by Ali Franklin
The dogs wandered into the kitchen after Nicki. They sat near their bowls, wagging their tails and hoping for snack. Nicki absentmindedly reached into the snack jar and dropped a few morsels into each bowl.
With her wine in hand, she returned to the living room and stood in front of a group of photos on the wall. There were pictures of Nicki and her mom from the day Nicki got her Master’s degree and a picture of Nicki’s parents in matching ski outfits. The third photo was a candid shot of Nicki, Teddy, Summer, and Ryan after a music department recital they’d attended the previous semester. Ryan was wearing all black, as she had accompanied a few of the vocalists. Teddy was dressed in flowing purple, with feathers in her hair. Summer had one arm around her partner and the other around Nicki. She was wearing her usual sun dress, turquoise jewelry, and sandals. Nicki was, for once, out of uniform in a matching linen top and pants. They looked like four friends having a wonderful time.
Nicki thought about Teddy and Summer. They’d been together for twenty years and were another example of a strong, loving relationship. Teddy and Summer had offered more than once to introduce Nicki to their single friends, even going so far as to argue about which friend would make the best match for the chief. But Nicki had always declined, thinking she and her soulmate would come together naturally.
She sighed and sat back down on the couch. A new movie had started, and it had just reached the part where the two people who are obviously destined to be together decide they don’t like each other. Nicki smiled, knowing they’d eventually realize they were soulmates, have a tragic misunderstanding, and fall into each other’s arms in the end.
Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Teddy:
How was the chili lesson?
Nicki texted back:
Great. Dad’s recipe never fails.
Nicki watched the phone screen, wondering if Teddy would write again. She glanced up at the TV to see the male lead staring at the female lead as she walked away. Why didn’t anybody ever look at her like that?
She pressed a button on the phone and lifted it to her ear.
“Hey, it’s Nicki. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’m ready to meet one of your friends.” She held the phone away from her ear as Teddy screamed. “Take it easy. It’s just an introduction.”
Teddy promised to talk with Summer that night and contact Nicki the next day. Nicki sat back against the couch cushions and sipped her wine. Maverick and Star came back into the room and laid at her feet.
“Well, kiddos, it looks like your mom’s back on the market.” Four large brown eyes stared at her. When she didn’t say anything else, they laid their heads on their paws.
“Yeah,” she said, “I’m as thrilled about it as you are.”
Chapter 6
Ryan woke Monday morning ready for the coming week. The faint smell of chili still clung to the house. She’d sampled the dish the night before and found it delicious. After setting aside a small container to take to Nicki, Ryan had removed the big pot from the slow cooker and placed it in the fridge. She would take the pot and the slow cooker to Veronica and Chase’s house for the meeting after work. Surprisingly, she was looking forward to having people taste her concoction.
Her office was calm that morning. The beginning-of-the-semester rush and the Winter Carnival had both passed without major incident, and Ryan and her staff could concentrate on the rest of the activities that would take place during the spring semester.
Founders’ Day was the next big event, and it was always a doozy. The student government would host a party for the Haverwood family, and current students would be invited to share their favorite Haverwood College memories. President Martinez would preside over a formal ceremony in which he would recount the history of the college, complete with a video depicting it’s transformation from a single building to the sprawling campus it was today.
For the students, Founders’ Day was an opportunity to get a picture with a member of the founding family and, of course, an excuse to party. Students would festoon the quad with decorations paying tribute to the historical eras the college had been a part of. Each residence hall, fraternity, and sorority decorated a portion of the quad. If prior years were any indication, there would be sections dedicated to the early 1800s, the Roaring Nineties, the free-love/anti-war Sixties and Y2K. The day would include a variety of music, costumes, and concealed adult beverages. Nicki and the rest of the campus police team would be on full alert, making sure everyone was safe.
Ryan had a Founder’s Day Committee meeting scheduled later in the day, so she planned to get as much work done in the morning as possible. She’d almost cleared out her email box when she heard Helen greeting someone in the outer office. Ryan recognized the voice of Veronica Arrington and frowned. What was she doing here? Helen knocked, then opened Ryan’s door.
“Dean McCabe, Mrs. Arrington is here to see you.”
Ryan rose from her desk and greeted Veronica at the door. “I didn’t expect to see you until this evening.”
“The work of a committee chairman is never finished, dear,” said Veronica, breezing past Ryan to enter the office. “I’m double-checking on everyone this morning. We’re less than two weeks away and I can’t afford any mistakes between now and the event.”
“I’m sure everyone’s working as hard as they can.”
“That’s just it. You all have full-time jobs and can’t dedicate yourself to the event like I can. “
“Don’t you run a company?”
Veronica waved a hand dismissively. “That’s what managers are for. If they can’t handle the work, I’ll just find people who can. The CEO’s most important responsibility is being out in the community, raising awareness.”
Ryan followed Veronica into the office but left the door open. She gestured for the chairwoman to have a seat in one of the upholstered chairs facing Ryan’s desk. Veronica glanced down at it and opted to remain standing. She turned to take in the entire room.
Ryan’s office was comfortable and lived-in. The walls were lined with pictures from events at Haverwood and other places she’d worked, including a recording studio in New York City. Visitors who took the time to look at the photos usually found at least one that showed a pop icon they were familiar with.
Veronica didn’t have any interest in the pictures. Her pinched nose and squinted eyes telegraphed her desire to spend as little time as possible in the dean’s office. Ryan took her time settling back into her chair and watched as Veronica considered the options for making herself comfortable. The chairwoman finally decided to stand behind one of the upholstered chairs with her purse resting atop the back and her hands on her purse.
“I’ve never been to your office. It’s…interesting. What do you do all day?”
“The same thing most deans of students do. See to the welfare of the student body. Meet with students, plan events, attend committee meetings…”
Ryan saw movement on the other side of the door and guessed Helen had moved her chair closer so she could overhear the conversation. Ryan stifled a grin.
“Veronica, you didn’t come all the way to campus to ask what I do every day. Is there something you need?”
“I don’t want any surprises at tonight’s meeting. Are there any outstanding items for the chili cookoff?”
“No, everything’s taken care of.”
“I’ve got those three judges waiting in the wings,” said Veronica. “I wouldn’t want to tell them they can’t judge after I’d already asked them.”
Ryan clenched her fists in her lap. This again.
“Veronica, I’ve already got the judges, and one will be a student. You’ve made your feelings known, but I’m the event chairperson. Tell your judges thank you, but they won’t be needed.”
“You don’t understand. My judges are better. More people will be interested in bringing chili and buying tickets if we have better judges.”
“Better? Why, are they professional chefs? Scratch that—we don’t need p
rofessional chefs. This is a community event. Call off your judges, Veronica. I don’t want to have this discussion again.”
“Ryan, I’m just trying to do what’s right for the overall event.”
Ryan stood. “Veronica, you’re taking things too far. You need to let the event chairs take care of their events, and stop coming to everyone demanding more and more.”
Veronica took a step back. “Whatever are you talking about?”
“I heard about what you did to Emma. How you tried to change the menu—and to make her pay for more and more expensive steaks for the dinner. What you’re doing could hurt her business. And it could keep her from ever donating to the FLH again.”
Veronica turned away, her mouth a thin line. She walked to the window and watched the touch football game going on below. Ryan saw the chairwoman relax her shoulders and lift her chin.
“You said earlier that you ‘see to the welfare of the student body.”
“That’s right,” said Ryan.
“When I was in college, all the deans were men. We only had to see them if we’d done something wrong.”
“Things are different now. We’re more proactive about making sure the students are safe and we’ve provided a useful learning and living environment.”
“Do you manage things for the men and the women?”
“Yes, I do.”
Veronica looked skeptical. “How do you manage the men? I mean, I can’t imagine they’d take orders from a woman.”
“Seriously? What century did you go to college, Veronica?”
“I’m just saying I can’t imagine these students would listen if you told them to do something. It’s not like you understand them. I mean, you weren’t in a sorority, were you?”
Ryan clasped her hands atop the desk, finally understanding where the conversation was going. “What makes you ask?”
“I’m a proud alumna of Omicron Sigma Kappa. I know that doesn’t make me an expert on every sorority, but I don’t think any national sorority would invite a l—” She turned away.
“You don’t think a national sorority would invite a what, Veronica? A…Libertarian? A Libra? A library sciences major?” Ryan heard a sound from outside the door and imagined Helen wanting to come to her defense.
“Oh, I’ll just say it.” Veronica turned and took a step closer to Ryan. “No sorority would dare invite a lesbian to be a member. So why this college would allow you to be the dean of students is something I can’t understand.”
“Veronica, my being a lesbian has nothing to do with how I perform my duties as dean.”
“How do we know that? I mean, how do any parents know you’re fit for your position? I’m so glad my Emerson doesn’t attend Haverwood. God only knows what kinds of things you’re putting into these students’ heads. I’m going to have to have a talk with President Martinez at the next college and county meeting.”
Ryan looked up to see Helen standing in the doorway, ready for battle. She raised a hand. “It’s okay, Helen. This isn’t the first time I’ve had someone question my ability to serve as Dean.”
Veronica looked over her shoulder to see the older woman standing with her hands on her hips. “Don’t you have work to do, dear?”
Ryan stood quickly. Having Veronica question Ryan’s capabilities was one thing, but having her talk down to Helen was another.
“Veronica,” said Ryan. “Helen and I have a busy day ahead. We’ll have to discuss our business at the meeting tonight.” Ryan stepped close enough to Veronica to make the chairwoman back into the outer office, then out the door, which Ryan closed.
Ryan and Helen listened as Veronica’s heels made a click-click sound that stopped at the elevator door. They heard the elevator bell and turned to each other.
“That woman,” said Ryan.
“I know! Does she really believe only men should be deans? She runs a company, for goodness’ sake.” Helen threw up her hands. “And the way she came at you for being a lesbian?”
“It was out of nowhere.” Ryan sat on one of the couches across from Helen’s desk. “But I get the feeling that’s not why she came here today.”
“Then why did she come?”
“I wish I knew.”
Ryan was still wondering about the purpose of Veronica’s visit when she pulled into the Arringtons’ driveway that evening. She looked around and saw hers was the only car there. She didn’t need another altercation with Veronica, so Ryan decided she’d go in with whoever showed up next.
While she waited, she stared at the big house. Light spilled from every window, making it look like there was a party in progress. An onlooker would never know how much that night’s guests dreaded the gathering.
The house was a sprawling two-story Tudor which, although striking, stood out garishly from the other houses in the vicinity. “The estate” stood on at least a full acre, with lush landscaping on all sides. Not for the first time, Ryan wondered why Veronica and Chase lived all the way out in Haverwood when Veronica’s company was in Dallas.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a white Volkswagen beetle pulled into the driveway and parked beside her. Ryan and the other driver both opened their doors, turning on the interior lights of the cars. The new arrival was Danielle Nunez. The two women waved, then reached down to gather their things. They met at the bottom of the stairs leading to the front porch, each woman laden with a slow cooker and at least one shoulder bag.
“I’d give you a hug,” said Danielle, “but…” She half-raised her slow cooker to show her hands were full.
“Same here,” said Ryan, copying the gesture. “Let’s go get this over with.”
Danielle nodded and they climbed the stairs. Ryan set down her slow cooker, but before she could ring the bell, Chase opened the door. The tall, handsome man flashed his full-wattage smile and gestured them inside, the ice cubes in his scotch glass tinkling as they walked by.
Chase led them to the gleaming chef’s kitchen, where Veronica was instructing her housekeeper about where to place the dishes for the pot-luck. Veronica looked up at the newcomers, a harried look on her face.
“Just put those on the counter right there,” she said, pointing to the empty space. “Maria will have everything arranged by the time we eat.” Ryan and Danielle did as instructed, then Ryan watched as Veronica walked to the counter and straightened each slow cooker just a smidge. She stepped back to view the overall result and nodded.
“Let’s all go into the living room. Chase, have you offered our guests drinks?”
Chase immediately did so, then hurried to the bar on one side of the living room. While he tinkered with the glasses and ice, Danielle complemented Veronica on the house.
“Thank you, dear. It is a lot to keep up, but it allows us to entertain. I’ve hosted some of the most interesting parties in Haverwood County here. I mean, sometimes the only choices are the Oliver Oaks country club and here.”
Ryan spoke up. “The campus has some lovely ballrooms.”
Veronica responded without looking at Ryan. “I mean when you want to have an elegant gathering.”
Ryan felt her chest tighten and was glad when the doorbell interrupted their discussion. It was Emma and Father Paul, who both looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
As soon as the food was arranged in the kitchen and everyone had a drink in their hand, Veronica picked up a tablet computer and stylus from an end table.
“All right, everyone. Let’s finalize your outstanding items. Then we can sample the dishes you brought tonight.”
Ryan winked at Emma. “I can’t wait to taste chili from a world-class chef.”
“As I was saying,” said Veronica, pulling attention back to herself. “Everyone take a seat. We’ll go down my list and talk about everything that needs to be done.”
To her credit, Veronica ran the meeting like an effective manager. The first thing on her agenda was to address outstanding items from the previous meeting. They worked chronologically through
the FLH events, starting with the pancake breakfast Saturday morning and ending with the chili cookoff Sunday afternoon.
Father Paul reported that the ingredients for the pancake breakfast were already stored at the church and workers were all lined up. “We even have a waiting list of more people who will take a shift if anyone drops out. The setup and cleanup crews are in place. We have the tables, chairs, dishes, and silverware. I just need to buy the milk and orange juice a day or two before the event.”
Emma and Father Paul talked about the best and worst places to buy milk and orange juice, then Veronica moved on to Chase’s tennis tournament.
“The contract has been signed with the club,” he nodded to acknowledge Ryan, “and I’ve talked a few people into being roving line judges throughout the weekend. If anyone is interested, we still have a few openings for teams. And a few spots left in the pool.” He winked at the group. “A hundred dollars for whoever picks the winning team and the total number of games played in the final match.”
“Chase,” said Veronica, her eyes narrowed. “Not now.”
“Will the tournament be finished by the time the cookoff starts on Sunday?” asked Ryan.
“The plan is to have only the final matches for each flight on Sunday morning. We’ll kick those off first thing. Everyone should be done in plenty of time to get to campus for the chili.”
The next event was Saturday night’s dinner-dance and silent auction. Danielle went first and reported that she’d secured enough donations for the auction to meet their goal.
“It’s the usual stuff, gift baskets with movie tickets, bottles of wine, and a big package weekend for two in the Napa Valley.”
“That’s from me,” Veronica said with a smile.
“You mean that’s from the company,” corrected Chase. He took a swig of his scotch. “Tax write-off.”
There was a pause, then Danielle said, “That’s it for the auction.”
Emma took a breath to begin her report, but Veronica cut in. “Emma, dear, won’t you tell everyone about our decision to change to tenderloin for the dinner?”
