Drops of Cerulean: A Novel

by Dawn Adams Cole

Ilona acknowledged the irony that, as it had been with his father, she was the only one who truly knew Cadmus, the introspective young man who, by no direct choice of his own, had been thrust into the shadows of the legendary Doyles. He mirrored the innate part of Patrick’s spirit, the raw purity and hope of what could be. It was this essence that fueled the magnetism that most people regarded as pure ambition. Physically, Cadmus was assuming more and more of his father’s appearance: chiseled bone structure and consummate handsomeness, albeit in a more beautiful form.

  Callista’s comments that day had prompted Ilona to realize the increasing difficultly Cadmus would have blending in with others if he continued to reject female interest, something she would hold at bay as best she could from the vantage point that he was focused on his primary goal to graduate at the top of his class and attend Rice University, both of which were true.

  “Hellooo? Anyone home?”

  “Callista!” Ilona called out from the top of the stairs, holding on to the railing as she hurried down to her daughter. She reached for an embrace, and much to her delight, her daughter returned the squeeze in equal measure.

  They held one another’s gaze a second longer after the embrace, Ilona hoping her daughter would notice the effort she had put forth for her visit—her new, fashionable dress and brighter lipstick. She vowed to make her best effort to smile a bit wider, to try to be more of the mother Callista wanted her to be. Callista did not come home often, using her breaks to travel or spend time with friends at their homes and ranches around Texas. Her times in Houston were often spent with Katherine, dining at the River Oaks Country Club and hobnobbing with the elite.

  Seeing how the past two years had unfolded when Callista was away led Ilona to the conclusion that Callista would come home more often if she wanted to come home. Before she left for college, Callista had no choice but to reside with her mother and brother. But now she had a choice, and she received more of what she needed from others in her life. Ilona knew she could not keep up with that lifestyle, in large part because she had no interest, even though she had more money than her children realized. Margaret’s attempts to woo her to the society scene were for naught. To assume such a role based on Patrick’s money and name only left Ilona sickened with remorse.

  What she could do, however, was breathe a little more life into The Doyle House. Perhaps the past few visits, with Dear Ernestine preparing her favorite meals, a nice chardonnay with supper alongside an invitation for Katherine and other friends, and the fresh roses in her room were taking effect. It was Easter weekend, and although she would attend brunch at Michael and Sybil’s on Sunday, Callista agreed to arrive home early to attend awards night at Heights High School the Wednesday before the holiday, with Cadmus slated to receive more than a fair share of awards to mark his junior year.

  “You look good, Mom. You really do,” Callista said with a curious smile.

  “Well, that’s because I have both children under one roof tonight!” Ilona replied, sneaking in another hug.

  “Is Ya Ya here? It smells wonderful,” Callista asked, peeking down the hall.

  “Ya Ya?” the voice called from the kitchen. “Now don’t you think I learned how to cook some Greek food by now?”

  Callista broke into an even bigger smile as she made her way down the hall.

  “Dear Ernestine!” Callista cried as she enveloped her in an embrace, Ilona and Dear Ernestine giving one another an “I can’t believe it, either” smile over Callista’s shoulder.

  “It’s so good to see you.”

  Dear Ernestine, cupping her face, replied, “So nice to have you home, Miss Callie!”

  “Where’s Cadmus?” she asked, much to their continued surprise.

  “He should be home soon. We didn’t expect you so early,” Ilona said.

  Callista clasped her hands together with a smile, “I was hoping to arrive early so you and I could talk.”

  “Of course,” Ilona replied in her best attempt to sound confident. “Cadmus should be home in about half an hour. Your grandparents will be over for supper around 5:00, before we head to the school.”

  “Give me a few minutes to freshen up,” Callista said as she hurried up the stairs with her suitcase in tow.

  Ilona made her way to the rose garden to soothe her nerves for the conversation. She had not the faintest idea what her daughter would say, but she knew it was strong enough to temper her spirit. She meandered along the sidewalks, reminding herself that her normal flat countenance suggested a stronger constitution than the one she had.

  The thwack of the kitchen screen door brought Ilona’s attention back to the house. Callista walked toward her smiling with her head held high. Ilona wondered whether she had ever embodied such confidence. Callista linked her arm through her mother’s and steered them over to the bench.

  Callista pursed her lips, looking at the uneven bricks. “Do you ever wonder where to begin a story?”

  Ilona laughed, giving her hand a pat, “All the time.”

  Callista smiled, raising her brows with a nod as if to say of course you do.

  “I met someone. Well, I’ve known him for a quite a while, but things have become more romantic.”

  “Oh, my! That is news, indeed!” Ilona exclaimed. “Who is this young man who has stolen your heart?”

  “William Dunn,” Callista said, raising her downcast eyes to meet those of her mother. “You know his father, Timothy Dunn, the man who became Uncle Michael’s partner after Dad died.”

  Ilona did not need to worry about a stoic expression; the shock offered a strong shield.

  “Mom, as excited as I am, I realize my relationship might bring you more pain. It’s another reminder of Dad and what we lost as a family.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know Dad’s will gave the business interests to Uncle Michael. I mean, I know we received some money, but had Dad not made that decision, then the Dunns would not be involved with our family.”

  Ilona sat in silence, knowing she had to be careful with her words. She had never discussed what happened that day at the Niels Esperson, and she did not plan to at this point. She spent the past eleven years glossing over the details, allowing the children to make their own assumptions. Although she took solace in the fact that she never lied outright, she knew she was dangerously close to crossing that line.

  “Tell me about William,” Ilona said.

  “William? He’s smart, handsome, so full of spirit. He reminds me of Dad,” Callista said, making Ilona’s nose begin to tingle. “He’s graduating from UT this year. He will return to Houston and join the ranks at Doyle & Dunn. I know this sounds crazy, but in a way, I feel like Dad brought us together.”

  Ilona could not confide to her daughter that her father would not have wanted that to be true. She could not tell her now that she first met Timothy Dunn at the reading of her father’s will, where he had been complicit in Michael’s bullying tactics that changed the course of their lives. She could not tell her daughter that nothing Michael demonstrated over the past eleven years made her regret the decision to extricate her children from the dysfunction of the family business, and now her daughter was choosing it. Ilona could only cry tears that let Callista believe her mother only felt pure sadness over Patrick, which was in large part true.

  “Mom, I know I am asking a lot. But I have another request, please,” Callista said, holding her mother’s hands. “William will be in Houston for Easter brunch. The Dunns are joining Uncle Michael and Aunt Sybil for brunch at their home. Please come. With Cadmus.”

  Ilona looked at her daughter, dumbstruck at how to respond. She had not seen Michael since that dreadful night he attempted to take advantage of her. They politely maneuvered their way to avoid one another on the rare occasions their paths might intersect, as she was almost certain that he had feigned illness on Callista’s graduation day from Heights High, the flower arrangement and diamond earrings he sent more than compensating for his absence.

>   He knew how to keep his niece and goddaughter close, and Ilona knew she had to figure a way to insert herself into this developing latticework.

  “Hey, Callista!” Cadmus called out from across the grounds, removing the momentary need for Ilona to answer.

  “Dear God. He’s almost a man,” Callista gasped in disbelief. “He looks like Dad. Well, a Greek version of Dad.”

  THEY DROVE TO RIVER OAKS in silence, as if they needed to conserve their energy for the image to uphold in the face of adversity. The previous evening, Cadmus mustered the courage to ask about the night Uncle Michael visited his mother after his father’s death. A few months previous, Cadmus read a book in The Heights Library, a book not welcome on the shelves of Heights High School. It detailed a rape. It was only when he read it that he realized the magnitude of his uncle’s transgressions so many years ago.

  Ilona stared at him in disbelief, unable to say anything other than, “It was a very long time ago, Cadmus. Never mention it again,” before she returned to her room, supper left untouched, to prepare for Easter brunch the following day.

  As ill-timed as it was, on the eve of seeing the other Doyles, Ilona knew Cadmus was a good son; he was only attempting to arm himself with the knowledge necessary in the event tensions should surface again.

  “Ilona and Cadmus! So glad you could join us!” Sybil said when she answered the door.

  “It’s always nice to see you, Sybil.” Ilona said as they kissed one another on the cheek. “You have a beautiful home.”

  “Thank you. It is much more to manage than I ever realized! Please, join the madness,” she cried as the trio made their way down the hall to an oversized living room with windows facing a sizeable lawn, where bright pink azaleas were cascading throughout the grounds.

  Ilona saw a bevy of young people bunched together, champagne filling the hubris of the next generation of Doyles and Dunns. She recognized Katherine and Callista talking to a girl she did not know, as well as Benjamin and Andrew playfully arguing with two other young men, one of whom she presumed was William.

  “Mother! Cadmus!” Callista called out, placing her champagne flute on the mantle. “I’m so glad you are here. I want to introduce you!”

  Ilona and Cadmus looked at one another, surprised by the flowing alcohol given the hour and the occasion. Callista made her way over, pulling the young man Ilona suspected was William over to her family.

  “Mother, please allow me to introduce you to William Dunn,” Callista said, as William extended his arm for an embrace.

  “Mrs. Doyle, it is an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you,” William said, the informality of his half embrace taking Ilona by surprise.

  “And please meet my brother, Cadmus,” Callista said, lifting her arms in a playful gesture toward her brother.

  “You’re quite tall for a high school junior! I’m sure you play basketball,” William greeted.

  “Um, no. But I do play a mean game of chess,” Cadmus teased, much to William’s amusement.

  “We need to bring you each a glass of champagne,” William said, motioning to the help.

  “Yes, I hear a celebration is in order,” Ilona replied with a smile, causing William’s green eyes to open a bit wider before he turned to Callista.

  “You already told her?” he asked in an attempted whisper that was much louder no doubt due to the champagne.

  Callista wrinkled her forehead in confusion as she looked at her mother.

  “Graduation. I understand you are graduating next month from the University of Texas.”

  “Ahhh! Yes, ma’am,” William said, nodding his head in relief. “I am graduating with a degree in business and with honors.”

  “What a wonderful achievement,” Ilona replied, curious now as to the other announcement.

  Cadmus demurred from the champagne offered, but Ilona surprised herself by taking a healthy sip from her glass. “The young man talking to Ben and Andrew is my younger brother, Richard, also a Longhorn. He will graduate in two more years with Callista, and over there is my sister, Helen. She graduated last year and will marry this summer. The Dunns bleed burnt orange!”

  Ilona nodded as she took another sip before turning toward the footsteps coming from the hall. Her eyes landed squarely on Michael, her mind attempting to reconcile her memory with the man she saw in front of her. Age and success had served him well; his appearance was lighter, full of confidence as he made his way toward her. Taking advantage of the full court, he extended his arms to embrace his sister-in-law, and given the eyes watching, she knew she could not refuse.

  “Ilona, I am so glad to welcome you to my home,” he said, drawing her in a tight embrace. Timothy Dunn now came into view as he made his way down the hall, the malachite ring still prominent on his right hand.

  “And Cadmus … my, my, you are becoming a young man,” Michael said, extending his hand in a firm handshake, studying his nephew’s features for traces of Patrick before gesturing ahead. “Please, join us in the family room. It looks like Nancy just put out a few hors d’oeuvres.”

  “We’ll be there in just a second. I need to steal Mrs. Doyle away for a moment,” William replied, which caused Michael to raise a brow. “I know how much you enjoy the flowers in your own garden. May I show you the azaleas?”

  “Yes, please do,” Ilona replied, Callista looking on with a smile.

  Making their way to the veranda door, William introduced Ilona to the other Dunn children and refreshed her glass while she offered hugs to her niece and nephews. As she got older, Katherine had grown increasingly reserved toward Ilona, a probable result of the confidences she and Callista shared, but Ben and Andrew made up for that distance with their warm embraces. Ilona could not help but stare a few seconds longer; they took after their Uncle Patrick.

  William led Ilona to the veranda and to the swimming pool at the west end of the grounds. He shared his plans to return to Houston in June and delve into his role at Doyle & Dunn. He admitted his initial doubt, daunted at the thought of being the first of the next generation to continue the legacy; however, he harnessed that energy into enthusiasm, knowing that his brother, as well as Ben and Andrew, were not far behind to join him.

  She recognized his sincerity, his purity; he possessed a propensity for kindness similar to Patrick’s. And while her heart admired his vulnerability and conviction, she also felt a weight from his honest omission of Cadmus’ place. She questioned which action resulted in more pain: deliberate or blind exclusion? William’s benevolent indifference toward Cadmus brought her an even deeper pain than Michael’s and Timothy’s intentional acts.

  “I am ready to take the next steps for my future, and a very important step in that journey involves Callista.”

  William and Ilona took a seat at a table near the pool, Ilona noting the cabana and outdoor bar. She wondered if she and Patrick would have followed suit and moved to River Oaks, her mind whirling at how much Houston had changed without her knowing, because her life centered in The Heights and the occasional trip to Lawndale Café or a department store downtown.

  “I love your daughter, Mrs. Doyle. I know she and I will have a happy life together. May I have your blessing to marry her?”

  “She’s only a sophomore, William.”

  “Yes, about to be a junior. We will not marry until her senior year at the earliest, maybe even after she graduates, but we do believe an engagement will help me better establish myself in the eyes of our clients, show them that I am more than just a young bachelor, and,” he continued with a laugh, “and it is inevitable anyway … We are in love.”

  Although his eyes resonated sincerity, Ilona surmised the families had done their fair share of maneuvering to help him reach this conclusion. She knew any level of protest would label her unreasonably contrary, a woman upset that she had drawn a pitiful hand.

  “You have my blessings for a happy, long life together, William,” Ilona replied, placing her hand over his as she prayed for the contin
uation of his kindness.

  NEXT TO ILONA’S PLACE CARD was a glass of chardonnay. What the hell, she thought, as she took her seat in between William and Cadmus. Michael offered an Easter blessing, Ilona opening her eyes and lifting her head a second before the others to notice Michael eyeing her from the head of the table. Sybil noticed her husband’s glance as well, and her gaze darted rapidly between the two.

  William took the collective Amen as his cue to rise, glass of wine in hand.

  “I’d like to take a moment if I may to share some joyous news.” He looked over to Callista, Ilona recognizing the wide smile that was once her own. Her daughter made her way over to William, her gaze fixed adoringly, waiting for him to continue. “I am honored to share that Callista Aislinn Doyle will be my wife.”

  Everyone burst into applause even though Ilona surmised this proclamation was far from unexpected. William lifted Callista’s hand to reveal a stunning solitaire, a ring quite fitting for a Doyle-Dunn. Another round of cheers accompanied their kiss, with Michael then raising his glass to toast the happy couple. Ilona rose from her seat to offer hugs and congratulations to her daughter and William, blinking away the tears welling in her eyes.

  Conversation naturally centered on wedding preparations, Helen sharing thoughts on the process since her own wedding was in but a few months. Her fiancé was in Dallas with his grandparents, and Helen wondered aloud how they would divvy holidays after the nuptials.

  True to form, talk of business surfaced, with the younger generation piping in with comments of their own. Cadmus remained true to himself as the quiet one, the announcement of his intent to study literature at Rice University not offering a viable path for follow-up questions with this particular bunch.

  Ilona was thankful when Ben rose from his seat at the end of the meal, beckoning the other young ones to change into their suits for a swim. Cadmus accepted the offer to borrow a suit from his cousins. Although the efforts warmed her heart, she was hoping for an early departure. She took advantage of the flurry, taking her refreshed chardonnay to the library she noticed when they first entered the home.