Page 93 of Heartless

When we pulled up to our house, our neighbor was coming out of his house. Onyx had said, “Hey, Frank. Look at my baby’s hat. Isn’t she gorgeous, and ain’t that the most beautiful hat you’ve ever seen?”

Laughing, Frank had agreed with Onyx and taken a picture of the two of us right then and there. He had his camera out because he was going to take some pictures of the trees that were in bloom. That was two springs ago.

MJ,

I was doing some cleaning around the house and came across this picture. I remember how desperately you wanted that hat that day. No matter what I told you, you wouldn’t take no for an answer. The moment that the cashier handed me the receipt for that hat, your face lit up. You tugged that old, ugly thing on your head and magically transformed it into the most beautiful creation I’d ever seen.

You have always been the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen, MJ. The beauty wasn’t just in your face, your lithe dancer’s body, or the graceful way that you moved. Your beauty was in every part of you, from your smile to your laughter. It was in the way that you served the homeless, purchased things your dancers needed but couldn't afford, or how you cared for a little child.

It amazes me how much that I took for granted before it was all stolen away. I miss seeing you waltzing around the plaza in your bohemian attire or donning the latest pointe shoes and you trying them out, dancing through the house.

It’s the little things that I miss, but perhaps what I miss the most is your laughter. I don’t think anyone should ever take their loved ones for granted. One day, you won’t be able to tell them how much the little things mean.

Always yours,

O.

24 – ONYX

“You don’t have to transfer me to your New York office, Onyx.”

“I don’t mean to offend you. I just thought that it might be easier—”

“If we didn’t have to work so hard to avoid each other. I know. I didn’t want to tell you this because I wanted to wait until the project was finalized. But now that the building has begun, I wanted to let you know that I have taken your suggestion.”

“What’s that?” I ask, frowning as Sharla hands me an envelope.

“Basically, you told me that you saw me as a business owner, and I said that I could never see that. Well, I started doing the research, applying for grants, and putting together a business proposal. I submitted it to a backer and received the funding that I needed. A couple of weeks ago, I signed the lease on a space for my business office.”

I open the envelope as I listen to her. A frown etches itself firmly on my forehead as I read the words before me.

“You’re resigning?”

“I am. I agree with you that it’s in neither of our best interests to work together anymore, at least not in this capacity. If I had seen everything that would have come from this, I never would have accepted the job. I didn’t come here to destroy your life, Nyx, no matter what it may look like.”

Standing, I place the letter on my desk and shove my hands into my pockets. “I know that you didn’t, Shar. I know that it was a fusion of several notions that brought us to this place. So, what is your business?”

“A management consulting company. I’ll provide analysts and consultants from various backgrounds to companies looking for short-term resolutions in staffing, project management, and financial spaces.”

Smiling, I nod at her and say, “Is that here in Charleston?”

“Actually no, it isn’t. I’m going back to the West Coast where I can be closer to Jose. The boy’s getting older, and I want to continue being an integral part of his life. So, I’m moving to Los Angeles.”

“Wow. That’s a lot and fast.”

Shrugging, she says, “I’m well acclimated to last-minute adjustments. You’d be surprised at how well I can adjust in a relatively short amount of time.”

“Well, congratulations. You gave us a four-week notice.”

“I didn’t want to leave Neha in a bind. I know that she doesn’t want me to leave, but...it’s what I need...what we both need.”

“Sharla, if you want to stay and serve the four weeks, that’s fine. But you can also get a head start on your business and leave whenever you’d like. When I was preparing the proposal to transition you to head up our HR division in New York, I also identified someone who could step into your role with little notice. Byron George on the fourth floor filled part of your role until Neha hired you.”

“Oh, I do know Byron! He’s a great fit for that role.”

I nod. “So again, it’s up to you, but feel no pressure to wait that long.”

She smiles and looks away. “It would make it easier on you, too, wouldn’t it?”

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