Chapter Three

Nicky sat alone in the virtually deserted, small dining area. Most people were either out for lunch or attending the festivities in the main dining hall. It was just as well, for at that moment she needed the solitude. Okay, I’m going on a field trip. How bad can that be? she groaned inwardly. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t assume her parents’ role. Her formative years had found her in many remote places with no roots or a place to call home. When she left that life for the university, she promised herself that she would have a home, family, and roots. Now here she was, agreeing to go on the very thing she’d come to hate. It was the ultimate irony.

I should have kept my promise to myself and refused to go. I should have explained to Diane about my life and my family. She would have understood. What possessed me to change my mind? Harriet Aristides! The lonely, despondent woman spoke to her heart. How can I not go?

“Hello, squirt.” A man’s deep voice boomed out, echoing off the walls.

Nicky didn’t need to look up to know who possessed the voice. “Uncle Eric, how wonderful to see you.” Nicky glanced up into twinkling brown eyes and a smile spread across her face. She had never been able to resist his bear like charm.

“Nicky, you look wonderful.”

The giant of a man held out his arms and she rose from her seat and walked into them. He was about the nearest thing to family that she ever saw anymore. Nicky hugged him as she kissed his cheek. “Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself. I saw you arrive earlier. I thought you were in Europe.”

“I was, now I’m here. Anyway, I made a promise to myself and I wanted to see if I could make it happen.” Eric Lasser grinned at the small woman in his arms; she was a true product of her parents. He was certain she had both their intellects and had always been in the thick of things when she was growing up. I wish I knew what happened to sour her love of the roaming life. Her parents’ hearts had been broken when she refused to work with them after graduate school. Still the kid has her own life and from what I’ve heard, she’s doing quite well.

Nicky laughed and stood facing him. “You can’t fool me. You enjoy the free drink and food, Uncle Eric.”

“Ah, but I have an ulterior motive for being here too.” Eric smiled at her wickedly. He released his hold on her, sitting opposite her after she sank back into her seat.

“Now what would that be, I wonder?” Nicky smiled warmly. Eric was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. However, once the drink took hold of him, he tended to lapse into foolish tricks that often embarrassed him as well as others around him.

“Oh, you know me, Nicky: I have the need to try and achieve anything that is out of my reach.” He chuckled and was about to say more when he spotted the familiar figures of Harriet Aristides and John Fredericks walking toward them.

“Speak of the devil himself, or should I say herself,” Eric whispered conspiratorially, winking and nodding in the direction of the approaching couple.

Oh, shit. Nicky thought as she wondered if it would be prudent to leave the room before anything happened. “Ms. Aristides? You were talking about Harry?” Nicky asked quietly as the woman neared their table. Nicky prayed she would go right on by; however, some wishes had a way of not coming true.

As the older woman stopped at the table, she gave the two occupants a cool level glance. “Mr. Lasser, I wondered why you hadn’t arrived at the luncheon. Ms. Ralston, I have been informed you have changed your mind.” Harry spoke quietly, watching the two of them carefully whilst waiting for an answer.

Eric Lasser rose from his chair and winked at Nicky as he held his hand out for Aristides. “I was about to join the festivities, but, as you know, Harry, I can’t resist the charms of a pretty woman.”

Eric’s response astounded and fascinated Nicky that he used the boss’ nickname with ease. The woman in question surprised her by smiling genuinely at him.

“Yes, you do have an eye for the ladies. That’s true. Ms. Ralston may be my savior today too, in a very different way.” Harriet Aristides gave him a brief grin and then turned her attention to the young chemist.

Nicky was concentrating so hard on watching Harry’s expressions that she was shocked when the pale blue eyes captured hers in a quizzical, laughter filled gaze. “Yes, I changed my mind,” Nicky finally stammered out. The piercing glance that earned her connected deep inside, sending waves of warmth through Nicky.

“Thank you for agreeing to participate in the trip,” Harriet acknowledged. “Now I need to make a couple of calls and Eric, perhaps you will join my table when you finally do attend the luncheon. John here will see to it that you sit next to me. Now I must go, I’ll catch up with you both later.” Harry walked away from the two as she talked in a low tone to her second in command … others unable to hear the conversation.

Eric rested his chin in his hands, giving her a speculative gaze. “So, young Nicky, what have you agreed to that could possibly concern the big boss herself?”

“Oh, it’s business, Eric, and secret. You know what it’s like in this game. Anyway, how come you get to call the boss ‘Harry’ and she didn’t blink an eye?” Nicky was intrigued.

Eric gave out such a loud bellow of laughter that the few people at the farthest end of the room looked in their direction. “She and I go back a few years, and we cared about the same person very much.” Eric’s smile faded from his face and a wistful look came across it. He saw a similar one mirrored in the eyes of the younger woman.

“Abby,” Nicky said.

“You’ve never told her about you and Abby?” Eric asked quietly.

“No. It was never the right time, and now I don’t think it would serve any useful purpose. You know, whenever I see Abby, it’s a vivid picture of her laughing, joking, and enjoying life. When she left us to go to the States, nothing was ever the same for me again. Then, when she died, something died in me as well, changing my whole outlook on life. How could I tell the woman who loved her so deeply about that? I didn’t see any need to cause her more pain.”

“Perhaps, but it…” He was unable to continue as John Fredericks came back to the table.

“If you’re ready to go to lunch, Mr. Lasser, I’ll ensure you are seated alongside Ms. Aristides.” The thin bespectacled man gave Nicky a brief, apologetic smile.

Nicky had always considered John Fredericks the epitome of the stuffed shirt executive, the caricatured accountant come to life. In actuality, he was probably all of those things and so much more. His benefit initiatives for the staff, both on the job and in their off hours, were extensive and compassionate. Some people even joined the company for the benefits alone.

“Well, Nicky, it seems I have to go. But how about we meet up tonight for supper?” Eric offered as he stood.

Nicky raised her eyebrows. She knew he wouldn’t remember the date if he drank too much during this lunch…and there was an open bar. She would be dining alone.

Eric saw the look and grinned at her knowingly. “Okay, how about breakfast tomorrow? Six a.m. sharp.” He blew her an exaggerated kiss.

Nicky couldn’t help laughing at his sign of affection. “Okay, I’ll meet you at Lady’s, but you’d better make it five-thirty. I might have to cancel if plans change here.”

“No problem, sprite.” Whistling softly, he followed Fredericks.

Watching him depart, Nicky smiled with affection. Then she looked down at her watch and realized she’d overextended her lunch hour.

A distinctly affable Diane met Nicky when she arrived back at the lab. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off, Nicky? Right now the details are somewhat sketchy, but you’ll need to get everything you might need ready for the journey tomorrow.”

“Do you have any idea what the departure time is?” Nicky moved toward her workstation and began putting her things away.

“Hmm, not really. All I really know is that you should take as little as possible. They promised to send me the list of the required gear later on this afternoon.” Standing closer to her friend, she patted her hand. “Listen, as soon as I find out the final details, I’ll come by your apartment and let you know the where and when.” Bending slightly so she could see Nicky’s face, she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Diane, do you think Ms. Aristides is still upset with me for saying no to begin with?”

Diane smiled and gave a small snort. “All I can tell you is that when I called her, she seemed truly glad you would be going. You came through for the company at short notice, Nicky; I don’t think that will be forgotten.” Smiling warmly she added, “You did good, kid.”

Placing her personal technological gadgets into a small bag, she looked directly at her boss. “I’m relieved to hear that. It would have been difficult on the trip if she was still upset.” Looking around the area, she shrugged her shoulders. “Guess I have everything, now I’d better go home and get my gear together.” She nodded her head as she hesitated, her feet unwilling to move. “Okay then, I’ll see you later on Diane.” She was almost to the door when she heard Diane call out to her.

“Nicky.”

“Yeah?” she responded, relieved that she could delay her departure a bit longer. “Is there something you need me to do here?” she asked hopefully.

Diane had to laugh at her obviously nervous colleague. “No, you’re all done here.” She walked over to her friend and hugged her. “You need to lighten up. Everything is going to be okay. It’s just a field trip and nothing more.” Stepping back a step she added, “Have a good time, my friend. Try to relax and enjoy yourself. Who knows, you might love it. Now get going and I’ll see you before you go.”

As she entered the elevator and pressed the button for the garage, Nicky wondered how she would fill the next four hours. She certainly didn’t need the time to pack, since taking as little as possible was second nature to her. Climbing into her car, she ticked off in her mind all the essentials that would be required for the short, unexpected, and unwanted trip. An image of Abby rose in her mind, side tracking her thoughts. She vividly recalled a time they had been happy together and, like clockwork, tears began to trickle down her cheeks. All these years later and just the thought of her still brings tears to my eyes. Once Abby had gone away, Nicky found it difficult to concentrate on what her family planned for her. Somehow, it all seemed somewhat irrelevant.

Her imminent journey back to the life she had left behind triggered a flood of memories. It had been twelve years since Abby had left her in that remote camp, fifty miles from nowhere. Abby announced that she’d had enough of the backwaters of mountain and forest ranges to last her a lifetime. She was twenty-one and wanted to experience the other world―the one with possessions, television, music, and most of all, people. It had broken Nicky’s heart when no amount of pleading by her parents could persuade Abby to change her mind.

Abby’s bid for independence led her to Houston, Texas, the location of the headquarters of Global Research Pharmaceuticals, the same company her parents worked for, and to one Harriet Aristides. It wasn’t long after that meeting that Abby fell head over heels in love with Harry and vice versa. Not that it was a surprise, for Abby had been a beautiful woman with an amazingly gentle and compassionate nature. Natives they came across on their travels had called her white angel. Her effect on those she encountered was astounding. Why did she have to die? What I wouldn’t give to hear that sweet voice or see that brilliant smile once more. Tears fell freely.

Abby’s letter about her newfound relationship with Harry finally found its way to the jungle. She wrote of the love and happiness she had found, and it was then that Nicky knew Abby would never return. The heartbreak she felt was devastating; it brought a deep sadness and restlessness to her life. She was inconsolable. Eventually, she rebelled against the life she was leading and told her parents she would be going to America for schooling. As she predicted, they protested and tried to cajole her into staying. Although all their points were valid and it was true she would learn more from nature firsthand, she wouldn’t change her mind. Ultimately, they realized Nicky would leave with or without their blessings and consented to her leaving. They fully expected that once she received her degree, she would return and work alongside them as they had always planned.

Her parents were both world renowned in the scientific community. Her father was a superbly gifted botanist known for his many discoveries in plant medicines. Her mother’s scientific skills coupled with a methodical planner mentality would often unlock the hidden secrets in their research. Together they made a formidable team, discovering the bases for many new drugs to fight the world’s illnesses.

Once she graduated, Nicky vowed never to return to the jungle. Her pubescent anger over Abby’s new relationship kept her from immediately contacting her sister, but she had intended to call her when she had cooled down. Instead of speaking with her parents face to face, she took the coward’s way out and informed them by mail of her determination to remain in the States. The letter took six months to reach them and by a cruel twist of fate coincided with the news of Abby’s passing. Whether it was the loss of Abby or their mellowing, for once they didn’t deter her, allowing her to choose her own path. With her degree in hand, and using her mother’s maiden name, she applied for a job with the same company that employed her parents and had employed her sister. With her impeccable credentials, being hired was inevitable even without revealing her parentage. No way did she want any favors from the boss, particularly as the death of her sister would still be raw for both her and Harriet Aristides.

Several months after Abby’s death, Nicky had come close to talking to Harriet Aristides…after all they both loved Abby and it was only logical that they should talk about her and their mutual loss. But Harry had gone abroad, and Nicky never again worked up the nerve to talk with her. Time heals, and so it was for her. However, it appeared that in Harry’s case, that hadn’t happened. How terrible not to be able to let someone go! Now that we’ll be spending some time together, I have a wonderful opportunity to lay my cards on the table about Abby, if I dare. It was one of the reasons she’d changed her mind.

The honking of a car horn brought her entire focus back to the roadway; she was almost home. Negotiating the turn into the parking lot of her apartment building, she looked up at her balcony. It was flooded with color. The flowers and plants she grew were a way of remembering her roots. One day she might own a house with a decent sized yard and she could grow more than what she could fit in a five foot long box. She made a mental note to ask Diane if she would drop by during the week to take care of her plants.