Page 77 of Come to Me

"I failed Julia. You and I both know that."

“First, you didn’t. Second, even if you did, you shouldn’t be suffering a life sentence. She’s a grown woman. She made the choices she made.”

He shrugged.

“How is burying yourself in this family business going to change what happened?" Sydney challenged. "How is that going to heal the guilt you feel?"

Patrick had no answer.

Sydney's gaze softened slightly. "Your family only supports you when it suits them.” She paused for a moment. “Micki feels the same, but do you know what’s different? Her parents love her. They told her to leave the resort. They told her she didn’t have to feel obligated to continue it after them. They want her to be happy wherever that may be.”

“What’s your point?”

“Wouldn’t you rather have them as a family?”

It occurred to him that if Michaela didn’t have the sense of duty to her parents anymore and was encouraged to explore a different life, she could have chosen a life with him, but she didn’t.

“She left me, Syd.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why would she stay? Not after your mother and you failing to tell her how you felt or asking her to stay.”

He downed his drink and went to the window. He didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with this.

She put her hand on his shoulder. "Think about what you're giving up. Think about the happiness you're denying yourself. You deserve love and support. I know Micki wants to give it to you."

At work the next day, Patrick was haunted by Sydney's words. His attention divided over his choices and their implications for his happiness and sense of self. He recognized that the only time he was truly happy was with Michaela, who challenged him but accepted him as he was. She didn't ask anything of him. Contrasted with his sister and parents, who only made demands, but never gave back and didn't seem to care about what he wanted.

“What’s this I’m hearing about a new project?”

Speak of the devil. Patrick looked up from the papers he was supposed to be reviewing to watch his parents enter the office. He steeled himself as his parents approached, knowing this conversation would not be easy.

“Just a new project."

His mother's brow furrowed. "A project? What sort of project?"

“I’m looking at how we can offer support or programming integrating medicinal treatment with mental health services."

His father's expression darkened. "Mental health services? Patrick, this is a pharmaceutical business, not a therapy clinic." It was exactly the same as Dak’s response.

"I understand that, but I believe we have a responsibility to provide a more comprehensive approach to wellness. Too often, the focus is solely on prescription medications, without addressing the deeper emotional and psychological needs. Pills aren’t magic and shouldn’t be used as such. True mental health?—”

“It’s not our job.”

"And who, is going to pay for all these additional services?" his mother cut in. "Our shareholders expect a return on their investment, not some pet project of yours."

"I've done the research," Patrick pressed on. "Do you know how pharmaceutical companies are viewed?”

“They like our product well enough,” his father said.

“Improving our reputation can help the bottom line. It also serves the stated mission of the company, which interestingly isn’t ‘Greed is Good.’” He quoted Gordon Gekko. “It’s to improve the health and wellbeing of patients through high quality, safe, and effective pharmaceutical products AND services.’”

His parents exchanged a skeptical look.

"You’re getting ahead of yourself," his mother said condescendingly. "You've only just officially joined the company. Perhaps you should focus on learning the ropes before trying to implement such... radical changes."

Frustration mounted. He rolled his shoulders knowing showing irritation would only cause his parents to dismiss him. "This isn't just some passing fancy. I truly believe this could make a difference in people's lives."

"And we believe your time would be better spent learning the business," his father cut in. "We know you have a misguided sense of guilt toward your sister, but this won’t change anything for her. You need to focus on the job you’ve been brought into do. As soon as my doctor clears me, I’ll be in, and we’ll work side by side.”

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