The Pursuit of Happiness (2001) Read Online Free PDF Page A

this story.’

‘Kate, I’m really trying to …’

‘Do what? “Heal wounds”? Achieve “closure”?’

‘Look, my argument was never with you.’

‘I’m touched. Too bad Mom’s not here to see this. She always had these far-fetched romantic notions about everyone making up, and maybe seeing her West Coast grandkids again.’

‘I meant to call …’

‘ Meant isn’t good enough. Meant means shit.’

My voice had jumped a decibel or two. I was suddenly aware that the living room had emptied. So too was Charlie, as he whispered, ‘Please, Kate … I don’t want to go back to the coast with such bad …’

‘Charlie, what the hell did you expect today? Instant reconciliation? Field of Dreams? You reap what you sow, pal.’

I felt a steadying hand on my arm. Aunt Meg.

‘Great sermon, Kate,’ she said. ‘And I’m sure Charlie now completely understands your point of view.’

I took a deep steadying breath. And said, ‘Yeah, I guess he does.’

‘Charlie,’ Meg said, ‘why don’t you go find yourself something alcoholic in the kitchen.’

Charlie did as commanded. The squabbling children had been separated.

‘You okay now?’ Meg asked.

‘No,’ I said. ‘I am definitely not okay.’

She motioned me towards the sofa. Sitting down next to me, her voice became conspiratorially quiet:

‘Back off the guy,’ she said. ‘I had a little talk with him in the kitchen. It seems he’s been juggling some very major problems.’

‘What kind of problems?’

‘He was downsized four months ago. Fitzgibbon was taken over by some Dutch multinational, and they immediately canned half their Californian sales force.’

Fitzgibbon was the pharmaceuticals giant which had employed Charlie for the last twenty years. Charlie had started out as a San Fernando Valley sales rep, then gradually worked his way up to being Regional Sales Director for Orange County. And now …

‘Exactly how bad are his problems?’ I asked.

‘Put it this way - he had to borrow money from a friend to buy the plane ticket back here.’

Jesus.

‘And with two kids in college, financially speaking, things are hitting critical mass. He’s in really grim shape.’

I suddenly felt a pang of guilt. The poor idiot. Nothing ever seemed to work out Charlie’s way. He always had this unerring talent for making the wrong call.

‘From what I gather, the marital front is also pretty choppy. Because Princess isn’t exactly being the most supportive of spouses …’

Meg suddenly stopped talking and gave me a fast nudge with her elbow. Charlie had re-entered the room, his raincoat over his arm. I stood up.

‘What’s with the coat?’ I asked.

‘I’ve got to get back to the airport,’ he said.

‘But you just arrived a couple of hours ago,’ I said.

‘I’ve got a big meeting first thing tomorrow,’ he said sheepishly. ‘A job interview. I’m, uh, kind of between things at the moment.’

I caught Meg’s glance - imploring me not to let on that I knew about Charlie’s unemployed status. Isn’t it amazing how family life is an ever-widening web of petty confidences and ‘please don’t tell your brother I told you …’

‘I’m sorry to hear that, Charlie,’ I said. ‘And I’m sorry I boxed your ears before. It’s a bad day and …’

Charlie silenced me by leaning forward and giving me a fast buzz on the cheek.

‘Let’s keep in touch, eh?’ he said.

‘That’s really up to you, Charlie.’

My brother didn’t respond to that comment. He simply shrugged sadly and headed to the front door. When he got there, he turned back towards me. A look passed between us. It only lasted a nanosecond, but it said it all: please forgive me.

In that sad nanosecond, I felt a surge of pity for my brother. He appeared so bloated and battered by life; as trapped and cornered as a deer staring straight into the oncoming headlights. Life had not worked out for him - and he now radiated disappointment. I could certainly