Chapter V
Ron Slate had been busy on the phone with Red for most of the morning. Ann looked up and saw Ron waving.
Ron Slate had been busy on the phone with Red for most of the morning. Ann looked up and saw Ron waving.
"Ann, Red on line four."
Red had been busy the past six months, commuting back and forth from the West Coast. Lexy was very close to her delivery date and Elizabeth wanted Red with her as much as possible.
"Hi Red, I couriered the documents from Joseph to you last night."
"Got them Ann. Thank Joseph for me. Tell him once Lexy signs them I'll get them back to him. Ann I need you to talk to Dale and have him arrange for a site Foreman on the Applevalley site. We are three weeks behind filing the progress reports with the Bank and they are now waving the hold-back carrot at me. Ron will be following up with the Bank. Has Dale finished up on the tenders at the service mall?"
"I spoke with Dale today and he mentioned that he was sending the tenders to you today. Has Alex gotten a hold of you, regarding the settlement with the Community and the School District?"
"Yes I spoke with him yesterday. In order to have this mess go away, we have no alternative but to have Nixman Construction graciously agree to dedicate a community center in the district. I told Ron to call Dale and get him to start the architects working on a design. Ann, call the O'Riley Realtors and ask them for a firm price on the 40 acres south of the Highway near the service road to the Conservancy."
"Hold on Ann, Elizabeth wants to say hello."
"Hello Ann, how was your Christmas?"
"Wonderful Elizabeth. Thank you so much for the gifts."
"Our pleasure. How time goes by Ann, Red just reminded me that your children are in their teens now."
"Yes, Leigh graduated last fall and has taken a job in the City. Lynn and Arlene will be the next. Franklin is now in junior high school. Elizabeth, how is Lexy doing?"
"She is doing very well. She seems dedicated to her treatment. Dr. Cross is happy with her progress. The pediatrician at the Centre says the baby has developed well and there should be no problems with delivery. Red and I have spoken to Lexy about the baby and she seems convinced that she is capable of raising it on her own. She wants to finish school up here on the Coast and then register for University. Red and Jr. have agreed that Lexy is probably better off away from the old crowd, but certainly cannot be left on her own, so Audry would like to move out and be with Lexy. Red and I have found a wonderful ocean front property for the family. Besides the main residence it has a wonderful guest house with ample space for a nursery. Red has really taken to the weather and the life style here. At his age now Ann I would like him to start slowing down."
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Lexy's little mountain was covered with two inches of snow. Looking from her window, James Bay spread before her some thousand feet below. The snow at Christmas reminded her of home. She was going to be leaving soon, not to return to her family home but to her new home, with her baby. The valley was white and still, few cars were moving like ants in the distance.
She was supposed to meditate each day for ten minutes, either in prayer or with the yoga they'd tried to teach her at West Coast Center. Now at eight months pregnant that proved impossible, instead she went for a swim. Her counsellor/guru Stephanie was waiting at their table for breakfast when Lexy arrived. Breakfast consisted of cereal, juice and toast. No sugar, cookies or pop.
"You have a guest today," Stephanie said.
"Who?"
"Melanie Stafford."
"Great."
Any contact with the outside world was welcome. Melanie Stafford was released from the Center in October. She had resided at the Center for over a year for drug dependency. She and Lexy became good friends during the six months they shared a room. Other than Red and Elizabeth the only other visitor Lexy was allowed was Joseph Strongmer. He had arrived last week with guardianship papers. Joseph went over the documents with Lexy so that she understood the legalities of her consent. As Lexy had requested changes to the guardianship, Joseph took the papers and confirmed that he would make the changes and forward them onto Red who would follow up with Lexy's signature.
Television was prohibited at the West Coast Center because of the alcohol commercials and also so many of the shows glorified drinking and drugs. Magazines were also kept away for the same reasons.
Lexy was in her room when Melanie arrived.
"You look great Lexy."
"Only a few more weeks. I'm becoming a robot. I need to get out of here."
"Soon Lexy."
During visits, they were not allowed to close the doors to their rooms. Lexy, in a low whisper asked Melanie if she had spoken with Graham.
"Yes, I talked to him last week. He told me that after he was arrested the RCMP transferred him back to Prince Edward Island. I told him where you are and that you are leaving once the baby is born."
"Have they asked him to sign the guardian paper?"
"Yes, some lawyer arrived at his parents' house last week, but he refused to sign the papers."
"Did you bring the phone?"
"Yes. I could not bring it in through security, so I left it with Rita. She works in the kitchen and will bring it in with your food tray tonight. So arrange to be sick so you don't have to leave the room."
"I cannot thank you enough Melanie."
"You can by never telling anyone that I got you that phone."
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Ann, together with Brian O'Riley finalized the purchase of the 40 acres. The Architects immediately started working with the MD to finalize the design. Dale had taken over the day to day management of the file.
With Red being away so much of the time, most of the workload was being transferred and distributed between Dale and Ron. Ann was left feeling restless and somewhat isolated. In his father's absence, Dale was very meticulous and competent running the Nixman operation. Ann knew and expected that with Dale's growth in management there would follow change. She had the confidence that Red would never terminate her job at Nixman, but she expected that she would be put out for retirement perhaps attending to Red's needs. Ann had been loyal to the Nixman family, but with the gradual turnover of power to Red's sons it was perhaps time to look at her own future.
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"Ann, Brian here. We are having a grand opening for the Everest Tower and I was hoping that you would be available to attend."
The long awaited Everest Tower had just been completed. Leasing interest had grown far beyond Brian's wildest imagination. In anticipation of their Executives transferring from both coasts, the Bank had no hesitation backing this project and in fact had taken over two floors in the Tower. The other large tenant was the Corumba' Law Firm, who had taken five floors. Brian had always been fascinated by the Italian Architect, Andrea Palladio had asked that the interior design recognize the Villa Capra in some of the open space. The results were breathtaking
The afternoon of the open house Brian was very attentive showing Ann throughout the Building.
They came off the elevator onto the mezzanine floor and were met by a transparent shower of reflective prism lights from the western slopped canopy. Brian led the way, Ann trying to follow while mesmerized by the beauty of the space. Brian opened to door to the only office located on the floor.
"Brian, this is beautiful. I can see why everyone is wanting to secure space in the Tower."
"Ann my reasons for asking you here this afternoon are somewhat selfish, I wanted to impress you with the magnitude of this development. Did it work?"
Ann smiled.
"Ann, no one has more respect for you than Red Nixman. You could not get higher praise than that. Red called me few months ago and talked to me about his plans for the new year. As you probably know he and Elizabeth do want to spend more time on the Coast leaving Ron to run Nixman's interests here. Red knows that it is impossible for you to follow him to the Coast, but does not want to leave you to survive the shuffle that he anticipates with Ron moving in as CEO. Red and I agree that there are wonderful opportunities here for you. I am asking that you consider moving your office her to this space, you would remain an independent Consultant and Broker for O'Riley Investments and Nixman Construction. We would continue to work with Red and his new ventures, which are now expanding below the boarder. I had you in mind when we designed the mezzanine. This office is waiting for you Ann."
"Brian, this is an offer that I really cannot refuse to walk away from, but I would like to talk to Red before I make any commitments."
"Ann, when you are ready, the office is waiting for you."
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Red had requested Ann fly out to the Coast for the weekend. There were several matters that he wanted completed.
When Ann arrived, Red was out golfing so Elizabeth took Ann around to the new house. They had already started construction in the guest house building the nursery. The compound was lovely overlooking the Pacific Ocean on 20 acres of rolling hills. Ann certainly understood why Red was not anxious to return to the pressure pot.
"Ann I am happy that we have this time before Red gets back."
"Elizabeth you look tired, are you feeling alright?"
"Well Ann I would like to say yes, but I can't. The Doctors have found a tumour in my left breast. Red has arranged for treatment at the Cancer Center in California. We leave next week."
"Elizabeth I am so very sorry. Is there anything that I can do?"
"Well Ann, yes there is. As you know Lexy is due any time now, so Audry will be coming out this weekend to stay indefinitely. Lexy's Mom, Rita will also be coming. Ann, I need to know that if they need anything that they can contact you. The contractors are dealing directly with Ron, so the construction will continue."
"Of course Elizabeth, you don't have to worry about anything."
"I understand that we may be gone for ten weeks Ann. I am aware of possibility of you moving locations and I feel very badly that I am asking for this time from you now."
"Elizabeth that is not a problem. Whether I am at Nixman or O'Riley my dedication to you and Red will always be number one."
"Ann, thank you."
The weekend was very hectic with Red turning over all the files in his possession with specific instruction to Ann to give the information to Ron Slate.
It was not until Red was driving Ann to the airport that he brought up the offer from Brian O'Riley.
"Red I am touched and very flattered that you would give me this opportunity."
"Ann we have worked together for a very long time. I am, at the stage of my life, very happy to be stepping away from the daily mirage; Dale is more than capable of taking over now. Ann I have watched you successfully raise four children on your own, while holding down a job that has proven to be very demanding. Recognizing your potential Ann it is obvious that you have reached the top of the ladder at Nixman and I would hope that you will give me the opportunity of showing my support in your future. You have shown my family such dedication Ann, that I really don't think we shall ever be able to repay it."
Ann graciously confirmed with Red that she would speak with Brian O'Riley the next day and accept his offer.
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