Page 4 of The Other Half

“This is what you’ve resorted to? This is the lifestyle you’re living with the money I made from the company I built from the ground up? I didn’t work this hard to have my wealth turn my legacy into nothing but a... a... boozy whore!”

“Grandpa!” I gasped.

“I won’t have it, Cassandra! I won’t watch you destroy yourself for one more day. I’ve sat idly by, hoping and praying you would find your way back to the woman you used to be. But each day I watch you drift farther and farther away. One of these days you’re going to wind up dead, and I won’t sit by any longer as it happens.”

“Grandpa, I know it looks bad. I know I’ve been bad, but I swear I’m done now. I don’t want this life anymore.” I said it and I meant it. Something in me had shifted lately. I knew my current ways weren’t the answer, but I struggled to find my way back out of the abyss and onto solid ground. Maybe, just maybe, this was the final wake-up call I needed to straighten out my life.

“I’ve heard that before!” he shouted and tossed his hands up. “Why should I believe you this time?”

He was right, because I’d said it before. And I’d lied. But this time I meant it. “Grandpa, please. I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry won’t cut it this time. Action will cut it. You were entrusted to me after your parents passed, and they would be horrified to see what you’ve become... what I’ve let you become through faulty indulgence.”

There it was, hanging in the air between us. That weight I’d gained two years ago when they died, the same one I’d shed last night for a while, came crashing back down on me and pummeled me into my chair. Hot tears burned behind my eyes hearing those words... after your parents passed. They would be horrified to see what you’ve become.

“NO tears! Not this time! Crocodile tears won’t work on me now. You’ve shamed yourself and this family for the last time.”

After bringing up my parent’s death, I lost all will to argue back. I sat quietly in the chair while tears slid down my face. Poppy sensed my sorrow and licked my chin before pressing her head against my chest.

“I understand their loss was devastating to you, Cassandra. I do,” he said, his voice softening. “It was devastating to me, too. You lost a father and mother. I lost a son and daughter-in-law. But you went from a straight-A Columbia grad student who lit the world with your light to... to this.” He gestured to the photo of me and I cringed again. “And I allowed it because I didn’t know how to handle you in your grief. But enough is enough. You cannot continue like this.”

“I know, Grandpa,” I whispered, choking on the words as they slid over the lump in my throat.

“I gave your father Davenport Industries when I retired, and you were set to inherit it from him one day when he retired. But he died, and you weren’t ready to take it on then. So, I came out of retirement to run it until you were ready. But you have done nothing to show me that you can take the reins of this company I worked so hard to build, and I wouldn’t dare hand them to you anymore.”

When I opened my mouth to speak, he raised his hand, and the temporary softness in his eyes disappeared.

“No. You don’t get to defend yourself anymore, Cassandra. I’m tired. I want to retire. I was supposed to stay retired, but I didn’t want someone else but my family running our family business. But I know now that isn’t going to happen. It’s time for me to sell the company because you can’t be trusted to run it.”

“Please, Grandpa!” I sat forward, nearly sending Poppy tumbling to the ground, but I caught her before she slid off my lap. “I can do this! I studied so hard to learn how to run the business! Dad spent years showing me the ropes and taking me to meetings with him so I would be ready. I can be ready. I am, Grandpa. I’m ready. All I need is a chance.”

His head shook even while I spoke. “No, Cassandra. You’re not ready. And I’m going to tell you why. Even if we ignore your recent behavior,” he said, waving his hand over my photo again. I wanted to snatch it off the desk and toss it in the garbage. “You have turned into a spoiled, selfish woman. You treat others with no respect. And you have no concept of the real world or what it takes to live in it. My employees are my family and there is no doubt in my mind you don’t have what it takes to understand their needs and see to it they are all protected and cared for. No. You are not ready, and I doubt you ever will be.”

It felt like the world got picked up and turned upside down. Since I was a child, my father would tell me about the day I would take over the company from him. My proudest days involved sitting on his lap behind his desk while he told me all the things I would need to do someday when it was mine. I studied hard through high school so I could get into a good college and learn the skills I needed to not just take over the business but ensure its success. My whole life I’d planned to take the reins, but I was now being told I couldn’t be trusted with them. “I swear, Grandpa. I can do this. Just give me a chance. Please don’t sell the company.”

“I don’t want to see our family legacy sold off, Cassandra. But I need to ensure its survival and the jobs for my employees. It breaks my heart to see my dreams, and your father’s dreams of having you take our place dashed into pieces, but I see no other way.”

With a quivering chin, I struggled for the right thing to say. The right words to convince him, and myself, I could crawl out of this dark hole I’d fallen into. But the words stuck on my tongue while I tried to spit them out.

Because words fell short.

“This is my fault as much as it is yours,” he said. “I spoiled you. Money... my money, spoiled you. You’ve never had to work for a thing in your life. You’ve never had a job, earned your way, or known hardship. When I was your age, I was dirt poor. I grew up never knowing where my next meal was coming from. But with hard work, and loyal employees, I created this empire. An empire that could ensure you, your children and their children will be well taken care of for many generations. But right now, it’s money that’s allowing you to throw your life away. So, starting today, things will be different. If it means saving your life, then I will do what is necessary.”

“What are you saying, Grandpa?”

“I’m cutting you off.”

“What?” The word came out harsher than I’d intended, and his eyebrows rose in a challenge.

“It’s my money that has allowed you to live this way.” His hand swiped over the photo again. Unable to stare at it any longer, I ripped it off the desk and crumbled it up before tossing it on the ground.

“What am I supposed to do?” Panic changed the tone of my voice to a pitch similar to a whining five-year-old. “Please don’t do this. Don’t sell the company. Don’t cut me off. Just give me a chance to prove it to you. Please, Grandpa.” I was begging now, but I didn’t care. The darkness had stripped me of my desire to go after my dreams these past two years since my parents died, but knowing they were being ripped away had me grasping the air desperate to get them back.

“It’s too late, Cassandra. I’ve lost faith in you. You’re not capable.”

“I am, Grandpa! I swear I’m capable!” Sucking back the tears I straightened back up. “I got off track. Yes, I admit it. But you taught my father everything you know, and he taught me everything he knows. I’m the best of both of you. Just let me prove it. Please don’t do this.”

He sucked his cheek between his teeth like he did often when giving a thought careful consideration. Sitting back in his chair, he rubbed a hand across his bald head. “You think you have what it takes?”