slicing was pre-cut since the day that he stabbed one of the nurses in the arm when he reached to remove a plate before Adam was finished. The wound was superficial, but the warning was clear. His behavior was unpredictable. Each morning clothes were laid out for him and his bath was drawn, emulating the service that Milton had provided to him for many years, the exception being that he had to use an electric shaver in place of the Gillette razors he preferred. He accepted these changes without complaint.
The gymnasium mirrored the gym at the country club that Adam frequented in the early days of the his tenure as CEO and President of Hampton Industries. In those days his powerful build was maintained by three visits weekly to the gym and weight training under the direction of the gym’s pro. Much of the muscle tone so arduously gained during those years was lost during his “playboy” period. It takes some cajoling, now, to get Adam to work out and whenever he does, he spends most of the “gym” time on the recumbent bicycle or treadmill, adamantly refusing to engage in any weight training. The last room was the den, a lavishly decorated sitting room or lounge. A circular table with four cushioned armchairs is set in a nook for Adam’s lunch and dinner. He often invited the shift “butler” to join him. He was allowed a single glass of wine with his dinner. On holidays the three man shift usually ate their holiday meal with AdamII, occasionally with the company of his son Adam III.
Adam III waited for his father, sitting in an overstuffed leather chair that was a duplicate of the chairs in his own den. A bar was set up in one corner of the room. Shots of alcohol, brands favored by both father and son, liqueurs and beer are dispensed by an elaborate machine installed to control Adam II’s alcohol consumption which is strictly limited by his doctors to prevent interactions with the medications he must take daily. Adam III can override the system for his own use and is reminded by a flashing message on the monitor to reset the dispenser when he is finished. As he waited he mixed a rusty-nail, dropped in a few ice cubes, swirled the drink around a few times and took a sip. He smiled as he allowed the fluid to roll over his tongue and slide gently down his throat. He slumped back in the chair as he allowed his thoughts to drift,
He looked down at the glass in his hand and reprehended himself,
Adam looked at his watch. He had been waiting twenty minutes already. As he rose to check on things, John opened the door poked his head in the room and announced, “Your father will be ready in about five minutes. When he heard he had a visitor, he insisted on getting dressed in a suit and tie. There was no arguing the point with him. It took Barry a while to get your father to decide on the right suit, shirt, tie and shoes.”
As he spoke, Bootsy and Flopsy squeezed their way into the den. Adam wondered if the two beagles might have been the real cause for the delay. His father missed the dogs and relished the “kisses” and enthusiastic greeting they always gave him. They nudged him whenever he stopped scratching their bellies or behind their ears. Adam finished his drink and was preparing to refresh it when the door opened and Adam Hampton II made his grand appearance.
In the doorway stood a more portly version of the man that as few as four years ago was universally regarded as one of the world’s most successful corporate executives. A man feared by friend and foe alike. A man who made up new rules when the existing ones didn’t fit into his plans. This was not the broken man that he visited two weeks earlier. Adam couldn’t help but think,
Adam II’s eyes lit up as he saw Adam. “I’m so happy you’re here. It’s been a while.” He rushed over to his son and gave him a big bear hug.
“It’s great seeing you, too,” Adam III said, trying, unsuccessfully, to hold back the tears. He took out a white handkerchief and blotted both eyes. “Have a seat, I have some really great news to share with you. First, can I get you something to drink?”
“The usual, please. Three fingers of Johnny Blue, neat,” he answered as he settled into the other leather chair. Johnny Walker Blue Label was his favorite drink.
Adam returned with his father’s drink and his second rusty-nail. He raised his glass in a toast, “Here’s to finally reaching our most sought after goal.”
They clinked their glasses and settled back into the chairs as they sipped their drinks. A quizzical look appeared on his father’s face as he asked, “What goal is that?”
Adam hesitated a moment. He had hoped that his father would immediately figure out what he was alluding to. That was probably too much to expect. He reached for his wallet and removed a yellowed newspaper clipping. He unfolded it carefully and handed it to his father. It was a picture of a jubilant Kane Masterson taken at the Preston Industries stockholder meeting that voted down Adam II’s offer to acquire the company.
“I remember this man. That was a dark day for Hampton Industries.” His voice quivered, “This is the man who was responsible for the biggest failure in my life. I’ll never forget that smug look on his face.” He refolded the clipping and returned it. “Why are you showing me this?”
Once again Adam was disappointed that his father hadn’t connected the dots. He grinned as he answered. “Because, as of yesterday, Hampton Industries owns Preston Industries, lock, stock and barrel.” He hesitated for a moment, seeking some sign of recognition. Nothing yet, so he continued. “I swore that I wouldn’t rest until we brought them down, Kane Masterson included. The battle is at last over and we are the victors.”
His father finally showed some emotion. At first he seemed disturbed as if he had recalled something that had been deeply buried for some time. Then his mood did a one-eighty as he said excitedly, “Why, that’s great news. I’ll need to get to the office right away. Their going to need me. Tell them not to do anything until I get there.”
His father’s response was totally unexpected. The son fumbled for a response, finally settling on, “I think it would be best if we let the lawyers finish their work first. We don’t want to jeopardize any of the delicate last minute negotiations.”
That seemed to work. “Perhaps you’re right. I’m just so anxious to wipe the smile off that man’s face. To think, after all these years, he finally tripped up.” He offered his empty glass to Adam. “This calls for a celebration. I’ll have another of the same.”
Adam glanced at John, who was shaking his head from side to side. “I’m afraid the bar is closed.”
“What are you talking about? It’s still early. What kind of a place is this anyway, refusing to serve a man when he’s celebrating a great victory?
Adam nodded his head as a signal to John, who immediately rushed up to Adam II, leaned over and whispered into his ear, “You’re needed in the other room, Mister Hampton. We need to go right away.”
Adam Hampton II rose and extended his hand to his son. “It looks like I can’t have that drink after all. I have to go. now. Some pressing matters that need my attention. Thanks for bringing me the good news.” He hesitated for a second and added, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
Adam III was more surprised than hurt by his father’s remark. During their conversation there had been no indication that his father didn’t recognize who he was. He recovered sufficiently to reply, “Names aren’t really important, Mister Hampton. I just wanted to bring you the news, personally.”
“Well I’m sure glad you did. It looks like I have to go now. You have a good day, sir.”
John escorted his father from the room as Adam looked at the empty is glass in his hand and pondered refilling it. Any other day he would have had at least one more, but a mental picture of Marcia Bloom, sans her filmy silk robe was sufficient to overcome the temptation.
John stopped him as he and the dogs prepared to leave the ante-room. “I’m really sorry about that, sir. I neglected to tell him who was visiting. I apologize.”
“It’s not your fault, John. I’m not sure it would have made any difference anyway. This is just a reminder that Alzheimer’s is often more distressful for loved ones than it seems to be for the patient. I think we’re all expecting miracles with that new medicine. We need to give it time. I’m just pleased that he decided to get dressed up for the meeting and he certainly brightened up when I gave him the news about Preston Industries. I sensed that he was able to recall the situation. You know, John, there was a period a few years back where he lived and breathed acquiring Preston Industries. Those memories must be deeply ingrained in his mind. I think bringing them to the