K. Janssen - Hampton Manor

Evelyn Littleton didn’t take the news graciously. “I warned you to be careful with that son-of-a-bitch. I don’t know how you kept from punching his lights out.”

“There was nothing to be gained by doing that, although I must admit that I was tempted to wipe that smug look off his face. There’s more satisfaction in knowing that he’s going to have his hands full when more customers jump ship. The word will get around fast. They’ll find out, over time, that Hampton isn’t as nice to do business with as I was. Well, that’s behind me now. I’ve got to move forward.”

“So, what are your plans, now?”

“Well first, you’ll be glad to know that I have a love interest in my life. Her name is Marcia Bloom. She’s the lady I’ve been working with on the merger.”

“How could you be interested in her when she’s working for that man?”

“What? Did that just come from the woman who’s been bugging me for years to date more. Aren’t you the one wants more grandchildren running around? Look, I’m no longer obligated to Hampton and she can go out with anyone she wants to. She turned out to be a very special lady, she’s nothing like him. Besides, I’m thinking of moving away from Connecticut. I can start a new business anywhere in the country. I think that this could be the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. We haven’t talked about anything like that, but I felt a closeness growing as we worked together over the last month. I’m hoping that she’ll want to go with me. I intend to find out tonight.”

Evelyn was quiet for a while. Finally she asked, “When did you decide all this?”

“I’ve been thinking about it since I lost the company. I’ve got to do something with my life. I don’t see any opportunities in New England that interest me. Anyway, it’s probably best for me to make a fresh new start away from Connecticut. Having Marcia with me will make it that much sweeter.”

Her voice had an air of sadness as she said, “I guess I’ve always known that one day you’d be leaving Connecticut, but I’ve dreaded the day it would happen.” She got quiet for a minute and then finally spoke, “Of course, you’re right. You go get that girl and make a life for yourself. Goodness knows you deserve it.”

Evelyn was careful to mask her real feelings as she thought, I’m sure going to miss him , but he needs to spread h is wings. He’ll do all right whatever he decides to do.

“Thanks, Mom. You know I’ll come back as often as I can and you will always be welcome to come and visit. It would do you well to get out of this town more often.”

“Have you thought about what you will do if your young lady doesn’t share your plan for the future?”

“If that should happen, I’d be heartbroken, but I know that either way, I have to get out of this town.”

“Well, let’s not borrow trouble. She’d have be out of her mind not to want to run off with you.”

“I hope your right. Let’s get together for lunch tomorrow. We can talk more.”

“I’d like that. Why don’t you come over here. We can order in like we used to.”

“Sounds great, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow, then, around noon.”

Kane took a shower and watched a talk show on TV until 5 p.m.. By 6 he was parked in front of the Sedgwick Arms. He buzzed Marcia’s suite but there was no answer. He was prepared to wait as long as he had to. At six thirty Marcia drove up next to his car. Her face lit up when she recognized him. She waved and motioned for him to follow her in. He parked next to her in the carport.

The gray sedan parked a block away in its customary out-of-the-line-of-vision location.

“I was going to call you, but I thought it was best not to make waves for you at your office. I thought it would be better if I met you out here.”

“I was going to call you at your hotel, but I was afraid that they might tell me you checked out and left town. I don’t know what I would have done, then. I hoped you would come here.”

“I could never leave without talking with you first. It might sound a little corny, but I thought we were kinda hitting it off. If it wasn’t for the constant scrutiny by Adam, I would have asked you out for dinner weeks ago.”

“Well, you’re a free man now. There’s nothing stopping you from asking me.”

Kane’s heart skipped a beat. He blurted out, “Would you go to dinner with me?”

Marcia smiled as she answered, “Your car or mine.”

“Mine, get in.” He reached over and opened the door.

The gray sedan followed at a safe distance. On the way to the restaurant she updated Kane on what happened after he left.

“I told him something to the effect that he was a jerk. Then I stormed out of his office. I don’t know how I got through the day. It wasn’t the same without you. I couldn’t wait until the day was over. Fortunately, Adam was smart enough to stay away from my office for the rest of the day.”

They agreed that when they got to the restaurant, business talk would be off limits. They had dinner at a supper club near the harbor. It took two bottles of wine to fully clear their minds of all of the day’s unpleasantness. They walked barefoot along the sandy beach and marveled at the crescent moon and sky full of twinkling stars. The figure in the shadows went unnoticed and the sound of the camera shutter went unheard. The chill of the night finally brought the stroll to an end and they returned to his car. As the car warmed up he turned to her and asked, “Have you ever given any thought to moving away from Connecticut?”

“I’ve lived here all my life, except for the time I was away at college. No, I’ve never really given it a thought. Why do you ask?”

“I was just thinking. Now that I no longer own Preston Industries, I’ve got nothing to hold me here. I’ve spent most of my life in Connecticut, too, but there’s a great big world out there, full of opportunities. It’s time for me to explore them. Time to make a fresh new start.” Kane hesitated a moment and continued. “I thought that maybe you might want to share your future with me.”

She answered, hesitatingly, “Are you asking me what I think you‘re asking?”

“If you’re thinking that I’m asking you to make a life changing commitment, the answer is yes. During the last month I got to see the real Marcia Bloom. You were a bitch at first, I’ll give you that, but I know now where that originated. The day when you collapsed I started to see past the tough facade to the soft and gentle person that you really are. I knew then that we could hit it off together if given half a chance.”

“Shut up and kiss me,” she said, as she leaned forward.

It was a long passionate kiss. He reached forward and pulled her close. When they separated she looked out the window and noticed that a couple was watching the car.

“You better take me home before we get arrested.”

Kane put the car in gear and drove to her place.

The driver of the grey sedan put down his camera and followed. He was parked in the usual spot when he was relieved at four a.m. by an operative driving a blue coupe.

Inside the suite, Marcia’s head was nestled on Kane’s chest, both sound asleep after hours of unbridled passion. Their hunger for each other was satisfied, but future issues still remained unresolved.

Marcia left for work at 8 a.m. Kane followed a few minutes later. He noticed the blue sedan fall in behind Marcia’s car. He decided to join the procession to see if she was being followed. After a few minutes he knew that that was indeed the case. He called Marcia’s cell phone.”

“Yes, Kane.”

“Don’t do it right away, but in a few seconds, check your rear view. There’s a blue coupe that’s been on your tail since you left your suite. He’s made every turn you have since we got on the highway.