DON'T TOUCH MY JUNK
***********************
Kim Kardoni got off the Red Line MBTA and rushed up Mass Avenue towards Harvard Yard.
Men and women still wrapped in blankets huddled in the doorway of CVS called out her name and waved.
"Can't stop to talk right now guys, I'll catch you on the way back," she hollered to them.
*****************
A snow storm had whipped through Boston the night before.
By the next morning it had stopped leaving a pristine and beautiful place to be, except for the homeless who sat freezing their butts off in doorways trying to survive off handouts from students on their way to class.
Within minutes Kim walked through Harvard's big iron gates past Widener Library and up the steps of where she was scheduled to speak.
Sunlight cut across the grounds and into the towering stained glass windows of Memorial Church.
It was where she'd first met Rogue Rockerfeller and Alan Greenly, mutual friends of famous author Ayn Rand.
Kim looked about to see if Alan had been able to make it, but then realized if he had, he was undoubtedly with secret service men and in disguise.
******************
Among guests honoring him at the service, there were those who wondered if Rogue was in heaven controlling weather--had put a stop to the snowing so people could show up.
It was hard to imagine this dynamo not being in control, even beyond the grave.
Some wondered if he'd been able to control Kim, but mostly wondered what was going to happen to all his money and who was going to inherit his company and what books they'd still be publishing.
Kim wondered herself. The voices pouring forth from the choir drowned out the sound
of her stilettos clicking down the old hardwood floor isle and on up to the podium to say a few words--to read Rogue's letter.
She was sure the mother of Rogue's children would not be thrilled with her reading his final message, but a promise was a promise, and she had assured him she would carry out his last wishes.
Rouge didn't speak badly of his ex-wife but it was obvious he had little respect for her except for the fact she'd been a good mother to his children.
For that, he felt he owed her, but not his life. He'd decided to spend what was left of that, with Kim.
************
Looking out over those who had gathered for the service, she spotted a number of authors he had promoted over the years and still did business with until the day he died.
They looked uncomfortable and stole furtive glances at Kim and his family.
Something in Kim would like to have made them even MORE uncomfortable by telling them the bare assed truth, especially his former wife who had harassed the man to the bitter end.
With her back turned she mumbled, "It was nice of you to finally show up to say goodbye, but it's too little, too late you stupid ingrates . . ."
Saying a silent prayer, she asked God to forgive her for thinking so unkindly, and to now help her deliver the message Rogue had entrusted her--to give her the strength to deliver his words with grace and dignity.
Turning around, she faced the crowd imagining that Rogue was smiling down upon her.
With that thought, Kim pulled herself together and began speaking.
"Rouge asked me to read this
letter to you--to say goodbye.
And as you probably know, he made it impossible to refuse reasonable requests. I will say no more at this time and simply do as he asked."
******************
Trying not to weep, she blinked to clear away the tears and made a quick dab at her eyes as if her nose was running.
Her hand trembled, but she got hold of herself. Speaking in a calm, confident manner she read his words:
Dear Family, Friends, Business Associates, Harvard Alumni, News Media, and Curiosity Seekers,
On 9/11 last year, I got my own 9/11 and learned my days were numbered and my time to leave earth had arrived.
For all here, who contributed to my life, I thank you. For those who detracted and challenged me to do better, I thank you.
I have loved often and well all
who worked hard for me, went the extra mile, earned their "A" report cards and my applause.
They were loyal and true to all that's good and noble. Gave the best they had to give.
Despite a higher education and all I have experienced, I see these simple truths, no less valid then when I was a child.
Fortunately, I have been able to surround myself with like minded people and that has made all the difference, in my life and the life of my company
and all those connected.
Most of all, it's built character in the young people, who have worked for me, those who were devoted and subscribed to our mission mantra, "Excellence Sells Books, Not Mediocracy."
For any here, who may be interested further in what I have to say, I have entrusted my publishing company to Kim Kardoni who has agreed to stand in for me in my absence.
Furthermore, Kim will be in charge of publishing all the books in the pipeline ready to go to print, this includes my personal memoirs.
If you wish for whatever reason to honor me in death, buy my book: DON'T TOUCH MY JUNK.
******************
Kim turned around to give the go ahead to an old navy friend of Rogue's who then sang "My Way."
When he was done, there was not a dry eye to be seen.
He and Kim embraced and she walked him back to his pew opposite of Rogue's family and then slipped out the side door for a cigarette with the limo driver.
She rarely smoked but she accepted his cig without a second thought and heaved a sigh of relief as she took a deep drag, not caring if it killed her or not.
**************
Kim knew she should go back in the church --it wouldn't be right to neglect Rogue's friends--even though most of them had never liked her anyway.
And as for his fucking family, she thought, well they could all go to hell. Not even on "his day" could the bastards think of anyone but themselves as they sat with their arms folded and ugly looks upon their faces.
**************
She was in her twenties when Rogue had first discovered her writing, and soon after, published her first New York Times Best Seller.
It was no secret that Rogue played around on his wife, but who wouldn't, Kim never judged him and figured he did what he did to emotionally survive.
Rogue always had a new lover in the wings and many of them were writers like herself. But that wasn't the case with them.
She wasn't a whore who sold her stories by compromising her values, by leaving her body open to every Tom, Dick, and Harry to ravage, nor even to men like Rogue, the finest man she had ever known.
***************
Their friendship grew and stayed platonic,
not that in the beginning he hadn't made an overt pass or two to test her.
***************
He published several other of her books and eventually, respecting her editorial skills, made her an executive editor with his company and eventually his vice-president.
Both of them continued to believe, you don't mix the business of running a company, with pleasure. You never crap in your own nest.
But all that kind of thinking changed the night after 9-11
when he asked her to join him for dinner and drinks.
"Have dinner with me tonight Kim, he'd said in the midst of a time sensitive project, "we
need to take a night off, we'll get recharged and do better, save time in the days ahead."
"Oh Rogue, it's such a stressful time, I get home and watch the news, and am glued to the television waiting for another plane to fly into another building, just not a good time, let's do it next week."
"Do this for me Kimmy."
He never called her that. Giving him a funny look and sensing something was not right, she'd agreed.
***************
Before the night was through his bad news had leaked out and they were crying in each others arms, she insisted they'd find help for him and that he WASN'T gonna die on HER watch.
Regretting all the lost days they could have been in each others arms--passionate lovers entwined--not just best friends and business partners they weeped together, they vowed we're gonna win this battle, beat this . . .
That night Kim stayed with Rogue and that night, they made love all night long.
It was the weekend and they kept going at it, Rogue swore to her he wasn't gonna die, that he'd just started to live.
He promised that he was going lick this, that they were going to live happily ever after.
****************
To Be Continued:
DON'T TOUCH MY JUNK (Part 2)
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Submitted by:
Madison
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