Over at the offices of Immagini West Publications, in the far west end of the city, the big board meeting was in full swing. This was the multi billion pound parent company that owned several media publications, including The Daily Standard. Timothy Ryerson was presenting his PowerPoint slides with all the exuberance he could muster up. The lanky thirty seven year old CFO was dressed in his best navy blue suit with his red hair combed in a perfect side part and his rimless glasses perched perfect on his nose. He tried to infuse his excitement into the boardroom blissfully unaware that his audience was apathetic at best.
"I can't imagine why he's always so happy," Jennifer Marrone, Senior VP for three years too many, scoffed as she nudged Kara. "You'd think he'd take it easy for once, considering how much poorer the divorce is making him". Kara rolled her eyes in disgust. "Now now ladies, let's not mock Mr. Joy & Sunshine here.The figures he's bringing in are fantastic," Ella chuckled. Ella Carmack-Rajdev was the Editor-in-Chief of the glamor and lifestyle magazine -'Bellissima' - Immagini West's largest and most treasured cash cow. She was very model-esque, with her curvaceous delicate size two frame, accentuated by her long blond curls and piercing blue eyes. She was the most stunning woman in that room. She was the most stunning woman in most rooms.
"That's what trolls like him are good for, doesn't surprise me". Timothy had become a perpetual target of Kara's scorn. Her snide remarks at her soon-to-be ex husband did not surprise anyone. "Hardly a way to speak of the father of your child," Jennifer teased. The three of them had been known each other for years and especially enjoyed 'bonding' during Immagini West's much hyped and much too drab board meetings. Fueled by a boredom that knew no bounds, Jennifer's mind, an eternal hothouse for all things sneaky, was in overdrive. She scribbled on a tiny piece of paper torn off the Annual Budget's sheet and carefully snuck it into Kara's folder. Kara overrode her curiosity and decided against stealing a peek at it.
"Ladies, give Crowther there a look," Ella whispered. "What's up with him? Is his mademoiselle in the Bahamas again?" Ella's sarcasm could put any Englishman to shame. Both Kara and Jennifer furtively glanced at him. They agreed with Ella. "I hear Alessandra is done with. It's some Camilla now, or Camille was it?" Jennifer dished. That piqued Ella's interest but not Kara's. She knew what, or rather who, was really on Ricky's mind. She waited patiently till his eyes met hers and then smirked. He stared back unamused.
"Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your undivided attention!" Timothy greeted his attention audience as he drew the presentation to a close. "After the lunch break, my lovely wife Kara will take the stage", he smiled and looked toward Kara as the others applauded. "Lovely ex-wife, you mean," Jennifer said unabashedly. Her disdain for Timothy was an open secret. "I'm starving ladies. Do you reckon I should get the garden salad with olives or with extra cherry tomatoes?" Kara and Jennifer could not believe the sincerity in her eyes. "Eat some real food, why don't you?" Jennifer mocked as they made their way to the cafe on Level Five.
Timothy was more than content with the day's proceedings. The presentation had gone exactly as he had hoped it would. He debated getting a quick lunch but then decided not to. He didn't have much of an appetite and the more he thought about it, the less hungry he got. He grabbed a bunch of his folders and walked toward the balcony at the end of the hallway. He had earned himself a well deserved cigarette break.
When he stepped onto the balcony he was surprised to find that he had company. "Hey Crowther! Howdy do?" he laughed as he gave Ricky a friendly slap on the back. Ricky nodded and pulled out a packet to offer Timothy a smoke. "Dunhill, eh? Good choice but I'm good with my Camel Lights, thanks old chap". Timothy noticed that his colleague was not his usual upbeat self. He was cracking his knuckles more than usual, had an air of restlessness about him and his face was contorted with what seemed like displeasure or was it dismay? He couldn't believe that Ricky was actually upset. In all the years that he had known him, he had never seen him emotionally affected by anything. He was concerned but too apprehensive to ask.
Timothy wondered if sharing some of his woes would help. Ricky might have no shoes today but if he saw someone with no feet, he would probably get some perspective and feel better. "Kara has filed for divorce. There's no pre-nup. It's going to cost me a lot, cost me.. everything," he quivered. It was a challenge to hold onto his composure. Ricky raised an eyebrow and looked at Timothy for a few seconds compassionately before looking away. "I know," he said softly. "Good news travels at the speed of light, doesn't it?" Timothy tried hard to make light of his turmoil but he could not deceive himself, or Ricky.
"I'm not contesting her claim for full custody of Bella either. I can't invite more ugliness into all our lives, especially not Bella's. This has been too tough on her". Ricky stayed silent.
Timothy finished his cigarette and turned to leave. "I've decided to let go and let God. I'm gonna trust the Almighty with this one, Crowther. Let His will and not mine be done," he sighed in dejection.
Just then Lillian, Timothy's assistant, popped her head into the balcony and shrieked, "Boss! We're starting now, please hurry!" They left immediately without Ricky. The heat was scorching that afternoon. The balcony was on the thirty-fifth floor and in front of Ricky's eyes lay a splendid view of the cityscape. But Ricky's mind was elsewhere. He took the final drag and exhaled very slowly, very reluctantly. Then he threw the cigarette butt on the floor, stepped on it and twisted it several times angrily. The Dunhill taste in his mouth did not feel as good as it usually did. He craved something else, something sweeter, like cherry blossom.
"Why did she cancel on me?" The thought rang in his mind for the millionth time that day. On an impulse, he took the packet in his hand and flung it into the sky, as far as he could. "Take that!" he yelled out in frustration. He despised not getting his way.
