I’m about to head over to the buffet to get a cheeseburger, but I’m stopped dead in my tracks. A Hawaiian song starts to play softly on the speakers around the patio. I remember it from the Hawaiian vacation Daddy took me on when I was 12. Man, I had a great time on that trip. I think I remember some of the moves the hula dancers showed me at the resort.
I let my body fall into the music’s mellow groove. As the ukulele plays, I imagine myself wearing a grass skirt and coconut bra while my body sways to the beats of the music.
“Hula dancing Col?” Marcy asks.
“I learned it during a vacation when I was twelve.” I reply between steps.
The slow swaying beats of the Hawaiian uke shift to a thumping Tahitian drumbeat. As the song changes, I transition from the graceful moves of a Hawaiian dancer into the gyrating hips of a Tahitian Vahine. Soon each gesture of my hips is in tandem with the rapid pace of the drumbeats.
Marcy and Abby are enjoying my show, they light up watching me dance. I feel the eyes of the Dean Mothers on me in the distance. They’re into the show too. When I turn to switch into a step on the final beats of the drums I’m greeted by Grand Mother Flowers smile. Halfway into a hip gyration I stumble and fall flat on my butt as I meet the smiling eyes of her surprise guest.
“Daddy!” I gasp.
Chapter 55
Daddy offers me a hand to help me up after my tumble to the grass. I don’t know which took a bigger bruise, the one my rear end or the one my pride.
“Looks like you didn’t forget what you learned about the Vahine dance during our vacation to Tahiti last year.” Daddy says pulling me up.
I give Daddy a big hug. I’ll have to admit this is quite the surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see Daddy until I got home in August. “I was just showing everyone a few of my moves.” I say.
“Well, Edna tells me you’ve been learning quite a bit here.” He replies as we break the embrace.
“It hasn’t been a vacation.” I say.
“I wouldn’t think it would be.” Daddy says.
I turn to Grand Mother Flowers. “I didn’t think men were allowed into the Theta House.”
“Your father is always welcome to the Theta House.” Grand Mother Flowers says.
“Because he’s the son of a Theta–”
“Because he’s your father. Don’t you think he’d like to know how you’re doing after a month away from home?”
With the rough way they play he probably would be worried about me. But I’m thinking they allowed him to visit me because we’re off the clock. I’m going to have to thank her for bringing him up when I get the chance tonight. Even though I’m having fun here, I really did miss him.
Daddy smiles as he looks me over. “Well, you did keep her in one piece Edna.”
Seems like he’s aware of the rough way the Thetas play. “We banged her up a little, but your daughter is like a Timex watch. She takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” Grand Mother Flowers teases.
“Yep, she’s just like her mother.” Daddy laughs.
“I’ll have Rosa bring you over some barbecue so you can talk.”
“Thank you.” Daddy says.
Grand Mother Flowers strolls over to the barbecue pit while Daddy and I head over to the patio table. As we ease into the cushioned wrought–iron seats, my face twists into a grimace. “You know you set me up.”
“I didn’t set you up Pumpkin. I just gave you a little push in the right direction.”
“You know your little Theta friends have done horrible things to me over the past month.” I tell him. “Horrible things.”
“Yes. Edna told me.” Daddy says smiling back at me.
“So you know about how they tasered your only daughter, tossed her in a pool with a cast iron ball on her leg and made her walk a plank?
“And you’re still here to talk about it.”
“Don’t tell me you’re as cold as they are–”
“I’m not apathetic, but I can see the positives about the situation.” Daddy says. “You’ve toughened your resolve, built some character–”
“I’ve been tortured nine ways to Sunday.”
“But you did get some perspective on how women on the other side think?”
“I did.” I concede. “And I see that those ladies aren’t the enemy. I am.”
“So you’ve learned some humility over the past month.”
I give him a look. “Was I really that bad?”
“If you could have only listened to some of your feminist rants over the past two years.”
“Okay, “I’ll admit it was narrow–minded of me to call girls who pledge sororities as a bunch of MochaTan Malibu Barbies.”
“That’s something you wouldn’t have learned in those Women’s Studies classes you’ve been taking.”
I would have missed out on some great relationships too. “So you don’t like Feminism?”
Daddy smiles at me. “While I believe that women have equal rights under the law, I don’t believe that men and women are the same.”
This is a kick in the juggs. “I always thought you supported my pursuit of women’s rights and feminism–”
“I support you pumpkin.” Daddy comforts. “But I don’t support feminism.”
“Then why did you let me study it for the last two years?”
“I’ve always believed if you train up a child in the way that’s right they’ll go back to it.”
“You must think you did a good job raising me–”
“I’d like to think I did.” Daddy continues. “I always knew you’d go out and explore things on your own. But I also believed you’d find out the truths behind those false teachings and return to the values you learned at home.”
I am back at square one. “I’m guessing that’s why Grand Mother Flowers calls you a progressive.”
“Edna believes in teaching children values straight from the Bible from the day they’re born. I prefer to show an example and let children explore, discover and make choices on their own. We used to disagree about our ideologies all the time when we were younger.”
“How long have you been friends with Grand Mother Flowers?”
“Since I was a teenager. We were always friends, but after your mother passed, we became close.”
I give him a look. “Romantic close?”
“I’d think her husband would have something to say about that.” Daddy laughs.
Whew. For a moment there I thought Grand Mother Flowers almost had a chance of becoming Step Mother Flowers.
“Edna feared I was taking you down a bad road by being so liberal with you.” Daddy continues.
This is a surprise. “She was concerned about me when I was little?”
“She thought I’d have trouble raising a girl on my own. She even wanted to move up here to help me.”
“But you had Aunt Margaret–”
“That’s what Edna was afraid of.”
My stay here has eradicated most of her influence on my life. “She probably thought I was a hellcat–”
“No, Edna really likes you. She thinks you’re a fine young woman.”
There’s a surprise. “In spite of my upbringing–”
“She thinks you’re a fine young woman for the same reason I love you. Because of who you are.”
I must have left a strong first impression on her. “Looks like you two finally agree on something.”
“Yes. And we’re both proud of you.”
“So have you finally figured out what you’re going to major in? Or do you need more time?”
He probably wants to know if I’ll be wasting more of his money on Women’s Studies classes. I’ll let him know I have a direction I’m going in next semester. “I’m going to major in economics. Seeing how much our family’s business affects other people’s lives I don’t see taking over for you as much as an inevitable destiny to run from anymore.”
Daddy smiles at me proudly. I think he’s happy knowing I’ll be following in
his footsteps. “So you won’t be pursuing your work at Anderson Financial with apathetic resignation in two years?”
“Four.” I correct. You’re on the hook for grad school now.”
“True, you really need an MBA if you’re going to do investment banking and financial consulting like I do.”
“And Janeen is my assistant when I graduate.”
“Hiring employees? Daddy asks as he looks across the pool at Janeen in her navy blue bikini.
“Er…You gave her to me.”
“I felt you could use some support from your fellow Theta sisters coming into the business.”
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that kind of gift until college graduation.”
“Your pledging Theta showed me some commitment. So I put your in–house training on the fast track. I think you’ll like Janeen. She’s been doing a great job since she took over for your mother when she left the company.”
So there’s her connection to my mother. “So she’s started out in Mom’s old job?”
“I needed someone to pick up the slack when your mother quit working for me to take care of you”. Daddy continues. “Janeen had an offer from American Express when she finished college, but your mother insisted I hire her instead. Turns out that was one of the best business decisions I ever made.”
“Aren’t you afraid that me having my own employee is going to take away from Anderson Chicago’s productivity?”
“I have someone ready to fill in for her while she’s mentoring you.”
“I forget how many Theta Sisters work for you.”
“You’ll get to meet more of them when we get back to the city.”
“I guess that’s part of my busy August.”
The more you learn now, the smoother you’ll be able to transition into the business when it’s time for you to take over.”
“So do I get a corner office after grad school?”
“No, you get a cubicle with a private phone line.”
Well, everyone has to start somewhere. He probably thinks by putting me in the pit with the rest of the rookies will make it look like I’m not getting preferential treatment.
“No one at the office is going to see me as equal to everyone else–”
“Edna has her way and I have mine–”
“Talking about me?” Grand Mother Flowers inquires as she brings over a tray of burgers.
Chapter 56
Grand Mother Flowers eases the tray of burgers and cans of soda down on the patio table. I give her a look. I thought Theta women didn’t do little stuff like this.
“We’re saying nothing but good things about you Edna.” Daddy says.
“I thought Rosa was serving us–”
“A good hostess always serves her guests personally.” Grand Mother Flowers replies.
She’s probably serving to accommodate Daddy. Even though they disagree on ideologies, it seems they really do have an amicable relationship for her to go out of her way.
“Thank you Edna.” Daddy says taking a burger off the tray.
“You’re welcome Jack.” Grand Mother Flowers replies taking a burger off the tray.
After they get their burgers I take a cheeseburger off the tray. “I have to say you raised Colleen well Jack. She has excellent manners.”
“It’s one of the things Colleen learned attending all our parties and events throughout the years.”
“She does know how to work a crowd. You should have seen her last Sunday. She was networking like a pro.”
“I heard how you worked the Buffington deal from Janeen.” Daddy says.
“She’s going to give me an original when we get back to New York.” I say in between bites of my burger.
“Martha rarely ever parts with her originals. She must really like you.”
I must have left some impression on her. “With all the meetings I’m having with Theta alumni in August, it looks won’t be able to go on our annual summer vacation.”
“So you won’t be learning any exotic dances this year?” Grand Mother Flowers inquires.
“Unfortunately, work comes before play.”
Daddy smiles at me. “Maybe we can make it out to the Hamptons for Labor Day weekend.”
I light up. Daddy hasn’t taken me up to the house in the Hamptons since Mom died. I wonder what made him change his mind. “You’re opening up the house again!”
“I feel it’s time.” Daddy continues. “I’m ready to put the past behind me.”
“I thought you would have sold it after so many years.” Grand Mother Flowers says.
“I had a lot of memories in that place Edna.” Daddy says. “There’s no way I’d ever sell it.”
“Well, after twelve years, the dust there probably has dust.”
“That’s why I’m having it cleaned up as we speak.” Daddy replies. “I’d love to have you over at the house for my Labor Day party Edna.”
Grand Mother Flowers smiles at Daddy. “You always did throw the best parties.”
“I’m hoping to have a big one this year.”
“It looks like I’ll be staying in New York for a few more weeks.”
Chapter 57
The sun goes down as Daddy and I stroll down the walkway to the driveway where Rumsfeld is waiting by the Rolls. Before he eases into the backseat, I give him a hug. He smiles at me proudly as he breaks the embrace.
“Did you get a little taller?” Daddy asks.
I look down at my pink pedicured toes then catch his smiling brown eyes. “No, I’m the same height.”
Daddy looks me over again. “I don’t know it seems like you’re standing a little taller.”
“Maybe it’s the formal stance.”
“Maybe it is. I’ll see you in a month Pumpkin.”
I smile at Daddy as he eases into the backseat of the Rolls. After Rumsfeld closes the door behind him and gets in the driver’s seat, Daddy waves goodbye me. As the car drives down the hill and out the front gates, I hurry back into the house. I’m eager to talk to Grand Mother Flowers about her relationship with my father.
The cold marble tiles send a chill up my spine as I enter the vestibule. I rush up the stairs and pause in the doorway of Grand Mother Flowers’ room. As I catch the silhouette of her naked body behind the paper and cherry wood screen, I turn on the dime and start heading back to my room to give her some privacy. I’m stopped dead in my tracks when she calls out to me.
“What can I do for you Colleen?”
How does she do that? “How did you know it was me?”
Grand Mother Flowers steps from behind the screen in a floral print silk robe and gives me a smile as she approaches me. “I could hear the pattern of your footsteps pounding on the floor.”
“Man, you’re like a ninja.”
“I learned a lot of things from Andrea Robinson that I still use to this day.”
I wonder if I can learn some of that stuff. I’d love to be able to sneak up on people the way she does. “So she was a ninja?”
“No, just very astute. What can I do for you?” Grand Mother Flowers asks.
“I just wanted to thank you for bringing Daddy up to visit.”
“It was the least I could do for you for being such a good sport these past few weeks.”
Grand Mother Flowers grabs my hand and pulls me into her bedroom. “Don’t just stand there. Come in–”
I let her yank me into her personal space with the invite. Unlike the plain white furnishings of the Pledge suite, her room is decorated with her personal touch. Along with the Asian screen, the room is decorated with a matching dark cherry European four poster bed, and dresser.
My eyes wander onto the framed photos on her dresser. There are pictures of her with numerous Theta pledges which tell a story of the history of the organization. I spot an old faded sepia toned picture of her in her teenage years standing wearing 1930’s designer clothes next to my thirtysomething grandmother and another slender woman with bone straight hair parted down the m
iddle and a playful smile. I’m assuming that’s the legendary Andrea Robinson.
I follow the pictures of a mid twenties woman standing next to my father holding his Master’s degree in front of a brand new 1957 Chevrolet Bel–Air convertible. The pictures transition from black and white to color of a thirtysomething her in the 1960’s with cat–eye glasses grimacing as she stands next to a teenage Aunt Margaret in a Chanel suit, and another where she stands next to my teenage mother in a 1960’s black sheath dress followed by pictures of her standing with a mid twenties Daddy and Mom in her wedding dress. Mom looks so beautiful on her special day.
As the pictures at the middle of the dresser segue into the 1970’s I see her standing next to Mom, Daddy, Grandma and an elderly White haired Andrea Robinson in Daddy’s office. There’s a series of pictures of her standing next to Dean Mother Carver, Dean Mother Morgan, and Dr. Reed in between a picture of her and Aunt Margaret standing in between my mother holding me on the deck of our Hamptons Beach house. The pictures end with a series of pledges including Marcy and Abby.
“Man, you do go way back with my family.”
“Your father is one of my closest friends. He’s like the brother I never had.”
“You come from a family of all girls?”
“Unfortunately.”
“I never thought having a sister would be that bad–”
“You never shared a room with three other girls.”
“I’m sharing one with two right now–”
“Trust me. Two’s company. Three’s a crowd.”
I pick up one of the older pictures in a silver frame. This woman. Is she Andrea Robinson?” I inquire.
“Yeah, that’s Andi.” Grand Mother Flowers replies. “She was a real spitfire. Full of piss and vinegar.”
That’s the total opposite to the dignified way Thetas act. “So she wasn’t sugar and spice and everything nice?”
“Andrea was a woman of many facets. She could work a party with elegance and grace, and later on tell a bawdy joke that’d have the whole room laughing.”
“Bawdy jokes don’t sound like a Theta woman–”
“It’s all about the timing dear. Sometimes a raunchy joke can break up some of the tension and get people to connect with you. And Andi had a great sense of humor.”
“But today it’d get you a sexual harassment lawsuit.”
“People are too sensitive these days. I think you would have liked Andi. She was a lot of fun.”