Spoiled Fruit

by Sheila Horgan

  “I keep trying to tell my nephew that. He insists that we raise the minimum wage, and I tell him that it won’t make a bit of difference. If the minimum wage goes up, lots of people lose their jobs, and then the price of everything goes up, so the people that still have a job are not better off. We’ve had this discussion. I don’t know why I keep coming back to it.”

  “Are you worried about your nephew?”

  “Yes. Not about the economy but other things. He just doesn’t look good to me. Something isn’t right.”

  “What does he say?”

  “He loves his new job. He’s working lots of hours.”

  “Maybe it’s stress.”

  “He said he’s never felt less stress. The boss loves him. He keeps it up, and his student loans are paid off. He is in a nice apartment. He’s almost caught up. He swears he’s good.”

  “Perhaps you should take him at his word.”

  “Oh, I believe he is telling me the truth — as he sees it; the boy has never been a liar. I’m just afraid that there is something going on that he doesn’t recognize.”

  “Have you suggested he go to the doctor?”

  “He is male.”

  “Enough said. Getting a male over the age of sixteen to go to the doctor is like trying to herd butterflies on a rainy day.”

  The girls laughed.

  “I’ve never heard that one before.”

  “Nor I. I think it is profoundly appropriate.”

  Anna took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. We are way off the path here. It’s my fault as much as anyone’s. Adeline, you were telling us about your family. That’s why we’re here. We should try to stay as focused on it as we can. We can deal with my nephew and all the rest of it when we get home. Please, continue.”

  Adeline seemed to be able to get right back to the point she was making when they’d gone off on a tangent. Dealing with Cara on a regular basis had honed that skill. Cara was always saying that she jumped the track only to find her way again.

  “My children have gone from victim to perpetrator, it would seem.”

  “Based on all that we have said, or not said, I’m guessing that they have started a Ponzi scheme?”

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “No, it is not. What makes it worse is that the majority of their contacts and the investments of those contacts are under the auspice of charity work. Not only are my children taking from the rich — people who can well afford the loss even if it is immoral — but they are also taking from the less fortunate, people who cannot possibly afford the loss.”

  Anna shook her head. “You get between poor people and their money, and when they find out about it, your butt is gonna be in a world of hurt. Poor people don’t take kindly to rich people taking advantage of them.”

  “While we could discuss that at some length — for example, the way the government takes advantage of the middle class and the less fortunate — I don’t think now is the time or place. Suffice it to say that what my children are doing is wrong on every level, and I intend to put a stop to it. Privately if I can manage it, publicly if there is no other option.”

  “I can see how you wouldn’t want your name dragged through the mud.”

  “It has nothing to do with my embarrassment at having raised such mercenary offspring. The most injurious thing my children have done is put into play a series of events that could be detrimental to the people who work for the interests we hold.”

  “You mean that if your kids are found to be a problem, then the companies they own are going to suffer, and in turn, the employees are going to suffer too.”

  “Exactly. That is what makes me furious. I may have been a terrible mother l — strike that — I may not have been the most effective mother, but I am quite certain that I did everything in my power to counsel my children on the importance of their station. That the livelihood of others — in truth, the lives of others — is in our hands and that our privilege is not to be taken for granted. The responsibility we have for the people we employ is the direct result of the trust and good fortune that we enjoy. That lesson, along with many others, seems to be lost on them.”

  Carolyn was firm. “I’m sorry, Adeline. I’ve known you for only a short time, and I know very little about your business life, but I am sure that you did just that. You are such a generous person. Heavens, each and every one of your employees has spoken so highly of you. I can’t begin to tell you how impressed I am by the way you treat them. Not just your generosity in a monetary way — if you have more money than most small countries, that is nothing to be impressed with because it is easy. The fact that they all consider themselves to be like a big family and that you are the matriarch of that family, well, I think that tells a lot.”

  “If that dynamic is in place, it is rather new. Remember, that large family was in place while I withered in my home.”

  Anna backed Carolyn’s opinion. “Everybody makes mistakes, Adeline. My guess is all those people thought that they would be an imposition. That there was a professional wall there that shouldn’t be climbed. When they saw that they were asleep at the wheel, that broke down that wall.”

  “I hope that is the case. In any event, successful as I might be with those we employ, I have been an utter failure with my children. I intend to remedy that.”

  “You sound like a woman with a plan.”

  “Actually, I have the seeds of a plan and the needed outcome. I was hoping that you girls could help me fill in the middle.”

  Anna’s eyes got round. “If we can, but I have to tell you, I’m out of my element here.”

  “Nonsense. People are people. It is really that simple. If you choose to be confounded by the trappings, it is a choice. I think that is what a very wise woman told me when I was enjoying her hospitality.”

  “I think that what I said was more along the lines of stuff is just stuff. I was telling you why, as I get older, I require little more than a secure roof over my head and food in my belly.”

  “The indicator of truly sound advice is that it is applicable in many different circumstances.” Adeline smiled.

  Anna shook her head and asked, “What is it we are working with?”

  “In approximately three hours, a number of people will arrive here at the loft. Hair, makeup, that sort of thing.”

  Carolyn tilted her head. “Where are you going?”

  “We. We will be attending a party of sorts. It is at the home of dear friends of mine. They have invested some funds in the contrivance my children have cobbled together. They were more than enthusiastic in any efforts to set the situation to rights. A party on short notice is very common for them and would not set the rumor mill atwitter or raise any flags for my children. They expect the arrival of my children at approximately nine this evening. I think we should arrive late or particularly early and wait in the parlor for the perfect time.”

  “We?”

  “Yes. I thought that the reason behind your accompanying me was at least in part to be my entourage should something like this come to bear.”

  Anna laughed. “Never ever did I think that I would be part of an entourage or that I’d be attending such a fancy event on our first day. I think maybe I need to do a little shopping. I did not bring anything appropriate, not that I would know what appropriate is.”

  Carolyn looked a little shell-shocked. “I don’t even know where to start.”

  Adeline smiled. “There is nothing for you to do but to agree to be pampered. I’ve taken the liberty of dealing with the rest.”

  As if on cue, Elsa tapped on the doorframe. “Ma’am, they are here.”

  “Thank you, Elsa. Please have them set up as we discussed. We will join them shortly.”

  Elsa all but curtsied as she turned to leave.

  “They? They who?”

  “We won’t have time to design something for each of us. Unfortunately. We will have to make do. I have it on very good authority tha
t none of the gowns we see will be available to anyone else. Tonight of all nights I would rather we not be draped in the same frock as another guest.”

  Carolyn sounded panicked. “Frock? I’m in over my head already.”

  “Then I suggest we flip over on our backs and float.” Adeline actually winked at the girls. She was obviously enjoying herself.

  “I have to make a quick call. By the time I return, they should be set up. Please excuse me.” Adeline stood. Her whole aura had changed since the private plane had landed. She was more aware. More adroit. More haute. Just more.

  The instant that Adeline crossed the threshold the girls turned to each other. “I don’t think I’m comfortable with this.”

  Anna shook her head. “I’m not either, but we will act like we are. Think about all the times Adeline has made that sacrifice for us. To think she went from living like this to staying in my guest room just about kills me.”

  “I’d rather stay in your guest room.”

  “That’s all a matter of attitude. We just need to adjust ours. Adeline is our friend, and if flying on private jets and eating fancy food and allowing people to wait on us hand and foot makes her life easier, then we’re just going to have to suck it up and do that.”

  “Agreed. I so badly don’t want to screw this up for her.”

  “Me too.”

  “This is such a huge responsibility. If I screw something up in my life, me and mine are affected. If we screw this up, there are a million people that pay that price.”

  Adeline had entered the room unnoticed. “Not quite a million.”

  The girls jumped.

  Adeline maintained a light attitude. “Girls, this is not meant to place a burden on you. If you would prefer not to accompany me, I fully understand.”

  Anna stood. “Oh, I want to go. I just don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends.”

  Carolyn took a breath. “They know how to do this. We don’t. You’ve known them for years. We haven’t been around all that long. I’d hate to do anything at all that would seem foolish.”

  Adeline allowed one eyebrow to rise. “I want to make this point as unmistakable as possible. The people I know in this town — and elsewhere, actually — are classified as friends, granted, but they are more of a social entanglement of sorts. I did not understand the meaning of friendship until I met you girls. You have always accepted me without question or confine. I do not believe you begin to understand the importance you have in my life. There is nothing you could do to embarrass me. My faith in each of you is unqualified and unconditional.”

  Neither of the girls knew how to respond.

  “Now, shall we? I think we are set up now. The choice is yours. The gown or gowns of your choosing. If none are satisfactory, we will simply have the stylist bring in more. Please, try to enjoy our afternoon.”

  The next few hours were spent in a world that Anna and Carolyn had never imagined. It made the movies pale in comparison. What started out as a fitting for gowns for this evening’s event quickly turned into a complete wardrobe makeover. At first, Carolyn and Anna thought they were simply getting pointers.

  The stylist was very complimentary about Anna’s shoulders and arms, saying she should never cover them. She was also complimented on her skin and the way her neck and cheekbones did something she didn’t quite understand.

  It was Carolyn’s tiny waist that got the most compliments from the stylist, that and her ability to pile on accessory after accessory without it ever seeming too much.

  The stylist knew Adeline’s taste and was able to create the look she enjoyed without much struggle.

  When all the measurements had been taken and the clothes selected, the stylist and her assistants left and promised to be back with the clothing perfectly tailored by eight.

  It seemed to Anna that they were cutting things pretty close, but she decided that on this trip she would just go with it. No matter what it was.

  FIVE

  THE GIRLS WERE beaming. They were in the living room, enjoying a cocktail to calm their nerves.

  Anna and Carolyn were nervous about meeting such a sophisticated group of people.

  Adeline had a touch of nerves due to the fact that, although she never shied away from confrontation in her professional life, she found confrontation abhorrent in her personal life.

  Still, they all looked incredible. The stylist had outdone herself, and the girls drew confidence from their appearance.

  Carolyn wore a dove-gray floor-length gown with beautifully sequined white appliqués scattered about rather artistically from the right shoulder to just above the waist, to draw the eye, then sporadically placed on sheer sleeves and overlay on the skirt. The dress was cinched in at the waist, making her look a bit taller and showing her silhouette to advantage. Matching dove-gray shoes with white heels and simple jewelry finished off the look. The makeup artist had kept it simple, as had the hair gal, which brought the eye to her smile, which was accented by bright red lipstick.

  Anna wore a rich orange dress. It was a sheath-style column dress that had a keyhole at the bust with a crisscross effect from hip to neck that pulled her in at the waist and left her shoulders and arms bare. At the back of the neck, the halter dress had floor-length ties that moved as she walked, allowing a peek-a-boo effect that was sexy yet classic. Other than a matching purse that had a touch of bedazzling, Anna’s only accessories were a pair of magnificent earrings that were on loan from Adeline. It would take everything she had not to touch them every other moment to assure herself that she’d not lost them. Adeline promised they were insured, and they did have a nice locking mechanism, but Anna was willing to bet that one of those earrings cost more than her house.

  Adeline’s dress was a unique color between champagne and gold. It too had sheer sleeves — the stylist said all women of a certain age, except Anna, should cover their upper arms — with appliqués covered in silver bugle beads and sequins. Fitted to her bust, the dress was regal and youthful at the same time. Adeline wore a diamond necklace with a vintage feel. It was a bit asymmetrical. Looked something like a flowered lacey collar, but made of diamonds. Some of them quite large. Some of them allowed to dangle a bit so that when Adeline moved, the light caught the stones. Her earrings were the shape of the flowers running along the outside edges of the necklace. It was difficult to look away.

  Anna hadn’t been so happy with the way she looked since her wedding day. “Well, girls, I think we look pretty good.”

  “The two of you certainly look stunning.” Carolyn beamed.

  “Those dresses are perfect for each of you.” Adeline admired her friends.

  “Thank you, Adeline.” They said it in unison, which helped to break the tension a bit.

  Anna and Carolyn had met earlier and decided that one simple thank you would be appropriate. They would do that at the end of the trip. They would always be polite, but the thanks for an experience like this would have to be something special. They weren’t sure yet exactly what they would do, but they were determined to do something. Tonight they were just going to try to be observant and not do anything to embarrass Adeline.

  Anna took a sip and asked, “So, we’re all dressed up, and we are just going to show up at this party and kind of present ourselves in front of your kids. Then what?”

  “I am sorry, girls. This has been such a busy day. With all that has been going on, I have been neglectful. The truth be told, Anna always comes up with such splendid plans at the last moment I thought I would leave most of it to fate. My whole goal tonight is for my children to see that I am alive, well, and have the support of my friends.”

  Anna asked, “What about Christophe?”

  “What about him?”

  “It just seems to me that you had that video conference, and you looked like you were all but on death’s door, and now, such a short time later, we show up, and you look like such a vibrant woman. Are they going to think that maybe it was all subterfuge? That as soon
as Christophe came to town, he filled you in on all that was going on and suddenly you are healed? I am concerned that they will do exactly what you were trying to avoid. Take their frustration out on him.”

  “Thank you for looking out for him. Now that I am aware of their rather precarious financial situation and their overwhelming need to appear unaffected by the monetary difficulties they have created for themselves, I have much more leverage than I thought I had.”

  “What exactly does that mean?”

  “It means that Christophe is safe. His financial future is not guaranteed by his parents simply because they have squandered it.”

  “I have a question.”

  “Yes, Carolyn?”

  “I’m not knowledgeable about all of this, but I have to wonder, since their decision affects so many people, and knowing that you have all those financial people working with you, why didn’t someone say something sooner? When your kids were involved in the whole Ponzi scheme. Why hasn’t it come out?”

  Adeline sighed. “The truly wealthy are a very incestuous group. There are not many of us. We do not tell tales. I choose to believe that had I been more active in this rather questionably patrician group, I would have been informed. Because of my illness, I isolated myself. First from this group and then from those that cared for me and, I hope, about me. It was my own doing, or undoing as the case has proved to be.”

  “I understand about that, but my question is more about the people around your children. You would think that if they saw potential to wipe out multinational companies, they would raise a flag.”

  “That is not how it works. Unfortunately. We can sit down tomorrow, and I will show you.”

  Anna jumped in. “We don’t need to be in the middle of your business. We were just curious.”

  “I invited you into my business, as you put it. You might see something that the rest of us have missed. As you’ve done with so many other situations, I might add.”

  Anna tipped her head to the right. “If you are comfortable with it.”

  Elsa tapped on the door. “Ma’am, your driver is available at your convenience.”