Page 47 of The Facilitator, Part 2

“He sends her money each month. He didn’t have enough money in his account one day, and I received a phone call from the bank.

I think they confused me with him. Same name and same bank.

I was in Boston at the time. They said that one of my regular payments wouldn’t be sent unless I made a deposit.

I asked who the payment was to, thinking they were talking about my account.

They told me her name. When I asked them to confirm the account details, I realised they had mixed my cell number up with my dad’s.

I didn’t correct them; I just transferred some money into his account. He never mentioned it and I forgot.”

He turned on the tap and we watched the ashes of his father’s letter, his father’s last words to him, wash down the drain.

“I need to sleep. I’ll be busy tomorrow, I imagine,” he said. He didn’t wait for an answer. As I tidied up, he walked up the stairs to our bedroom.

Mackenzie was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling, when I walked in. I undressed and then climbed beside him, and he wrapped his arm around me. I placed my hand on his chest.

“This really has been a vacation of highs and lows,” he said. He covered my hand with his. “I need to buy you a wedding ring,” he said, somewhat randomly.

“We have loads of time for that. Close your eyes, Mackenzie, see if you can sleep.”

We didn’t speak, and we didn’t sleep. I dozed as the sun began to rise, but when Mackenzie needed to get up, I wearily followed him. There was a lot to do.

He didn’t mention Kelsey at all that morning. Not until he was with Sandra.

“Have you told her?” he said, not mentioning her name.

“I have. She’s devastated, understandably.”

“I’ll go and see her this afternoon. Or maybe we should invite her here?” He looked at me.

Sandra was with us at the house. The condo was too small and too busy with the constant stream of visitors. It was lovely for Sandra but driving Mackenzie nuts.

“I think you both should go to her. If she’s distressed, she might feel more comfortable in her own surroundings. She hasn’t met you, Mackenzie, yet.”

“You’re correct, of course. Do we need to call?” he asked Sandra.

“I haven’t when I’ve visited her before.”

“Go now, both of you. I’ll wait on the calls you need to deal with.”

We were waiting to hear from the undertakers on dates for the funeral.

Gabriella was coming over with Vivienne to see what they could do to help.

Mackenzie had appreciated Vivienne’s input, other than the other occupants at the condo complex, Mackenzie just didn’t know who to inform.

While I waited for them, I sent some emails to work, informing them of the death of Mackenzie’s father and that our return was to be delayed.

I asked for him not to be bothered and if there was anything important, to liaise with Mary.

She cried when I called her. She’d never met Mack, of course, but despite her constantly cussing him, she was very fond of Mackenzie.

“How is he, love?” she asked.

“He’s hurting, Mary. He’s gone to see some relatives while we wait on funeral dates.”

“You tell him not to worry about anything. I have it all under control here. I’ll field all calls and emails and whatnots. I’ll call Kerry and let her know, she’ll be worried that you haven’t returned yet. You just leave it to me, okay?”

I’d completely forgotten about Kerry and guessed she would have been confused as to why we weren’t already home.

I worried for Mary. There was still some fallout from losing the government contract and the share debacle.

I know I’d seen a media post that suggested Mackenzie had gone into hiding.

It was one of the reasons why I thought it important to notify Mary and the other CEOs about Mack’s death.

They could answer any, where is he questions.

I didn’t open his email Inbox even though he had over a hundred unopened.

They would all be current—he was fastidious about clearing his emails every single day—but that was a job I’d prefer his permission for.

The ring of my mobile distracted me from any further thoughts of work.

It was the funeral home. After a brief conversation, I asked them to email all the details to Mackenzie.

He could then read and get back to them later that afternoon.

I wasn’t sure what time he’d return from seeing Kelsey, but booking a date for his father’s funeral was up to him and Sandra.

I asked for options. There was nothing to discuss where the arrangements for Mack’s burial were concerned, he’d arranged it all himself prior to his death. We just needed to know when.

I was at a loss as to what to do next. I wanted to be proactive but equally respect I’d only just met Mack myself.

I didn’t drive, so it wasn’t like I could go and sit with the old folks at the condo, and I sighed in relief when I heard a car pull up and Gabriella’s voice float through an open window.

Before she could complain I had the air con on and the windows open at the same time, I closed the window just before I answered her knock on the front door.

“Hey, how are you holding up?” she asked.

“I’m okay. Mackenzie has gone to see Kelsey,” I said, standing aside and letting them in.

“I’m pleased he has. I’m think I’ve met her,” Vivienne added. “I’m sure I bumped into Mack in town and he was with her. She was a beautiful girl and I thought it was strange he hadn’t introduced us. Although, I guess I couldn’t have thought too much of it because it went out of my mind.”

Vivienne had a list of people who she’d notified. She had addresses, email and postal, so we could forward the date once we knew it. She had offered to hold the wake at her house, and both Sandra and Mackenzie had agreed it was a good idea. Again, the condo was just too small.

“I have some news as well,” she said. “Addison has checked into the Larkfield Hospital.”

I stared at her waiting for more. “The rehabilitation centre?” she added, confused by my confusion, I guessed.

“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m pleased to hear that.”

“Yes, I spoke to her father and we were all of the same opinion, it was for the best. Addison entered voluntarily. However, Lauren, you have a far greater heart that I do. I don’t think that all her actions are due to her mother leaving and drugs.

I think that young lady knows exactly what’s she’s doing. ”

“Oh, I agree. I met her, and the way she behaved with Mackenzie, the woman is a brilliant actress. But who knows, while in therapy she might learn how it affects others, and why she feels the need to behave that way. Also, Vivienne, she’s out of the way, for now.”

“We just have to worry about Daniel,” Gabriella said.

“Does anyone know where he is?”

“No, he left the police station, and didn’t turn up in court so there is a warrant for his arrest. He can’t stay on the run, he would have no idea how,” Vivienne said.

Mackenzie had ensured Vivienne had staff around the clock at her house. The gardener-come-driver had been with her for years and was more than willing to move into the small annexe that had once been the home of Daniel. I thought he might have a little crush on Vivienne.

“I am so exhausted,” I said, rubbing my hands over my face.

“Why don’t you take a nap? We’ll man the phones or whatever happens until Mackenzie returns,” Gabriella said.

I nodded and thanked her. I tripped as I walked up the stairs, not realising just how weary I was. Still dressed, I climbed under the sheet and closed my eyes. I felt the waves of tiredness wash over me as my body relaxed and my limbs grew heavy. I was asleep in minutes.

I woke with a jolt and checked my watch. Although still light outside, I had been asleep for three hours. I leapt from the bed, hearing Mackenzie’s voice, and rushed down the stairs.

“Hey, baby,” he said, as I stumbled.

“I’m sorry, I had a nap and it extended into a full-blown sleep.”

“I know, I came up to see you. I decided to leave you sleeping.”

“How did it go?” I asked.

“She’s lovely, Lauren, what more can I say? She’s distraught, of course. It was her that called. She was in Paris, apparently, and wondered if I’d agree to meet her. She didn’t want to leave a message with you, because she wasn’t sure what to say. She can’t wait to meet you, by the way.”

“How did she get your phone number?” I asked.

“Sandra. I think she was hoping Kelsey would get in touch and override my father’s wishes.”

“The funeral people emailed you,” I said, while I remembered.

“I saw it on my phone. I’ve replied confirming the date with them.”

He gave the date to Vivienne and I was surprised to note it was in three days’ time.

“That’s quick,” I said, although by that point it would have been a week.

“I guess they have a slow week,” he said. He chuckled softly.

“We’ll leave you two. Now we have the date, I can get the caterers sorted,” Vivienne said. They hugged Mackenzie and I waved them off at the front door.

“Come here,” he said, when I walked back into the kitchen. I stood between his thighs. “Thank you,” he said.

“For what?”

“Marrying me, giving me space to deal with this, being here, the list is endless,” he said.

“How do you feel, Mackenzie?” I asked.

“Angry, mostly. I’m back to being angry with him, Lauren, and I can’t help that. I might get some therapy when we get back home. I could have had five years with Kelsey, but he selfishly decided to keep her a secret, and I don’t know why. I wonder if her Down’s was an issue for him.”

“I think you might be reaching there, he didn’t indicate that in his letter and Sandra doesn’t believe it, does she?”

“No, I guess I’m trying to come up with a reason that satisfies me, because his letter didn’t.

I thought I’d gotten somewhere with him when we met.

But you know what? He’s still the selfish self-centred, only ever thought about himself person he was when my mother died and he abandoned me twenty-five years ago. ”