Chapter 12: Out for a meal – Aurica – continued
Anton and Ruth arrived at Natalia's small school; easily found parking; and headed through the double front doors. Inside, they could hear the squeaking of rubber soles on the floor ahead. Following this sound led them directly to the gymnasium.
Before they entered the gym, Lady Ruth donned her dark and wide-eyed sunglasses, and tied a kerchief around her head. As a media celebrity, she desired to remain inconspicuous. The kerchief was a colour that clashed with her overcoat and made her look like a fashion bumpkin. The glasses were unfashionable by anyone's standards. They resembled something the 1970s pop star Elton John would have rejected or Lady Gaga would abhor; thus, they served a double purpose. Firstly, their size concealed her face and secondly, their unattractiveness caused people to keep turned away. Ruth, the media darling, knew how to blend into a crowd.
On the other hand, there was Anton. He appeared to be a fashion reject from several different decades. He sported a pair of Buddy Holly styled '50s glasses that drew attention to his face and a skinny '80s tie made of white leather over a black silk shirt. No one would ever guess that he was an MIT graduate of the highest distinction in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Instead, he resembled someone who had to wear unattractive clothing because of losing a bet. It would be hard for anyone with a decent fashion sense not to look at Anton and keep a straight face.
As all the players stopped to stare at the two latecomers, Natalia was certain all eyes were on her weirdo father. Then she noticed the bag lady accompanying him and felt embarrassed that people might mistake her for Natalia's mother. Natalia had never before seen this walking fashion disaster. Being the new kid at school is bad enough – how could he do this to me?
Natalia was serving the volleyball from the west side of the gym towards the east when they entered. In an instant, she changed her service technique from a typically non-aggressive underhand style, to that of an overhand-smash style. She promptly served the ball with such vigour that all players on both sides recognized that she in no way intended for the ball to stay in play. They realized she was aiming it at the two freaks that had just entered the gym.
Anton's head absorbed the full force of the errant serve. He tumbled to the ground accordingly in keeping with the laws of physics. In turn, he bumped his head on the ground, which caused a mild chemical reaction that made him feel sleepy. No one needed a biology degree to know that he was out cold.
After she served, Natalia cheerfully called out, "Hi, father!" When he fell to the ground, Natalia ingenuously stated, "Oops – Sorry!" While the players moved in to examine the carnage, Natalia shrugged her shoulders, and innocently added, "It must've got away from me!"
In her excited state, Ruth's British accent became obvious, as she authoritatively exclaimed, "All right, girls; I have First Aid training – let me handle this!"
"Hey," said Natalia, "you're that aristocrat English woman . . . Lady . . . something or another. . . . What are you doing here?"
Shocked that a child had easily identified her so quickly, Ruth opted for theatrical denial, and began, "What? No, I’m certainly not . . . uh . . . well, I was accompanying Dr. Yakushev to see . . ."
Ruth paused when she realized the girl that just identified her might have just identified herself too. Ruth asked, "Excuse me, but did you just say 'hi father'?"
"Uh huh," answered Natalia. Proudly she continued, "That's my dad lying on the floor there. Don't worry though; the teacher has some smelling salts – those'll wake him up!"
"You must be Natalia then," suggested Lady Ruth, as she watched the gym teacher bending over Anton, presumably with the smelling salts.
Natalia explained, "Yeah, but we're in the middle of a game and I'd better get back to it." Then she pointed to him on the ground and nonchalantly added, "See, father is coming around. You guys can sit up on the stage out of harm's way!"
Anton recovered sufficiently for Lady Ruth to escort him to one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs on the stage. A handful of other spectators already sat in chairs. One of them gave Lady Ruth a suspicious glance, but Ruth coughed and discreetly pushed the ugly spectacles further up the bridge of her nose.
"Anton," began Ruth, lowering her voice in disguise. "My intuition is rarely wrong but after what just happened, I am prepared to admit that coming here was perhaps not such a good idea."
As he rubbed his forehead, Anton reasoned, "I suppose it is too late to change our minds now."
They settled in to watch the match, which played out evenly and without further incident and eventually, Natalia's team lost two of three games, each of which was very close.
On the drive home, Anton thought about the result of his daughter's last game. He felt that the referee's poor judgement caused her team to lose that game. He reasoned that if he were in her place now, then he would feel frustrated.
Sympathetically, he remarked, "I thought the referee made a terrible call towards the end when the ball was actually out of bounds."
"Yeah, well," began Natalia, "volleyball is only a game, father. It's just for fun – it's not that important. I'm sure the ref tried her best."
Suspecting she was restraining her anger, Anton continued, "Still, it would bother me to lose in that way."
Curtly, Natalia commented, "I'd like to tell you to lighten up and get over it, father, but then, I'm the one who just played, lost, and got over it." He looked in his rear view at her, saw her eyes already staring at his, and then she turned to look out the window and added, "You please yourself."
A silence followed that Ruth realized only she was likely to break, and so she stated, "Natalia, your father and I would like to take you out for dinner."
Surprised to hear this, and dubious about their intentions, Natalia needed a moment to assess intention. Using her best delaying tactic, with false curiosity, Natalia slowly asked, "Lady . . . Clarkson-Smith . . . is it?"
"Close," replied Ruth. Then she added, "Actually the second name is 'Smythe'."
Sensing this stuffy Englishwoman was being pathetically polite, Natalia begged off, explaining, "If you and father have plans, they don't have to include me. I can have my shower and then whip up a box of macaroni and cheese. If I want to jazz it up, I can add some grated cheddar instead of extra salt, or . . ."
Angered by her indifference, Anton interrupted, "Natalia; Lady Ruth has politely and considerately included you in our plans for the evening. She was to meet solely with me for important business purposes that would be of no interest to you, I'm sure; however . . ."
Not having actually tried to piss off her father, Natalia tried honesty, and, interrupting in turn, remarked, "Maybe your business fascinates me, father." After a pause, she continued, "So, sure . . . I'd love to join in on the meal." After a beat, she added, "So, sorry if I seemed rude, Lady Clarkson-Smythe."
"That's alright, Natalia," began Ruth, sincerely. Then she politely requested, "Please address me as Ruth."
Warily, Natalia reasoned, "Well, I don't know about that – father'll probably give me shit if I don't address you the way he does."
Suddenly turning to face her in the back, with a pointed finger from the driver's seat, Anton exclaimed, "Natalia – language!"
Pointing back at him, Natalia retorted, "Father, you'll miss the driveway turn off!"
Anton turned to refocus on his driving and responded, "Right!"
With the timing of Groucho, Ruth quipped, "I thought it was a left."
Genuinely laughing, Natalia commented, "That's pretty funny, Ruth."
"I produced a laugh out of you anyways," replied Ruth cannily.
"I think that's my first one since I came to this giant, frozen, farmer's cow pie field, Ruth," replied Natalia, and then they both laughed. Anton glanced over at Ruth in wonder: she had connected with Natalia more easily in 20 minutes, than he ever had in days.
After Natalia showered and Ruth freshened up, the three discussed dinner plans. Anton knew only of two local piz
za outlets. Natalia offered that either one would be acceptable to her; however, the adults indicated a desire to upgrade. Ruth rationalized that, after Anton's earlier trauma, he at least deserved lobster. Natalia grudgingly agreed and they drove into the larger of the two nearby cities.
During dinner, Ruth noticed that conversation slowly became awkward. After Anton excused himself for the washroom and was out of sight, Natalia quickly turned to Ruth and asked, "Why did you ask him to come to my volleyball game?"
Defensively, Ruth replied, "Me ask? Why do you think I asked him?"
Using logic, Natalia explained, "Well, I think the answer is simple, Ruth. First of all, my father rarely ventures away from his lab. I am sure too, that he has no interest in volleyball." She paused and then, in a mock imitation of her father, Natalia added, "Curiously though, there is another unique variable to today's different equation."
Maintaining politeness, Ruth inquired, "And that is?"
Challenging her, Natalia declared, "I'm staring at the unique variable as I look at you, Ruth."
Impressed, Ruth admitted, "Ah yes, you processed that thought well, Natalia. You are, of course, correct." Concerned about the aggressive style that Natalia chose to take in determining this, however, caused Ruth inadvertently to stall. She began, "Only . . ."
Natalia decided that Ruth was about to patronize her, and wanted no part of an artificial conversation. She interrupted, "Only, my father told you all about what a rotten person I am and you were either curious to see for yourself, or you really are the philanthropist the media portrays you as . . . usually . . ."
Ruth sat for a brief moment in uncomfortable silence. This youth had not only thought things through with reasonable accuracy but at a speed that would have made a professional analyst envious. Deciding to give Natalia credit for probably inheriting her father's high intelligence, Ruth nevertheless understood that Natalia was wrong about her negative assumption about Ruth's motives.
Ruth reasoned that while she could credit Natalia with the intelligence to make clever statements; regardless, the pre-teen lacked the tact that emerges with wisdom. If Natalia was a genius, she was still an angry child who Ruth recognized could use a lesson in manners.
While Natalia sat awaiting a response, she sported a cheekily confident look on her face. Ruth decided to return the youth's candour, and began, "I'll be frank with you for two reasons; firstly, because you seem to be demanding it and so 'why not', and secondly, because your father should return shortly . . ."
Impatient, Natalia interrupted, "What's he got to do with it?"
Candidly, Ruth quickly stated, "Natalia, you seem disinterested in conversation – almost aloof – when your father is in our mutual presence. On the other hand, once we are alone, you are verbose and inquisitive." Then, firmly, but logical, Ruth inquired, "Can you see how these two postures are almost precise opposites?"
Not expecting Ruth to have cracked her disposition that quickly, Natalia offered a bitter comeback, asking, "So?"
Surprised the youth had followed such a long opening remark with only short ones since, Ruth repeated, "So?" Then she challenged Natalia, plainly stating, "I think you have a better response than that, Natalia; however, since that is all you have offered, then it is my turn to play the analyst's role." Counting on her fingers as she continued, Ruth complained, "You deliberately smashed the ball into your father's head; rudely dismissed him in conversation; and now seem determined to conspire against him in his absence."
Natalia was regretting not having insisted on dining alone after all, and repeated, "So?"
Remaining levelheaded, Ruth continued, "So, I would say you have a lot of anger against him, yet I cannot determine the reason for it. Did he do something to incur your wrath or is it just your disposition that causes you to be insufferably disagreeable?"
Natalia paused. She realized that Ruth might understand her better than she did herself, but since Natalia had not actually tried to analyze her own feelings lately, in frustration, she indifferently uttered, "Whatever – pick one!"
Using a vocal tone about which Natalia felt uncertain, Ruth quickly remarked, "Well, during the time I have known your father, I have found him to have an entirely pleasant disposition; therefore, I would guess that the problem lies more with you."
While Natalia tried to remember the difference between a conclusive remark, and a concluding one, she noticed Ruth detecting that her father was returning to the table. She followed suit, and saw that he was about 40 feet away, but closing fast.
Smiling in Anton's direction, Ruth very quickly added, "I see that you too have spotted your father returning. Perhaps stopping here is for the best. I expect you'll choose to revert to your sullen disposition in a few seconds. Perhaps we can continue this conversation after you've had some time to think."
About three seconds later, Anton sat down, and began, "Now then, what have you two been talking about since I left?" When neither responded quickly enough for his liking, Anton politely inquired, "Nothing serious, I hope?"
As she heard the word serious, Natalia was sipping her milk and she began to laugh. This combination caused her to snort milk across the table directly onto her father's sleeve.
"No – nothing serious," stated Natalia, trying to recover from the snort.
Shrugging her shoulders, Ruth blithely declared, "Bad timing, Dr. Yakushev – what a rotten bit of luck!" She turned, winked at Natalia, turned back to Anton, who had missed her wink, and advisedly stated, "But never you mind – a splash of soda water will remove the stain in an instant!"
With praise that she didn't think she had for an adult, Natalia commented, "Thanks, Lady Ruth; you're a life saver!" Then, with an uncharacteristic child-like tone, Natalia asked, "Dad, can we keep her around for a while?"
As Ruth dabbed his sleeve, Anton distractedly asked, "What, Natalia?" Then it dawned on him what she had asked, and so, mildly reproachful, he responded, "But of course not. This is Lady Ruth Clarkson-Smythe, the philanthropist. She is on five different boards of business."
Still dabbing, Ruth demurely interrupted, "Six now actually, Anton."
Genuinely surprised, Anton repeated, "Six now? Oh sorry, I had not heard." Then, apologetic, he added, "I suppose I have been busy with my work."
Immediately, Natalia interjected, "Tell me about it!" Then she hit her forehead like Homer Simpson, and added, "Doh!"
In the next moment, they all laughed at the same thing at the same time. In the next, each one realized that this had never happened before – it was an unpredicted miracle.
As Ruth and Anton discussed the merits of the lobster dinner, Natalia thought about her earlier short discussion with Ruth. She had never had a conversation like that with her mother; she could not imagine having that kind of talk with her father, either. Her parents were there to scold her but not to understand her. Natalia realized that she needed a friend. She decided that Ruth would make a good friend.
During a pause in the conversation, Natalia stated, "Seriously though, dad, we should kidnap her if we have to. She's fun and . . ."
With unexpected timing, Anton interjected, "I'm not?"
His accidental comic timing caused Ruth to follow Natalia's previous lead except that her fluid of choice was wine: Ruth snorted a shot of Chardonnay onto Anton's sleeve.
Recovering, and echoing her earlier remarks, Ruth stated, "Sorry, Anton! Rotten bit of luck, but soda works on white wine, too!" After Ruth's comment, they all produced a second wave of spontaneous laughter.
Eventually, Anton suggested, "Well okay, Natalia, we'll kidnap her for the evening." Then he looked at his daughter and asked, "How's that?"
Pleased, Natalia replied, "An excellent start, dad!"
After she said 'dad' for the third time in approximately one minute, Anton realized he could not remember when she had last referred to him that way. He wondered if it was a sign of progress.
Eventually, they returned to Aurica whereupon the normally energized N
atalia succumbed to tiredness shortly after entering the farmhouse. Although she expressed an interest in continuing to 'party' with the adults, she soon blamed her yawning on her earlier substantial physical exercise, said goodnight, cleaned her teeth, and then went to bed. Once Natalia had departed, Lady Ruth and Anton sat in his spartan living room and enjoyed a glass of sherry.
About 20 minutes later, after agreeing that the evening had turned out successfully, Anton broached the topic of their intended meeting. Ruth yawned, and responded, "I'm sorry, Anton, but I suspect I am too tired to pay proper attention to . . . what was it? A video presentation? Perhaps we could watch it in the morning."
Somewhat disappointed, Anton remarked, "Very well, Ruth."
Sensing she had rather let him down, Ruth encouragingly added, "I will say in advance that I am fully prepared to continue sponsoring your very important work for a mutually agreed upon period of time."
"Well, thank you, Lady Ruth, but . . ."
Laughing, she interrupted, "But only if you stop calling me 'Lady' when we are not in mixed company."
"Yes, certainly, Ruth, but did you not tell me that you had a meeting in Toronto mid-morning tomorrow?"
Ruth admitted, "Oh yes, of course; I had quite forgotten!" She thought for a moment, and then continued, "Perhaps we'll have to postpone your video presentation for another day. It may take a while because I feel I am about to become very busy with this recent board appointment. I may become preoccupied with my work for the next few months." Finally, she knowingly added, "I know you can understand that!"
"But, of course," responded Anton, perfunctorily, and then he inquired, "Who, may I ask, are you involved with now?"
"A gold mining company called Malevcon. Have you heard of them?"
"No."
"They have a mine near a UNESCO Heritage site in Peru, and they are seeking to expand their operation. I am involved in assuring they do not compromise the Heritage site in any way."
Demonstrating his knowledge of the area, Anton remarked, "I did not know the government allowed mining near Machu Picchu."
"No," began Ruth, "it is not that site. Malevcon is drilling near Nazca."
"Ah, but of course; that place," began Anton, with a sigh. With a mildly ironic tone, he added, "The home of the drawings in the ground."
Perplexed by his tone, Ruth said, "Yes, that place. Did I detect a hint of sarcasm in your voice?"
With certain weariness, Anton admitted, "Ruth, I am a scientist. I may be working on theoretical ideas, but when I think of Nazca, I recall the author of that fantasy book – The Chariot of the Gods – and I say to myself 'people think I am crazy'?"
Ruth did not feel that she sponsored crazy people and accordingly interjected, "Not crazy."
With his hands held out defensively, Anton responded, "I am sorry, Ruth; I know I should keep an open mind."
Ruth reasoned, "Well, I am sure most of us agree that there are no such things as little green men from outer space who visited Earth thousands of years ago."
With a deadpan expression, Anton quickly commented, "I believe they were not little."
Ruth's jaw dropped, and she remarked, "Anton; you do have a sense of humour!"
He confessed, "Only where it concerns science, I'm afraid."
Ruth reasoned, "That comment is funny in itself . . . or maybe it is just sad."
Thoughtfully, Anton added, "The latter, I am sure."
Ruth yawned, and both took it for a sign that her night was ending. As she rose from her chair, Anton sincerely concluded, "For the record, I do care that the site is not strip mined."
"Thank you, Anton," replied Ruth.
They left his living room, Anton showed Ruth to her room, and then he went to his. Meanwhile, remembering that Anton had previously described the room as spartan, Ruth gave it a quick visual examination, and decided that, like the rest of this house, it needed a woman's touch.