Joint Venture

by Tey Holden

  The whole ordeal of the trial was quick. It only took two weeks to convict the two men. Stephanie, who was now Attorney General, personally saw to it that the best prosecutors were assigned to the case so as to not leave any chance that they would get away with anything. The full impact of the arm of the law fell on them and they were both given life sentences.

  Neither Addy nor Karen were present at the trial, there was no point. All they wanted to know was the final result. When they got the news, they were elated.

  “I almost feel bad for feeling happy about something like this, but they put us though so much. I—.”

  “Addy, be happy. They got what they deserved. Aunt Margaret is not a good woman. She never was, and Charles is an awful man. Aunt Charlotte would have agreed,” Karen stated without remorse.

  A few days after Charles was sentenced, Aunt Margaret was not able to deal with the news and had a massive heart attack and died. Karen was notified of the death. “I’m not going to the funeral, Addy. It’s always sad when someone dies, but the real sad thing here is that I hardly feel sad for her death. She hurt me a lot. She was deliberate and cynical. I can’t help not feeling sorry. What an awful family! I hope Alex never finds out about them. It’s shameful. I’m also glad Aunt Charlotte, or my mom and dad weren’t here to see what they became. The only true thing to be sorry about was for having such awful relatives and that you had to go through all of it. I never thought anything like this could have happened.” She sat on the sofa, and Addy sat next to her.

  “Don’t feel bad, baby. She hurt you a lot. It’s normal that you don’t feel anything for her death. Anyway, it’s all in the past. They are all gone and we must move on.” Still Karen shed some tears, not for her death, but for the shame of her family. “Ker, there’s the family we are borne into and there’s the family we make. You’ve made a good family for yourself. You’ve got Alex and me, and with me came Laurie and her kids. There’s also JP and James who have forever lived by our side and who are godparents to our daughter.” Karen was beginning to smile already. “And then there’s Carol and Marshall, and let’s not forget Melanie and Gerry. We have very good friends who care for us, Ker. You have a great, beautiful family.” Addy hugged her. “You also have me, Blondie. All of me.”

  Karen held her tight and kissed her. “And you are all I need.”

  Gerry had contacted them after Charles’ arrest, and later after his sentencing. As Aunt’s Charlotte’s life-long friend and lover, she knew better than anyone how Charlotte would have felt and called them to give them peace of mind.

  “Karen, I know they were blood relatives, but trust me dear, your family are Addy and Alex and no one else. Charlotte has got to be all smiles wherever she is. She would also be happy to know that your wife and daughter love you so much. Karen, be happy, love. You have a lot to live for.” Gerry always had encouraging words for Karen. She felt it her duty on behalf of her beloved Charlotte. Her words were comforting and both women thanked her for calling them.

  ***

  Subsequent to Charles sentencing there was still more horrible news. After three months of imprisonment, Charles was beaten and killed in jail. Probably as a result of his impertinent, snobby character, someone had enough of him and let him have it. Karen was horrified with the news, but not saddened. In fact, she went as far as to tell Addy that she finally felt completely relieved. He would never have an opportunity to hurt them again. She thought that in some strange way this was some sort of divine justice. “Don’t they always say ‘what goes around, comes around?’”

  “Yes, I suppose so,” Addy replied.

  A year later, as if again, by divine justice, they received word that, Tobias the lawyer was killed in a prison riot. When they heard the news they just couldn’t believe it.

  “It’s really over, totally over. If Phillip hadn’t told me himself, I wouldn’t have believed it.” Karen pulled out two wine glasses as she spoke.

  Addy opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of Pinot Grigio and filled their glasses. “We went through a lot on account of them. They were all evil.” At that very moment Alex ran in the house and up the stairs. “I have to watch my show! I almost forgot.”

  Both women followed her with their eyes, and then looked at each other and smiled. Karen extended her hand, Addy took it and leaned into her. Karen caressed her with her face and gently placed her right hand on her back while intertwining Addy’s fingers with her left hand. She brought their hands up together and kissed Addy’s hand. “Thanks.” Addy didn’t reply. She just leaned into her and kissed her. There was a long, comfortable silence. They stood quietly in the kitchen until Addy spoke. “Let’s make something to eat.”

  “Yes, let’s get on with our lives.”

  Part 5

  After Karen discovered that Addy was not listed as Alex’s mother on school records, she was resolved to set the matter straight at whatever cost. Addy was still very worried about stirring up things. “What if they expel Alex when they find out?”

  “I don’t care, Addy. I will talk to Alex and she’ll have to understand. We’ll find another school, if we have to, or we will buy the school if we must! I don’t care. I’m going there to talk to the schoolmaster and that’s that! I’ll rub in his face the Lady title if I must, but your name appears as a parent or else we are out. Let’s see if they can do without all the extracurricular money we throw at them every year. You lost this battle, Ms. Addy. Suck it up!” She opened her green eyes in a way that, although it made Addy smile, it was very clear that nothing would dissuade her from her newly found crusade. Having finished her conversation, she turned around, walked out to the car and drove off to the school.

  “I guess I’d better start searching for a new school. This is not going to end well.” Addy’s biggest concern was not with the school itself, her concern was Alex. How would they tell her that she was not wanted at school because her parents were lesbians? Maybe she could come up with something else to tell her. No, Karen wouldn’t accept that either. The idea of lying to their daughter was not a good one. Even if a white lie, it was still a lie, and it was about hiding who they were to their own daughter. Karen was right on this matter. Things had to be the way they had to be, and they’d have to let the dice roll and deal with the consequences.

  Karen had called the school ahead of her visit and made an appointment with the schoolmaster. As usual, he was more than happy to see her. Karen and Addy were one of the biggest contributors to the school’s capital fundraisers. It was not just Alex’s school they supported. They also gave hefty donations to other schools as well. They thought of it as a way to give back to the community who had given them so much since they first established themselves there, first with the inn and now with the stables and the distillery.

  “Good morning, Ms. Larsen, I am so happy to see you.”

  Let’s see how long that lasts! “It is good to see you also, Mr. Stetson.”

  “Very well, how can I be of service to you today? I hear our little Alex is making us all very proud.”

  “Yes, she is. She’s very accomplished. What brings me here this morning is a personal, as well as an administrative matter. Personal for me, administrative for you. Let me explain.”

  “Please.”

  She proceeded to explain. At the end of the conversation, Mr. Stetson was a mute man. Although he liked them, having a student of an openly gay family presented a unique situation, one never faced before by the school. St. Claire’s was one of the region’s oldest institutions, and as such most of its students came from old lineage of traditional Scottish families. Mr. Stetson was treading on thin ice and Karen knew it. He was also very much aware that Karen belonged to probably the oldest of Scottish families in the school and that her financial support was crucial.

  “Ms. Larsen, I do not have to tell you of the bind in which I find myself with your request. I understand your desire, and I commend you for it. You must know that this will be an uphill battle. As you know, t
he school is very traditional in its values. I also need to remind you that I cannot acquiesce to your request of my own free will. As I have a duty to you and your family, I have a duty to others as well, since they also support the school. I will have to put your request before the school board. Under the school by-laws, the board must approve all ‘new items.’ I will present your request and will abide by their recommendation. I would like to make clear to you that if you insist on this administrative clarification of the record, upon learning of the circumstances you have just explained to me, one of the possibilities may be that the school board may decide that a student with Alex’s background may not be appropriate for the school and may request her dismissal.”

  Karen was fuming inside, but she had her poker face on and spoke calmly. “Yes, Mr. Stetson. I am well aware of the consequences of my request. However, I stand by it. My partner and wife of thirteen years, Ms. Marcos, is Alex’s adoptive mother. In fact, it was her wish that Alex attend St. Claire.”

  “Very well. I will make your case before the school board then.”

  “If you’d like, I will speak to them as well. When do they meet again?”

  “In two weeks. If you do not mind, I would rather present the matter to them myself.” Mr. Stetson was aware of the composition of the school board members and was trying to avoid any possible personal confrontations. “Having been here for a while has taught me how to present matters to the board in somewhat of a persuasive way, if you will.”

  “Sure. Thank you, Mr. Stetson. I will be in your debt, then.”

  Mr. Stetson was a smart man and knew very well that Karen’s words were carefully chosen. He was well aware that her financial contribution was hefty and that he could count on it and more, if he was successful in presenting and winning her plea. He wanted to make improvements to the school and for that he needed money. It would make him look very good, if he could bring in more of the Larsen-Marcos money to the institution. He, obviously, was resolved to make their case. Karen shook his hand and left.

  Concurrent with the situation surrounding Karen’s request to Mr. Stetson, was Alex’s candidacy for the gifted and talented program at school. The gifted and talented program was a special program for which the brightest students were recommended and accepted on their merit. In second grade, all students were given a standardized test. If the student passed the test with a high mark, the student was allowed to enter a second round of testing. If all the tests were passed with high marks, and there was a recommendation from the teacher and the academic counselor the student was considered a candidate for the program. The final determination required screening and approval by the school board. It was an extremely selective program.

  Alex passed all the tests with outstanding scores. In fact, there had never been a situation where the child scored so high, and consistently on all the tests. If there was ever an exceptional candidate for the program at St. Claire’s, it was Alexandra Marcos Larsen. Because she was an outstanding student, her teacher did not hesitate to recommend her, and the academic counselor immediately endorsed the recommendation.

  Alex was at the top of the list of candidates to be screened and considered by the school board. Thus, the issue to be presented to the school board was not whether the school would accept that one of their students came from an openly lesbian family, but also whether that student should be accepted in the schools most prestigious program knowing that the student would most likely continue to excel and would represent and someday be an alumnus of their prestigious program and institution. Needless to say, the participants of the program came from the oldest and most traditional families in the school, most of which controlled the school board.

  The school board was composed of nine former alumni who came from old Scottish families. The schoolmaster attended the meetings, but he did not have a vote. Consistently, all board meetings were attended by eight of its members. The ninth member rarely attended and voted by proxy through the schoolmaster.

  ***

  When Karen arrived home, Addy saw her from the window as she pulled up the long driveway, and opened the door for her. Karen did not look happy, in fact she looked mad. It was rare to see the good natured, easy-going Karen in that mood. Addy knew her facial expressions and was immediately concerned. “Was it that bad? Are we expelled?”

  “Nope, not just yet. He said he had to present the matter to the school board.” Judging by Karen’s sarcastic tone, and demeanor, Addy knew that one of Karen’s venting sessions was imminent. However, she couldn’t refrain from commenting also.

  “Great, we are screwed! Those old farts will never accept us.”

  “Well, I hope they are as smart as they are old. If we have to take Alex out of St. Claire, then they will have to find another way to fund their budget because they will never get one more pound from us! I think Mr. Stetson is very clear on that. I tell you, Addy, I had to calm myself down as he explained what could happen.” Karen mimicked him in a stern snobby pose. “The school board may find that a student with Alex’s background is not appropriate for the school. Fuck! I still don’t know why I didn’t get up and leave at that very moment! Son of a bitch! Who do they think they are? Insinuating that my daughter, who happens to be the best student at that fucking school, is not appropriate for that fucking, old school! And by the way, we are considered ‘new business,’ since this request is a first for them, and that’s why it has to go to the school board.”

  “And that is okay with you? That it is our money that will keep us there? Wouldn’t that be like buying our way into the school?”

  Karen rolled her eyes. “Addy, this may be a surprise to you, but everyone at that school has bought their way into it. The kids who go there either come from new money or old money, but do you see what the common denominator is? Money!” Karen continued with her venting while Addy frowned and listened patiently.

  “Don’t give me the sad puppy face! It was you who used the Lady thing to get us in there in the first place. We are a lesbian family, but we are also crappy nobility and filthy rich. The only difference between them and us is the lesbian part, otherwise, we are just like them. If they can’t deal with the lesbian part, I don’t think we should be there. I don’t want our daughter raised in such a conservative, snobby environment.”

  “We are not snobs!”

  “Yes, we are! Weren’t you the one who wanted a ‘better’ school for Alex? Well, we have our child in the ‘better’ school together with all the other snobs who want something ‘better’ for their children as well.”

  “But we didn’t put her there so that she could be with better people. We put her there for the academics and the safety.”

  “And are you sure we didn’t consider the school’s reputation when you looked at it? Because I, sure as hell, did!” Addy remained thoughtful. “I want Alex to learn and accept diversity. You know what? If they don’t kick us out, I think one of us should get onto that school board and make some much-needed changes in that school and introduce diversity. I don’t see any Africans, Middle Eastern, or Asian kids there. I think there may be a couple of Spaniards, that’s all. And, they are very diverse! Oh, yeah! They are the blonde kids with blue eyes. The girl is in Alex’s grade. I think her name is Carmen. And, by the way, their father is half owner of a Spanish petroleum company in Aberdeen.”

  “You are right, Ker. Let’s see what happens now, and then we can plan the infiltration and school board coup d’état.”

  Karen had been pacing back and forth in her usual ranting mode, but suddenly stopped. “I have to go to the office. I’m sorry, Addy. I feel like I vented all my anger on you. And this is not your fault. This is society’s fault. I’m just tired of having to adapt to other people’s lifestyles. What about us? What about if they adapt to us for a change? I’m sorry, Addy. I’m doing it again. Are you mad at me?” She asked in a somewhat apologetic tone.

  Addy smiled and came forward. She unbuttoned Karen’s jacket, wrapped her arms around her wai
st and kissed her below her right ear.

  “I’m guessing that’s a no?” Karen all of a sudden smiled. “You know that you have the gift of calming me instantaneously, don’t you?”

  “Um huh.” Addy continued to smile and to kiss her softly near the same spot.

  “If you continue doing that, I will be left with no alternative but to give you a demo of,” Karen’s lips found Addy’s. Addy smiled through the kiss. Karen pulled out a bit, “inadequate lesbian love,” another kiss, “in which case,” she kissed her again, “I will need to call Phillip to tell him,” another kiss, “that I will be late to our meeting with the clients,” another kiss, “because I have never left you wanting, and I’m not about to start now.” Addy started to laugh. “What?”

  “I can just imagine you calling Phillip to tell him such a thing!” She continued to laugh. “Go! Meet with your clients. Bye!” She let go of Karen and shoved her off. Karen chuckled and began to walk away, but not before pulling her closer for a final kiss.

  “How was it that you put it? Infiltration and coup d’état? You do have a way to always find the right words.”

  “Go!”

  When Karen came home that evening, she found Addy at the dining room table busy on her computer. “What are you doing?”

  “Looking for schools. You know I like to do my research. I will not have Alex go to just any school.”

  “Snob!”

  Addy looked at her, grimaced and stuck out her tongue. “What kind of parent would I be, if I didn’t want the best for my child?”