Even worse, like a loser, I was secretly hoping that Jenna would be there when I visited her mom. My heart thumped in my chest as I rang the doorbell to their apartment, and I ran a hand through my hair to make sure the dark locks were neat.
You’re losing it, the voice in my head hissed.You’re a forty-five-year-old CEO hoping to catch a glimpse of a beautiful teen. What part of this is okay? Who even does this?
My conscience was right because there’s no way a man of my age or position should be lusting after an innocent young womanwho has no idea of her own allure. But fortunately, Jenna was absent that day, which saved me a load of embarrassment. I made some inquiries about her welfare, of course, because it’s the polite thing to do. But my obsession didn’t rear its ugly head, and Sally remained in the dark with respect to my sick interest in her beautiful daughter.
But now, the blonde goddess is here, at the pool, as a plus one on our company retreat. We’re alone during this idyllic Hawaiian morning, the waters peaceful as she waves her hand before me slightly, as if to get my attention.
“Mr. Purdy? Hello, Earth to Mr. Purdy. Anyone there?”
I startle back to reality, cursing myself.
“I’m sorry, Jenna. Yes, of course. You were saying about your mom…?”
Jenna’s shoulders sag slightly as she lowers her form to a deck lounger. I take a seat on the chair across from her and try not to stare at her big breasts as the young woman inhales.
“So again, we really appreciate you allowing Sally to come on this company retreat?—”
“She’s been my personal assistant for more than a decade,” I rasp. “It’s fine.”
Jenna throws me a sad smile.
“Yes, but Sally hasn’t been at the office for two months now because of her chemo. We were so happy when you invited us on this excursion, and so grateful too, Mr. Purdy,” she says in a whisper. “You have no idea how difficult chemo has been for Sally, and she really appreciates your kindness. But in good news, my mom’s been eating well during our stay here, and sheactually goes outside. It isn’t much more than sunning herself on our balcony, but it’s fine!” Jenna says quickly. “Sally’s doing well here.”
I pin the young girl with a look, my fingers itching to stroke along the softness of her skin. But my voice remains modulated when I speak, giving no hint of the raging arousal I’m fighting.
“It’s fine, Jenna. Again, your mom has been with Tatti for ages, and she deserves the respite. Sally earned this vacation, just like the rest of us, and I wouldn’t have left her home alone while the rest of us are here enjoying ourselves. I just want her to get better.”
To my consternation, my words only make Jenna’s eyes fill with more tears.
“Yes thank you,” she says in a choked voice. “But I’m not sure?—”
I interrupt because I don’t want to get too deep into it. What Jenna doesn’t know is that Sally’s already approached me to be her daughter’s guardian after her death, and it’s a morbid subject. At first, I couldn’t believe my secretary was bringing up the topic because no one acknowledges their demise until it’s near inevitable. But Sally May has always been a practical woman, and she pressed her lips together over the phone screen.
“So will you?” she asked. “Be my daughter’s guardian after I pass?”
I stared at the emaciated woman before leaning forward.
“No, no, you’re going to get better,” I said quickly. “This is premature, I’m sure.”
She shook her head, her bald skull wrapped in a silky scarf.
“No, it’s not. It’s going to happen, Rick, and it’s only a matter of time,” Sally said, her voice scratchy, but still forceful. “I need someone to be my daughter’s guardian, and you know I have no close family I can trust. I need you to do it.”
Still, I was in denial.
“No, no, I’m sure you’re jumping the gun, Sals,” I said quickly. “You’re going to get better! I know you’re feeling particularly ill right now but the doctors have promised to try every treatment available. Wasn’t there that new drug that was working miracles? You said you felt better last week after taking it, right?”
Sally fixed me with a look, her eyes like unblinking blue marbles.
“Rick, I’m already at Stage 4 of this thing. In fact, I’m at Stage 5, as I overheard one nurse say, and any signs of me getting better are merely flashes in the pan. Everyone has ups and downs, and some days, my body tolerates the medications better. But underlying it all is the fact that my systems are failing, and that my daughter needs someone after I’m gone. I’ve worked for you for fifteen years, Rick, and there’s no one else. Ineedyou to do this. Please. Consider it the last wish of a dying woman.”
What could I say to that? Is there even anything to say? As a result, I assented and what the young woman standing before me now doesn’t realize is that I’m going to be her guardian once her mother passes. It’s nothing formal because actually, Jenna’s eighteen already, and doesn’t need a guardian per se. But I’m the man managing her mother’s estate, and I’m supposed to look out for her daughter as part of my responsibilities. What the fuck does that even mean? I have no clue, but I guess it means putting a roof over the young girl’s head and helping her find her way inlife. Clearly, the parameters of this “guardianship” are unclear, and I’m not sure exactly what I’m in for.
But at the moment, Jenna’s still swept up in the battle against Sally’s illness, and hasn’t accepted that her mother is going to pass. Jenna’s aware that the situation is dire, but clearly, she hasn’t conceded Sally’s fate just yet.
“My mom is going to be fine,” the young girl says in a choked voice, swallowing hard. “She just needs another dose of that drug that just came out. You know, the miracle one.”
“Clestrapolazine?” I say in a gentle voice. “Yes, I’ve heard it can work wonders, but it generally works best for patients in Stage 1 or 2. Stage 3 even, and you know Sally’s at four.”
