Secret Society

by Robin Roseau

  Mrs. Franklin, however, didn't catch it, which was good. She had her head bowed, not saying anything.

  I shook my head. "Someone advised me that one of these pranks would go way too far." I avoided glancing at Opal. "She told me that when it did, I'd better be able to forgive the women involved. I better be able to kiss her on the cheek and move on as if nothing had happened. If I couldn't do that, then I didn't belong in the Order of Circe." I climbed from my seat, moved around the coffee table, and kissed Mrs. Franklin on the cheek. They all stared at me, each with a different expression. I returned to my seat and folded my hands.

  "But that doesn't mean I want to be back under your thumbs," I said. I sighed. I hadn't expected the infighting. I really didn't want to deal with this. "Who else knew her game by then?"

  "She told me the next day," said Mrs. Shaffer.

  "Mrs. Grafton?"

  "No. Not by then. I knew she was playing at some game, but not that."

  "Mrs. Everest?"

  "No. Blythe." She looked at me, her expression filled with sorrow.

  "It's fine, Mrs. Everest," I said.

  "I think I need to say this."

  "Fine." But I turned to look out the window again.

  "I don't want to do this anymore," said Mrs. Everest. "I want to do what the Order is supposed to do. I want to mentor the girls. I want pretty girls to read to me when I break my hip. I don't want to do the rest. I wish to step down as a senior member. No one has ever done that before."

  "You never wanted to be part of this," Mrs. Shaffer said. "Cadence dragged you in to help moderate everyone else."

  "What little good I did."

  "I think you did, but it's hard to recognize it, because we don't know what would have happened without you."

  "I should have invited Mary Ellen," I whispered.

  I don't know if anyone heard what I said, but I heard someone climb from her chair, and then Opal was beside me at the windows, her hand on my back. "You know what you have to do."

  "No."

  "Then who else?"

  I looked over at her. "Maybe we're not talking about the same thing."

  "Ask for their resignations."

  "And what? Replace them?"

  "Oh. That was your 'no'."

  "Yeah." I sighed. "They'll still play their games. Even from outside the Order, if that's what it came to, they'd play their games. And everyone is right. The Order does good things. It should continue to do those good things. Even the initiation process does good things. I'd make changes, but only small ones."

  "Ask for their resignations."

  "And?'

  "Take their place."

  "No."

  "You have the support."

  "I don't want it."

  "Which is why you have the support."

  "We both know why you're here."

  "Three resignations, Blythe. Three places to fill. Who is your third choice?"

  "Mary Ellen."

  "She doesn't want it."

  I smiled. "Which is why she would have the support."

  "That's two. And you're three."

  "No."

  "If you don't, a splinter organization will exist within the main organization."

  "Ridiculous."

  "People will look to you when they should look to, well, whomever should be in this room next month."

  "I'll support you. But I want my innocence back."

  "If there's a slot, there will be politics to fill it."

  "Fuck you, Opal."

  "Later," she said.

  "If you want a splinter organization to happen, jump me over people 30 years my senior. See how quickly a splinter organization pops up."

  "You're good at this, Blythe."

  "I don't want to be! I'm happy to take responsibility for my own life, but that's as far as I want to go."

  "The call to service isn't always welcome."

  "You and Mary Ellen."

  "No, Blythe. The three of us."

  "Damn you." I moved away from her, but then I moved back, right against her until she put her arms around me. I laid my head against her. "I'm too raw."

  "I know. Let's go see what they say."

  I sighed and nodded. She led me back to my seat, then sat down beside me.

  "I haven't heard a proposed solution," I said quietly, then looked up. "I won't put myself under your thumbs. I won't even put myself in a position where I'm stuck trusting your promises to leave me alone. You can make this a fight. I don't want a fight. I want my friends. I would like to be able to do the things I used to do, but I don't need to. I can focus on my business. I can focus on my friends. I can contribute my own way. I don't need the order to do that. So the only thing you hold from me are my friends. And, I suppose, I don't want the Order to fall apart. But I want some of you to grow the hell up."

  "Are you kicking me out?" Mrs. Franklin asked, her voice quavering.

  "Don't put that on me," I said.

  "All right," she said. "What will it take for you to accept membership?"

  "I just told you."

  "Karen," said Mrs. Shaffer. "We have to resign our positions. Ms. Todd will let us remain in the Order, but we have to resign our authority, and we have to vow to limit our activities to the good works of the Order. That's what has to happen. We've had our time. We've had more than our time. And now we're going to make room for the new women. That's what the Order does. That's what we're here for."

  "Who will take our places?" Mrs. Franklin asked.

  "Frankly," said Mrs. Shaffer. "That's none of our business. It's not our choice to make. It's not our choice to steer."

  "But... the Order must be run by the right people!"

  "Who are the right people, Mrs. Franklin?" I asked. "Do you intend to pick your replacement?"

  She stared into my eyes, then lowered her gaze. "I'm a foolish old woman."

  "No. I think you're a woman who needs fresh air. I think you're a woman who needs to allow herself to enjoy life. I think you're a woman who needs to trust the women who come after you to make the right choices. They won't always be the same choices you would make."

  "It's their futures now," Mrs. Shaffer said. "We've done what we could."

  "You were pioneers at a time when women couldn't do what you've done," I said. "You should be revered for that."

  At that, Mrs. Franklin lifted her head and put some strength back into her spine. She nodded. "I've earned my place."

  "Universities have the concept of Professor Emeritus," I observed. "A distinguished position, a senior member of the faculty."

  "I think." She paused. "No. I retired from my companies years ago. It's time I retired from this responsibility. I want my projects. Can I still have my projects?"

  "Of course we can," said Mrs. Shaffer. "Can't we, Ms. Todd?"

  "I don't see as how I get a vote in the matter, but if I did, I'd vote Yes."

  "We have four replacements to fill," Mrs. Grafton said.

  "I thought it was three," I replied. "Unless you've been playing more politics than I realize."

  She dropped her gaze to the brownies.

  "Oh, please," I said. "That was hazing. Was it politics, too?"

  "No, but it was..."

  "What?"

  "Me reminding you of your place."

  I thought about it. "Yeah, whatever. You resign when your granddaughter would be accepted as your replacement. Well, that's my opinion, anyway. It's not my decision."

  She nodded.

  "But who will replace us?" Mrs. Franklin asked. "The Order must have leaders."

  "I presume there will be a vote," I said.

  "No," said the judge. "Well there is, but the only people who vote for advancement in the order are the people at the level being advanced to, or higher."

  "Which is why the junior members didn't vote for Claudine, Hope, and Sylvia?"

  "Right."

  "So..." I gestured between them. "You vote."

  "We're already short one,"
Mrs. Franklin said. "We haven't replaced your grandmother. We should be six. We're five."

  "Five means you have a tie-breaker."

  She shook her head. "Six. If the vote is three-three, then more compromise is required. All votes are at least four-six, and most become unanimous. Most."

  "All right,' I said. "I can see that."

  Mrs. Franklin looked at me carefully. "Ms. Todd, if Gladys, Wilba, and I resign our positions and offer you personal assurances to remain out of future politics, will you accept membership in the Order of Circe?"

  "Yes, but I think there should be a fresh vote."

  "I do not," said the judge. "The last vote was unanimous. The next one won't change that."

  "I have proven to be controversial. Perhaps five fresh white marbles will appear."

  "Blythe," said Opal from beside me. "Accept their offer."

  I turned to her and looked into her eyes. "Trust Opal."

  "Yes," she said. "Trust Opal."

  And so I nodded. But then I turned back. "I don't know."

  "Why not?"

  "Because your replacements may be just as bad."

  "That's fair," said the judge. "I nominate Opal Pearce as an immediate senior member of the Order of Circe."

  "We can't have this discussion in front of an initiate member!" Mrs. Shaffer said.

  "I second the nomination," said Mrs. Franklin. "Discussion?"

  "Am I voting?" Wilba asked.

  "You can't resign until we fill Cadence's position," Mrs. Franklin said. "And your resignation needs to be in writing."

  "I can resign if, when, and however I want," Wilba said firmly. "Which I will do as soon as we fill Cadence's position. Call the vote. I vote Aye."

  The remaining four women looked at each other, and then they all said, "Aye."

  "Opal Pearce," said Mrs. Shaffer. "Will you accept this responsibility and fill your position with distinction and honor?"

  I turned to face her, and she was staring straight ahead, not answering.

  "Opal?" I asked.

  "Shit," she said finally. "I did this to myself."

  "Don't be modest," I said. "Tell them yes."

  She sighed. "Yes, I would be honored, and I will serve with every ounce of distinction and honor I am able to muster."

  "Congratulations, Opal," said Mrs. Franklin.

  I immediately hugged her and then said. "Now you have to go sit over there."

  She got up and moved, but she took a hug from the judge and Wilba as well.

  "I wish to resign as a senior member of the Order or Circe," Wilba said. "And request status as a full member. Call the vote."

  "What vote?" I asked.

  "Whether we accept her as a full member or ask her to resign the Order," explained Mrs. Franklin. "An Aye is a vote to accept. Aye."

  "Aye," said the rest of them.

  "Wilba, thank you for your years of service and wise guidance," the judge said. "And thank you also for your continued service and guidance in a somewhat less contentious position."

  "Thank you," she said. "Could I trouble you, Ms. Todd, for your arm. May I borrow a driver to take me home?"

  * * * *

  Outside she took a hug and gave me a kiss. "Your grandmother will be proud. I hope you'll forgive me someday."

  "I need to recover a little more, but you need to buy a new book or two for me to read."

  "You're a sweet girl, Blythe Todd. Just like your grandmother used to be. Make me proud now."

  "Keep an eye on Guerrilla Girl. She's going places."

  "That's not what I meant, but I will." And then I handed her into a car and watched her drive away.

  Inside they were waiting for me. I don't know what they were discussing, but they grew quiet when I stepped in. "I just thought I'd see if you needed anything. I'll be in my office."

  "You will not," said Opal. "You'll take your seat."

  "You don't get to order me around yet. There's still a black ball in a wine glass, and I haven't fished it out yet."

  "You're about to, so stop squirming."

  I sighed. "You have a position to fill, and I'm not taking that black ball back until there are two more resignations. I shouldn't be here for this."

  "Sit."

  I sighed again and did what she said.

  "I nominate Blythe Todd as a senior member to fill Wilba Everest's position."

  "No!" I said. "No. You can't."

  "Quiet. You're a guest at this meeting, and you will hold your tongue."

  "That's your job," I told her. "And I didn't like it, either."

  There were various snorts.

  "And I'll do it again if you interrupt."

  "You cannot discuss my elevation to this and expect me to be quiet."

  "I can hope. Blythe, you're not thinking this through. I was specific. To Wilba Everest's position. What was she here for?"

  "Balance," Mrs. Franklin said. She smiled sweetly. "Wriggle out of that one, young lady."

  "You can't bump me from initiate to senior in one afternoon."

  "We certainly can," said the judge.

  "All right. But you shouldn't. It's a perversion of the entire process. Tell me something. If Mrs. Franklin hadn't played her games, how much longer would I have remained an initiate?"

  "A year is common," Mrs. Shaffer said.

  "52 hazings?"

  "Well, most initiates grow tired of it and stop asking, much like you did."

  "But common isn't the question," Mrs. Grafton said. "After the way Opal hazed you, that should have been the end of it. And it only continued because a few members were being bitches about letting you pay your service hours."

  I thought about it. "I can accept a junior membership and not feel it was ill gotten?"

  "Absolutely," said Opal.

  "Then I will accept that. And then I will accept a reasonable progression to full member. And that's where it ends."

  "Blythe," said Opal. "The judge is about to second my nomination and call for the vote. It is going to be five Ayes. And you will then accept."

  "No."

  "Why not? We need you."

  "It's a perversion of the process. And it cheats me besides."

  "How does it cheat you?"

  "In fact, as it stands, I am not even an initiate member. I want a clean process." I stuck my hand on my hip. "You may invite me to join at the next meeting. And then there will be a vote, and if there are a bunch of red marbles, then I will join as an initiate. Again. With the modified rules discussed previously."

  Opal sighed.

  "Take it or leave it," I said.

  The judge sighed. "We have conditions then."

  "No."

  "We will leave Wilba's position free. You will eventually take it."

  "No."

  "We will allow you to follow the standard process until you are a full member."

  I said nothing.

  "Until you accept Wilba's position, you will serve in an advisory capacity to this council."

  "No."

  "And you will head a committee to review our current initiation process and recommend changes."

  "You suck," I said. "Damn it."

  The judge smiled. "And this is a package deal. What was that phrase you used? Take it or leave it."

  "You suck," I said again. "You still need to fill two other slots."

  "I am not resigning until we have an agreement, Ms. Todd," said Mrs. Franklin firmly.

  "You can fill the open position first."

  "We tried. She declined. That position remains vacant until we are able to convince her to take it." Opal smiled. "I can be exceedingly convincing."

  I waved a finger at her.

  "Oh, not that way!" Opal denied. "I wouldn't do that."

  "You can discuss replacements," I said, changing the topic back. "Who?"

  "You tell us," said Mrs. Franklin sweetly. "If you think this is so easy, you tell us."

  "I'm not going to be that easily manipulated," I said.

&nb
sp; "It wasn't manipulation. It was a challenge. Give me two names. If I don't have extreme objections, I'll tender my resignation immediately."

  "Fine. A challenge." I climbed to my feet and turned to the desk. I returned with two pads and pens. I gave her one and sat down. I wrote down two names and smiled at her. She was watching me, but then she bent her head and wrote her own two names. I folded my page in half and handed it to the judge. Mrs. Franklin did the same.

  The judge glanced at each sheet, nodded, and then let Opal and Mrs. Grafton see both of them. Then she threw both pieces on the table. I glanced at Mrs. Franklin's. She glanced at mine, and her eyes widened.

  "One of those names is quite unexpected," she said. "I will resign my position and support any of those four women as my replacement."

  Mrs. Shaffer then said, "I will also resign in favor of any of those four women."

  Everyone turned to me.

  "Fill the council first and invite me to the general meeting. I prefer my list, but I will support those four names. But this conversation should not be in my home."

  "Shall we retire next door?" the judge asked.

  "May I please have my friends back?" I asked.

  "Utter silence, Ms. Todd," said the judge.

  "Utter silence," I agreed.

  "In light of events here today," said the judge, "I move we immediately remove all restrictions on socialization with Ms. Todd, also with immediate notice prior to the discussion of other issues."

  "Second," said Mrs. Franklin. "Call the vote. Aye."

  "Please make sure they know to not pump me."

  "Oh, have no fear," said Opal.

  Meeting

  I was not invited to the dinner, and I kept absolute silence. Instead, I received a text from Opal. "Ten minutes."

  It was a nice evening, and I decided to walk, but with only ten minutes, I slipped into a pair of flats and carried my heels.

  Only in West Hollow would you see a woman in a vintage, shimmering red evening gown walking through the park without a care in the world.

  I felt free.

  I stopped in the center of the park and turned a slow circle. "Thank you, Grandmother Cadence."

  * * * *

  I received the next text, "When you can."

  I replied. "Sorry. Walked through the park. A couple more minutes."

  "We'll stall. Knock and enter when you arrive."

  It was probably five minutes before I stood in Mrs. Grafton's basement, staring at the double doors. I shifted shoes and stepped forward. I knocked, paused, and then opened the doors and stepped in.