Reminisce by the Roses

Zora nodded along as he spoke. Frederick obviously understood and could easily envision what she had been suggesting. Something which she had to admit was nice. She liked people with vision, and who could see the different possibilities in situations.

"I honestly don't know. But I can ask if you'd like?" she offered. "I don't use consultants too often simply because I have an in-house team, but I do know DB Holdings often hires them. Especially when a company is being restructured, and I know my grandfather always has his ear to the ground, so he'd probably know better than me who's looking and who's not," she confessed. Not adding that since Broen had died that she had not really been involved in things as she usually was.

"It's a good quality to have," Zoraida agreed, "Especially if you are a public figure. In my mind, you can just relate better to people, or at least understand them and their position on things," she said, at the same time noticing once again, just how different Broen and his father were.

Sadness suddenly filled her eyes as she listened to Frederick talk, Zora knew exactly what he meant. Sometimes her schedule was often just socializing with people, heads of companies, PR firms, bankers, etc. It all came with the territory and she could see how one might enjoy it. She was good at socializing, and generally like it, even throwing a few events herself or helping people set them up.

But lately, social events reminded her of Broen oddly enough. It was funny how things like that happened. How certain apparently unrelated things triggered her grief. And she could only think it was because he used to accompany her everywhere at one time, and she missed that. Missed being able to turn around during a function, and know he was somewhere nearby if she needed him. And now, he was gone, and would never again be there for her and so, she found herself politely declining invitations. Not quite being able to reconcile that fact yet, that stark reminder of him being gone.

"I am not sure those type of groups really exist here on MCI," Zora admitted quietly. "If they do, then they are quite hush, hush."

Without thinking, Zora squeezed Frederick's hand back and met his compassionate gaze as she blinked back tears. Grateful for the comforting gesture. It had been so hard lately. So many things, even the tiniest and most unexpected of things reminded her of Broen. It was amazing in a way, just how many. She had never considered how much he had been part of her life until she had lost him.

"Thank you," she said, "I do know it's okay to be upset, but .." here she let out a tiny sigh. "It's frustrating. I think I'm fine, or better, and suddenly something small like a song, the way somebody laughs or even just a smell sets me off again, and I just, feel stupid," she confessed as she wiped away a tear that threatened to fall with her free hand.

As she listened, Zora's mind wandered for a brief moment. She had a hard time seeing this situation getting any better, even though all the doctors she had talked to, had all told her more or less the same thing as Broen's father. In time, you learn to accept the death of the loved one, and eventually, you start to move forward.

"I hope you are right," Zora said, "I just miss him so much that it physically hurts at times. I never thought it'd be this bad. When it happened, I remember I was in shock, frantic too, I think my mind had trouble even accepting what had happened. And when I lost my mother, I remember it being a terrible time too, but somehow, it was nowhere near this..." she confessed quietly, letting her mind wander in thought.

"Or maybe it was and I just can't remember it now," she admitted to him sadly. Feeling somewhat less agitated now as she talked.

"I don't feel strong, just the opposite actually," Zora said with a sad frown as she tried to think back to when her mother died, and she remembered locking herself in her room, the anger at being left alone, and realised that Frederick was perhaps right. It was just that time had made the loss less and less over the years.

"That was also such a big tragedy. It was fortunate that so many where able to escape. It must have been a terrible thing to know your world is ending and not be able to stop it." she remarked sadly as she tried to imagine how those fleeing such a horrible event must have felt, and found herself having to put a barrier between herself and that. The idea of loss on such a level was simply bewildering, and it somehow made her feel worse if she thought about it for too long.

"I can imagine how the ones who had to leave others, loved ones, behind must have felt," Zora said as she glanced at Frederick with compassion. "I am sorry that happened. It seems to have been a tough year all around - for everyone," she murmured.