“We’re heading down to see him next week. He seems to be in good spirits,” Connie says, looking directly into the camera as if she’s focusing on me.
The contents of Alexander’s letter are at direct odds with Connie’s comments.
The regret. The trauma work. The desire to fire Paul.
But which one of them is lying?
Alexander? He might be doing it to make me feel guilty. Expecting me to absolve him from his sins like a priest in confession. Or is it Paul, trying to cover up the reality that all is not well?
I zone out while they cover the rest of the campaign details. I’m grateful that the AI companion is recording and summarizing the session for me to review later.
“Christopher, do you have a moment before we jump off?” Paul asks as Caryn and Chloe disconnect from the call.
My finger hovers over the End Meeting button as I stretch my feet under the table. The last thing I want right now is to be stuck talking to Paul. To be part of whatever he has to say. To ask.
“I’ve got to run to another meeting, but drop me an email and I’ll get back to you.” I quickly push down to close the meeting.
I will not relinquish my power to that man. Not again.
Saturday
The warm sensation of the laptop coming through the duvet on my legs does nothing to thaw the iceberg lodged in my gut, put there by the email Paul sent through mere seconds before Kelly’s face appeared on the screen.
To: Christopher Foster
From: Paul Daniels
Subject: Brewed Activation Events
I was hoping we could meet next weekend and iron out the last few details regarding the Brewed activation events discussed on yesterday’s call. Both Alexander and I would be appreciative of that.
Midday. Saturday November 9. I’ll follow up with the logistics.
Paul
The sheer audacity of the man. Assuming I’ll agree to his request. When what this email’s really about is Alexander’s request for me to come visit him at the Meadows.
I’ve barely had time to process everything in his letter, even after rereading it for a third time last night. And he’s taken seven weeks to contact me, yet expects a response to visit him in what, two days?
I glance at the letter, sitting on my nightstand, before turning back to Kelly on the screen.
“He’s getting bigger,” Kelly says, tilting her phone down to her exposed belly.
The sight of it is enough to begin defrosting my gut.
“How are you finding it?”
“My endo cramps have completely gone, and the cravings for pickled food too. But enough about the baby. Tell me—what’s new with you?” Kelly pulls her vest down to cover her belly back up and heads over to the microwave to retrieve her food.
I glance again at Alexander’s letter.
Should I?
Kelly’s the only available sounding board I have when it comes to Alexander, but I’m too emotionally charged right now to think rationally about his request.
I hesitate a little too long and Kelly puts down her bowl of chili con carne.
“It’s Alexander, isn’t it?” Her pupils dilate.
