Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:13:19 +0100
From: Clive Westwood <cfgw2000@aol.com>
Subject: Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 6  Relationships

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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 6


Four years on, graduation was in sight.

Pete would be graduating top of his class, it should have been a reason to
rejoice, but for him there was nothing to celebrate, he'd decided not to
hang around for the ceremony, at that point he had most everything packed,
determined to end the torturous existence he'd endured for so long and
start afresh.

The first year at Stanford had been idyllic in Pete's mind, but the start
of the second year brought terrible heartbreak, they hadn't been prepared
at all for the loss of Chris's parents in a horrific road traffic accident,
to Chris it was almost like having his heart ripped out, his precious
Mother and Father taken without warning.

Pete had done all he could to love, help and support Chris.

PJ and Lenny had made sure to sort the legalities, reassuring him he always
had a home with them.

For a while it seemed as if Chris was adjusting well, they settled back
into their course work.

Pete hadn't seen the discontent growing in Chris, he'd imagined everything
was going well, they'd each found the course work easy, they had a good
social life mostly at weekends, that was, until Chris joined the soccer
squad.

He took to partying with his team mates after their Saturday matches,
sometimes to the extent he was absent for a day or more, leaving Pete to
attend Frat and House parties alone, being less and less surprised when
Chris turned up, more often than not drunk, often draped over or being
mauled publicly by some random girl or guy, whilst not even acknowledging
Pete's existence.

Away fixtures meant he was absent from Pacifico for days on end after
matches.

By the end of the second year he was absent more than he was home.

The rumours of his party antics came back to Pete each time, vivid
descriptions of drunken, drug fuelled orgies, where Chris was a willing and
regular participant, with plentiful pictures on social media sites
displaying him in various sexual or drunken encounters.

When he did come home he would profess his deep regret and remorse, begging
forgiveness, it was given again and again until it became a pattern Pete
couldn't stand, there had been many discussions, or more accurately heated
arguments, which resulted each time in Chris storming out and not being
seen for days.

Finally Chris had stopped coming home to Pacifico, preferring to bunk in
with whichever team mates had space, leaving him free to pursue the wild
party circuit night after night without Pete's disapproval ringing in his
ears.

As the third year started Chris had returned one day, removing all of his
belongings from Pacifico whilst Pete, Beth and Dave had been out of the
house.

Pete had broken down and cried at the final realisation their relationship
was over, it wasn't something he'd wanted to acknowledge, but it had been
coming, several weeks had passed since he'd even seen Chris in class, by
then he missed more classes than he attended.

On the day Pete handed in his last assignment he ran smack into Chris in
the corridor outside the lecture hall, Chris had been waiting for him, he'd
asked if they could get a coffee, Pete hadn't seen any point, he'd accepted
they were no longer together, it didn't stop the hurt he felt, he knew any
words from Chris then would only serve to increase that pain, the sense of
loss.

"There's no point is there Chris?, you've publicly dumped me, made me into
a laughing stock on Campus, turned back into a party animal, you've avoided
me like I was a plague, the last time I saw you I walked in on you half
naked with two other guys in a bathroom, you didn't even know I was there,
so chatting over coffee like long lost friends hardly seems appropriate".

Pete paused, wanting to pull Chris in close and never let go, but that was
now so far away from what he felt was possible.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, you won't have to avoid me in future, I'll be out of
your life for good, you should know, I'll never stop loving you, but that's
my cross to bare, goodbye Chris".

Pete had walked away leaving a stunned Chris, he'd returned to Pacifico to
finish packing, surprised to receive a text from Chris which completely
threw him.

'I'm sorry Pete, I can see now what I've done, I've ruined us, thrown away
the most precious gift I ever possessed.

I didn't set out to hurt you, I love you, I always have, I always will,
it's not something I have any control over, my heart will always belong to
you.

I don't know how I let myself get caught up in the crazy student life, it
got so out of hand, I didn't see what I was losing, each night was just
another night before I had to grow up, to face the future without mom and
dad to see me graduate, to be proud of what I've achieved.

Please Pete, I'm asking, don't leave like this, you mean so much to me,
give me a chance to make amends, hopefully to change your mind.

Meet me for lunch tomorrow in Luca, I'll wait for you, I'm praying you'll
come.

I love you Pete'.


Through tears Pete had explained the strange day's events to Beth and Dave,
but by the time he went to his room in the early evening he hadn't made any
decision, the questions were playing over and over in his mind, despite
both Beth and Dave urging him to at least hear what Chris had to say.

Pete had spent the rest of that night in his room alone.

The following day Pete was a complete mess, he'd wanted to go to the
restaurant, to just wrap his arms around Chris, be back where they were
four years earlier, but was it possible, he hadn't been able to decide,
could he forget what he'd seen, what Chris had put him through, those past
three years, he'd known he couldn't forget, but could he get past it, could
they maybe start again, perhaps it was a possible, if Chris was being
honest.

By ten am the next morning he'd made his decision, he would meet and let
Chris talk, not prejudge, make a decision based on what was said, after all
Chris had poured out his heart, it had seemed he was being genuine.

At midday he'd set off for Luca with a detour to campus, collecting his
graduation certificate from the university central office, he'd run into
two of the campus tramps, they couldn't resist regaling him of Chris's
drunken antics including his naked party trick, having sex with several of
the guests both male and female on the pool deck in front of a chanting
audience.

Pete had attempted to defend Chris as being a reformed character, until
they'd told him they were referring to the previous night at the end of
term party.

Pete couldn't know the accusations were a vengeful fabrication, the evil
pair had been stood up by Chris the night before when he made the decision
to change his ways once and for all, instead of partying he'd driven to
Pacifico for a talk with Beth and Dave after Pete had gone to his room,
he'd been there until first light talking to Dave, insisting they didn't
tell Pete he'd been there.

It had been like a stab to Pete's heart as he listened to the graphic
descriptions, what a fool he'd been, while he'd been in tears trying to
decide if he should give Chris another chance, Chris had been out partying.

Leaving the Campus office he'd driven straight to the airport FBO building
where his fathers pilots had been surprised to see him, but his distressed
state meant they immediately filed flight plans, they were airborne within
30 minutes.

Once they were at cruising altitude Pete allowed himself to relax, turning
on his phone he received a text from Chris.

I'm waiting Pete, please turn up, let me tell you how sorry I am, how much
I love you, how much I want you to be the one I spend the rest of my life
with.

Pete was almost sick, he knew how stupid he'd been, he'd believed Chris,
he'd wanted to believe, he'd been desperate to believe, but he was wiser
now, he'd replied.

I believe you Chris.

I think you do want me but you can't be honest, if you really meant
everything you said then last night you would have been sitting at home
just like I was, torturing yourself, asking if we could be what each other
wanted, needed, but that wasn't what you were doing was it?, I met two of
your slut friends today, they took great pleasure in describing how you
were having drunken sex with multiple partners to the amusement of a
chanting audience.

Goodbye Chris.

As Pete's flight sped through the skies on its way to Torremolinas Chris
was sat in Luca's restaurant with tears coursing down his face, he'd read,
then re read Pete's text, it was Karma he thought, Pete had given him
chance after chance when he'd been guilty, now when he was innocent Pete
had believed the lies of two jealous bitches.

For Beth her graduation would be an achievement which she'd never dreamed
possible, her babies had grown, her relationship with Dave had gone from
strength to strength, she'd watched in wonder as he took up the role of
devoted father to the twins.

Dave had graduated and was interning at a local hospital, he'd so impressed
the surgeon who'd taken him on that already he was performing some
surgeries unaided whilst the master just watched.

Beth had been operating her Web Design company for over 2 years and
graduation meant she could now concentrate on it full time.

She'd tried her hardest to be there for Pete and Chris, but even she
agreed, some things are just broken beyond fixing, end of story.

After Pete left so abruptly, he wouldn't discuss with Beth why he hadn't
met Chris, but she had made him a promise to look out for Chris and let
Pete know if he was ever in need of help.

Beth hadn't had any contact with Chris for over two weeks after Pete left,
she'd intended to contact him, make sure he understood Pacifico was still
his home if and when he needed it, but her plans were thwarted when he paid
them a surprise visit.

The outcome of that visit had been that Chris did indeed want to move back
to Pacifico whilst he completed his Masters, probably a two year course,
during their conversation Chris had explained to Beth about the vindictive
accusations Pete had believed, Beth had been shocked, she'd immediately
wanted to talk to Pete, but Chris had asked that she leave it, he didn't
think it was fair to drag Pete back to a position where he had to decide
all over again, he confirmed Beth's suspicions that he'd always love Pete,
but he wouldn't do anything that might cause Pete further pain, if fate
decided they should be together then it would happen.

For Woody things were no better than they were for Pete, life had lost its
appeal, he'd laid himself out as a rug to be walked on for nearly 4 years,
he felt hurt and used, by his girlfriend and his cousin.

PJ could only watch and observe, Woody, he was sure, was the one who would
take over and guide Woodruff forward, but right then at 18, almost 19, he
seemed to have lost his drive.

He'd applied to Stanford and Chicago Universities, both had accepted him
and he had received letters offering placements, but he'd not accepted
either.

PJ had decided enough was enough, cornering Woody one day he'd asked
bluntly what was wrong.

He'd thought Woody was about to cry when he'd sat, deep in thought, his
expression one of obvious pain.

Woody's explanation almost broke PJs heart, for almost 4 years he'd been
devoted to Rosy, believing she felt the same way, but he'd learnt that on
their last visit to New York she'd slept several times with Will Fielding.

Woody and Rosy had never had sex, they'd agreed it should be something
they'd keep sacred until they married, or rather he now realised it was
something Rosy hadn't wanted from him, she didn't love him, she was in love
with Will.

Woody had found out about Rosy and Will when Rosy had a pregnancy scare.

Woody found her crying in her room a couple of weeks earlier and she'd
admitted she and Will had slept together several times without protection
and she was terrified she may be pregnant, she'd sobbed, begged his
forgiveness, but admitted she was in love with Will, whereas she only felt
a brotherly affection for Woody.

Woody had been devastated, bad enough Rosy didn't have any feelings for
him, but then there had been Will, not actually related, but because of PJ
and Lenny's long relationship with Billy and Julia Fielding their son was
considered a cousin, how could he do this to Woody.

Woody had spoken to Will who worked with his father at WFC's, (Woodruff
Fielding Cruises) office in New York.

Will had laughed at Woody during their call, describing Woody as a wimp who
couldn't keep his bitch under control, he'd given Woody a graphic
description of baiting Rosy and taking her virginity, how she'd screamed
when he burst her hymen then moaned for more, how she'd been desperate for
it every time they met, and how she was a notch on his bed post no more,
one of many.

At the news Rosy might be pregnant Will had laughed uproariously telling
Woody she ought to be, he'd fucked her long and hard, enough times to leave
her hardly able to walk and dripping with cum, but he wasn't about to play
the honourable gentleman so if she was knocked up she should deal with it,
at that he ended the call.

Woody had called Pauly, sobbing into the phone as he told his brother
everything, Pauly had pulled Pete, Billy and Beth into the call and they'd
between them given Woody their love and support.

Woody, despite his own heartbreak had to explain to Rosy that Will didn't
want to know, that he didn't feel anything for her.

Luck had seemed to be in Rosy's favour, it had been a false alarm, but the
damage was done, her relationship with Woody in tatters, beyond repair,
Will didn't want to know her, laughing at her naivety, how easy it had been
to bed her.

It had all proved too much for Rosy, the guilt of betraying her precious
Woody, and the shame of everyone knowing what she had done with Will.

She'd been prescribed sleeping pills to help her sleep and sedatives to
calm her anxiety, on the night where Woody had stayed alone in his room
after his talk with Will, Rosy had taken every pill available and laid down
calmly on her bed to await the end of her troubles.

Woody had heard the scream next morning, by the time he got to Rosy's room
there were several people there staring at a white faced Rosy who looked at
peace as if asleep.

Woody had walked away from the dead body of his beloved, stone faced, not
showing any emotion, keeping it bottled up inside but determined to exact a
revenge.

The funeral had been a somber affair, every member of the wider family was
there except Will.

Woody had cried like a baby, placing a single red rose on the casket,
kneeling at the graveside as his beloved Rosy was lowered forever into the
ground.

Billy and Julia had been devastated to hear from PJ and Lenny of Wills
involvement, knowing nothing previously of Wills conversation with Woody.

Unwittingly they agreed it would be good to get Will and Woody to meet and
try to put this behind them, believing foolishly that it was a
misunderstanding.

Woody travelled with his parents to New York, they were completely unaware
of Woody's pent up anger but his brothers and sister were, they traveled
out separately convinced Woody was a ticking time bomb, unfortunately they
were too late to prevent the ensuing carnage.

Will had worked alongside his father for the last two years, he had a
talent of sorts, he could organise, he could get the job done, no one asked
how, mostly it was by bullying staff into submission, he was hated at the
WFC Offices, the only ones who didn't see the true Will were his parents,
they were totally fooled.

Woody had planned on getting Will alone and exacting his revenge but
unbeknown to either of them their parents had arranged that they should
meet in the office, believing this would give them common ground and help
heal the rift, this had been a monumental mistake, one which would put
Woody at odds with his parents and had the potential to lead him toward
leaving both his family and Woodruff for ever.

Arriving at WFC's offices Woody had asked why they were there.

PJ had explained there was an impromptu Woodruff board meeting scheduled to
attend to some requirements in the WFC management structuring.

Walking into the WFC boardroom Woody had been surprised to see Will sitting
next to his father and before even greeting anyone he'd asked loudly with
venom in his voice, "What's he doing here".

Will had grinned before answering, "Nice to see you too cousin, still upset
I broke your toy I see".

Everyone in the room drew in breath, getting the obvious reference to
Rosy's death.

Although completely shocked by his sons reply Billy had tried to calm the
situation, "You two need to get together later and resolve this issue
between you, but for now we have business which needs attending to so
please keep it civil".

It had been around that point where PJ, Lenny and Billy had realised this
could possibly be a mistake, perhaps they should have let time heal the
rift and not tried to speed the process.

Once the purpose of the meeting had been explained Woody was incensed, this
was Will trying to worm his way onto the company management team and he was
determined to block any move in that direction.

Will had worked with his father as a sort of gofer over the last year,
mainly because he'd failed at every other venture or job he'd tried, and
his grades had been so bad no university had been prepared to offer him a
place, it was true he'd been able to complete several difficult tasks but
Woody suspected he was the only one who knew how Will had managed to get
the results he had, mostly it was by bullying, or blackmail.

Woody made it his business to know what the feelings were on the 'shop
floor' as he called it, he knew first hand that Will has not just disliked
he was generally hated.

Woody had also worked with Wills father on specific projects including
staff remuneration and bonuses, mainly because Billy knew how successful
Woody had been in building and implementing remuneration packages within
Woodruff.

Billy had been certain if Woody advocated a particular method of
remuneration it was with the full agreement of the individuals concerned,
he knew Woody made it his business to talk through and iron out any
problems before implementing a new strategy.

After the usual preliminaries and Woodruff business had been taken care of
Billy had proposed an amendment to the WFC senior management structure,
requesting the post of Vice President be awarded to Will.

Around the table there had seemed to be a general nodding of heads and Will
could be seen grinning, obviously convinced he had it in the bag, but then
Woody had spoken up, possibly more venomously than he'd intended he thought
later, but from the heart no less.

"Absolutely and categorically no, not now, not ever, nothing could convince
me that it would be anything other than a disastrous decision to put Will
in a position of power, even a minor management role would be wrong, he has
no people skills other than bullying or blackmail and I for one will not
willingly unleash his unsavoury management methods on our staff".

The look of glee on Wills face had turned to one of fury, he was visibly
seething as he watched the plumb position fading away.

Around the table there was a stunned silence, no one wanted to have this
discussion but someone had to.

It was Lenny who spoke, "Woody don't you think it's possibly your own
prejudices that are clouding your judgement here, those were pretty damning
words, maybe it's an overreaction to recent events".

Had it been any one other than his mother who had challenged him he would
have shredded them, but he knew his mother was really asking him to
reexamine his statement and give him the chance to possibly amend it.

"Momma, ladies and gentlemen, I made a statement and I stand by it, I could
prove my assertions by holding a secret ballot of the staff here in just
this building, it's true I have reason to resent even hate him, but I hope
you all know me well enough to realise I don't bring my personal prejudices
to this table, I will never endorse his employment in any management role,
however you should all make your own decision, but, and I don't say this
lightly, if you endorse his appointment, I personally will resign my
position on the Woodruff board and dispose of my interests".

Turning to the secretary who was taking minutes Woody said, "Please note in
the minutes exactly what I've just said and record my vote on the proposal
as a definite no".

At that Woody rose from his chair and walked out of the boardroom into the
main office area.

The ensuing vote went against Billy's proposal and Will was absolutely
furious, standing and addressing the board members he almost shouted, "You
idiots can't you see you were just bullied into a decision because he wants
revenge on me, you're all, every one of you, pathetic stooges and one of
these days I'll make you pay for this".

Will had stormed out of the boardroom and spotting Woody in conversation
with staff on the other side of the office, made a beeline for him intent
on telling his cousin exactly what he thought of him, that, if nothing
else, was a good example of Wills poor decision making skills.

Approaching Woody he called out, "Happy now cousin, you got your petty
revenge, after all it was a no brainier that mommy and daddy would agree
with their little princess when she throws a strop".

Woody was trying hard to control his anger, he didn't agree with public
displays of this sort.

"Firstly, I'm not your cousin, secondly, my parents would never be swayed
by anything other than a belief they were making the right decision
irrespective of the consequences, thirdly, I told it as it is, as my great
grandfather used to say 'No sugar on this pill', try changing your ways and
maybe I'll reconsider in time, but right now I stand by my words".

Will should have had the sense to stop there but he hadn't.

"All this because I screwed your precious little bitch, she wasn't even a
good shag, I've had better wanks".

As the boardroom doors opened for the remaining members to exit, Woody's
right arm was winding back, most of the office staff were watching the
argument play out and if one thing was definite it was the fact that an
almost collective 'Yessssss', came from them all when, as if in slow motion
Woody's right hook lifted Will off the ground, propelling him backwards
into the glass panels of an office cubicle.

The panes of glass couldn't take the sudden stress and the whole wall of
glass shattered as Will cannonballed through it into the office beyond,
clearing monitors from several desks on the way as the occupants, already
standing to watch the exchange, scrambled backwards to safety.

His parents, Billy and the other board members were only just in time to
see Will vanishing through the disintegrating glass panels, but they stood
transfixed as Woody had strode through the now open wall into the office,
grabbed Will by the throat with his left hand and delivered another right
handed punch to the jaw whilst growling, "If you dare to mention her name
again I swear I'll hunt you down and kill you, don't be foolish enough to
test me on that because it's not a threat it's a promise you scumbag".

PJ and Billy had rushed to pull them apart with Billy almost screaming at
Woody, "What the fuck is wrong with you Woody, this is assault, you could
be arrested and do jail time, for Christ sake we're family, you could have
killed Will".

Will meanwhile had staggered back to his feet with help from his father and
was stupidly shouting threats at Woody and appealing for witnesses from the
bemused staff, "You all saw what he did, stay at your desks, I want
statements from all of you, you'll regret that little outburst Woody, I'm
going to have you arrested and charged with assault".

One of the office managers stepped forward, "I'm sorry sir, I don't think
anyone actually saw what happened, it appears we were all looking the other
way until we saw Mr Thorn step in and attempt to help you up".

Will was raging by now, "What the Fuck do you mean you didn't see anything
you useless shower of pricks?, you were all looking directly at us, all of
you saw him punch me both times, he wasn't helping me up he was punching me
a second time, anyone who lies will be looking for another job by close of
business, now let's see who's willing to lie for him".

As if on queue, the office manager who'd spoken looked back at the rest of
the staff and a visible collective nod had been given by all, "As I said
sir, it appears no one saw anything, we all were looking the other way, if
that doesn't please you and you'd prefer we vacated our desks then so be
it, we cannot and will not support you".

Will was fuming and hurling abuse at the staff until Billy spoke, "Shut up
Will, can't you see, don't you ever learn?, Woody commands respect,
loyalty, every person in this office would defend him because they have
confidence he would protect them in the same way, something you don't
appear to understand, he's honourable, unlike you, just watch and learn".

Billy turned to Woody, "I trust you to answer me honestly, if I call the
police and accuse you of assaulting my son would you make me out to be a
liar, would you deny it?".

Woody looked at his parents before replying to Billy, "I'm surprised you
need to ask uncle Billy, I wouldn't, I couldn't do that to you, you mean
too much to me to risk losing your respect, if you want to press charges I
won't deny it".

Turning to the office staff Woody said, "Thank you, all of you, my friends,
but please, if you are required to make a statement please answer honestly,
it would be more than I could stand knowing you suffered for my sake".

Will immediately started ranting again, "There, he admits it, I'm calling
the police, I want him arrested".

Billy cut him off again, "Will you're fired, clear your desk and go home,
I'll speak to you this evening, don't say another word because if you do I
might just put you through the next window myself".

Will stormed out not bothering to clear his desk or collect anything
personal.

PJ was visibly furious, he had never before witnessed such a blatant
display of poor behaviour, brawling in the office, before he walked out he
addressed Woody in a terse and unfriendly manner, "I'll see you back at the
apartment, in my office within the hour".

Lenny on the other hand, though disappointed that Woody had resorted to
violence, could understand his motivation, she'd longed to tell Billy and
Julia what a nasty little prick their son was, now it seemed Woody had done
it for her.

Back at the apartment, Woody's brothers and sister had arrived, oblivious
to the meeting or the upset at WFC's offices, they were completely
dumbfounded when their father strode straight past them to his office
slamming the door, followed by Woody who also ignored everyone, heading to
his room, slamming the door behind him.

After allowing himself a few minutes to calm down, Woody went in search of
his father.

Knocking on the office door he received a loud and terse, 'Enter'.

PJ was standing looking up at the portrait of his grandfather, his back to
Woody, he hadn't acknowledged Woody before he'd spoken.

"He would have been so disappointed, as am I, your behaviour today was
nothing short of criminal, you acted like a hooligan, brawling in our
office, and with family of all people, I can't ignore this, there has to be
a price paid, some form of retribution, therefore, just as Billy fired
Will, I'm firing you..............................".

Woody was dumbfounded, he was being convicted without trial, branded as low
as Will, "Have I not earned the right to speak in my own defence?, you've
tried and convicted me without knowing the facts?, this is you expressing
your disappointment irrespective of my guilt or innocence, a kangaroo
court, what happened to the love and allegiance you're supposed to afford
me?".

PJ knew Woody was right but to back down now would show a weakness he'd
always been loathe to display.

"My eyes know what they saw...........................".

PJ hadn't turned around, but he didn't get any further in his speech, there
was no point, the slamming of the office door told him that Woody had heard
enough, he'd walked out, PJs heart sank, he realised in that moment he'd
lost something precious.

Back in his room Woody had called the company secretary and advised him, as
was legally required, that his Woodruff shares were the subject of a change
of ownership.

His next call was to Alfred Turner the family Attorney, he asked Alfred to
arrange the transfer of his Woodruff shares to his parents, there would be
no exchange of monies, purely a transfer of shares, it was to be an
immediate transfer.

Woody knew there would be an immediate press interest in why a family
member was bailing on the company.

To forestall any bad press he asked Alfred to issue a statement that he
(Woody) had decided to forfeit his position on the Woodruff Board to pursue
a career outside of the family companies, confirming he had transferred his
stock back to his parents from whence it came originally, adding that he
wished to thank the Woodruff Board and every one of its employees for the
experience and knowledge they'd allowed him to gain along the way.

He asked Alfred to communicate this information directly to each Board
member before giving it out to the press.

Dialling Pauly's cell he asked him to come to his room and predictably
Beth, Billy, Pete and Reece turned up with Pauly.

He told them the whole story, he broke down and sobbed describing how Will
had referred to Rosy, and again when he told them he was breaking all ties
with Woodruff, he asked, almost pleaded with Pauly to let him stay with him
and Reece until he could organise a place to live and as expected Pauly and
Reece had welcomed the idea.

He told them he'd be leaving in the morning and would ask Pip to charge his
flight cost back to him personally, his brothers agreed they'd go with him
whilst Beth would remain here for her mothers sake before heading back to
Palo Alto.

He'd refused their request to speak with his father insisting he'd heard
enough from him already, but he did agree he owed it to his mother to
explain his actions and so Beth was despatched to bring back his mother.

Whilst Lenny was listening to Woody with tears streaming down her face, PJ
along with every other Woodruff Board Member was receiving the press
release announcing Woody's departure.

PJ dropped heavily into his chair, he felt as though the weight of the
world had just landed on his shoulders and it was no longer something he
wanted to deal with.

Across town in the apartment of Billy and Julia Fielding, Billy had been
horrified to receive the press release announcing Woody's departure, he'd
raged at Will, congratulating him on setting in motion the destruction of a
Multi Billion Dollar, Multi National Corporation, all on his own, quite the
bloody achievement.

Objecting loudly and expecting his mother to defend him, Will was shocked
when Julia slapped him hard across the face and agreed with his father, it
finally sank in, the arrow had finally found its mark, he actually realised
he'd fucked up big time.

When Will had asked his father why Woody was so popular Billy had attempted
to explain, by the time he'd finished Will understood, not just why Woody
was so respected and loved, he also understood why his parents were so
disappointed in him, he hadn't doubted for one minute they loved him, but
they weren't proud of him like PJ and Lenny were of Woody.

The following day Woody had been up early for breakfast expecting to avoid
almost everyone, he'd been surprised to encounter his father already seated
in the breakfast room.

He'd toyed for a second or two with the idea of going back to his room and
eating later, but he wanted to be out of the apartment, on his way in the
next hour, so he bit the bullet and after collecting his breakfast sat down
next to his father.

"Good morning Poppa".

PJ wanted for all the world to turn to his boy, wrap his arms around him
and beg him to stop this foolishness, but he realised it wasn't
foolishness, to Woody it was a natural reaction, he was reeling from the
harmful blow PJ had dealt him, by firing him PJ had hurt him badly, he
needed to move on to lick his wounds.

"Not such a good morning son, I find myself short of a very capable
executive, any ideas on where I might find a replacement?".

Woody almost giggled, "You could try 'Very Capable Executives Are Us', I
hear they're quite good".

Both were silent for a few minutes before PJ spoke.

"I do love you Woody, I wasn't being nasty, but I suspect I might have been
hasty, stupid even, if I was I'm sorry son".

Woody realised the agony this was causing his father, "Poppa, if there is
one constant in my life it's the knowledge that you, momma and my brothers
and sister love me, I don't have to speculate on that matter it's a given".

He paused, thinking.

"I do believe you were hasty, I feel you should have waited until your
anger abated, until you were in possession of all of the facts, I believe
you made what turned out to be a not so clever decision, one which hurt me
a lot more than you intended and left you in a bind".

PJ realised that Woody had avoided using the word stupid but the meaning
was the same, he had also confirmed that PJs actions had hurt him badly, it
had been a relatively simple process to get to this point but the road back
seemed impossible.

"Could we go back Woody, could I un-sack you, could you take back your
shares, is it possible?, for the last 7 years you've given us your guidance
on every major issue, some of those issues had the potential to severely
damage us but you steered us safely through each and every one of them, I'm
frightened Woody, for the first time ever, I feel I've caused us to be
rudderless, I've cast us adrift, everything my grandfather and I worked so
hard to build is now in danger of crumbling into dust because I was hasty,
stupid".

Woody had almost cried hearing the pleading in his fathers voice.

"No Poppa, there's no going back, my credibility has been destroyed, maybe
in time I can become involved again, but right now I need to go, you should
know I'm not going to university, it doesn't appeal to me, I'm going to
find something else to occupy me whilst I think, and remember Poppa I'm
only at the end of a phone, I may have to set up a company called 'Ex
Executives Who Advise', I love you Poppa, I have to go now".

Woody wrapped his father in a hug conscious of the very unusual fact that
no one else had ventured into the breakfast room whilst they had been
talking, something which never happened, it had been a set up to facilitate
a U turn, or to perhaps find a compromise, which sadly hadn't worked.

PJ spoke last as Woody released him, "Make me a promise Woody, please, if
at any time I became incapacitated, you would come back, take the helm, I
need to know Woodruff would be in safe hands, please".

"Yes Poppa, you shouldn't need to ask, but I give you my solemn promise,
should the need arise I will return, I will take the helm".

Woody left New York to the newspaper headlines 'Woodruff Heir Apparent
Flies The Coop', and 'Rumours of a Fight in the WFC Boardroom, is this the
End Of The Line', and 'Boy King Abdicates, Woodruff in Chaos'.


TBC

ARB
Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.