In Search of Satisfaction

by J. California Cooper

  On this morning after the funeral, after her toiletries were taken care of and while she was having her coffee, Carlene asked for Hosanna to be sent to her. Carlene had slapped Minna a few times in the past week for some small mishap. Minna was sullen. She planned to leave as soon as she could find a new job. But she still became a little alarmed when she was told to fetch Hosanna for Carlene. She did so grudgingly. “Yes, mam.”

  “Minna, do you know the girl well? I don’t know of her, her family. That was not any regular food menu from around here. I want her here.”

  Minna felt only a little better. “Yes, mam.”

  “And, Minna, stop looking so absurd. My nerves are gone. I have been through a great tribulation these last few weeks.”

  “Yes, mam.”

  “GO!”

  when Hosanna was informed, she was watching Little Wisdom with the children she was teaching, putting in a few words here and there because she knew so much more than Little Wisdom, whom she liked a lot. But she went right away to Mrs. Befoe’s summons.

  She entered Carlene’s rooms and waited for Carlene to invite her to sit. Carlene didn’t.

  “I understand you did the cooking for the funeral supper.”

  “Yes mam, I did.”

  “It was very … passable. I want you to work for me. It’s been years since I’ve had some of the things you prepared. I must say, usually only in New York or Europe. Now, your salary. I will pay ten, no … eight dollars a week. You will live in, so you will be here when I want you. And we will find some other things you can do to fill in the empty time.” She watched to see the pleasure in Hosanna’s face. There was none.

  Hosanna was looking down at the floor and thinking. Then she looked up, smiling. “Miz Befoe, I have my own business. I do special jobs. I do special cooking for special events. I even do lingerie, special lingerie. For special prices. But I work at home, alone. And I get paid that way. Every time. I charge ten dollars for cooking, depending on the job. I charge by the garment. Here is my card.” She reached out to hand Carlene the homemade card she had printed and Lovey had drawn flowery designs on.

  Carlene looked at Hosanna like she was out of her mind. “Girl, you are refusing? Me? Steady employment? A home? The city has made you stupid!”

  Hosanna smiled. “I am working for myself.”

  Carlene sat up. “If I don’t want you to work for anyone else, you will be out of business for yourself! Now! Enough. You will work for me … for ten dollars a week. Girl, do you realize what year this is and what people are making who do what you do?”

  Hosanna’s smile faded. “No mam, I will not take your job that way. And I think I will make it. I do professional work. And I’m good at it. You said so yourself.”

  Carlene sat back. “Not here, you won’t. What I say goes in Yoville. You had better reconsider my offer before I change my mind.”

  Hosanna turned to leave, opening the door. “Miz Befoe …? I lost my mother when I was very, very young. I have lived and done without my mother. I can sure live and do without you.”

  Carlene was livid! After Hosanna was gone, Carlene thought, “Well, I’ll see about you when I return from the reading of the will. I’ll get rid of the Indians from my school and stop that little Indian girl from coming on this side of the river. Teaching Negroes. When they learn too much, they think too much of themselves. Anyway, it’s the blind leading the blind. Where did I hear that? Never mind. I’ll stop the school and everything else that makes them so independent. I’ll take that land back I sold them! Imagine a snippet, a nigger, talking to me like that! Minna! Minna!”

  after leaving Carlene, Hosanna decided to stop at the Befoe bank and see Russell Moore. He saw her looking in the window and beckoned her to come in. When she entered, he said, “Good morning, Hosanna. It’s good you caught me. I’m about to leave for Philadelphia. They are going to read Mr. Befoe’s will in a few days. Have a seat. Now what may I do for you? More money to save from that good job you did yesterday?” He smiled.

  Hosanna sat in her little cotton dress, looking intently at Russell. “Mr. Russell, when a lawyer … writes you a … writes a letter to somebody … don’t they usually say, ‘Call us if you have any questions’ … or something like that? Least, the ones I have … seen did.”

  “Yes, yes, I believe that is true most of the time. I always do, anyway.”

  Hosanna stirred, uncomfortable. “Well, I saw … I accidently saw a letter when Miz Sally sent me to lay down in her room for a while. It was to her from a lawyer … telling her her daddy didn’t leave her nothing and not to contact them. Now … does that sound right … or does it sound kinda funny?”

  Russell became serious. “I see what you mean. Well, Hosanna, Miz Sally and I are … friends. Close friends. And she has never mentioned it to me.”

  Hosanna leaned toward him. “It was an old, old letter. Maybe she’s ’shamed. I don’t blive that letter. Specially since I have met and had business with Miz Carlene. Scuse me for saying that, but …”

  Russell almost smiled, but this was serious. “What do you want me to do about it? What can I do about it?”

  Hosanna stared at him. “Well, you all are friends ain’t you? What is a friend for? That lady is not happy in there like she is living now. Can’t you ask somebody something?”

  “Yes, yes, I guess I might.”

  Hosanna stood to go, she was a little upset. “Mr. Russell, I came to you because you are sposed to be her friend. Ain’t no friend going to stand by and see a friend cheated. I think something is wrong in that house. You don’t have to report nothing to me! Just see, for her! I like Miz Sally, and I bet her daddy loved her, too.” She turned toward the door. “Oh, Mr. Russell, I have a friend, Ellen, I think somebody is stealing her house from her.” She searched her pockets and found the slip of paper. “Here, I wrote it all down, her name and the number of her house. Can you see who the house really blongs to? She say she paid for it, somebody else said she didn’t. She’s an old lady and she need that house her husband and her paid for.”

  Russell smiled and nodded as he took the paper.

  She got to the door, leaving, but turned to say her last words, “Mr. Russell, you white folks are strange sometimes. Too many words and no action to try to make things right.”

  After Hosanna was gone, Russell sat a long time with his fingers tapping his chin, thinking. He finally took out a pad and made a few notes on it, putting it away with a firm, final gesture.

  on her way home from the bank, Hosanna met Aunt Ellen driving Yin’s buggy into town to do some shopping for the household. Hosanna rode with her, Aunt Ellen glad to have the company. While Ellen shopped, Hosanna bought two good, smooth irons and ordered some business cards with the words:

  HOSANNA S. JONES

  PROFESSIONAL CATERING COOK

  EXPERT LINGERIE CARE

  They would be ready in a week. Hosanna really was in business. She went home to worry about it. But she felt good inside.

  chapter

  36

  russell left Yoville quickly and returned quickly on the day before the will was to be read. Sally had, of course, not planned to go to the reading. Russell told her it was very important that she accompany him to New York. She declined, thinking it was some ruse regarding his marriage proposal to her. He told her it involved money. Her money. In need as she was, Sally decided to go and began her preparations. Carlene didn’t notice because she kept all eyes on her own self as she prepared to go to New York for the reading of the will of her dearly departed husband.

  carl Befoe Senior and Richard Befoe II had used many law offices in different locations in the international world of business. In New York, the main law offices that both men used were separate but in the same building. While the will was being read in one office on the eighth floor, Russell was taking care of Sally’s business in another office on the tenth floor.

  Carlene, Richlene, Emily, Carlton and the still unknown Phillip were seated in the boardro
om of the attorney, Mr. Ways, for the reading of Richard Befoe’s will. Seeing Phillip, Carlene noted to Mr. Ways, “You are certainly training them young these days, Mr. Ways.”

  “Who do you mean, Carlene?” He knew who she meant.

  “That young man seated over there.” She pointed with her black handkerchief to Phillip. It was odd she never had noticed the resemblance to her husband and the man she had loved, his father.

  Mr. Ways smiled. “Oh, that one. He is not being trained by me, though I wish he were.”

  “Then,” Carlene continued, “what is he doing here?”

  “We shall see. He was asked and designated to be here by the deceased.”

  Something in Carlene’s mind twitched, it moved to her stomach. She became wary, looking at the young Phillip more closely. All heads had turned to him briefly. Richlene smiled, looking at him a long time, finally saying “hello.” He smiled back. His look of love stunned Carlene. Emily was looking at all of them, smiling an elfin puck smile at her grandmother Carlene. Carlene was caught by the smile, there were so few of them for her on Emily’s face. But still she was Carlene, she didn’t smile back. She spoke to Richlene. “Do not speak so to strangers, Richlene.”

  Richlene turned to her, her face clear and bright. “I do … not think he … is a … stranger.”

  Carlene was about to speak a disparaging word when the attorney, Mr. Ways, called the meeting to order and the reading began.

  all the smaller gifts were efficiently listed—servants, Baily, Creed and many others Richard had known from his affairs and offices everywhere. Then Richlene was given ten million dollars of her own. Carlene smiled inwardly, “That may well be in my hands anyway. I will be the executrix.” Mr. Ways kept on speaking, however, noting that a demand was made by Richard that Richlene, being of adult age and good mind, was to handle her money any way she wished or the money was to go to charity.

  Emily was given two million dollars in a trust fund until she would be of certain age deemed capable of handling her business, then she would receive eight million dollars more.

  Carlton was given a lesser consideration because, Richard had noted, he would eventually inherit all of his grandmother Carlene’s wealth.

  Then Carlene was startled by the next words, that “any issue of Richard’s body” was to be given one million dollars in trust when he or she was twenty-five years of age. The child was to be well educated for the trust to be completed. The as of then unborn child of Yinyang Krupt was indicated.

  Carlene hated Yin even more now. “When had he done this?” She waited silently for the end of the will. There were still many more millions and the huge estate Richard had inherited from his mother. She sat back, expectant and relaxed. “I will change most of his wishes later,” she thought. “A little talk with Mr. Ways and he had better do what I wish.” She was a little concerned Richard had left even Sally something of sufficient size to free her. If this was so, Carlene would lose the best housekeeper she had ever had. But “we will see.” She smiled at Mr. Ways.

  The lawyer’s voice, going on and on in the list of Richard’s vast holdings, received Carlene’s total attention. “To my grandson, Phillip Richard Befoe, I bequeath and give the entire balance of my estate except for one hundred thousand dollars to go to Mrs. Carlene Befoe, my wife in name only.

  “If Carlene Befoe or anyone tries to break the will that I have herewith made in sound mind and body, all cash and valuables will be immediately given to my favorite charities without recourse, my faithful lawyer, Mr. Hardy Ways, shall not, SHALL NOT be paid for his services, and a suit, which I have prepared for, shall be instituted against him, and her, immediately. Be it so noted.”

  Carlene knew there would be no breaking of the will. All eyes turned to Phillip Richard Befoe, who stood and shook the attorney’s hand and said, “I hope you will continue in my service, Mr. Ways.” Then he turned to Richlene. “Mother, we can go now. I have waited many, sad and lonely years to be able to hold your hand and love you as I can from today on.”

  They left the lawyer’s office separately. Richlene crying, Emily crying and holding on to her brother Phillip.

  Carlton was not pleased about his bequest. It was not enough. “Perhaps,” he thought, “I did not work this out right. It’s a start though. It’s a start. And I am Grandmother’s favorite.” He looked at Phillip with hate sparkling from his eyes. He jumped up, reaching for his grandmother Carlene and the many millions of dollars she still controlled of her own. Carlene stopped near Phillip, saying, “I don’t know what you did to my husband, but I shall find out and I will see that you get what you deserve. I will break you.”

  Phillip turned from his mother to Carlene. “I will tell you what I did. I loved him.”

  Carlene turned back to Carlton, her voice almost wailing, and they continued on their way. Carlton did not know exactly what to do. It was just too much money to glare at, should the young man really get the money. His brother? So he nodded his head with a faint smile over Carlene’s shoulder as they left and thereafter kept his eyes on the floor as he helped his grandmother out.

  Carlene cancelled the reservations at the rich hotel where she had anticipated and ordered a five-day stay with rich lunches and dinners, theaters and shows. They returned immediately to Yoville, much to Carlton’s chagrin. He wanted to be where his mother and Phillip were, to hear their plans. But Grandmother was still a very rich woman. So he went back with her to Yoville … for the moment. He had to get back to school anyway. He consoled her as the train rushed over the tracks under the darkened sky. She cried and kept asking for her smelling salts. Carlton was a bit annoyed with her. “Such a greedy old lady! She is not satisfied with all she has already!” But to her he said, “Don’t cry, Grandmother, I will think of something. They can’t do you like this!” She answered through tears, “Oh, my boy, my boy, you are the only one who loves me.”

  All during the train ride from New York, Carlton asked questions urgently. “Who is this Phillip? How is Grandfather his grandfather? Where did he come from? Why didn’t we know him if Grandfather is his grandfather? Who? Where is his mother? My mother?”

  Carlene, in her wrath, wanted to tell him the truth, but Richlene was his mother and … then … she did not want the name Befoe to be tainted, it must remain beyond any foulness. “He is your … brother. Oh! Do not ask me now!”

  “Really my brother? Richlene is his mother?”

  “Yes!”

  “But, how, Grandmother?

  “She was married, you know!”

  “Yes, to my father. Is he my father’s son? Whose son is he?”

  “Ask me no more. I am faint. I am ill with anger … and pain. I have been betrayed. That young man has befouled us all.”

  later, when she had gotten rid of Carlton and all his questions, Carlene tried to think of some way to pay Mr. Ways back, as if he was responsible for all that had happened and the way it had turned out. “He could have stopped this … in some way! He could have told me about the will long ago and we could have changed it right after Richard died! Before everyone knew what was in it! That damn man shall pay!” Her mind raced, trying to think of some way, some way.

  satan almost rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He felt no sympathy for Carlene. He liked her only when she was busy doing his work. He smiled down at Carlton as he sat in his room, pondering, scheming. “It will be interesting in any event.” Satan laughed as he flew away.

  chapter

  37

  upon entering the house in Yoville, Carlene screamed for Sally. Minna had come to help her to her rooms and so Carlene momentarily forgot Sally in the midst of all her other thoughts and turmoil. Now Carlene screamed for Sally again. Minna came, again. “Where is that damn woman?! I have been calling her for hours!”

  Minna stepped back from Carlene’s arm’s reach. “She ain’t here, Miz Befoe. She been gone all night and all today.”

  “Well! I will see about that. She can get out of my house
if she is not here when I need her!”

  “Yes, mam.”

  “Send her to me as soon as she dares show her face.” Carlene thought a moment. “Have you seen Russell Moore? Has he been here looking for Sally since she disappeared?”

  “No, mam.”

  “They must be together then.” She opened her mouth to say something else, then the thought occurred to her, “That handsome man surely has not married Sally! I am sure he wouldn’t. She is such a mouse.” Then, thoughtfully, “But what are they doing?” Carlene looked up at Minna. “Send Baily to Mr. Moore’s house. See what they are doing there … alone … all day and all night.”

  “Baily don’t work here no more since Mr. Richard died. Mam.”

  “Who told him to go? Well, send someone! Or go yourself!”

  “Yes, mam.” Hastily, Minna was gone.

  The black spider woke from its musing at the sounds of the loud voice. It stared at Carlene a long time, then its full stomach lulled it back to its dreams.

  sally did not arrive that day or the next. Carlene was livid with rage. Richlene and Emily returned, bright with smiles, further adding to Carlene’s rage. But they were rich now in their own right. What could she do?

  She sat seething, waiting for Sally to return. She didn’t really need her, she just could not stand being ignored. And she wanted Sally to write letters to lawyers. While she thought of how she would work things out with the lawyers, she thought of Yinyang. “Now then. I will get Yin to pay Mr. Ways back. Yin just might be able to marry the old widower and take all his money from him. I will help her to do it. What do I care if she has money? It won’t be as much as I have, by far.” Carlene smiled to herself. “Now … what does Yin want … besides money. Yes! The yacht trip! Done! We will go.”