Southern Justice, Part 48

I’m Fixin’ To present part 48 of Southern Justice:

The question from Rick Junior was nothing to be alarmed about at all. He simply asked Chris Adams what if his candidate was not interested in corporate law?

So a much relieved Chris later on called Patty on her cell phone and told her about the dinner, consequently, when he arrived home she was in full fairy tale appearance.

“Wow!” Chris gasped when he saw her. “How do you do that?”

“I canceled my last appointment after I talked to you, so I had time to pay some attention to myself. What’s this dinner all about—a kind of meet the family deal?” Patty answered.

“Actually it’s a celebration dinner, but we’ll use it for that too.”

“What kind of celebration?”

Chris related to Patty about the planned reorganization of the company, the raises, the bonuses and the new three-way partnership.

Patty furrowed her brow in thought for a few moments before she said, “Those are some very smart actions, especially the bonus part, it’s kind of like an insurance policy—you know, in case things go bad for all of you. The one huge problem I foresee is the ownership issue. That will entail a great deal of legal maneuvering and y’all don’t have much time, and absolutely no staff.”

“That’s where you come in,” Chris said and them proceeded to inform her of the legal position the company had authorized.

Patty’s pretty eyes grew wide as she said, “So the dinner is an interview?”

“Not exactly,” Chris replied. “Basically Rick Junior and Jones have already agreed on my choice to fill the position, but that’s only if you want it, and I sure hope you do. We need you, Patty, and it’s also a darn good opportunity for you!”

“I – I – I’m over whelmed!” Patty stuttered, “but you’re right about the opportunity.”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Chris said as he hugged her tightly. “Now come on and let’s go have a great dinner!”

After Rick Junior, Jones and Vickie got over their initial shock of who Chris’ candidate for the legal position was, and of the transformation in the appearance and current state of affairs of Patty, the dinner turned into a jubilant one in which everyone toasted and congratulated each other.

Rick Junior brought the happy occasion to a close with a final toast to Patty. “Here’s to our new Vice President of Legal Affairs, whom we expect to see at work tomorrow!”

While this dinner celebration was taking place, Jackie Payne was sitting and brooding in the luxury high-rise condo, which her dearly departed husband had left her.

She felt lonely and miserable, counting the days until she could cash in her inheritance and get out of Atlanta. She had already picked out the Caribbean Island of St. Croix as her destination. If it was up to her she would leave today, but B. Wendell had advised her not to leave town until all the legal mumbo jumbo was over.

Then she could take her money and run while he stayed to handle the taking over of Pic-Ric Products. About three and a half weeks he had said, but she knew she couldn’t stand sitting around the condo that long. There were too many things that reminded her of Rick. There were his clothes, toiletry items in the bathroom, and all the stuff in his office.

Since her husband’s death the only time she had felt calm and contented was when she was at B. Wendell’s lake house. The peacefulness and the soothing effect of the water were what she longed for. She needed to talk to B. W. Knowing he would take her call day or night, she dialed his number.

“Of course, you may go and stay at my lake house as long as you want my dear,” B. Wendell told her over the phone.

“Another thing, B. W, I do not want to have an active part in taking over Rick’s company. As soon as I get my money I intend to take a very long vacation.” Jackie informed him.

B. Wendell was all agreeable. “If that’s what you want, no problem. We’ll hire someone to take it over and run it. Is there anyone in particular you would want?”

“No, I’ll leave that all up to you.”

“Fine, I’ll take care of that—might just do it myself,” B. Wendell chuckled. “I’ll leave the key to the lake house with one of the clerks at my office. You can swing by there on your way and pick it up.”

“Fine, then it’s settled,” Jackie confirmed. “I’m packing everything I own, and on Friday I’m moving to your lake house, where I intend to stay until I get everything that’s coming to me!”