by Tey Holden
“So, how did Pete manage to swindle your moms out of a pony?”
Alex laughed. “Well, as charm runs in the Reilley family, it was very easy.” She paused when Blair laughed. “Pete is adorable, and they couldn’t resist him. The pony’s name was Rocinante, named after Don Quixote’s horse. But I’m afraid it has been renamed with not such an illustrious name. He is now called Chubby, as a substitute for Pete’s descriptive name of ‘fat little horsie.’”
Blair laughed. “I like Rocinante, but I guess it must be hard to pronounce for him. Did you name him also?”
“Yes. I have named every single pony born here. That became my official task of ownership. I also cleaned up a lot of manure.” Blair laughed as they continued to walk to look at the ponies out on the field.
“How about Susan St. James and Alana, fact or fiction?”
“The Nemesis! Very real, the names were changed also, for privacy. They didn’t end up together and yes, they tried to screw up my moms’ relationship with no luck there. They’ve always been tight.”
Blair smiled. “Was Addy ever Council Chair of Altee?”
“Yes, and very influential. She is responsible for bringing the regional hospital to the area.”
“Wow! How about the distillery? Fiction?” Blair continued her questioning.
“The distillery is real. M’Addy found the recipe for the whisky. She has never revealed the source of her finding. I don’t even know if even Mom knows. She claims it to be her secret and she will never tell where she got it. Uncle James runs it.
“Come on, I’ll take you there,” Alex remained silent looking at Blair for some reaction. Blair showed none, but she was astonished. Alex turned and walked into the stables where Gyro helped them saddled a couple of the smaller horses kept at the stables and went to the winery and later to the distillery.
As they rode, Blair decided to enjoy her time there and not think about the wealth surrounding Alex’s family. At the winery, they met JP who was absolutely enchanted with Blair. JP gave them the grand tour and later opened a couple of bottles of wine and called James over for drinks. Blair loved JP’s eccentricities and laughed constantly at all of his stories, which of course immediately won her first place in his heart. They also went to the distillery where James gave them the tour and later sampled the scotch.
On the way back, the ride was a little bumpy. “It’s good we are not driving. I suppose the worst that can happen is that I fall off the horse.” Blair commented as she got on her mount.
Alex laughed. “Please, don’t! I’d be laughing until the end of time! Thankfully, you won’t be falling from very high, that’s the good thing about these smaller horses, and considering that your legs almost touch the ground when you take your feet out of the stirrups, you will not get too bruised.”
“Very funny, shorty!”
“It would be a sight to see you fall!”
“Embarrassing too. Please, no more wine or scotch for me! I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of your moms.”
“Rubbish! Don’t pretend woman! I know you are not drunk.”
“Talking about drunk, how are you?”
Alex pretended to be horrified and began to gallop her horse. “Catch me if you can!”
“Oh no! Please, slow down! You win!” Blair laughed and followed, while Alex waited for her up ahead.
***
After dropping off the horses at the stables, they walked back to the manor through the green fields. Alex stopped again at the top of the hill. “So, I don’t think we can be more authentically Scottish. We raise the best Shetland ponies in the whole of Scotland and produce its best scotch. What do you think?”
“I don’t know that I’ve been able to form a complete thought all day without having been interrupted by another incomplete thought.” She laughed. “I guess, I never expected all of this. I mean even the fictional parts are so amazing in their own reality that it’s hard to believe. I do love it all, though.”
Alex was pleased with the answer. She took her by the hand and kissed her cheek. When they arrived at the house, the moms had dinner ready. Because the evening weather was pleasant, they ate out on the patio. After dinner, as they picked up everything, Alex talked to Addy in the kitchen. “Where’s Mrs.—.”
“Sssh! We gave her the day off. We didn’t want to look snobby with Blair coming.” Alex chuckled.
The house was so big and the grounds so extensive that they had people who took care of most everything. Even the basic house cleaning was too much. For years they had Mrs. Charr and her nieces, tidy up for them and do their laundry and groceries. They came in three times a week. They could afford live-in help, but they thought it was an intrusion to their privacy, so they thought their arrangement worked out well.
***
After dinner, Alex and Karen began to talk about financial news and career goals. Addy noticed that Blair became very quiet. They were still sitting out on the patio by the pool. “Hey, do you guys mind if Blair and I take a walk to the thinking tree?” It was that time of the year when the sun set late in the evening, so there was still plenty of light.
Alex looked up in amazement. Oh, no! What is this now? “Of course not, baby,” it was Karen who replied, since Alex seemed to be in shock.
Alex looked at Karen for some intervention, but Karen was still looking at Addy. Shit! She’s in on it too. Blair pursed her lips looking at Alex, but got up to begin the trek to the thinking tree. Addy took Blair’s arm as they walked. The minute they were far enough, Alex took the seat next to Karen’s. “What’s going on? Why didn’t you stop M’Addy when I looked at you?”
“Excuse me?” Alex was surprised by Karen’s reaction at first, but then she realized her mistake. “Just what do you mean by that, young lady? You should know by now not to ask me to intervene in your mother’s affairs. Intervening with her intentions or course of action is my prerogative, but not the norm. You should know by now that she is a very reasonable person and that she always has your best interest first. Why are you worried about her talking to Blair in private anyway?”
Alex looked contrite. “I’m sorry mom, you know I love M’Addy. It’s just that I don’t want to scare Blair.”
“What makes you think Addy would say anything to scare her?”
“Mom, things are complicated as they are. Blair and I are on a touch and go basis. I really don’t need M’Addy’s intervention.”
“What will be will be. There’s nothing we can do to fight the forces of nature. Plus, neither you nor I know what that conversation is about. But if I were to bet, I’d say it will all be in your favor.” Karen went back to her reading and Alex remained pensive looking to the distance, to the thinking tree and to the two women who meant so much to her.
***
“So, Blair, tell me about you?” By the time they made it to the thinking tree, Blair had finished telling Addy about her. Once under the tree, they sat on the bench.
“Alex told me about the thinking tree.”
“Did she? Many important decisions were made here. The two most important ones were when I convinced Karen to stay in Scotland when she inherited this place, and the second when we decided to make our Alex.”
Blair smiled. “Two great decisions.”
“Yes, our very best.” Addy met Blair’s eyes. “You are in love with her. I can tell.”
“I am.” Blair shyly looked down, but had no hesitation to admit the obvious. “But I’m beginning to think that she’s out of my league in more than one way.”
“Other than the fact that you think her straight, what else is there?”
“As if that wasn’t enough! And—.” Blair looked away.
“And what?”
Blair looked at Addy straight in the eye. “All of this.” She pointed out to the property. “I had no idea. When Alex told me about the books, she said that most of it was fictional. I think she was trying to down-play the enormity of it all, so that I would not be intimidated.” Blair lo
oked defeated. “Addy, I’m a doctor and I make a good salary, but I don’t have much to my name. I have some savings, but I also have student loans that I’ve been paying for the last two years. I had to take out loans to go to school. It will take me years to pay them back. Alex belongs to a world very different from mine. I should have known when on our first dinner date she took me to Russoos. So, I think the odds are against me, in more than one way.”
“Well, it’s all a matter of how you look at things. From the books, you ought to know that I’m the one with the visions, and I see a different picture.” She chuckled and because her laughter was contagious, Blair smiled.
“What vision do you see?”
“One that should not discourage you. When Karen and I came here, we both brought some money to our allegiance.” She chuckled. “We weren’t officially partners then. Although, we had privately committed to each other, just like the story tells. Anyway, we both had our careers and the money we had made up to that point. I convinced Karen to stay here, because after three years this property would become hers. I didn’t ask her to stay because of the value of the property. I never thought for a minute that Karen would ever sell this place, assuming she could.” She chuckled. “Which as a matter of fact, I don’t think she can because it’s a land grant, as you know.” She chuckled some more. “I just thought this was her home, that she loved the time she spent here with her aunt, and that she should keep it and not let it go to the relatives. Which, by the way and unfortunately, were not fictional either. At the end of the three years, when Karen got clear title to the property, she registered it in both our names and gave it to me as a wedding present. I never wanted a claim on the property. I didn’t think it was right because it was her family inheritance. As a matter of fact, her gesture was symbolic because of the nature of the property, you know, the land grant.”
Blair nodded and smiled. “Just like the book said.” Blair responded.
“Yes. That night when she gave me the title, I said to her ‘you do realize that you are giving me four million Euros?’ The property had been appraised at eight million Euros three years earlier. Do you know what she said? She said, ‘no I’m giving you the whole eight million. I don’t want it. It’s yours.’ Then she looked me straight in the eyes, daring me to do or say something.”
“What did you do?”
“I took it, and I rubbed it in. I told her ‘I’m taking it for the eight million it’s worth.’”
Blair laughed. “What did she do?”
“She laughed. I can still hear her laughter!” Addy grinned. “So beautiful. God, I love that woman! Do you know why she gave it to me, why I took it, and why she laughed?”
“No, why?” Blair shook her head.
“I took it because it didn’t matter who the owned the property. It was ours, and neither one of us were going anywhere, and we knew it. We built our home and our family based on our profound love, not on what each of us was, or had, or would be, or have. There’s a lot more to be told about this property that I didn’t say in the books. If you stick around, I might tell you one day. You’d really be surprised as to how it all came to be.” Addy paused. “For now, just know that what you see today, is rooted in our know how, a lot of hard work, and love. Lots of love!”
Blair smiled filled with admiration and respect for the two women who had been the source of her inspiration, and who coincidentally and almost miraculously were the parents of the woman she was crazy about.
“And as for Alex, we raised her as normally as we could. Always telling ourselves that we were raising her for the world in which she would live and not for us. She has never been ostentatious and has led as normal life as anyone else. I think we have given her certain luxuries, but none of that has ever gone to her head. I think that is pretty evident, and you should know that by now.
“Yes, that is true,” Blair replied.
“Don’t let money be a barrier. Money comes and goes. It’s what you have in your brain and in your heart that has worth. The way, I see it, your only concern should be her sexuality.”
Blair blushed and looked down. “You are just like in the stories, M’Addy.” For the first time since they had met, Blair felt so close to Addy that she called her M’Addy. The use of the affectionate name did not go unnoticed.
“I’m worse, Blair. I mellowed myself down in the stories. Author’s privilege!” She chuckled. “Ask Karen. I can see that you are the ‘polite’ kind like my Karen.” Blair grinned. To be compared to Karen was not just a compliment but an honor.
“I know you didn’t expect any of this talk, but from the books you ought to know all the issues I had with my sexuality.” Blair listened and again blushed.
“Come on, Blair! You are a doctor! You can’t blush about this talk!”
Blair grinned. “It’s because it’s you, M’Addy. I’ve read your books, and feel like I know you, and you are also Alex’s mother.”
Addy chuckled. “Let me continue to talk then, you must know that I need to get all of this off my chest, or I will not be able to sleep tonight.”
Blair smiled. “Okay. Please, continue.”
“I was the ambivalent one, at first, in our relationship. Karen always knew who she was, much like you. If there is one thing that worked for her, it was her unconditional love. She adores me. I also adore and admire her and the strength of her love.” Like in the stories, Addy didn’t keep anything to herself. Blair continued to smile, loving how Addy spoke of her partner.
“If you really love Alex, pour your heart out to her unconditionally. That is what will work for you. Let your heart go and follow it. And when you do, give it all you’ve got. It’s what I’ve always told her.” She paused. “I like you, Blair, debts and all. The debts won’t always be there. So, good luck!”
Blair chuckled. “Thanks, M’Addy.” She was delighted to hear that her financial situation was acceptable to Addy and felt much better having shared her worries with her.
“Let’s go back before the blonde ones come for us. Just be sure and point your guns well. By the way, one more thing you should know. Customarily, when Alex makes up her mind about something, she will let you know. Not in a subtle way, but in a very direct way, so as not to leave any doubt of what her intentions are. Traditionally—.”
Blair laughed. “M’Addy you are going to be in trouble if she finds out you are giving me hints about her.”
“Well, she doesn’t have to know, does she?”
Blair chuckled. “I guess not, if it’s going to get you in trouble.”
“If and when she gives you a sign, which like I said will be clear, as she traditionally does, take it.”
“Take what?”
“Whatever! I don’t know! I know that child well. When she has arrived at a conclusion, she is ready for what comes with it. She’s like me when she makes a decision.”
They walked in silence for a little while. At a certain point, Blair stopped. “Thanks for the chat M’Addy. I feel a great connection with you.” Addy looked at her and smiled. “Yes, I do too and her name is Alex.” They both chuckled.
Karen and Alex were drinking their wine and talking about Alex’s new job, when Addy and Blair rejoined them on the patio.
“So, have the blonde ones fixed the world?”
Karen replied. “No, we needed a couple of more minutes.”
“Very cute, Ms. Larsen.” Addy responded and Blair laughed.
Alex’s eyes had been fixed on Blair even when she was far away under the tree. As she came closer, she couldn’t help but admire the tall toned body next to her mother. Blair had an interesting walk. There was something distinctive about her that set her apart in any crowd. At least, Alex could pick her out anywhere. Alex thought she was sexy and hot. On that same note, Blair couldn’t wait to get closer to the green eyes that seemed to light her path. Of course, Karen’s eyes were also green, but in Blair’s mind, there was green and then there was greener.
“So, why don’t we all
freshen up and meet later in the family room to watch the Grammy’s?”
“Sure, I could use a shower,” Blair said.
“Let’s go then.”
Everyone walked towards the family room, when Blair looked to her left and noticed the piano. “So, do any of you play the piano, or is it just like the stories say.”
Everyone stopped dead on their tracks. It was Addy who replied. “No, none of us plays, but if you tell me that you do, I would feel vindicated for the many years of battles to keep this piano here.”
“This is not just a piano. It’s an art piece.” Blair commented.
“Thank you.” Addy responded overjoyed with Blair’s compliment. Blair circled the piano admiring it, when she saw the bench, she asked, “may I?”
Alex looked at her in wonderment. Addy responded in awe, “by all means.”
Everyone stared at her expectantly. “It’s been a long time.” Blair stared at the keyboard hesitantly. She then played a few notes and stopped.
Karen and Alex looked at each other. “Please, play something.” Alex pleaded.
Blair began to play again, but after a few chords she stopped again. “Was the piano always in this room?”
“Yes. We’ve never moved it.”
“I think this room was designed for this piano. The acoustics are incredible. I bet there is not a single spot in this room where you could stand and not hear the piano well.” She played a few more chords and the room reverberated with sound. “Oh my God! It’s amazing!”
“You have no idea of the significance of your words. For years, these two have wanted to get rid of this piano. The piano was here at the Manor house when we first opened the inn. We used to hire pianists to play in the evenings when the Inn was operational. No one has played it since, and these two were of the opinion that I should donate it to a school or some charity.”