Chapter 11: Moving On
The first day after our arrival, I took Vivi to the hospital where she met my sister. Phoebe was out of bed waiting for her with open arms and as Vivi has always been fascinated with my sister she went right to her. Due to her C-section, Phoebe couldn't pick her up yet, but she sat in the chair with Viviana on her lap, cradling her head and kissing her softly. Vivi snuggled right in.
Vivi has never even seen a real baby. Always isolated in my apartment in Brazil, she had only seen babies on TV. She took to little CJ like ducks to water. She was amazed by him, kissing him and she was very gentle. To say she is in love with her little cousin is an understatement. Jax took pictures of the two of them together and we all just stared at the sweetness of the situation. She immediately asked me if she could get her own baby or if I could find her a baby brother or sister, and I told her not yet, but someday. When it came time to leave she wouldn't let go of Phoebe until my sister promised her she could come see the baby when they got home. Finally, we left for our appointment to see Gabe where she ended up getting a few shots and not liking my cousin too much because of it.
The past few days have been spent with Vivi meeting more family members. I have been keeping it to a few each day. She met my Aunt Kate and Uncle Elliot who speaks Spanish and he was crazy about Vivi. Her personality comes out much more when you can speak her language. She says the cutest things, and my uncle thought she was very witty. They sat on the couch in the main family room and talked like two lost friends. Uncle Elliot showed Vivi some tricks for training Bo and he taught her how to say most of her fruits in English. He really enjoyed her and it gave me some time to get caught up on work emails. Of course he ripped me a new one when he had me alone for a few minutes. I have never seen him so pissed at me or anyone for that matter. He just couldn't believe I didn't come to him or my family. I just listened as I have heard it all multiple times in the past few weeks.
My Aunt Mia and Uncle Brady came over the next day and as usual Aunt Mia was like a tornado. I am not sure Vivi knew what to make of her. My mom had to go to Montesano to check on Pop Pops that day. She usually goes once a week and is trying to convince him to move in with her and my dad. Since Aunt Maggie died, he has gone downhill but won't budge about moving. He can't get around very well, he can't see for shit and he is still as stubborn as ever. Aunt Mia made an amazing dinner of Madalena…Brazilian comfort food. Vivi was thrilled and ate two helpings but I can't get her acclimated to American food yet. With one exception…my dad introduced her to Milky Way bars and now she goes up to him and says, "Chocolate pease Abuelo." He loves that and carries some of the little mini bite size Milky Ways in his pockets and sneaks them to her. She has his number.
We went over to Phoebe and Jax's last night for dinner prepared by my mom and Phoebe was home with the baby so it was a special night for Vivi to meet her cousins for the first time. We walked in and Grey approached her first and gave her a hug and she was pretty shy. I don't even know if she has ever seen a little boy that age. Jason practically knocked her over and really had no idea who she was or why she was over. He is a year younger and bigger than she is. Yep…that is why we call him Tank. He just wanted me to wrestle with him as he isn't handling the new baby too well. I tried to give him my attention once Vivi got settled in, but it was Charlie that really had the best first impression. She was so damn cute when she came up to Viviana and hugged her.
"Hola Viviana." Charlotte looked at me and giggled with pride at speaking her one word of Spanish.
"He-lo Charlotte." Vivi moved a little closer to Charlotte, not sure what to do next.
Charlotte handed her a large box. "This is for you. My Poppa took me to the store today and we picked this out for you." Phoebe's kids call Luke, Poppa and with all the issues going on, Luke and Frankie have had a bit more time to help with the kids then my parents. I told Vivi to open it and she was very excited when she found an American Girl Bitty Baby. She has other American Girl dolls but this was her first baby doll.
"Look Papa, just like CJ." She held the baby doll like she held CJ when she first met him. She had the biggest smile and then hugged Charlotte who was beaming and looking clearly fascinated by her little cousin speaking a different language and the way we conversed with each other.
"What are you saying to each other Uncle Caleb? How do I say you're cute? How do you say let's go play? How do you say do you want to see my bedroom? How do you say…"
"Charlie…sweetheart…one question at a time." Jax jumped in to save me. He leaned down and whispered something to her and she told him 'okay' to whatever he said. I think he probably told her to calm down.
"Caleb I think Mom ordered a bunch of accessories for the baby like a stroller, crib and clothes. They should be arriving tomorrow." Phoebe told me as she played with Viviana's hair. I know my sister is really upset about the whole situation. The fact that my daughter has never had a mother is eating away at Phoebe and I expect that she is going to try to have Vivi with her as much as she can.
"Can she come to our playroom Uncle Caleb?" I was curious if she would go with the kids. Grey made me laugh because he talked to her in a really, sweet high pitched voice, almost like he was talking to a dog. But the kids didn't really know how to communicate to her and they were actually trying very hard.
"Come on Viviana…come on. You. Can. Come. Play. With. Us." Grey shouted.
"Grey…dude…she can't understand English buddy… but she isn't deaf." Jax rubbed Grey's head and smiled at him to stink the correction.
Viviana looked at me and I told her the kids wanted to take her to their playroom. She hesitated for a second then took Charlotte's hand and followed both Charlotte and Grey. I was nervous and started to follow them.
"Let them try this Caleb. We can listen in on the intercom." My dad suggested.
The kids did great and Charlotte tried to get me to let Vivi spend the night, but I didn't feel like she was ready for that, so I didn't give in and since I knew in the morning we were having Estella's funeral, she needed to be home. I promised Charlotte she could come over for a sleepover in a few days and all the way home Viviana was more excited than I had ever seen her. As a concession for not letting her spend the night with Charlotte, I let Bo sleep in bed with her and I was happy to see her sleeping well, snuggled up to the puppy when I checked in on her.
I put Vivi's little black wool coat on with her matching beret. My mom said it is called a Rothchild's. Who the hell names coats? I know this day will be hard and confusing for her. I put her mittens on, grab my black cashmere wool coat and gloves and we jump on the golf cart driven by Tongo to the Grey family cemetery. It is located several acres away from the house and not a good day for walking across the lawn.
It is a cold December day, dreary and damp. I am sad beyond words and we get off the cart to walk the fifty yards to the burial site. I take Vivi's little hand and hope she knows how much Estella loved her. She is wearing Estella's locket and I am wearing the tie she gave me last Christmas.
We arrive to the plot where Estella's casket is waiting next to the hole in the ground. There are flowers on top of the casket and several more placed all around it. The mortuary has set up a canopy and a Spanish speaking priest that Gen knows, was asked to do the service.
When I get to the canopy I am touched because not only are my parents present on this cold dreary day, but my entire family is there as well. They didn't know her and I wasn't expecting to see Ted, Gen, Timmi, Henry, Jax and especially Phoebe who has only been out of the hospital a few days. Reid, Tongo, Gail and Taylor also joined us. I nod to everyone and briefly hug my sister. It means a lot to me that she is here to support me. I knew my parents would be here…as the short time my mom knew Estella she became emotionally attached to her. Maybe it was that they were both grandmothers to the same child. I don't know what it is, but my mom has cried a bucket of tears over her death all week.
The service is short. The priest does a blessing in Spanish and then ask if anyone has any final words. I quietly go up to the casket and softly touch it. "Estella…you were everything that is good and right about the world. Have no regrets. Viviana loved you. I loved you. No more pain. No more sorrow. We will be okay." I turn around and Vivi pulls me down to whisper in my ear.
"Papa, can I say something?" I must look surprised but I nod and she walks over to the head of the casket where I just stood. She clears her throat and apparently she is so used to me interpreting for her now that she pauses at the right moments so I can repeat what she is saying.
"Abuela. I miss you. I don't want you to be gone forever but I am happy you are not sick anymore." She nods for me to repeat this in English making us all smile. "Grams is very very nice and I love her and Abuela you won't believe it…Gramps got me my very own baby pony. And he has his own little house and he is so cute. I named him Pepito. I don't think Grams or Papa was very happy that we have a baby pony but he is so so cute." I repeat what she says making everyone laugh even my dad. "And Uncle Teddy is really funny and tonight I am going to meet his little girls." Ted already knows what she is saying and he winks at her. "Uncle Henry got me a puppy and he is very sweet and licked my face." She giggles and waits for me to catch up. "Don't be mad, I know you said no dogs in the house but he is really cute and we named him Bo." Her voice gets a little softer and she moves just a fraction closer to the casket looking at it for a second before continuing. "And Aunt Phoebe had a new baby and she named him after Papa and he is so tiny. I got to hold him three times now." She pauses and looks at me, her little lip quivering. "I miss you so much Abuela. I love you. Can't you come back to me?" I try to repeat what she says but just can't and then she stops and burst into mad mad tears. I pick her up and cradle her head kissing her while Ted repeats what she just said with difficulty. I hear sniffles and tears everywhere, but I only focus on my daughter whispering to her that I understand and that I will never leave her. I hold her tight both of us crying. My poor little girl…she needs only happiness from here on end.
I take Viviana inside where I have promised her hot chocolate and that she can hold baby CJ again who is inside with Frankie. She quietly holds the baby, too sad to talk, then when I see her eyes get heavy I hand the baby to Frankie just as Phoebe joins us.
"Cal…can I take her?" I look and see my mom behind her. They are both worried about Vivi. Right behind them is Timmi and Gen, looking sad. I notice Timmi has black mascara all over from crying. She can't stop and she takes my arm and gives me a huge hug.
"Oh Caleb…that poor baby needs all of our love. Let us all help you." I thank her and take Vivi's hand and tell her maybe we should have a little nap. She reaches up for me and I notice she has completely shut down. Phoebe glances over at CJ.
"Frankie…is he still okay?" Frankie tells Phoebe CJ is sleeping soundly and if he wakes up she will send someone for her. She understands that Phoebe wants to desperately comfort Vivi. I feel so inept. I don't know what to do for my daughter. My mom gets close and wipes Vivi's face and kisses her softly, then she can see that Vivi is reaching to Phoebe and I tell Phoebe that I will carry her to her room as Aunt Phoebe isn't supposed to lift her yet.
We make it inside Viviana's room and she becomes inconsolable repeating over and over again that she just wants Abuela. Phoebe shuts the shade, finds the Charlie Chaplin music box that plays the song Smile…and I think how appropriate. It was Estella's. Phoebe sits in the rocker opens her arms and I place Vivi on her lap. She rocks and hums to Viviana kissing her, brushing her hair from her eyes and rubbing her back. I see Phoebe wiping her tears as she whispers, "Your daddy loves you precious girl and I will always love you just like you are my own. Forever my sweet little girl, Auntie will always always love you." I know Vivi doesn't understand Phoebe, but she calms down and falls asleep in the loving arms of my sister. I mouth 'I love you' to Phoebe and she nods while kissing Viviana yet again.
Later that evening, Ted and Gen come back with the three girls. I am glad that Ted thought to film the meeting. It was so damn cute. Stella came in and being Stella, our little bookworm, she had memorized quite a bit of Spanish in a few short days making Viviana quite happy.
Delilah Mary came in and literally gasp when she saw Viviana.
"Hey you looks like me. How did that happen mommy?" Then she looked at my dad. "Hey Gramps…how's comes you didn't getted me a pony?" She must have overheard Ted and Gen talking about it. My dad instantly looks like he feels terrible and reaches down for Delilah and picks her up. Before he can say anything Gen jumps in.
"Christian Grey….don't you even think about giving her a P.O.N.Y." My dad shrugs her off.
"Well Delilah, the pony is for all of you, not just Vivi and he will stay here but you can come see him whenever you want. Is that okay sweetness?" She looks at my dad for a few seconds and then she kisses him.
"Okay Gramps. Deal." She scoots down and looks at Viviana. "Where is your bedroom? Can I see it?"
I don't really want two four-year old children running around alone up there so I take Anabelle from Ted, grab Stella and go up to Vivi's playroom where I play dolls, princess shit and dress up for the next hour. But I am pleasantly surprised when Ted joins us and dresses up along with the girls making them laugh and giggle hysterically. I don't think I have ever seen him do something like this and we actually had a lot of fun with them. When we came down for dinner Gen and my parents had a good laugh as Ted and I were covered with glitter, lipstick and wearing princess crowns.
We made it through Christmas and New Year's where everyone spoiled Viviana with so many toys she won't be bored for years. I have to get everyone under control. She is going to expect presents every time she sees someone. Vivi took to Henry's boys really well when it was just the two of them. Ricky was a bit wound up for her but when all four of the boys got together she told me she thought they were all too silly. I don't think she understood why they were always jumping on each other, wrestling and running around. I keep having to remind everyone that she has never been around other children, ever. And little boys are just foreign beings to her. I will argue with anyone all day…little girls and little boys are just different. My nephews never fucking sit still. Was I like that?
"Mom are you sure you will be okay?" Today I have to go into work. I have been away for three weeks and I can't put it off any longer. My mom has been walking around for two weeks with headsets on trying to learn Spanish. Vivi is picking up words so quickly that I think she will be able to communicate just fine in a few months. Just last night she told me, "Good night Papa, I love you," in almost perfect English.
"We will be fine. Dad is going into Grey House today for a meeting and we are just going to have a girl's day. I have an appointment to get a pedicure and manicure. You don't mind if I get her nails done…something simple do you Cal?" I roll my eyes.
"Are we really going to start that shit already?" My mom just smiles at me. The back door opens and Gail walks in. Vivi who is sitting at the kitchen counter eating scrambled eggs surprises Gail when she says, "Morning Gaga."
"Buenos dias Viviana." My mom turns on the TV to listen to the morning news while she fixes me breakfast. I am not really paying attention and Vivi taps me.
"Look Papa at the pretty princess dancing." I barely look up but do in time to see the back of a female figure skater on the TV.
"She is dancing on ice…it is called ice skating. I will take you sometime. Would you like that?" Before I can say anything else, Gail and my mom practically knock each other over to look at what is on the TV.
"Look Ana it is Lainey Montgomery." They both are mesmerized, so I look up to see what all the fuss is about.
"Lainey Montgomery was disappointed with her silver medal in the last Olympics and returns this February to the Olympics in Banff, Canada as the favorite for the Gold medal. As the oldest skater at 25, Montgomery sees this as her last chance to earn the gold and has already announced that she will be returning to her hometown of Kirkland, Washington to start a skating school upon retirement. Known as America's Sweetheart, Montgomery's ankle injury suffered at last month's World Competition in Munich is apparently healing nicely."
I am pretty sure my jaw is hanging open. That may be the finest specimen of female I have ever seen. God damn the legs are mouthwatering.
"Caleb…your drooling honey. Isn't she beautiful?" My mom looks at me but I am watching a clip of her skating. She is so graceful and perfect.
Vivi snaps me out of her trance when I see her twirling over and over again like the gorgeous woman I just saw on the TV. "Papa I am like the princess on TV." We all watch her and laugh.
"Have you heard of her before Caleb?" Gail asks me drinking a cup of coffee.
"Who?" I finish my coffee and Tongo comes out telling me it is time to go.
"Lainey Montgomery…the skater you were just staring at."
"Oh…no…I am not a big ice skating groupie. But she was amazing looking and looks like she is really good. Did they say she was from here?"
"Yes Caleb. I swear where have you been? She is the biggest thing to hit this town in years." I shrug because I had no clue who she was before a few minutes ago.
"Vivi, be good for Gram. I have to go to work. Gram is going to take you to make your nails pretty. Remember to point to what you need so Gram can understand you okay? I will be home for dinner time." She hugs me a little unsure about me leaving her as we haven't been apart since we came back to Seattle. "I will be back I promise baby." I kiss her and my mom picks her up to walk me to the door. I watch as they wave to me and as Tongo and I pull out to head to work.
I spend the morning working with my second in charge, Jolene Michaels who worked with my uncles before I came into the business. Grey House Designs has two divisions. We have the design side and the construction side. Jolene is in her late 40's and is very talented and a great manager. She actually oversees the construction side. Her husband died when he was just 30 and she is a bit hardened. She never had kids and she works around the clock. We weren't even sitting down for five seconds to debrief on upcoming projects and what happened while I was away when she nails me.
"Caleb…really? You are going to sit there and not tell me about the kid? Tell me the whole story."
"Jolene…I wasn't trying to keep her from you on purpose. I had no choice. Shut the door please." She shuts the door and for the next hour I tell her almost everything. I explain to her why I was away so much which to her credit she never questioned me about in the past. "I will not be traveling anymore unless I have to. With Vivi here I won't need to be gone so we can take on more bids and projects."
"Well I don't know how. We are slammed already. The project managers need your time to sign off on all the design work for the Presidential library. You really need to get your head in the game on that Caleb. Every great designer and architect put plans and bids in for that and you were the one that was selected. That is the highest honor. Have you even given it any thought?" I breathe in. I haven't.
"Not as much as I need to. I will lock myself in this office all week and start on it. I just need the property specs. Have they been sent yet? I should fly out and look at the land too to get some inspiration. I can make it there and back in one day."
"Wow…you are really committed to being here for her aren't you?" Jo looks at me with a bit of surprise. "Well that is good. Sounds like the little thing needs some stability."
"Yes Jo. I have to change my entire lifestyle. I mean she has my family now, but she doesn't speak English yet and this is all new to her. When she gets settled in I will eventually find a nanny…then I will pick up my travel again. I know I have to get to Sydney sometime this year to check on our crew there but right now, I am staying put." Jo is no nonsense so she is ready to move this conversation forward.
"Here are the resumes for this afternoon. Brady and Elliot both met with the candidates last month and screened it down to these three. I met with them two weeks ago…and well I have my favorite but I will wait to share that with you until you meet them." Jo gets up to leave then turns around to look at me. "Caleb…how did you let yourself get so fucked over? You are so brilliant and have so much to offer. I am struggling with how this woman did this to you. Makes me want to get on my broom and bitch slap the hell out of her." I actually laugh because I know she is serious.
"Jo…I don't know. But you can bet…I won't make the same mistake again."
After a full morning and going over my schedule with my PA, Bryce, I have lunch at my desk and check in with my mom to make sure Viviana is doing okay. She said they were having a great day and Viviana learned quite a few new words today. She said she hasn't stopped jumping in the air and twirling since she saw that skater on TV. I will definitely have to take her ice skating or call Ivy and get her in lessons. She twirls so much my dad calls her his little Twirly Bird. I am about to head to the conference room when Tongo comes into my office.
"Cal…this package arrived for your from Brazil." Tongo is holding a small box. "Bryce started to open it but when I saw it was from Brazil I told him I would take it."
"Should we open it?"
"No…let me run over to GEH and scan it through the x-rays. Mike is there he will or should let me in. You know we met for drinks the other night and patched everything up, but he still thinks Henry is going to fire him. Have you heard anything Uso? Is that true?" I shake my head no, that I haven't heard, but that isn't entirely true.
Christmas day Henry and I had a long talk. He is keeping Mike but he wanted me to know that it bothered him and Ted that I let Tongo get so close to me and that he felt I told him way too much family information. I find that ironic because he and Mike are like best friends but I guess keeping Augustine and Vivi from them, now that the worst is behind us, has really rubbed him the wrong way. We agreed not to keep rehashing the same shit over and over again but I am trying not to make Tongo so privy to information Henry tells me in private.
I put my sports coat on to go into the board room for the first interview…we don't dress in suits and ties here. I have an awesome old warehouse that is brick in the inside, and an upstairs loft where the executive offices reside. On the main floor we have over thirty drafting tables that all have built in computer screens on the surface of the table as most design work is now done with technology. We have a younger staff on the design team and we like to work to our tunes and in a bright wide open vibe. Most people wear jeans and are comfortable. My only rules are: no smoking, no food or drinks on the drafting tables, everyone looks clean and they come ready to work. The building behind the design team warehouse is for the construction team. It is the same building my Uncle Brady started with years ago. We have added to it and built an enclosed catwalk so we can go back and forth. I must make that trip twenty times a day. Both my uncles still have offices over there although they are almost never there working. I just keep them in place out of respect. When they are ready to let go, they will. I own the company for the most part now except for a small percent that they still own. They stay out of my way, but I trust their judgement and do rely on them. Especially Uncle Brady. He taught me everything about design. Jolene still calls Uncle Elliot every day to fill him in on the construction side and we have quarterly meetings to keep them current.
The first candidate is decent enough but not sure how he would fit in with our crowd. He is a bit ridged, his work is a tad bit too controlled and conservative for my liking and he smelled like smoke so I crossed him off my list right away. I like edgy designers. People willing to design something so different it forces people to take notice. I have five architects right now that are just like this guy, I don't need another one. I am also looking for someone who has a good handle on Southwestern designs as we don't really have that person in the mix now.
After the first interview is over I call Jolene and ask her what she was smoking when she talked to the first guy…in fact what were my uncle's thinking? I tell her flat out…no way and she laughs at me. I grab a bottle of cold water and drink it down before heading into the second interview. I grab the resume and head into the conference room.
"Good afternoon…Caleb Grey…nice to meet you." I look up from the resume and oh shit. I have told Jolene a hundred times…do not interview hot women! Yet…in front of me is a goddess. I put my hand out.
'Cecila Morales. Nice to meet you Mr. Grey." She is gorgeous. Long jet black straight hair. Dark brown eyes, nice body and a great smile. I silently groan. I won't date employees and I hate when they are hot because I ultimately get caught checking them out.
"Have a seat please. And please call me Caleb." I wait for her to sit and then we talk for almost two hours and she shows me her portfolio. Her work is impressive. She is innovative and has designed some real edgy work, just the way I like it. I forget how gorgeous she is after talking to her as she is very talented and that is what I am looking for. I learn that she has been raised in New Mexico where she still resides, is very familiar with the southwestern architecture and her parents came from Mexico, so she speaks Spanish. I surprise myself when I tell her a little about Vivi. "My daughter only speaks Spanish."
She looks surprised. "Oh, I apologize Mr. Grey…Caleb, I researched everything about you for this interview and I was sure it said you were single and never married." Her comment surprises me. A little old fashion in her thinking is my first thought.
"I am single, I have never been married…but I have had sex Ms. Morales. And that resulted in my daughter." I don't know why I just got so defensive and like a complete dick but I don't feel like explaining myself for being a single father every other second. She blushes slightly. "I have been the only parent she has ever known. Pick up your local People magazine on the way to the airport, you can read all the juicy details." She looks a bit taken back by my change in attitude.
People magazine did a two-page story on me and my big secret. Fuck everyone. Why does it have to be called the big secret? But anyway…to make sure we controlled the spin on this we granted an interview but I would not cave in on pictures of Vivi from the front. Only one with her holding my hand walking away from the camera. I don't want her photo exposed just yet. She has enough to get used to. I also refused to name who the mother was and thankfully Jax has a temporary order sealing Vivi's records. We simply said her mother gave her to me at birth and I haven't seen her since…which is true. In fact I didn't even see her then. I haven't even looked at the article yet. It is on my desk and I will look at it after the last interview.
"Why do you want to work for Grey House Designs Cecila?" She smiles and her eyes get all bright and excited reminding me again how ridiculously hot she is.
"I know I have talent. I know I am unique and I want to be the best female architect of my time. I have studied everything you have designed…you are amazing and for being so young you have a massive following. I know your family is famous and that probably gives you a slight edge…but you….your work…this gift you have…I want to learn from you. I just want to imitate your best work. In my graduate studies course last year, we studied your work for an entire week. Everyone was trying to figure out how you come up with the crazy geometric designs and your ability to use natural light makes everything look so luminous…your just so gifted." I sit back. I have heard all this shit before. I don't want someone to work here because of me. I want them to offer me something so I give her one more chance.
"Look…tell me what you have to offer me? Not what I can offer you. I am not trying to be a dick…but I know what I can do. I am not a professor teaching students…I am running a successful business where I let people create and be free to design as they think best…but if I have to do it myself…I don't need you. I like to collaborate with my team…I come up with the concept and then let them run with it…but I expect my team members to offer me new ideas…I only want the best people working here. So with all due respect to your answer Cecila…I don't need a groupie…I need a designer. I need a gifted architect. Your work is impressive and with huge potential in what I see…but the people I hire have to be able to stand up to me…excite me and even challenge me. If they don't…I don't need them. Because you're right…I am good…but I am not afraid to hire people around me that are even better." She looks at me almost pleading.
"Please I really want this job." Again I am captured in her beauty. But as fucked up as my life has been…the one thing I never make mistakes on is my work. My gut is telling me no.
"I have another candidate that is waiting for me Cecila. Let me see what they have to offer. Fly home to Santa Fe then Jolene will reach out with you by tomorrow with my decision. I stand to to leave expecting to escort her out to the reception area but she remains seated in thought. Then she looks up at me.
"Caleb…my flight to New Mexico isn't until 9:30 this evening. Can I have another shot at convincing you that I can be what you are looking for? Can I take you to dinner…please?"
Well that is ballsy. I am not sure if I find her too pushy or just what we need. "No I appreciate your persistence, but I have to get home to my daughter. Jolene will be in touch. Thank you for making the trip in, Bryce has a driver waiting to take you to SeaTac. I open the door for her and watch her walk away looking disappointed. She turns around and smiles at me.
"Thank you for your time. I look forward to Jolene's call." Man I hate when people look at me like I have crushed their dreams. But I would have hired her if she hadn't gone all groupie on me. I don't operate that way. But god damn as she walks away…I can't help but notice that great ass.
I finish the third interview and I don't feel great about this candidate either. Maybe I am in just a shit mood. I let Jolene know that I need to think about the last two candidates a bit more and will get back to her, but I am curious as to which direction she was headed.
"Which one did you like Jo?"
"Clearly…Cecila. She is exactly what you said you were looking for and I liked her. I don't get what your problem is?'
"My problem is she wants me to mentor her…I need her to come in guns a blazing…not come in expecting to follow me around like a puppy." I tap my pencil on the desk. "And what the fuck Jo…no hotties remember. God damn she was hot but she would be a major distraction out on the design floor."
"Really? You are not hiring her because she is too hot? Please tell me you didn't just say that."
"No…I didn't say that was the reason. I just pointed out that she will be a distraction."
"You're making a mistake not hiring her Caleb." Jo grabs a beer out of my refrigerator. It is close to five so I don't join her as I need to get home.
"Fine Jo. Hire her then. But tell her I am expecting her to come in offering her talents not hanging onto mine." She pumps her fist and leaves with her beer. "She fucks up…this is on you." I yell after her.
Tongo comes into my office and shakes his head. I look at him. He's getting too heavy. We haven't had any time to work out lately…he needs to get his ass back in the gym…me too. "What did you find?"
"A box of strange shit man."
"Tongo…I'm tired. I have a headache. I have so much damn work to catch up on. Just tell me without the drama."
"Augustine sent back all these cards you gave her, the jewelry, and some sketches that you made of her. There was a note that said, "I don't need you or any part of you anymore. I have it all."
I don't say anything. The bitch is trying to send me a message but I really just don't care. I know the jewelry was pretty expensive but I don't want it. "Throw it all out…sell the jewelry if you want and keep the money…I don't care either way."
Man I am on edge today. It's been a couple of weeks since I got laid…well almost three. I met Ivy's new man at New Years, he was a nice guy making her as my FB officially over. Everyone and their cousin has me set up on blind dates. I am booked straight. It is ridiculous. Phoebe set me up with her trainer, we are going out for lunch tomorrow. Gen has me set up with her dental hygienist, I am meeting her for a drink in two nights after Vivi goes to bed. My Aunt Kate has me set up with a date for a black tie event Saturday night. Maybe one of these dates will provide me with some relief.
I think about the past month and while I feel Vivi and I are moving on quite well, I still feel unsettled. She is actually doing better than me. While she still cries for Estella she worships my mom and Phoebe has taken her several times as have Gen and Timmi. She is adapting really well with this new large family that she didn't have just a month ago. She is excited because Ted's girls are staying at our house starting tomorrow for a week while he takes Gen away. The girls are planning on all sleeping in the dormitory my mom set up, with six double beds. Over the weekend Charlotte is coming to. It will be raining little girls at our house. I might have to escape to Henry's.
I lean back in my chair and grab the issue of People bracing myself to read the miserable story of my life and the reveal of my daughter. It blows me away that people would care, but evidently they do. I look at the cover and there is an amazing beautiful woman. She is exquisite, with eyes….a color I can't even describe. Hazel with blue…no green with brown…what the hell are those eyes? They are hypnotizing. That mouth…who is this? I don't recognize her if she is an actress…but where have I seen her? I read the headline.
"Will America's Sweetheart Capture the Gold? An inside look at Lainey Montgomery's Amazing Story of Abandonment at Four Years Old…to Her Race for the Gold." Oh this is the lovely creature skating on the news this morning. How have I not heard of her and she is from this area. Hmmm. On the right hand corner of the magazine cover is my photo. "Caleb Grey's Secret Child." Fuck them. I go straight to the article on Lainey Montgomery…I know my story….what's hers?