The fact that she finds the power to think about me in the middle of her distress makes me cry even harder. I know she wants to protect me. But who is going to protect her if I stay here? I am torn.
"Oh mom, what a mess. Are you sure this is the right way to handle it?"
My mother quietly blows her nose and sounds more determined than I have ever heard before.
"Yes, Emma, I am 100% sure. Let's do this my way and if for some reason things take a turn for the worse, we can consider shifting direction. But now you know how the situation is here. The doctors will help me. Just call in on me now and then. That would make me very happy."
My stomach hurts. "Of course I will call you, mom. You can beat this. I know you can." She has handled so much shit in her time, so of course, she can beat cancer, too. Cancer. The word alone gives me the creeps.
"Emma, someone's at the door. I got a run. I'm sorry for bringing you such bad news. But you know I hate to keep secrets from you. I'll talk to you soon, right?"
I sigh. "I'm glad you told me. Take care, mom. I love you."
The phone slides out of my hand and lands softly on the carpet below me. I'm not sure I have fully comprehended what she just told me. It's too much to take in. I want to cry more, but I can't. A million thoughts go through my head. But the thought that stays with me like a neon sign on a highway is: Is my mother going to die?
11 a.m. I have no idea what to do with myself. Then I remember that I promised to walk Mrs. Johnston's dog today. Mrs. Johnston lives just right next door and she's getting too old to take her little schnauzer out on the walks he needs. So I take him now and then. It gets me out of the apartment, too. And to be frank, right now I can't think of anything I'd rather do than to go for a long walk and feel the cool air on my face. I put on a big sweater and my sneakers and slam the door behind me.
Mrs. Johnston opens the door the second I knock.
"Emma, so good to see you! Willie has been waiting for you."
Her little schnauzer comes running to the door, eager to get out. He doesn't bark, but only because he knows that he is in for a treat if he doesn't. Instead, he's jumping around, wagging his tail.
"You see, he's so ready. Here's the leash. And it looks like it's a beautiful day outside, too," she says and hands me his navy leash and two treats for my pocket.
"It sure is beautiful,” I say and put the leash on Willy. "A beautiful day for a walk. We'll be back in about an hour,” I say and walk down the stairs and out into the street.
"Let's go to the park, Willy," I say and start walking towards our favorite recreational area.
There are lots of people in the park. I guess we're not the only ones looking for a bit of nature in the middle of Boston on a beautiful, sunny day. Willy sniffs just about everything that comes his way. The fire hydrant, bushes, people that walk by. He constantly wiggles his nose back and forth to pick up on smells I wouldn’t have a chance to discover. I, on the other hand, let him play around and take the opportunity to just let my thoughts wander. I take a deep breath and fresh air fills my lungs. My God, I hope she makes it. I'm finally at a place in my life where things are starting to come together. The thought of losing my mom at this point is devastating.
"Come here, Willy. Let's sit down for a while and enjoy the sun." I pull Willy towards a bench, and when I sit down, he sits down next to me on the ground. I may be over-analyzing, but it almost looks like he too enjoys to just sit there and watch people walking back and forth.
The sun warms my cheeks and slowly, I start to feel calmer. When my phone rings, I have forgotten about my mother’s illness for a second.
"Hello, is this Emma Brown?" A woman's voice sounds in my ear. I don’t recognize the number on the display.
"Yes, Emma Brown speaking. May I ask who's calling?" The lady on the other end picks up again.
"Yes, of course. My name is Mindy Hanson. I'm calling from Durst Inc. on behalf of Mr. Blake Durst. As agreed with Dean Montgomery, I've set up an interview with you. I found an empty slot in Mr. Durst’s calendar on Wednesday at 2 p.m. I believe Mr. Montgomery has already informed you?"
Oh my God. It is from the CEO’s office. The job interview. Feels like forever since Dean Montgomery told me about the opening. So much has happened since then. I pull myself together.
"Yes, sure, you’re right. He did." I feel like I should be saying all kinds of clever things, but my mind has gone blank. Bloody hell, who am I to think I can just walk fresh out of college and take a job at Durst Inc.? There's a pit in my stomach.
"Great," the lady says and continues. “I am calling to let you know that I'll be sending you a text with our address after this call so you know where to find us. Please bring your diploma, a copy of your dissertation paper, and any references you may have from previous jobs."
Dammit. My mouth is dry.
She continues. "You'll have to go through security before you go to Mr. Durst’s office, so please be here five minutes early. You can report to the reception in the lobby, and they will let me know when you're here. Then I will come get you."
Think, Emma. This is important. I can't take notes in the middle of the park, so I have to focus to memorize everything she says. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that my classmates would kill for. I can't blow this just because I'm afraid.
"Thank you, Ms. Hanson, I'll make sure to be on time. Will you be joining us during the interview?" I'm not sure why I ask her, but somehow it would feel nice to have someone even remotely familiar at the meeting.
The lady replies, now her tone more brusque. "I will most certainly not, Ms. Brown. The meeting is between you and Mr. Durst. I can help you get ready. But from there, you're on your own.”
It sounds like she’s flicking through some papers. “Oh and Ms. Brown, regarding the bonus you’ll be getting if you complete the project successfully? Mr. Durst told me to specify that the $500,000 bonus will be paid out to you in a one-off payment thirty days after you deliver the final report after the opening of the park.”
My heart stops. Did she say $500,000? Like in half a million bucks? I can’t breathe.
“Give me a call if you have any questions. I will see you on Wednesday."
Click. She's gone.
5
BLAKE
"Ms. Hanson?"
I know it's probably hopelessly out of fashion to use a desk to desk intercom, but I'm never letting go of mine. It enables me to call my secretary whenever I need her without having to get up. What more could you want?
It takes less than two seconds before she answers.
"Yes, Mr. Durst?"
I push the button again. "Could you please bring me the report from Tony? Do you know the business case for our new wildlife preservation park? I talked to him this morning, and he told me that he would leave it on your desk."
I wait.
"Absolutely, sir," she says, and a short click from the intercom tells me that our conversation is over.
Shortly after, she opens the door to my office, walks in, and hands me Tony's report.
"Here you go sir," she says. "Is there anything else I can get you?"