Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2015 00:32:20 +0100
From: Clive Westwood <cfgw2000@aol.com>
Subject: Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 8. Relationships

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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 8


PJ struggled to open his eyes, but they didn't want to open, so, so tired,
just sleep a little longer.

There was sound, he knew that, but where, it seemed to be all around him,
he couldn't work out what it was, where he was, it had a rhythm, just
sleep.

He heard random words, Lenny, Love, Poppa, Lover, Friend, Stay, Rest,

It was some sort of machine, beep, beep, beep, beep.........sleep.

Warm, soft, holding his hand, that smell, he knew that smell, perfume, it
was Lenny's perfume, he'd croaked almost inaudibly, "Lenny", then sleep.

It was back, the noise, warm air by his ear, "Poppa it's Woody, we're all
here Poppa, you have to come back to us Poppa, we need you".

Woody, Woody, he needed to tell him, it was a croak, hardly a word at all,
"Soyee".

"Poppa, I'm here what is it, say it again".

He was so dry so tired, then a straw was between his lips, ahhh heaven,
water, beautiful water, but the straw was pulled away.

A strange voice, "Not too much, he has to keep it steady, a little, often,
but not a lot, give him more if he's conscious, every couple of minutes is
ok, but only small amounts".

The straw was back, beautiful water, and then it was gone again.

"Poppa it's Woody, can you hear me?, what did you want to tell me?, squeeze
my hand if you hear me".

He squeezed, then the straw was back, oh so beautiful, gone again.

He could make sound better now, his mouth was wet, "Soyee Woowy, l lu u,
elm pees"

There was silence, the straw was back, yes, more, then it was gone again.

Silence, then, "I've got it, I know what he's saying, Poppa squeeze if I'm
right, you want me to take the helm".

PJ squeezed as hard and as many times as he could.

"Okay Poppa, no problem, I'm already in place, so relax, I'm keeping your
chair warm for you, and if you dare to apologise again I swear I'll slap
you, sick bed or not".

He was smiling, he knew he was smiling, but only one side of his face felt
like it was smiling, he didn't understand, it didn't make sense, he was too
tired, sleep.

Lenny had been at the hospital on and off for over 2 weeks, Billy, Beth,
Pete and Pauly had done the same alternating between PJs private suite and
the apartment.

Woody though had not moved from his fathers side, it was like he was a
guardian, in Woody's mind his father couldn't go anywhere if he was here
watching over him, he'd refused to leave, Jacqueline had been sent back to
the apartment to rest, she was now close to her due date, but Woody stayed
put, 'I'll rest when I know he's okay, not before', no one was going to
argue, it wouldn't have mattered, he wouldn't have listened.

It was over 2 weeks, PJ had seemed to stir, only to lapse into sleep again,
but that day as Lenny and Woody sat talking, he'd turned his head towards
Lenny, he didn't open his eyes, but they would swear he said her name, then
he was asleep again.

Woody's brothers and sister had come back to the hospital bringing
Jacqueline who hugged Woody, reassuring him she was okay.

Woody had leaned in close to whisper in his fathers ear, he'd been doing it
on a regular basis for two weeks, there hadn't been any response but that
didn't matter, Woody wouldn't give up, and suddenly he got a shock.

Everyone in the room fell silent, every face turned to the prone figure in
the bed.

It was only one word but it was a response, it sounded like 'Sorry'.

Woody saw his fathers lips were dry, he'd placed the straw between his lips
and it was like a lifeline had been attached, his father sucked water and
almost hummed.

At just that point a doctor entered the suite and took the straw from PJs
lips, telling them how to give him what he wanted so as not to cause
problems.

Woody continued placing the straw to his fathers lips for a few seconds
every minute or so, in between he bent low by his fathers ear and
whispered.

"Poppa it's Woody, can you hear me?, what did you want to tell me?, squeeze
my hand if you hear me".

They were all ecstatic as they watched the movement of PJs hand on Woody's
as he squeezed.

He croaked out a few sounds, "Soyee Woowy, l lu u, elm pees"

There was silence in the room as Woody pondered what his father was trying
to say, putting the straw back to his fathers lips.

"I've got it, I know what he's saying, Poppa squeeze my hand if I'm right,
you want me to take the helm".

PJ squeezed as hard and as many times as he could.

"Okay Poppa, no problem, I'm already in place, I made you a promise, so
relax, I'm keeping your chair warm for you, and if you dare to apologise
again I swear I'll slap you, sick bed or no sick bed".

PJ hadn't opened his eyes, but it didn't matter, they all saw the smile as
he lapsed back into sleep.

His doctors had run a barrage of tests over the two weeks since he'd been
admitted.

Beth, Dave, Billy, Julia, Josh and Bryan had been with Lenny when the
doctors had presented their initial findings.

PJ had suffered a double blow, a massive heart attack and a simultaneous
stroke.

For the first few hours the doctors told them they seriously doubted he
could survive, it was probable that his heart would fail of its own accord,
and then came the dreaded question, should they try to resuscitate or not,
Lenny had been in a fog, her precious PJ on the verge of death.

But survived he had, in a coma, but he was alive, Lenny and the others were
silent as they waited for Woody, Pete and Pauly to arrive.

When Woody, Pauly, Pete, Reece and Jacqueline arrived the doctors had
repeated their findings, but to their dismay, this time they didn't get
quite the same response.

Woody stood up to leave the office they'd been ushered into, intending to
get back to his fathers bedside.

"Rubbish, my father is most certainly not going to die, don't ever dare to
exhibit this negative attitude again, and don't send anyone into that room
with anything other than positive thoughts, unless you want them to come
back out head first, plan his recovery, use this time wisely while he is
resting, because I assure you, he will recover, it may be a while, but he
will recover, and when he does he'll be as prickly as a bear, he'll need to
be helped back to full health as quickly as possible, because I guarantee,
none of you will want him, or me, here for very long, and I'm here for as
long as he is".

Woody had been right.

After languishing in a coma for more than two weeks, PJ made slow but
steady progress back to the world of the living.

Thankfully, the stroke had done no discernible damage, but the doctors
warned without pulling any punches, his heart was damaged, the large
pumping chamber had suffered badly, he would certainly feel the effects of
exertion, he must heed the signs in future if he wanted to avoid another
attack, there would be no chance of returning to his work for at least six
months, he must rest.

With PJ on the mend Woody had finally bowed to pressure and gone back to
the apartment, where, in their room, sat head bowed on their bed Jacqueline
held him tight as he cried like a baby, the first tears he'd shed since
arriving at the hospital two weeks earlier, his steely resolve had finally
crumbled, he'd allowed himself, in private, in Jacqueline's safe embrace,
to acknowledge he'd almost lost his precious Poppa.

At Woodruff next morning he penned a brief email to staff and the press
worldwide.

################################################

A Message from Woody.

'I'm ba-ack guys'.

He's on the mend folks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, my father, your Chairman, PJ Thorn, after a little over two weeks in a
coma, is finally conscious, he's on the mend.

Two weeks ago my father suffered a massive heart attack and stroke
simultaneously, in that two weeks, I, my mother and my brothers and sister
have been strengthened by all of your messages of love.

Well he's awake now, and yes, he's already holding me to account.

Three years ago I relinquished my position on the Woodruff Board, expressly
against the wishes of my father, but, at that time I did make a solemn
promise, if there were ever a need, I would return, I am reminded, it
seems, the time to honour that promise has come to fruition.

My father has requested that I take the helm, become Chairman until he can
resume his duties.

His medical team have dictated that he must not be involved in any work
related matters and must have complete rest for a minimum of six months
whereupon they will re access the situation.

I am choosing not to follow exactly the path my father has requested.

Using my powers of attorney as granted, and in the position of Chairman at
this time, I am today asking Josh Hartnet to vacate his role as Vice
Chairman and assume the role of Chairman Woodruff Corporate and all of its
subsidiaries, further I am asking Bryan Fielding to assume the role of Vice
Chairman.

WFC, although under Woodruff Corporate ownership, operates as a totally
separate division which, under and attributable solely to the hard work and
expert guidance of, William Fielding Snr, is a magnificently successful
division.

I am today asking William Fielding Snr to vacate the position of President
WFC and promoting him to the position of Chairman WFC, I am creating a Vice
Chairman position within WFC which the new Chairman will be responsible for
filling.

I will be asking both of the new Vice Chairmen to establish a Chair
Committee comprising of an additional three persons which the Vice Chairman
will head, this Chair Committee will deal with the everyday tasks normally
expected of the Chairman leaving the Chairman to focus on the overall
performance of the company.

I will shortly be announcing a similar structural change for Woodruff
Banking.

I have taken this route because I feel our Chairmen should be at the helm,
guiding the ship, (excuse the pun) not swabbing the decks.

When my father returns he will take up a supervisory role over the entire
Woodruff/WFC/Woodruff Banking structure.

This positional restructuring leaves vacant the post of President North
American Operations Woodruff Leisure.

I am intending to ask someone to assume this role who three years ago I
expressly denied a similar role, someone I didn't believe had the
leadership qualities required by both our staff and our guests, my opinion
has now changed, I have listened to you (the true lifeblood of
Woodruff/WFC/Woodruff Banking) and you tell me he has changed, very much
for the better, as you know, I listen to and trust your opinions, therefore
I am pleased to ask Will Fielding Jnr, to take on this role.

There could be mutterings of nepotism, I dare say there will be, but that
will be only by the ignorant and ill informed, anyone who actually knows
and trusts me will understand, nepotism doesn't exist in my world, you
either cut it or you don't, it's that simple.

The aforementioned posts will leave me to assume the role I occupied all
those years ago before I left Woodruff, to examine and investigate
projects, to advise and steer Woodruff on a safe course.

I will take the role, Executive Adviser to the Chairmen, there will be no
salary or remuneration attached to my role, I am performing a service for
my fathers benefit whilst he is unavailable, upon his return, it will be
his choice to evaluate and retain or retire my services.

To each and every one of you that gave us your love and best wishes, on
behalf of my mother, my brothers and sister, but most of all from my
father, sincerely, thank you.

God bless to all.

Woody Thorn Favourite Son of PJ and Lenny Thorn, (Lol).  (May the Lord help
me when my siblings read this)

P.S. I've reinstated 'askWoody@woodruff.com

#####################################################



Woody had called an emergency Board Meeting and as all of the Board Members
had gravitated to New York as soon as PJ's condition became apparent,
everyone was present.

He'd asked his brothers and sister along with Bryan and Billy Fielding to
join them, then surprising everyone, Will Fielding was also asked to be
present.

Taking the Chairmans seat Woody called the meeting to order.

"Ladies and gentlemen thank you for attending today.

My father, your Chairman, has requested a particular task of me and I
cannot comply without your approval.

Is your approval required legally?, no, but in order that this business,
this company, continues as it always has, your approval would be
appreciated.

You are all family in my eyes and therefore you will already know why we
are here.

My father, your Chairman has asked that I assume the role of Chairman in
the interim, whilst he is incapacitated.

I have considered his request and have decided against doing exactly what
he wanted, though I feel he will agree with my plans.

There will be changes, some people will be giving up their positions, some
moving position, there will be at least one position vacant and I will be
taking up a temporary position until my father is back to full health, at
which time we can re-evaluate the situation".

Around the table some were nodding, some were looking puzzled, one in
particular was looking decidedly down.

Will rose from his seat.

"I'll save you some time Woody, I resign, I'll leave now, I should have
known, however much I tried to change, show I was sorry, you wouldn't
accept me".

Will had started for the door when Woody spoke.

"Do you honestly think I would ask you here today just to publicly
humiliate you Will?, if you do then by all means leave, otherwise please
sit back down".

Will could be seen giving it thought before he resumed his seat allowing
Woody to continue.

"As I said there will be changes, I want what we agree today to be the
catalyst for even greater change.

I fully believe my fathers current condition is a result of the years spent
in this seat, we cannot allow that to happen again, the person occupying
this seat, or seats, must have much better support from the people around
this table.

I have prepared an employee information release which will double as a
press release, rather than bore you with my droning on I'll let you read
it".

The secretary passed copies of Woody's memo around the table.

There was an initial silence as everyone read the memo, punctuated by
giggles and open laughter, then a 'Bloody Hell', and finally from Will, "Oh
fuck, now I've got to apologise again".

Beth spoke up, "Save it Will, when we finish with Mr Favourite there won't
be much worth apologising to", the assembled company, including Woody burst
into laughter.

When the laughter subsided Woody went on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I meant what I said earlier, in the past we have
relied upon the person occupying the Chairmans post to be the decision
maker, problem solver, networker, business gatherer, well that has to
change, this chair is a hard and lonely place, I aim to change that, my
first project will be to design a Chair Committee, it will present its
findings with recommendations to the Chairman for decision-making, leaving
the Chairman free to attend to other issues".

He paused.

"And now I need your input, you've heard what I want to do, the changes I
want to implement, firstly if anyone I've mentioned doesn't want to accept
the role I've outlined please speak up now".

The room was completely silent.

"So, I'm pleased to say, it would appear I now need your approval, would
someone please second my recommendations as a motion, we can then get to a
vote, I will say that for today only, and legally administered, I have
divided my parents share voting block between my siblings, with the
exception of myself, I will not vote".

The motion, second, and subsequent vote, carried all of Woody's proposals.

As the meeting ended refreshments were carried in and set out.

Back at the apartment, whilst his mother was visiting with his father,
Woody found himself surrounded by his siblings, Billy and Bryan Fielding
and Josh.

Josh asked why he'd not taken the Chairmans role, Billy Fielding wanted to
know why Woody had felt the need to elevate him to Chairman, Pauly asked
why he'd insisted they (his siblings) vote instead of Woody.

As they were relaxed with drinks, sitting with his arm around a very
uncomfortable Jacqueline, he set out to explain, but just as he did, a face
appeared in the doorway, one which caused him to frown.

Woody had some really conflicted feelings seeing the person who'd appeared,
but he knew he had to do something as the face retreated back towards the
exit.

"Will, I'm glad you could make it, I was just about to explain my actions
today and you feature in that explanation so grab a drink and settle down".

He'd effectively told Will he was welcome, it hurt a little to do it, but
he knew Will deserved it, he'd changed, he'd humbled himself to prove he'd
changed, to ignore that change would have made Woody a spiteful hypocrite,
and that he wasn't.

"Where to start, Uncle Billy, I think I gave you the reason already when I
said you were the one, the only one, responsible for the phenomenal success
of WFC, you've built it, and from scratch I might add, you've been Chairman
from day one, it's time we all acknowledged your achievement".

Billy was beaming, "That's why you're my favourite nephew".

The laughter was loud and continuous with Woody's siblings slapping both
him and Billy.

"Uncle Josh, your question, why didn't I take the Chairmans role, that's
easy, I don't have the knowledge you have, I have so much more to learn and
I have commitments elsewhere which I cannot shirk, it would be unfair, so I
looked at you as the person who had trained for just this situation, for
years you've performed the role in the shadows, it's fitting and proper
that you occupy the Chair".

Josh was beaming as well, "I agree with Billy, you're my favourite too".

Again uproarious laughter and more slapping.

"Bryan, oh Bryan you are so going to hate me, you see I want you to form
the committee to deal with the crap that normally lands on Josh's desk,
then I want you to be the bridge to Josh, it won't be easy, you have to
make him accessible, approachable, but protect him from the daily crap that
bogs him down, no easy task, sorry".

Bryan was looking glum, "I disagree with Billy and Josh, I think I could
easily hate you".

Again uproarious laughter, but this time no slapping.

Will looked apprehensive, he guessed he might be next.

"I reckon it's time you and I did some plain speaking Will, I meant what I
said today, I'm sorry, I didn't realise until afterwards that I had
publicly advertised our spat without your approval".

Will wasn't smiling but he wasn't looking down now either, it seemed he was
pleased that Woody was at least talking to him.

"Seems to me Woody, if anyone didn't know we'd had problems after you used
me as a human cannon ball to demolish several plate glass windows, they'd
have to be a little slow, don't you reckon?".

Everyone laughed.

"Yeh, I guess you're right there, I meant what I said today Will, our
guests are important, but our employees, the men, women, boys and girls who
work for us, work alongside us, they are just as, if not even more
important, they are the lifeblood of this company, they deserve to be
treated well and from what they tell me, the leopard has been able to
change its spots, you've earned your reward, but remember who gave it to
you, not me, I only put you where they wanted you to be, it's to them you
owe your gratitude, don't be afraid to show it".

Will was trembling as if on the verge of tears when Woody rose from his
seat and beckoned both Will and Billy to follow him into his fathers
office, closing the door behind them.

Will spoke then, when they were alone and seated on the sofas.

"You're wrong Woody, you have given me this, and god knows why after what I
did, I've thanked God so many times that you were in the Boardroom that day
to finally put an end to my antics, okay you were a little brutal, but in
all honesty it was nothing compared to the realisation that my parents
loved me, but didn't really like me. That day it took my Dad to show me,
just by asking you a simple question, you are so honourable you would have
suffered a prison sentence rather than lie and lose my fathers respect. You
started the change in me that day and for that I'll always be grateful".

He stopped and there was silence, neither Woody nor Billy said anything,
sensing there was more.

"I'm sorry Woody, you were my friend, I treated you badly, but above all I
caused the end of a life that was precious, I'll never get over that, I see
Rosy all the time, she was so sweet, so trusting, I was cruel, I owe it to
her to be the best person possible, to help others, it's what I'm trying to
do. I can't bring her back but I keep her alive in my memory".

Woody understood now, "You send the flowers don't you?, for the last three
years, the groundsman told me they come every week with instructions to
place them neatly on Rosy's grave".

Will was nodding.

"It's not a lot but if she can see them she'll know she's remembered and
she deserves that".

Woody realised it was time to put the past behind them.

"As soon as Poppa is able to travel I'm taking him and Momma back to
Montclair, they both need some rest, most of the family have already agreed
to come out during the summer, you're welcome if you can make it Will, it
goes without saying you're always welcome Uncle Billy".

As they were talking, Beth popped her head into the office, "You might want
to cut this meeting short Woody, Jacqueline's waters just broke".

Typical of Thorn men, Woody was a bag of nerves, mustered along by a
completely in control Jacqueline as their limousine whisked them to Cedars.

Woody had reserved a suite on the off chance that Jacqueline could possibly
give birth whilst in New York.

A little over three hours later Woody witnessed once again the miracle of
birth as his son Paul Jaque Montclair-Thorn came into the world screaming
like a banshee and not settling until Woody held him, whereupon he sighed
and dozed off to sleep, a sign of things to come.

Three weeks after the birth of Paul, Woody despatched everyone back to
Montclair by plane to get ready for the arrival of his father and young
Paul.

PJs medical team had refused to entertain the idea of him flying so soon
after his attacks but Woody, true to form, had not been thrown, he'd just
readjusted their travel arrangements, or as he put it, ' We are returning
to Montclair, how we do it will be interesting'.

Woody, Jacqueline, Roslyn and Paul along with two nannies, plus PJ, Lenny
and two nurses took several suites on the Queen Mary II out of New York,
they enjoyed a leisurely cruise across the Atlantic to Southampton England.

At Southampton Mrs Albright was waiting to welcome them with a fleet of
Rolls Royce limousines and they were whisked off to their London home where
they would stay for one week.

Their onward journey had everyone fascinated as the train hurtled through
the Channel Tunnel taking them from England to France.

In Paris there was one change of train before they were again hurtling
towards Montclair in the South of France.

The morning after they arrived at Montclair PJ had been settled in a
comfortable seat on the lawn under a shade when Woody joined him.

They sat in complete silence for a while, each enjoying the stunning
scenery before PJ spoke.

"I tried to tell you I was sorry Woody, in the hospital, when I was coming
out of that awful fog, I had this urgent need to tell you I was sorry,
before it was too late, but you just brushed it off, I am you know, really
sorry, I've berated myself so many times since that day, even now I don't
know what came over me, I was angry but I didn't know why, I picked you as
a target, it was wrong on so many levels, I actually cried for the first
time in a very long long time the day you left, it felt like my whole world
was caving in, I think that was the start of my troubles, I rarely slept
well after that day".

Woody leaned in, his head on his fathers shoulder, he didn't speak the
contact was enough and besides, PJ hadn't finished.

"It's too much now Woody, I can finally understand why my Gramps was so
grateful when Celia took over running the Corporate Offices, it's not just
tiring, it's completely draining, it sucks the life out of you, it's never
ending. I've been Chairman for twenty five years, I'm not sure I even want
to go back".

This time Woody answered.

"I heard you well enough, when you apologised, but as I told you then, if
you do it again I'll have to slap you. You're my Poppa, I love you, you can
do no wrong".

They sat silent for a while, Both immersed in thought before Woody spoke
again.

"Imagine if you hadn't had your little flip out, what would be missing from
my life, Jacqueline, Roslyn, Paul, Montclair, and missing from Pete's life,
Jaque, don't get me wrong, I ran because you hurt me, so badly, it was like
salt in an open wound to have you so angry and vehemently displeased with
me, my only thought was to get away, but ultimately, you gave me a gift I
would never choose to be without, this life at Montclair".

They were silent again just resting with Woody's head on PJs shoulder.

"I understand I need to take the helm some day, that doesn't worry me, I
have a plan to devolve power to several bases so that when you or I return,
it will only be as a figurehead, no more".

Another silence then PJ spoke.

"I toyed with the idea of recommending a flotation, what would you think of
that?".

To PJs surprise Woody didn't object, "Actually you're not the only one who
has thought of that".

"I remember some years ago you were explaining to me how you felt when
great gramps died, as you were explaining I could see how much it still
hurt to think or talk about it, but I didn't really get it".

When Rosy died I was mostly angry that she had taken her own life, I still
feel that way, even though I miss her, I'm angry that she would take her
own life out of a sense of vanity, an inability to face what people might
think of her, how they would judge her".

Woody was quiet for a moment, thinking before he went on.

"When that call came from Pip, I thought you were going to die, as I
listened to her on the phone I felt the air being sucked out of my body,
for what seemed like the longest time I couldn't breathe, I was looking at
potentially the biggest loss I'd ever had to face, and I didn't know how
I'd cope, on the flight over from France to New York, I was terrified you'd
be dead when I arrived, in those few hours I actually hated Woodruff with a
vengeance, but I now understand how you feel about losing great gramps, you
mean that much to me".

Woody stopped to think, PJ could see the tears on his face.

"I sincerely believe, if you had died I would have forced a flotation and
rid myself of any ties to Woodruff, I would never have forgiven it for
taking you away from me.

PJ didn't interrupt he could see Woody was mid way through a thought
process.

"I'm not sure we haven't gotten too big to be managed effectively by one
family, I'm looking at a flotation and I'm also looking at recommending a
break up into autonomous divisions, still under the Woodruff Corporate
Banner but self governing".

Another lull before he spoke again but this time more energetically.

"Actually would you make that your mission for the next few days?, just
think of the pros and cons of both ideas, then come back to me, it will
help to have another take on both subjects".

After PJ had retired that evening, most of the adults were sitting on the
terrace when Lenny spoke, "I know what you're doing Woody".

Woody knew exactly what his mother was referring to but instead elected to
play dumb.

"I'm sorry Momma, you have me at a disadvantage, I don't understand".

Lenny was smiling as were most of the others when Pete spoke this time.

"I'm guessing the price of bacon has gone up because a pig just flew over
your head Woody".

Woody just smiled, Pauly was next to speak.

"Don't be modest Woody, we know what you're doing to get Poppa's mind
active again, you're making him think he's helping you, keeping him
involved, not just coddling him like the rest of us, I think what we all
wanted to say was thanks Woody, well done Bro".

Woody laughed.

I'm performing a service, can you imagine if Poppa decided to retire and
get under Momma's feet all day, he'd be in a box and she'd be in the
slammer accused of murder, Beth and Jacqueline would be baking caked with
files in them, though I suspect Pete and Pauly would be fighting to apply
the pink icing".

They all laughed at his joke.

"Seriously, excuse the mixed metaphors, without a purpose he'd be like a
bear with a sore butt, so I'm leading the horse to water and encouraging it
to drink, actually I hope I'm making it too attractive to turn down the
drink".

And so the summer rolled on, most of them stayed at Montclair for the
summer months, jetting back and forth as required but happy to be at
Montclair.

Woody had a date of September 1st to present his recommendations to the
Woodruff Board, PJ and Lenny had decided to attend however PJ chose not to
revoke the power of attorney held by Woody giving him permission to do as
he saw fit.

Would this be a turning point for Woodruff?.


TBC

ARB
Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.