very proud of her, Mr. Meade."
"I don't understand why you are here with me now. This must not be how you spend your afterlife."
"Betty asked me to help you get where you needed to go," the woman said softly.
"And where do I go from here?" he nervously looked at an indiscriminate point at his feet.
Ring Ring!
It was his turn.
He felt a stab of fear, but the comforting eyes of Mrs. Suarez calmed him. He was Bradford Meade. Every action he had made had a consequence. He would have to own up to his mistakes for the first time in his life. Mrs. Suarez gave him an encouraging smile before disappearing. Bradford walked towards the light.
Ring Ring!
Strange, he thought as he entered what would determine his afterlife. That bell didn't seem so foreboding anymore.
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