Part 11 (2/2)

”I'm confused,” Micki admitted. ”He lies and fudges the truth. One day he says he's fine and the next day he's wearing that talking clock like he can't read the dial on his wrist.w.a.tch. I'd like an explanation I can understand.”

”As you know, Uncle Yank has the wet form of macular degeneration,” Sophie said. ”Statistically, wet is less common than the dry form and accounts for ninety percent of all cases of legal blindness in people with the disease. It isn't curable and since Uncle Yank ignored symptoms for quite a while, the disease has progressed too much for any of the newer treatments.”

”What exactly can he see or not see?” Annabelle asked.

Obviously Micki wasn't the only one who didn't understand their uncle's condition.

”It's hard to say. Maybe the explanation of what the disease involves will help.”

This was Sophie in her element, Micki thought fondly.

”In clinical terms, macular degeneration is a physical disturbance in the center of the retina, which is called the macula.” Sophie gestured as she spoke, pointing to her own eyes as an example. ”The macula makes us capable of our most detailed vision--reading, driving, recognizing faces, watching TV, etc.”

”Wow,” Micki said aloud. Her throat grew tight at the thought of her independent uncle being deprived of the most basic tasks most people took for granted.

Since Uncle Yank had ignored his problems over the past year, Micki had as well. It was easier to push the truth away when not faced with it directly, but the time had come to cope head-on with all the repercussions.

Over the past few days, she and her sisters had spoken and agreed on a course of action. They just needed to bring Lola on board. The other woman was key as she had the ability to sway the important parties to their plan.

”I thought or rather I hoped that the specialist would tell him that surgery to remove scarring was an option to improve vision, but the disease progressed too far.” Sophie's voice dropped low. ”It's not going to get any better. It's going to get worse.”

They all understood the implications.

Annabelle rubbed the slight bulge in her belly and sighed. ”Can we suggest he move to some place with a.s.sisted living before it progresses to the point where he can't see at all?” Micki shook her head, shuddering at the thought of their uncle's reaction. ”Not if we want to live to tell the tale. That's a point he'll have to reach on his own”

”But the business affects us all, which is why I suggested we meet here to talk.” Sophie's gaze swept over the group. ”We need to think about the future today.”

All three sisters turned to Lola.

”I am not coming back to work for him.” Lola folded her arms across her silk blouse.

Though her outfit and overall look was still on the conservative side, she'd made many changes since leaving Uncle Yank's employ. Some of the alterations had been done in the hopes of enticing Yank to notice her before she left and those Lola had ditched fast, like too-youthful clothes. Other parts of her transformation remained, like her hair. She'd always kept the color a natural brown and the style pulled back into a bun.

These days she had golden highlights and a chic shoulder-length bob that accentuated her graceful features. These days she not only worked for Spencer Atkins, she dated him as well. Together they attended industry events and were seen at the chicest restaurants.

Her uncle was a stubborn old coot, Micki thought in frustration. He needed this woman now more than ever before.

All three sisters understood how hard it had been for Lola to leave Yank and none of them would be angry at her for refusing to come back. After thirty or more years with their stubborn uncle, n.o.body considered Lola selfish. In fact there was n.o.body more loving. The time had come when she'd needed some of that emotion returned.

”n.o.body wants you to compromise the stand you've taken,” Annabelle a.s.sured Lola. ”But when he was first diagnosed, you mentioned a potential merger with Atkins a.s.sociates, remember?”

Lola winced.

Micki figured she'd probably recalled Uncle Yank's reaction to that suggestion.

”Why do you ask?” Lola's gaze narrowed.

s.h.i.+fting positions on the couch, Annabelle sat up straighter as she explained. ”Because the three of us have talked and we think that over time, a merger is the only way to save the sports agency part of the Hot Zone.”

”And Uncle Yank's illness isn't the only reason,” Micki said. ”Let's face it. The newer agencies with their hotshot agents are s.n.a.t.c.hing up the young athletes interested in money more than in loyalty. Uncle Yank needs backup and over time so will Spencer. A merger can benefit both agencies.”

Sophie nodded in agreement. ”Think about it. Uncle Yank brings young, raw talent with him in his other agents, but he's the big name. Same with Spencer. They're both too stubborn to realize they need successors. We could convince them that together they could be a powerhouse.”

”A lasting powerhouse with a legacy after they're gone. Umm... I mean retire.” Micki swallowed hard.

”So what do you think?” Sophie asked.

Lola rubbed her eyes and sighed. ”I love you girls. I would do anything for you. Same for the business.”

”And for Uncle Yank?” Annabelle asked, too sweetly, her intentions obvious.

Lola strode over and squeezed Annabelle's cheeks. ”Sorry, honey, but you won't get me to pour my heart out. I'm over him.”

”You taught us not to fib,” Sophie chided.

”So who's ready for lunch? I brought us all Squagels from Cozy's,” she said of the coffee shop located downstairs from the Hot Zone, specializing in salads and square bagels.

Annabelle sighed. ”Mmmm. You are the best,” she told Lola.

”But we still noticed that you changed the subject” Micki said.

Micki's stomach growled loudly and Lola teased. ”Your stomach's on my side.”

Micki laughed.

”I'll talk to Spencer. If he's still interested in a merger, we'll figure out a way to approach Yank,” Lola promised, her voice somber. ”He's away on business, so it might be a while though.”

Micki paused. Now that she'd loved and lost Damian--in a manner of speaking--she felt an empathy with Lola she'd never had before. She couldn't imagine spending a lifetime side by side with a man who didn't return her feelings. Micki and her sisters were now asking Lola to come back into a situation from which she'd finally garnered the guts to escape.

She placed a hand on Lola's shoulder. ”I understand all the reasons you don't want this merger to happen. We were selfish even to ask you to make such a sacrifice.” She looked around at her sisters. ”Maybe we should find another option.”

Lola gave Micki a look of grat.i.tude and for the first time Micki felt on more equal footing with the woman she'd always admired.

Silence followed and then Annabelle spoke.

”Micki's right. We were so wrapped up with what to do about the agency we forgot to consider your feelings.” Sophie nodded. ”We've been thoughtless. And you raised us so much better than that.”

Lola paced back and forth across the room, stopping directly in front of where Annabelle lay on the couch. ”Come here. All of you.”

Micki and Sophie stepped closer.

”You've grown into such beautiful, smart, caring women. I'm so lucky to have had you in my life. You're the children I never had and I love you.” She paused and Micki sensed she was holding back tears. ”It's because I love you that I'm going to talk to Spencer.”

”But--”

”I'm a big girl, Sophie,” Lola said, cutting her off.

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