“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. We have a guest list I can cross–reference with our database.”
“So you guys do use computers for Theta business?”
“For our business affairs. We just don’t advertise online.”
“Aunt Margaret told me. Wait…How are you going to confirm stuff? I’m going to be in New York and you’re going to be in Chicago–”
Janeen pats my hand. “We’ll keep in touch. Your father does pay for the long distance in both offices and the penthouse.”
“He does.”
“What do you know about your father’s business?”
“Anderson Financial? I know Daddy does investment banking. Mutual funds, financial management, and financial counseling. And from what I’m learning here he helps the larger clients maintain their wealth by finding business ventures for them to invest in.”
“You have a good understanding of the basics of your father’s business plan and mission.”
“I had that drilled into me since I was six.”
“Do you think you’re ready to start learning a little more about your father’s business?”
“I don’t know, I have a pretty big course load at NYU–”
We’re not going to cram it all in eight weeks. I’ll be showing you the ropes until you get the hang of things. And we’ll be going slowly. Very slowly over the next few years.”
“Nothing is going to get in the way of my suffering here?”
“Don’t think of it as suffering. Think of it as learning.”
“Did Daddy send you?”
Janeen flashes a sly smile at me. “Your father did request a volunteer from the company to assist you if you decided to pledge. Remember, you’re being sponsored by both the Anderson and the Travis Families.”
I should have figured out he knew more about The Thetas when he asked about the oath and the picture in the vestibule. Oh, he’s going get it when I get back home. I can’t believe he let me go through all this without saying a word to me.
“But Daddy isn’t a Theta–”
“But his mother was.”
Now I know why he hires so many Thetas. He’s practically an honorary brother. “My Mother was a Theta and Daddy was the son of a Theta. Do you guys marry each other?”
“In some cases. When it happens, it allows us to preserve a family’s wealth and pass the values of the organization to our children.”
“And get promotions for employees.”
“Hey, everything I do is based on you. If you decide to take on the family business, I’ll be here to mentor you. If not I’ll still be here to provide you with guidance in whatever path you take.”
“Wow, I’ve got my own employee.”
“Your father wants you to have support after you finish college in any venture you pursue. He feels you shouldn’t be alone.”
Just as I’m about to have dessert, Dean Mother Carver approaches our table. “Colleen?”
“Yes Dean Mother Carver?”
“Tomorrow at ten meet me at the pool. Wear a swimsuit, a hat, and heels.”
Dean Mother Carver turns on a dime and heads back into the crowd. I was so busy making all these plans for the future I forgot I have seven more weeks of suffering here.
Chapter 40
9:46. AM.
Dean Mother Carver will be expecting me at the pool in a couple of minutes. Time to stop studying and time to start suffering.
I drop the Theta manual on the nightstand next to my glasses, hop off the bed and head over to the dresser to fish through my lingerie drawer for a swimsuit. I better go with one of my less expensive bikinis. There’s no telling what crazy Theta challenge they have in store for me. I wouldn’t want to ruin my Chanel suit before Bikini Saturday.
I peel out of Marcia’s eggplant purple suit and get into an orange Calvin Klein bikini with a white belted waist and the peach heels I wore when I first came here. After I put my orange wide–brimmed beach hat on, I get a look at myself in the full–length mirror. I’m not as cut as Abby or have a six–pack like Angela, but I do fill out a swimsuit nicely.
The air conditioning gives me goosebumps as I streak out of the suite and into the hall. I make my way down the stairs and rush through the kitchen out to the backyard. My watch reads 9:59 when I approach the pool. All the Theta Sisters and Dean Mothers are gathered near the shallow end dressed in their suits, heels and Church hats. Seems like I’m the only one participating in the swimsuit portion of the competition this morning.
Dean Mother Carver smiles at me. “Good to know you’re punctual Pledge.”
Her formal tone lets me know that I’m in for a Theta Challenge. I peer down at the pool and notice there’s a board bolted into the concrete above the center of the pool. The eighteen inch wide strip of teak stretches across the length of the pool and skims the surface of the water. Whatever I’m doing, they expect me to get wet.
“I’m feeling underdressed Dean Mother Carver. I thought we’d all be wearing swimsuits.”
“What you’re wearing is perfectly fine for today’s activity.” Dean Mother Carver continues. “Today we’re going to be working on your poise. From what I observed on Slipdress Sunday you have a very wide stance. Do you wear a lot of pants?”
“I used to wear them all the time after I finished prep school.”
“And I believe from the flat–footed way you walk you wore a lot of sneakers. Running shoes to be exact?”
She must be really astute to know that much about me from watching me walk around during a party. I wonder what kind of profession she’s in when she’s not a Theta.
“Over the last two years that’s what I wore just about everywhere.”
“It really ruined your stance.”
“I’m just getting used to skirts and heels again–”
“Body language is the first thing people see. It can tell a story about you that you wouldn’t say with words. Yours says you’re a little too casual.”
“I just thought being so formal put people off–”
“A little formality allows you to make a strong first impression on people Colleen.” Dean Mother Carver continues. “A person with body language that’s too casual is someone people don’t remember. They’re someone you meet, greet and then forget. In the business world, that’s to your detriment. People who don’t stand out don’t make the connection with people. They don’t get the follow–up call. And they don’t get the contracts at the end of the day.”
“I didn’t know people judged you by the way you walk.”
“It’s those little things that make the biggest impact on people. A formal demeanor makes people take you seriously.”
That’s what Aunt Margaret says. I’m too casual. That I need polish so people can take me seriously. Perhaps if I had been more formal that butch chick wouldn’t have spotted me as the weak link of the group and singled me out as the one to get a glass of water in the face.
“From what I’ve seen you have good self–confidence.” Dean Mother Carver continues. “But your presence is impeded by an awkward gait conditioned from wearing sneakers and jeans every day. We’re going to turn that into a confident stride.”
Dean Mother Carver looks out to the pool. “You probably wonder how we Theta women can walk with ease in these high heels. Well, that’s because we all walk the plank.”
I get nervous watching Dean Mother Carver approach the plank in her tailored steel blue skirt suit and Italian high heels. My eyes grow wide as she saunters across the board in her high heels like the water isn’t there. Then she turns on a dime at the end of the board on the other side to walk back across it. How did she do that?
As Dean Mother Carver steps off the board she greets my awe–struck look with a smile. I look down at her feet. She doesn’t have a drop of water on her Italian leather shoes.
I give the ladies a look. “I don’t think I can do that.” I blurt.
“Of course you can. Sister Marcia, show Colleen how easy i
t is to walk the plank.”
On her command, Marcia heads over to the plank. I get nervous watching my five thousand dollar peach tweed Chanel suit go across the board. Marcia makes it across the board to the other side of the pool then turns on a dime and strolls back over to where we’re standing. As she hops off the plank, she smiles at me.
“It’s not that hard Col. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.” Marcia encourages.
I’m still not sure I can do it. “I hope that water is heated.”
“It’s ice cold.” Dean Mother Carver says.
“Cold?”
“It gives you an incentive not to fall in.” Grand Mother Flowers says.
I keep forgetting they find fun ways to make the most arduous tasks even more insufferable. “Do I get a warm towel?”
“If you fall in.” Grand Mother Flowers says.
At least they’re not total monsters. I can give this a shot.
Dean Mother Carver walks with me as I approach the plank. Before I get on the board she instructs me on how a Theta woman is supposed to stand. “Head up. Eyes straight. Shoulders back. Chest out.”
I position my body into the formal stance as she tells me. My heart races in my chest as I step on the plank. I look down at my feet in the Italian leather peach high heels then out at the chlorinated blue water on either side of the narrow white plank. These shoes cost $300. I don’t want to get them wet.
“Keep your eyes in front of you.” Dean Mother Carver continues.” Don’t look down at your feet.”
“How am I supposed to know where I’m going?”
“Look up at where you want to be, not down where your feet are.” Dean Mother Carver says. “The water is not there.”
One foot in front of the other Col. The water is not there. You can make it to the other end. I take a deep breath and let it out looking out to the umbrella in the patio table on the other side of the pool. My first steps are slow and short; I feel the cool air swirling around me as I move further away from the concrete at the edge of the pool and into the no man’s land where only eighteen inches of wood is the only thing keeping me from getting a cold bath.
The umbrella gets a little closer; I start taking bigger steps. The air is filled with anticipation as I make my way further down the plank. I’m halfway across the board when I switch into my regular pace.
I see the patio umbrella getting closer. I’m almost there; I see the table with the umbrella. I’m imagining myself sitting down at the patio table for a break with a pina colada when I lose a step. I look down at my feet to correct my steps; my body twists and I lose my balance. I let out a shriek as I tumble into the frigid water with a splash.
Chapter 41
One pair of ruined Italian heels. One ruined Italian straw beach hat. One ruined hairdo. One soaked pledge. Just another morning of pledging at the Theta House.
I feel the disappointment of all the sisters in the air as I float to the surface. Dean Mother Carver reaches for me and pulls me up out of the pool. As Grand Mother Flowers wraps a warm towel around my shivering shoulders, Dean Mother Carver grimaces at me.
“I was almost there.” I whine.
“Don’t feel too bad about it Colleen. Everyone falls in their first time walking the plank.” Dean Mother Carver comforts. “You just have to keep at it.”
“So I’m going to have to do this again?”
“Yes. We’ll be doing laps every day.”
“Every day?”
“Yes. We’re going to do this every day. It’s the only way to correct your posture.”
Practice does make perfect. And I’m one not to give up when I fail the first time. If Mom could do the Theta Walk, so can I.
I look down at my toes in the grass. Crap, looks like I lost my heels when I hit the water. “I guess I better get my shoes out of the pool.”
Before I can go dive into the pool, Rosa approaches us with a pool net with my peach heels inside. “Your heels Miss Anderson.
“Thank Rosa.” I say.
“Rosa, take Colleen’s shoes back up to the suite.” Dean Mother Carver requests.
Rosa takes my heels out of the net and heads back into the house. I turn to Dean Mother Carver. What’s she up to? “But how am I supposed to walk the plank?”
“Since you’re still struggling with your dexterity in heels we’re going to try it again barefoot for today.” Dean Mother Carver says.
On Dean Mother Carver’s request Grand Mother Flowers looks out to the sisters and tells them. “All right Sisters, Let’s give Dean Mother Carver some time alone with Colleen.”
The ladies file back into the mansion. After I finish drying off, I put the towel on the patio table and Dean Mother Carver gets back to her lesson in etiquette.
“Do you know where you went wrong?” She asks.
“I looked down at my feet–”
“You got overconfident.”
“I was almost there–”
“But you can’t get ahead of yourself. You’re not there until you’re there. Focus on getting across then celebrate. Now I want you to do a lap on the board. Go all the way around, turn, and come back. If you fall in, get out of the pool, dry yourself off and go at it again.”
“So I’m not getting out of this?”
“We’ll be here until you do a lap on the board.”
Knowing them I’ll be here all night until I do that lap. So I’m just going to have to persevere. I shift back into the formal stance as I step back on the plank. No heels, no excuses. I take a deep breath then start my trip across the wooden tightrope. Looking out to a rose bush a few yards away from the pool, I shift into my regular walking pace. The bush gets closer as I approach the halfway mark; I see the red petals as I make my way to the end of the board.
Okay, I’ve made it across. Now to make my way back. In my attempt to emulate the Theta turn on a dime, I shift my weight onto the balls of my feet and twist my body around. Even though I falter as I make the turn, I manage not to lose my balance. When I see Dean Mother Carver in the distance I start my journey back across the board. Her proud smile grows broader as I get closer to her; I can feel her happiness for me as I step off the plank and onto the grass.
“Congratulations Colleen. You just walked the plank.”
Survived is more like it. “Thanks.”
“Do you feel you can do it again?”
Having survived the journey across the plank, my confidence is a little better than it was before. “I think I could go another round.”
“Okay. Try it again.”
I hop on the board and make another trip around it. I still struggle on the turn on the dime, but this time my steps are quicker and my stride is a little stronger. I think I’m getting the hang of this.
“You want me to go again?”
“I think we’re done with the board for now.” Dean Mother Carver says as she has a seat at the patio table.
“So when do we start with the heels again?”
“We can start with the heels again in a few days. You need to get a bit more comfortable with the board.”
I was a still a little wobbly on that second turn. “I could use the practice.”
“Some girls are good on the board with heels early on, but others need to work on their balance and their posture. Your gait is very awkward. Thanks to all the running shoes you wear, you lean forward when you walk. We’re going to have to rework your stride before we put you back on the plank in heels.”
I see where she’s going. With a formal stance I have to stand straight on a regular basis. I just hope my back can handle being realigned to a new way of standing.
“From here on in I want you in a formal stance whenever you’re about.” Dean Mother Carver continues.
She’ll get no resistance from me. I don’t want to wind up washing dishes. I shift into the formal stance. “Like this?” I ask.
“Good. Put your head up a little more.”
I ease my head up. Dean Mot
her Carver gives me an approving look as I make eye contact with her. “There it is. Perfect posture.”
Perfect posture is going to take some getting used to. In between my back and my neck I feel like I’m pulling a bunch of muscles I never used before.
“Why don’t you head upstairs and get changed back into your suit. There are some other things I want to work with you on.”Dean Mother Carver requests.
Chapter 42
I feel Dean Mother Carver’s eyes on me as I head into the house. This new formal stance I’m in takes some getting used to; I’m not used to having my head held up high like this. It changes the way I see the world.
I walk through the tall glass French doors and head upstairs to the pledge suite. After I take a quick shower to wash the chlorine out of my hair, I blow it out, style it, and get changed back into Marcia’s purple suit, lavender blouse, and eggplant heels and hurry down the back stairs out to the patio. Dean Mother Carver greets me with a smile as she checks her watch. I don’t think she was expecting me so soon.
“Forty–five minutes. That’s good time. I didn’t expect you for another half–hour.”
“One of the advantages of being part Iroquois.”
Dean Mother Carver laughs at the joke. “Great. We can continue working on your posture.”
Dean Mother Carver smiles as she looks me up and down. “You hold the formal stance well. But your gait is still a little awkward.”
“I’m still getting used to holding my head in this new position. It kind of throws off my peripheral vision.”
“Remember to focus on where you want to go. It’ll help you get your steps in line.”
If that advice helped me get across the plank maybe it can help me move around in this new stance. I’ll give it a try.
“I want you to do a few laps around the pool so you can get more comfortable with your steps.” Dean Mother Carver instructs.
I look out to the rose bush a few yards away from the other end of the pool and start my first lap. The first few steps in the new stance with my heels are a little awkward; I almost give into my instincts and look down at my feet. However, when I focus on where I’m going I quickly regain my footing. By the time I reach the rose bush my stride smoothes out. I make the turn and Dean Mother Carver grimaces at me.