“Why? So he can be memorialized as a lie. Roger Morgan is….” Cori surged from her chair to pace the floor then walked out of John’s office to her own before she lost her cool in his presence again.
The memories of Roger Morgan swamped Cori as she paced her office. She had gone to high school with Roger Morgan and he had been the football co-captain and a “popular” kid. She had been a loser that everyone had loved to taunt. One time when they had both been home on a school break, he asked her out to the Memorial Day Dance at the Catesville Country Club. She had fallen in love with him that weekend. They had a long distance romance while both of them finished college and then they had eloped after his graduation.
Roger had already been drafted by the Seattle Mustangs to play professional football. His career last for four years and during that time his compensation had been huge and his endorsement contracts had been huge. She had thought their life would be magnificent. That magnificent had changed to horror on their honeymoon and the first time he had struck her. Just like all abusers he had apologized and said it would never happen again. Wanting to believe in her new husband and his love for her, she let it pass. In fact, she let it pass time and time again for four years.
The abuse worsened as his career got bigger. The performance enhancing steroids make his muscles bigger and the pain he inflicted worse but his playing improved so no one cared. He had kept her isolated from family and she had no friends in Seattle. The football commissioner had finally caught him using the drugs and had kicked him out of football. That day was the last day of her marriage and the next to the last day of Roger’s life.
Roger had received word that he had been fired from the Mustangs and came home to see Cori. She was unfortunately at the top of the stairs when he caught up to her with his backhand and a sharp ring on his finger. The ring had sliced her cheek from her ear to the corner of her mouth. But the force of the slap and sent her tumbling down the long staircase of their house. According to the housekeeper’s statement, Roger walked on her and out the door as she lay there bleeding and unconscious. The ambulance had come to get her and the police put out on all points bulletin on Roger but Roger, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, tried to outrun the police and ended up killing himself when he wrapped his sports car around a tree. Cori had regained consciousness to find out she was a widow and to find out her mother-in-law thought she lied about the whole thing.
Since Roger had kept her isolated during their marriage, no one ever really knew what Cori looked like or what her name was so when all the news of Roger’s drugs and abusing came out, she was fairly well protected from the media. Also, her brother John had flown to Seattle and also managed to keep her safe and away from the press. She told her story over and over again to the police but John had also worked it out that only certain parts were covered by the press. She didn’t care how he did but she was very grateful that he did do it.
The only smart thing Roger ever did in their marriage was give Cori the control of their finances. Being a big shot in Seattle gave Roger access to women, drugs, cars or whatever else he wanted without paying for it so Cori kept the money wisely and invested in her name so that when his career ended they would have something to live on. That turned out to be her “begin her new life money” which is how she started Warm Comforts and moved back to Texas.
Cori strode out of her office to her brother’s office again “You tell Mrs. Morgan” she emphasized with a sneer “that all of Roger’s football memorabilia is in the NFL commissioner’s office and if she can get it from him then she is welcome to put it wherever her little heart desires.”
“Yes, Miss Lewis, I’d be thrilled to pass along that message.” John said calmly.
Cori relaxed immediately “Thank you. I appreciate you protecting me from her.”
“You will never be hurt by that family again. Never!” John raged. “I’ll….”
“Easy big brother” she said coming to hug him. “I love you and thank you.”
“Sorry” he said calmly. “Just their name sends me over the edge.”
“Don’t apologize to me. I’m the same way.”
John took a deep breath and relaxed. “Enough about them, it is on to work stuff. I hear we have some new recruits.”
“You can’t call them that.” Cori laughed.
“Why not?” he joked.
“I’m ignoring you and your bad jokes. Yes, we received two new women to the house over the weekend. I have their information and when they are ready you can talk to them. Right now they are probably adjusting to Mom. The one has one little girl and the other has two little boys. All three are slightly injured. Doctor Jane looked them over and gave them some medicine.”
“Police?”
“Already been there and done that. They were scared to death but did pretty well considering.”
“Where are they from?”
“Houston and Austin”
“Word is spreading about Hannah’s House.”
“Good. It needs too.” Cori was pleased about the exposure she was receiving just not the reason a house like her needed to exist.
“Speaking of Hannah’s House, WTXU in Houston wants to interview the creator of Hannah’s House.”
“Only if it is here and I’m not shown on camera and my name is changed.”
“I’ll see if they agree.”
“Thanks. I’m off to walk the floor.”
“And design something new?”
“Already been there done that too.” She said happily. “I’ll show you later.”
Walking the floor was Cori term for overseeing the production of her designs. When Cori had returned to Texas and Catesville after her marriage disintegrated, she used the money left to her from Roger’s will and her wise investments and created Hannah’s House. The name Hannah means Grace and women who were abused were definitely in need of Grace. She purchased a few thousand acres of land outside of Catesville where she built a house the size of a small hotel with plenty of security. She also built a warehouse and two stores.
While Cori had been recuperating she had received stuffed animals from her mom to keep her company. She designed and made little outfits for them to keep from being bored. Finally she decided to design a stuffed bear of her own and it had turned out very cute. Faith and Nia her friends from high school saw it and wanted one so she made them each one. Faith put it in her office at the real estate company and several people there saw it and wanted one. Nia put it in her office in Dallas and several people there saw it. Soon, Cori was busy making and selling these little bears. When Hannah’s House was built she wanted to give women a chance to get on their feet again with confidence and money so she created a company to give them those opportunities. That is where Warm Comforts originated.
Now Hannah’s House was home to seventy-five women and children. All of the women worked in some capacity at the warehouse, one of the two stores or the daycare facility. One of the stores was managed by Faith. It was called Hannah’s Crafts with a special section for her special bears. It was called Teddybearville. The other store was managed by Nia and it was a restaurant full of comfort foods.
The production factory for the stuffed bears and other animals employed the majority of the women. Some of the women wanted to work on the bear from start to finish. Some wanted to hand stitch the bear and its clothes while others wanted to machine stitch the bear and its clothes. A few of the women just wanted to cut and organize material and not stitch. Some wanted to clean up after others, some wanted to box and ship. Cori was the one who thought up most of the patterns then she used people to take her ideas and put them into patterns for the new products. Cori was also the one who thought up the story ideas. After the story was created, some of her women typed and published the stories for each bear. When the bear or other animal was ordered, the person who placed the order chose a general subject for the book alon
g with the size of the bear and the clothing it would wear.
Their mail order business was growing because of the web page designed by one of the early occupants at Hannah’s House who had now gone to have a new life. Others had taken her place. Teddybearville was not advertised but still had become very busy. Warm Comforts had a website that directed people to Teddybearville. Even though it was March, they were already getting Christmas orders for stuffed bears.
As was Cori’s daily habit, she walked the floor and talked with the women who worked and lived with her. Behind her back, the women called her the little mama but Cori didn’t mind. She wanted these women safe and growing in confidence just like a mother would about her children. John, Cori’s brother, was the chief legal counsel for Warm Comforts but he was also the legal advisor for the women who came to Hannah’s House and he was also the person who kept on the police to arrest and prosecute the abusers of these women.
When Cori’s walk on the factory floor was completed, she went to the restaurant to check on Nia and the employees there. Once satisfied that all was okay there, she moved to the other store to check with Faith. Both of her friends had given up other careers to return to Catesville to run her businesses and they made a terrific team.
“Hi Cori” Faith greeted as Cori entered from the rear of the store. “How’s things?”
“Busy, busy from what I saw. I reviewed the orders last night and it looks promising for a good year. How are you doing in here?”
“I have fifteen signed up for your tweens craft class. I have ten signed up for your kiddie craft class and I have five signed up for your designing class. For your cooking classes, I have ten for each night for four nights.”
Cori grimaced good-naturedly “I agreed to all that.”
“Yes you did my friend. Also, you are doing a five minute speech during career day at the high school and we are doing a booth at the county fair on Saturday.”
“Career day is Friday and the booth is Saturday, right?”
“That would be correct but your part of the booth is minimal. You’ve made your bear for submission to the judges and all you have to do is present it and then leave if you want too.”
“I’ll see how my day shapes up. Does Pearl have all of this stuff on my calendar?”
“I uploaded it to her this morning and received a confirmation email. Your PDA should be up to date.”
“Thanks for keeping me focused. You know my brain.”
“Don’t go there friend. If you want me to lose my temper and curse that man again in public I will but do not ever blame yourself.”
“I don’t.” Cori smiled. “It is just a fact now.” Due to the many times she had been knocked unconscious and suffered concussions, Cori’s memory was not very good. She had to make lists and more lists. Everything was on her schedule on her PDA.
“Also, Millie Reynolds called and she said to tell you that she is not feeling well again and cannot meet you for dinner tonight.”
“I’ll go see her and help her if possible.”
“I had no doubts about that. That too is on your schedule.”
“Thanks Faith. I’m going up to my office, I’m sure I have work to do there.”
“You always do.” laughed Faith. Cori laughed with her and left the store to return to her office. Pearl gave her some messages and she sat down to work on her designs and return phone calls.
After work that evening, Cori knocked on the door of Millie Reynolds’ house and waited for the housekeeper to answer the door.
“Hi Cori”
“Hi Joycelyn. How’s Millie?”
“She’s resting here in the living room; she’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Cori entered the house and walked to Millie who was lying on the couch. “Hi Millie”
“Hi Cori. I’m sorry to miss dinner again.”
“I understand. How are you feeling?”
“Weak and tired.”
“And the doctor says what?”
“I don’t go to doctors.”
“You need too. Doctor Jane would take good care of you. Wouldn’t Micah tell you to go to the doctor?”
Millie waved the comment away nonchalantly “What Micah doesn’t know won’t get me in trouble.”
“I have his email address.” Cori countered
“I’m sure you do.” sassed Millie. “Anyway, it will pass in a few days. My Seth and my Mindy are coming for the weekend. Isaac is coming along with Seth’s fiancée.”
“Seth has a fiancée?”
“I don’t think she is right for him but I’m reserving judgment for now. He should marry and have kids. I’d like you to be my daughter-in-law.”
“Married to whom? Micah is married to Tish.”
“That leaves Seth though.”
“Seth chose a long time ago to think I was more worthless than used gum stuck on his shoe. You can forget the daughter-in-law part. Besides, didn’t you just say he has a fiancée?”
“He’s not married yet.” Millie said hopefully. “I have time to change your mind.”
“Too much time has passed and too many painful memories. Let this go. My friendship with you is just as good.”
“Why are you friends with an old woman like me?”
“Because I love you and I love Micah.”
“But not Seth?”
“I don’t want to talk about Seth. I want to know about you. Tell me you’ll go to the doctor, please.”
“Maybe” Millie agreed half-heartedly. Cori disagreed with her but couldn’t change her mind too definitely. After a few minutes, Cori could tell that Millie was weary so she kissed the cheek of her friend and left the house to return to Hannah’s House and the work she needed to accomplish that night.
Chapter 4
“How much farther to Grandma’s house, Uncle Seth?” Mindy Reynolds asked for the fourth time in the less than three hour trip from Houston to Catesville. Seth looked into the rearview mirror at his niece buckled into her car seat.
“Not that long, sugar. Are you anxious to see Grandma?”
“I want to show her my bear from Daddy.” She said holding up the bear again. Isaac burst out laughing from the other side of the backseat. Seth glanced around and glared at his friend. That bear had driven Seth crazy all week. No one on Seth’s staff had been able to find the website to buy one of those bears and Micah had not answered his email to tell him where the bear originated from. He was dreaming about bears and thinking about bears all day and all night. He’d even tried to leave that cute but frustrating bear at home but Mindy grabbed it on their way out the door and held it where he could see it the whole trip.
“Grandma will love it.” Seth returned. “She likes bears.”
“I know. She gots whole bunches in her bedroom. I seen them before.”
“You saw them before.” Seth corrected.
“That’s what I said.” Mindy continued “But mine is cutest, don’t you think so Uncle Seth?”
“Yes, of course. I just love it.” He said through gritted teeth. Daphne and Isaac shared a look then laughed out loud. “And you two can walk home.” Seth grumbled.
“It is just a cute bear, Seth” teased Isaac “why are you being so mean to it?”
“Some friend you are, why haven’t you found any information on this bear?”
“Have you asked your Mom, maybe Micah sent one to her too? Or asked her where he could get a stuffed bear for Mindy?”
“She hasn’t been very talkative this week so I let it go. I’ll ask this weekend.”
“How much farther to Grandma’s house, Uncle Seth?” Mindy asked for the fifth time.
“About five minutes, sugar.”
“Yippee” Isaac and Mindy yelled together. Seth smiled and shook his head in exasperation.
“You, Isaac Walters, are a bigger kid that she is.”
“I work for a toy company, that’s allowed.” Isaac s
aid smugly back to Seth.
“Wow” he pointed to Isaac “those buildings are finally finished and operational it looks like.” Seth pointed to the hotel looking structure and warehouse buildings on the highway leading to Catesville. “A hotel, a warehouse, a restaurant and a craft store. Interesting. Hannah’s House, Hannah’s Crafts, Warm Comfort Foods and Warm Comforts. Whose is that? Find out for me, will you Isaac?”
“Sure. Why do you care?”
“I’m just curious.”
“I’ll investigate when we get to your mother’s house.”
“Thanks” Seth pulled onto the main street of town and as usual when he drove this street was swamped by the memories of childhood. His childhood had been perfect, he was popular, a star athlete in several sports, he’d gotten a scholarship to the University of Texas. His parents had never divorced and had lived in the same house all of their marriage. Seth had started on higher education track but decided it wasn’t for him so he moved back to Houston where he had started as an accountant in the small toy company of Beaches Toy Company and the owner had like him so he groomed him to take over the business and that’s how he became CEO of the toy company. Seth had taken some chances and expanded it to the third largest toy company in the America’s. He was proud of his work. As he pulled in front of his mother’s house, his mind came back to the present.
Since Friday’s workday at the production factory was only half day, Cori worked for a while at the craft shop on organizing and showcasing her stuffed bears in Teddybearville. She had already drawn the layouts for the booth at the county fair and Faith was there now running the booth. Cori’s speech at the high school had gone well. Tomorrow was the judging of the craft projects.
“Allison” Cori called to one of the woman running the store while Faith was at the fair.
Allison came to where Cori had been working and perused the setup. “It is perfect as usual Cori. You can just see this stuff in your mind, can’t you?”
“It’s pretty loser like, huh? I can’t tell you what I’m supposed to do in an hour without my schedule but I can organize a whole city of stuffed bears.”
“Knock it off - what are you always telling your new arrivals?”