Possibilities: A Contemporary Retelling of Persuasion

by Debra White Smith

  “How do you possibly think you’re going to exist without your allowance?” Evelyn mocked.

  Allie never relinquished her gaze from the salt shaker. “I’m going to get a job,” she stated simply as a slow tremor attacked her legs. “And until I do, I’ll use some of my trust fund—”

  “No! No! No! No!” Richard screamed and pounded the table until everyone’s eggs were scrambled whether they started out that way or not.

  Jumping, Allie stared at her father. He was as red-faced as he’d been when Macy announced she was going to marry into a septic family. It was an odd shade of red beneath his deep tan, and Allie became fixated on why she’d been so terrified of her father in this state. He couldn’t do anything to her. She was an adult. What could he do to stop her? She was already relinquishing her allowance, so he couldn’t use that as a manipulative tool. The trust fund was legally hers to do with as she chose. And she had made her choice to do exactly that. What was left?

  Allie sat up straighter and calmly held her father’s gaze, never wavering from his irate stare. Aside from a few leftover tremors, her nerves were miraculously recovering. “Just so you know,” she said, “Sophia Cosby is redecorating the third floor of the mansion. I’ve arranged to have everything that belonged to me moved into my townhouse. She’ll be contacting you about the few pieces left—wanting to know what you want to do with them.”

  “You thief!” Evelyn snarled.

  Turning her attention to Evelyn, Allie barely raised her brows. “I’m a thief? For taking the things I bought and what Aunt Landon gave me?”

  “Yes, you are!” Evelyn jumped to her feet and slung her linen napkin onto her plate. “You’ve taken the man I love, and now you’re taking half our furniture!”

  “Evelyn, Evelyn, Evelyn,” Aunt Landon crooned. “Allie’s right. That furniture does belong to her. And as for the man thing . . . there are many more out there where he came from. Just be glad one of you is going to get him. Now, calm down.”

  Landon smiled at Allie and squeezed her hand. “I’m sure Allie knows exactly what she’s doing, and we’ve got to trust her. After all, when Macy got married, she moved out, didn’t she?” Landon directed a pointed stare toward Richard. “And what greater job is there than being a wife?”

  Allie nearly denied the very possibility, but Evelyn cut her off.

  “I won’t calm down!” she yelled and turned to her father. “Tell her she can’t do this. Tell her she can’t!” Evelyn pointed toward Allie as if she were Judas Iscariot.

  Richard’s color had returned to normal. His thoughtful gaze shifted from Landon to Evelyn. “Allie has always had a very level head,” he admitted. “Landon’s right. I’m sure it will all make perfect sense in a few weeks. Allie probably just isn’t free to tell us all the details right now. Am I right, Allie?”

  “Well—” Allie said.

  “Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” Evelyn screamed and raced from the table, leaving Penny behind.

  For the first time Allie could remember, Penny’s attention was riveted to her in anything but bored disinterest. Allie glanced toward the seagulls and then back to Penny, who was shifting her chair away from the table as if the scrutiny never took place. “If you’ll excuse me.” She stood and smiled at Richard like he was the most scrumptious thing on the breakfast menu.

  “Of course, Penny,” Richard replied and watched her sway toward the terrace doors. “And please see if you can calm her down, will you? You’re always so good with her. I don’t know what we’d ever do without you.”

  Allie decided now was a good chance for her escape, as well. Before standing, she considered countering Landon and her father’s assumptions about her impending marriage to Brent but decided to take the path of least resistance for the present. One upheaval for the morning was enough. A seagull swooped within inches of the terrace railing, his high-pitched calls prompting her to make her next move.

  She picked up her tea mug and prepared for the next step in her well-laid plan. “I need to go make a phone call.”

  “I’m sure you do, honey.” Landon picked up her coffee, took a sip, and smiled across the rim at Richard. “Don’t let us stop you.”

  Scooting back her chair, Allie stood.

  “I’m sorry for not understanding at first,” Richard purred. A calculating gleam in his eyes, he smiled up at his daughter. “You never have been one to make waves. I should have understood.”

  “It’s okay,” Allie mumbled and wondered what her father would do when he found out her potential marriage was to the wrong man.

  Keeping her focus downward, Allie swiftly exited the terrace. Before she closed the French doors, her aunt’s melodious voice floated in with the breeze. “Well now, Richard, it looks like everything’s going to work out just like I said. Maybe one day you’ll learn to listen to me.”

  Allie snapped the door shut and hurried upstairs to her bedroom. Once there, she locked that door and retrieved her cell phone from her purse. Sinking into the broad-backed rattan chair, Allie tapped the number for Elton Mansion. When the answer came, she declared her identity and asked for Sophia Cosby.

  The second Sophia’s cheerful greeting sounded over the line, Allie’s heart began to thud in her throat. “Hi, Sophia,” she said, her voice unsteady. “I’m calling to see if you would give me Frederick’s cell phone number.”

  Thirty-Five

  By mid-afternoon Allie strolled at the ocean’s edge, allowing the cool water to lap at her ankles. This private strip of beach was occupied by the condominium owners only and featured imported sand as white as crushed pearls. The gray-blue water foamed white on the swelling waves while seagulls screeched and scurried along the waterline in quest of food.

  Inserting her hand into the pocket of her linen shorts, Allie felt her cell phone and willed it to ring. With a knowing smile in her voice, Sophia had given Allie Frederick’s number. Then she’d informed Allie that Frederick was flying to Atlanta today, so if he was in the air, his cell was off. Allie had fully expected to get his voice mail, and that’s what she got. She left a brief message telling him that she was staying at the Atlantic Beach Condo and Resort Center. She also announced that she wanted to talk to him as soon as possible. That had been hours ago, and Allie hadn’t parted with her cell phone since.

  Turning to face the ocean, Allie paused, allowing the wind to whip at her hair and spray her face with a salt-laden mist. She licked her lips, and the taste of the ocean tinged her tongue. Closing her eyes, she prayed Frederick would call. There was so much she wanted to ask him and so much she wanted to say. Allie looked at her watch. Three o’clock, she thought and wondered what she would do if Frederick never called. Maybe he just isn’t interested anymore, she worried as a shroud of the old insecurity covered her spirit. But Allie recalled the love in his eyes when he took her hand and asked her to ride in the copilot’s seat. She dismissed the worries and decided if Frederick didn’t call her back by tomorrow, she would call him again.

  I refuse to let him get away this time! she determined and swiveled back toward the condo. Allie pulled her canvas tote from her shoulder and withdrew her sandals. After rinsing off her feet, she slipped them back into her sandals and gazed toward the boardwalk. A long line of shops and restaurants called her name, and Allie decided a new outfit was in line. If Frederick did call and perhaps came to see her, she wanted to be ready. She’d dropped her wallet into her tote just in case she decided to shop.

  Within five minutes Allie was strolling along the boardwalk, checking out the various stores and their wares. She paused at an upscale clothing shop and gazed through the window. The chic pantsuits and casual beachwear beckoned her in. After two hours of trying on clothes, Allie settled upon four new outfits—two casual beach outfits and two designer dresses. In the spirit of the moment, Allie decided to leave on the aqua-colored tank top and cotton shorts with the wide-brimmed hat. Once she left the shop, her anticipation for Frederick’s call increased with every step.

  The
smell of fresh coffee wafted in the air, and Allie looked toward the next-door cafe, which serviced customers both indoors and out. She strolled through the sea of tables covered in umbrellas and entered the cafe through the glass doors. After placing her order for a large cappuccino, she sat at a corner table and gazed out the window toward the ocean.

  If only life were always this peaceful, she thought and considered how angry Evelyn was and how much Landon and her father were pressuring her to marry Brent. Allie couldn’t get moved into her new townhouse soon enough. All that was left was shaking Brent and connecting with Frederick—and then life would be perfect. She rested her elbow on the table, placed her chin in her hand, and sighed.

  Idly Allie watched people strolling along the boardwalk and imagined Frederick being one of them. She smiled. Her lips stiffened when she realized she did recognize one of the pedestrians—and he wasn’t Frederick.

  Brent briskly walked from the direction of the condo and looked to be targeting the cafe where Allie sat. Groaning, Allie slumped in her seat and pulled the hat low over her eyes. She hunkered down, held her breath, and waited for the door to open. When it didn’t, Allie peeked from beneath her hat and glimpsed Brent entering the narrow alley between the cafe and the shop she’d just been in. Before disappearing, he checked his wristwatch and hurried forward.

  That’s odd, Allie thought and then dismissed it. She couldn’t have cared less what Brent did or where he was.

  Then she spotted Penny walking along the boardwalk from the other direction. The wind tossed her hair and her knee-length skirt as she alternated trotting with a swift walk. Fully expecting Evelyn, as well, Allie strained for signs of her sister, but determined Penny was alone. As she neared the cafe, Allie wondered if Penny would be entering. If she did, Allie decided she would take her coffee and leave. But Penny, like Brent, scurried down the narrow alley.

  Staring straight ahead, Allie contemplated the implications. Are Penny and Brent meeting each other? she wondered. Or is this just a coincidence? To her knowledge, Penny and Brent had met for the first time last night. At least they acted like they hadn’t known each other.

  I guess I could follow them, she contemplated as she looked down at her big bag of clothing and cumbersome beach tote.

  A sixth sense urged Allie to act on her impulse. Standing, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and placed the ringer on vibrate. She approached the counter. After canceling her cappuccino order, Allie dashed back into the dress shop and left her bag of clothing on hold with the clerk. That left only the beach tote to weigh her down.

  By the time she slipped down the alley, her curiosity drove her forward, but common sense insisted she use prudence. Halfway down the wooden passage, Allie spotted an open entrance to the left behind the cafe. She hugged the left wall and glanced behind her. None of the pedestrians even noticed her. Allie scurried forward and didn’t even want to think about how she’d explain her presence should Brent or Penny appear.

  Once at the entryway, Allie discreetly peeked around the corner. What she saw left her blushing. Ten feet away, Brent and Penny sat alone in the lover’s alcove that featured only one table surrounded by potted ferns and ivy. With Penny in Brent’s lap, the two were in a passionate clutch that would make Hollywood proud. Each was too immersed in the other to even notice a third party or the sea wind that rocked the plants.

  Allie gasped and plastered herself against the cafe’s outside wall. Her pulse thumped in her temples. She narrowed her eyes. Either Brent’s a very fast mover or those two have a history. Allie chose the latter option, which opened up all sorts of issues.

  Her cell phone vibrated against her leg. Oh, great! Allie reached for the phone in her pocket, wondering if the caller might be Frederick. As much as she wanted to talk with him, this was not a convenient time. When Sarah’s name appeared on the screen, Allie’s fingers relaxed. As she answered the call, she suddenly remembered her phone’s digital camera.

  Shoulders hunched, Allie tiptoed away from the alcove and stopped halfway up the passage. She placed the phone next to her ear and urgently whispered, “Sarah! Let me call you back.”

  “You okay, girlfriend?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” Allie glanced over her shoulder. “Just give me thirty minutes. Okay?”

  “Will do.”

  Allie hit the End button and gripped the phone. Before she had time to second-guess herself, she darted back to the alcove, peeked around the corner, and confirmed that the two were still at it. Her hand unsteady, Allie snapped six successive shots. After another glance to make sure they never suspected her presence, she dashed from the walkway, turned the corner, and burst into the clothing store. Breathlessly she retrieved her purchases from the shop and ran toward the condo.

  By the time Allie hit the beach, her legs were quivering to the point that she slowed to a trot. With another glance over her shoulder, she hurried across the beach, into the condo, up the stairs, and into her bedroom. Thankfully no one was present to insist upon empty chatter or ask questions about her agitation.

  Within fifteen minutes, Allie had uploaded the digital photos onto her laptop and viewed them on her monitor. Only one of the photos was too dark. The rest were bright enough to vividly recognize that Brent and Penny were much more than passing acquaintances. The heady rush of accomplishment had never been sweeter.

  Wishing for her portable printer, Allie decided to go with the second best alternative. She popped up from her computer and hurried through the condo, headed toward the resort center’s business office. After signing in with the clerk, Allie sat down at one of the computers and logged into her cloud account. Soon she held printouts of the five photos and breathlessly observed each one.

  I can’t believe I did this, she thought and was astounded at her own bravado.

  Shuffling through the enlarged pictures, Allie wondered when to show the images to Aunt Landon and her father. That would require another serious dose of courage. But Allie knew she had no choice. If this didn’t prove that Brent wasn’t a fine gentleman solely devoted to her, then nothing would. The photos would also end the potential romance between her father and Penny, which grew more noticeable every time Allie saw them together.

  Her phone vibrated against her leg, and Allie’s fingers flexed upon the photos. I forgot Sarah! She grabbed the cell and saw that sure enough, Sarah’s name claimed the screen. Allie answered the vibrating call and placed the phone against her ear.

  “Sarah,” she said and rolled back the chair with the faint squeak of wheels, “hang on just a minute.”

  “Are you sure everything’s okay, Allie?” Sarah asked.

  “Couldn’t be better!” Allie logged out of her cloud account. “Just wait a few seconds. I’m in the business center. . . . Got to pay for something.” Allie juggled the cell phone, her bag, and the photos while paying the clerk for the photos she’d printed.

  With the pictures secure in her tote, Allie walked out of the office and into the sunlight. Like a spy, she looked up one end of the beach and down the other. Spotting no one she knew, Allie placed the phone to her ear and said, “You’re not going to believe this!” Then she told Sarah everything.

  When she finished, Sarah said, “Are you crazy, Allie? I can’t believe you did that!”

  “Neither can I,” Allie said through a nervous chuckle. Even the memory of snapping the shots made her nerves quake. “I guess I was temporarily insane.”

  “You just did what you had to do,” Sarah said. “And I’m proud of you.”

  Allie gazed up the beach and breathed easier. Penny and Brent apparently had no idea they’d been caught in the act.

  “You know, I’m remembering something here,” Sarah mused. “If I’m not mistaken, my mom is good friends with Chrissy Everson’s ex-maid. What if I called Mom to see if she’ll call her friend. Maybe she has some information on Brent we’re missing.”

  “You’d do that?” Allie asked.

  “I’d do anything
for you, Allie Elton,” she said. “You paid my way through med school.” Sarah disconnected the call.

  Allie’s mouth fell open. “How did she know that?” she gasped. The ocean’s roar was her only answer.

  Thirty-Six

  Dinner on the terrace was every bit as miserable as Allie imagined it would be. With Brent sitting on one side and Aunt Landon on the other, Allie felt like she was in a cage. Penny remained absorbed with Richard and Evelyn while ignoring Brent and Allie.

  As Allie pushed the green beans and roast beef around on her plate, she became increasingly uncomfortable with the implications of Penny’s having ignored her every time they’d been together. She obviously tuned out Brent because she didn’t want anyone to know they were intimately acquainted. Did that mean Penny’s disregarding her was also an act? If so, why?

  While the meaningless conversation droned on, Allie gazed toward the ocean and sensed there was something she had yet to discover regarding the Penny–Brent association . . . something to do with her.

  Come on, Sarah, she urged, call! The cell phone, resting in the pocket of her linen skirt, remained still.

  Allie managed to nibble a green bean, and by some miracle forced the thing down her tight throat. Her stomach rebelled against the intrusion, and she gulped her iced tea. She’d not eaten breakfast, barely snacked at lunch, and now couldn’t swallow dinner.

  Tonight the weather was picturesque—a stark contrast to the storm within Allie. The breeze had died, and the ocean was a lazy mass of lavender-gray that lovingly stroked the sand. A bank of clouds in the west partially hid the sun, and vivid shafts of light burst through the inky blue puffs. The whole placid effect was lost on Allie. All she could think about were the photos she’d slipped into the outside pocket of her purse and when she would display them for family viewing. The answer remained a jumble amid the rumbling worries that troubled Allie’s soul.