by Carol Ross
What news? What in the name of all that was good on the earth was going on here? Holding tight to her composure, Victoria took a seat. Seth followed her lead.
As if on cue, Corinne emerged from the kitchen with the potatoes galette, a cast iron masterpiece and one of her specialties. And indeed, tonight’s attempt was a work of art, every paper-thin potato slice arranged just so and the buttery crust a perfect shade of golden brown. When Victoria and Austin had been together, the dish had been one of his favorites. Corinne placed it between the two platters of fragrant herb-roasted chicken. Steaming bowls of garlicky asparagus, roasted radishes and a batch of fluffy buttermilk biscuits followed. Whipped butter and ramekins of boysenberry jam, strawberry preserves and rich amber-tinted honey from Mémé’s bees completed the meal.
“Now, Linus,” Mémé said in her most gracious tone. “I believe my friend Lettie Mayse told me that your company has given the parish a good deal on the land for the new grade school, is that right?” She followed up his confirmation with, “You are a true philanthropist. Although, I imagine there is some reward there, too, considering you’ll be so generously compensated from the contract you’ve acquired to build it?”
Playing along now, Linus speared a piece of chicken, and accepted the backhanded compliment.
When they’d exhausted that tedious topic, Mémé moved on, “Austin, any progress on the investigation as to who sprayed all that graffiti on the post office? I don’t know how they’re going to get the paint off of those old bricks. That building is a treasure. Such a shame. Margaret Batton said it was some gang boys from Lafayette...”
Conversation continued this way, touching on every polite and pointless topic currently buzzing around the town of Perche. Too bad about incoming senior and the Perche Tigers’ high school starting quarterback Carl Westcott breaking his leg. Would he be able to play this fall?
With each new subject change Victoria felt the tension ratchet up around the table as Linus and Austin wondered what Effie was really up to. Victoria thought she might be forming a picture now and she was reveling in her grandmother’s genius.
Seth, also sensing that Effie had the upper hand, played along, strategically inquiring and commenting to draw out the suspense. Like he’d received a copy of the script beforehand.
When dinner was complete, Mémé said, “I am so happy you gentlemen were able to join us for dinner this evening. Dessert is going to be a treat. Corinne whipped up something extra special just for you Galbraith boys.”
Mama, who’d already risen from the table and headed to the kitchen, taking a stack of plates and dishes with her, now returned. She placed a covered platter on the table right between Austin and Linus. With subtle dramatic fanfare, she slowly reached down and removed the cover.
Victoria nearly gasped, because on the plate was one of the most stunning, lifelike creations she’d ever seen. Her mother had outdone herself. It was even better than the bass cake. The meaning behind the object hit her next.
“What is that?” Austin asked, staring down at the table. “Is that a bird?”
“I believe that is a crow,” Linus supplied. “That we’re expected to eat.”
“I get it,” Austin scoffed. “That’s very funny, Effie. But us Galbraiths will not be eating any crow for you. Not tonight. Not ever. Victoria got her revenge. My campaign is over, and she got her little job. And now we’re leaving.” He threw his napkin on the table and started to stand.
“Sit down, Austin,” Linus said, eyeing Effie warily.
“You’re going to stay here and listen to this?” Austin retorted, even as he lowered himself back down into his chair.
Effie reached over to the sideboard and picked up a file. Victoria hadn’t even noticed it was there.
“Now, Austin, contrary to what you just claimed, Victoria has not gotten revenge. Not by a long shot. She got exactly what she earned through determination, study and hard work. My granddaughter is not a vengeful person. If she were, she would have come to me with the truth years ago and I would have taken care of this. But she didn’t.”
Shifting her gaze to Linus, she said, “Of course, the lying, bullying and intimidation made sure she wouldn’t do that, didn’t it? In my heart, I knew she hadn’t done this foolish thing that was blamed on her. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long, long time.
“Victoria, unlike some people, is a good person. And a kind and loving mother. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more selfless parent. Every decision she makes, every action she takes, she puts Scarlett first. A phenomenal, admirable trait in a single teenaged mother, don’t you think?”
Several seconds stretched by while she stared at Austin until he stuttered, “I, uh, I’ve always said she was a good mother.”
“While you, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. I have never in all my life seen a more selfish, self-centered, useless parent than you. Thank the stars above that her child has taken after her.”
Victoria felt tears gather but willed them away. No way would she cry in front of these men. Never again. Under the table, Seth took her hand.
“Now, I recall you telling me something years ago when you were caught cheating on Victoria. Which, knowing your character, was no surprise and didn’t bother me nearly as much as the manner in which you discarded her, without apology or support.
“At the time, I said that I would never forget what you’d done. You laughed and replied ‘Of course, you won’t forget—you’re a poor, old woman who’s got nothin’ but a lot of sad, sorry memories. You’re the same as your grandmother, and her grandmother, too. Everyone knows that about the Thibodeauxs in this town.’ Do you remember saying that to me, Austin?”
Linus gave his head a little shake as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. Austin shifted in his seat, fidgety and reluctant to answer.
Effie repeated the question, “Do you remember your words to me, Austin?”
Wisely, Linus said, “Just answer, Austin.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do believe I said that in anger.”
“Oh, in anger?” Effie repeated with a bitter chuckle like it was anything but a funny joke. “No matter if it was anger or mirth, I remember. And I am here to assure you that you were right.”
The table went silent.
“Yes indeed, I’m about to show you just how good a memory like mine truly is.” With that she opened the file and removed a thick sheaf of papers. “I’ll start here. This is a copy of what I like to call the Where’s Daddy Papers, beginning at day one.”
Victoria recognized the pages where she kept track of Austin’s time spent with Scarlett, and the long list of excuses when he couldn’t.
“I’m sorry, it’s what?” Linus interjected.
“A journal, Linus,” Effie stated, “Of Austin’s time spent with Scarlett since the divorce. Now, I didn’t go on to college like you all, but I have managed to run this business for nearly all of my adult life, which requires a fair amount of math. As such, it wasn’t difficult for me to calculate that Austin has exercised his parental visitation twenty-two percent of the time. That means that seventy-eight out of the hundred times he should have spent time with his daughter he chose not to. That is well over four hundred missed opportunities not including numerous birthdays, holidays and so on. Every single excuse documented.”
She pulled another sheet of paper from the file. “And this shows the amount of child support Victoria receives. As you are well aware, this figure is based on the salary you were receiving at the time of Scarlett’s birth. Your income has increased exponentially in that time and yet your child support payments have remained the same.”
“Victoria never requested more!” Austin blurted.
“Or perhaps your visitation commitment is in direct correlation to your financial commitment?” Effie graced him with a pleasant smile that Victoria knew was an
ything but. “Either way, you can tell my friend Lettie Mayse all about that when you appear before her in family court. Or wait, I guess you would know her as Judge Leticia Fletcher, wouldn’t you? She uses her married name on the bench. I believe you’ve had some courtroom run-ins with her in the past.”
Austin swallowed uncomfortably. Victoria didn’t know what that was about but could assume that Austin had ticked off the wrong judge.
“But I am sure that what you are not paying in child support is being put to good use decorating that grand old mansion your daddy built for you. Speaking of, this sheaf of papers here...” A quick shuffle and she produced a stapled stack, the top sheet printed in bold black letters with Austin’s address. With a flat palm, she gave the pile an affectionate pat. “This is like a storybook. We’ll call it Construction Adventures by Linus and Austin Galbraith.
“My favorite chapter is the one where some, uh, rather firm restrictions were bypassed to import that Italian marble you’re so proud of. But I also like the part where building supplies were purchased at extravagantly inflated prices. Workers were hired for cash and paid less than minimum wage. Now, my friend Walt Westcott, that would be young Carl’s dad, he works for a nonprofit that advocates for workers’ rights and assures me that could be construed as unethical. Now, I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for—”
“This is ridiculous!” Austin interrupted. But Victoria could see the concern in his eyes, which were shifting between Mémé, the papers and Linus. Sweat was forming on his upper lip.
Effie’s enigmatic smile was still in place. “Young man, if you interrupt me again, this day will certainly go from bad to worse for you.”
No doubt from his extensive years of unethical corner-cutting and corruption, Linus was much more composed. Folding his hands on the table in front of him, he smiled benignly and said, “I apologize for my son’s breach of etiquette and lack of manners. But, Ms. Effie, if you are accusing us of illegal activity, or even implying such, you need more than your little journal there and the word of some blue-collar laborers.”
“Do I, though?” Effie shuffled through the papers and a photo slid out. “Oops, how did that get in there?”
She placed the photo above the file. Tapping a finger, she said, “This is a good one though, don’t you think? Me and Denny go way back. See this canoe we’re standing by? I made it for him. I think it’s my best one to date.”
Linus paled. Austin was clueless.
“Tadpoles from the very same swamp, can you believe that? My best friend from childhood, Dennis Eugene Landry, is the biggest construction contractor in the state of Louisiana. Out of Baton Rouge now. Where you’re from. Says he knows you? I mean, we were just little tykes together tromping around the swamp catching bullfrogs, fishing for whatever we could catch.
“This one time, when we were older, I saved his dog, Luna, from a gator. I used a canoe paddle that I’d made, and I pulled Luna right out of that gator’s mouth...” Trailing off, she waved a breezy hand through the air. “But that’s a story for another day. I don’t think I need to go on about what an experience like that will do for a friendship.”
Looking at Victoria, she commented, “Kind of like our Scarlett and Quinn.”
“I agree,” Victoria said with a smile. “I’ve often thought their friendship was very much like yours and Mr. Landry’s.”
She focused again on Linus. “Anyway, you might not know that his son, Jason, has gone and got himself elected state attorney general. Isn’t that something? So proud of him. He’s a good boy. Smart as a whip just like his daddy.”
“Now—” Effie paused and folded her hands atop the file “—I’m not accusing anyone of anything criminal, Linus. I am certainly not qualified to draw those types of conclusions. Fortunately, I have friends who are.”
“You’ve made your point, Effie,” Linus said. “What is it you want?”
“It’s not a matter of what I want, Linus. We’re going to negotiate the same way you negotiated with Victoria twelve years ago. Meaning, I’m going to tell you what you’re going to do. First, you are going to set my granddaughter free. Victoria will no longer live in fear of retaliation or slander or even so much as an uncharitable frown from any member of the Galbraith family, or your accomplices—pardon me, I mean your friends. The only words out of your mouths regarding Victoria will be ones of apology, pleas for forgiveness or compliments.
“Second, you will release my great-granddaughter of any further obligation to visit her father. Scarlett will see Austin on her terms only.
“And you.” She pointed a finger at Austin. “You will never again lie to Scarlett and attempt to turn her against her mother. Do you understand me, Austin, you arrogant, deceitful, condescending, good-for-nothing, two-bit piece of entitled trash? No. More. Lies. Not about Victoria or any member of this family.”
Linus elbowed Austin who managed a weak, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now,” Corinne said sweetly, producing a knife that was way too large for the job, and chopping the crow’s head from its body with one fell swoop, “Time for cake.”
EPILOGUE
THE ROD TIP arched with a sudden, almost violent force when the fish hit the lure and kept right on going. “Fish on!” Seth cried, as the reel emitted a zinging sound, taking yards of line along for the ride.
“Holy cow,” Scarlett uttered, giving the pole a sharp tug to set the hook.
“Keep your tip up. Good, yes, just like that,” he encouraged.
“Is it a steelhead?” she yelled as a silver flash broke through the surface of the Opal River.
“Yes, it is.” Seth answered. “That is a nice fish, Scarlett.”
Seated in Seth’s jetboat, Victoria couldn’t help the joyous laugh that escaped her while she filmed her daughter’s dream coming true. After a moment, she panned the camera over to capture Quinn who looked to be about equal parts nervous and excited. Scarlett still hadn’t regained all the strength in her hand, and she could see how Quinn was both trying not to hover and yet be there at the same time in case she lost her grip.
Sort of like she and Seth had done for each other the last few months.
Romeo Reels had kept them very busy lately with photo and video shoots, guest appearances, interviews and various other promotional activities. Besides fishing, Victoria’s favorite parts of the job were the fishing workshops she presented and the guest appearances where she got to talk about fishing. There was something so satisfying about teaching people technique and sharing in their success. But she’d discovered that the television spots were kind of fun, too. Next month, when they got back from vacation, they were scheduled to appear as guests on Henry’s new fishing show, which she knew would be an absolute blast.
Seth, in a stroke of pure genius, had arranged for this two-week break when they’d negotiated their contracts. So here they were, right in the middle of July, their first day of fishing and sightseeing in Alaska. And already having the time of their lives. The Opal River was one of the few southeastern Alaska waterways with a notable summer steelhead run.
“I’m so excited I’m shaking!” Scarlett said, easing up on the retrieval while hefting the rod, and shifting her body with the fish’s movement. “It’s running again.”
“That’s okay,” Seth said calmly. “You’re doing great. Keep it up. It’ll get tired.”
They’d given Scarlett a lighter, more flexible rod so she could experience the full fight of the fish. Seth and Victoria had discussed the fact that it meant she could more easily lose a fish once hooked, but they’d opted for it knowing that it greatly enhanced the excitement factor. Watching her now, Victoria was pleased with their decision. Scarlett had the skills and patience of an experienced angler.
“Mama, are you filming this for Gram and Mémé?”
“Yes, Scarlett, I sure am.” Effie and Corinne had opted out of the trip to
mind the resort with a promise to visit during the off-season.
Nineteen minutes later, an exuberant Scarlett was posing with her catch, grinning from ear to ear, and jabbering ninety miles an hour.
Seth told her, “Bering is going to be very happy, young lady. He wanted us to keep one for the barbecue tonight.”
Victoria felt a twist of nerves at the reminder of the gathering. The barbecue where they would be meeting the rest of Seth’s family. She was particularly grateful for the friendship that had grown between her and Hazel. And since she’d already met Tag and Bering, and their friend Cricket, at least she wouldn’t be among a crowd of all strangers.
Seth beached the boat in a shallow inlet just above a stretch of river that contained a series of rapids with deep pools, his favorite steelhead spot. It was easily fished from the bank and he had motored through the stretch twice, explaining and giving the kids advice on how to best proceed from that vantage point.
“What about bears?” Quinn asked, scanning the woods along the bank as they got out of the boat.
“Oh, so maybe the Alaskan woods aren’t quite as boring as you anticipated?” Seth teased.
Quinn laughed. “Slightly less boring,” he agreed. “But imagine how cool bears and snakes would be together.”
Seth shook his head, hooked bear spray to both of their belts, and sent them on their way toward the good spot along the bank.
When Victoria began to ready her own pole. Seth said, “Hand that to me for a sec, I have a new lure for you to try.”
“Okay, cool.”
Several feet away, he crouched in front of his tackle box and went to work attaching the lure.
Adjusting her baseball cap, Victoria studied the river, trying to read the water. “You know that I am thrilled that Scarlett caught one first, right? But I can’t help it, Seth, I want to catch one, too.”
He chuckled. “I know. You will.”
Pointing upstream, she told him, “I like the look of that spot right there.” There was a giant submerged rock with a nice roiling pool behind it. She could imagine the fish lying in the lee on the downstream side.
