Fallen Elements

by Heather McVea

  “Of course, Ms. Myers. Please follow me.” The woman led Ryan through the main dining room, into a room with only one large round table, and walls lined with bottles of wine.

  “You’re the first to arrive this evening. Franklin will be assisting you.” The hostess pulled a chair out for Ryan, and offered her a menu. “Enjoy.”

  Ryan took her phone out of the front pocket of her brown slacks. Glancing at the phone’s clock, she rolled her eyes. Her family was nearly ten minutes late even though she had fought Friday night rush hour to get from Columbia into downtown Baltimore. Their hotel is less than two miles away and they can’t bother to get here on time.

  Just as Ryan was about to work herself into a full on rant, Carol and Lucy walked into the private dining room.

  “We’re late.” Carol announced, with the hostess from moments ago following behind her and Lucy. “I’m so sorry. Have you been waiting long?” Carol leaned over and kissed Ryan on the cheek.

  “I just got here.” Ryan stood up to greet her aunt.

  “Your uncle and cousin are indecisive asses.” Lucy took her trench coat off and handed it to the hostess. “They’re coming – they’re not coming. Christ, the Middle East crisis will be resolved before the two of them make up their minds.”

  Lucy crossed the room and hugged Ryan. Looking down at Ryan’s brown slacks and light green sweater, the corner of Lucy’s mouth turned down. “Are you coming straight from work?”

  Ryan had learned years ago that her aunt rarely came out with a direct compliment or insult. Rather, the intended recipient – or in this case victim – had to watch the woman’s face carefully. Tonight, Ryan’s subdued attire had warranted the dreaded oh, you poor thing look from Lucy.

  Where Carol had a tendency to justify and explain her perceived short comings to her mother, Ryan had adopted a more passive approach. “I have. Traffic was awful.” Feigning ignorance of the slight mitigated the possibility of a superficial conversation about hairstyles and skirt lengths from enveloping the evening.

  Lucy nodded as she took her seat across the table from Carol and Ryan. “I loathe traffic, and this city’s car services are a joke.”

  Not wanting to hear her aunt’s litany of reasons Baltimore was a subpar city in comparison to New York, Ryan interjected. “Should we order some drinks?”

  Just then a tall gentleman in his late thirties entered the room. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, white dress shirt, and black tie. His brown hair was combed perfectly to the side, and his skin was smooth with an olive complexion.

  “Good evening, ladies. I’m Franklin, I will be assisting you this evening.” He scanned the table. “I see two additional place settings. Are you still expecting them?”

  Lucy shook her head. “No. Please bring me a Macallan Old Fashioned.”

  “And for you two ladies?” Franklin looked at Carol and Ryan.

  “Tanqueray and tonic with lime, please.” Carol began looking over the menu.

  “I’ll have the same.” Ryan didn’t drink very much liquor and had no idea what she liked, but gin and tonic seemed like a harmless option.

  Franklin left the room, and Ryan picked up her menu. “What did you do today?” She asked Carol.

  “Shopping mostly. Dad and Andrew were in meetings all day, so Mom and I puttered.” Carol looked across the table at Lucy. “What was that little boutique we were in that had that beautiful sapphire and diamond ring?”

  Without looking up from her menu, Lucy responded. “Lightell’s, but I told you, the diamond quality was horrible.”

  Ryan listened as her cousin and aunt went back and forth on whether there were any decent diamonds left, and if any of those could be found in a small shop in Baltimore. The conversation could not have interested Ryan less. She found herself wishing Franklin would hurry back with their cocktails, as maybe alcohol would ease her into what was shaping up to be an incredibly dull evening.

  “What is it you’re doing now, Ryan?” Lucy asked as Franklin set her Old Fashioned down in front of her.

  “I work for Howard County.” Ryan thanked Franklin for her gin and tonic, then took a quick sip before continuing. The floral and citrus flavors of the gin were surprisingly refreshing. “I work closely with the vendors and community program directors.”

  Lucy took a long drink of her Old Fashioned. “Carol tells me you’re seeing Leah.” Her gaze was steady as she looked intently at Ryan.

  Ryan shot her cousin an annoyed glance, as Carol shifted nervously in her seat. Ryan had mentioned Leah briefly in a text exchange she had with Carol over a week ago, but it hadn’t occurred to her the woman would share that detail with her mother.

  Before Ryan could speak, Franklin returned. “Ladies, have you decided?”

  Lucy handed Franklin her menu. “We’ll have the six course, chef’s choice. No shell fish please, and a bottle of the Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.”

  Franklin retrieved Carol and Ryan’s menus and left the room. Lucy drained her Old Fashioned, the ice cubes clinking as she sat the empty glass down on the table. “So, Ryan – you and Leah?”

  It occurred to Ryan she could just lie and downplay her relationship with Leah, but that seemed disrespectful to Leah. “We’ve just started dating.”

  Lucy’s perfectly manicured eyebrow arched. “Dating? You must be joking.”

  Ryan took a drink of the gin and tonic, a slight tremor in her hand as her aunt’s tone reminded her of the many heated arguments her mother and she had. Karen would begin by sounding incredulous, shift to indignant, and seamlessly transition to irate.

  “I – I’m not joking.” Ryan narrowed her eyes disapprovingly at her cousin before turning her attention back to Lucy. “It’s early on, but we’re enjoying each other’s company.”

  Lucy leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “I’m sure she’s enjoying your company, but what in god’s name do you talk about?”

  Carol cleared her throat. “Mother, Ryan isn’t going to give us details, and frankly it’s none of our business.”

  Lucy pointed her thin, tapered index finger at her daughter. “I wasn’t speaking to you, and anything to do with this family is my business.”

  In lieu of a retort, Carol reached for her drink. Ryan was struggling not to sink to her aunt’s level, and indulge them both in a heated argument. “We’re consenting ad-”

  “You should know there’s a history there, Ryan.” Lucy gestured to Franklin as he entered the room that she needed another Old Fashioned. The man quickly removed the empty glass, and left.

  “What history?” Ryan was surprised how easily the otherwise elusive backstory of Leah and her family was going to, in the end, come to light.

  “She made advances toward me when we were in high school, and when I rebuffed her, she moved on to your mother. It’s a game for her – the seduction.” Lucy cringed as if the very thought of Leah turned her stomach.

  Ryan was struggling to wrap her mind around what her aunt was saying. “What kind of advances? What does that mean?”

  Lucy winced. “Do the details matter?”

  “Yes.” Ryan said flatly.

  Rolling her eyes, Lucy looked down at the table. “I love you, Ryan, and because of that I’m willing to drudge this muck up again if it spares you heartache.”

  Ryan heard the words coming out of her aunt’s mouth, but she continued to doubt the validity of what the woman was saying. “I appreciate that.”

  Lucy sighed, bracing her hands on the edge of the table. “I had already begun to wonder about Leah, but hadn’t said anything to your mother.” Lucy wiped at invisible tears just under her eyes. “I was happy she had made a friend she clearly cared for.”

  Ryan was getting the distinct impression her aunt was stalling, and Ryan couldn’t muster the patience for it today. “The advances, Aunt Lucy. What happened?”

  A flash of irritation shot across Lucy’s face, but almost immediately her features softened. “She was staying
overnight, and we were both in the kitchen.” Lucy’s eyes were unfocused as she stared at the table top. “She cornered me and tried to kiss me. When I told her I wasn’t like that she stormed off.”

  The last part of her aunt’s declaration had come quickly, her words running together. Ryan leaned back in her chair, unsure what to say. She could see how the incident could be upsetting to a straight woman, but it didn’t ring true to what she knew about Leah.

  Not waiting for Ryan to respond, Lucy continued. “It’s sad really, she’s a beautiful woman and could have almost anyone, but she clearly wants what she can’t have.” Lucy paused for effect. “Of course, now, you’re giving her what she’s always wanted.”

  Ryan swallowed the lump in her throat, her aunt’s words jabbing into her like sharp knives. “Giving her what?”

  Lucy grinned. “Don’t be naïve. She’s always wanted a Myers woman. Our power – our money. Now she’s got one – a generation late, but who’s counting.”

  Franklin sat Lucy’s Old Fashioned in front of her, and the woman slowly lifted the drink to her full lips, her eyes set on Ryan as she drank.

  Carol put her hand on Ryan’s forearm. “I’m sorry, Ryan.”

  Ryan looked at Carol, the muscles in her jaw jumping. “I don’t believe her, and besides, what happened twenty five years ago doesn’t have anything to do with me.”

  Lucy tisked. “Of course it does. A leopard doesn’t change its spots. Once she’s bedded you, and hopefully scored a few pricey gifts, she’ll move on.”

  Ryan’s stomach turned at her aunt’s crass language. “You don’t have to be so vulgar about it.” Ryan was surprised at the sternness in her voice.

  Lucy’s shoulders stiffened. “I’ll say it as I see fit, and you’d do best to mind your tone.”

  Ryan had been in this position with her aunt before. It was a clear divergence as to which direction the conversation could go. She could acquiesce to her aunt, or she could argue with her. Where Leah was concerned, Ryan was inclined towards the argument.

  “I’m not a child, Aunt Lucy, and I’ll choose my own tones.” Ryan shifted in her chair.

  Carol bristled as she reached for Ryan’s arm. “Ryan.”

  “No, let her make a fool out of herself.” Lucy sat forward, resting her elbows on the table.

  Ryan looked at Carol, ignoring her aunt’s taunting. “I’m sorry, Carol. I just find it hard to believe Leah would be that careless.”

  Carol opened her mouth to speak, but Lucy quickly interjected. “You address me directly, Ryan Haley – this is our conversation.” Lucy tone was sharp, her finger pointing at Ryan as she spoke. “Don’t pull your cousin into it.”

  Ryan was pulled in two directions. What she knew of Leah didn’t align with what Lucy was saying. It did, though, shed some light on Leah’s vagueness around her relationship with Karen, and her and Lucy’s animosity toward one another.

  Ryan stood up, her knees feeling weak. “I’m leaving.” She looked at Carol. “We’ll talk later.”

  Lucy stood. Her posture was suddenly welcoming as she reached for Ryan “Don’t be ridiculous. At least eat something.”

  Shaking her head, Ryan nearly ran into Franklin as she exited the room. “No thank you. Bye.” Winding her way back through the restaurant, Ryan’s head was spinning and she felt tears pushing their way out. The cool night air and noise of the busy city street snapped her back into place, and she took several deep breaths before walking toward her car.

  She needed to talk to Leah, but had no idea how to broach the subject of whether or not Leah was a seductress bent on sleeping with Ryan because of her family money. It sounded so ridiculous. Sliding into the driver’s seat of her Civic, Ryan stared into the distance, the lights of oncoming cars blurred by tears.

  It doesn’t make sense. We could have slept together last night, after dinner. Leah put the brakes on, she’s been the one hesitant about getting into a relationship.

  Ryan wiped at her face, and started her car. Her aunt’s words kept running through her mind as she navigated through downtown Baltimore: It’s a game for her.

  Through the haze of disbelief and despair, Ryan managed to park her car a block from her house. Sitting in the vehicle, she highlighted Leah’s contact information on her phone, and pressed the call button.

  “Hi. I was just thinking about you.” Ryan couldn’t help but smile at Leah’s cheerful tone.

  “Good stuff, I hope.” Ryan managed through a tight throat.

  “What’s wrong? You sound upset.” Leah’s lighthearted tone shifted to one of concern. Ryan shook her head. “Ryan, are you there?” Leah asked.

  “Sorry. I’m here. I was shaking my head no.”

  Leah chuckled. “I must have missed that. Does the head shaking mean you’re okay?”

  “I am.” Ryan was forcing air in and out of her lungs in an effort to keep her voice even. “Can I see you tonight?”

  “Oh, I can’t. I’m actually driving over to meet Marty for dinner, and then I’ve promised to watch any number of sci-fi movies with him tonight.” Leah chuckled. “I am very cool.”

  “How about tomorrow?” Ryan was trying not to sound desperate.

  “I’m volunteering at St. Martin’s in Catonsville tomorrow until four, but any time after works.”

  “You volunteer at a convent?” Ryan was momentarily pulled from the confusion of the evening by this new and unexpected fact about Leah.

  “Like I said, I’m very cool.” Leah teased. “My aunt was Catholic. She lived in the nursing home there until she died. So I helped to take care of her, and in the process grew fond of the nuns. I try to help out when I can.”

  “That’s really nice.”

  “Try not to sound so surprised, Ryan.” Leah joked. “Hey, why don’t you meet me there tomorrow, and we can go have an early dinner? There are tons of little mom-and-pops in the area.”

  Ryan’s head was pounding, and she needed to blow her nose. “Sounds great. Four then?”

  “Yep. See you then!” Leah sounded outright ecstatic. A mere twenty minutes ago Ryan would have shared her enthusiasm about getting together, but now she was struggling not to break down in a sobbing heap.

  “See you. Bye.” Ryan quickly hung up and immediately began crying. She resented her aunt for putting this on her, and she was angry with her cousin for betraying a confidence. Once again, her choice to disassociate from her family was being validated, and the unintended comingling with them again clearly a mistake.

  Ryan got out of her car, and as she walked toward her house, she tried to imagine what Leah would say to her tomorrow when confronted with Lucy’s accusations. Ryan needed her to be outraged and indignant, but if she wasn’t – if she said it was all true – was Ryan prepared to stop seeing Leah?

  People change. Even if she was a money-grubbing asshole then, that doesn’t mean she’s an asshole now.

  It seemed simple enough to Ryan, but as she unlocked her front door, her stomach still in knots, she instinctively knew it wasn’t going to be that easy. After all, nothing with her family ever was.

  Chapter 12

  A nun dressed in a white habit sat behind a counter as Ryan entered the St. Martin’s facility. By Ryan’s estimation, the woman was at least eighty years old.

  “Hello. May I help you?” The woman’s voice was frail and thin sounding.

  “Hi. I’m meeting Leah Brewer. She’s volunteering today and -”

  “Oh, you’re a friend of Leah’s, how wonderful. She’s just lovely.” The woman slowly stood and pointed toward one of the three hallways that angled off from the main entrance. “Take the third hall to the end, and you’ll find her in the activities room.”

  Ryan smiled. “Thank you.” She made her way down the hall. St. Martin’s was a series of six resident wings adjacent to a long central building. Ryan walked toward the third wing back from the front of the home, and found the living areas charming as each resident was encouraged to decorate the foyer area outside thei
r rooms.

  It was clear to Ryan that many of the residents had tremendous talent, and she stopped to admire one piece in particular. A beautifully woven handmade quilt was draped over an antique rocking chair that sat in the small entryway shared by two residences. The quilt was a floret pattern done in light greens and dark blues, with inlays of burgundy stitching throughout.

  Ryan was pulled from her admiration of the piece by the sound of Leah’s laughter coming from the end of the hall. She walked toward an open door, feeling – in spite of the unknowns in their relationship – strangely close to Leah, having recognized her laughter from afar.

  Ryan stood in the doorway of the activities room. In spite of the dreaded conversation that was to come, she couldn’t help but smile as she watched Leah interacting with the home’s residents. Leah was smiling broadly as she sat at a large rectangular table with three elderly women, a set of playing cards in each woman’s hands.

  “Mrs. Hulme, you know there is no cross table chatter with Mrs. Dunkin. That’s what is commonly referred to in the pinochle circles as cheating.” Leah jokingly chastised one of the women for signaling her partner what she should bid.

  “I had something stuck under my dentures, dear.” Mrs. Hulme frowned. “You wouldn’t want me to get a worry spot.”

  Leah laughed. “I would have those things refitted then. That’s the third bit of food you’ve had stuck, and yet I haven’t seen you take a single bite.”

  Leah looked up, and seeing Ryan standing in the doorway, quickly stood, a broad smile on her face. “Ladies, give me a minute.” Hesitating, Leah grabbed her cards, and put them in the back pocket of her jeans, looking suspiciously at the five women. “Better safe than sorry.”

  Walking over to Ryan, Leah took the younger woman’s hands in hers. “I’m running late.” Leah glanced over her shoulder. “They wanted to play to five hundred, four-handed, and they move at a snail’s pace.”

  Ryan wanted to pull Leah to her, and pretend the conversation with her aunt hadn’t happened. She wanted to enjoy the moment intentionally unaware of the unanswered questions that lingered between her and the beautiful woman in front of her.