Chapter 30

John sat back in his executive chair and looked through the window. The sun was high in the sky. Across the way, in a green belt, zoned around the light industrial area, were some children playing in a park. Mothers sat on the park bench chatting, as the children ran around from swing to swing, never tiring of their games. He smiled as he looked at the children happily playing in the park, as their mothers looked on. It reminded him of his own childhood where a mother at home wasn’t out of the ordinary.

In his fashion design company many a female had a high-ranking position. Some of them had children also, who happily played in day care centres. Although he had nothing against a woman competing on a level playing field with men, he sometimes wondered if their children would not have preferred to spend their days at home with their mothers.

He stood up, turned from the window and walked out to his balcony above the factory floor. It was two o clock and work was progressing at a solid pace with machinists busy at their machines and designers pinning out garments against boards to see how they looked As he gazed at the automation, he remembered his conversation in Sydney with the young man in the time and motion field. Reaching into his blue wool business jacket he found his wallet and brought it out. In a separate compartment, set aside for business cards, he quickly found the card that the man had given him. He took one last look at the factory floor, raised his hand to his chin to scratch it and returned to sit at his desk.

Putting the card on the blue grey slate desk, he picked up the phone and dialled the number on the card. A receptionist answered the phone cheerfully and John asked for the manager. He gave his name and waited to be connected.

"Michael Daines, how can I help you?"

"Hello Michael. My name is Jonathan P Alexander, the fashion designer, and I’d like to look at using your company services."

"Right Jonathan. What name do you prefer, Jonathan or John?"

"John’s fine."

"Good. John, could you first tell me how it was that you found out about the services that our company has to offer? Michael asked cheerfully.

"Certainly. I was in Sydney last week launching my new lines at the Regent. At breakfast I happened to start conversing with one of the people in your employ. A young, likeable chap, easy to talk to, by the name of Frank Ablesmith."

"Oh Frank. Yes. Fine young man, He was up there consulting with McDonald’s Corporation. He’s fairly new to our company. Go on. "

"Well, we’re both travelling business men. We met over breakfast one morning. We got talking about our work and family life. He mentioned that he was a time and motion consultant who had to travel a lot. I asked if the travelling was taking its toll on his new engagement. His answer showed that he was willing to pay the price for his future.

To cut a long story short, I asked if he could give me his card. I’d been thinking of streamlining my business in line with our tremendous growth, and suggested that if I asked for his personal services then it may give him some more time in Melbourne."

"Okay John. That’s a fortunate way to hear of us. Frank must have impressed you. I’m well aware of your business and it’s expansion throughout the world fashion market. I must say, it’s an honour to be speaking to you, and to know you’re considering our services. We handle some pretty large clients such as McDonald’s. Your choice of Frank as your consultant is sound.

How I like to handle things John, is to personally meet each of our prospective clients. I will show you our services and how we operate and then appoint a consultant to you. Seeing that you have been fortunate enough to find one of our consultants, and you liked him, we’ll change some of his assignments to fit you in. After our meeting, if you feel comfortable I’ll send Frank over to your company to check you out, in your workplace. If Frank is happy to take you on as a client, and you’re happy with us, we’ll discuss your concerns and work out what we, as a team need to do. How does that sound?"

"That sounds fine." John answered impressed.

"When would you like to see us, this week or next?"

"This week’s fine for me. I have another project that I want to start on in Sydney in the next couple of weeks, so the sooner the better. "

"Sounds as if you’re ready right now. I have an appointment time free at five today, or we can schedule it later in the week. How’s five today sound?"

"Perfect "

"Good I’ll send a car for you. What’s the address you want to get picked up from."

"Oh, I may go out with a couple of my executives for a bite to eat, how about Raphaels in the city."

"Okay we’ll pick you up at about twenty to five."

"That’ll be fine."

"Have a good lunch John. I’m looking forward to seeing you."

John said "Bye" and hung up the phone. It pleased him to think that such a reputable company could be so flexible and go at his pace. Things were really moving with the new launch on television the week before. The dress that Joanne wore was selling faster than any dress in the company’s history. He wondered why the dress was selling so quickly. It was a very good design, yet it took a pretty good figure to do it justice. It was more expensive than a dress off the rack in most boutiques. All he could put it down to was the fact that a percentage of the price was to go to help the street kids. It seemed that people out there really did care for the unfortunate.

He smiled as he ran over some order tallies in his computer. It seemed that the whole range of his clothing had had a very sharp increase in demand. With an act of kindness, and a huge sacrifice of money, he had almost tripled his past ‘first week’ orders. He pondered on the enormity of it all. His profits looked as if they were also going to triple. He smiled at the irony.

If what had happened, could be put into a formula to make money and increase profits, someone could make a fortune selling the concept. He pushed it to the back of his mind for later consideration.

*******

A foreign Bank handed over cash to the value of fifteen thousand Australian dollars to Peter, and he placed it in a safety deposit box. Then he set about chasing up a new identity.

*******

The afternoon sun was settling on the upstairs window showing a stream of dust particles floating in the room. Sharon looked at them, whilst sipping a fruit juice. David sat at her side and they were silent. Both were exhausted, it had been a long night. It had been about 38 hours since Sharon’s last hit, and she wasn’t looking very well. Her hair was messy, her eyes lacked the sheen they normally had, and her hands shook with a constant tremor. She’d said some pretty nasty things through the night, feeling trapped like a caged animal. Her actions sometimes lined up with her feelings.

"What are you thinking about David?"

David eyes met hers. He was a little surprised with the voice. Neither of them had talked in hours. He coughed and cleared his throat. " Oh I was just thinking about food. Christine mentioned a nice looking Chinese restaurant she happened upon the other day, she suggested that we go and try it. "

"We?" Sharon asked, curiosity spreading across her face.

She looked like a little child David thought. Such innocence and tender inquiry, full of hope. He looked into her rich brown eyes and smiled. " Yes, we, I mean you and I and Christine’s family. We talked about it as a sort of celebration dinner, when you feel up to it, that is."

"I don’t know if I’ll ever be up to it." Sharon said, suddenly saddened as she looked away.

David took one of her hands and leaned down to look into her eyes. He could see them misting with tears. "You may not believe that you’ll make it through this piece of hell you’re going through, but believe me you will. I believe in you Sharon. You’re a fighter, just like me. And you know, together we’re going to beat this thing and walk hand in hand into that restaurant and eat to our heart’s content."

Sharon just looked at him and, as she did, he could see her giving his words some thought. He saw her eyes light briefly with hope. She believed it for a second. Then her eyes withdrew to a more sullen composure. David wished he could take on her pain. He longed to carry it for her. But that was impossible and so he did the best thing possible and continued.

"You know Sharon, of late I’ve done a lot of thinking. I’ve been longing to go into a full time ministry of some sort. I want to do something for other people who have been hurt like us. I want to share the answers I have found. More then that, I want to reach a hand out like Christine does every day. More and more lately I’ve been becoming restless, not because of what I am doing but for something I’ve not done. I want to make a difference Sharon. I want my life to count. When I leave this earth to go into heaven I want to know that I’ve made an impact, that I’ve given myself to help others and have done what I felt God wanted me to do."

Sharon smiled at him. It was interesting to hear his dreams. His voice was so calm and controlled, and still she could see the emotion in his eyes. She relaxed as he spoke and his mellow voice soothed her. He was so poetic when he was like this. His voice thick with a warm energy.

"I‘ve looked at this world we live in and at what it has to offer. The buildings I restore will fall into decay over time. All the assets I acquire will be dwindled away by taxes, inflation or my children. There isn’t much I can do, that has eternal value. Nothing except the lives we affect, no one will miss my architecture, and no one will miss a few thousand dollars. I enjoy my life, don’t get me wrong, and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else, yet with all I have I feel empty sometimes. I love my work, especially when my plans and designs see the light of day. I love to see the happiness in the eyes of my clients as they look upon my completed building. Yet I can’t get rid of this feeling that I could do more."

"What else could you do David. You’re a success. You have a good business. You enjoy your work and you accept and like yourself. You are here giving me your precious time and helping me when I need help more than anything else. What more could you do?"

"I could do more of what I’m doing now. I could help a greater number of people to overcome their difficulties. I could give more of my time to listen to the cries of those on the streets. I know I don’t have to earn brownie points to go to heaven. I don’t have to please God to get to heaven. I know I don’t have to do good things to earn my right to go. I know Christ paid the price when he died on the Cross. It’s just… It’s just a dream of mine, a desire close to my heart. It won’t let go of me and it’s drawing me towards itself."

"What’s drawing you?"

"The dream is, the vision, it’s so large and I feel I’m getting pulled towards it as if to a magnet. It seems the more success I have in my own life, the more I feel like sharing it with others. Sure I love to design , to create and to work hard. That isn’t a worry to me. But I know my story is not only compelling as a success story, it could also save lives, by giving a little hope.

It’s not like I have all the answers. I wouldn’t have to preach. Its more then that. I want to write, I want to share, and I want to inspire people to get up and give living a shot. Drug free and alcohol free. I don’t need to change people. I don’t need to try and counsel others as a way of healing myself. I’ve got things going pretty okay already. I suppose I just want to give a little back. That’s all."

"Well, thanks for the time you’re giving to me." Sharon said politely. There was a little note of regret in her voice as though she felt she was keeping David from more important work. He picked up on it immediately.

A pleasure Sharon. Can’t you see you’re part of my vision? You are an actual personification of my dream. You’re a start to my ministry, a start to my..." he cut himself short.

"A start to my ...What?"

David looked away embarrassed. Sharon was intrigued. "What David. What am I a start to?"

David looked up and into her eyes. Suddenly he felt vulnerable. He didn’t like to be hurt, yet if he told her the answer then that’s what he was setting himself up to be. She looked at him with a smile, beckoning him to go on.

"I’d like us to start a new life as a couple. I’d like you to be my lady, the mother of my children and my wife."

Now it was Sharon’s turn to be embarrassed. She looked away and tears formed in her eyes. The tears grew in momentum and she started to cry earnestly. Dave was surprised to say the least. Never in any of his dreams had he expected a woman to sob because he had proposed. And as he took her in his arms she told him why.

"I can’t be your wife David, I can’t have you love me. You aren’t in love with me, you just think you are."

"Yeah, you may be right Sharon. You may be right. Maybe I’m getting my emotions mixed up. Sure you’re attractive and I’d love my woman to look like you, yet as you say, you may not be able to accept my love "

They stayed silent in that embrace for quite a while. David knew it would take time for Sharon. He knew his feelings to be spot on. He knew he loved her, yet he was wise enough to know she needed time. Just like him when he’d first met Christine and had begun to go to church. He didn’t love himself then. He couldn’t comprehend someone loving him. He blamed himself that his partner had committed suicide. He didn’t feel he could possibly fulfil the requirements necessary for someone to fully love him. He had to have time to grow, and to accept that he was loveable, and that people liked him regardless of where he had come from. He first had to learn to love himself, and after that he could understand why other people loved him.

He knew Sharon needed a starting point. She needed support from friends who genuinely loved her and would be there through her metamorphosis into a new Sharon. She would enter her new growth period as she imagined herself now to be, unlovable and undeserving of praise and attention. She would enter it as an ugly caterpillar and in a year or more take flight as a new butterfly, amazingly beautiful to the eye. He knew she would be physically the same person, composed of the same body, mind, soul and spirit and yet totally transformed through changes in beliefs, attitudes and actions. It would be a miracle; one that David knew was possible, because he too had been a caterpillar.

It was essentially the butterfly that David loved in Sharon. He loved her for what she was going to become in the future. He could see through the ugliness of the caterpillar skin she wore. When he looked at her, he could see, as God sees, the potential of that little butterfly heart just waiting to come into full splendour. She was on this earth for a purpose, and Dave knew, just as he knew his own vision so well, that she would become his bride one day, and that on their wedding night the two butterflies would make love.

*******

John was cutting his way through a fairly large steak, and listening to one of his executives. The young man, the financial controller, was discussing options with the three others in leadership as to how best to reinvest the money that would begin to pour in as they supplied the demand for garments. John was impressed with the man’s attitude, his forward planning, and excitement. His voice carried no stuffy air, or reservations typical of those with accounting backgrounds, but instead had the motivation of an entrepreneur.

That is how his business had grown so successful, with a minimum of debt. Together they had taken risks, they had bet on the future and worked with dogged determination to see hard work create its own luck. The intimacy between the four went beyond the boardroom, it wasn’t bound by time, or salary, it didn’t allow for disputes to fester, but through synergy they had each moulded their lives into a walking, talking and acting cohesive group of friends.

Each of the four had the other’s total respect and admiration, and any could feel free to express an opinion that sharply contrasted with the way the others felt, without feeling intimidated or out of place by doing so. Many a time the financial controller had been able to suggest improvements in production practices, sales and marketing, product research and development within the other executive’s areas of power and expertise, and they had willingly accepted his advice based on their combined experience.

John sat at luncheon with his management, knowing underneath that he would miss them as he spent less time with them in the future. Each of them was a top-flight performer, each going beyond the call of duty. John was a firm believer in incentives and rewards for a job well done and so was happy to pass on the profits of his very successful business to the leadership at the helm

After the financial controller had finished his pitch and received comments, John spoke. He told them of the meeting he was going to have with the Human Resource company, and the reason for his requesting that help. He also told them of his plans to spend more time in Sydney with Christine, organising the home for street kids. He used the informal lunch to express his views on the direction his company should be taking. He told them also that he planned eventually to step down from his position as chief operating officer and to let the company run itself.

He laughed aloud at the shocked look on a couple of faces. They were pleased for him, for his motivations and, like all natural leaders, they didn’t want to keep him from pursuing his dreams. With their obvious approval, he continued.

"I want to take this company public and list with the stock exchange. But before we go public we are going to split up a large share of it amongst the current employees, according to their ranks and years of service. Then we’ll float the company on the Australian stock exchange. You three guys have helped make me a fortune, now its time for you to help each other make your own. I have the most loyal employees in this company, they’re hard workers, and they’re diligent and feel honoured to work for me. I don’t expect that will change when they own shares in the company."

"What has brought this on John?" the financial controller asked, as spokesman for the others.

"Oh, it’s just that my perspectives on life are changing. I have enough money to live on at my level of comfort for the rest of my life. I just want to give everyone else the same chance that I’ve had. I don’t believe you can become very wealthy working for someone else so, as soon as I can arrange it you will all be working for yourselves. I will retain shares of my own and participate in the normal decision making process in shareholder meetings, but the reins will be handed over to one of you.

I want to put my energies into people’s lives. I want to be hope knocking at someone’s door. I want to see a child in need dressed well. I want to pour money into aide and bring a little happiness into some less fortunate Australians lives. I want to grow old seeing smiles of gratitude instead of those of greed in the fashion world. I want to give back to the world, some of the precious gifts it has given me."

The executive in charge of Product Research and Development leant over the table as he offered his hand to John. " God bless you and your dreams John." He sat back in his chair and the other two executives chimed in.

"We’ll drink to that."

*******

Christine was downstairs, sipping on a lime spider that her husband had made her. Changes had been taking place rather rapidly in the last few weeks and the pace was taking it’s toll. Far from being a stranger to drama, Christine the cop from the Cross, was commenting on the whirlwind of activity in the past few days.

"It has been rather hectic hasn’t it?" Nathaniel agreed. Calm and relaxed, Nathaniel had a personality that could sleep through a storm in a little boat at sea. Quiet, sweet natured and reassuring, he was the perfect backup for his wife who was in the front line. He sat lazily in a beanbag by the sofa, poking his ice cream with his spoon, making the soft drink fizz more. He was happy to have Christine home and though concerned for her well being, he was quietly confident she wouldn’t wear out.

"How long do you think it will be before Sharon recovers?" he asked out of both curiosity and concern. His eyes shifted to watch for Christine’s response.

"It might take her a few more days, yet she seemed quite different this morning. I wouldn’t trust her by herself in the Cross though." I had a chat to Dave an hour ago and he thinks she’s seen the worst of it. It will still take some time before she’s out of the woods altogether. Christine had a knack of seeing the whole picture. Nathaniel respected this. When she spoke it was with conviction and often the tone of her voice bought the message home stronger than the words. She brushed her hair to one side, put her drink on the kitchen table and walked over to her husband.

"Do you feel like a massage my man?" Christine asked, her hands rubbing his shoulders.

"No not really." But as he felt her hands dig into his neck, he faltered. "Okay you’ve won." He reached over his back and pulled his shirt off. " You know you’re beautiful don’t you."

"How could I ever forget? You keep reminding me."