Chapter IV
Nixman Construction remained one of the top contractors in the Country. Starting the firm in 1951, Red Nixman dedicated it's growth to knowing that the Company would remain a family venture with sons Dale and Red Jr. groomed to take over. Red's wife Elizabeth and their only daughter Audry devoted their time to volunteer work at the hospital and the shelters throughout the City.
Over the years Ann had long settled into her position as office manager. She knew she was far more of a personal assistant to Red Nixman. The experience she has gained over the years had given her knowledge far beyond her secretarial portfolio. Ann knew that without the daily assistance of Ron Slate, Red's personal assistant for many years, she would have never been able to maneuver the ever changing demands of her position.
"Red have you been out to Jr.'s?"
"No Ron, not since Christmas. The last I heard was they were travelling."
"So I take it you have not heard anything about the recent events with Lexy?"
"No, what's going on?"
"Lexy has been expelled from School. She was found with a couple of ounces of cocaine in her bag."
"What the hell is wrong with that girl? I told Jr. last year, after we paid to move that bum she was living with, out to Prince Edward Island that he needed to get his daughter into a rehab center."
"Red, Jr. thinks that Lexy is just going thru a stage and there is nothing to worry about. The charges filed last year are still pending against Lexy. I think we have run out of adjournments."
"Where is she now?"
"She is staying with some friends."
"Call her and tell her to be ready in one hour. Get Michael to pick her up and deliver her here - and only here."
Michael headed out. Being Nixman's driver for over ten years, he was witness to the daily antics of the Nixman family and they promised not to disappoint him today. About the only thing he was grateful for heading up the Highway to Necobbs was he was not in rush hour traffic.
Lexy was not waiting in the driveway when Michael pulled in. After waiting ten minutes he left the town car and started walking towards the house. Before he could knock the front door opened and there stood Graham. He had not changed much from the last time Michael had seen him exiting through the boarding gate at the airport.
"Thought you were living in Prince Edward Island?"
"Just here visiting."
Michael did not get into reminding Graham of the conditions of the payout he agreed to with Red Nixman, by not returning to the Province was the only way he was avoiding jail time.
"I'll make sure I tell Mr. Nixman you said hello. Here to pick-up Lexy. Can you get her please?"
Graham closed the door and left Michael on the step.
After waiting half an hour Michael returned to the car. He knew this was Lexy playing her games.
Eventually she opened the door, leaving her luggage on the steps and waved for Michal to return.
Lexy, wearing her over sized sun glasses indicated to Michael there was a good possibility that she was attempting to again hide the bruises, all of course compliments of Graham. She stepped inside the rear seat of the car as Michael loaded her bags into the trunk.
Once on their way Michael looked into the rear-view mirror. "Nice to see you again Lexy."
"Why is grandfather doing this? I am old enough to take care of myself."
"Lexy, your grandfather does not speak to me about family matters. I do know he is worried about you."
"Take me home."
"Can't do that Lexy, I was asked to deliver you to your grandfather."
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"Ann, can you come in please."
"Yes be right in."
"Ann, call Alex Reid over at the Court House and tell him I need another adjournment on Lexy's case. Also call Joseph Strongmer and ask him what he is doing to get the charges against Lexy dismissed. Oh yes find Jr. and tell him to call me, immediately."
"Right away. Ann left the office closing the door behind her."
Ann had the phone to her ear, holding for Alex Reid when Lexy walked in.
"Lexy, go right in, your grandfather is waiting for you."
Lexy could not get through the door to Red's office before the screaming started.
Ann new it was a good time for a coffee break.
She and Michael were in conversation when the office door swung open.
"Ann, please come in."
Ann entered the office immediately noticing Lexy in the corner sitting on the couch. She had removed her sunglasses to confirm every ones suspicions. Her eyes were bruised and swollen.
"Ann have you spoken with Alex Reid yet?"
"No, I am waiting for him to return my call."
"Good, when you talk to him tell him Lexy has agreed to go into treatment so he should be finding a live-in center for her. The longer the better. It had better be near a hospital, she's pregnant."
Ann did not look over at Lexy, but did hear her crying.
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"Good morning Red, sorry to hear about Lexy."
"What have you found out?"
Alex Reid was a long time friend and associate of the Nixman family. He had been appointed to the Bench in 1960 and had been successful in handling much of the Nixman business matters.
"Red there is a drug treatment facility on the west coast. It is located a couple of miles from the medical center on the Island. I have spoken with Dr. Cross, who is the Director of the facility and he would like to speak with you directly."
Red quickly wrote the information down and ended the conversation.
"Ann get me Dr. Cross on the phone now."
Lexy stayed in the office while Red was speaking with the Doctor.
"Mr. Nixman, there are different types of treatments depending upon the severity and nature of the individuals drug addiction. In all cases though detoxification is only the initial step towards recovery and by itself does little to change long-term drug addiction. Detoxification safely manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use. While detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicts achieve long-term abstinence. For some individuals it's a strongly indicated precursor to effective drug addiction treatment. With what you have described to me I would recommend that your granddaughter come in for an assessment, but I believe that she should be prepared to look at a minimum of eight months in treatment."
"Dr. Cross, Lexy is pregnant."
"With substance addiction this is not unusual. It certainly causes additional stress on the patient, but it certainly does not interfere with treatment."
"Alright Dr. Cross, please expect us next week. My secretary will call you and confirm a time."
"Line four, its Joseph Strongmer."
"Yes Joseph, any news?"
"Sorry Red, but the Community is staking Lexy to the proverbial wall on this. On the charges from last year, I had the RCMP agreeing to a $1,000. fine. Now that she has been charged, again for possession, I am being told that the Community are pressing the RCMP to have Lexy also charged with trafficking."
"Joseph, find out who the head's of the School and Community Boards are. Also, call the Necobbs Police Detachment and give them the address where they can find Graham Burns, with my direction to have him arrested."
"Ann, have we found Jr?"
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The Nixman Company plane had received clearance for take-off. Estimated time to the West Coast was two hours. Alex Reid had successfully side-stepped Lexy's application to leave the Province for treatment. One condition was that a family member be appointed guardian and be with her while out of Province. Red and Elizabeth had come forth and agreed that Elizabeth would relocate to the Coast during Lexy's stay in treatment.
Jr. had said his good-bys to Lexy the previous day. He knew he had disappointed both Lexy and his parents, but where Lexy was concerned he had no will to say no. The tough love always came from Red and that will continue.
Arrangements had been made to lease the penthouse suite at the Queen Ann Harbour Hotel. The Hotel had been originally built as a summer retreat for the British Royals and offered museums, galleries and historical sites. Lexys stay at the Center would be over Christmas so Red would enjoy that time site seeing. Directly across the harbour from the Hotel was the West Coast Polo Club. In making the reservations Ann knew that Elizabeth had some friendships with a few of its members and would appreciate the location. Red would be staying on for a few days to make sure Elizabeth was settled in.
Red and Elizabeth were in conversation with Joseph Strongmer, who was flying to the Coast to go over the legal documents and releases awaiting him at the Center. Ann was there, of course to assist Red, but principally to help Lexy settle in at the Center. Watching Lexy, all alone and so young, Ann could only think of her own daughters and what her reaction would be if a similar situation was to confront her.
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