A month later, Charles returns
Charles stood in the front of the room speaking.
"Thank you all for welcoming me back. It's good to be back. It's been a long and productive three months but I'm happy to announce that I am back to work and looking forward to catching up with all of you. I want to thank Empirical's management team for their hard work these past months keeping this ship afloat while I pursued writing my novel. Yaddo was a great experience, and I am happy to share my knowledge with anyone who aspires to write their own story. As we all know, publishing is a team effort, and I am proud to have Empirical as my team. I will be hard at work back in the business as publisher but will also be marking out time in my calendar to be just an author getting my book published. So, please be patient with me if I don't get back to you as quickly as you'd like. Thank you all again for your hard work. I appreciate all of you. Thank you."
Charles finished speaking and a swarm of employees approached him offering welcome back, kind words and congratulations on his manuscript and questions on the chance to attend Yaddo.
Diana walked up to Charles.
"Charles, it is so good to have you back at the helm. You have been missed. Seeing you makes everything right with the world again. Some are better at management than others and you are one of the best. We all want to be under Charles. Even Enzo says, being under Charles is his dream."
"Thank you, Diana. That's very kind. I have definitely missed being here, that's for sure."
"What are you thinking about the marketing of your book?"
"I have not really had much time to think about it just yet. Liza and I have not begun editing. We met right after I got back from Upstate and discussed a few things, then I took the girls to England, so it's still rough. I know Liza's read through it and had a few suggestions. I don't know when we will get a chance to work on it since my schedule is very hectic for the near future so there may be a delay. I'll let you know how things are progressing, then we can meet. How's that sound?"
"Of course. Just let me know how I can help. I was thinking we could use your connection to Yaddo to market the book. That is a very prestigious place and putting that on the book could be a real coup for you and the company to have membership in such a prestigious place."
"I'll have to see if that's allowed, but thank you, Diana, for your patience and consideration."
Later in the day, Charles sought out Liza and sat down in her guest chair.
"How does it feel to be back in charge?" she asked.
"It's good. I feel like I'm settling in again. Feels new but also comfortable, like an old pair of shoes you haven't worn in ages," he said, smiling.
"It's good to have you back and I mean that sincerely. I like seeing you around the office again. I've missed you. It's comforting, kind of like those old pair of shoes you haven't worn in ages."
They both chuckled.
"How was England and Scotland? Did you have a good time? How was your friend Simon, the one you knew as a young man and were going to stay with this time?" she asked him.
"We did. I think the girls did too. We toured some literary landmarks, spent time with friends, relaxed, and of course ate too much. Simon and his family are doing well. They have a son who is about Bianca's age, and they hit it off, getting into all kinds of fun trouble. They have a daughter who is older than Nicole and I think Nicole loved feeling older hanging out with her. Both girls were well behaved, although Nicole is starting to give me some attitude."
"How old is she?"
"Just turned fourteen," he told her.
"That's hard to believe."
"I know."
"You know you're just getting started, right? She told him with mock seriousness. "The whole teenager experience? Caitlin went into her bedroom and didn't come out for 6 years."
"I don't know if I'm ready for this," he said feeling a little hopeless.
"You'll be fine. You're a great dad. They know you love them. You're the parent who's always been there. You never walked out. Kids remember stuff like that."
"Thank you for saying that."
"It's true and I meant it. They're lucky to have you," she encouraged him. "How are they now that you're back? Have they settled in?" she asked.
"I don't know. They're with their mother. We flew home, then Pauline took them to Florida to see her parents. She didn't intrude very much by calling while we were away, so I am trying to show the same courtesy. They'll be back in a few weeks."
"Just let me know if you need any help or advice. I've already been there and know what to expect. Just ask any time," Liza offered.
"Thank you for offering. You may be sorry because I may take you up on it."
Liza chuckled, "No problem. Anytime. Really." Looking thoughtfully at him, "Charles you really are a good man and a good father. Don't sweat the teenage years too much."
"I remember being a teenager. I can understand the angst and the fight for independence. I'm sure it's going to be fine. Pauline is more engaged with them now. She's back and very involved trying to make up for her earlier mistakes."
"It's easy to make mistakes as a parent. It's not like there's a handbook you get from the hospital. Sometimes it's all trial and error. Sometimes you don't know what's a mistake until after the fact, but you try your best and hope for a good outcome."
Ok. Hey now that you're back and we have a book to edit and get published. What are you thinking for a timeline to get this done?" she asked him.
"Liza, I am going to be very busy trying to get back in the swing of things. I hope you can be patient with me. I have a lot on my plate for the foreseeable future."
"Of course. Take whatever time you need."
"Maybe we can meet for lunch later this week to start the process? After that it's going to be difficult."
"Sure. Just send me a meeting invite and get it on the calendar," she said.
"I will do that – and it's good to see you around the office too." he told her.
"Yeah, same here," smiling warmly at him.
"So, I'll set up a lunch meeting and we can get started," he offered.
"Sounds good," she replied.
"Okay, enjoy the rest of the day," he said and got up to leave.
"You too."
She wondered if she should be concerned that he did not say he missed her as well. Dr. Bowman suggested that she be more open about her feelings and that was her attempt. She felt a little rebuffed that it was not reciprocated.
Liza got up to get some coffee and Diana was also refilling hers.
"Hey, how's it going, Diana?"
"It's fine. Liza, I wanted to talk to you now that Charles is back. I know I wasn't here when you and he split up after my wedding or, at my wedding, or whatever, but you were my matron of honor and, as much as it may not seem obvious, I do care about you."
"Thank you, Diana."
"Are you going to be okay with Charles back in the office? Will I need to be there and pick you up off the floor every day?"
Typical of Diana to be blunt and to the point.
"No, Diana, I won't need to be picked up off the floor. Yes, it'll be fine. We worked together when he was dating Quinn. It wasn't ideal, but we made it work."
"Is he still dating her?"
"No, that's over," Liza replied
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Liza, even I could tell that you really cared for him, and he seemed to reciprocate. Is there any chance of getting back together?"
"Diana, I really don't want to get into that except to say, no, we're not reconciling."
"Well, then, Liza, maybe it's time for a bold move. Put yourself out there and shake things up. You know, Enzo has a couple of single friends. I could fix you up..." she said, trailing off.
Although it was a kind offer, nothing sounded worse to Liza than the idea of Diana fixing her up.
"No, I'm good. Thanks, though. I appreciate the offer. I am just going to concentrate on work."
"Yeah, that's probably just as well. Ever since I've known you your love life has been volatile, hasn't it? Younger man, older man, no man. Probably a good idea to be alone, practice Zen for a bit and center yourself. Take up yoga, maybe."
"Thanks Diana, for the advice. I'll give it some thought," Liza said as she walked off.
Two weeks: They begin editing the book and Liza opens up about her feelings.
