Carolyn remembered the quote quite clearly. “I believe the quote is: ‘Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear.’ Edgar Allen Poe, maybe? Or was it Ben Franklin? My memory isn’t what it once was.”
Anna was tapping buttons on her phone. “Says here it was Dinah Mulock Craik.”
Carolyn was animated. “That’s the other problem I have — well, actually one of the many problems I have. When I look something up on the Internet, I get a bunch of different answers. Used to be you walked over to your family copy of the encyclopedia, and there was your answer.”
Anna smiled at the memory. “We had a lovely blue set. Blue leather with embossed gold lettering. We didn’t have a lot, but my parents made sure that when it came to education, we had the best. I loved my books. That hasn’t changed.”
The girls were quiet for a few minutes, each lost in memories of childhood or child raising.
Anna brought the girls back to the topic she was determined to deal with. “That brings us back to your family issues, Adeline.”
“How so?”
“How much of what has happened over the years is fact, and how much of it is either misunderstanding or rumor or misrepresentation? Maybe there were things going on that you were unaware of. Maybe someone misinterpreted what they saw, acted on their understanding, and that’s when things went downhill.”
“I appreciate your trying to soften the reality, Anna, but I don’t think that is the case for me and mine. My children are an almost classic case of having too much and the expectations for their lives being far too frivolous.”
Carolyn nodded. “Since we seem to be doing quotes, one of my favorites is: ‘Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.’”
“Who said that?”
“Socrates.”
The girls laughed. Adeline took a deep breath. “I suppose it’s true. The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
Anna poured the cinnamon-and-sugar mixture out onto her dough, making sure that the coating was even and extended all the way to the edges on all sides. “I think that parents have always been challenged. When I look at the younger ones these days, I worry for their future. Little children being sexualized. When did that happen? I was in the store the other day and saw they have padded bikini tops for seven-year-olds. And thongs too. What the hell is wrong with parents these days?”
“I’m sure our parents wondered the same thing.”
“I’m not so sure. I was in the dressing room, and I heard a little girl, couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen, asking her girlfriends if she looked sexy. First off, my momma would never have allowed me to go shopping with my girlfriends. Shopping was a special treat, and it was a time to learn about how to dress yourself properly and make good buying decisions. Learning about quality and what best suited you and what was most flattering. If I had asked my momma if I looked sexy, she would have washed my mouth out with soap and then dressed me in a burlap sack to teach me a lesson or two. Now, you actually hear mothers asking people, ‘Doesn’t she look sexy?’ A woman actually asked me that one day. It still rattles my bones.”
Adeline smiled. “I seem not to be the only one confounded by the concept.”
“I’m glad I don’t have any little ones now. I worry for my Suze. What will it be like by the time Evelyn is old enough to do this type of thing?”
“Suzi is a wonderful mother, and I’m sure it will all work out.”
“That is what my mother said about me, and look at the problems my raising of my children has caused their children.”
Anna shook her head. “Listen to us. Taking on the weight of the world. We did what we knew how to do, and we did it to the best of our ability. I’m sure we made mistakes. That’s just part of it. If you do anything in life, you are bound to misstep now and again. I propose that we make a little pact and hold each other to it.”
Carolyn asked, “And what would that be?”
“I propose that we promise not to do this. Not to beat ourselves up for things over which we have or had no control and furthermore that we take every opportunity to recognize what we did right in the past. That we focus on growing the good things. Whatever we did back then, let it die. What we choose to do now and in the future is much more important.”
Adeline smiled. “I agree.”
Carolyn agreed too. “Anna, I hope that you will hold me to it. You are much better at monitoring such things than I am. I hope you will feel free to bop me on the head — metaphorically of course — any time you catch me in a misguided confession of my flaws.”
“Metaphorically? What fun is that?”
The baking was coming along nicely. One set of cookies in the oven. Several kinds of bread dough set aside to rise. Cinnamon rolls were doing the same.
Adeline washed her hands. “I want to thank you girls for doing all this baking. If I had been left on my own, to be truthful, I would have called in my chef to do it. This is so much better. Not only for me, but for my little dancers. I can bring them their treat and say that the two of you helped me create it.”
Anna smiled. “I’d be happy to go along for the ride, help you carry this in.”
“Me too,” added Carolyn.
“That would be perfect. I would love for you girls to meet my little dancers. They are such a spunky little group.” The affection Adeline had for the girls was visible on her face.
Anna decided that while Adeline was in a good mood, she would broach the topic of their next project one more time. “We have been doing a pretty good job of avoiding what it is we are going to do about your family, Adeline. Have you changed your mind? Would you prefer that we just stop harassing you about it, or do you need a nudge now and then to move you down a path you choose to pursue?”
“Actually, I think I have made some progress. I sat down and wrote everything out as you suggested, Anna. I was as frank as I could possibly be and as objective and honest as I was able. For the first few pages, it was quite difficult. I have been quite successful at every business endeavor I have ever undertaken, but when it comes to my older children, I feel like an utter failure. I believe that is why I have avoided looking at all of it. But to my amazement, when it is all written down and I can go back and almost do an archeological dig of my life, I find that I did quite well, under the circumstances. When I strip it back layer by layer, yes, there were some things that I could have done differently, certainly some I should have done differently, but my children were well cared for. I did what I thought was best for the majority of it. I was swayed by their father, their nannies, and of course the professionals that we brought in once they were having real difficulties, but my Genevieve was raised in the same household with the same rules and the same input from all of the aforementioned, and she turned out to be a strong, capable, and generous woman. So while I am willing to take responsibility for my part in all of this, I will not take full responsibility. I believe that I am ready to meet with my children, to be honest with them about my feelings, and to let the chips, stock options, various commercial concerns, real estate, and other details fall where they may.” Adeline was actually smiling at the end of her little speech.
Anna looked at Carolyn. Didn’t get any inspiration. Wasn’t sure what to say.
Carolyn looked completely lost.
She could almost read Anna’s mind. Where was all of this headed? Were they looking for a dastardly event that caused the children to fall from the path of the good? Were they building a bridge between Adeline and her children and working toward a better relationship? Were they looking for crimes against Adeline and maybe many others?
Anna and Carolyn had decided at first mention of Adeline’s children and the problems they caused that no matter where the adventure brought them, they would simply go with the flow and pray for the best.
Seemed like that approach would be the only one that would work.
Adeline let out a mu
sical laugh that took them both by surprise. Again.
Anna found her voice first. “I’m not sure what all of that meant.”
Carolyn nodded. “Me either. It sounded pretty straight forward, but there was something in there that rang… I don’t know, it’s not that it didn’t ring true. It rang an alarm bell somewhere in my head. I’m just not sure what or why or what to do about it.”
Anna had gathered her thoughts while Carolyn spoke. It was her turn now. “Adeline, you have explained to us that there is a bunch of stuff in the corporate world that will fall apart if this isn’t handled correctly. I’d hate to see a bunch of people lose their jobs because I’m not sophisticated enough to understand the ramifications of the little seeds I try to plant everywhere. I know I said that you should write everything down and then maybe talk to your family, but I’m not sure that is the best approach. It is just the way I would do it. You have to consider that the way I might choose to do something might not work. I’ve never even visited the world that your children live in.”
“If you choose to, you will soon.”
“Does that mean that you — I mean, we — are going up north?”
“I am. I would like the two of you girls to come with me. I know it is a huge imposition. I insist that if you choose to come, I cover all expenses.”
“We’ve talked about this in the past.”
“Yes, however, I can write off all the expenses, and you cannot. It will cost me, as an individual, nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Quite.”
“When are we leaving?”
“As soon as the three of us are available.”
“All I need to do is pack a bag and go kiss my great-granddaughter good-bye.” Carolyn was grinning from ear to ear. She was ready for an adventure.
Anna smiled. “I need an hour to clean up this kitchen once we are done and to pack a bag, and I’m ready.”
Adeline laughed. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you girls. Roland’s people will be making all of our travel arrangements. I suspect that we will be leaving the day after tomorrow, if that is acceptable.”
“Perfect for me.”
“Works for me too. What shall we pack?”
“I am not certain what to expect. I am ashamed to say it, but I am not confident that my children will agree to a meeting with me. We shall see. If we move forward, I think that a week will be long enough. If we stay longer than a week, be assured New York has some of the finest shopping in the world.”
Anna tried to be supportive. “Adeline, if your children decide not to meet with you, take it as a good sign. The last they saw of you, you looked quite ill. If what we think — that they are wishing you harm — is true.”
“You are right, of course. They will jump at the chance to see me in person to either confirm or rebuke their beliefs regarding my health and mental acuity. I am not at all sure that is something to look forward to.”
Carolyn smiled. “But we can look forward to the shopping part.”
“We might want to take an afternoon to do just that.” Adeline sounded better. “There is nothing quite like shopping in New York. Theater in New York. The dining in New York is beyond compare.”
“Let’s not get overboard here.” Anna chuckled.
Carolyn chimed in. “Anna is on a mission. We can’t let things like the theater and dining get in the way of her research.”
“That’s exactly my point.” Anna chuckled.
The girls went about the rest of their baking chores, chatting about Adeline’s little dancers and the treats they were making them.
Adeline mentioned that she had installed a fully functional kitchen in the space next to the dance studio. The original intent of the kitchen was to have healthy food available for the girls who were hungry and stayed until late in the day when a parent could pick her up safely, but they were finding that the girls gravitated to the space just as they would in their homes.
Anna outlined an idea for having a regular baking extravaganza at the dance studio. They would be able to entertain the girls, perhaps give them some skill at baking, and continue to build the community. If they were successful, the little dancers could then use their baking skills as a fundraiser, not only helping to fund their adventures, but also teaching them about entrepreneurship and all that it entails.
Once the baking and clean up were done, the girls went out for a meal while everything cooled and then over to the dance studio to deliver the goodies.
Carolyn and Anna were happy to see all the little dancers flock to see Miss Adeline. They seemed to genuinely care for their patron. Adeline asked personal questions, knowing their names and the names of some of their siblings and parents.
When Adeline first mentioned the project, Carolyn and Anna thought that Adeline’s full involvement would be authorizing funds. Obviously they couldn’t have been more wrong. Adeline had a personal relationship with the girls, and she beamed as each girl told her some little piece of good news or showed her a new dance step. Carolyn and Anna had no idea where Adeline had gotten the time to get to know so much and become so involved, but they were grateful to Adeline for helping the girls and grateful to the girls for helping Adeline.
The three spent more than an hour and a half at the studio, penned their baking extravaganza onto the schedule — a big whiteboard calendar kept right inside the studio where the girls dropped their schoolbooks and other belongings when coming in for the afternoon.
Carolyn noticed on the top of the whiteboard was a note. GRADE AVERAGE — UP 2.5%. She made a mental note to ask Adeline, or maybe the director of the studio, if they needed a volunteer to help with studies. Most of the retired teachers she knew gave back to the community in some way; she had done so herself before she had lost her husband. Moments like this, when she was caught off guard and had to be honest with herself, she realized that she wasn’t quite back to her former self, but with the help of the girls, she was getting there.
THREE
THE LIMOUSINE ARRIVED right on time. Anna hadn’t been comfortable with a limousine arriving at her house just before she would leave it empty for a week or more, so she made arrangements with Carolyn to leave her car at the condo and be picked up there.
The same young man who had picked them up before placed their luggage in the trunk.
He helped each of them into the car, more a gesture of good manners than a need. The girls were grateful for that. Some women their age would have difficulty getting around. Every time that thought went through her head, Anna pushed her shoulders back and thought about her posture. Her grandmother had been so stooped by the time she passed that a young Anna was horrified. She would not allow that to happen to her.
Carolyn stared out the window as the limousine pulled from the curb.
Anna was concerned. “Is everything alright?”
Carolyn shook her head. “I’m sorry. Just thinking about my neighbors. There was another screaming match last night. I’m not sure which of the neighbors did it, but someone called the police. They came. I couldn’t help but hear the conversation.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to help it either, ’cause my ear would have been pressed up against the door.”
Carolyn smiled. “When the police arrived and said there was a noise complaint, the granddaughter said that there was obviously a misunderstanding, that it is true she is quite loud with her grandparents, but it is because she is their caregiver and they are hard of hearing, so she has to yell to be heard.”
“Do you think they fell for it?”
“The police officer was a young woman. She listened to each story separately, out in the hallway, which is why I could hear so well, and then she brought the girl back out in the hall. She told her that she wasn’t fooling anybody. The officer told the girl that her grandparents had backed her story perfectly, but that they weren’t fooling anyone either. The officer said that when she spoke to the girl’s grandparents they heard her just fine. She
also said that she had lost her grandparents about a year ago and that she would be keeping a very close eye on the address and would be watching for complaints. That she would be dropping by from time to time to check on how things were going.”
“That’s awfully nice of her. That should make you feel better.”
“Oh, it did, for about twenty-five minutes. Then the yelling was back, and the cop didn’t show, so now the girl knows it was all a bluff.”
“I had a look around on the Internet to see if I could find some kind of program that might help. I wrote down several things you might want to think about.”
“Good, I’ll take a look at all of it as soon as we get home. Thank you, Anna.”
“I brought it with me; you can take a look on the airplane or whenever you want.”
“Speaking of that, I’ll be happy to take the middle seat.”
“Something tells me that there won’t be one. Adeline made all the arrangements, and I think maybe you and I are going to be experiencing first class on this flight.”
“Oh, I hope not. That is so expensive. The flight can’t be more than, what, two, two and a half hours. There is no need to go first class, although I will admit, if I were flying to Australia, business class would be good. A friend of mine flew a roundabout tangle of flights knitted together trying to get her home as soon as possible, and it still took forever. She ended up taking any available flight and hopscotched all over the place. But two and a half hours, that’s nothing.”
“I must admit, I’m a little nervous about all of this. Adeline’s family is very intimidating to me. The way she speaks about them. As if they have the power to ruin lives with the swipe of a pen.”
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