Kayla
I've never been so happy to get a photo of a baby horse, but it was the olive branch that I needed to know I was making the right choice.
As promised, my dad stood by my side with the Board and while they weren't thrilled, they were reminded they didn't have much choice. When my dad was ready to hand over his CEO responsibilities to me, he hadn't really been ready to retire so he was more than willing to take point in the Dallas office when I wasn't here. That seemed to lessen everyone's nerves and bought us at least five years to figure it out from there. Mom isn't ready for Dad to retire, which she has made clear, too. Though, they plan to do more traveling together.
The helicopter has been bought and is in storage right now and I have a guy lined up to build me a helicopter pad in Rock Springs if this all lines up. I even bought a company car to use when I’m here if needed. It will stay parked in the company parking garage.
With the company taken care of, I've been focusing on the personal side of things. Packing, listing my penthouse, which sold remarkably fast. I guess the building had a waitlist for people interested in it. Thank you, Dad, for that one. When I offered to pay him back for it, he refused, and we settled on donating the money to charity. It was a win-win.
Walter is over the moon to have the chef come in. He's already given her his list of demands as he calls it, but really, it's just his favorite foods. She's thrilled to work with him and said he reminds her of her own grandfather who she lost a few years back.
Before I go, I head down to check on Walter one more time.
I knock on the door and wait for him.
"Kayla, the door is open. Why do you even bother knocking?" he hollers from the other side.
I laugh and let myself in. He's at his desk typing away. So I wait until he reaches a spot where he can take a break. Once, when I interrupted him, I got an earful, and a guilt trip for a week because he lost his spot. Needless to say, I learned my lesson.
"You’re getting ready to head out?" he asks, spinning around in his chair.
"Yes, there is just one more thing we need to take care of,” I tell him.
He eyes me suspiciously. "What's that?"
"Let me see your phone.”
He hands it over but watches every move I make.
I download the car service app and log into the account I set up for him.
"This is the car service app I was telling you about."
We had talked about this last week. He really shouldn't be driving anymore, and I don't want to worry about him when I'm not here. We argued then and I know we’ll argue now.
"Ahh, why can't I just have the doorman call me a taxi?"
"This is much safer. And they will help with your bags, groceries, and even pick up takeout and bring it to you."
"Why are you doing this Kayla?" he asks, leaning back in his chair.
I tear up because I’m going to miss him like crazy.
“Outside my parents, you are the one person who tells me like it is. You don't sugarcoat anything, and you don't want anything from me. You have helped make my company millions of dollars and wanted nothing in return. When I needed it, you have kept me company and are just an all-around good person. Making this choice to go after Brice was easy, and leaving Dallas and my so-called friends was easy. The only thing I'm struggling with is leaving you."
He turns his head and looks out the window, but I swear his eyes are covered in the same mist as mine are.
"I love my grandkids, but they don't want anything to do with me. They are more worried about dyeing their hair purple, their next body piercing, and their next boyfriend. You’re the family I wish I had. I expect an invitation to dinner as soon as you get settled."
"I'll even let you come in on the helicopter."
A huge smile takes over his face, and I know I got him there. "I'm going to hold you to it."
We say our goodbyes with a few tearful hugs. Once I’m back in my penthouse I call down for one of the desk guys to help me with loading some boxes into my car. The rest of the stuff is divided into piles to donate or will come with me to Rock Springs or end up in storage, depending on how this goes. My mom promised to take care of this for me. When I know.
Taking one last look at the view of the downtown Dallas skyline that has been the best part of this apartment, I grab my bag and purse and go down to my now packed car. I sit there and stare at the text Brice sent me again. While I must have typed up at least twenty different responses, I deleted them all because none of them meant anything. My parents taught me actions speak louder than words. I'm giving him actions, not words.
Not even feeling sad about it, I get in and head out of Dallas. I cried saying goodbye to my parents this morning and even saying goodbye to Walter, but leaving Dallas? I'm not sad, it feels right, freeing. With the Dallas traffic, the drive will be just under two hours and that gives me plenty of time to figure out exactly what to say. It also gives me plenty of time for the nerves to kick in and make me doubt everything. But I've made it this far and I'm not giving up now. I’ll not sit in my nursing home bed and wonder what if.