“Oh no sweetheart, my friends, and family call me Laney. Hell, I even allow my patients to call me Laney. You may address me as Mrs. Whitmore. Come on, Diane, love, try it. Say, Mrs. Whitmore. Mrs. Nathan Whitmore. Because that’s me, and it will never be you.”
Just when I think the night can’t get any worse I see Vivian walking towards us. “Grandma.” The girls seem excited to see her.
“Hello babies, have you missed grandma? And why has mommy brought you to a charity event?” She lifts her eyebrow in disapproval.
“The charity is for the children, mother. Natalie wanted the girls here to see it all. She wanted them to know how important tonight is for the kids of the city.”
“No Laney, they are only four, do you really think they understand or even care for that matter? Stop treating them like they are older than what they are.”
“We want them to know and understand Vivian; it’s never too young to learn what you have and what other kids may not have. It’s called humility. The girls need to know they are fortunate and what they have is an honor and not because they are entitled to it.”
“Yes Vivian,” Natalie walks up, “I wanted the girls here. It’s my house, my event, and my right to invite anyone who I want. You know it never fails though,” She looks over at Diane, who has her arms wrapped around my father, “there are always people who show up knowing they would never be invited. How did you get in Diane? Did you scurry in under the gates with the other rodents? I don’t believe you were invited.”
“I’ll have you know Natalie, your father invited me. It shouldn’t come as a shock to you. I’ve always attended these functions. I’m just usually on the arm of Nathan and not Joseph.”
“Aw yes, my father has a knack for searching out fellow leeches. Remember will you Diane, this is a fundraiser. The purpose of you being here is to donate money to the good cause. If you don’t have the money, which I’m assuming you don’t since you no longer have my brother, I suggest you leave. Preferably before dinner is served, I don't feel like wasting my money on you.”
“How do you expect to raise any money tonight with an attitude like that? You are rude and abrasive.”
“Oh honey, I just save this attitude for those I don’t like. You’re the on the top of that list, so I reserve my best snarky attitude for you. Now if you will excuse us, I would like to introduce my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces to some very important people.”
Christ, I didn’t think I would have to deal with all the evil people in my life in one location. The first night out as a family and I have to deal with that shit. I’m surprised Brad isn’t here claiming his rightful spot as the girls’ father. That would have just been the icing on the cake. Natalie leads us back into the house to the library. She opens the door, and the room is filled with several kids. Some are being held by what I’m assuming are their foster parents. There are kids running around while others are sitting and watching television. “These are our guests of honor tonight.”
“Can we go play?” The girls ask.
“Of course, you can. Make sure you’re nice to anyone you meet. Be polite and please be gentle with the kids that are younger than you.”
“Amanda,” I say, “Make sure you wait for your sister. She can’t go as fast as you on those crutches.” She nods her head and walks next to Addie as they introduce themselves to some girls that are their age.
I have to admit there are a lot more kids here at the charity event than I thought there would be. After they had eaten their dinner of pizza and carrot sticks in the library, they entered the tents with all the guests. We are finishing up dinner while the kids all sit up on a stage waiting for their portion of the evening to begin. As the staff takes our plates, Natalie leaves our table to take the stage. Luckily we didn’t have to sit with Nathan’s father or my mother. It seems Nathan purchased an entire table for just us, Natalie and the girls. They seem to have made a lot of new friends throughout the night. I made sure to get the numbers of their foster parents so the girls could have play dates with them.
“Excuse me,” Natalie begins. “I wanted to first tell you that I am honored you took the time out of your busy night to help with a foundation that is close to my heart. Many years ago, my mother’s mother, my grandmother opened her home to a foster child. This was a time when children weren’t always taken care of. Many of them ended up on the street without parents to watch over them. My mother was around four years old when they brought a little boy by the name of Nathan into their home.” I looked over at Nathan and took his hand. “Nathan was eight at the time. My mother was in awe of this boy from the very beginning. He showed her how much fun it was to make mud pies and how worms weren’t gross but nature’s toys. Nathan was my mother’s companion, and for all sense and purposes, her brother. He was her protector from the mean kids at school, and he was the chaser of the monsters that lurked under her bed. For three years, Nathan was my mother’s hero.
Nathan’s time with my mother was cut short; too short. He was killed in a horseback riding accident, here on the property.” Tears instantly sprang to my eyes. “He was out riding with his instructor when the horse became spooked and took off. By the time the instructor found Nathan, it was too late. The horse had bucked him off and trampled Nathan, crushing his body.” She takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “Sorry, that story never gets any easy. The loss to my mother was great. At the age of seven she had lost her best friend, her brother. My grandmother took it upon herself to adopt Nathan after his death and gave him the Whitmore name. Unfortunately, my grandmother never took in another foster child into her home. The loss of Nathan was too much for her to bear, and the fear that it may happen again was too great. She did continue to donate and do what she could monetarily. Once my mother took over Whitmore Enterprises, she started the foundation which we celebrate tonight. The Nathan Douglas Whitmore Foundation was built on the love of a child, for the love of the children who weren’t as fortunate as Nathan was. There are many families out there in New York, who have the love in their hearts to help these kids, but they may not have the money in their pockets. It’s up to us to help those who are not able to help themselves. To show the act of humility and hopefully teach these kids that they can make a difference as well once they are adults. I am not asking you to open your homes, but I am asking you to open your wallets. Winter is coming and the holiday season is right around the corner. Please allow these kids to have a little something of what you so easily give to your own. Please continue to bid at the silent auction located in the other tent. Now, sit back enjoy your dessert and listen to some testimonials from the kids who benefit from your generosity.”
Natalie takes a step back and a girl probably around the age of eleven takes the microphone. “Wow, Nathan. I had no idea, what a tragic story. I’m so sorry your mother had to go through that at such a young age.”
“Nathan was special to her. She would never get tired of telling the stories of their adventures.”
“He must have meant a lot to her, seeing you were named after him.”
“Well, unfortunately, my mother felt it was necessary to include my father’s name also. I am honored my mother felt I could live up to the hero that was her brother. It’s funny because there were many times when I did something as a child that reminded her of Nathan. My mannerisms, even some of the sayings I would come up with as a child.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Momma, can wes go plays with the girls?”
I look up and see the kids still sitting on the stage waiting while the older kids speak. “Hold on a minute ladies. I want you to listen to what these kids have to say. It’s important.”
The girls sit back in their seats, drinking their water, listening to the kids. It seems as though each child had a unique story to tell as to how they ended up in ‘the system’, as they to put it. There were tragic accidents that left them orphaned; some were abandoned by unwilling parents while other parents chose a life of drugs
and partying over the responsibilities of becoming a parent. It was the stories of child abuse and molestation, which hit home the most. Knowing that there were parents out there who physically hurt their children? I thought it was awful suffering from the nasty end of my mother’s tongue, I couldn’t imagine feeling the pain of a slap or a punch. “I don’t think I‘ve heard such tragic and awful stories.”
“It’s unnerving to know that not every child goes to sleep every night with their parents tucking them in, huh? You would be devastated if you saw how other kids around the world lived. You think those commercials about helping children in the third world countries is tough. You should try seeing it in real life.”
“I could only imagine. No, I don’t want to imagine, Nathan. These kids tonight are so strong. Stronger than I think I will ever be.”
“They have to be, love. They don’t have the choice. Most of them haven’t even had the opportunity to have a normal childhood. Most are moving from home to home never being able to finish a school year. There are only a small few who are able to stay in a home permanently. A lot of these kids have major issues with trust and why wouldn’t they? They have been let down and abandoned by those who are supposed to be there for them always; their foundation. Once that foundation is gone, it isn’t long before the children crumble.”
“Nathan, I think I want to do something about it. I think I want to help. Somehow I want to help make a difference. It’s so wrong for all these kids to have to suffer at the hands of selfish parents.”
“What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know yet, but once I figure it out. I’ll let you know.”
We listen while the kids finish up their stories. A few adults who grew up in the foster system also share their stories. It isn’t all positive as I had hoped. Some of the stories are ones of addiction, homelessness, and suffering. As I listened to the more desperate stories, it was then I decided I wanted to help change that. Somehow I was going to do it; I was going to make a difference.
I stand near the tree house and watch the girls play. Amanda is climbing while Addie and another little girl play on the teeter totter. Nathan is talking to a few men who I have learned are clients of Whitmore Assets. “The girls look lovely, Laney.”
“Thank you, mother. They really do, don’t they?”
“How are they settling in with Nathan?”
“You would never know it’s only been a week. Those three are thick as thieves. It’s nice being able to just run and know the girls are safe at home.”
“What do you mean? You’ve always been able to just run. Jesus, you make it sound like you were in prison before Nathan came along. Brad has always been there for those girls, not to mention me.”
“I know that mother. But Brad has a life of his own. His life is no longer our life. I know he will always be there for the girls, but I like knowing that I don’t have to make those arrangements or wait for someone’s schedule to open up. If I need to go, then I go. Nathan doesn’t question. Half the time I think the girls would rather I be gone so they can have Nathan all to themselves.”
“Well, that’s nice. I’m glad they are happy. I did worry about that.”
“Well, they are. There is nothing to worry about.” I can’t believe we are having a decent conversation, it’s about time. “What a story Natalie told. I had no idea the reasoning behind the foundation.”
“Well Laney, it does pay for you to pay more attention to those who are your equals instead of keeping your head in a book all these years. There is a world other than the world of health care. One, I might add you are a part of. More so now than ever before.”
“Yes, mother, I know. I spend my time in the bowels of society when I should be leading the way as any Jacobs should.”
“You make it sound like it’s a chore to make the Jacobs’ name live on. It’s up to you, you know.”
“I haven’t been a Jacobs in a long time mother. I’m sorry I turned out to be a girl and can no longer carry on the Jacobs name.”
“Oh, Laney, really. Have I ever taught you to lean on a man?”
“No mom, you didn’t.”
“I always wanted you to see me as a strong independent woman; one who did not need a man to have power. A man should be an accessory, not a necessity.”
“Mother, do you hear yourself? It was my father who allowed you to live the life you have been living most of your life. And a man should be a partner. An equal. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“If he’s an equal then why isn’t the Jacobs’ name as important as the Whitmore name?”
“And why didn’t you have this conversation with me when I married Brad? Oh I know, because Jacobs-Whitmore sounds better than Jacobs-Richards, huh?”
“So what if it does?”
“Well, mother, you would be happy to know the Jacobs name will be heard. I plan on helping with the foster system in some way. I think it’s time to give back to something I believe in. I want to work with Natalie in the Nathan Douglas Whitmore Foundation in some capacity.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well, something big, I think. Something that is going to require I get the approval of the Jacobs Cattle and Oil Board.”
“Don’t you think the Foundation is a little bit of a waste?”
“Not at all. You might want to remember where you came from, mother. If it weren’t for my father, you don’t know where you might be today.”
I don’t like the fact that Laney is speaking with her mother without my support. But it’s more important to make sure my father or Diane aren’t bothering her. I don’t need either of them to confront Laney, especially when the girls are so close by. I keep my eyes focused on Laney as I speak to a few clients about upcoming jobs and my expansion to the west coast. I have to admit, since Laney came into my life it’s been more about spending time with her and the girls and less time about Whitmore Assets. I may need to find someone capable of running that part of Whitmore Industries as well. I didn’t think my personal life would come before my dream of making a name for myself and getting out from under the power of my mother’s name, but I guess as you get older and things shift in your life so do your priorities.
Excusing myself from talking business, I find my sister a few feet away. “Great night, Nat. How is everything turning out?”
“I think we did well. We may have even surpassed last year’s total. The stories were really good weren’t they?”
“Yes, they were. I think it stirred something in Laney. She wants to help in some way.”
“That’s awesome Nathan. I would love to work with her. What was she thinking?”
“I’m not sure what she was thinking, but I know what I’m thinking.”
“Should I be afraid to ask?”
“I don’t think so. You may even be proud of me.”
“Alright, spill it.”
“Well, I think the Foundation needs to expand.”
“Like how?”
“I was thinking of starting something called Nathan’s House.”
“Nathan’s House?”
“Yeah, I think it’s time to use the land for something meaningful. I think I want to build a house, maybe more on the neighboring land and open it up for the kids in the foster system.”
“Like a big foster home. They have things like that Nathan, they are called group homes, and many of the kids have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to them. Usually, kids are dumped in the group homes when the foster system doesn’t work out for them. You have to come up with something else.”
“No, I think I have the right idea. Building homes on the neighboring land, finding foster families with good records in the foster care system and allow them to live there, mortgage-free. Not having that bill would give them an incentive to actually be positive influences in the children's lives. I want them to help the kids in the home, not hurt them. We can increase the equestrian area, teach riding, and make it, so the kids feel like it’s an actual
home with perks and privileges. We can make it, so they have the normal childhoods they deserve. I’m sure between you, me, and Laney, we can make it happen.”
“That’s going to take a lot of money. More than what the Foundation makes in a season. We are going to have to fundraise year round. This is going to be a lot bigger than what we have now, Nathan. This is a full-time gig, not just a hobby.”
“That’s perfect. I think Laney would be on board with it. She has the need to help people, and I think her need to help children is greater than her need to help her patients. I think this is her calling, Nat. I want to support her one hundred percent.”
“Well, count me in.”
“Good. Oh, how is the party planning coming along? I’m sorry I haven’t had the chance to get with you on it.”
“Oh please, the girls are going to love what you have planned. I was more than happy to make it happen. Everything is set. I just need the guests of honor to be here an hour early next Saturday.”
“I want the kids who were here tonight to be invited as well. I’m not sure how many other friends the girls have, but they seemed to have hit it off with the kids here tonight. I think they would like to see them again.”
“Consider it done, brother of mine.”
It’s been one week since the charity event, and I still have the desire to help with the Foundation in some capacity. I spoke to my uncle and cousins first thing this morning about needing the financial backing of Jacobs’ Cattle and Oil when it comes time to figure out what I want to do. My cousin wasn’t too keen on the idea of using Jacobs money up here in New York when there are so many children who are in need down south. When I told him that I planned on continuing my work down in Oklahoma once I figure out what I want to do, they were more gung ho on the idea. Getting the Jacobs name out in the big city was a good plan from a business aspect. They think the more the Jacobs name is known, the bigger their cattle business grows. My uncle doesn’t see why Jacobs Oil can’t one day be traded on the stock market. Personally, I don’t see that happening in his lifetime or my own, but who am I to shoot down his dreams. I just know that my daddy wouldn’t want our family to sell out to the flash that’s New York.
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