In Search of Satisfaction

by J. California Cooper

  carlene sent Yin a message to begin preparing for the yacht trip. Yin was overjoyed. She had been bored. Tired even of the fat, cute baby she loved. Tired of never being able to wear her beautiful clothes. She had missed the funeral where all those rich men had been! And she could have been so beautiful in her new finery. Arabella had told her about everyone there. They were the crème de la crème! Yin was well over giving birth to her son now though, so she could go. Her body had returned to its lovely shape. “Only,” she mused, “I want Hosanna to go with us. To watch my back from that tricky bitch. And she can take care of our clothes. That way, Hosanna can make some money, which I know she needs.” She sent the message back to Carlene, “I would be delighted to accompany you on the trip. I shall bring my maid.” Carlene received the written message and laughed aloud for the first time in a long while.

  when Sally returned to Yoville, the first place she went was to Hosanna’s house. She spoke to Hosanna.

  “Hosanna, it is not good to read other people’s mail. But I am so grateful you did. I want to do something for you. I know you are poor and trying to work. I will help you with your work, but what else would you want? Would you like me to have a shop built for you here on your own land, where you can do your lingerie as a specialty? Or have a small bakery? I will build it for you and buy all your first supplies.” Sally was smiling, hugely.

  Hosanna thought a moment to herself. “Now I can be very dumb or very smart. What will it be? For myself? Or something for these poor people round here?”

  She said, “Miz Sally. I’m going to call you Miz Sally because I am younger than you are. But, nobody ever calls me Miz Hosanna, and I don’t know whether I like that or not. I think I don’t. But, I’ll get older someday.” She smiled. “Now, if I was to build something for my business, I would want to do it myself. I would rather have the money to do that, for myself. Not have it built for me like I am a child. If I had it built, it would really be mine.”

  Sally made a tiny gasp, “Oh! I …”

  “Wait a minute, Miz Sally. I know what I want. I would rather do something everybody can get some benefit from. I would like you to build a school around here somewhere, where these children can get some kind of education that will let them know the world is bigger than Yoville. Cause there ain’t nothing here for them to do besides domestic work. And people like my sisters Lettie and Lovey and people like Lil Wisdom don’t have to be shamed by that white school. If you do that and make it a GOOD school, I’ll be satisfied. Oh, and something else, they’re gonna need good teachers, too.”

  Sally was tired, exhausted from all that had happened in the last few days. Her whole life had been changed. But she smiled at Hosanna. “Miz Hosanna, I should have thought of that myself. That would be something I would like to do.”

  Hosanna leaned toward Sally, tilting her head. “One thing I would like to ask you, Miz Sally, if I can.”

  “Well … certainly.”

  “How can it be … How could you live all those years over there and not do something, find out something about your own money? All those years?”

  Sally looked down at her hands, a very serious look on her face. “In all the years of my life … I simply cannot imagine anyone doing what Carlene did to me. I would not do it to anyone. I couldn’t. Not, and watch them suffer, help them suffer, so long.”

  Hosanna nodded her head slowly. “But Miz Sally, now I am very young, and I haven’t had all that much experience in the world, but I know, that I am the way I am. Other people are the way they are. This lets me know that I have to see and understand the way another person is for themself! Don’t you know that? Just because you are a kind person and cannot imagine yourself cheating somebody else, does not mean that Carlene or anyone else will be that way.”

  “Miz Hosanna, as a man thinks so is he. I did not think of such lies being perpetrated on another. Especially a sister. Well, I have learned. I will never forget.”

  Hosanna laughed softly. “Sally, you don’t have to call me Miz Hosanna. Just call me Hosanna and I will call you Sally, and we will be friends.”

  “Friends call each other Miss or Mrs., Miz Hosanna, and, if it pleases you, I will be delighted! Done!” She stood up to leave. “I have some very important things I must get done, so I am going to go now. We will talk again soon. Good-bye for now, Hosan … Oh! I forgot! Miz Hosanna!”

  Hosanna laughed. “Miz Sally, I don’t mind what you call me. Your heart is alright. Good-bye for now.”

  When Sally had gone, Hosanna sat on her bed, thinking. “You sure are a big fool, Hosanna girl. No, you ain’t. You did right. A real school. A real school for everybody.” From that day, Sally called her Miz Hosanna, Hosanna called her Miz Sally, and they were more than good friends.

  • • •

  carlene was alone in her room preparing drafts of letters to the lawyer when Minna came in to tell her Sally had returned. The spider had been watching her, its legs curled around itself. It thought Carlene was a strange spider, indeed.

  Carlene decided quickly to put on a black dress to emphasize the burden that had been left upon her in her grief.

  Sally pushed open the door to Carlene’s room and stood there. Carlene looked up and the sisters stared at each other for a long moment. Finally Sally walked in, holding an envelope in her hand which she held out to Carlene. Neither spoke. As Carlene took the envelope, she searched Sally’s face for some sign of apology or even fear. There was only anger and resignation there. Carlene spoke first. “Where have you been?! I have needed you! Here. We’ve looked everywhere! Were you off sneaking with that devil Russell? I shall fire him immediately! Sit down, you make me nervous.”

  Sally continued to stand. “I have been off, yes, about my business. Read the letter … please.”

  Carlene held the letter up. “What is this letter?

  “Read it, Carlene. It’s from Father’s attorneys.”

  The letter was opened and read, explaining that Sally Befoe Gentle had been given her inheritance, that the account was therewith clear since it had been removed from their hands, and that there would be no need in the future to inquire as to interest, etc. The attorneys thanked Carlene for her patronage in the matter and hoped that any other business they had in her own personal matters would continue, etc. etc.

  Carlene slowly folded the letter and laid it on her desk. “So …” Her voice was as clear as though she had had nothing to do with Sally’s problem. “Father left you something … after all.”

  Sally spoke softly, “After all.”

  Carlene continued as though she had not heard and understood the last few words. “How wonderful for you!” She tried to recover her former stance. “However, that does not mean you can leave me here, uninformed of your whereabouts.”

  Sally still spoke softly but firmly, “I need never tell you, inform you, of anything I am doing … again.”

  Carlene smiled sardonically. “Oh, I see … the money has changed you. I’ve always heard it changes some people.” She turned to the mirror over the desk, patting her hair. Sally was silent, watching her.

  Carlene continued, “Or is it that dreadful man, Russell Moore? You should be more on guard against your possible enemies, you know, dear. I am your sister … and your friend.” She turned to look at Sally.

  Sally’s voice was soft but held years of anger in it. “You have cheated me out of years and years of my life. The quality of that life.” Her voice rose, “My life!”

  Carlene looked away from her. “You have lived … very comfortably.”

  Sally’s voice was again under control. “Years and years of my own money!”

  “Oh! Did you need money, dear?” Sally’s voice filled Carlene with rage.

  Sally looked into her sister’s face, thinking, “An old face, well kept. An old body, well kept. But it is all just a shell. There is nothing … nothing inside. No care given, at all, to the heart, the mind.”

  Satan almost shouted with glee, “Hate, at last!” B
ut his glee was too soon.

  Sally spoke outloud, “I am enraged. I thought to hate you. I should hate you. But you have even less than I have had. You don’t even have sense enough to feel sad for yourself, your life.”

  Carlene laughed at her, desperate people can take nourishment from anything. “I have had everything. I still have. Your money meant nothing to me. I have never used it.”

  “You couldn’t, legally.”

  Carlene looked down at the floor. “I did it for you.” She looked up into Sally’s eyes. “I did it for you. So you would not waste it while you were young. You would have it now, when you are old, as you are and as you need it now. I have been a sister to you. Our father would want me to be.”

  “Then why didn’t he leave it all to you?”

  Carlene laughed again, weak laughter. “Oh, I thought he had, dear. That old fool.” Her laughter was stronger now, as she looked in Sally’s eyes. “I didn’t plan all this. I thought he had. I regretted it, but I thought, if those were his wishes … what else could I do?” Noisy sounds filtered through Carlene’s wall. “What is that noise?!”

  Sally spoke firmly, “They are cleaning out Richard’s rooms.”

  Carlene looked up, gratefully, at her sister. “You had them do that? Oh, thank you, Sally. I need you so much! I knew we would be alright, that you would not stop … helping me. Loving me.”

  Sally shook her head slowly. “I do not love you. I am not helping you, at last. I am helping myself. I am cleaning his rooms because I am moving from that … that room in the servants’ quarters. I have purchased furniture and everything else I will need to make my new rooms into my apartment. I own half of this house and everything in or around it. I shall now live as my father and mother would intend.”

  Carlene stood, started to speak, but Sally interrupted her.

  “Further, I am buying my own house. I have plans. I intend to open a school for all the children around here and those across the river.”

  “Even Negro children? And Indian children?” Carlene was aghast. “I will not allow it!”

  “You cannot stop me. Or my money.”

  “Oh, yes I can! And will!”

  “I am buying the Bilk house. They have gone into bankruptcy.”

  Carlene almost shouted, “But I planned for Carlton to take that house after he is married someday!”

  “Oh, is that why the Bilks went bankrupt?”

  “No, I …”

  Sally almost smiled. “Never mind. It will soon be mine. I will be leaving this house, but my rooms will remain.” She moved closer to Carlene, her smile gone. “There is an evil in this house. It fills every corner, almost every room. It reaches out to the servants. To your children and their children. No one who lives here, or has lived here, since you were born, has ever been happy here. I will never allow you into my new home. You will never visit me … unless it is upon a bier … for your funeral … and that had best be here in this house, also. This house you have made a grave of.”

  Carlene, standing, raising her voice, “Where is that young man, Phillip?”

  Sally moved to the door, preparing to leave. “You wish to attempt to corrupt him? I don’t believe you can. He is richer than even you and he was raised apart from you. His father had excellent sense on that matter.”

  “I asked, where is he?”

  “He has gone to his own home. His father’s mansion, greater than this one. Gone about his business.”

  “We shall see. He IS my daughter’s child.”

  “He is a man now. His father did a fine job with his mind. I don’t believe you can defile him.”

  “Since you insist on misjudging me, get out of my house!”

  “I am leaving your rooms.”

  “Get out!”

  “Your words are late. I have been leaving all the time.”

  Carlene followed Sally to the door. “No one likes you! I have all the friends! You are weak! And a despicable fool!”

  Sally turned to her, one hand on the door. “But … better than that, I am not a liar. I am not a thief. You be careful of the world’s parades. They usually betray and grieve their promises. I was foolish because I believed in you. You are a fool because you believe in yourself.”

  Carlene almost shouted, “Get out! Go away! You will get no help here!”

  “Help?” Sally began laughing, she laughed and laughed all down the hall on her way to her new apartment.

  later, Russell looked into Aunt Ellen’s house and land and found it was hers. She was being cheated. He cleared the papers and demanded a sum of money from the guilty person. They refused. Russell told them, “She has a very important friend in these parts, you had better not create more problems for yourself.” Fear being so potent, the guilty party paid the money. The money was used for Creed and Ellen to repair the house to good living condition. Then Aunt Ellen wrote her niece in Philadelphia that she had a place for her if she needed it. Aunt Ellen smiled at Hosanna, “How wonderful it feels to be able to help somebody!”

  Hosanna smiled back. “I know.”

  chapter

  38

  when Yin received Carlene’s summons, she had already heard of Sally’s good fortune and about the stranger, Phillip Befoe, inheriting all the money and power. But she knew Carlene was a long way from having an empty purse. She thought of her own son’s good fortune, but that would not come for a long, long time. “It’s a good thing Richard didn’t live long enough to change that will after he saw Joseph! Poor Richard. I truly liked him. I am sorry he is gone.”

  Yin was smiling when she entered Carlene’s apartment. She laughed lightly when Carlene said, “Well, motherhood seems to agree with you. You look very well. I guess the fact that your son received all that money for his education and life has helped some? And why haven’t you brought him to see me?”

  Yin flounced down into a soft, satin chair. “Oh, he is so young … and you know, he is not well. It may be a long time before he is able to go about visiting. But, about the money, that is not much and it is in trust!” she pouted.

  Carlene laughed at this woman she hated, “Certainly it is in trust. It’s for … the baby, not for you. You can live with a million dollars within your reach, I’m sure.”

  “I will have to.” Yin did not mention anything else she had heard.

  Carlene waved her hand casually. “Well, since I’ve decided to go on the yacht trip, we must be ready soon. We leave in four weeks’ time. We will meet the others at New York harbor, we’ll be picked up there.”

  Yin, excited, said, “Where are we going?”

  “It’s to be a beautiful surprise.”

  “How will I know what to pack … to buy?”

  “Buy as you travel.”

  Yin leaned back in her chair. “Will … I … have enough money to do that?”

  “We shall see what we shall see. We will have a little talk, and then whatever happens with the money will be up to you.”

  Yin sat forward again. “I would like to take Hosanna with us.”

  At Carlene’s suprised expression, Yin explained, “She can take care of our clothes and even cook, if need be. Like a ladies’ maid.”

  Carlene frowned, “She is a good cook, but she is too arrogant.”

  “I would like her to go.”

  “There is something I would like you to do, also, Yin.”

  “Again?”

  “Yes.” Carlene adopted a very casual attitude. “Have you met Phillip? My grandson. Richlene’s first son?”

  “No … But I hear he is very good-looking.” Her voice lowered. “And very, very rich … now.”

  Carlene did not laugh. “He is. And he is the right age to marry.”

  Yin laughed lightly, “Carlene, I am too … old for him. He is in college.”

  “People marry in college.”

  “Why would you want him to marry me? Have you thought about what that would mean? And how do you know I don’t want to marry for love?”

  “Yo
u are right, Yin. Perhaps having you that close to me would not be a wise thing at all. Well, either him or the attorney Ways. Because … you and I … are … friends in some way … and I want to help you achieve your goals.”

  Yin thought, “That will be the day.” Aloud, she said, “Poor little me?”

  Carlene ignored her, “Besides, it is what I want you to do … in exchange for this trip.”

  Yin stopped laughing, “My life? In exchange for a trip!?”

  Carlene looked at her seriously, “You have a child now. You should be more … settled.”

  Yin laughed again. “Your concern … touches me, Carlene.”

  They parted amiably, but Yin was committed only to the yacht trip and … maybe … the attorney.

  chapter

  39

  when Phillip and Richlene spoke together after the reading of the will, there was no difficulty in the meeting of their minds. Richlene had always loved and missed her first son, her first child. Her consolation over the years had been that Mana was with him as Mana had been with her. As Richard had wished, Mana also met them at the mansion when they carried Richard there to bury him properly.

  Phillip often held his mother tightly and tenderly for long moments. They sat and talked many times as she held his hand and stroked it, smiling often through tears of joy. Phillip was elated, happy, ecstatic to have his mother, a family, at last. He belonged somewhere WITH them, at last. He adored his little sister Emily, who adored him in return. At first he thought to have a baby-type little sister, but Emily had fooled him.

  Though she was quite young, Emily was very interested in her mother’s fortune and her own. She studied money. She saw that boys had much more opportunity to attend colleges and learn about stocks and bonds and investments. She was not interested in learning how to be a good housewife right then. She was interested in everything her grandfather had owned, and her great-grandfather before him. She had no illusions about her brother Carlton. She never wanted to be treated as her Aunt Sally had been by Carlene.