It's Nothing Personal Page 21

  For a minute, Tom did not know what to say. He knew the lawsuit was taking a toll on Jenna, but she seemed determined to see it through. Up until now, he never questioned her commitment. Knowing how strong-willed Jenna could be, he assumed that surviving this ordeal was no exception. Yet now, he could see, bit by tiny bit, the lawsuit was crushing her.

  “Do you want to settle?” Tom asked hesitantly.

  Tom could hear Jenna’s hair whip back and forth as she shook her head. “No! Absolutely not! I’m not giving in to those bastards!”

  Tom knew his wife better than anyone. Regardless of the words spewing from Jenna’s mouth, she had reached her limit.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Tom asked.

  “I guess,” Jenna replied, shrugging her shoulders. She reached for a Kleenex and blew her nose. Her lower lip trembled as she bit the inside of her check.

  “Let’s look at our options,” said Tom, doing his best to sound objective and methodical. “Our first option is to continue to trial. That’s in January, which means two more months that are only going to get more intense as the court date grows nearer.

  “The second option is to settle and end this. Put it behind us and get on with our lives. Is that a fair assessment?”

  Jenna kept her gaze downward, her voice was frail. “Yeah. The real sad thing is, either way, I lose. If I settle, I have a black mark on my record, not to mention the personal pain of giving up and handing Michelle Hollings and her wicked attorney a fist full of cash.

  “If I go to court, the jury will most likely find that I share at least some of the blame in Hollings’ infection. I don’t think my percentage of liability will be anywhere near St. Augustine’s or Hillary Martin’s, but it’s still a judgment against me. A black mark is a black mark, regardless of whether it happens now or in January. And it’s pretty much guaranteed either way.

  “If this thing goes to trial, it’s going to be a media circus. It made national news when the Hillary Martin story first broke. Of course I’m worried about what that will do to me. More than that, it makes me sick to think about what it might do to you and, even more so, to Mia. What if some kid comes up to her at school and says something cruel? What if other moms decide their daughters can’t play with Mia and she becomes an outcast? What if her picture somehow ends up in the news and some psychopath tries to hurt her?

  “So far, I’ve escaped any media attention, but I feel it coming. It’s my biggest fear.”

  Tom put his arms around his wife, wishing he could take this burden away from her. He would support Jenna in whatever decision she made. Secretly, however, Tom longed for the nightmare to end.

  Jenna laid her head on Tom’s shoulder as they sat nuzzled up on the couch, her warm breath against his cheek.

  “What do you want to do?” he asked.

  Jenna broke down, “What do I really want to do? I want to go back to being normal, whatever that is. I want to take a trip, get away, go to Hawaii. I want all this to be over. I can’t do it anymore. The vultures are going to get their money one way or the other. I can’t take two more months of this.”

  Tom’s words were gentle, as the light from the fire cast shadows across his face. “Then settle. You could meet with Jim and Nancy first thing Monday morning and sign the papers. My guess is Michelle Hollings would have a check in her hot little hands by the end of the week.

  “Then, maybe we should splurge. We’ve earned it. Let’s go to Maui for two weeks around Thanksgiving. We’ll take Mia out of school, relax, forget, reconnect, and get your orgasm back.”

  For so long, Jenna had resisted the temptation of quitting. To her surprise, now that she and Tom were discussing it, she felt instant relief.

  Laughing seductively, Jenna reached over and kissed her husband. She felt like she could breathe again. The oppressive cloud of misery had lifted. Playfully nibbling at Tom’s ear, Jenna’s voice was husky as she whispered, “Make love to me.”

  Tom pushed Jenna to the ground. Tenderly, he did all the things to her that she loved. Things felt right again.

  CHAPTER 47

  Sunday, Jenna spent the entire day, followed by a sleepless night, contemplating what she was about to do. By Monday morning, Jenna was convinced that settling the case was the right thing to do, both for her and for her family.

  At 4 a.m., Jenna crawled out of bed and sent off two emails, one to Jim and the other to Nancy. She politely, but firmly, demanded a face-to-face meeting later that day. She also texted each of their cell phones and left voice messages at their work numbers. By 9 a.m., both attorneys replied that they were free all afternoon.

  Jenna fought to make it through the day. At 2 p.m., she signed out her last patient to the recovery room nurse and headed straight to her attorneys’ offices.

  After exchanging the obligatory pleasantries, Jenna and her attorneys took their seats in the conference room. For the first time, Jenna noticed that neither Jim nor Nancy arrived with a handful of legal documents or a laptop computer. The only items each of them carried were a blank legal pad and a pen. It was a refreshing change.

  Jim and Nancy sat with their hands folded and resting on the table. Jenna’s posture was straight. She appeared dignified and confident. Slowly and clearly, she said four simple words, “I want to settle.”

  Once the words passed Jenna’s lips, they became more than a mere thought or a contemplated course of action. They became real. She felt the words mocking her, causing her to feel exposed and weak. Jenna strived to remain stoic, but her eyes betrayed her as they filled with salty drops of shame.

  Nancy placed a tissue box in front of her. Jenna did not thank her. It was too humiliating.

  Jim spoke, “We had a feeling this is what you wanted to discuss. And you certainly have every right to demand that we settle. Can I ask you why? Why now?”

  To Jenna’s relief, there was no hint of condemnation or reproach in Jim’s voice.

  Jenna’s breath caught in her throat. “I-I c-c-can’t sleep. I hardly eat. I’m failing as both a mother and a wife. I’ve thought it through and, either way, settle or go to trial, I lose. Even though we have a compelling case with great expert witnesses, the same argument could be made for the other side.”

  She eyed her attorneys with scrutiny. Leaning forward, she raised her finger at them. “Tell me this. Do you really expect, in your heart of hearts, that I could go to trial and be found completely innocent?”

  Jim answered honestly, “Like we’ve always told you, juries are unpredictable. Do I think it’s possible? Yes. Do I think it’s likely? If I had to give you percentage odds, I’d say maybe a ten to fifteen percent chance of that happening.”

  “So that’s about a ninety percent chance that it won’t! And, if that’s the case, is it worth it? So far, the media has left me alone, but that’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. The amount of stress will only get worse between now and January. I want out, and I want out now!”

  Jenna’s fragile composure completely disintegrated. She put her hands over her face and cried, her shoulders heaving as she struggled for air. This was not how Jenna had planned their meeting. She anticipated it would be liberating to end the process. Now, in front of her lawyers, seated in their conference room high above the city, all the feelings Jenna had suppressed since the suit began were coming out with a vengeance.

  Jim and Nancy looked at Jenna. She was a wreck. No matter how badly they personally wanted to see this case to trial, no matter how many hours, days, and weeks of work they had invested in Jenna’s defense, they had the decency and respect for Jenna to accept her decision.

  Nancy pushed her chair back and walked toward the door. “I’ll go print off the form.”

  Jenna took deep, slow breaths, trying to control her sobs. After several minutes, she started to calm down.

  She asked Jim, “So what’s the process from here on out?”

  Nancy reentered the conference room with a one-page document in hand, which she handed to Jenna
.

  Jim began to explain the process. “First, you sign this consent for settlement. Then we call Randy Stevens and inform him of your decision. Randy will make a settlement offer to Anders. After that, Randy and Allison Anders will throw counter-settlement amounts back and forth, until they finally reach common ground.

  “One thing you need to understand is Randy Stevens can settle for whatever amount he feels necessary in order to get the job done. That could be ten thousand dollars or one million dollars. Higher settlement amounts tend to attract more scrutiny from licensing boards, which will follow you for the remainder of your career. Once you sign this consent, things are out of your hands. But, to reassure you, Randy Stevens feels very strongly that none of you did anything wrong, and I don’t see him giving away one penny more than he needs to.”

  “What do you see it settling for?” Jenna asked.

  “Several of your partners have already settled cases with Anders. Of course, settlement amounts are confidential, and I can’t divulge that information. I can tell you, though, that a settlement somewhere in the middle of twenty-five to seventy-five thousand dollars would seem like a reasonable expectation.”

  Jenna always appreciated Jim’s uncanny ability to tell her what she wanted to know, yet still play by the rules.

  “How long will it take? We are leaving for Hawaii on Thanksgiving Day, and it would be great if this were all behind us before we left.”

  Jim checked the calendar on his phone. “That gives us about three weeks. I think things should be settled by then.”

  Nancy handed the consent form to Jenna. Pen in hand, Jenna signed over her pride. She dropped the pen on the table and studied her signature. The shaky scribble was unrecognizable.

  With tears streaming down her cheeks, Jenna apologized to her attorneys. “I’m sorry I gave up. I know I let both of you down. I’ve let myself down. This is harder than I ever anticipated, and I’ve had enough. I’m so sorry for all the work you’ve done, all for nothing. Mostly, I want to thank you for your guidance, support, and friendship.”

  Both Jim and Nancy bore melancholy smiles as they told Jenna, “You’re welcome.”

  Jim said, “Until this case is settled, we are going to continue to forge ahead as if we were still on course for trial. Although I don’t see it happening, settlement negotiations have been known to fall through. Until the deal is officially done, we go along, business as usual. We’ll keep you updated.”

  The meeting was over, and Jenna stood to leave. Jim and Nancy walked her to the elevator. Jim shook Jenna’s hand and then pulled her in and hugged her. He whispered, “Things are going to get better.”

  Unable to talk, Jenna desperately needed to leave. She gave Nancy a quick hug, as she fought back grief.

  The elevator doors opened, and Jenna silently stepped inside. Punching the button for the ground floor, Jenna waited impatiently for the doors to close. Once they did, even though Jenna was the only passenger, she moved into the back corner, buried her head in the wall, and cried.

  At the fifth floor, the elevator stopped. Jenna barely had enough time to wipe her tears away and look at the ground before an elderly, African American woman with kind eyes and freckled cheeks stepped inside.

  She glanced at Jenna. “Oh Honey, you gonna freeze out there without a coat.”

  The stranger turned to face Jenna directly and saw pure devastation. “Oh Lord. Are you okay?”

  At that moment, the elevator reached the ground floor, and Jenna bolted out. Wracked with sobs, she called back to the compassionate stranger, “I need to go home.”

  The woman exited the elevator behind Jenna, shouting after her, “Sugar, you get home. God bless you.”

  Jenna ran to her car, jumped in, and locked the doors. In the chilly, desolate parking lot, she sat in the driver’s seat and wept. Twenty minutes later, she was finally composed enough to drive home.

  CHAPTER 48

  Thanksgiving, 2011

  Tom, Jenna, and Mia were elated to spend Thanksgiving Day flying over the Pacific Ocean. By the time their plane landed on Maui, the sun had set. The sky was thick and black. Famished and anxious to get settled, the Reiners loaded their luggage into the rental car and headed to their oceanfront condo. For the next two weeks, this would be their home.

  Thanksgiving dinner was perfect. Jenna and her family feasted on hamburgers at the Barefoot Beach Bar on Ka’anapali Beach. Situated only a few feet from the Reiners’ table, a jubilant, Hawaiian singer serenaded them with island tunes while Jenna and Mia buried their bare feet in the warm sand. In spite of the lack of a turkey dinner and family members gathered around with football games playing in the background, the Reiners were infinitely thankful.

  Although Jenna’s lawsuit had not officially settled, Randy Stevens and Allison Anders were engaged in intense negotiations. Jim and Nancy assured her that a settlement would be finalized by the time their vacation was over, and she was safe to consider the lawsuit behind her. Jenna took them at their word and relaxed.

  According to the Reiners’ Thanksgiving tradition, Tom, Mia, and Jenna each made a toast. Mia went first, with her tropical pineapple-orange-guava drink held high in the air. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “I’m thankful for my mommy and my daddy. I’m thankful to be here in the place we love most in the world. Oh yeah, and I’m thankful that I get to miss two weeks of school.” Mia giggled as she clinked her glass with Tom’s and Jenna’s Mai Tais.

  Next, it was Jenna’s turn. She was in a reflective mood and knew that special moments like these needed to be cherished. This vacation was the beginning of a fresh start.

  Raising her glass adorned with a paper umbrella, Jenna proclaimed, “I’m thankful for my husband, who has stood by me through such trying times. I’m thankful that I have the most beautiful, special, sweet, and sensitive daughter in the world. I’m thankful that the nightmare is over. And, I’m really thankful to be sitting by the beach in the place where my heart will always live.”

  “Hear! Hear!” said Tom, as they tapped their glasses together again.

  “Daddy’s turn!” exclaimed Mia with delight.

  Tom cleared his throat and stood, making a big production of his toast. Holding his glass in the air, he said, “I’m happy to be able to spend time with the two most beautiful girls in the world. Let’s make this vacation all about us and do whatever we want. No matter the cost. We all deserve it.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” Jenna said, lifting her glass to Tom’s.

  The next morning, Jenna woke early to the soothing sound of waves gently rolling on to the shoreline. Quietly, she crept out to the lanai and looked out at the deserted beach. She was so grateful for the trip. Hawaii was part of her soul. It gave her peace and tranquility. A salty ocean breeze swept over her body. The sun was just coming up, casting a dim light along the coastline.

  Mesmerized by the beauty of the ocean, Jenna did not hear Tom as he snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Happily surprised, Jenna quickly turned around and kissed her husband. Her mouth relaxed as Tom’s tongue pirouetted around her own. The sensuality caused butterflies in Jenna’s stomach.

  “What about our daughter?” she asked, breathless.

  Tom tiptoed away, returning moments later with a boyish grin. “Fast asleep and sawing logs.”

  Jenna turned back to the ocean, with Tom standing behind her. Tom pressed his erection into Jenna’s back, and she giggled like a young girl.

  “Aloha to you, too,” Jenna whispered with hot breath.

  Jenna felt more playful, carefree, and young than she had in months. Tom covertly lifted her robe, pulled down her panties, and made love to her right there on the lanai. Life for the Reiners was already improving.

  CHAPTER 49

  Katharine Harper arrived promptly at 3 p.m. for her meeting with Keith Jones. Keith’s secretary had paged Katharine earlier that day to schedule the appointment. Since that time, Katharine had a sense of impending doom
.

  The CEO was seated behind his oversized, vintage desk when his assistant, Candace, escorted Katharine into his opulent office. She entered, and Keith stood and approached her, shaking her hand.

  “Katharine, thanks for coming on such short notice. Can I have Candace get you something to drink?”

  His assistant smiled politely, awaiting an answer. Katharine, wary of the situation, said flatly, “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  Nodding, Candace left the room, closing the door securely behind her.

  Katharine sat in one of the burgundy leather chairs angled in front of Keith’s desk. Keith circled behind his bureau and took his seat. For several moments, Katharine found herself locked in a disconcerting gaze with Keith Jones. His eyes were intense, his focus sharp. The CEO remained motionless.

  Katharine shifted in her chair and crossed her legs. Not one to be intimidated, she confidently initiated conversation. “What can I do for you, Keith?”

  Keith spun his chair around, contemplating his response. Once his revolution was complete, he asked Katharine, “How well do you know Dr. Reiner?”

  Caught off guard, Katharine blurted, “Jenna?” Immediately, she regretted referring to her friend by her first name.

  Keith rested his elbows on his desk and clasped his hands in front of his mouth, holding his thumbs to his lips. “Your sense of familiarity indicates that the two of you are more than just acquaintances. Would that assumption be correct?”

  Katharine stiffened. “I’m on friendly terms with many of the staff physicians, Dr. Reiner included.”

  Keith leaned toward Katharine. From her seat, she could see the pores in his skin and the slight stubble on his chin.