The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  Like the friendship, their work habits came easy too. There was a flow to the way they worked, obvious to anyone who would want to observe them. The family, though, was out on the porch. They’d all changed out of their clothes. The women were dressed in comfortable summer dresses, while the men wore chinos and polo t-shirts. Lila was handing them iced tea, amidst the laughter.

  Petyr came in, and hopped up on the bar. He grabbed two apples from the fruit basket next to him, and began juggling.

  “I came in to offer you ladies some entertainment while you work.”

  Katya laughed.

  “You don’t need to feel bad, Petyr. Nora and I are having a good time catching up. Besides, I get irritated if people crowd me when I’m in the kitchen.”

  “I know. That’s why I do it.” He grinned, and winked. “Funny thing, I realized that this is the last Independence Day I’ll celebrate as an independent man. What with us getting married and all.”

  “You and your jokes! Here, pop these bread rolls in the oven.”

  Katya handed him a tray after she had finished brushing it with a mixture of garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  He saluted her, and hopped off the bar, toward the ovens.

  “This is an impressive kitchen,” Nora said. “You could operate a restaurant in here.”

  “That’s my dad,” Petyr said. “He’s willing to pay more money than others, but boy, the goods better be the best. He spent a bomb on this kitchen, and he never spends any time inside it. I don’t understand, really. I remember though, when he was building the house, he used to have hour long fights with the decorator, about things like, the refrigerators have to be top of the line even if it takes a month longer to install them, and the tiles have to be hand-painted and imported from Portugal. I don’t think he looked at these tiles for more than two seconds, despite all the fight he put up for them.” Petyr knocked on the blue and white tiles with their intricate design and gold filigree. “I guess I’ll never understand him.”

  “Some people want the best things in life, but once they get them, they just don’t know what to do with them.” Katya smiled. “Your dad’s happier with the chase than the gains.”

  “I guess.” Petyr smiled. “I’m happy with the gains, not the chase.” He grabbed Katya, who screamed and dropped her spoon on the counter as he swung her around and nuzzled her neck. “You’re going to see some amazing fireworks tonight, Kitkat.”

  “Get away! You’re such a beast.” She laughed, whacking him.

  “What? I meant at the barbecue,” he said, bending down to kiss her.

  “Ugh! Did you take a shower at all?”

  Katya made a silly face and tried to hide her smile.

  “Nope.” Petyr hugged her some more. “I’m an all-American male who only believes in one shower a day.”

  There was a cough. Katya and Petyr looked up, and his mother Maria stood with a tray of empty glasses in her hands. Petyr leapt away from Katya.

  “I just came to see if you three needed any help,” Maria said. “Your father’s hungry, Petyr. He normally eats lunch at one sharp.” There was a reproachful note in her voice. “It’s almost one thirty.”

  “Well, it’s his fault for making us all go on that cursed mushroom foraging trip and letting Nora wait outside,” Petyr said, biting into an apple. “Not that we found too many mushrooms.”

  “Yes, and he’s a little upset about that. So be nice, Petyr.”

  “What’s he going to do, call the real estate agency and tell them he doesn’t want the island anymore because there aren’t any decent mushrooms?” Petyr laughed. “Mother…”

  “Petyr. Have some respect,” she said.

  Petyr sighed. He took the tray from her hands, and placed it on the counter. “Whatever you say, mother.”

  “Oh, Nora, I’m sorry he didn’t mention it before, but Reynold was wondering if you could do something with the mushrooms we did collect?” Maria asked hesitantly.

  “Sure. I’ll incorporate them at dinner.”

  “Oh. No. He meant right now,” Maria said.

  “Sorry, but I’m almost finished with the lunch,” Nora said. “Besides, I’m not sure it would match the flavor palette of the meal. Wouldn’t he prefer dinner?”

  Maria was looking more and more upset.

  What’s the problem? Nora wondered.

  She was perfectly willing to cook them later on, or would have been to incorporate them, if he’d told her a little earlier. He was a grown man - surely he wouldn’t have a problem with understanding this?

  But Maria said, “I’d… I’d much rather you did it right now. He would insist, I think.”

  Nora looked at Katya and Petyr. Petyr was eating his apple, refusing to look at anyone else, but his mouth was turned down as if he’d bitten something sour. Katya had paused in her salad-making, and was trying to catch Petyr’s eyes, with a hopeful smile on her face, as if to cheer him up.

  “Of course I’ll do it,” Nora said with a smile, and she noticed Maria take a steadying breath.

  “Thank you,” Maria said. “Katya, why don’t you help me set the table?”

  “Of course,” Katya said, following her out of the kitchen.

  Nora quickly sautéed the mushrooms, and plated them on some toast, crumbling brie cheese on top.

  “Smells good.” Petyr took one, and nearly swallowed it whole. “Tastes good too.”

  “Thanks.” Nora smiled.

  “Hey, Nora, thanks for agreeing to come on such short notice,” Petyr said. “Katya, well… she really is glad to have you here.”

  “I’m glad to be here too,” Nora said. “But I’m sure Katya is happy wherever she is, as long as you’re there with her.”

  Petyr sighed.

  “Yes. Well. My family isn’t the easiest to get along with. She’s making a valiant effort.”

  “They’re all very nice people,” Nora said.

  “Have you met my father yet?” Petyr joked. “Well, I’ll take these mushrooms out, shall I?”

  “Sure.”

  Nora waved him along, focusing on the chicken she was pan-frying.

  In minutes, Petyr’s sister-in-law Lila had walked in, carrying her now-empty glass. She smiled at Nora, and made a comment about the weather being extremely hot.

  “Yes, it is, isn’t it?” Nora smiled. “All of you must have been covered in sweat by the time you were through foraging for mushrooms.”

  “Oh. My father-in-law gets such crazy ideas in his head sometimes.” Lila laughed. “We’d planned to spend the day by the pool. But then, while I was telling him about my childhood in France, all of a sudden, he perked up and decided he wanted to try mushroom gathering, too.”

  “Is it true that they use pigs to help sniff out truffles in France?” Nora asked.

  “Yes. They’re called cochons. One of my neighbors had one. He was a nice man, owned a vineyard and stayed perpetually pickled in wine.” Lila laughed. “Of course, we children just thought it was water or coca cola in that flask of his.”

  “Sounds like you had a wonderful childhood.”

  “It was.” Lila smiled. “My father owned a cement company, of all things. But somehow we managed to live in the countryside. By the time I was 18, I was absolutely aching to see a real city. When I met Johann, I was studying biology in Paris. I was only 20, and he was eight years my senior, but I was quite swept away.”

  “Love at first sight, was it?” Nora smiled.

  “Well… No. Johann was in Paris for a meeting. He helps Reynold run the family business, you know. Anyway, I had a friend who was a friend of Johann’s friend, and we all ended up meeting in the same bar. It was 2 am when we met, and the bar lighting was quite dim. So my first impression of him was that he was going to be bald soon.” Lila laughed. “But then… he and I began talking, and somehow neither of us wanted to stop talking. We spent all night walking around Belleville. He was so passionate about alternative energy
. You should see him talk about it- he’s absolutely electric.” Lila blushed, realizing she had talked too much. “How about you? Where did you spend your childhood?”

  “Oh, Wyoming,” Nora said. “I’m a little biased, of course, but it’s the most beautiful stretch of land on this planet, I’d say.”

  “I’ve been to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons.” Lila nodded. “I’d have to agree. It’s one of the most wild and free places I’ve ever seen. Personally, I prefer cozy spaces like this island. They feel so much more manageable.”

  “Lila!” Johann came bounding in. “Lila, where’s Monty vanished? That dog never strays from my side.”

  “He’s probably sleeping upstairs.” Lila smiled. “It’s too hot for him to be outside anyway. He likes the air conditioning.”

  “Ugh. He’s getting lazy in his old age,” Johann said. “Someone needs to shake him up, before he deteriorates more.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” a cold voice said from behind Johann.

  “Father?” Johann smiled, turning around. “I was just telling Lila that—”

  “Oh, I heard you,” Reynold said coldly. “He’s getting lazy in his old age. Someone needs to shake him up.”

  “Er, yes. I was telling her that Monty—”

  “Oh, don’t you lie to me. I know exactly who you were talking about,” Reynold said.

  He’d changed into a white Ralph Lauren Polo and light orange twill shorts. He held a smartphone in one hand, and was gripping it so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

  “Oh. No no no.” Johann’s eyes grew wider, and he waved his hands, somehow managing to look more guilty than panicked. “I really was talking about Monty, Dad. We’re all here having such a great time. Why would I talk about anybody but Monty?”

  “You were talking about me!”

  “I wouldn’t do that! Not in front of a stranger.” Johann gestured to Nora.

  Reynold’s eyes swept over her as if he was seeing right through her.

  “She’s just hired help,” he said dismissively.

  “Dad, come on. Please don’t get angry.”

  “If this is the way you talk to me, how could I not get angry?” he asked. “In front of complete strangers!”

  “I really didn’t—”

  Maria walked in, with Petyr and Katya close behind her.

  “You’re shouting, dear,” Maria said. “Did someone upset you?”

  “Upset! Upset? This…brat!” Reynold pointed a stubby finger at Johann. “He’s badmouthing me to the help! He’s calling me old!”

  “Nora is a friend and a guest, Dad,” Petyr protested.

  “Oh, I’m paying her, aren’t I? And, what, are you taking Johann’s side? I’d expected no less from you!”

  Slamming his phone on the counter, Reynold turned tail and walked out to the backyard. Nora stood frozen, the chicken making noises on the pan. Faintly, she could smell the chicken begin to burn. Hurriedly, she lifted it out and plated it on a bone china dish.

  “My father in law… tends to go into rages,” Lila said. “Please stay here and finish your cooking. I hope you’re not hurt by what he said?”

  She was, but Nora was more worried about Katya and the rest.

  Outside, she could still hear Reynold’s voice declaring, “I’m the one that houses you and feeds you. Don’t forget that. I’ve done so much for you over the years. I used to work twenty hours a day. I sold my own car and walked to work so that you two could afford to go to good schools.”

  “Don’t you hate it when people do that?” Lila asked, with a sad smile on her face. Her eyes looked almost tearful. “When they keep forcing you to remember all the ways you’re obliged to them?”

  “It’s a sign of insecurity,” Nora said. “The men who most vehemently declare how generous and kind they are, seldom live up to their words.”

  “Well, it’s his word against ours,” Lila said. “In this house, his word is the only one that counts. Poor Johann. I’m going to go out and make sure he’s alright. Hopefully, by the time you serve lunch, everything will be normal.”

  Lila was right in that Reynold had calmed down by the time they all finally gathered for lunch. But, as for everything being normal, she couldn’t have been more wrong.

  *****

  Chapter 3

  Reynold had finally been placated, though he was still in a grumpy mood as they sat down to eat. Nora observed the entire family as she served them, wondering if the things that were obvious to her as an observer were evident to them, as well.

  Reynold was like the center of the storm and each member of his family was like a blade of grass, bending in the direction he took them in their attempts to calm him down. Was it always like this? If so, no wonder Katya had wanted her there.

  Petyr, Nora could tell, was trying to calm his father more for the sake of pleasing his mother. Johann, on the other hand, seemed nearly tearful and guilty at the thought of his father being angry with him, even though he had absolutely no reason to feel that way.

  With a frown on his face, he said, “I’m used to eating lunch far earlier. This won’t be good for my digestion, you know. This is cold, too.”

  Nora saw Petyr bite his lip. Underneath the table, Katya put her hand over his.

  “We can heat it up again, dear,” Maria said soothingly.

  “No. I’ll eat it like this. I guess I just have to put up with things,” he said, grabbing a chicken leg and digging in. He chewed it thoughtfully, looking almost displeased at having nothing to complain about. He bit into the mushroom toast on the side-plate and said, “This mushroom toast is horrible. It’s nearly raw.”

  Didn’t stop him from swallowing it all down in two bites, though, Nora noticed.

  “Well, this is as good a time as any to make the announcement,” Petyr said. “I’d planned to do it when everyone else was happier…but…oh well. Katya and I have plans to get married, which is a big part of the reason she’s here this weekend.”

  “Married?” His father laughed. “What rubbish! You’re engaged to Renee Cochran.”

  “I was engaged to her three years ago,” Petyr said with a warning in his voice. “I’d prefer it if you were nice about this, Father.”

  “You had a perfectly nice life with us,” Reynold said. “Never understood why you had to run away and leave us all behind. Abandoned us. Now this…this…foreigner? I thought she was just arm-candy.”

  “Don’t talk about her that way.” Petyr shoved his chair back and stood up, his face getting red.

  “Darling… don’t upset him again. Please.”

  Petyr’s mother held his hand, trying to pull him back to the table.

  “Don’t upset him? Mother how can you let him get away with his behavior? Somebody has to teach him a lesson!”

  Reynold banged one mighty fist on the table, shaking the cutlery.

  “Oh, you can say what you like, Father. I love Katya and nothing’s coming between us.” Petyr barely looked at him, focusing on his mother instead. “Mother, you have to control him. There’s no other way this could work. I came back here because you promised me—”

  “Your father is…he’s…highly strung. You have to be nicer, Petyr. Don’t rush into conflicts with him all the time.”

  “This is not my fault!”

  Reynold banged his fist on the table again. There was a mighty crash as his chair wobbled, then fell backwards.

  A gasp went up around the table, and then a scream from Lila, “What’s happening!”

  The entire family rushed to him. Johann stumbled against the table, and Lila gave another shriek as the entire table crashed sideways to the floor, plates and food mixing together to form a carnage of meat and bread. Petyr was shaking Reynold, who was foaming at the mouth. Maria had her eyes shut and was muttering prayers, while Katya and Lila were helplessly watching.

  Nora felt calm descend about her.

  “The emergency services,” she said to Johann. “What is the number for emer
gency services?”

  Johann shook his head. His eyes were very wide, and his mouth was hanging open.

  Nora dialed 911. It took her five minutes to reach an operator.

  “What seems to be the problem?” the lady asked.

  “I…I’m calling from Glass Lion Island. We have an emergency,” Nora said. “I think… I think he’s dead.”

  “Who is?”

  “Reynold Von Kyburg.”

  *****

  Three hours later, the sun was beginning to set and an emptiness seemed to have fill ed the house.

  Reynold’s body had been taken away, and the family sat in silence in the living room. Katya had her hands around Maria’s shoulders, while Petyr lay curled in her lap. Johann and Lila were hugging each other and crying softly on one sofa.

  The investigators were still in the dining room, taking photos and samples of the food. A round officer with a shiny bald head was asking Nora questions.

  “So these mushrooms,” he said. “Who gave them to you?”

  “Maria did,” Nora said. “I was a little upset because it was too late to really incorporate them into the meal, but I made a side-dish when she insisted.”

  “She insisted you use them?” He noted.

  “That’s not right,” Nora said. “Actually, she was just a messenger. Reynold had insisted that I use them.”

  “Ah, but Reynold didn’t tell you that himself, is that correct?” the officer said. “You were told by Maria that you must use them.”

  “That’s right,” Nora said. “But I’m sure you can confirm with the others. I think it’s in line with Reynold’s behavior.”

  “Did you, at any point while cooking, taste the dish yourself?” the officer asked.

  “I did not,” Nora said.

  “After you were done with the dish, did you personally serve it?”

  “No. Petyr took the tray from me, and served it on each plate almost immediately, I think,” Nora said.