by A. J. Wells
“Don’t you girls dare run out on me. They might be pleasant if there’s company present. Cousin Horace tries to take advantage of my money and his wife, Ester, keeps talking about my “expensive” clothes. That’s why I make sure to wear faded jeans around them.”
“Yeah, and they’re stuff shirts, too. Matilda,” Mandy says in a sarcastically sweet voice,” and Teddy,” she says in a snide way, “act like they’re royalty. The closest they come to royalty is Matilda being named after one of Scotland’s clans second or third or fourth cousins. Of course her mother didn’t know anything about it. Matilda had to look it up herself. And Teddy’s named after Teddy Roosevelt. Yeah, him and several hundred thousand others.” Nobody’s really looking forward to dinner tonight. “Thank goodness, we only have to suffer through this once a year.”
“Sounds like fun. What’s expected of us?” Maria thinks she needs some instructions.
“Just be yourselves, but not too sweet. We don’t want to encourage them to stay. Don’t mention Bob or your engagement. They’ll take off for the moon with their tempers.” Miss Lili is warning us.
Mandy and Al, as if given the okay, come over to congratulate Maria and hug her. They look at the ring and Mandy recognizes it. Mandy is Bob’s mother’s best friend from high school. Maria offers to take the ring off for the evening. “Don’t you dare, Bob’ll have my ears if I ever suggested such a thing. Besides, they won’t recognize it and they won’t know ya even know Bob. Don’t tell them about our partnership, either. They don’t need to know our business.” Miss Lili’s dreading and gearing up for tonight. “I’ll explain you girls presence when I introduce ya and that’s the way I want it to be with them.” Maria and I nod and continue to help with dinner.
Chapter 12
We hear a boat at the dock and Al and Miss Lili go down to the dock in carts. I wonder just how old these people are. I soon find they’re younger than Miss Lili, but their life styles have them unable to walk up from the dock. They’re doddering old people. They have to be helped up the stairs.
Mandy has us set the table in the dining room. “Shouldn’t barbecues be served outside?” I ask.
“Not with these people and they don’t like barbecue, either.” Mandy smiles and Maria and I snicker. “I have Coconut Cream pie for dessert, the coconut gets caught in their dentures.” Mandy’s having fun with dinner tonight. Maybe too much fun.
They come in the veranda doors that are open to the air. Miss Lili calls us over and introduces us as the town vet and assistant vet. There’s a young girl with them who Matilda introduces as her granddaughter, Bridget, after Bridget Bardot, the movie star. “Where’s Steve I want to introduce them. They’re perfect for each other. Bridget is fresh outta Miss Grandville’s Finishing School in Connecticut. They’ll make a perfect match.” Matilda’s a stuff shirt, looking down her nose at me and Maria.
I take a good look at Bridget and figure she’s a gold digger. She’s about as big around as my little finger, a bleached blonde with about two inches of make-up on. The women are in cocktail dresses and the men are in dark suits, way over dressed for a barbecue. They don’t seem to be uncomfortable about it tho’.
“Matilda, Steve and Bob didn’t come with me this time. They couldn’t get away from the fire station.” You can see Matilda’s face drop further down than it already is and Bridget’s smile disappears.
“Grandmother, what am I supposed to do now?” I half expected her to stamp her foot with her pout. She, obviously, has no idea how to act if men aren’t around.
I excuse Maria and me and we go into the kitchen to bring out glasses of iced tea. While we’re there we make faces at each other and twitch our hips and pout. We weren’t being very nice when Miss Lili and Mandy come in. They start chuckling and we apologize for our cattiness, all barely above a whisper. They wave our apology away and take the tray of tea from us and give us a tray to go out to the grill to get the appetizers off the grill.
The relatives turn their noses up at grilled shrimp on a skewer, but the rest of us like them and make a big fuss about how good they are. Al asks for some help to bring in supper, he called it. Maria, Mandy and I go out to bring in the vegetables and Al brought in the steak. We set it on the table and we all sat down to eat. The bowls are passed around like a family supper. The “relatives” don’t seem to know what to do with the bowls when they’re passed to them. Where and how do these people live? There’s a little “chit chat” at the table, but the “relatives” don’t join in much. I notice there’s nothing mentioned about Granite Bluff. When dinner’s over the “relatives” adjourn to the living room while the rest of us clear the table and clean the kitchen.
Bridget peeks into the kitchen to ask if there’s any wine. “Grandmother and Grandfather would like a glass.” Miss Lili informs her alcohol isn’t kept on the premises, it’s only ordered special. When Bridget says her grandparents always have a glass or two after dinner, Miss Lili says they should have brought some with them. They know wine isn’t kept on the premises ‘cause they’ve asked for ten years and got the same answer every time. Bridget goes back in the living room.
“The last time we kept wine here was when my husband was alive. And that was the last time we served wine to those four. A glass or two, ha, they drank a bottle each and were so drunk they had to stay the night. That was the last time they stayed, or ever will again. They wanted to special order breakfast…in bed. I swore never again.”
“We’d better hurry, we only have about an hour before the sun goes down and the boat won’t take them back across the lagoon.” Mandy cuts the pie and puts it on saucers and makes coffee and hot tea. We take it in and sit down to have dessert with them.
“Lili, have you given any thought to the proposal I sent you last week?” Teddy wants to get something outta Miss Lili.
“I’m sorry Teddy, but those funds are managed by my accountant and lawyer. I spoke to them yesterday and they feel the investment ya proposed isn’t in the town’s best interest. They reminded me that the funds are to be spent on the town, not buying real estate in another town. They suggested ya sell your house if ya want to buy a townhouse.” I notice Miss Lili’s southern accent is thicker when she talks to her relatives.
Matilda is livid, the purple color to her face gives it away. “We can’t sell our house, where would we live the rest of the year? You know the townhouse in Florida is a vacation home, like this one is for you.”
“Matilda, this was a gift from Buckley. I cain’t sell it and Al and Mandy live here, so it’s not just a vacation home. But ya know all’a this so I won’t bore ya with the details.” I’m shocked. I’ve never heard Miss Lili use the word “cain’t” before. I want to snicker, but contain myself ‘til I can leave the room. But I don’t want to get out of listening distance.
“But this could be a ‘family’ vacation home. You and Steve can use it when nobody else is there.” Matilda wants the townhouse and has badgered Teddy into asking for the money to buy it. “Can’t you come up with the money from somewhere? It’s only four hundred thousand dollars. And that’s cheap for Miami.”
“Matilda, we’ve been through this before. I get Buckley’s Social Security and a small allot-mint from Buck’s estate ever’ month. Where do ya think I’d get that kinda money? I cain’t break Buckley’s will, or even try, or I’ll lose it awl. Now, I’m sorry, but it’s time to take y’all back to the boat so y’all’ll be on shore ‘fore dark.” Maria looks at me and I “cain’t hardly” contain my laughter.
We say our goodbyes and tell them how nice it was to meet them and Mandy and Al take them to the boat. Miss Lili flops down in an arm chair as soon as they leave and lets out a big sigh. Maria and I burst out in laughter. “Do you always put on the hick act for them?” Miss Lili nods. When we finish laughing, Maria asks “Do they hit you up for money very often?”
“Only once a month, by phone, or letter, or both. They act like what they ‘think’ high society acts like, but they don’t have
anything but Social Security. If I hadn’t finished paying off their house they would be high society in a trailer court. I’ve often thought I’d like to be a fly on their wall just to see if they really live the way they act here.”
“Miss Lili, is what you said true, about Social Security and a monthly allotment from Buckley’s will?” I’m curious because of the partnership, the construction and the clothes.
“Yes, Sher, it is. I just didn’t tell them how much the allotment was or the Social Security. It’s a lot more than I let on. But the will also maintains this house and the living expenses at home, with occasional benefits for a new car if I want one.”
Mandy comes in and does just like Miss Lili did. Al comes in and sits down and sticks his legs out in front of him and leans back in the chair. “You should’a heard the conversation on the way to the boat. Bridget’s pissed because Steve wasn’t here so she could charm him into love at first sight. Matilda was just as mad about it and the house in Florida. They thought Steve would fall for that poor excuse for a woman.” Mandy’s tickled at the thought. They all laugh.
“Those people never learn. They keep asking for hand outs and keep getting turned down. I can’t believe they offered to share the Florida house, when it wasn’t in use, of course. Then they sit around like they’re above the rest of us. I’ve never seen people with as much nerve as they have.” Al’s just as ticked.
“Why didn’t they mention Bob?” Maria doesn’t understanding the omission.
“Bob isn’t considered part of ‘their’ family because he has mixed blood and they don’t associate with family that’s mixed. He is from the Williams side of the family, tho’. That and they’re snobs. One of these times you’ll have to be around when Bob’s here for these dinners. It’s a hoot. Bob rubs their noses in the family tree. There’s a photo album around here somewhere that Bob brings out and goes through. Matilda’s great grandfather was Mexican. Boy it pisses her off to see those pictures, especially the one with him in his peon work clothes.” Al laughs first and the rest of them join him. Maria looks at me and I start to snicker and so does she.
Miss Lili gets up, “Well, family, how about a swim?” When Maria and I look at her, she adds, “that means you two, too.” She walks to the stairs and gets half way up then shouts, “Last one in the pool has to set up the baskets and get the balls out.” And she vaults up the rest of the stairs with the rest of us on her heels. I didn’t realize ‘til then that Mandy and Al have a wing to themselves off the top of the stairs to the left.
Ten minutes later we’re all running for the stairs and down them. Al and Mandy’s doing a little pushing and shoving to get to the bottom before the other. Before we get to the bottom, Al’s at the back of the pack like a true gentleman. We trot through the living room and Miss Lili and Mandy cannonball into the pool, just ahead of us. Al comes around the corner with the hoops and the balls for some water basketball. We play for about an hour then we get out for a piece of Lemon Meringue pie and some hot tea. A cool wind has picked up in the last few minutes.
Miss Lili won the game. She’s small and sneaky, and a very good swimmer. She was everywhere at once. The ball would be coming right at you and before it got to you she’d be grabbing the ball right out from under your nose. We go upstairs still talking about the game and swearing next time we won’t be so easy on the senior lady of the group and laughing.
At our bedroom doors Miss Lili hugs us and thanks us for coming. She’s enjoyed the evening, after the stuff shirts left, she adds. We tell her we did, too, and we went into our rooms laughing. She reminds us to dress from our second garment bag tomorrow.
Maria takes her shower first and then I get mine. After the showers we meet back in the bathroom and talk about the evening, leaving out the relatives, except for Bridget. They’re all pieces of work, we decide, that’s if they know what work is. Miss Lili has a different surprise for us every day, letting us get to know her and getting to know us better. We like her more and more. Mandy and Al are relaxing around us and we find we like them, too.
We hear a knock on my door and Miss Lili peeks in, “Can I join the girl talk?” We invite her in and she sits on the side of the tub. “I thought I’d ask how ya vacation’s going?” We tell her fine, but it’s not much of a vacation for her. “Actually, I do less here than I do at home. I have someone come in to clean and do laundry once a week, but I do the rest of the work and take care of everything between cleanin’s, and cook. But I’m usually busy trying to find out how I can help the town. Before I come to the clinic I’ve visited most of the shops in town. I have spies that tell me if someone’s having problems and I see what I can do to help them.”
I’m not surprised, but, “I don’t understand how ya can do that without offering charity.”
“I find some way to put them to work to earn what they need. Clearing some brush, spraying for mosquitoes and bugs in the park and around the town, power washing and painting my buildings, there’s a lot to be done. Sometimes I have them do some handy work, replacing windows, doors, painting, rebuilding steps and other things for the elderly. They don’t mind help as much as the younger ones so I put the younger ones to work helping the elderly. Everybody wins and the town looks good and prospers. You see?”
Maria and I nod. “Bet ya didn’t know Bob and Steve do the same thing. Bet ya didn’t know your newsletter and posters do it, too. The town’s people are doing things together, learning new skills, and having more fun.” She yawns and says it’s past her bedtime, goodnight and leaves. Maria and I sit there for a minute then say goodnight.
Miss Lili knocks on our doors to invite us to a morning swim with her. We join her with a cup of coffee and a warm muffin. Mandy’s a great cook. We finish our coffee and join Miss Lili in the pool. We swim around some but mostly tread water and talk with Miss Lili, or she talks to us, is more correct. She fills us in on whose going to be at lunch and the conversation she’s expecting. Today’s meeting is with the attorney that drew up the partnership papers and he’ll be talking to us about them in more detail. Maria and I nod as Mandy comes out to say the helicopter is waiting for Mr. Marshall’s arrival and they’ll be on their way.
We get outta the pool, to take showers, dress and do our hair and make-up. We finish at the same time and meet in the hall as we hear the helicopter over head. Miss Lili says we have about fifteen minutes. We go down the stairs to the kitchen to see if Mandy needs any help. She has everything timed for the luncheon and refreshments ready to be served ten minutes after Marsh’s arrival. Miss Lili says he’ll have to freshen up when he arrives so we’ll stay in the kitchen ‘til Al comes for us. Discretion, Miss Lili calls it.
Al summons us and we meet a handsome, middle aged man. He asks us to call him Marsh and we settle down to iced tea and let Miss Lili and Marsh catch up on the families and each other’s activities. It sounds like they’ve been friends for a long time.
Over lunch we talk about ourselves and how things are going at home and in town. After lunch we sit in the sun room to talk business. Miss Lili catches up on more proposed oil legislation and what’s left to do at home to get more of the state’s services. Maria and I didn’t realize Miss Lili had an agenda, a written plan, to bring the town to a place where those services are a sure thing. Then Marsh turns to us to talk about the finer things concerning the partnership.
After we talk for about an hour, Marsh concludes with, “Ladies, Miss Lili is gonna out live us all, but should that not happen, I’ll be your attorney concerning the inheritance of the partnership. There’ll be other attorneys representing her other interests and I’m sure, as is Miss Lili, there’ll be certain family members trying to get their fingers into any pot of money they can. I’ll, also, be representing you in that, should it happen. I wrote the partnership as bullet proof as legally possible, so I don’t believe there’ll be anything but legal representation necessary. Ya must understand, when I advise ya to do something, I expect ya to do it right away. Any time lapses may
cost ya more than ya know. I’ll explain why it needs to be done when I ‘advise’ ya to do it. Now, ya understand Miss Lili’s in control of a great deal of wealth so there’ll be things that don’t concern the actual partnership, but will have an adverse effect on it without some action on y’all’s part. I can’t be specific because the actions haven’t taken place yet, but I’m charged by Miss Lili to protect you ladies in the partnership. Do ya understand?” We say “Yes.” “Good, now ladies, it’s been a pleasure meetin’ ya and it’s always great to see you Lili, but I have to go. My daughter, Bernice, is expected to have her baby anytime and I don’t want to miss it.” He gathers his things and goes out to find Al and leaves.
Maria and I express our impression of the meeting with “Wow.” Miss Lili laughs.
“That’s Marsh for ya. Did ya understand much of what he said?” Miss Lili is snickering.
“I understood there are family members that will be trying to get their hands on some of your money. I suspect he was hinting at the group that was here last night. Our partnership could be affected by any suits or claims they make on the money. They won’t be able to touch the town funds from your father, and probably not the the money from your husband, but any businesses or partnerships, they might go after, even if the partnership is foolproof, he expects some fool to try something.” Maria’s understanding is, pretty much, on the dot.
“Miss Lili, if they decide to go after the town’s funds, because the land the pet resort is on is your property and shares the lot with the animal shelter, which is dedicated to the town, it could have some fall out on the resort. I know you’ve sub-divided the lot so the resort is on partnership property, but it could get sticky, since the resort is the only partnership property. The rest is mine or the towns. That could land lock the resort if the suit is lost and I or the town might have to allow an easement to the partnership property, costing us some property. So I’ll be ready to do whatever Marsh advises.” My business management classes are paying off.