Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

COLLEGE ENDED

Jane's Father attended her graduation from College, watching her receive her diplomas with honours and distinctions thrown in for good measure.

After the ceremony Jane's Father announced he was very proud of her and had a special gift to commemorate the occasion.

He drove to a nearby suburb parking in front of a block of apartments. “Here” he said to Jane handing her a set of keys “this belongs to you.”

Jane opened the door finding a wonderful two bedroom, one bath, townhouse. It had a small courtyard at the back with a one car garage.

“Why Father......................” said Jane totally speechless.

“You deserve it for all the hard work that you put in to get to the level you are and that's all I am going to say” her Father said.

The first time David saw it he asked if she was a fucking Princess. “Jesus I thought your Father and you didn't see eye to eye, I would love to feel that way about my Dad if this is the outcome.”

Jane stated to him that her Father the eminent Dr Grayson Collins couldn't possibly have his Daughter dwelling in shared accommodation or God forbid a bedsit as it would not be appropriate, immediately regretting her words.

“So you accept it as your due?” asked David.

“I guess so” answered Jane.

You could probably say it was their first argument but as arguments go it wasn't that bad.

Jane managed to procure at position at 'EVERY WOMAN' magazine. Due to her sheer diligence she received promotion after promotion.

Nights were spent with David at her place (him finding the place much nicer to stay in than his cramped little bedsit). She would grab takeout while David studied.

They had known each other two years by this point, their relationship getting stronger each day.

One night in bed David asked what Jane foresaw in the future. “Well I want to be Editor-in-Chief of the magazine but most of all I want us is to be happy together.”

“Well big dreams my lady” laughed David “but you know what I see? “ Jane shook her head. “Well I see us married with the white picket fence while we both pursue our dreams together. Once we are established we can then focus on having kids, maybe one or two, I think three is a bit too much don't you?” Jane fervently agreed.

The next morning Jane floated into the office on a cloud of happiness. “Oh my God” she thought “David had basically asked her to marry him.” Okay he hadn't done the get down on one knee thing, but there it was, a statement that proclaimed to be just that. She hugged herself happily. Of course there was the small hiccup, well perhaps a large one, regarding children, but today she wasn't going to think about that. Obviously it would be a hard conversation they would have to have later down the track.

The next day and the next Jane didn't hear from David. She wasn't worried, well aware his entrance to the bar was coming up and he was a lot like her, head down, arse up, when you needed to be.

On the third day Jane rung him but it immediately went to voice mail. She tried a couple of more times getting the same result and started to feel a little uneasy.

She arrived home that evening grabbing her mail, kicking off her shoes and poured herself a glass of wine. Then she noticed amongst the mail an envelope which only had one word on it JANE.

Having received Xmas, Valentines Day and Birthday Cards from David, Jane recognised his hand writing. She slowly opened the envelope.

“Jane I am so sorry but I can no longer see you any more, David.”

What the hell does that mean, expecting David to jump out and surprise her in the goofy way he was prone to do.

She tried to ring him and once again it went straight to voice mail.

She emailed and texted him, no reply.

Then she gave up.

Jane had her pride and re-reading David's note it was clear he had made his mind up and she would not try to change it.

She dusted herself down and moved on.

She didn't cry.

As usual, in moments of turmoil, Jane threw herself into her work. Arriving early, working late, and the powers that be took notice. She started to climb up the corporate ladder at a fast pace. If she stepped on anyone's toes on the way she never looked back.

She was called into the Editor-in-Chief's Office by Caroline who held the position.

Caroline proceeded to stand up and shake Jane's hand.

“As you are probably aware my name is Caroline Myers please sit down.”

“I have been keeping a keen eye on you and I like your work ethic therefore I would like to offer you the position of Personal Assistant.”

Jane was stunned “Well thank you. I wasn't expecting to hear that.”

“Oh balls” said Caroline “it was what you were hoping to hear and don't deny that. I don't listen to bullshit, particularly in my office, if you can keep that in mind we will get on quite well.”

Jane left the room feeling a sense of euphoria.

Two years passed since Jane had became Caroline's right hand man so to speak. If she felt lonely at times she brushed off the feeling with resoluteness, feelings being something she would not entertain.

One of the Secretaries on the floor buzzed Jane saying that there was a personal call for her.

“For Christ's sake we are on a deadline here take a message.”

“It's your Father's housekeeper and she insists on speaking to you.”

“Put her through” Jane barked down the phone.

Mrs Cuthbert spoke quickly in a strained voice “I am sorry Ms Collins but your Father passed away this morning.”

“I see” replied Jane “I will be there as soon as I can.”

Jane leaned back into her chair having no idea of how she was feeling but knowing details had to be addressed.

A year earlier Jane's Father had asked her to come home in order to sort out some matters. In a way Jane felt her Father and her had reached a truce of some sort, particularly when he had spoken to her of how proud he was of her achievements. She in some way felt he saw her valid for who she truly was (finally).

“As you are probably aware Jane you are my main beneficiary and as such should be made aware of where you are able to put your hands on to documentation that you will require when I pass on.”

“Are you sick Father?”

“Not at all but I don't like the idea of leaving my estate in unsavoury hands. Here is a key to a Bank deposit box which holds your Grandmothers jewellery and documents you will require. It also holds a key to my safe in this office, that is all you probably need to know.”

Jane approached Caroline giving her the news.

“Well” said Caroline “you obviously have things to do, take as long as you need, I will be here when you get back.”

Jane drove to the Bank retrieving the jewellery and documents simply to get the whole procedure done and over with.

She placed the box on her Fathers large desk opening her Grandmothers Claudia's jewellery roll. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings spilled out, an assortment of which any jeweller would love to own. That didn't surprise her but the next few items did. It was a handful of photo's of her Mother and Father, one of which showed her Father looking down at Alice with a pure look of adoration. Jesus thought Jane and poured herself a stiff scotch.

There was his will and other papers which she would take to her Father's lawyer and there was also a key.

After struggling for a moment she managed to open the safe thinking “More papers, just what I need.”

Sitting down back at the desk she proceeded to go through them suddenly coming across an envelope on which was written “TO MY DARLING CHILD”

Jane stopped dead in her tracks. Shaking she opened the envelope and something fell out, her Grandmother's Argyle Ring. Jane picked it up remembering the conversation she had had with her Father

“Did Mother leave me a letter or Grandma's ring?”

She also recalled that the answer had been a resounding “NO” on both counts. Yet here she was with evidence that not only had one lie been said on that day but two. Why on earth would he do that to a child, what kind of man was he? She tentatively picked up the Argyle Ring and placed it on her finger feeling such a mix of emotions that if anyone had asked her to articulate them she would have had no sane answer to give them. With that she opened the note inside the envelope.

“My Darling Jane,

You are the light in my life and in being so you have no idea how much joy you have brought me.

One day I hope that your Father will realise who you truly are, a perfect child.

Please forgive me.

I love you with all my heart Mummy.”

Jane stood up abruptly and immediately fell to the floor. She grabbed herself in to the tightest ball rocking back and forth. The tears she had held back for so long finally being released racking her whole body.

Eventually she got up and went to her Mother's bedroom where she climbed under the sheets and slept for hours out of sheer exhaustion.

In the morning she forewent having a shower grabbing all the necessary paperwork and her Mother's precious letter. She left the house slamming the door behind her not looking back.