A Modern Day Persuasion

by Kaitlin Saunders

  Anne was taken aback. Here she’d assumed the “event” was relaxing body treatments! Good thing she never gambled! But what surprised Anne the most was hearing the name of Will Elliot again. Anne uttered her amazement, “Will Elliot? I thought…”

  Elizabeth interrupted her in a curt manner, “That was a long time ago, Anne. Dad and I decided to let bygones be bygones.”

  Anne could tell from Elizabeth’s response her sister was annoyed and wanted no further probing. Even so, Anne’s curiosity wanted more answers. “But isn’t he still married?”

  Susan, at seeing the look of irritation on Elizabeth’s face, answered on her friend’s behalf, “No, I understand his wife died a year ago.”

  “Well, it could be just a coincidence,” Anne stated, “But when Mary and I were at a restaurant in Lincoln City, they paged a man with the same name. When did you say he arrived in Napa Valley?”

  “Actually, I didn’t mention it,” Elizabeth said snidely, ripping off a piece of bread and stuffing it in her mouth. Anne was surprised at her sister’s reaction. Why is Elizabeth being so nasty? she thought. It was obvious that negative vibes were being aimed directly towards her from Elizabeth. Could she be feeling threatened? Of me?

  “Will arrived about four days ago,” Mr. Elliot said, answering in place of Elizabeth. “He heard we were in town and decided to give us a call hoping we might join him for dinner. Fine young man if you ask me.”

  Elizabeth smiled, pleased at her father’s comment regarding Will, then picking up her plate, added, “Dad invited him over for lunch this Saturday.” Elizabeth disappeared into the kitchen, but her voice was still audible. “I was thinking you could make that cold pasta dish we all like.”

  Before Anne could respond, Mr. Elliot addressed her with excitement, “Speaking of seeing people, you’ll never guess who I heard from! My cousin, Missy Dee! She’s here in the area for a movie premiere.”

  “Really?” Anne replied somewhat curiously. She had often heard her father speak of their family’s highly famous cousin but had yet to meet her.

  This revelation however was even bigger news to Susan, who exclaimed with animation, “My goodness! You’re related to her! I’ve seen quite a number of her films. She’s amazing! How I’d love to meet her.”

  Mr. Elliot was delighted at Susan’s response. “Well dear, then you shall.” Susan beamed as he patted her hand affectionately and showed obvious pleasure at her appropriate reaction.

  It wasn’t that Anne didn’t like Susan, but she just didn’t trust her. As Anne now observed the closeness that had grown between her father and Susan over the past few months, her brow creased with worry. She knew Susan’s past and couldn’t easily forget the time Elizabeth’s friend had hung on the arm of an ancient-looking man at a charity function her family attended a few years ago. Susan had bamboozled the foolish old geezer, even managing to flatter him all the way to the altar. But when the money ran out, Susan deserted him without any sign of remorse. Anne didn’t care to have her father be Susan’s next victim.

  Chapter 30

  Mr. Elliot had arranged for the four of them to meet Missy Dee later that week at Dietros, an upscale café in downtown Sacramento. Because of Missy Dee’s celebrity status, they were given red-carpet treatment and the food was ready in record time. However, actually getting to enjoy the tasty items was a different matter all together. Everyone felt on edge as they attempted to eat delicately while under the microscope of a dozen or so camera lenses. Photographers had been hounding the establishment since their arrival, trying to get some front page photographic material of the newsworthy star.

  Missy toyed with the food on her plate while feigning an appreciation for her lunch companions. Studying Missy, Anne found the star’s appearance quite ridiculous. Missy was wearing big dark sunglasses and had her hair cut in a lopsided bob that would have looked silly on anyone but a movie star. Not only that, Missy’s manner of dress was unique to say the very least. Anne was almost embarrassed to be seen with her. Unlike most people, Anne did not have the disposition to be star struck over celebrities. Rather, she preferred to base her friendships and devotion on those who had integrity, compassion, and humility. So far, Anne had not seen much, if any, of those character traits in Missy Dee.

  “Stupid paparazzi, always following me around,” Missy murmured through her teeth as she posed a few times, smiling. “I never get a moment’s peace.”

  Anne inwardly cringed as she watched Susan use an opportune break in the conversation to butter up Missy Dee. “You were brilliant in Let Me Go,” Susan began, “That scene where you hyperventilated, how did you ever do it?”

  Missy glanced sideways at her and answered in a condescending tone, “It’s my job.” Before Susan could fawn further over the star, Missy unexpectedly motioned a waitress to their table, “Excuse me,” her voice rang out demandingly.

  Anne wondered what it was that Missy could want. The awestruck waitress excitedly hurried over to them, glad for an opportunity to be noticed by such a famous actress.

  Provoking Anne to sheer wonderment, she watched as Missy lifted up the bread from her sandwich for the waitress to see inside. “Is that mayo? I think it’s mayo. What does Missy not like on her sandwiches? Mayo.”

  “I am so sorry, Missy,” the waitress began apologizing, “I’ll get you another sandwich right away.”

  Before the waitress could remove the offending item, Missy shocked everyone by throwing the slice with mayo onto the ground. Anne was speechless. She glanced around to notice that most everyone in the restaurant had witnessed the entire scene. Anne sat there awkwardly, observing the unnatural hush that had come over the previously noisy and bustling café. The only things still moving were the photographers who snapped hungrily at the slab of juicy coverage Missy had just thrown their way.

  With flaming cheeks, the waitress hurriedly kneeled to pick up the piece of bread, but the imprint of the mayo remained on the ground. As the waitress reached for a cloth to remove the gooey substance from the floor, Anne watched in what seemed like slow motion as Missy flung the remaining sandwich at the clueless young woman. Anne was horrified! The poor waitress’ lips quivered as she touched the mustard and bits of lettuce which now streaked her once clean hair. Scrambling up quickly, the humiliated girl left the table in tears. Anne started to go after the waitress to apologize, but her father restrained her by placing a hand on her arm along with a warning look. Anne froze in her place, having to suffer while watching Missy stick her nose in the air as if she had been the offended victim.

  “Stupid girl,” Missy hissed obnoxiously while pulling out her iPhone to compose a text. “Such incompetence,” she added with contempt. Missy purposely began to raise her voice to get the attention of the other staff and patrons. “These people better not be expecting a tip.” Then pausing for a second, she let out a crude laugh, “Although I will ‘tip’ my friends never to eat here.” Missy appeared quite pleased at her play on words, but Anne only felt disgust at this cruel, egotistical woman.

  Anne felt paralyzed to improve the situation with her father keeping her in check. When a different waitress appeared, Anne felt like sinking under the café’s table— What else will Missy do to worsen the situation? she thought in bewilderment.

  The waitress placed a new sandwich in front of Missy and scurried away.

  “And by the way,” Missy called after her, “I’m not paying for this,” she stated before sinking her teeth into the quality sandwich. The waitress looked over at her manager, who reluctantly nodded his approval. “What a dreadful place,” continued Missy between mouthfuls of her lunch. Anne mused that for being such a “dreadful” place, Missy must be finding the food quite delicious judging by how quickly she was devouring it.

  Anne stared at the star with disbelief, taking note of Missy Dee’s prima donna attitude and wished she were anywhere but in the company of her cousin. With disgust, Anne surmised Missy most likely made the scene just so she could get a free sandwic
h. Is my family so blinded by Missy Dee’s celebrity status that they can’t see how unacceptable her behavior is? Although Anne now realized it was probably wise of her father to have stopped her from going after the waitress, since it would have only provided additional fodder for the paparazzi, but why hadn’t he reprimanded Missy in private for acting so wrong?

  As Missy Dee led her family out of the restaurant, Anne lingered to apologize to the staff and made sure they were compensated for Missy’s meal. Although the manager at first refused, he finally accepted the money along with her deepest apologies. Her family may have tolerated such poor behavior, but Anne would not. What Missy did was wrong, and Anne did her best to make it right.

  Chapter 31

  “So, how do you like the new place?” Carol asked Anne the next day. Carol was waiting in line at Starbucks and had decided to give Anne a call to see how the move to Sacramento had gone.

  Unlike Carol, Anne was working off her earlier Starbuck caloric intake by speed walking through the new neighborhood. Anne reflected on how refreshing it was to talk with Carol in comparison to the daily interactions with her family, or the humiliating ordeal with Missy the day before. Carol actually cared, and that in itself made a world of a difference. Smiling, Anne surveyed the expensive homes flocking the California hillside and replied, “It’s surprisingly very nice.”

  Carol seemed disappointed and sighed, inhaling the pungent smell of roasted coffee beans. Moving up another spot in line, she answered, “I was hoping you’d hate it. It’s going to be so different not having you here,” she pouted. Finally reaching the counter, the cashier began impatiently tapping a foot while waiting for Carol to order. Sensing the annoyed stares from behind, Carol added, “Just a second, Anne—” Lowering the phone, she quickly scanned the menu and decided to select her daily favorite. “I’ll have a tall, nonfat, peppermint mocha.”

  The cashier wrote the order on a cup. “That will be $3.65.”

  Carol swiped her debit card and punched in her PIN number. “Sorry about that,” she resumed, able to talk again now that her transaction was complete.

  “That’s okay,” Anne answered in between breaths as she scaled a steep hill.

  “Did I mention that I’ll be in California next week?” The barista called out Carol’s order and she promptly stepped forward to claim the steaming beverage. “It’s for business, but…”

  “That’s wonderful!” Anne interrupted her, “Although we don’t have room in the house, what with us downsizing and all, I’m hoping you’ll still come and visit me?”

  Carol sounded pleased. “Good—that’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

  “Really, Carol! You know you never have to fish for an invite! After all, you’re like a second mom to me.”

  Carol smiled with genuine pleasure as she pushed the glass doors open and exited Starbucks, beginning to walk the streets in downtown Portland. “That touches me to hear you say that, Anne.”

  “Good!” Anne said, then with a mischievous tone in her voice added, “Does that mean I can borrow your Gucci bag?”

  “I’m not that touched!” Carol laughed, pausing to take a drink of her warm mocha. “No, seriously, Anne, it does really mean a lot. Ever since your mother died, I’ve tried to council you the way I believe she would have. Emma was my dearest friend…” Carol slowed her pace, nostalgically remembering Anne’s mom, Carol’s true kindred spirit.

  Anne slowed her pace as well, almost to a standstill. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. “I know…I miss her, too.”

  Chapter 32

  The next day, Anne found herself finishing the final preparations for lunch while Elizabeth stood nearby, gazing out the kitchen window. Her sister was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the notorious Will Elliot, who was to grace them with his presence that afternoon. The whole house had been in a buzz that morning with the expectation of his arrival. Elizabeth had spent hours perfecting her hair and makeup, and it showed. She looked exquisite.

  Anne hadn’t seen her sister get this excited about a guy since…well…actually never. Now observing Elizabeth twiddle her thumbs while in wait for the man who had caused so much drama in years past, Anne was curious at what special qualities this Will possessed to so thoroughly bewitch her sister.

  Breaking away from this musing, Anne caught Elizabeth attempting to snatch a piece of the sourdough bread which Anne had made. As she playfully tapped Elizabeth’s hand, her sister looked offended.

  “Ouch!” Elizabeth said, highly overreacting. Despite the “painful” slap, Elizabeth still managed to put the pilfered morsel into her mouth. Before Anne could object further, Elizabeth interrupted excitedly with a shrill voice, “There he is!”

  Startled, Anne stepped back as Elizabeth nearly knocked her down to scurry to a small mirror to primp her hair. Once Anne’s ears had stopped ringing from the triumphant announcement heralding Will’s arrival, she peered out the window above the sink hoping to catch a glimpse of their guest. Instead, the only thing in view was a red Corvette parked in their driveway. Figures, Anne thought with a sigh, Any man Elizabeth finds attractive has to drive a fancy car.

  “Dad! Susan! Will’s here!” Elizabeth shouted with glee just as they heard the doorbell ring. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, Elizabeth rushed to answer it.

  “Hi, Will! Come on in,” Anne heard Elizabeth say in her most charming voice. Anne continued to listen as Elizabeth ushered him into the living room where their dad and Susan were sitting.

  Being curious to find out if the “Will” currently in their home was the same stranger from the beach, Anne plucked up the courage to check things out for herself. Entering the room, Anne was glad to discover that Will was not facing her as it allowed her to scope him out momentarily, albeit from the back. Even from that angle, Anne recognized him as the man from Lincoln City.

  “Oh, there she is!” Mr. Elliot called out, drawing all attention to Anne. “I don’t believe you’ve ever met my daughter Anne,” he said as he motioned Will in her direction.

  Will turned with a ready smile only to give a double take, indicating his recognition of her. Seeing the rather goofy and bewildered look on his face, Anne was thankful to have had the prior knowledge so her face did not mirror his surprised reaction. But even with the silly expression on Will’s face, Anne had to admit he was extremely handsome. Forcing herself to suppress a giggle, she held out her hand in greeting to welcome him with a dazzling smile. Will quickly exchanged the initial look of shock to one of pleasure.

  “No, but…ahh,” Will answered her father mischievously, taking hold of Anne’s hand. “We actually saw each other at Lincoln City, didn’t we?”

  Anne smiled, “Dear Watson, I do believe you’re right.”

  Will was, in any girl’s book, a hunk. He was of nice height, well-built, and had a chiseled face that belonged on the cover of GQ. In fact, Anne now recalled Elizabeth mentioning previously that Will had done some modeling in the past.

  “Will,” Elizabeth interjected in a voice that showed her threatened state, “Please, have a seat next to me.” She patted the chair next to her and he obliged. Feeling more confident with Will now at her side, Elizabeth began to extol on his accomplishments. “Anne,” she said, “You do know that Will is a host for an MTV show?” Before Anne could reply, a spiteful gleam shone in Elizabeth’s eyes as she added, “Oh, I forgot,” she continued with malice, “You don’t care about stuff like that.” Elizabeth shot Anne a back-off look, causing Will to glance curiously between the two sisters.

  Anne took a deep breath and tried to pretend her sister wasn’t turning this introduction into a drama scene. “Actually, I didn’t know, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care. In fact,” she said, turning to Will, “I find it quite fascinating. How did you ever land a job like that?” Anne asked.

  Will looked pleased at her interest, “I was a contestant on another MTV reality show called The Real World a few years back. I guess I generated enough of a following tha
t they offered me my current gig.”

  Although Anne wasn’t a fan of MTV or the show The Real World, she had to give Will props for achieving what must be a very lucrative job.

  Her father, growing hungry, spoke up, “Anne made us lunch. She’s quite the accomplished cook,” he added, obtuse to the climate in the room.

  Oh, why did Dad have to brag about my cooking? Anne thought, Talk about putting pressure on my culinary skills! She just prayed that all of her food selections would turn out to be edible.

  “Really?” Will studied her with a new look of esteem.

  Anne smiled shyly, “Well, let’s hope I can live up to my dad’s appreciation of my cooking.”

  “I doubt you’d present anything I wouldn’t want,” Will said with a admiring glint in his eyes. For some reason, the look made Anne rather uncomfortable.

  In an effort to escape his forward eyes, Anne invited everyone into the dining room to start them on appetizers while she finalized what hopefully would be a tasty lunch.

  The table Anne set was elegant. She had spied some beautiful flowers in the backyard greenhouse and decided to use them as a centerpiece. Along with the “cold pasta dish” her sister had requested for lunch (which was actually a chilled Chicken Basil Linguini), Anne had prepared a fruit salad and homemade sourdough bread. It was a light meal, but purposely so—for dessert was “Death by Chocolate”.

  To Anne’s confusion, and Elizabeth’s dismay, all through lunch, Will seemed more intent on conversing with Anne. To make matters worse, Elizabeth was becoming quite jealous and downright mean with every observation of Will’s marked admiration of her sister.

  At first, Elizabeth assumed it was a tactic by Will to make her jealous—perhaps he thought it would make him more in demand. If so, Will was completely off base—all it did was provoke intense anger. What frustrated Elizabeth the most was knowing she was considered the beauty, so why did Will wish to spend so much time gawking at Anne, who in her eyes, was quite plain? And why would Will exert such effort to change the seating assignments so as to sit next to her sister? Elizabeth simply couldn’t comprehend it.