Short Story - Success Attained

SUCCESS ATTAINED


-MICHAEL CROUCH

He walked down to the local Starbucks on the early morning of June 15th. The morning was warm, the sky blue, and the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon.

It was an important day in Will Hemstein's life. He was to meet with his literary agent to discuss the book he was working on. He hoped to get published. He would find out this morning if he would.

He had been writing for ten years. His persistence at the craft, the hours devoted to improving his skill, and the many more devoted to the revision of his works, had made him confident in his abilities to get a book deal. He was sure it would happen today.

He entered Starbucks. There were only a few people in the room. The cashier and the waitress were busy preparing for the day, and there was a young couple at the back of the room. They were sipping their coffees, oblivious to his presence. His agent had not yet arrived.

He went up to the cashier and ordered a large coffee. It was a habit he couldn’t break. He drank 3 or 4 cups every day. He took a seat in the middle of the room so his agent wouldn’t miss him when he entered. He sipped at his coffee watching the clock on the wall ahead of him, and waited.

Then the agent came through the door. He was a man dressed in a plain suit and tie. He had brown hair and a rather ordinary clean shaven face. He nodded to Will then turned to the cashier to order. He came back and took a seat with Will. He had ordered a coffee as well.

“Morning Will,” Ernie said.

“Morning,” he replied. “How are things going?”

“Great actually. That’s why I’m here today,” he said, leaning forward. “I’ll make this short and simple. You got your first book deal. Congratulations.”

Will smiled. The hard work had paid off, the deal was his. The book was his ticket to a bright future. He was ecstatic.

“You don’t know how much this means to me Ernie,” he replied. “It’s been my dream to be a published author.

“I know. That’s why I came to meet you in person. I wanted to see the look on your face when I told you the great news,” Ernie said.

“Well it’s good to know you got something out of the deal,” he said, laughing.

“Well a bit more then that actually Will. We both did. As your agent I’m entitled to 5% of your 250,000 signing bonus. We’re just waiting on your signature”

“Did you just say 250,000!” he replied “You’ve got to be kidding me”

“Nope,” Ernie replied laughing. “It’s all yours Will. You wrote an amazing piece of work.

He couldn’t find the words to reply. He was shocked. He had never expected that kind of money. He knew what it meant though. A better life. The kind of life he deserved.

He pulled himself together. He needed to tell his mother the good news. She deserved to know right away.

“Do you mind if I cut this meeting short Ernie? I want to tell my family the good news.”

“Nope, the day is yours to do with as you please Will. It’s going to get quite busier in the days ahead though”

“Thanks Ernie,” he said.

He stood up and shook his agent’s hand.

“I’ll talk you soon.”

“Yep, count on it Will.”

Leaving Starbucks, he walked back home, an extra spring in his step. The news was great, he had made it. He was a success. His future was wide open.

He walked the last quarter mile and arrived at his home. The house he lived in was run-down. The grass was overgrown, the bushes were in need of trimming, and the house was in need of a new paint job. The peeled paint was clearly visible.

He entered the house and went directly to the living room. The room was simple. A couple couches provided seating area and the TV was placed on a small entertainment center against the main wall of the room. The two paintings hanging up on the wall were cheap, but helped in the appearance of the room.

His mom was sitting on the couch reading a magazine. She sat up when he came into the room. She knew how important this meeting was to him.

“Will,” she said excitedly. “How did it go?”

“I got the deal mom,” he replied laughing. “I did it.”

Wordlessly, she sprang, arms wrapping around him in a Congratulatory hug.

“I knew you’d do it Will. You worked so hard, so long, and you stuck with your dream. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks mom. I owe a lot to you. You encouraged me to stick with it.”

“Well, that’s what a mother should do,” she replied.

They parted and sat down on the living room coach. He noticed that his mother was perspiring. Her hair was matted down from the sweat. It was odd. It wasn’t hot inside.

“Are you feeling alright Mom? Do you have a fever?”

“No, no, I’m fine. I’ve just been a little light headed this morning,” she replied. “Anyway what’s the next step?”

“I have some paper work to do at my agents. I have to sign a few documents before I can cash in on my 250,000 signing bonus.”

“Oh my goodness,” she said. “That’s a lot of money Will.”

“I know, and I had the same look on my face that you have when Ernie told me. Surprising huh?”

“Yep, I’m happy for you.”

”Thanks.”

“Anyway, I’m going to go out and tell some other people. Are you going to be alright? You should get some sleep. You’re looking pale.

“I was just about to. Have fun Will.”

He got up and started to leave. His mom immediately closed her eyes. She was obviously a lot sicker then she had let on. He walked out of the house quietly, and went to tell his friends of his success.

*************************************************************************************************


The next three months went by fast. The paper work and meetings with his publishers took up a lot of his time. He proved to be up to the task though. Hard work wasn't new to him.

His press release was scheduled for 9:30am this morning and he was running late. He had been partying last night. He was partying almost every night now. The girls were hot, and they were all attracted to his new wealth. They were a nice perk. A symbol of his new status and he took advantage of it.

His mother disapproved. He had visited her a month ago and told her of his new life and his new responsibilities. She said she was happy for him.

She had looked sick at that visit. Her face was still pale, her lips were thin, and bags were evident under her eyes. He expressed his worry, but she had shrugged off his concern. She was just sick temporarily.

It was 9:45am now as he entered the building. He took the elevator to the publishing house on the 8th floor. He got out and saw his agent talking to the reporters in the lounge area. There were six of them, all from various newspapers and literary magazines.

Ernie saw him and excused himself momentarily from the group. The disapproval was evidently displayed across his face.

“You’re late Will. These people have been waiting for the last twenty minutes.”

“I know, sorry Ernie. I had a late night. It won’t happen again.”

“See that it doesn’t. Let’s go and meet with these people now.”

He followed Ernie’s lead. He was introduced to the assorted editors and journalists. He extended firm handshakes and apologies for the late showing and it seemed to work. Everyone got excited and questions about his book started to be thrown around. He was momentarily set back by the sudden onslaught.

“People, people, please,” Ernie interrupted. “If you would follow me, I have set aside our conference room for the meeting. It’s better suited for this venue, and all your questions will be answered shortly.”

They followed Ernie into the conference room. The place was large. It held a big oak table with chairs to seat 20 or 30 people. On the table were copies of his book that would be handed out as parting gifts. The walls were decorated with various book covers of the companies already published authors.

He took a seat beside Ernie.

“Now that we’re all seated, I would like to formally introduce you all to Will Hemstein. As you all know, his book has been met with literary praise, and we are assembled here today to answer all of your questions pertaining to the book. Will, is there anything you wanted to say before we begin?”

“Just that I’m happy to be here to answer your questions,” he said to the group.

“Alright, let’s take it to the floor then,” Ernie replied.

“Mr. Hemstein,” a reporter wearing glasses said. “What is like to be published, and is there anyone who was pivotal to your success.

“It’s like waking up to a dream.” He replied. “It’s nice to have something to show for all the hard work I’ve put in.”

“And is there anyone you want to contribute the success of your book to? An editor perhaps or family member,” Said the reporter.

“No,” he replied laughing. “I had to go at it alone. No editors, no help. It was just my motivation, my desire to get published that was the burning desire I needed to give me a push in the right direction.”

The statement wasn’t accurate. His mother had been supportive, had encouraged him to pursue his gift, but he needed to be strong. A strong personality sells. The money would be better. It was worth it.

He then proceeded to answer questions swiftly, but confidently. His skills in conversation were good, and he soon won over the people in the room. They believed in his story. They believed in him.

His editor got up at the end of the press release and bid everyone a good day. Future interviews were promised, if needed, and if there were any further questions he would be happy to answer them at a later date.

Ernie approached him, a smile on his face.

“You did well Will. You sold yourself brilliantly.”

“Thanks. Let’s hope it brings in some good money.”

“I’m sure it will,” Ernie replied.

“By the way your mother called the officer before you arrived. She has something she needs to tell you. I think it’s important”

“I’ll make sure to give her a call later tonight when I have the time. I have a busy schedule today.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Ernie.”

“Yep, until then.”

He then walked out of the room, took the elevator to the ground floor and hurried to his car. He had lunch plans. The girl he met at a party last night was meeting him. She was attractive and smart, and wanted to get to know him. Of course she would. He was a published author, successful and wealthy.

He thought of his mother. She hadn’t called him lately. He had noticed things between them were more distant now. Perhaps she was intimidated by his success. He thought it was stupid if she was. He was the same man he had always been.

Later that night, with a woman still in his arms, he went to his hotel and made love. He would phone his mom when he had some free time. For now, he wanted to enjoy all the perks that his success entailed

*************************************************************************************************

He was driving with Amanda to his mom’s home two months later. Amanda was his current girlfriend. They had been dating for a couple months. She had long brown hair, blue eyes, and a pretty face. She was very delicate.

They were driving to his mom’s because he wanted to surprise her. He had just bought her a new home. It was his way of apologizing for not talking to her for the last 3 months. He was mildly ashamed of the fact. His girlfriend didn’t understand why. Parents and their children naturally drifted apart when they became adults. He was beginning to agree.

He pulled up to his mom’s home. The place was in worse condition since he had last been there. The yard and bushes were completely overgrown now.

They got out of his car and walked to the door. He knocked and was greeted by a sober looking man in his middle years. He was taken back that his mother wasn’t there.

“Hello,” the man said.”

“Hi,” he replied, getting control of himself. “I’m looking for my mother. She still lives here right?”

“Of course. I’m just the health care aide.”

“Health care aide?”

“That’s right. If you would follow me.”

He was worried now. His mother was obviously sick.

“Wait in the car for me Amanda.”

“Sure sweetie. Don’t be long though. We’ve got reservations at the Sizzle tonight.”

He knew. It was a high class restaurant. It didn’t matter though. How could she say that when his mother was sick.

He followed the man upstairs and into his mother’s bedroom and saw her there in bed. She was bald. She looked pale, her lips thin. She was asleep, oblivious to the fact that he just entered the room.

“I’ll leave you with her now,” said the aide. “I was just stopping by to drop-off her medication. Let her sleep.”

He nodded to the man as he left. He took up a seat on the stool at the side of her bed and waited.

She looked so fragile. Her arms were resting peacefully at her side. Her head was propped up by half a dozen pillows.

She woke up a few minutes later and her eyes came to rest on his.

“Will darling. It’s so good to see you.”

“Mom,” he replied, a falter in his voice.

It was as much as he could say. Tears were in his eyes

His mom reached up to him, her pale, skinny arms wrapping around him, consoling him.

“It’s ok Will, don’t cry. There, there.”

He clung to her. He didn’t want to let go. He wanted to be by her side to help her.

He was about to say as much and was interrupted by the car horn honking outside. His girlfriend was getting impatient. She didn’t care that his mother was sick. She cared only about herself and about the lifestyle she was living. Will realized she was a spitting image of himself.