She encouraged them. “The ladies’ dresses are absolutely stunning. You will be so delighted to see them looking so beautiful for the wedding. Everything fits perfectly.”
Debbie and David came through the door, and Frau Rosengarten took her right into the dressing room. I couldn’t help showing Debbie everything we’d picked out.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.” Debbie appreciated the colors and designs.
“Yeah,” I said, “I bet it’s been ages since you got some new things. Probably not since Carmel. Right?”
So we all set to work choosing a new wardrobe for Debbie.
Afterward we met Eduardo and Jimmy at the Monchsberg Hotel for lunch. They were there to check on the security, since so many of the wedding guests would be staying there. It was a grand old hotel in a scenic part of Salzburg, and it was owned by Papa Roberto, Paulo’s grandfather. Cindy and Raphael were planning on having their wedding reception at that hotel. I was impressed—old world style and every luxury and amenity you could want.
***
In the midst of wedding preparations, the family planned a birthday party to celebrate all the August birthdays—Alain, Cisco, Paulo and Raphael. Paulo’s girlfriend Ellen, now living in Cisco’s new mansion, asked me to help her pick out some clothes for the occasion. Flipping through her closet, I took a few things and tossed them on her bed. Then I noticed she was sitting in her chair staring at a piece of paper.
“I really want to get Paulo a special present.” She showed me a picture of a guitar. “I know he’d be really surprised if I could get this for him. But it’s expensive—I need to talk to Cisco to see if I can afford it by now. He makes investments grow pretty fast, everyone says.”
“Cool.” I studied the picture. “Let’s go see what Cisco has to say.” Before she could get another word out, I plopped her in her wheelchair and rolled her off to Cisco’s office, way off in another wing of that massive home. I knocked at the door and opened it, propelling Ellen inside as he looked up from his computer.
As I said our hellos and swerved the wheelchair around Cisco’s office chairs, I noticed Ellen was bright pink. “You okay, hon?”
Cisco looked concerned. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
Ellen’s voice was shaky nervous. “Cisco? I’m sorry to bother you. I know I just gave you that two hundred dollars I saved up. Well—it was a couple months ago now. And Paulo told me about how you can make so much money really fast with these special investments. And I was just wondering how much my two hundred dollars turned into by now?”
Cisco rubbed a smile from his face. “Two hundred dollars? Ah. Let me see. How much did you need?”
She made a face. “Well, I was hoping it might be about five thousand by now?”
Cisco smiled. “Five thousand? Sure.” He reached for his personal checkbook. “What did you need it for?”
I could see relief coming over Ellen. “Oh! That’s so great! I didn’t think you could make it grow that fast. Well, I want to get Paulo a really nice birthday present. And I know he likes this guitar. So I know it’d be a real big surprise if I could get it for him.”
I took the picture from Ellen and handed it to Cisco.
“That’s sweet, Ellen. I’ll get you that check now, but I’d appreciate it, if you’d let me speak with Mr. Lehrner first. He’s the one you’re buying it from, correct?”
“Yeah. That’d be great, cuz I never bought anything that expensive before. And I’d sure appreciate your help. It’s just that we need to make sure it’s a surprise. Okay?”
“Okay.” Cisco chuckled as he wrote out the check.
I knew he’d probably long forgotten about Ellen’s two hundred dollars, and maybe he couldn’t make money grow that fast. But I sure wished I had a dime to my name to invest with him.
Debbie
Wednesday morning, Dr. Raich escorted me into the room and showed me to a seat in the small circle. She began the meeting with a brief prayer, and then introduced me to the group. I explained that my understanding of the German language could be lacking, and told the women I’d do my best to participate. Then they all told me they spoke English, and would like the opportunity to use it.
It was a good meeting—mostly I learned a bit about each of the women there, and told my story. Then we exchanged contact information, so we’d be able to support each other going forward. Some of the women said I could call them day or night.
When we were done, I found David in the waiting area working on his laptop. He put away his work and took me in his arms.
“Oh, David, those girls were really nice. And they all have the same feelings—they think the same way—as me. I really like them, David. Is it okay if I call them on the phone sometimes?”
“Of course, Sweetheart.” He kissed me and stroked my hair.
Dr. Raich arrived with an attendant holding a tray. “Mr. Lambrecht, Debbie will have a small meal now. Then we will begin our visit together.”
Once I was settled with my snack, she returned to her office. I wasn’t very hungry, and I offered it to David.
He grinned, and fed me the snack.
***
I spent about an hour with Dr. Raich, answering questions about my childhood and my family. She used the time mostly to gather information and reassure me that I was not alone.
She closed the hour on a hopeful note. “Debbie, you have no control over this disease of anorexia. This is a disease that happens to you, like diabetes can happen to someone. The diabetic must take certain steps to take care of herself. You must take certain steps to take care of yourself. It isn’t always easy. But you do not have to do it alone. You have a network of support. You have me to call upon at any time. You have your new friends in the group. Reach out to them and allow them to reach out to you. They know what you’re going through. They understand. Of course, your husband and family can help, too—at least some of your family members. There are others you will need to learn to deal with more effectively. Learn to detach from them—with love. Understand it is a journey—everything will not be perfect at once. Everything will never be perfect. But you can make progress and enjoy your life as never before. And of course, you’re going to be a new mother. By helping yourself, you will be helping your new family. You won’t be doing anyone any good if you are sick.”
“Thank you, Dr. Raich,” I said. “This is going to make a big difference for me—and David—and my babies.”
Glori
Cisco and Cat welcomed the extended family as well as many of the wedding guests who’d arrived early. It was Saturday evening, and all our birthday boys were as handsome as can be. An extravagant dinner was served, and the guests partied and danced to the music of an orchestra, as well as Paulo’s band.
Jimmy Hollinger almost fell out of his chair when Aubrey Rose walked in and took the microphone. She blew Jimmy a kiss, then dedicated a song to him. He turned bright red, but he loved every second of it.
Then Aubrey, Nita, Cat, and I sang Happy Birthday to the August birthday boys. As everyone applauded, Eduardo and David rolled out four huge candlelit cakes.
Being the youngest, Paulo was first, and as everyone yelled for him to blow out the candles, he backed away from the cake.
Eduardo looked exasperated. “Paulo! Make a wish and blow out the candles. Hurry. We’ll have a fire.”
“No!” Paulo backed further away. “They’re trick candles.” Everyone laughed.
“Paulo! Blow out the candles. Come on.” Eduardo’s smile only discouraged his brother.
“No! They’re trick candles.”
Eduardo laughed. “No, they’re not. We put the trick candles on Raphael’s cake.” The room shook with laughter.
Eduardo seized Paulo by his jacket and led him to the cake. “Now get over here and blow.”
Paulo blew out the candles to loud applause.
Since the shenanigans took so much time, Aubrey decided to sing another birthday song for Raphael. All the while, he stood there smirking at
his cousin.
Eduardo yelled as soon as the song ended. “Okay, Raphael, make a wish and blow out the candles before we have a real fire.”
Cheers and applause rose up for Raphael, a mischievous grin on his face. He grabbed a pitcher of water from a nearby table and doused the flaming cake. Laughter and screams escalated as white frosting flew around and coated Eduardo, Raphael and everyone else who was in range.
Cin and I headed to the restroom still giggling.
Raphael’s mother, Sophia, sat in a chair in front of the mirror, blotting frosting from her hair. “They never grow up.”
Her friends stood by laughing.
Camellia sighed. “Yes, in one week they will be married men, and they still act like children.” She turned her pretty blue eyes on Cindy and me as we stood in the doorway. “And now Raphael and Cindy—all married by Christmas.”
***
“Debbie! Hon, you’re gonna need to hurry up. We were supposed to be over at your mother-in-law’s half an hour ago.” I hollered up the stairs into space. Alain shook his head.
At last I heard Debbie’s giggle descending the staircase. Her husband held her closely, that characteristic curl to his lip.
I put my hand on my hip. “So I guess that lingerie was worth the half of your paycheck you had to hand over to Frau Rosengarten.”
Alain and David burst out laughing and Debbie blushed.
“I meant to thank you, Glori, for your sage advice to my wife.” David teased as he tightened his arms around her. She grew brighter red.
“Any time, hon.” I steadied myself on Alain’s arm as I stepped into my heels. “Well everyone is already over there—probably even the brides-to-be. So we’ll follow them in like the royalty we are.”
We went to the Lambrecht’s home for the Thursday evening party for Nita and Cat. After confirming all their security measures were in place, David and Alain went to Cisco’s for the men’s party.
Most of the ladies who would attend the wedding were at the party. We recognized lots of them from Debbie’s wedding, and were introduced to others. My mind was spinning trying to keep them all straight. Fortunately, we ended up sitting with Cat’s cousins—the three sisters we met at Debbie’s wedding. Debbie actually got chatty, talking about horses with Cat’s cousin Sabena.
***
Saturday dawned sunny and bright. Manicured lawns and colorful gardens welcomed the guests to the Clemente home. Father Donahue, a distant cousin of Cat’s, arrived from Ireland to celebrate the wedding ceremony. He stood with Cisco and Eduardo as the orchestra played a piece Paulo had composed for the occasion and the bridesmaids wound their way through the garden and took their places.
Ellen was able to walk to her seat, accompanied by Papa Roberto. Finally, Cat and Nita walked the flowery path to meet their husbands. As everyone had hoped, the ceremony went beautifully, and the celebration went long into the night.
With the heightened threat of violence, the happy couples elected to spend their honeymoon at home. Cisco carried his wife over the threshold of their new home, a mansion that had everything they could ever want, including office space for his business and their new foundation.
Nita and Eduardo settled into Nita’s childhood home. It was located in a wooded setting, down the road from the Clemente’s house, next to David’s property, and diagonally across from Cisco’s. Nita’s parents had long since moved back to Madrid, and they stayed with the Clementes when they were back in Austria. Raphael had started renovations, but they were not complete. Even so, it was more than livable, and they were thrilled to have a place of their own at last.
***
The families settled into a comfortable routine. Paulo’s new studio became the focal point of the activity. Camellia happily escaped the commotion and spent most of her time with Maria in their workroom at the Lambrecht’s home. They created natural soaps and toiletries, most of which went to the large extended family though some were sold in a shop in Salzburg.
With David at work and Raphael busy with construction projects, Debbie and Cindy often joined the women in their workroom. I’d pop in a lot because Alain was at work, and I had plenty of spare time, even though I was a rock star.
Maria was always careful to assign Debbie a task that was not physically taxing. They were always concerned with her health and her food intake on an hourly basis.
Debbie’s parents and most of Cindy’s family returned to California, with General Pearson’s assurances that they’d have adequate security. Cin’s parents stayed and used the time to get to know Roberto and Sophia Dominguez, and work on the wedding arrangements.
Alain, David, Eduardo and Jimmy settled into their routine at work. Their schedule was rigorous and long. Determined to excel in their new positions, they devoted extra hours to preparation. Alain told me they did thorough evaluations of all their incoming candidates so their experience would be of the highest caliber. Sounded scary to me, but he just said it was time-consuming and strenuous.
***
I picked my way through the brush, my heels catching in the dirt. You’d think by now I’d have learned to wear appropriate shoes—but no. Cin and I were once again on the way to her new house.
“So what do ya think about Aubrey surprising Jimmy at the birthday party and the wedding? You think she’s really serious about him? Or she just couldn’t resist comin’ to a wedding with royalty?”
Cindy chuckled. “I’m not sure. But I do think she likes him more than she’s willing to admit.”
Winded, I leaned against a tree. “Yeah, I have noticed that look she gets sometimes when she’s with him. Hmm. Must be love.”
Cin stretched her arms toward the massive structure, and workmen busy as bees. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Her new home was going to be something special—that was for sure.
“Yup. You’re really getting into this country girl stuff. Pretty soon you’ll be out there milkin’ the cows.”
“I doubt that.”
I pressed on. “Your mom told me they were trying to convince you to get married in the cathedral in Madrid. And you said no because you knew Raphael wanted the one in Salzburg.”
Cindy chuckled. “Well, Sophia was pretty determined to get me to agree to the church in Madrid. I’m sure it’s very nice, but I prefer Salzburg, too. And let’s face it—it’s a whole lot easier to do. Just imagine—Debbie out to there—and trying to get her and everyone else to Madrid. No. I’m really thrilled we’re having it here. I love living here. And I thought you were changing your mind. You don’t seem to be as homesick anymore. What’s going through your head these days?”
I pushed the hair out of my face. “I gotta say—I’m a whole lot happier than I thought I’d be here. You know I’ve always appreciated your parents takin’ me in—like I was your sister. And now—havin’ all these people being so nice to me—takin’ me seriously when I give them my opinion on something. They even ask me for my opinion. And I’ve been havin’ a blast workin’ on some lyrics for a song. Me! Working on the words for an actual song. It’s so cool. It’s like really having a family. I feel like I belong.” I surprised myself at the emotion that filled me.
Cin smiled. “And you and Alain?”
I had to laugh. “You probably know as much about me and Alain as I do. I love the guy, and I think he loves me. He tells me he loves me. The sex is unbelievable—like always. With all this wedding fever goin’ on—everybody getting married—you’d think he’d say something. He hasn’t even talked about getting our own place together. So I don’t know what he’s thinking. And most of the time, I try not to worry about it. Everything is goin’ along fine now. Really. Maybe when Debbie has a baby screaming day and night, he’ll suggest we find a place of our own.”
Chapter Seventeen
Glori
It was a few days later when I went in search of Cat. She was sitting on the Clemente’s terrace, her two dogs at her feet. Lost in reverie, Cat gazed up at a clear blue sky. The click of my heels on the
stone got her attention as I hesitantly approached. She smiled and waved me to a chair.
“Sorry to—uh—bother you.” I often had the sense Cat was in the midst of divining some great revelation, or at least the words to another hit song.
“Not at all. How are you feeling today, Glori?”
I let out a heavy breath. “I guess that’s why I really wanted to talk to you. Alain took an apartment in Salzburg. He said it’d be more convenient, ya know—way less of a commute. And he said it’d be fun for us to spend time together in the city. But of course, now I don’t get to see him during the week.” I choked and cleared my throat. “I’m tryin’ to pretend it’s a good thing. Anyway, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I thought you could give me some good advice. I mean—you seem to know everything.”
Cat smiled sympathetically and shook her head.
She couldn’t let me down. She couldn’t abandon me now, could she? Cat was probably the only one who could help me here. I kept going. “Well you know I never put much stock in God or religion or anything. But since I’ve known you—well I know there’s gotta be some—power—out there. And you sure can harness it. And I know you could help me if you really wanted to.” Tears trickled down, and I wiped them away.
“Glori, God loves you. You have all the power you ever need. Just follow your heart.”
I started to sob. “My heart’s been fucked up forever. Look where it’s got me so far. Why can’t you help me?”
Cat took my hand and stared into my eyes. “The power that you want to harness is there for you. That power is God. And God is there for you, Glori. You simply need to call upon Him and He will help you.”
Fame, Fortune & Secrets (The Redemption Series: Book 2) Page 16
