Wounds to Bind Chapter 29 – 'The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can.' –Giada De Laurentis.
November 8 – APOV
In the middle of the night, I awoke with an epiphany. I hate dreaming about work…unless my brain is connecting dots. I called Elizabeth first break this morning. I casually remarked I had forgotten we had new work performance standards which needed to be signed. She was annoyed when she brought them to me. "Please sign your new work performance standards now I don't have to track you or them down later."
Having experienced signing an NDA without reading it, I invited Elizabeth to have a seat while I read my new WPS. What I noticed is the deleted tasks: manuscript data entry, attending editorial meetings, and copying/filing. Tracking Jack's manuscripts is added. Too bad 'Track Manuscripts' does not delineate the task. I note my objection to 'Track Manuscripts' in the empty box where there should be tasks and standards. I sign the WPS. I snapped a picture of the pages using my cell. "This way you don't have to track me down to give me a copy." She practically snatched them out of my hand. Too bad I didn't have the manuscript protocols yesterday when I was freaking out about all the work on my desk and in my cubicle.
I'm not about to ask for an updated asinine micro-management schedule, considering Elizabeth's attitude. I crossed out the stuff I'm not doing, with the date of the new WPS, and add Jack's manuscript tracking. I hope Amber has a list of the tasks and procedures for manuscript tracking.
XXX
Mary and I order Tex-Mex delivery for dinner. I apologize I wasn't able to make our appointment last week. I brought her a copy of the police report. Mary examined the pictures from my mugging. We talk about why I was mugged. I state one of Christian's stalkers may have attacked me. She asks what I will do in the future. I thought about the event. I should have been proactive and had my keys and pepper spray out...ready to use. However, I'm sure I gave my attacker sore ribs and a black eye.
We talked about everything I emailed her. We talk about the flash paper. Mary asks me to note flash paper topics. If I'm flashing the same topic over and over, we should discuss. I tell her about Dad insisting I drive myself to work every day instead of taking public transportation. I can arrange gym time in the mornings. Since I won't be able to read on public transportation, I was glad to read manuscripts during the editorial meeting I'm no longer required to attend.
Mary recommends I have lunch dates with coworkers and friends instead of reading through breaks and lunch. Mary suggests I set aside one day a week with Mia for lunch. She warned me not to use Mia for information, and be a good friend. She also warns me not to assume Mia is tracking me for Christian.
I explain about my work being left untouched while I was out. I was aggravated about the missing email which negated everything I accomplished yesterday during normal work hours. I explained I worked late to clear my desk last night. I talk about how I appreciate my leave time used for the days I had to be out, but I am vexed I didn't think of using my leave. I think the directive from GEH HR pissed off Elizabeth. I thought she liked me when she hired me, but since SIP became GP, she's been unreadable. We talk about how I can get to know the clerical trainee better. I only saw her one out of five days during her first week.
"What did you learn this week?" Mary posed an easy question.
I sighed. "The most important thing I learned – reading tablets are great, but nothing beats the feel and smell of a real book. When I fell asleep, I bounced the tablet off my already sore head."
Mary and I cover my food diary and exercise diary. She adds another task, which is establishing a morning routine and an evening routine. "This week's assignments, in addition to establishing your routines are: Smile more often. Drink enough water. Get some sun. Think positive thoughts. Help others." She saw my face. "Don't feel overwhelmed. I emailed your assignments to you. Handle issues as you can. Don't overwhelm yourself…don't immerse yourself in tasks to avoid dealing with your life and Christian Grey."
November 9 – APOV
I spend my evening doing household and personal tasks. When I need a break, I surf the Internet for the elusive Anastasia Steele job résumé, which I can't find. I think Elizabeth's claim is total bullshit. I try not to worry about how the five work days I've missed will impact my one-hundred-and-eighty-day employee evaluation in December. Packing to spend the weekend with Dad takes the faux resume out of my head for a while.
November 10 – APOV
I'm in a pissy mood because the elevator sings the Dixie Chicks at me while I'm headed to Mia's office. The problem is...I'm stuck between floors for the length of Lullaby. Too many people must be leaving early for the weekend.
They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up.
"Mia," I bite my lip and shake my head at her. "I want to be friends with you, but this is…"
"Accidental, I swear," Mia shakes a pile of papers at me. "Christian and I were just discussing the menus and plans for the weekend. We were supposed to be done ten minutes ago, but I got a call from someone who wants to donate a dozen ugly sweaters. We need them or I would not have taken the call."
"I'm sorry. I thought this was a set-up." I want to avoid looking at Christian on Skype, but I can't tear my eyes from his face.
"I learned a long time ago not to try to set Christian up. My friends would have paid big bucks if I was willing to play matchmaker for them. Do you want to politely say hello to one another or will you just stare and drool?" Mia asks frostily.
"Hello, Ana," Christian smiled.
"Hello Christian. I'm sorry I suspected you of nefarious schemes, Mia," I apologized.
"Apology accepted. I'll order lunch and find out where Mom is." Mia left Skype open, and exited her office, closing the door.
"Christian, thank you for having Grey House HR arrange for my leave time from the move to cover my absence last week. You were kind, via them, to take care of the situation for me." I sit in Mia's chair.
"Well, I really wanted to kiss your boo-boos but you were headed for Montesano before I heard about the situation." Christian chided.
I know I blushed at the thought of him kissing my boobs…boo-boos! "Are you the reason the ballerina assaulted me?"
"I think so. Someone told Seattle Nooz I was the Mummy and you were Holly Go-Lightly and we were having a charitable date with one another. I had to get Sawyer and his friend to clear the air with Seattle Nooz. Needless to say, they didn't run the story because my PR team threatened them. Did she say anything when she attacked you?"
"No, she jumped me and started pounding the hell out of me. I managed to knee her in the ribs and elbow her in the eye." I am proud I remembered my self-defense moves. "God bless Dad for self-defense training."
"Are you sure you cannot come to New York with us?" Christian moves folders in his hands to stacks on various corners of his massive desk.
"Dad lost valuable work time taking care of me after the assault. I need to work as many weekends as possible for him between now and the middle of December so he can make deadlines. Besides, you know I hate shopping," I teased.
Mia returned to the room. "Christian, if you have any changes in the travel plans, please email me. Ana, are you sure you can't join us for Veterans Day or Thanksgiving?"
"Thank you for the offer, Christian, Mia – but I need to go home to Montesano." I sighed. "Travel safe and bring my roommate home safely too, please and thanks."
"Travel safe," Christian ended the Skype.
"Jeez, you guys have it bad." Mia turned off the Skype and opened her office door to Sawyer, who brought the sandwich cart with him. "Mom's incoming. Do you want your stitches removed before or after you eat?"
"Before, I think." I have a minute to look over the cart. I want to pick healthy in case someone reports what I ate to Christian. Eating healthy despite the stress looks good when I report to Mary.
XXX – CPOV
"I've made an executive decision," I informed Sela and John via Skype. "I've decided to postpone TTT until after the holidays."
"As long as you realize we'll start at the beginning of the massages again," Sela reiterated, "I have no problem with your decision. Just be aware of family expectations and stay away from mistletoe!"
"I'm here by phone or Skype when you need me. We can continue weekly sessions if you can work them into your holiday plans." John offered.
"Thank you both for understanding," I appreciate their support.
"Another first for you," John remarked. "I wasn't sure thank you had a place in your vocabulary. Can I ask the reason for the decision?"
"The NTSB released their final analysis on the crash of Charlie Tango. They have a fingerprint from the engine compartment which does not belong to anyone who provided exclusionary fingerprints." I sighed. "Charlie Tango was sabotaged. Ros and I are alive because I was flying low and was able to set down and put out the fire. I want to spend as much time with my family as possible over the holidays. After the holidays…Welch and his men will work long hours to see if we can find a match for the partial fingerprint."
XXX – APOV
Elizabeth is at my desk before last break, asking if I planned to use my leave time to cover for Christmas. I tell her I plan to work so people with children won't feel guilty about needing time off. She acts miffed about my answer and I do not understand.
At last break, Kate and I chat. I explained Grace took my stitches out at lunch time today. She checked the cut at my scalp and my forehead. She was exceptionally kind to me. We had a nice lunch off the sandwich cart… which made Kate laugh.
Kate says life is short, eat dessert first, and shop until I drop. I tell her Mom will be in New York over the weekend. I suggest she can always include my mother in shopping trips.
She reminds me I'd have a fabulous Christmas in Aspen if I gave Christian another chance. I remind her I don't ski…and I'm clumsy…and I don't want to skewer the poor security person assigned to me with a ski pole.
Then I divert the conversation from me to her by asking about Elliot's plans for the weekend. He's hanging out with his dad and Grandpa Theo. She reveals she and Elliot are serious about one another. She needs to give him alone time to buy an engagement ring. I feel a little guilty I won't be in Aspen if he does propose at Thanksgiving. However, I swear I'll be her maid of honor, no matter what.
XXX – CPOV
Taylor drops me at Boeing Field. Mia, Mom and Kate are shocked when I appear on time. Barney discovered Bob and Carla Adams have first class tickets to New York, leaving Savannah this afternoon and returning Monday morning. He hacked their email and printed their itinerary for me. I will manage to bump into Ana's mother. I need intel on Ana's life.
I vaguely overhear Kate's conversation with Taylor. Ana said Happy Birthday Marine, and she thanked him for his service. Fuck, I need Ana in my life. She's so thoughtful and kind. Taylor thanks Kate for the message and sends me on my way. He has Sophie for the weekend, and I'm pleased.
XXX – 3PPOV
My bruises are healed. The costume is shredded to pieces and thrown away in dumpsters at fast food places. I'm wearing the blue blouse and jeans Ana donated with a hoody. I'm hiding in a dark corner of the parking level at Escala. Mrs. Jones has not left. Taylor returns with a little girl. I don't know where Sir is, but I can't get into Escala tonight. What to do? What to do? There's no red Audi here, there's no red Audi at Anastasia Steele's condo. I need WIFI to see if there are alerts about Sir's location.
November 11 – APOV
Laura arrived just after I did last night. I'm glad she's spending the weekend with us. We went to the pancake feed at the firehouse and watched the Veterans Day Parade. I'm surprised the overcast skies aren't pouring rain on the marching band and the veterans. I saw several classmates again – who invite me to attend our class reunion which will be held over Memorial Day. Several of them express an interest in how to remain in contact with me. I suggest they contact me at Dad's address.
After the parade, we go to the VFW. The VFW adopted an overseas platoon. It's packing day for the platoon support Christmas packages. Thirty of us walk around the donation tables, filling boot-size boxes. The local grocery store brought donations of beef jerky, granola bars, tuna and chicken packets, instant drink packets, small boxes of crackers and small jars of peanut butter. The grocer provided packages of gallon-sized Ziploc bags to hold the food items. The town librarian brings a box of donated paperbacks, DVDs and CDs. The post mistress brings 30 packs of donated stationery, pens and stamps. The local dentist brought 30 packages of toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss. The local drugstore brought gallon-sized Ziploc bags which held donations of body wash, shampoo, liquid hand soap, wet wipes, hand purifier, sunscreen and lip balm. The local barber shop donated 30 non-aerosol cans of shaving cream and packs of disposable razors. Two elementary school teachers provided handmade cards drawn and signed by their classes. Different vets, firemen, medical staff, and police donated decks of cards, AA and AAA batteries, tube socks and multi-tools. Once we have the boxes assembled, the VFW auxiliary takes over, directing us to arrange the boxes so they close completely, tape everything closed, apply pre-printed labels and prep the boxes to go to the Post Office tomorrow for shipping overseas to our platoon. Everyone high-fives each other; the chaplain dismisses us from Christmas Elf duty with a prayer.
We're back at the house with three of Dad's vet friends, working in the shop. Dad finished a couple projects for the local bed and breakfast and delivered them with one of the men. Laura and I finished installing antique glass pulls on a three-drawer oak dresser. A pair of secret drawers are hidden inside the dresser top on the right and left side. Dad relined the hidden drawers with tan felt. He refinished one of his larger picture frames as a matching mirror.
We cleaned and polished a walnut dining table and eight chairs, a drop-leaf cherry wood table with two side chairs, and a two-drawer apothecary cabinet, prepping them for delivery. When Dad comes back, he and the men wrap the items in moving blankets with delivery labels. Dad will deliver the finished items to clients this week to free up more room in the workshop.
Dad and the men set up items in one end of the workshop to strip over the weekend: a small oak plant stand, a 1920s escritoire, an ornate nine-drawer dresser and an ornate antique 24x48 picture frame. Dad plans to put a mirror in the frame to pair with the dresser. Plus, we have a set of pocket doors to strip for the bed and breakfast establishment. Dad thinks the doors are carved oak under the layers of paint.
Dad's consignment work is interesting, and represents one-third of the projects we need to complete for Christmas. The refinished oak documents box has been waiting for a new lock and key. Dad chooses one from his new lock stash which fits beautifully in the documents box.
I volunteer to teach Laura how to strip finishes off wood. Long sleeve shirts, rubber gloves, goggles, face masks and our hair pulled back and braided. We use a biodegradable, citrus-scented gel stripper. Dad buys the paint stripper in gallon buckets. Applied with a paint brush; the stripper takes a few hours to work. if the base product is metal, the stripper can be washed down a drain. We wipe the stripper off with soft cloths if the base product is wood. Dad buys baby diapers by the gross. He takes full baskets of dirty cloths to the house to launder each evening. Dad and Laura fold cloths while watching T.V.
I make myself think of other things than braided hair and citrus smells.
Dad installed a whiteboard at the shop with a list of items, their current status and desired final result. His plan is to change a dozen small door-less entertainment centers into children's toy kitchens. Dad asks me to sew curtains for them. He gives me measurements and primary color rainbow stripe material. I need a few hours after dinner to whip them out for him. He'll take all the before and after pictures with his phone – which makes me happy. He'll download them to his laptop and post them to his website when they are done.
The toy kitchens are slated to go to a pre-holiday show in Portland the first weekend of December. Dad has three vet friends helping him prepare for the sale. He shows me the storage shed which is half full of completed projects waiting to go to sale. He recreated three old bookcases into doll houses for little girls. He and his vets renovated entertainment centers with doors into baby, kitchen, sewing, and crafting armoires. I love the kitchen armoire but I seriously have no place to put one. He has six sets of refinished dressers with matching mirrors in large frames. He has an interesting craft table with a dresser on one end and a bookcase on the other. I predict he will sell quite a few in the future.
When we break at the end of the day, Laura checks the list of items we completed and the list of things to do. This will be a busy weekend, but with Dad's database, we shouldn't have to stop and buy supplies.
November 13 – CPOV
I insist on hosting Mom, Mia and Kate at a luxury brunch. I made reservations for a table for six. I know the Adams are staying at the Four Seasons. I called Barney before we left my New York penthouse. Upon my request, Barney tweeted my location at The Garden at the Four Seasons. A buzz about my presence doesn't take long to float around the room. The tweet explains the long queue forming for an available table. In less than fifteen minutes, the Adams appear toward the end of the queue. I excuse myself and head for them. "Mrs. Adams," I kiss her on the cheek. "I'm surprised to see you…here."
"We're having a weekend in New York," she introduces me to her husband, Robin Adams. I invite them to share our table since we have space. Without reservations, they would wait a while to be seated. I notice the look of annoyance on Kate's face as they join us, but she behaves out of deference to Mom.
Brunch is…I will struggle for a description when I discuss brunch with John. Carla belts down a mimosa within minutes of joining the table. She orders her second one while we're ordering breakfast. She's nervous about meeting Mia and Mom. After we order, Carla's agenda becomes clear. She wants Ana and I to reconcile; Bob wants to pick my brain and talk business.
Kate finally loses her self-restraint and snaps at Carla. "Ana's dating a stockbroker!"
Mom looks at me, her peach Bellini halfway to her lips. Mia gulps her mimosa.
"Don't stress Carla," I remove her hand from my arm with a squeeze. "I know Ana befriended a gay stockbroker and his partner." Kate's furious look spurred my explanation. "Ask Ethan. Harley and Shawn have been a couple since college. They purchased a home together this past year. Harley and Ethan are friends. Harley's advising Ana how to file the paperwork to incorporate her dad's business."
"How do you know that, Mr. Stalker?" Kate snapped.
"Kate, nondisclosure agreements are standard procedure for people in contact with me, Grey House, and subsidiaries. My legal team would not permit a stockbroker access to Ana without notifying me. They investigated him." I poured more coffee for myself. "They investigated how he met Ana. If you have a problem with Ana befriending a gay man and his partner, counsel your brother."
"I think Christian keeping an eye on Ana is sweet," Carla defended me.
"Perhaps if he had kept a better eye on her, she wouldn't have been mugged at Halloween," Kate snapped.
"Perhaps if she had been with Christian instead of Ethan's gay friends, she wouldn't have been mugged," Carla snapped back.
Mom and Mia are uncomfortably silent through this exchange.
For the remainder of brunch, Kate deflects Carla's reconciliation agenda by discussing clothes and stores she and Mia visited yesterday. She recommends lots of places for Carla to shop. She talks about the great fall/winter capsule wardrobe Ana assembled for work. She compliments Carla's great taste in the graduation clothes and birthday clothes she purchased for Ana. Carla launches into a discussion of a water color dress which Ana wore to their country club. Carla loaned her designer shoes and bag which made the ensemble for Ana.
I'm slightly annoyed. What the hell does a stockbroker know about incorporating Ray's business? He's using a bullshit excuse; my legal team can prepare incorporation papers, and create a will, a power of attorney and any other possible legal documents Ray might need. Barney reported Ana has recently completed a living will, trust fund, etc. She wouldn't worry about her hospital bills, her student loans or anything else because I would take care of her and any outstanding debts.
When Carla asks about our Thanksgiving plans, Mia explains our Aspen itinerary. Kate and her family are coming. She announces Ana was invited, but she is going to Ray's for Thanksgiving. She tells Carla about Ray prepping for a big show and sale the first weekend in December. Ana is helping Ray prepare for the show, along with three veterans Ray knows.
I'm instantly pissed again. This 'hands off while Ana is with her father' stuff isn't working for me. I want to know who is in contact with her and why. I don't want to endure an ex-military men gauntlet to get to Ana. The problem will be explaining my actions to Taylor.
Carla reveals she and Bob have plans in Scottsdale over Thanksgiving. Bob registered for a charity golf event. Carla invited Ana for Christmas and the New Year. She would love to have a spa day with her daughter and show her off to their friends at the country club's formal New Year's Eve dance.
Oh, hell no…Ana is NOT going to a New Year's Eve party in Savannah. She will not be a country club dance partner for every drunk Tom, Dick and Harry there. I swear to God I will arrange business meetings in Savannah to derail Carla's matchmaking efforts.
Mom deflects Bob's efforts to discuss business with me by talking about the charity event. She asks about golfing in Savannah. She suggests she and Dad should come to Savannah and check out the greens there. Carla overhears and tells Mom the amenities of their country club and their tennis club. She promises to email Mom a list of the golf events in Savannah.
I'm determined to be the perfect engaged host. Sawyer hovers, shock etched across his face when I don't have a meltdown when Carla pats my arm in an overly familiar way. I'm glad Taylor has the weekend off – midway through the meal he might have choked Carla just to get her to shut up.
Eventually, brunch is over. Despite Carla's urging, we cannot linger over coffee because we're due to fly back to Seattle within the hour. Our luggage has been taken to the jet; Stephan and Jane are waiting. Carla insists on kissing my cheek and thanking me for brunch. Kate struggles not to laugh. Mia rolls her eyes. Once my jet is in the air, I warn Barney to watch the media for pictures of this brunch. I ask him to watch emails between Carla and Ana. I know he's having trouble hacking Ana's personal emails, but Carla's are wide open to us. I want to know if Carla mentions the brunch to Ana, or if she asks about the gay stockbroker.
XXX – 3PPOV
"How in God's name is that woman related to Ana?" Mia rolled her eyes. "Ana is the kindest, sweetest, nicest person."
"I could tell you stories," Kate rolled her eyes, "but I'm Ana's friend. Ana takes after Ray. He's a wonderful man who raised a wonderful daughter. Ana won't be happy when she learns Christian invited Carla to have brunch with us."
"Do you think he planned their meeting in advance?" Grace didn't understand Christian's actions – ever – let alone recently.
"Ana warned me Carla follows my Facebook page all the time. She asks me to not post information about her, because Carla always mentions it in conversations and demands answers." Kate rolled her eyes again. "If I know Carla, she has Twitter and Google Alerts for Christian. Bob loved the opportunity to talk business with Christian."
"Until Mom intervened," Mia laughed. "Is it my imagination…or does Carla want Christian and Ana to reconcile?"
"I'm sure she does…" Kate speculated. "The problem is…what Carla wants for Ana's life is rarely compatible with what Ana wants. I doubt Ana goes to Savannah for Christmas, let alone stays there for a full week. The chances of Ana attending a formal New Year's Eve Dance at Bob's country club, where Carla arranges a full dance card for Ana, are SLIM or NONE. If I were to make bets, Ana will be in Montesano for Christmas and New Year's weekends."
"We're going to Aspen," Mia announced. "I will put her on the invite list."
"Ana probably won't go, but she could tell Carla she was invited." Kate agreed with Mia. "An Aspen invitation will keep Carla quiet and happy until she learns Ana decided to go to Montesano instead of Savannah. Ray has a new girlfriend, who is a college professor. I know Ana's refrained from telling Carla about Laura. Ana likes Laura a lot…perhaps more than she likes her own mother."
"As if that were a difficult choice," Mia snarked.
XXX – APOV
"We had a lovely brunch!" Mom waxes poetically.
Frankly, I'm a bit pissed at Kate for her Harley comment. I'm a bit pissed at Christian about his Harley comment. I'm a lot pissed at Mom for the grand inquisition about Harley and the unrequested advice about my love life. I see how Dad and Laura are with each other, and I know they have a good relationship. They work well together; they have fun together; they talk with one another.
The problem is, Christian and my relationship was more or less. I wanted more and he wanted less. He wanted a relationship like what he had with the sub club fifteen – no relationship, no conversation, no dates, and weekends in the red room of pain when he wanted sex. All I want for Christmas is for the SEC to finish the Hyde/Lincoln investigation and for more conversations with Christian like the Skype. If I find he still wants less, I will be able to move on.
Laura and I spent the weekend in the woodshop, stripping, sanding, staining, and hammering. I used the physical outlet to release some of my angst. We put soup in the crockpot all three days, and ate sandwiches from a spiral cut ham and a large block of sharp cheddar cheese on the ciabatta buns I baked and brought with me. Laura brought breakfast items for the weekend. Our vets were well fed while working the holiday weekend with us. I appreciated the relaxing nights, and puppy love from Tundra and Timber. They are so damned cute. I really want a Pomsky puppy.
"Who was that?" Mom asked at the end of our Skype.
I hadn't been paying attention to what was going on behind me. Laura popped in to tell me dinner was ready. "Laura," I said quickly. "Dinner's ready, I need to sign off."
"Who's Laura?" Mom's careful question can't hide her curiosity.
"Dad's girlfriend. She's great. She helped Dad take care of me when I was injured. We've been busy in the woodshop this weekend, gearing up for a big sale the first weekend in December. I really have to go Mom. I'm glad you had a great time in New York and met Grace and Mia." I terminated our Skype link. Well, now Mom can stress over Dad's love life and leave me alone for a while.
"You threw me under the bus, Annie. The wheels in Carla's head are spinning over my inert, dead body." Dad shook his head.
"Drama queen," I scolded him. "Just be thankful she doesn't have your cell number. Besides, you and Laura's love life is none of her business." I'm not surprised when Laura toasted my comment.
November 14 – 3PPOV
******** Page 6, Sightings ********
Christian Grey, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, was spotted at The Garden, Four Seasons for Sunday brunch with family and friends.
Katherine Kavanagh, daughter of Kavanagh Media mogul Eamon Kavanagh, was spotted shopping at Barney's, Bloomingdale's and Henri Bendel's with Mia and Grace Grey.
******** Page 6, Sightings ********
******** NY Daily News ********
Christian Grey, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, was spotted at The Garden, Four Seasons with his mother, sister, Katherine Kavanagh (daughter of Eamon Kavanagh, CEO of Kavanagh Media) and an unknown couple. A great deal of laughter and conversation accompanied the brunch. Gossip says the Greys flew in for the three-day weekend to do some Christmas shopping. Rumor says Christian and Mia had a whirlwind weekend visiting four restaurants and two clubs. He gifted his interests in restaurants and clubs to his sister and introduced Mia to her new partners. We're wondering what company Grey House is buying next and tucking in Christian Grey's Christmas stocking.
******** NY Daily News ********
Barney chuckled about the unknown couple comment. He forwarded the information to Grey, Welch and Sawyer.
Eamon laughed over the Christmas stocking comment, and forwarded the article to Kate.
XXX
Leila breathed a sigh of relief. Sir was in New York with his family. Twice this weekend, she checked Escala. When Mrs. Jones car was gone, she tried to get into the penthouse but the code she had from before didn't work. Sir must have terminated with Ana Steele. He changed the code after he broke up with her. Leila would go to the salon on Wednesday and get work done. If she had to, she would go to the front desk at Escala and ask to speak to Mr. Grey.
November 15 – APOV
"Our opening topic for this week is: When did you start feeling you were different from other people?"
"Mom was always averse to confrontation, I suspect Dad is the same. I don't remember arguments. I believe the divorce idea gathered momentum and then at the last possible minute Mom announced she was leaving and he let her go. I realized I felt different about myself and my life when Mom divorced Dad, and hauled me around the country. We spent a month in Denver; I think she once had friends there. We spent a month in Casper, Wyoming; she might have had relatives there. We spent a week in Nashville, Tennessee where my mother learned she can't carry a tune. Becoming a singing sensation would not bring her the fame she sought. Then we went to Texas where she married verbally abusive alcoholic third husband."
"Did he ever touch inappropriately?"
"I had friends who had sex abuse issues with their stepfathers. They counseled me on what not to wear, and how not to act around him." I explained.
"Give me examples of the things he said to you," Mary directed.
"I was just kidding; don't take things so seriously. You are way too sensitive; get over it. Your mom needs to teach you how to dress and put on makeup. You're too plain. No man will look twice at you when you grow up." I shrug.
"Do you like quiet places?" Mary seeks to understand me.
"Not always. I can have fun in loud places, but I don't like to go clubbing. I'd rather stay home and read. Books don't judge. The one time I've been out clubbing this past year…I drunk dialed Christian. He tracked me to the bar where I was. I impressed him by throwing up all over the azaleas." I shrugged. "He was angry because I got drunk and put myself at risk."
We talk about the drunken night with Christian. We talk about how I felt stupid because I was in college and could not handle my booze like my friends. We talk about how I worked in college and studied for my 4.0 GPA instead of partying on weekends. We talk about the night Christian flew me to Seattle.
"So, you know how many women he's been with and he knows how many men you've been with?" Mary's question surprises me.
"Yes," I'm not sure where this conversation is headed.
"How did you feel when he told you about the number of women he's been with?"
"I asked him if he was gay during the interview. He told me he wasn't," I admitted. "I can't talk about this because I signed a non-disclosure agreement."
"Do you think he was justifying his masculinity by telling you the number?"
"No…I asked. He asked. We were trying to establish boundaries with one another." Unless I must…I will not admit I was a virgin when Christian bedded me. I will not admit he was the first and only.
"Let me explain…number one, no one's sex life is my business except my own, not even my husband's. How many women he slept with before me is none of my business. How many men I slept with before him is none of his business. The fact neither of us shared a sexually transmitted disease is what matters to us. The fact we are in a monogamous relationship is what matters to us. Number two, just because Mr. Grey has a Greek god's body, a fallen angel's smile, J.D. Salinger's reclusiveness, a Gates/Jobs lovechild's wealth…"
"And enough stalkers to fill a train station and enough baggage to fill a cruise ship…" I quip.
"Just because he's all those things…does not diminish who you are." Mary stressed.
"I suspect I was assaulted by one of his stalkers, and I don't know how I feel about that. I'm upset with myself for not having my pepper spray and keys out. I have other thoughts, but I can't discuss them." I am resolved not to break my NDA.
Mary reached behind her for a pad of paper and a pencil. "I have a sudden hankering to see the evening sky from my office window. I want you to write down everything you're thinking and feeling right now." She smiled. "I took a hint from you…this is flash paper."
I wrote, and wrote and wrote and wrote…ten minutes of anger and hatred of Elena Lincoln. How I felt she damaged Christian. How I hated the thought of her bruising his already scarred body…and scarring his already bruised soul. I rant at her for making him want sexual contracts with no love, no intimacy, no touching. I rant at the women who said yes to his RROP in exchange for cars, electronics, clothes and funds. Once I've vented, I folded the papers in half. "Done," I announced.
"I gave you flash paper so you get immediate satisfaction. When I use regular paper, I shred my writings for emotional satisfaction. Sometimes, I use the shreds for kindling a fire in my firepit. Sometimes, I roast hot dogs or make s'mores. Sometimes I write out of frustration because I can't come to a decision or decide on a course of action." Mary held out her trash can and indicated I should throw away my writing. She carried the wastebasket to the balcony of her office and handed me the matches. When the flash was over, Mary poured a bottle of water into the trashcan which she left sitting on the balcony.
"Good people sometimes make bad decisions. They mess up and they don't apologize fast enough, but that doesn't make them bad people. What makes people bad is deliberately making bad decisions and not caring how much they hurt you. Enough angst for tonight." Mary smiled. "Tell me how your weekend went with your dad."
"Mom got a good look at Laura…" I gossiped. "I think she was shocked enough she'll leave Dad and my love life alone for a few weeks."
"Let's talk about your love life…" Mary segued into the next topic. "We talked about the Skype with Christian…now, let's talk about you healing. Do you equate these occasional brushes with him and the occasional stalker incidents to ripping a Band-Aid off a wound which is trying to heal?"
I thought about it, and then I thought some more. I was physically and emotionally hurt by him in June…and I was physically hurt by one of his stalkers at Halloween. The difference is…while I could have gotten myself out of his punishment in June…I actively fought back at Halloween. Plus… I hurt worse, physically after Halloween. Then I answered. "Seeing and talking to him hurts less than it did in June. Am I growing up…or does time heal all wounds?"
"That's for you to figure out, Ana. Will you cut back on charitable deeds since you were hurt at Halloween?"
"I feel better about myself when I volunteer or lend a helping hand. I know there are hundreds of people in situations worse than anything I've faced. Refusing to help the needy is churlish, and self-absorbed." I shrug.
Mary and I discuss my affirmations which I put in a PowerPoint to play on my computer until Halloween. We talked about how I plan to pay it forward in November. We review my morning and night schedule. We discuss how to keep going to Thanksgiving when I can recharge my batteries. We discuss my Thanksgiving plans, and special things to do with Dad and Laura.
"This week's assignments: write down your worries on flash paper. Be honest with everyone…most especially yourself. Fine tune your wake-up routine. Fine tune your bedtime routine. Find inspirational quotes which speak to you." Mary directed. "I sent the assignments to your email so you can access them. The holidays are coming…don't stress. Just breathe. I enjoy eating pumpkin pie for breakfast on Black Friday. Just remember to eat as healthy as you can, exercise, and breathe."
November 16 – 3PPOV
Leila swore and kicked a trash can across the room. She knew something was up when she didn't catch Sir running. A Google alert spotted him in San Francisco on Monday. He met with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Tuesday evening, he was spotted at an emerging economics summit dinner. Wednesday he was scheduled to be a panel member at the summit and Thursday he was slated to be a closing speaker for the almost fifteen hundred attendees at the summit. She didn't know where he went on Friday nights but sometimes he didn't return home until almost ten o'clock.
Leila had an appointment today at the beauty academy. She planned to have all the work done which Sir enjoyed in the past. She needed time next week to get to Master before he left on Wednesday with his family for Thanksgiving. If she had not made contact with him by noon on Wednesday…she had one more plan of action.