Covered in Coal (4 page)

These last three days have been the hardest I have ever had to endure. Accepting condolences from hundreds of faces, most I didn’t recognize, was exhausting to say the least.  I know people mean well, when they hug you and express their deepest sympathies, but right now, I just want to grieve with my family.

Daddy made sure all of his arrangements were taken care of so Savannah and I wouldn’t have the hardship of planning a funeral while we were grieving. During the memorial service, a few of Daddy’s friends and colleagues remark upon Daddy’s accomplishments and his life. As I sit on the front pew of the church, and listen to each man speak of my father, I think of the lasting impression he left upon my heart. Tears burst free, and roll down my cheeks. I cannot control my emotion, as my heart has a void that can never be filled. Brailee leans her head over against my chest, and wraps her tiny hand around mine. My heart breaks a little more, knowing that this sweet child is hurting too, but is trying to comfort me, the best she can. Smiling down at her, I wipe my face, and pull her into a tight embrace.

After the services, the church hosts a big dinner in honor of Daddy. My stomach is a twisted knot of nerves. Being among family and friends I hadn’t seen in years, I feel like the walls are closing in on me.   I decide to take the twins outside to play in the church playground. They need to release some energy from being cooped up all day, and some fresh air may do me good.

It is a beautiful September day. The sun is shining bright, the sky a perfect shade of blue. The air fresh and crisp. I sit down on the steps of the church and watch as the twins play tag. I hear the church door close, then footsteps behind me. Assuming it is a visitor leaving, I keep my focus on the twins. Out of the corner of my eye I see long legs covered in loose denim.

“Carly Jo,” he says while squatting to sit beside of me. He stretches his legs to straighten his jeans. My face scrunches in shock, as he is the last person I expected to see here. I stare at him, not hiding the shock in my expression. I can feel the anxiety constrict in my chest, but I take a deep breath to fight it back.

His dark brown hair is faded tight against his scalp in the back, but thick and full on top, just enough to run your fingers through. His face is soft and delicate, but his chin is slightly scruffy, unshaven. Tanned skin stretches across his thick muscles, and I can see a peek of inked art on his right bicep. He peers back at me through dark as night, cold black eyes. Colton. Oh my, he is still sexy as hell! 

I'm at a total loss for words. It’s been seven years since I've seen him, and suddenly, I'm terrified. He reads my expression, and smirks.

"Relax doll. I just wanted to see how you're dealin' with all this shit?" He says, swirling his finger in the air.

"I-I'm okay." I reply, stammering over my words. I stare forward, trying hard not to make eye contact.  Placing his hand on my thigh, he lightly squeezes, then pats it.

“Big John was a good man, a tough son of a bitch, but a good man.” He chuckles lightly.

I roll my eyes, and let sarcasm roll off my lips. “Yeah, I’m sure he was just crazy about you.” Colton winces, like my words inflicted pain. He pulls his shoulders back tight, and looks into my hazel eyes.

"I know a lot has happened over the years, but when you're up to it, maybe we can get together and talk. How long will you be in town for?"

Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath, and shake my head. “Colton, we have nothing to discuss.”

Standing, he glares down at me through empty eyes. “Carly Jo, I ain’t gonna upset you anymore. You’ve had enough to deal with for one day. But you can bet your sweet ass, this conversation is long from bein’ over. I’ll see you later this week, before you leave.” He nods, then strides off carelessly down the steps, to his pickup truck. How can he think we have anything to talk about? He walked away from me. Is he delusional? I owe him nothing. Hopefully I can avoid him while I’m here, then once I go home, I’ll never have to face Colton Weston again.

Savannah comes out of the church, just as Colton drives away.  “Are ya ok? You’ve been out here for a while. You need to try to eat somethin’.  I know you’re probably overwhelmed with seein’ all these old faces, but you don’t need to go so long without eatin’.”

Geez she’s a thorn in my side! Stop with the mothering already, I just want to scream at her. But I smile, and nod instead.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t expect to see Colton here. Come on, let’s go inside.” I walk up the steps, and into the church as she gathers the twins.

The next morning, Savannah and I meet with the lawyers to go over the terms of Daddy’s will. To my surprise, Josh, Savannah’s husband just happens to be available. Yeah, son of a bitch couldn’t be at the funeral to pay his respects, or support Savannah, but the greedy jackass sure is here today to see what he can sink his claws into! I already have a strong dislike for this man.

We all sit around a long rectangular table, and listen to James McCoy, Daddy’s attorney, and old friend read the will.

“Girls, before I get started on the reading of Big John’s will, I just want to extend my deepest sympathies to you both. He was always a good man. I had the privilege of working with him for the last thirty or so years, and was proud to call him my friend.”

“Thank you James, we both greatly appreciate that.” Savannah replies.

“Now, let’s get started, shall we? Now you both know your father was a very wealthy man. Along with sole proprietorship of Simon Energy Incorporated, he was also the partner to several
lucrative businesses, Dalton Trucking, Braxton Excavating, just to name a few. His total net worth at the time of his death was fifty-five million dollars plus assets.

“The partnership accounts will be sold, and the profits will be set aside into trust accounts for Brailee and Braden. Upon graduating high school, their college tuitions will be paid to whichever institution they decide upon, and the remainder of their trusts will be distributed at age twenty-five.

“Savannah Moore, an account has been established in your name with the amount of fifteen million dollars.  Your home, vehicles, and all lines of credit have been paid in full. In addition, he has left the beach home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to your family, and you are also the beneficiary of a small insurance policy in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars.” He says, nodding to Savannah.

“He has made a generous donation to the following: Williamstown Cancer Center will receive ten million dollars, and American Cancer Research will receive ten million dollars as well.”

While James reads the will, Josh wrings his hands anxiously. Turning to me, James smiles, and finishes the will.

“Carolina Jo Simon, an account has been established in your name as well, in the amount of fifteen million dollars. You will receive the remainder of your Daddy’s estate. His home here in Williamstown, his beach home in St. Johns’ Island, South Carolina, and vehicles. Also, you are now the Sole Proprietor of Simon Energy. You are expected to take over the position of CEO of Simon Energy immediately.”

Frozen in fear, I pray that I heard James wrong. There is no way in hell Daddy left the mines to me.  James speaks up, trying to regain my attention.

“Carly, I am sure this is completely unexpected, but your father was very adamant in his decision. We have already taken care of setting up a class for you to get your underground certification. It isn’t truly necessary, being that you are the CEO to have your underground certification, but Big John wants Simon Energy to continue to run, just as it did when he was alive. It’s a precautionary measure, just in case of a safety issue or inspection. But you have Superintendents and Foremen that do all of the heavy lifting. It’s just how he did things.”

“I'm sorry, James, I'm still in shock that Daddy left the mines to me. Why would he think I could operate the mines? I operate a hotel, but there is so much that goes into operating a coal mines, so much I don’t know! Are you sure he wasn’t delusional when he wrote his will? We hadn’t spoken in seven years. None of this makes sense!”

“Carly, you can do this, Daddy always had faith in you. You are the strong Simon, remember that.” Savannah says, rubbing my wrist. I stand to pace the floor. I’m not sure whether I am scared, mad, or both. 

James leans back in his chair, and laces his fingers behind his head, propping his feet up on the table, laughing at my anxiety attack. “Big John had confidence in you. Even when you were knee high to a duck’s tail, he said you were a strong, independent gal. You’ll learn the day to day operations in no time, and you have a good team of miners.”

“I’m not a damn coal miner! I’m just happy living a simple life with my toes in the sand, not covered in coal, busting my ass to keep his damn empire afloat. Those damn miners ain’t gonna be too happy with Big John’s daughter bossin’ ‘em around! Just sell Simon Energy. I’ll split the profit with Savannah, and be on my way back to South Carolina.”

I notice shock in Savannah’s face, but eagerness in Josh’s. Damn asshole.

“Big John wanted you to carry on his legacy at Simon Energy. He wants the company to remain in the family, so it can be passed on through the years. You owe it to him, Carly Jo. Your daddy was a hard ass. His men knew that his orders were to be followed promptly and with perfection. They’ll do just fine with the transition of you preceding Big John.”

“Yeah, Daddy was a hard ass, and most of his miners hated his damn guts. How is being a hard ass gonna   help me in operating five frickin’ coal mines! This is a huge ass empire, not some rinky dink hotel, James!” I sneer at his condescending tone. Sensing my frustration, James takes a deep breath, before startling me with his loud outburst.

“Because you are a SIMON. Coal mining is in your blood, whether you are a woman or not. There is never room for error in the mines, too many lives at stake. That is why you must stay firm, and be the hard ass your Daddy always was.”

Naturally, the thought of that many lives in my hands, causes panic to shred through my chest. I begin to breathe heavily, fear taking over every mixed emotion I’ve been feeling. Savannah approaches me, guiding me back to the chair at the table, while Josh pours me a glass of water. Willing me to drink it, she nods at James to continue.

“Listen, Carly, calm down. You said you operate a hotel, I’m sure you have a Business Degree perhaps. Your job as the CEO will be a lot like managing that hotel, times five. Basically, you will just call all of the shots. You will have to see the day to day operations of all five mines, attend supervisor meetings. Just a lot of command and pencil pushing. The Supervisors were informed of the transition when your Daddy found out he was sick, so everything should go smoothly. You need not to worry.”

“Fine.” I whisper in defeat.

James smiles, and hands me an ink pen, and a slab of documents to sign, making my inheritance final.  I feel like I’m signing my life away. Raising from my chair, I shake James’ hand, and thank him for his time. Savannah and Josh follow suit.  He walks us out of his office, and wishes me good luck as the new CEO of Simon Energy Company. CEO. I walk to my car, and take a second to calm the frozen fear that is lurking in my chest. CEO. What the hell just happened in there?

After I was declared CEO of Simon Energy, I took a few days to tie up the loose ends of my life back in South Carolina. With hesitance, I resigned from my position at the hotel. I may have the power of coal giant CEO scrolled behind my name on a door back in Kentucky, but that’s not what I want. I want my peaceful life here, at the beach.

After boxing up the small remnants of my life in South Carolina, I spent two days, just lounging on the beach. The ocean has always been my personal oasis. When I couldn’t sleep at night, I always found myself jogging the three blocks to the beach.  I would sink my toes down into the cool damp sand, and lay back, gazing up at the black star filled sky. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore, was my lullaby, soothing me from the personal hell I often lived. Leaving all of that behind, I’m forced to find a new comforter for my aching heart.

Today is my first day at the office of Simon Energy. I officially have my Underground and Surface Mining cards for Kentucky and West Virginia. The mandatory three week class, could have been as simple as walking in the training facility and dropping my name, according to James. He said the certification is just a legality in case I need to go underground, but if I’m gonna run the mines the way Daddy intended, I’m gonna do it the right way.

So, for the last two weeks, I have sat in a class full of men learning safety procedures, the different equipment used for Surface and Underground Mining, etc.  God, I hate the thoughts of having to ever go underground. Hell I don’t even want to work at the damn office. The coal dust cakes all over everything, and the disgusting smell of sulfur turns my stomach just to think about it.

I walk into the office and am immediately greeted by Shelly, who is quickly on my heels with a cup of coffee in one hand while balancing a note pad and pen in the other.

“Good Morning, Ms. Simon. Glad to see you in the office bright and early.” Shelly says with her usual chipper tone.

“Good Morning, Shelly, how are you? I must say I am happy to see a familiar face. God, I haven’t been in this office is so many damn years, I’m nervous as hell.”

Shelly laughs. “Oh no worries, Ms. Simon. I’m sure you will run the company as smoothly as your father. He made a wise decision in handing Simon Energy down to you. Now, you do have a meeting this morning with your Foremen and Supervisors. They should all be in by eight o’clock. Day shift just went underground, so once the bosses make their rounds, they’ll be out. Here is the spreadsheets of the employees, listed by the mines they work at.  It may take you a while to learn everyone, but as long as you know your Foremen and Supervisors, they can handle everyone else for you.” Taking the documents from Shelly’s hand, I thank her for her time and walk into Daddy’s office. My office.

Closing the door, I take a deep breath, and look around. The feeling is absolutely sorrowful. I miss Daddy terribly, but I don’t want to be here, in this office, or in Kentucky for that matter. I miss South Carolina. I miss the ocean breeze, I miss the simplicity that my life was before I found out that Daddy was dying.

But all of that is behind me. Now, I’m the powerful CEO of Simon Energy, and although starting my life over isn’t ideal, I’ll make the best of it. One day at a time. Baby steps. It won’t be easy, but I’ve learned over the last seven years, that there isn’t a moment in life that will come easy.

I suck back the anxiety that is rising in my chest, and decide to jump right into work, and prepare for my first meeting. I sit down at my desk, and power on the laptop computer. The tech department already forwarded all of Daddy’s emails over to my new company email, so I decide to start there first.

After an hour of reading through month old emails, I lift my tired eyes from the computer screen to check the time. It is almost eight o’clock. Shit! I completely forgot to go over the employee file Shelly had given me. Guess I am going into this meeting a little blind. Hope I see at least a couple familiar faces.

Standing from my desk, I straighten my suit, and grab my messenger bag, and head out of my office. Shelly directs me to the conference room, as if I’ve never been here before. Around the table sits ten of the finest miners Simon Energy has. I glance quickly from face to face, giving each a friendly smile, when the one I least expect to be here, in this damn room, hell even at this damn mines, sits back in his chair and grins a cocky grin back at me. Colton Weston. What the hell! Hoping nobody notices the anxiety I feel constrict my chest, I sit quickly at the head chair and begin the meeting.

“Good Morning, y’all. I’m sure most of you know me. I’m Big John’s daughter, Carly, the new CEO of Simon Energy. I will run this company just as my Daddy did. You know my expectations, as they are the same as Big John’s. Don’t disappoint me, don’t lie to me, don’t piss me off, and we’ll be peachy keen. Got it? Now let’s get started.”

The Supervisors each give me the report for their mines. Two hours of productivity, safety, and breakdown reports, is more than any woman can handle. Damn, this shit is boring!

As I sit and listen intently, I can feel his eyes piercing me throughout the meeting. I try to ignore his glare, but the tension between Colton and me is fierce. Finally, our eyes lock. Looking deep into his dark brown eyes, I can see the raw pain and desire. Quickly, I look away, trying to ignore his seductive eyes.

As the meeting comes to a close, the men all file out of the room. Gathering all of my paperwork, I stuff it in my bag, and stand to leave. Colton steps in front of me, stopping me from my escape.

“Carly Jo, I see you’ll be in town a little longer than expected, huh?” He teases.

“Hey, Colton, busy day.” I say quickly, trying to step around him.

“Listen, we have to work together, so we might as well get along. We have a lot to talk about. I don’t want us workin’ together with all of this shit flyin’ in the air. Let’s have dinner, tonight maybe? We can clear the air.”

Rolling my eyes, I take a deep breath, and try to think of the nicest, most professional way to approach the one man I ever loved, without being too big of a bitch. Yeah, impossible. “Colton, listen, I don’t have a damn clue what it is that you think we need to discuss. I’m your boss, you’re my employee. We will carry on that same relationship until I fire your ass, or you fall off the face of the damn earth. Whichever one comes first, I’ll be grateful for. Until then, just do your friggin’ job and stay the hell out of my way.” Stepping around Colton, he chuckles. Son of bitch will think it’s real damn funny when his ass is standing in the unemployment line.

I walk back to my office feeling so much better than when I first laid eyes on him earlier today. The rest of the day is all smooth sailing. I work diligently, catching up on all of the untouched paperwork. Around five-thirty, my eyes have blurred from looking at the computer for so long, so I call it a day.