by Greta Milán
“That could be because it’s not even seven thirty yet,” Julie said sullenly. She braced herself in anticipation of the conversation to come. Her mother would not have come without a reason; she never did.
“So where were you yesterday?” Julie asked in an attempt to delay the real reason for her mother’s visit. At Louisa’s questioning look, Julie explained. “Isabelle’s opening night at the Schubert Gallery. Important social occasion.” She was surprised that her mother appeared to have forgotten about it.
“The opening was yesterday?” she asked before narrowing her eyes in frustration. “Your father suddenly remembered he had a prior engagement.”
“Too bad.” Julie tried to suppress a grin. Knowing her father, he probably hid the invitation and made the excuse of a business dinner to avoid the art-related event.
“How did it go?” Louisa asked.
“Very well. Isabelle sold quite a few paintings.”
An expert at suppressing her anger at her husband’s behavior, Louisa cast a critical eye over Julie’s living room. Julie knew her mother considered her apartment unsuitable for the daughter of successful real estate developer and politician Joseph Hoffmann. Louisa let out a gloomy sigh. Julie was all too familiar with her mother’s expressions by now. Under the constant pressure of her mother’s overwhelming expectations, Julie often felt like retreating to her bed and hiding under the blankets.
“Would you like some coffee, or anything else?” asked Julie, looking longingly toward her bedroom.
“No, thank you,” replied Louisa coolly as she settled regally on the sofa and positioned her overpriced handbag on her lap. She looked soberly at her daughter. “Julietta.”
Julie detected the note of concern in her voice.
“How many times have I told you that you shouldn’t be wasting your time waiting on tables? Your father and I don’t think it’s right.”
“I know. But I’m old enough to stand on my own two feet.”
“You could make better use of your time if you devoted yourself to your studies,” insisted Louisa.
Julie’s heart sank. The fact that she had kept her decision to drop out of law school from her parents weighed on her conscience. But she simply hadn’t been able to bring herself to talk to them about her future, in part because she could never find the right way to get her point of view across to them. She could hardly tell her parents that she had given up her law degree because devoting her life to the minutiae of legal briefs didn’t make her happy. They would never consider that a valid reason. In the Hoffmann world, personal happiness was not high on the list of priorities. What counted was the professional prestige that came from results and success. Since Julie had no idea what she wanted to do, she was more afraid of that conversation than she was of a white lie.
She avoided responding directly. “Do you realize how many students work a bit on the side?” she said as she sank down onto the sofa.
“But those students aren’t my daughter,” replied Louisa brusquely.
At this well-worn statement, Julie took a deep breath. It was time to get to the point. “What can I do for you?” she asked with exaggerated affability.
“I’ve decided to sell a few collector’s items from the villa.” Louisa assumed a bored expression. “I’m tired of looking at them.”
“And what’s that got to do with me?” asked Julie, trying to ignore her sense of foreboding.
“I’ve hired an agency to create a catalogue. A photographer will be taking pictures of each item, and I’d like you to oversee his work. After all, we’re talking about valuable objects, and I don’t trust a stranger with them.”
“But I’ve got to work.”
Julie leapt to find an excuse, but her mother smiled knowingly.
“I happen to know that you’ve got the rest of the week off.”
Julie made an anguished face. “Do I have to?”
“As you know, your sister has other commitments. And since you seem to be neglecting your studies these days anyway, you would be doing me a great favor.”
“I’d actually planned to spend some time with my favorite nephew. I’ve hardly seen Luke since he started school.”
“Well, then I suggest you spend less time on work and visit him in the afternoon after school,” said Louisa. “And while we’re on the subject of family matters, will you be bringing a date to your father’s birthday party next week?”
Wonderful. Another subject that Julie was absolutely dying to discuss with her mother just then.
Louisa clicked her tongue dismissively at Julie’s stubborn silence. “I’ve been planning this party for weeks, and that includes a seating plan. After all, a number of distinguished guests will be coming.”
“I can’t really think of anyone,” Julie said grumpily.
“It’s out of the question that you should be there as a guest without a dinner partner.”
“I’m not exactly a guest.”
“There’s a gifted architect who works at your father’s firm,” Louisa continued, ignoring her daughter’s remark. “I met him recently. A really nice young man.”
Julie gave her mother a look that needed no words.
Louisa raised her hands in a gesture of appeasement. “It’s only because I care about your future, my dear.”
“My future’s looking fine.”
“Really?” Louisa raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “At your age, Joanna had already been in a promising relationship with Maximilian for ages. As far as I know, you haven’t got your eye on a single man.”
Julie clenched her jaw in irritation. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her older sister with all her heart. But Jo had always sought to abide by their mother’s wishes, even when she didn’t share her opinion. Julie had never understood why Jo hadn’t put her foot down about pursuing her own ideas—at least when things came to a head. When they were younger, Jo had always dreamed of traveling around Australia. But instead she had fulfilled her parents’ wishes and gone to business school. Now she worked part-time for their father’s company—when she was not stuck at home as a housewife and mother in their fine middle-class house, where she was becoming more like their mother every day. At least on the outside.
Julie had to admit that Jo’s husband, Maximilian, and son, Luke, were both lovely. Max seemed to be a good man, and the fact that he was also a successful businessman who satisfied their parents’ aspirations was ultimately not his fault.
“So shall I invite that young man?” pressed Louisa. “He really is quite charming. You know you can trust my judgment in these matters.”
Julie was not so sure about that. But since she couldn’t think of anyone who could accompany her in his place, she merely shrugged. “I’ll think about it,” she said finally, in the hope of winning a little time.
Watching her mother drum her ruby-red fingernails on her handbag, Julie sensed that Louisa was gradually losing patience with her.
“As for this afternoon,” Louisa said sharply, “will you do me this small favor?”
Julie gave another resigned sigh. “OK.”
Without a word of thanks, Louisa began rummaging in her handbag. “All the items are currently being loaded up and taken to a warehouse that has enough space for taking photos.” She handed Julie the key and a scrap of paper with the address. “I’ve already informed the agency that you’ll be there. Mr. Colbert will expect you at two.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’ve agreed to do it,” muttered Julie.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
“So we’re all set.” Louisa zipped up her handbag energetically. “Seeing as you’ll be there already, would you be so kind as to put together a few details about the items for the agency to work with?”
She knew from experience that any further argument with her mother would be futile, so Julie didn
’t bother to reply.
Louisa stood up, finally satisfied. “I have to go now. Your father’s gift table still needs some work.” Louisa marched toward the door without a backward glance. In the entry, she presented her cheek to Julie and accepted a brief farewell kiss. “I’ll see you on Sunday for coffee at three sharp.”
“As you do every week.”
“Don’t be late.”
Following her mother’s departure with a sullen gaze, Julie leaned against her door. If only she’d stayed in bed.
She returned to the living room and fell wearily onto the sofa. She had hardly caught her breath when the phone rang. Cursing, she heaved herself up again. The display showed Jo’s number.
“Morning,” Julie muttered into the receiver.
“Hi, Sis. I just wanted to warn you, the matriarch’s on her way over to see you.” Julie detected a clattering in the background and guessed that Jo was loading up the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes.
“You’re a bit late. She just left.”
“Oh.” Jo paused. “She can certainly move quickly when she’s got an idea in her head. I only popped out to take Luke to school.”
“Thank you for telling her about my leisure plans.”
“Sorry,” replied Jo. “She had me there.”
“How so?”
“She asked Luke at breakfast this morning what he was doing this afternoon. At first I thought she actually intended to spend some time with him.” She sighed. “It wasn’t until she pressed me about how you had enough free time to take him to the zoo that I began to wonder what she was getting at, but by then she’d already made her decision to put you to work. I take it you couldn’t think of an excuse in time.”
“Unfortunately not.”
“I figured,” said Jo.
“How’d she manage it?” asked Julie as she headed into the kitchen to fix herself some hot chocolate.
“You know Mom’s tactics. She asked Luke if he wouldn’t rather come with me to the office and have a look at Dad’s latest project. He told her that he was looking forward to your trip to the zoo. He knows his own mind—you’d have been proud of him. So then she pursed her lips, you know, like she does when she can’t get her own way, and said she understood.” The sound of rattling dishes continued in the background, and Julie heard Jo take a gulp of what she assumed to be her morning coffee. Then Jo continued. “I thought that would be the end of it, but then she suddenly started telling him about the new water park that Dad’s building and about the plans and models and all that. She said Grandpa was sure to want his opinion on it. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added that she needed your help this afternoon for an important job and that she was sure he’d understand. He just looked at me with his big wide eyes. I was struck dumb.”
After Jo had finished giving her all the details, Julie took a deep breath.
“I don’t believe her! First she pumps her grandson for information, and then she goes on to wreck half the family’s plans without batting an eyelid,” said Julie. “That woman really is incredible.”
“She was probably desperate.”
“I don’t understand how you could stand by and watch without saying a word. Luke’s your son, after all.”
“I wasn’t thrilled about it, but what could I do? She walked all over me. For what it’s worth, I can think of better things to do than drag Luke around the office this afternoon and see that he doesn’t wreck the models.”
“OK, so let’s swap places,” suggested Julie. “I’ll babysit your son, and you take care of the photographer.”
“Not an option, I’m afraid. I’ve got to finish the annual accounts,” moaned Jo.
“Then I’ll see you on Sunday for the compulsory weekly get-together.”
“We’re excused from that,” Jo said in a small voice.
“You’re not leaving me in the lurch on Sunday too. If you don’t come, I won’t get a moment’s peace from her nagging.”
“Sorry. We’ve been invited to a christening. I couldn’t say no to it.”
“She’s trying to play matchmaker again.”
Jo pricked up her ears. “Who with?”
“Some architect from the firm. Very charismatic, she says, which means young, dynamic, full of potential. Do you know who she has in mind?”
“No idea, but I’ll keep my ears open.”
Julie sank back down on the sofa with her mug of hot chocolate. “What are you doing on Saturday?”
Jo paused for a moment. If Julie knew her sister, her family’s various itineraries were racing through her head. “Max has to go through a few contracts, and I’ve got some errands to do in town. I was going to take Luke with me to give Max a bit of peace, but I’m sure he’d be grateful for a better alternative.”
“How about we do the zoo on Saturday?”
“That’s a great plan.”
“Of course it is.” Julie giggled. “After all, I’m cool Auntie Lulie.” Luke had called her that back when he couldn’t say her name properly, and the name had stuck.
“That you are,” said Jo. “Can you pick him up around two?”
“It’s a date.”
After chatting briefly about the opening and the upcoming birthday party, the sisters said their good-byes so that Jo could get to work on time.
Julie lay on her sofa for a while. She told herself several times to get up and take a shower, but her body refused to obey. She finally gave in and let her eyes close.
It felt like only a minute had passed when she woke with a start to the sound of her front door slamming shut. She jumped up, kicking Spot, who had been lying at her feet. The cat gave an indignant squeak.
“Sorry,” Julie mumbled, giving the cat a pat to calm her down. Just then, Isabelle stormed in and plunked herself down heavily next to Julie on the sofa.
“Morning,” she sang out as she gave Spot’s head a rough tussle. “All right, fluffball?” Spot looked at her reproachfully.
“If you can’t get used to ringing the bell before bursting in here, I’ll take your key back,” Julie threatened halfheartedly.
Isabelle made a face. “That’s not fair. Jo’s got a key,” she said. “Anyway, this is an emergency.”
Julie studied her friend, who was still wearing the same outfit she’d had on the previous evening. Her mascara had formed dark rings beneath her eyes, and her garish lipstick was faded. It looked like she’d been partying all night.
“What time is it?”
“A little before ten.” Isabelle fell back, exhausted, onto the cushions. “Oh, my, what a party.”
“Have you just come from the gallery?”
“Not quite.” A smug grin spread across her face. Upon discovering the cold cup of chocolate on the side table, she reached for it and took a greedy gulp. “Yuk!” She screwed up her face in disgust. “How can you prefer this stuff to a good cup of coffee? It’s foul.”
“I like it.” Julie smiled, not without a certain satisfaction. She rose from the sofa and shuffled into her bedroom to get some clothes. “What did I miss?”
“Not much,” said Isabelle, following her and collapsing onto Julie’s bed. “I spent the first half of the night wrapping investors around my little finger and the second half celebrating the night’s sales with the team. Unfortunately, Elena had to leave early.”
“She seems really nice.” “She knows how to put up with me.” Isabelle grinned as if that were proof enough of her loyalty. “I’ve never met anyone as organized as she is. I can hardly keep my own life in order, and she’s running several people’s.”
“Whose, then, apart from yours and hers?” asked Julie as she rummaged in her wardrobe.
Isabelle shrugged. “As far as I know, she represents at least three other artists. In addition to looking after our personal interests, she handles all the negotiations and PR
for the gallery. And then there’s her brother.”
Julie gathered up her clothes and stopped on the way to the bathroom. “What’s up with him?”
“Some kind of rare disease, but I don’t know what. I think his name’s Felix. His situation seems hopeless, but don’t think Elena lets it bring her down. She hardly ever lets her sadness get the better of her.” Isabelle laughed. “It does make you feel a bit silly if you have to call her up to ask the date of your own opening.”
“You forgot that?” Julie asked, aghast.
“Not forgot as such,” said Isabelle dismissively. “But there were moments when time seemed a foreign concept. Besides, being scatterbrained is an essential part of my creative process.”
Julie rolled her eyes. “Looking at you now, no one would ever believe you were a gifted artist.”
“Come on now. Let’s bring some life back into our faces.”
They went into the bathroom together. Julie tied back her hair and gave her face a thorough scrub. Meanwhile Isabelle took the opportunity to freshen her makeup and tidy her hair.
“Where were you before you came here?” asked Julie over the sound of running water.
“I went clubbing with Lisa. She’s not so bad really, once you understand her sense of humor. And her man-baiting tactics are simply hilarious.”
“Does she have a tactic other than stomach in, boobs out?” asked Julie as she dried her face.
“Believe me, that was tactic enough.” Having touched up her face to her satisfaction, Isabelle sank down on the toilet seat and pulled her legs in. “The sad thing is, it really works. Guys were throwing themselves at her.”
“Most of them anyway.” Julie’s remark slipped out, earning her a knowing look from her friend.
“After last night, there is no doubt in my mind that she’s got an ego as big as Everest.”
Julie laughed as she got dressed.
“When did you leave?” asked Isabelle.
“Not too late.” She turned to the mirror and attempted to hide her lack of sleep beneath a layer of subtle makeup.
Isabelle’s eyes widened. “Say, you didn’t slip off with the leather-clad wonder, did you? He’s a bit too moody for my taste, but otherwise quite a dish.”