Читать книгу I Love You, Goodbye - Prentiss Sr. Grant - Страница 3

Introduction

As the plane circled the airport preparing to land, Harrison Michaels could not believe the news. “Your wife has been killed in an automobile accident”. The words echoed in his head over and over. No other details were available and the lack of knowledge made the trip back from the Cayman Islands only longer. Harrison could not remember the meal served or the movie shown on the trip. He did not even recall the flight attendant who overtly flirted with him during the flight. She had spotted Harrison the minute he boarded the plane. Dressed casually in Khakis and a button down shirt, Harrison looked expensive. His clothes were professionally pressed as always and he wore shoes that cost more than his plane ticket home. Sitting almost alone in first class Harrison was privy to all the attention she could give. Normally Harrison would have enjoyed the special services his good looks garnered but today was different. Today he was oblivious to the outside world. It did not take long until the flight attendant realized that her advances were directed toward a man who was buried deep within his own sad world.

Nor did he notice the passenger seated two aisles behind him who carefully watched his every move. Normally Harrison would have quickly recognized a face he had seen before even just in passing, especially a person who was obviously out of his element. When he boarded, the flight attendant checked his ticket twice to verify the man was supposed to be in first class. But Harrison did not see him, further evidence he was not himself. One does not become president of an international banking concern without attention to detail, especially to people. Harrison was exceptional in his work primarily because he always was keenly aware of his surroundings. But this trip was different. Even from the start something felt out of place.

It was not the traveling. Harrison was use to that. His position required him to travel extensively and he was comfortable no matter where he was. Harrison’s regular mode of transportation was the private company jet but mechanical problems had required he take a commercial flight. The ground crew told him the problems could be fixed within six hours, but Harrison did not have time to wait. He had to get home. He had to find out exactly what happened. At the main terminal Harrison found a flight was leaving the islands within the hour. He quickly purchased a first class ticket, so quickly he left his luggage at the villa. Left everything in fact, except for his briefcase. That he took with him. Even with all the questions going through his mind since the phone call, Harrison’s hand remained tightly clenched to its handle. Even in the plane Harrison sat the briefcase next to him instead of allowing it to be placed in the overhead compartment.

Harrison Michaels was an intelligent, handsome, confident man. His rise through the banking industry was rapid. He had met and done business with kings, presidents, and people who raised the concept of wealth to a different level. He was privy to information that could topple nations and make or break the largest of corporations. With all that surrounded him he always remained in control. But today was different and his life would be forever altered. How could she be dead? Dead. The word didn’t make sense to Harrison. Certainly this was a mistake. Nothing this terrible could happen to him. Harrison wasn’t ready for this now. His life was his and no one else could control it. As he worked his way through the terminal she never left his mind. Mary, how could life be life without his beloved Mary?

Harrison had met Mary Beth in college. He was a finance major who excelled in his courses and was respected by his fellow students and faculty. Mary was a somewhat shy business major who would not have garnered any attention except for her exceptional beauty. Her auburn hair accented her hazel eyes. Her lips were slightly pouty and her smile could light up any room. At five feet ten inches she might have been considered threatening except for her overly reserved nature. But Harrison saw her potential.

Their meeting, while appearing coincidental, was anything but. Harrison had done his homework as he always did. It only took a couple weeks for him to learn what he needed to know. A friend in the registrar’s office provided him with a complete listing of Mary’s schedule, residence and club affiliations. Harrison did not follow her as that would be a waste of time. Instead he used his numerous connections to have her daily activities reported to him. Within a few days he had learned her routine. That part was not hard as Mary was a creature of habit. Harrison had figured so because with habit comes security.

On Mondays Mary would leave her dorm at 7:45 a.m. to make her 8:00 English class. She usually walked with a heavyset girl Harrison later learned was her roommate. The two seemed friendly enough but an odd couple. Mary’s roommate was plain and nerdish. She was not a threat to anyone, which is why Mary chose her as a friend. Harrison didn’t see any problem removing her from the picture when the time came. Mary would leave English class at 9:30 and head straight to the library where she did homework until 10:45. She would then travel straight across the street in front of the library to Garrison Hall where she had a business law class at 11:00. She left Garrison Hall at 12:30 and went to the cafeteria for lunch.

After she made her way through the line, Mary would take her tray and sit at the end of an empty table. There she would eat quietly while reading. Sometimes she would read one of her course books and at others it would be one of those tawdry romance novels. Harrison laughed when informed Mary would blush and look around the cafeteria to see if anyone was looking when she read the explicit love passages. Following lunch it was back to her dorm until 4:30 when she and her roommate would go to the campus gym.

Exercise was the one area Harrison observed where Mary was comfortable. She would attack the gym equipment with such vigor it was as if she was releasing some caged demons. She rode the stationary bike to near exhaustion. Unlike some women she was not concerned with the fact that she was covered in sweat in front of a group of men. It was as if she was oblivious to their presence. Most of the college girls used the gym to meet men. They would prance around in their perfectly matched outfits and pose on the equipment until their prey was snared. Then two by two they would leave the gym. Mary would glare at the departing girls with disdain as she moved to the next apparatus. The only distraction allowed was the occasional complaint from her roommate who obviously was there only at Mary’s request. Mary didn’t let the complaints stop her though. She enjoyed her workout and its benefits showed. Mary’s figure was outstanding. Her legs were long and firm. Her body was taunt and she could have passed for a model.

Mary’s exercise regimen would last for two hours, after which she would shower and head to the cafeteria for supper. Supper was similar to lunch with the exception of the presence of Mary’s roommate. The two would sit alone eating, speaking occasionally during the meal. TV in the common area of her dorm would follow supper. Then it was up to her room for the night. The other days of the week were carbon copies of Monday with the only difference being the curriculum. All in all it was not an exciting life, but Harrison was going to change that.

Harrison’s entry into the gym was unnoticed by Mary, although several other girls adjusted their tops accordingly. His timing was impeccable as he reached the second stationary bike in the row seconds before her. Her look quickly let him know he had trespassed upon her property. Harrison quietly and politely relinquished the machine and took the next one. It was a calculation Harrison made about Mary’s personality and showed his ability to understand the nature of people. He knew from his reconnaissance Mary was passionate about her workout. He also studied the regulars in the gym prior to his maneuver and discovered they basically claimed certain machines as their own and guarded their property fiercely. Harrison smiled slightly that his keen sense of people was on target with Mary. As they both began pedaling he neither spoke nor looked at her. If Mary even thought this was an intentional meeting she would run like a scared rabbit.

It was difficult for him to maintain the pace Mary set on her bike but he did so without outwardly screaming in pain. Harrison had not felt his legs burn so badly in his life. It wasn’t that he was out of shape. Quite the contrary, Harrison was one of those few young men who didn’t have to exercise to look good. While never looking directly at her, Harrison kept a close eye on the settings of her machine. Mary, on the other hand, found herself completely distracted by this handsome man next to her. That he was oblivious to the fact she was alive just added to the attraction. When they had finished Harrison got off the bike and smiled at Mary before he moved to a machine on the other side of the room. Mary watched as he began his next exercise and only realized she was still on the exercise bike when she heard a not so subtle “ahem” from a man standing next to her. Startled she quickly returned to her routine.

When Mary found Harrison sitting at her favorite table in the library the next day her smile told him his mission was nearing completion. “Is anyone sitting here?” she asked while looking down at the top of the table. “No, please have a seat. By the way, my name is Harrison Michaels.” “Mary, Mary Richards.” “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Richards.” The two of them sat quietly pretending to study for over an hour until Harrison began packing up his books. His patience was incredible but he was always in control, especially when he was going after something he wanted. And he had already decided he wanted Mary. When he was just about to leave he quietly leaned toward her and whispered, “would you like to join me for coffee at O’Hares?” “I, uh, yes.” Mary’s reply was barely audible.

O’Hares was a quaint little coffee house across the street from the college. Most of the business and finance majors hung out there. They would drink coffee until around seven pretending they were kings of industry. Their conversations centered on the latest news in the Wall Street Journal. Harrison did not particularly like spending his time at O’Hares and found most of the so-called “future leaders” to be no more than spoiled rich brats who knew little about finance and less about being social. However he understood the benefits being in the so-called “elite crowd” would bring in the future. Besides, if there was something Harrison liked, it was coffee. He enjoyed the smell of the fresh brewed coffee as it permeated throughout the small establishment. When the conversations from his contemporaries waned, Harrison found strength in a rich cup of his favorite coffee. Also, for this important first date, Harrison knew Mary would feel as safe in a public place.

Harrison kept the conversation casual during the two-block walk to O’Hares. He remarked about the beauty of the trees and how it amazed him people could go through life so busy they overlooked the wonder all around them. Mary smiled as Harrison spoke and found it difficult to take her eyes off him. Harrison avoided any direct contact except for a light touch on Mary’s back as he held the door for her to enter O’Hares. Two tables were available for the new couple, one close to the corner in the back and another near the door next to a window. Without asking her, Harrison escorted Mary to the window seat.

“The campus does look beautiful this time of year,” Mary spoke as she gazed out the window. “From here it looks as if it is another world.” “It’s funny how things look different when you see them from a distance.” Harrison sat quietly as Mary continued marveling about how she perceived the buildings as standing strong yet peaceful, that even though each building stood alone it was the flow of the entire campus that gave the institution its welcoming feeling. It was obvious Mary enjoyed being at college. This fact seemed odd to Harrison given her shy nature and reluctance to involve herself in hardly any activities. He marked it down to a feeling of being independent even if her independence didn’t amount to much of a life.

As the waitress brought their coffee, Mary had no choice but to turn her attention from the window to the table. Harrison smiled at her softly and asked about the courses she was taking although he already had them committed to memory. Mary told him of her quest for a degree in business and her dream of using that degree to help others. She wanted to run a charitable organization whose primary role was to help children. This news only cemented in his mind the correctness of his choice in Mary. It wouldn’t be until later Harrison would learn the reason behind Mary’s concern for the plight of children.

When the conversation turned to him, Harrison explained his vision of the financial world. He knew people viewed large corporations and banks as cold and heartless industries out for nothing but the almighty dollar but that was not the case. A properly run business could generate enough profits to benefit people in the world. Many were major contributors to charities and normally funded a particular charity of their own. It was, after all, the CEOs of the companies that directed their spending. Anyway, he had always had a fascination with finance and industry so it was only right that he majored in finance.

O’Hares was almost empty when Harrison and Mary left. Their conversation continued on the walk to Mary’s dorm. It was clear the two were hitting it off and the more they revealed about themselves the more the other was drawn closer. At one point Harrison found himself so comfortable that he nearly revealed more about himself than he wanted Mary to know at this time. Quickly he caught himself and gained control of the situation again. When Harrison walked Mary to the front door of her dorm, they stood there momentarily before he asked if they could go out again. When she agreed he gently kissed her cheek and walked to the bottom of the steps. Harrison stood and waited until Mary entered the door then he turned and strolled away.

Their courtship lasted through college. Harrison worked out at the gym on a somewhat regular basis and O’Hares became a special place for the couple. Mary benefited from Harrison’s influence and came out of her shell somewhat. She grew to the point of being comfortable in public settings, especially when she was pursuing a cause. Harrison had pushed her to begin her charity work and she succeeded in raising enough money from the alumni to hire a full time teacher for the campus day-care. Mary beamed with pride when the staff hung a plaque with her name on the wall inside the facility.

Harrison remained on his path to success but found time to enjoy some minor deviations with Mary along the way. He discovered a benefit in the interview process to having a girlfriend and Mary was quickly accepted when introduced to prospective employers. Employers like stability in new employees and the best indication of stability is a relationship. After a few select interviews, Harrison was hired at McKay & Johnson. While it required a move and a major decision about their future, it was just the opportunity Harrison wanted. McKay & Johnson was one of the largest banking institutions in the United States. It was more than a bank. Industry was controlled by the clients of McKay & Johnson and the volume of assets it held rivaled many small countries.

Shortly after Harrison was hired he and Mary were married in a small but elegant affair. Harrison asked one of his classmates to be his best man. It was not a difficult selection, as Harrison had no true friends. Everyone in his inner circle was an acquaintance and prospective business associate. No doubt his selection was more business than sentimental. On the other side of the aisle was Mary’s overweight roommate. Standing beside Mary in a teal blue bridesmaid’s gown, her plumpness was apparent. Mary herself was stunning. Her wedding dress was not traditional in that it had no train but it was elegant. Only a few classmates, teachers and Mary’s parents attended the ceremony. Martha and Tucker Richards sat on the front row beaming as if it was the wedding of the century.

There was no time for a honeymoon as Harrison was eager to report to work. He and Mary spent the night in the local Ramada courtesy of the Richards and left for their future early the next morning. Upon their arrival Harrison left the job of setting up their small apartment to Mary and began his career with McKay & Johnson. Harrison quickly proved his worth in the financial arena and rose through the ranks rapidly. Within five years he made vice president, the youngest in the history of the company. And when the CEO and president, Charles Turnberry, died suddenly of a heart attack the choice of successor was apparent. At thirty-eight Harrison Michaels became the twenty-second CEO and president of McKay & Johnson.