Chapter 15-
No brother of mine
Hearing
the metallic clang as the front gate closed behind Whitley’s car was what
finally jolted Kellan to action.
Leaping
to his feet, he unleashed his hatred on Hale.
“The
loss at a simple game of chess will never get me down! I am here and staking my
claim to my birthright! I deserve to be heading up the company, you deserve
nothing,” Kellan spat.
“You
are not fit to lick my shoes clean,” Kellan continued. “I will be a better CEO.
I will be a better husband. I am so far superior to you that this town can only
dream of the wonders I will bring about. It has all come so easily to you!
Everything has been handed to you on a silver platter!”
“Even
your job is stupid and irresponsible! Out to prove that there is life after
death, as a ghost. It’s laughable,
and pathetic. How can the Blue family expect respect from the community when
you are trying to chase a fairy tale? Ha! Why, your job was even handed to you!
You needed no special skills, no degree; you just walked in and they gave it to
you!” Hale listened as Kellan got it all out of his system. Hale would get his
say when Kellan was ready to hear it.
“You’ve
never had to work to get things. You’ve never had to fend for yourself. How can
you possibly think that you can run things better? How can you stand there and
think you are better than me?” Kellan’s voice had dropped a little. There was a
hint of emotion behind his eyes now, and Hale decided now was the time to tell
Kellan exactly what was about to happen.
“Correction,” Hale had taken a deep breath and spoke
louder than he was used to. But he wanted Kellan to know that he had gone too
far, and could go no farther. “I’ve had to work for everything that I have.
First of all, I had to win the board over. They, like you, thought I was not
strong enough to handle the burden of running the company. They thought Esher,
certainly not you, should have been
the one taking the reins. I had to win their trust person by person. I had to
show them that I could, and would, put the corporation above any personal whims I had. That I was a
willing and eager learner, and that I wanted what was best for the company.
They will never accept you forcing your way on. As it is, after I informed the
board of what you have been trying to do lately… Oh yes, we know what you have
been up to. You’ve not been very discreet. It wasn’t hard… The board privately
appealed to the city council. You my brother, have been voted out of paradise.”
“The
board, in conjunction with the council, made inquiries and have decided that
you a public nuisance and that for the safety of the town you shouldn’t be here
anymore. Your invitation to live here has officially been rescinded and you
will shortly be shipped back to live amongst everyone else.
“You effectively became a terrorist
to my wife; you’ve bullied others, and have slandered the family’s good name. I
will not stand for it any longer! You, in effect, are banished. And in my
opinion, you are no brother of mine and deserve no mark of affection.” Hale had
finished much more quietly, but knew he had finally gotten through to Kellan.
Kellan cringed as Hale told him
what he had done behind his back. He felt numb from the shock. No one in town
had ever had their invitation to live in Pipersville rescinded. And certainly
no Blue family member had ever been wanting in cash. Every member had received
a house and a sizable inheritance with which they established themselves. How
could he get nothing?
“Oh,
come on, Hale,” Kellan begged his seething brother. “None of the Blues has ever
been turned out before. Surely, you aren’t going to let me have nothing…”
Hale’s
glare seemed to answer the question for him.
“Whitley
has always been so… kind to me,”
Kellan’s tone was wheedling and oily. “Surely she doesn’t want me to leave
town, much less the house. I know she still wants me around. I know she doesn’t think I’ve been terrorizing her.”
Hale
stopped Kellan then.
“You’ve
terrified Whitley for some time now. She is more than happy to know that your
days in town are numbered. In fact, neither of us wants you in the house in the
interim before your departure next week. Esher has agreed to let you stay with
his family for a few days. After that, Katia will allow you into her home. You
will go and pack. You have one hour or I will call the police to escort you
out.”
Kellan
made a small noise, as if to beg to stay, but Hale held up his hands for peace
and turned away.
Hale
went to shower leaving Kellan standing in the gallery taking in all Hale had
said. It had never occurred to him that Hale would ever fight back. He could
scarcely believe it now. And what would his lovely Maksi think?
‘At
least,’ Kellan thought with a tear. ‘Mother never saw any of this. At least Mom
will never know that I cannot stay here. I never let her down.’
He
turned slowly to begin to gather his things. He wouldn’t leave without taking everything
of value that belonged to him. He wouldn’t be cast out with nothing.
One
hour later, Hale emerged from his room to a totally silent house.
At last, he had his victory.
