by Tey Holden
“We don’t need the income. You are overworking and upsetting yourself, and for what? Why? This makes you grouchy. I don’t like it when you are grouchy. Think Ker. What is the purpose of life? Life itself or this?” She signaled to all the papers in front of her.
She went back to the bedroom. Karen remained looking at the empty hallway. She then turned her attention to her work. At around three in the morning, she was finished. She came to bed, removed her robe and got under the covers. No sooner had she gotten in bed, Addy turned to cuddle with her. “I missed you.” Karen smiled, immediately feeling great in Addy’s arms. “I didn’t think you were awake.”
“I’m not.”
Karen smiled. Whenever Addy mentioned that she was not awake, it meant that she was not in the mood for any fooling around because she was tired, and she didn’t want to say it in so many words. There had been plenty of times when either one awakened the other in the middle of the night to satisfy their need or want. But when there was specific reference to being asleep, it clearly meant that the shop was closed for the night. “I’ll tell you about it tomorrow again, since you are so sound asleep now, but I just wanted you to know that I sent the report to Henry along with my resignation.”
Addy pulled back from Karen’s embrace. “I thought you were going to give me some lip about the whole thing.”
“Nope, not this time. My priorities are very clear. You are my priority. I don’t want to be grouchy. I want you to like me.”
Addy smiled. “I like you.”
“I want to keep it that way.” Karen kissed her.
Addy snuggled into her. “Umm.”
Karen held her and gently rubbed her back. Addy’s hand dropped to Karen’s buttocks and outer thighs. She smiled, inhaled and breathed in her ear, barely touching it with the tip of her tongue. Karen squirmed at the touch and whispered. “I thought you were asleep.”
“Not anymore. I also know my priorities.” Nothing else was said. Once the priorities were established, sleep came late that night.
Part 13
“Oh my God! Those fucking bastards!” Karen commented, as she read a certified letter addressed to her.
“What?”
“Here, read this piece of shit.” She handed the letter over to Addy who immediately began to read it, while Karen began to pace up and down the room. The document communicated that the family was contesting Aunt Charlotte’s will.
“Are we ever going to be able to have a peaceful life? It’s as if people do not want to see us happy.” Addy looked at Karen, who looked as if she was ready to combust.
“Who the fuck do they think they are?” The ‘fucks,’ instinctively got a lot of emphasis the rare times they came from Karen’s mouth because she knew Addy liked how she pronounced them. However, at this particular time, Addy knew better than to say anything. She just stood still, watched and listened, knowing exactly how the routine played out when Karen had to get her anger out of her system.
“These people have no self-respect! I am ashamed that they are in any way connected to me by blood. They are the scum of the earth and they will pay for their audacity! I will have them begging on the streets of Edinburgh from all the attorney fees they are going to have to pay for this shit they are trying to pull now. They have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into! Bastards! That’s just what they are, a bunch of bloody bastards! I will show them, I will teach them not to mess with me ever again. I will have them pulverized, shredded, hung by their feet, and put to shame!” Karen paced back and forth, raising her hands in the air. She was furious.
“Ker?”
“Don’t you worry about anything, Addy. I’m going to personally take care of this one. It will be my biggest pleasure ever to finally have them crushed!” She gestured hitting her left fist against the palm of her other hand.
Addy was always amused when Karen ranted, but this time, she was really concerned because it was a family affair that would not end well. “I don’t know what to tell you. This is a family matter. They are coming at you for your inheritance, your property. I can’t believe what people do for money.”
“Ours, baby, our property! I’m going to call Phillip tonight. He’ll take care of it.”
“How? It looks to me like these people won’t stop easily. We are going to have to go to court on this one.”
“Oh no, not necessarily. With the ammunition I’m going to give Phillip, we won’t need to go to court. He will shred them to pieces in two minutes with a single piece of paper, you’ll see.” She raised her hand holding one finger up in a threatening way. Addy was surprised to see Karen so sure on the outcome of the matter, but did not ask any questions because there was no point perpetuating the conversation and upsetting her more.
Karen called Phillip that afternoon and told him the content of the letter, and later faxed it to him. He said he would look into the matter, and two days later, he diligently called back.
“Hello, Karen, how are you doing?”
“We are fine, Phillip. I have the speakerphone on and Addy is here with me. What did you find out?” Karen went straight to the point wanting to get to the bottom of things as soon as possible.
“Hi, Addy.”
“Hi Phil.”
“Karen, they are saying that Charlotte McGill was ill, that she had been seeing a doctor for years, and that she bequeathed the property while suffering from mental illness. Were you aware of any of this?”
“No, have you contacted this doctor?”
“No, I was going to ask you about it first. The doctor’s name is Gertrude Kirkland. She is not a psychiatrist, though. She is an internist. Kind of odd, huh?”
Karen and Addy looked at each other. “Do you have an address for her?” Addy asked and he gave them the address.
“Phillip, when you researched about the town of Altee and its relationship with this property, did you get a chance to look at the ancestry records and the rules of lineage and ownership of property?”
“No, it was not necessary, why?”
“I think if you take a look you will find the necessary information to put an end to my relatives’ nonsense. I don’t think those smart assess are fully aware of the law as it pertains to this property.”
“Karen, did I misunderstand? Are you implying that there might be lineage rights in this affair?”
“Yes, of the oldest kind.”
“Oh my! This, I take it, has never been brought up to the light of day, since you appear to not go by any—.”
“Correct. You are right in your assumption.”
Addy looked at Karen, knowing again that there was something she was missing.
“Karen, it will be my pleasure to conduct such research. You do know that is my cup of tea, right?”
“Well, then. It looks like you are going to have a very fine one, my friend. Enjoy it.”
When the conversation with Phillip was over, Addy wanted information.
“Ker, what’s going on? What’s all this talk about lineage? What am I missing? And did you hear the name of the doctor? Gertrude something?” Remember what Mr. Willow said about a friend named Gertrude visiting her here? I wonder if it’s the same person.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that, maybe. Come on Addypooh, let’s go to our bedroom and talk. I have a story to tell you.”
Addy was immediately intrigued. Karen sat on the love seat in the bedroom and pulled Addy next her. “Do you remember the brouhaha with the townspeople, and how I told you that the town was on the property of this estate?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I’m going to tell you a story, but, please don’t make a big deal of it because it means nothing to me. Okay?”
“What? Karen you are scaring me.”
“It’s not scary. It’s just that it’s something about me, but it’s not who I am. Anyway, here it goes. This property was a land grant, I told you that much, and also that the property is designated to go to the eldest daughter always, right?”
“Right, but I never understood why?”
“It was a token of love, and the only requirement was that the property always pass to the eldest daughter. The property has always been in my family. My mother was the last eldest daughter, and since I’m her heir, it’s me now. Because my mother died when I was too young, Aunt Charlotte became the custodian of the property as next in line, until I was able to inherit it. However, when that happened, I refused to accept it, and she continued holding on to it.”
Addy cut her short. “Wow! It must have been quite a love affair to give her such a grant of land. But Ker, you had already told me about the eldest daughter inheriting the property. Why are you making such a big deal of it now?” Addy got up and left.
Karen was surprised with Addy’s sudden departure, but said nothing feeling somewhat satisfied that, at the very least, she made an attempt to tell Addy the complete story. She actually couldn’t believe that Addy had not pressured for more information, and thought that not being familiar with the English life, Addy had not quite understood. However, in the end, she felt relieved not having to reveal a part of her life that she found worthless, and that Addy might have thought to be a big deal. A time would come when she would have to tell her all the details, but she hated the subject and was thankful to be able to postpone it as much as she could. She would tell her one day, when things were calmer. As it appeared, and fortunately for now, there was no need to address the issue further. Satisfied, Karen went to the kitchen to grab a bucket of chocolate ice cream.
Addy, who was already downstairs, met Karen by the refrigerator, and rubbed Karen’s arm. Karen smiled, but said nothing. Addy looked at her and remained silent as well. She just kissed her on her forehead and walked away. Karen was left wondering what she was up to.
She brought two bowls filled with ice cream and handed one to Addy. When she sat, she leaned her head against the sofa and once again looked at Addy. Addy was still looking at her smiling. They held their mutual gaze for a long time. Finally Addy could not stand it anymore and kissed her. “I know there’s more to your story, Ker, but I also know that you don’t want to talk about it, so I won’t make you. You can tell me whenever you think it’s necessary.”
Oh God! How does she know these things? Karen couldn’t hide her feeling of satisfaction. She pulled her over to her and kissed her. “Trust me on this one, baby, please trust me.”
“I do, always.” Addy knew that for Karen dealing with her family was painful. Not only did she have to overcome the horror of her mother’s death and the circumstances in which she died, she also had to deal with her father’s reaction to the death, and to his drinking. As if that was not enough, she never received the compassionate support of her family, and finally the one person who had cared about her, Aunt Charlotte, was now dead, and her infamous family was trying to make a mockery out of her claiming that she was mentally ill when she made her will. It was all too much, and she was not going to feed on an open wound. If Karen had anything to share with her, she would share it in due time.
After they ate their ice cream, they cuddled on the sofa and watched a movie. While watching the movie Karen’s mind drifted. She remembered the painful days after her mother’s death and how her father withdrew from the world and began to drink. She remembered how the so called relatives barely called to check on them and how any encounter with them had a sort of accusatory tone, and how she dreaded meeting them. Aunt Charlotte had been the only one who cared enough to send for her during the summers and holidays. She remembered how her father died, and how no one in the family came to his funeral. After Aunt Charlotte died she really had no one to care for her.
Addy had fallen asleep and squirmed in her arms. Karen smiled. She only had Addy. She was her only family, and her life, and she was going to fight to keep the estate in honor of her mother, and Aunt Charlotte and most importantly for Addy. Karen, unconsciously, tightened her grip on Addy as she kissed the top of her head. Addy woke up with the hug. “I fell asleep. Are you okay, baby? Did I miss much of the movie?”
“It’s all right. I think I missed some too. Let’s go to bed. Come on.” Karen turned off the television and they went upstairs.
***
The family had the audacity to show up, unannounced, on Sunday morning for brunch at the inn. Karen greeted them politely, but purposely avoided them because she was mad that they were there and she did not want to start anything that could provoke a scene. Aware of the situation, Addy sent staff members to take care of them to speed their brunch. She also directed Karen’s attention to other matters to distract her and ultimately to remove her from the dining room.
Nevertheless, when they were leaving, they approached Karen to say their goodbyes. “You’ve done a wonderful job here, Karen, dear. The place looks wonderful.” Aunt Margaret spoke in her snobby nose-in-the-air way. Then, the very pompous Charles dared to speak. “We’ll see you in court.”
Addy was standing behind Karen and noticed how Karen stiffened. She hurried to hold both of Karen’s hands. She was almost afraid that Karen would hit him. Addy remembered how he approached Karen during the reading of the will, and wanted to be nearby just in case she’d have to stop, or smack him, if he dared to put a finger on Karen. He is going to find out the hard way that it was better to not tick off this Latin woman! She was not afraid to make the front page of the Scotsman newspaper.
His face showed disgust when he saw Addy holding Karen’s hands. He turned around and didn’t say a word. It was fortunate for him, because if he had said an insulting word to Addy, Karen would have been the one smacking him.
***
The day of the trial Karen was restless, and Addy was worried. “I’ve never seen you so worked up about going to court. What is it? I thought Phillip had all of this under control.”
“I don’t mind going to court to deal with someone else’s problems, but I do mind when it has to do with us. Why can’t we have a normal life? Why can’t people just leave us alone?”
“One, because we are not normal people, we are too fabulous, and we stick out.” Addy smiled. “Two, because we are too happy, and people envy happiness when they don’t have it themselves. Remember, you cannot let the world bring you down, Ker. Hang on to that which makes you happy and strong and no one will be able to take it away from you. I’m hanging on to you. No one takes us down, Ker, no one.”
Karen felt empowered by Addy’s little speech and she hugged her. “Why can’t I say things like that to you? Sometimes, I would like to say things like what you just said, but when I look at you, I can’t. It’s as if by just looking at you I become petrified. I feel like an idiot, and I feel like sometimes you think I don’t feel things.”
Addy chuckled. “Ker, don’t you think your eyes speak for you? They do. They tell me everything I need to know.”
“Really? I just don’t get it.”
Addy smiled. “Don’t you worry, baby. I know all I need to know.” She grabbed her arm affectionately.
“Addy?”
“What?”
“Has your heart ever skipped a beat?”
Addy chuckled. She knew Karen was a bit of a hypochondriac. “Honey, almost everyday since I’ve met you. Come on, let me drive, maybe I can kill another cow on the way there and we can have it delivered in full to your relatives. That ought to scare the hell out of them! I can just see their faces.” Karen cracked up laughing.
All the way to the courthouse, Karen kept pointing out cows along the road for Addy to hit. Addy just smiled and shook her head. “Please, oh mighty butcher do it! I’ll have it delivered with a red ribbon.” They drove smiling the whole time with Karen imagining her relatives’ faces if they were to receive an entire dead cow.
***
When they entered the courtroom, both women had to laugh. In an attempt to look distinguished and very English, Aunt Margaret and Elizabeth were wearing the most ridiculous hats they had ever seen, and Charles had the most ridiculous bow tie in the world, thei
r pretentiousness, however, bordered on tackiness.
They walked to where Phillip was sitting and sat next to him, after exchanging greetings. The judge entered the room, and the court was called to order. The barrister for the family made his opening statement and called his witnesses. It was so boring, Addy couldn’t possibly imagine ever practicing law again. She now remembered how much she dreaded those days. Never again! In her musings, she thought she would rather start a lawn mowing service than practice law again.
Karen was very attentive to the proceedings, but every now and then she’d glance at Addy. Addy held her hand under the table. She was also surprised that Karen had actually kept her hand on hers because Karen was not too keen on public displays of affection. Of course, no one could see under the table, but still this was unusual. A couple of times when Karen looked at her, she smiled and winked and immediately felt Karen’s response when she tightened her grip.
A recess was called, to allow the other side to prepare their presentation. They walked out of the courtroom and walked to the bathroom. Addy could see how nervous Karen was. “Come here.” Addy grabbed her and pulled her into the handicapped stall with her. Once inside she hugged her. Neither spoke. Addy could feel the tension in Karen’s trembling body.
She placed her hand under Karen’s jaw and spoke in whispers, gently caressing her cheek. She didn’t want to be heard. “Baby what’s wrong? Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this if it’s making you feel so nervous, but why are you so nervous?”
“Addy, it’s what Phillip might have to say now. I ran away from it all my life. I never wanted it. I always thought it was pompous and unnecessary. I need you to know about this. I’m only doing it so that we can keep the inn. It means so much to us, to you. I couldn’t bear to see your dream crushed. So, what he is about to do, is for the inn, for you, for us.”
