Chpt 2 continued

Floral Clovers

With her afternoon shot full of holes, Jennifer decided to leave the office early. As she walked to her car, she dialed Dale’s cell phone. She wasn’t surprised that his voice mail picked up the call. But a girl can hope. She left a message that she was heading home and if he had some free time to call her.

As she drove towards her home, she kept glancing at the folder, which held her brother’s offer. Jennifer thought about her family often, but the feelings evoked were not pleasant, except when she thought of her mother. Jennifer couldn’t forgive her father and brother, for not coming to her aid when she needed them the most. She had married against her father’s wishes, so she was prepared for his rage and disappointment, but not from her little brother. He broke her heart when he sided with her father. It was then that she realized he was a puppet, doing and thinking like their father, no matter what it cost him. She hadn’t seen him in almost twenty years.

After her divorce, Jennifer considered reconciliation with her family. They were right in many ways, regarding her poor choice of a husband. But in the end, she didn’t contact them. Instead she spent the last fifteen years, working hard to move up the corporate stairway of recognition and leadership.

She read the offer very carefully. The lawyer was correct. Her brother was more than generous regarding her share of the estate. She remembered the day she saw the front page article about her father’s sudden death from a massive heart attack and it was a loss to the state of North Carolina. For a long time, she stared at the black and white image of him laughing from the photo contributed by the family. Jennifer wanted to cry, but her eyes remained dry. After he disowned her, she had spent years crying until her tear ducts were empty and still remained so.

Her mind wandered over the lawyer, Martin Schmidt. Jennifer hated to admit it, but she admired the way her cold glances ricocheted off him, not one penetrated his professionalism. She was accustomed to unnerving people with her hard edge, because most people assumed that because she was beautiful that she would be easy to walk over. But he didn’t. She wondered what her brother had told him about her. Did he bring up the dirty laundry of the past? But she didn’t recall seeing any contempt for her in his eyes. They remained a warm brown, like coffee on a cold morning.

Jennifer’s cell phone buzzed on the seat beside her. She smiled as she saw the name on the caller ID. “Hello Mr. Larkin.”

“Hello, Ms. Swann. You’re off early.” Dale’s voice simmered in suggestion. “I have a nice town house for you to view. It’s in the new gated community, close to down town.”

Jennifer couldn’t suppress her surprise. “The Floral Clovers?” Dale, I was under the impression there was a long waiting list for purchase of those townhouses!”

“You forget I have connections. Meet me at the gate in twenty minutes. We’ll…test the waters. See how you like it. This could be the one you’ve been searching for. But I’ll warn you now, Jen. It’s very expensive.”

Glancing at the folder on the seat beside her, Jennifer smiled and said, “I’m not worried about the price. I’ll see you there in twenty.” She made a kissing noise and then hung up. It was time to severe all the ties to her past.

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Time Bandit

Georgette and Martin were introduced by mutual friends, who hoped that love at first sight would overpower them. Martin was smitten with Georgette, but she remained true to Trip. Over time, Martin had become her most valued friend, even if he did loathe Trip. She pretended Trip was wrong about Martin’s desire that he become more than a friend. He was in love with her, but he would never step across the friendship line, because he respected her. And he preferred having her as a friend than not having her in his life at all. Though he respected her feelings of friendship, he still voiced his opinion of Trip Trevor at every opportunity.

As they ate, she told him about Trip’s banishment into the cold morning and how he got upset over her not answering his calls. “Martin, I know he’s selfish, but you would think he would be more understanding. The meeting went into lunch and I really couldn’t talk. I hate how he made me feel—that I was unfaithful to him and his silly show.”

“He’s a petty fool. Don’t let his ego stroking needs cause you to lose the DT renovation job. Think of the city and county contracts you might land if this job’s done with the expertise I know you posses.”

“Martin, he won’t make me chose between him and this job. You misjudge him.”

“My dear sweet child, Trip’s a crook. He steals time from you. He sucks out your vitality and uses it for hair gel.”

“That’s a new one. I think it’s better than the one from last week. Let’s see. What was it…Oh, ‘Trip’s an artificial sun without light and I am a flower starving for it.”

“Hello, you two.” It was Susan Ritter, one half of the Ritter duo that introduced them to each other. She gave them both a hug and a kiss. “Can I join you for a moment?” She asked, as she sat in a vacant chair at their table.

“Susan, it’s been ages. How are you? How’s Elijah?” Georgette asked, watching Martin wipe vivid red lipstick off his cheek.

While Susan chatted away about her current news, Georgette raised a questioning eyebrow at Martin. He nodded and pointed to a spot close to his chin. She discreetly wiped the corresponding area on her chin. The napkin became stained with red.

“Oh I almost forgot. Elijah and I are throwing our last dinner party next Saturday. You two must come. We’re celebrating the foreclosure of our new home. It’s not far from your place Martin. Over on Cedar Drive. It’s taken months to find the right house to buy. I don’t know what we would have done without Dale Larkin. That man is an angel. He searched until he found the perfect home. Georgette, once we’re settled I want you to come by and give me some suggestions on what to plant in the garden spot. I’m thinking herbs and roses.”

“I can’t wait to see the new home,” said Georgette. She smiled at Susan’s enthusiasm. New homes were exciting until you moved in and realized you had a house full of boxes to unpack.

“Be there at 6:30 for before dinner drinks. It’s a formal dinner. Black tie and evening wear. We’re going all out, my dears. We’re having a live band on the patio.” Susan lowered her voice and said, “Also, a special guest. Congressman Redden. I’m so excited. He’s one of our new neighbors and has been so friendly. Already welcoming us into the neighborhood.”