Friends and Family Series

Kip & Kyle

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2011 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 8

Kyle was very pleased with the way Kip threw himself into his new job as Manager of New Business Development.  In spite of Kyle's warning, Kip was still spending over 70 hours a week on the job.  In the beginning, he was home three nights a week with his children.  As time passed, his quality time with the children was scaled back to Sunday.  However, his hard work was paying off.  By the end of his first year, he had proven himself, and was promoted to a Director with an increase in salary or $25,000 plus a $50,000 dollar bonus.

The children saw him less as the months passed.  Kyle also missed his company, yet was happy he was gaining the experience and enjoying his new life.  Kip really took hold and was entertaining clients and having cocktail parties almost every weekend.

He was becoming a favorite of society columns and café society, which concerned Kyle a little.  Some of the people his name was linked with in the society columns were not the kind of people he should be cultivating.  The PR department would send Kyle a blurb on Kip once a week.

Kyle became concerned and had the PR Director give him a rundown on the so-called socialites who were mentioned in the columns.  Kyle remembered a few of them from his days doing the rounds of parties and clubs.  He remembered that three of the jet setters mentioned were heavily into drugs back when he knew them years ago.  Some of the party girls Kip was dating were some of the same loose women who were around in Kyle's day.

The PR Director confirmed Kyle's suspicions.  Of course the majority of the people mentioned were clients.  He was somewhat relieved with that and asked Kevin to keep close tabs on Kip's progress.  Kevin was still satisfied with Kip's performance, but Kyle had some misgivings.  This concerned him knowing how easygoing Kevin was.  He kept seeing red flags.

Kyle and Kip still kept to their regular Sunday afternoon telephone conversations up until the last two months.  Sometimes Kip would call late in the evening, or not at all.  Taken all together, Kip's behavior became more alarming.

Kyle knew how much Kip loved the children, yet he was not spending the time with his son.  All the children missed him.  This was quite a departure from the Kip he knew and loved.  When Kip was at home, he was his old self.  When he returned to New York, it was as if he had forgotten he had a family.  Kyle became concerned and decided to do a little checking.

Monday morning Kyle called Betty Weintraub, his CFO, in New York and asked her to conduct an audit on his Kip's department and his personal account.  Betty got back to him three days later with some disturbing news.  The audit revealed a $75,000 overdraft on Kip's expense account, and salary advances of $80,000.

The $155,000 cash overdraft was alarming.  Kyle asked Betty to push Kip for an explanation of the overdraft.  This prompted a call to Kevin, to find if he knew of anything about Kip's behavior over the last two months.

Kevin reported that he had ordered Kip to check himself into Sloan Medical Center for a complete medical check-up.  He too was concerned about Kip's health.  In addition, Kip's job performance and sales had dropped steadily for the past two quarters.  Kevin requested a projected sales forecast for the next six months.  Kip assured him that it was a temporary glitch, that his prospects for the next quarter look excellent, and that he would submit his proposal within two weeks.

Kevin was an astute executive and realized that Kip was in trouble.  Kyle did a little more digging on his own.  He accessed all Kip's personal accounts, all his expenses, and especially his entertainment account, those for the apartment, as well as the Petersen Manor.  It did not take long to learn that Kip was spending an unusually large sum in Manhattan.  The worrisome thing was that he made several large checks out to cash.  That was not good at all.  The red flags were popping up all over the place.

To play it safe, Kyle contacted Dick Danburg, Director of Security and asked him to put Kip under round-the-clock surveillance.  Dick also sent a team of specialists to both apartments to conduct a thorough search after Kyle told him that he suspected drugs.  Dick said he would conduct a full-scale search and surveillance on Kip and would screen old video tapes recorded at the penthouse.  That was not as difficult as it sounded since his household staff worked for Kyle.  They had worked for the family for years and were completely trustworthy.

Kevin called back two week later.  "I'm sorry that I haven't gotten back to you about Kip before this.  I felt it was fair to allow him the time to come up with his sales plan.  Unfortunately, his plan is not doable.  I've given him another month to pull his figures up.  Oddly, enough, his sales staff is performing well.  Kip is the one whose performance has fallen behind.

"I must point out that he was up against some tough competition on several of his key accounts.  My feeling is that Kip let his guard down and allowed his competition to pull a fast one.  He broke one of his own cardinal rules, by not keeping on top of his accounts.  I know he is your protégé and I'm hoping he can pull himself out of this slump.  Frankly, he'll be lucky if he can break even."

"Do we have anyone in his group that you can promote to run that department?"

"Yes, Kip has trained two good men, either of which could be promoted."

Kyle said, "Okay, you have given him six weeks so far.  Why don't you have another meeting with him in a few days, have him put together an interim report for you by Thursday.  I want to give him every opportunity to turn this around.  Maybe you need to lean on him some more."

"Have you seen Kip since our last conversation, Kyle?"

"No, we've only spoken on the phone."

"Frankly, I care what happens to Kip.  If I lean on him anymore, I'm afraid I will push him over the edge.  Don't ask me to do this."

"I trust your judgment, Kevin, forget about the report then.  I'm pulling Kip out and will reassign him to be my executive assistant.  Make any changes you want in his group.  I'm flying back tomorrow and will be in town Wednesday morning.  Although Kip doesn't know it yet, Wednesday will be his last day with you.  I would like you and Betty to join me for lunch Wednesday and we'll work out all the loose ends.  Thanks for your help, Kevin, and keep this under wraps until Thursday."

Kyle switched over to the house phone.

"George, will you step into the library please."

"You wished to see me, sir?" George asked, as he entered the library.

"Yes, George; the children and I will be returning to Petersen Manor tomorrow.  Will you call Walter at the Manor and let him know to expect us tomorrow morning.  I don't wish anyone to know my plans, particularly Kip.  I'm planning a little surprise for him on Wednesday.  If he happens to call, take the message and notify me.  Make sure Walter and the rest of the staff are aware of that.  You needn't pack anything for me; I'll only be taking my computer and briefcase.  See if Kay and Carol need any help getting the kids ready.  I want to leave here tomorrow at 8 AM."

"Yes, sir."

Kyle picked up the house phone and rang the nursery.  "Carol, tell Kay we'll be leaving for Petersen Manor tomorrow morning.  I want to leave the house by 8 AM.  If you need any help, George and Ruby said they would be glad to help you pack.  One thing more — if the kids have outgrown any of their clothes give them to Ruby; she will be happy to distribute them to some needy children around here.  I'll be up later to say good night to the children at my usual time."

Kyle placed another call.

"Alex, this is Kyle.  Will you drop by the library?  I need to talk to you."

Alex stepped into the library a few minutes later.  "Yes, sir, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Alex, we're leaving tomorrow morning for Petersen Manor.  Will you call Walt Stannic and let him know I would like to take off at 8:30 AM.  That should put us in Connecticut by midday.  Tell Walt I want him to ground all my other aircraft until further notice.

"I'll check with Carol to see what she wants to serve the children on the flight," Alex said.  "Are you expecting any guests to fly with us, sir?"

"No there will just the family and staff."

"Is there anything else, sir?"

"Notify the communications people to deactivate this terminal tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir."

"Has Dick Danburg kept you in the loop on Kip?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'm really worried, Alex.  It would kill me if anything happened to Kip.  I want you to call Dick and have him talk to Kip's security staff.  Ask Dick to call me this evening.  He should have something by now."

"Dick told me to tell you that he is concerned about the large amount of drugs he found in the Penthouse.  If the cops ever raided the apartment Kip would have some serious explaining to do.  Your place is clean boss.  Poor Kip, he really got himself involved with the wrong crowd."

"My main concern now is what it's done to his brain and body."

"That, too, boss.  Is there anything else?"

"No, you run along.  Thanks."

Wednesday

"Dick, this is Kyle.  Are we all squared away to pick up Kip this afternoon?"

"Yes, sir, everything is moving along as you planned."

"Good, I've already contacted Kip's shrink and he will be by to see Kip this evening at the Manor."

"Good," Dick said.  "I dropped the video tapes for the six weeks off at your penthouse.  Maybe you can identify some of the people who attended.  We have already identified the drug dealers and a couple of the syndicate people.  My people have identified some of the ringers at the card games and we have identified several of the card sharks.  Kip was set-up.  He didn't have a chance.  Our Kip likes to gamble, that's for sure.  Now you know where the money went.  Do you want to buy his car back?"

"Absolutely, give them whatever they want.  It really must have hurt him to sell that car.  Let me know how much and I'll write you a check for the car."

"As soon as your limo pulls away, I'll have a team ready to remove the drugs.  I think it might be a good idea to leave cameras in place."

"Why not, the company will still be using that place to entertain our clients.  You never know what we can learn at these parties.  Keep the bugs in place also."

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦

Hi, babe, I've missed you," Kyle said into the cellphone.  "I'm in town and I need to see you as soon as possible.  I'll pick you up in front of your apartment building in a half hour."

"God, it's so good to hear your voice.  I've missed you, too, Kyle.  I wish you had called me sooner.  I'm really jammed up.  There is no way I can break away tonight.  I've got to pull together some expense figures for Betty Weintraub for our meeting tomorrow morning."

I could detect the undertones of panic in Kip's voice.  "Calm down and listen to me.  You're to stop worrying about everything else and meet me in front of your building.  Now, sweetheart, you change into something casual and wait for me at the entrance of your building in twenty-five minutes."

"Okay, you're the boss," Kip said.

Kip was standing just inside the entrance as Kyle's limo pulled up to the curb; he walked outside as Alex stepped out to open the rear door of the limo for Kip.  "Hi, Alex, it's good to see you again."

"Good evening, Kip, nice to see you, also."

Kip got in and sat next to Kyle.  Alex closed the door and got into the front seat with Jim, the driver.

Kyle hugged him, "It's good to see you again, tiger; I've missed you."

Kip smiled, "I've missed you, too, Kyle.  Where are you taking me for dinner?"

"Home," Kyle said.

"Good Lord, I'll never be able to pull these figures for Betty first thing in the morning.  If she complains to Kevin, he'll skin me alive.  I'm on thin ice as it is with him right now.  Can't we find someplace nearby to have dinner?"

"Relax; I've taken care of everything.  Would you like to join me in a glass of wine," Kyle asked.

"I sure would."

Kyle opened the bar and uncorked a bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc.  He poured them each a glass.

"To our future," Kyle said.  "You don't look well, Kip, how do you feel?

"I've felt better.  I've got a lot on my mind right now.  That and not being able to get a good night's sleep has taken its toll."

"Are you happy with things the way they are, Kip?"

"To be perfectly honest, no.  I've really screwed up royally this year.  I've disappointed Kevin and let my department down.  My performance for the last two quarters has been dismal.  Unless a miracle happens, I think he is going to let me go."

"What went wrong, Kip?  Your first year was outstanding."

"It was a combination of things, Kyle.  I guess I became a victim of my own inflated ego.  It didn't help that I got caught up in the fast lane with the beautiful people, either.  I thought that wining, dining, and inviting our prospective clients would be enough to get their business.  Only to learn, in the end that they awarded the contract to someone else.

"I learned that it takes more than fancy parties and greasing a lot of palms to win the business.  It still takes hard work, number crunching and a creative effort by lots of people, and tough negotiations, and follow-through to win the brass ring.  I was also sucked into the circles of the 'beautiful people.'  It was easy to get caught up in that merry-go-round.  The drugs are plentiful and so are the beautiful women.

"My downfall was the gambling.  In the beginning, I couldn't loose, but over time I began losing.  I got deeper and deeper in debt, until I gambled away my next year's salary.  That's why I need to get back and work my ass off.  I need that job to pay off my debts and survive."

"Calm down, babe.  Everything is going to be all right, just relax.  Are you still on drugs?"

"How did you find out?”

"I make it my business to learn everything where you're concerned."

Kip smiled and shook his head. "I’m not on drugs anymore.  The only medication I'm on now are the pills my shrink prescribed to relax me.  I stopped drugs because I can't concentrate on my work."

"Do you feel you need to spend some time in a sanatorium until you're back to normal?"

"No, I'll be okay, I just need to get back to work and straighten out my finances."

"I don't understand why you didn't turn to me for help if you were in trouble."

"I couldn't face you ... I was so ashamed of the mess I created.  You've done so much for me and I let you down.  If that wasn't bad enough, I borrowed money from the company without Kevin's knowledge.  That's what Betty wants to talk to me about tomorrow."

"All the time I thought that you preferred your new life style over me and the children."

"How could you even think that, I love you and the children, you are my only family.  I just couldn't bear to face you after what I had done.  I won't feel comfortable again until I put things right with the company."

"I'm really hurt that you that you felt you couldn't come to me with your problems, Kip.  For God's sake, I love you.  Do you honestly think I would cast you aside because you screwed up?  I'm sorry you ever got mixed up with those silly and worthless people you were hanging around with."

"You don't understand, Kyle, I couldn't face you because I care for you.  It would kill me if you turned your back on me.  You and the children are the only family I have.  I'm so sorry Kyle.  Can you forgive me?" Kip asked as he began to sob.

Kyle pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him.  Kip buried his head into Kyle's shoulder and cried while Kyle rubbed his back and soothed him.

"I've already forgiven you.  You let it all out, sweetheart; everything is going to be fine from now on."

Kip cried for some time.  Between the sobs, he keep repeating, "I'm so sorry, Kyle."

Kyle spoke softly, as he held Kip in his arms.  "I had a meeting with Betty and Kevin this morning.  I've taken care of everything.  I told Kevin that I'm making you my executive assistant as of today.  Your penthouse has been turned back to the corporation.  All your personal effects will be shipped to Petersen Manor.  Dick and his crew are making a clean sweep of the penthouse right now.  They will dispose of all the drugs.  Remember, you still have over a year on our contract and I intend to keep you with me until your contract expires."

"You're under my personal care from now on.  I don't want you to dwell on the past.  Use it as a learning experience.  It's over and you are back with me once more.  After you are on your feet again we'll talk about your future.  Until then, you are to rest and supervise the children.  Anyway, it's almost time to open the house in the Hamptons for the season.  Is that alright with you so far?" Kyle asked.

"Perfect.  You're so good to me and I do love you, Kyle."

"I love you, too, Kip, and I always will.  I'm partly responsible for what's happened to you.  I moved you up too fast and you were not prepared to deal with that jungle on your own.  None of us is perfect and never will be.  I should have known better, I grew up with those people and know what they're like.  In any event, it won't happen again, believe me."

Neither one spoke, Kip had completely relaxed.  His breathing had returned to normal.  Kyle smiled to himself; Kip had fallen asleep in his arms. He kissed him on the forehead and let him sleep.

Kyle had trouble waking Kip when they arrived at the house.  He was still very groggy.  Alex had to help get him into the house.  They took Kip right to his bedroom and put him to bed.

The doctor dropped by to examine him an hour later.  Kyle waited in the sitting room until the doctor finished his examination.

The doctor walked into the sitting room and said, "Kip is in a state of exhaustion.  I will have the druggist send over some medication for him.  I want him to see his Internist for a complete physical ASAP.  In the meantime, he is to get plenty of rest.  I gave him a shot that will help him to sleep.  So he could be out for at least 12 hours.  Make sure he is up by noon tomorrow and have someone check on him throughout the evening to make sure he is all right."

After the doctor left, Kyle retired to his bedroom for the night.  He instructed Alex to detail one of the security men to stay in Kip's bedroom suite for the night.  Being tired myself, I turned in early, and fell sound asleep.  The next thing I recalled was Alex awaking me in the middle of the night.

"Boss, I hate to wake you but Kip is having a bad dream and we can't calm him down.  He has been hysterical for the last ten minutes."

"You did the right thing, waking me, Alex.  I'll take over from here, and you and your man go to bed.  I'll stay with Kip."

Kyle went to Kip's bedroom.  Kip was very agitated and crying in his pillow.  Kyle turned on the bedside lamp.

"Kip, it's me, sit up."

He crawled into bed next to Kip.  Kip threw his arms around Kyle and held on for dear life.  Kyle wrapped him in his arms and rubbed his back.

"You're alright now, baby, try to relax."

He stopped sobbing and slowly quieted down.

"Will you stay with me tonight?  God what a nightmare," Kip said.

"You know I will, baby.  Try to get some sleep."

He fell sound asleep in Kyle's arms.  Kyle always loved the scent of Kip's body.  Even though his skin was moist with perspiration, he still had a clean fresh smell.  Like Kyle, he only wore silk shorts to bed.  This was the first time Kyle had ever felt Kip's nearly naked body against himself and it felt wonderful.  Kyle thought, 'One day you'll be mine, my love.' He kissed Kip on the cheek as he reached over and turned off the bedside lamp.

Kyle awoke at six o'clock, with Kip still nestled in his arms sound asleep.  He had slept peacefully.  Kyle tried to lift him off his chest without disturbing him, but he awoke.

"You're not leaving, are you?"

"Sorry, baby, nature calls and it's time I was up anyway.  You try to sleep a little longer, it's only six o'clock.  I want to have breakfast with the children this morning."

"I'm still a little tired, I think I'll take your advice and sleep in a little longer."

♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦      ♦

It was just one o'clock that afternoon when Kip walked into the office.

"Hi, again; you look better," Kyle said.  "How do you feel?"

"Much better, thank you."

"Have you eaten lunch yet?" Kyle asked.

"Not yet; I thought you might be free and join me."

"I could do with a coffee break," Kyle said.  "Let me call Cook and have her prepare a breakfast tray for you."  Come on; let's walk back to the breakfast room."

"This is such a warm and sunny room," Kip said, as he sat down.  "It's one of my favorite rooms."

"Mine, too.  The kids are anxious to see you.  I told them you would be by to see them this afternoon.  Do you feel up to it?"

"Oh, yes, I'm just as anxious to see them; I missed them terribly.  Kyle … thanks again for getting me out of that mess with Kevin and settling my debts.  I just can't thank you enough.  I'm glad you were there for me this morning, that dream was among the worst nightmares I've ever experienced."

"Look, Kip, I understand what you must be going through right now, but you're home and everything is going to work out for you.  Until you're over this guilt trip you're going through, I want you to sleep with me until you're out of the woods."

"Our demons always seem to attack us in the middle of the night.  I remember the pain I felt when I lost my family.  Give this some thought and let me know before I make arrangements to have one of the security men sit with you."

Kyle smiled, "It was delightful to wake up with you in my arms this morning.  I promise I won't take advantage of you."

Kip smiled warmly as he gazed into Kyle's eyes.  "I know you would never force yourself on me, Kyle; you love me too much.  Anyway, you have that turned around.  I have taken advantage of you.  I felt perfectly safe sleeping in your arms.

"Kyle, I wish with all my heart I could be the lover you desire, because you, of all men, need to find a partner who will return your love.  If you're willing to accept the love I can give you, then I gladly accept continuing the relationship that we have shared these many years.  God knows, I've made a mess of things the last two years without you.

"I thought I was ready to take on the world, but recent history shows that I wasn't.  Granted, the first year was exciting, and I did well, but I lacked the experience and the know-how to keep it going.  All my experience up to that point was as a troubleshooter.  I lacked the management experience and judgment to sustain me over the long haul.

"My approach was purely a textbook one as to how to run a business.  I failed because I had too many balls in the air at one time and didn't have the depth or the seasoned staff behind me to back me up.  I finally realized that I didn't have you by my side to guide me.  Up to that promotion, all of my successes had been because of our collaboration.  I needed that and I missed your support when I was on my own."

Kip took a deep breath and slowly let it out, "I'm grateful to you for giving me another chance.  I will be much happier working with you again.  As far as I'm concerned, I don't see the need for a contract, I'll plan to be around until you tell me to move out, okay?"

"That will never happen, baby."

To be continued...

Posted: 08/24/12