Laura's Big Win

by Michelle Tschantre'

  “Let’s see how they look on you. Ready? Let’s go into the bedroom for a moment so you can see yourself in the mirror.”

  In the bedroom, Ryan fastened the necklace as Laura donned the earrings with shaking hands. Kissing her gently on the back of the neck, he asked again. “Like them?”

  “Yes you crazy man. I love them, but you don’t have to do things like this. I mean, we have a wedding to pay for and all that. You are what I want. They’re beautiful and I love them, but we can take them back.”

  “Nope, no going back. Besides, I did this to prove a point.”

  “Prove a point? What do you mean?”

  “I told the jeweler that only around your neck would they achieve true beauty, nowhere else. I was right, of course, so there they stay. Now, this doesn’t change anything for the wedding does it, like color of clothes or flowers or something? That was the only thing I was worried about, really.”

  “No, no changes, unless I could move it up to right now. Do you know how frustrating it is when you do things like this for me, and you’re this close to me, and there’s a bed right there, and I can’t do a damned thing about it? You just wait, my man. I can’t let you get away with this.”

  “I’m counting on it, but I did it because I love you and I want everyone to know it and if you like them, well then, that’s all there is to it. But, I could use just a little sample of what you’re talking about, then we need to get out of the bedroom before I change my mind. I’m starting to weaken pretty quickly.”

  Laura delivered a sample of what was to come, pressing her length against him in the process, arms wrapped tight around him. The remainder of the day was less eventful, at least between the two of them. After breakfast, Jack and Ryan took the new engine to the carriage house to discover what more lay in store, while Laura and Amanda unpacked the furniture and set up housekeeping in the doll house. Laura mused to herself that it was the best Christmas Day she had spent in a decade, but not because of the diamonds; it was the best because there was happiness, everyone there wanted to be there, and they cared about each other without reservation.

  The project at the White House was pretty much a labor of love for those involved. Dennis and Franz had never given it up for lost, maintaining it as needed to keep everything functioning, sure in their hearts that one day it would regain its place in Ryan’s life. They found it interesting that only the great room had been called into use with wedding activities, but when the doors were opened again, an entire housekeeping crew started in on all the ground floor rooms. The theory was, they were told, that accumulated dust could migrate from room to room, so it all had to be removed, all furniture waxed, area carpets cleaned, chandelier crystals polished, everything to spotless condition, including the kitchen equipment. The guys weren’t much on cleaning techniques, but the physical plant was put in mint condition, including the new voice recognition access devices on the outside doors and a wireless communicator with the IT system in the big house. Dennis had a crew working the grounds as soon as he could round them up, trimming and pruning; even the cemetery was looking good, although the American Beauty rose bush was a little less than beautiful in appearance. Still, it was the winter season, and the rose was resting until the Spring growing season. If there was a surprise in all the activity, it came that Friday afternoon as staff was leaving for the day. The downstairs of the house was spotless and more than ready for the big event the next day, but when the head housekeeper called a meeting right at quitting time, she called all staff, not just those who would be helping out on Saturday. The assembled group was told they were to store their equipment in the pantry room for the moment, not in their usual work areas, and that as of Monday morning, they were to return to the White House for work, not their regular positions. No more information than that was given, except for the admonishment to not discuss their Monday morning assignments with anyone if they loved their jobs. It would be a secret well kept.

  The next big event Windmere saw during the week was on Thursday morning. In her office to keep up with the flow of work, Laura heard Marcia answer the phone, yell something like “You’re in”, and then do an all-call on the in-house pager system. Curious about all the excitement from this normally very stable and quiet employee, Laura poked her head out of her office to see what was going on.

  “She’s back! Alice is back. Come on; we gotta go see. I got my wireless on.” and indeed Marcia had her headset with the tiny antenna poking up so she could staff the main phone line and still be free to roam at will in the office area. Whether it would work all the way to the carriage house did not appear to be paramount in her mind at the moment.

  “Go! I’m right behind you. Did you tell the guys?”

  “I did an all-call as soon as I knew. Franz wants them at the carriage house so he can plug them into power. Is this place crazy or what?”

  “Are you telling me things used to be a little dull around here?”

  “They were until you showed up. Nothing has been the same since. I don’t want to bring up bad memories or anything, but even your divorce hearing was almost fun. I know the judge had a good time. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have brought that up, not with Saturday being your big day and all.”

  “No, that’s okay. The divorce had to be done so all this could happen, but believe me, I sure didn’t plan it, and I wouldn’t change a minute of it, even if I could. Yell at Doris when we go by, or whoever is working the kitchen today; I can’t keep track anymore.”

  And out the back door they went to the carriage house, just in time to see the big motor home make the circle at the end of the road to the golf course and start back toward the carriage house. Everything seemed to be in place, except that it appeared somehow incongruous that Vinnie was standing talking to Franz about the plug-in, and the motor home was now moving toward them. Vinnie positioned himself by the building, and using hand signals as though he were guiding an airliner into a gate, motioned the big machine into position. Once it was stopped and the engine turned off, he turned to Laura and Marcia.

  “Okay; I think it’s safe enough now. I know you want to, so go on in; you kids too if you want. Door’s open.”

  Laura was first in the door, with the rest close on her heels. It was a sight worth a thousand words, and those probably couldn’t describe it with accuracy. In the large captain’s chair that served as a driver’s seat was Alice Hamilton Lupinacci, in shorts, strappy sandals for footwear, and a lightweight sweatshirt that read “Grandma”, green eyeshade on her head, plus a large coffee mug on the console beside her. Spinning around in the chair, she jumped down to hug and be hugged. Laura found it hard to believe this was the staid, self-contained, example setting Alice who had left them such a short time before.

  “Alice, I’m amazed. You really drive this cruiser down the road?”

  Vinnie’s voice responded from behind them. “Hell, I can’t get her out of the seat. Every morning, soon as the big Cat is ready to purr, we’re pounding down the pavement. I think we even forgot to unplug a couple of times before we left. Woman is a white line fever demon; I just close my eyes and pray.”

  “Yah, yah. I can see better than he can, and besides, he’s busy playing with his thing, you know, that GPS thingy, and his laptop, trying to figure out either where we’ve been, or where we’re going. Something like that. But how’ve you all been, and how are things coming for the big day Saturday. I know I can’t wait; I can imagine how you feel. So, what’s new? Talk to me.”

  “And I can’t believe I’m seeing you in a sweat shirt, not the Alice Hamilton I used to know.”

  “I think she may be gone for good. I wear this because, just between you and me…” and Alice leaned close to Laura’s ear before continuing the conversation.

  “Alice Hamilton. You wouldn’t! Really? No, I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe. Truck stops, scenic overlooks, once in a national park. It’s convenient as hell to have a bedroom on wheels,” and seeing two sets of rounded
eyes looking at her quickly added “…in case at our age we need to take a nap after lunch.” But her eyes told Laura a far different story. “At our ages, we need to keep cashing those checks as long as there’s money in the bank.”

  The three women exited the motor home, in time for Alice to get an enveloping bear hug from Dennis, and a just as enthusiastic but potentially less harmful one from Franz. While Vinnie took care of securing the touring machine to sit for a couple days, the ladies headed for the kitchen and more chatter.

  “Alice, I have to tell you, we’re using the great room in the White House for the reception. Ryan made me promise I wouldn’t go in until I go in as his wife; believe me, that’s an easy promise to keep; I would much rather be his wife than look at a room.”

  “Ah, but you haven’t seen the room yet. Anyway, you get to do both in almost hours now. It sounds like you’re making some real progress with our boy; going back into the White House has to be difficult for him at best, but I think like he’s on the mend from that wound. I knew it would take time.”

  They were at the kitchen door then, where Alice and Doris greeted each other like sisters, which in many respects they were. “One with French Vanilla creamer and no sugar, one with no creamer but two sugars, and you, Missy, don’t look like you’re old enough to drink coffee yet.”

  Marcia was quick on the defensive; “No, but I’ll help you elderly people pour if you like, so you don’t spill too much in your tremors, then I have actual work to do.”

  “Sassy, isn’t she, but just for that, please bring me a mug too. We have a lot to talk about and a short time to get caught up.”

  Marcia served up the coffee as promised, then retired to the office area to keep things under reasonable control, and to clue in the guys when they got back from their meeting later in the day. It was all deteriorating nicely, and the week still had two days to go.

  Chapter 21 – Wedding Wonders

  Saturday dawned picture perfect, the winter sky azure blue with a few billowy white clouds scattered about to interrupt the backdrop. Although it was winter, even Ma Nature seemed to be in favor of this event as the temperature, never really cold-cold, had moderated temporarily with a warm front and pushed the air into the mid 60 range for mid-day. The big green striped tent rather blended into the landscape, and, always the prepared bunch, had an auxiliary heater in place, just in case. Ryan had been correct when he said there was no back-up plan; it was all go and go; there was no no-go permitted. The morning kitchen was riotous, particularly for Saturday when most activities were somewhat muted from the busy work week activities. Both Laura’s parents and Ryan’s parents had arrived Friday afternoon, partly to visit their children, but as much as to get to know one another better since they would now be related to some degree; they would even share grandchildren at some point in the future, and Jack and Amanda in the present day. They were about the same age, and aided and abetted by the newly-mischievous Alice Lupinacci, were in for the time of their lives.

  Poker was pretty much a staple of all resorts, to some degree or other, and once the grounds tour, house tour, and general visiting with their kids was completed, Alice suggested a friendly game, joined by Vincent and whoever happened along. She had not forgotten the house rules, and carefully explained things before they got too deep into the proceedings. The game was set up in the first floor of the carriage house, since that was about the only place not already involved in the wedding arrangements. A second table was soon added as arriving wedding guests floated through the area and wanted in on the game. Vinnie turned out to be an excellent dealer in his own right, and again carefully explained the house rules. Although the playing did stop for the wedding, and occasionally for food or drink breaks, it continued for the better part of nearly 16 hours. In retrospect, several people won goodly sums, and with the house limit on loss, no one suffered much. Weeks later reminiscing about the games when they were back on the road, Alice and Vinnie realized what a unique assortment of characters had been in the carriage house at one point in time, when play had resumed after the wedding. Alice admitted that even with her vast knowledge of Windmere clients, she did not know some of the persons in attendance. It was, she opined, a little like a UN conference, but without the infighting. Each time someone new joined in, the house rules and loss limits were carefully explained, but at one point a gentleman at Alice’s table asked to suspend the game for a moment while they had a discussion.

  “This is America, the U S of A, right?” was his opening discussion line.

  “It is.” was all Alice could say at the moment, not seeing where this was headed.

  “Land of opportunity and free will, right?”

  “Well, yes, but not without limits. The house rules are so everyone can play and no one gets in trouble at home by losing too much money. That’s why we have the rules, sort of as an equalizer.” Alice had hoped the re-explanation would clarify things, but it didn’t seem to help.

  “And as I understand it, the house profits go to a charity. Right?”

  “True. We distribute the winnings to a couple or three places, as needed.”

  “What I propose is that the rules be suspended for six hands and six hands only. That way, each of us has a chance to win for a select charity. I will represent, let me see, do you have a Catholic Church?”

  “We do, St. Matthews.”

  “Okay, that’s mine. I hope I win good pots; I have some things to atone for. Name five other charities, one for each of these gentlemen. Each of us will write a number on a slip of paper, the amount we feel comfortable with losing, no questions asked, payable at the end of the sixth hand to the respective charities. Low number is the max limit. I understand why you have the house rules, and I think it’s a great idea, but loss of money, well, it isn’t that big a deal, not to me anyway. Besides, everything is going to charity anyway, so whoever is in the game has already written that much off. Six games. Deal?”

  Alice pondered the situation. These were not ordinary players, and even though she didn’t know most of them personally or professionally, she was a good reader of people, and these people liked to play with adult sized pots. It was a great opportunity to do something for some charities without them asking, and these guys were going to ask for a tax write-off anyway, she’d bet on that. Her answer was not long in coming.

  “You have a deal. Now, before we start, we’re taking a five minute recess. You decide amongst yourselves the six players, and remember, the house has a charity as well. I can tell you this much, based on what we know from our own charitable activities, the Salvation Army has a summer camp fund raiser going on at the moment; the Baptists had a fire last month and are trying to build a new church, the YMCA/YWCA needs repairs to their swimming pool, the local Synagogue also has a summer program, the Fireman/Policeman Benevolent fund helps needy families after catastrophic loss, and the AME group needs some building repairs. The house takes the Conyerville homeless shelter. Any questions? Five minutes; once we restart, no leaving the table unless you’re busted or we end game six.”

  Dennis had been floating around the area, as much a goodwill ambassador as anything, but he quickly picked up on Alice mentioning the homeless shelter, his favorite charity for one somewhat diminutive reason named Angie. He made his way over to her during the break and inquired in a subtle manner what she thought was going on with these people.

  “Dennis, to tell the truth, I think they just want to raise the stakes for the fun of it. These guys would bet on a race with three legged horses, just for the unique challenge. Personally, I think they have more money than they know what to do with and they enjoy a creative and fun means of disbursing it. That’s it, plain and simple. I’ve been watching them, and I didn’t see any cheating. I don’t know who a couple of them are for sure, but you can count on this: the checks will cash. So, here’s hoping Angie does good, okay?”

  Dennis blushed slightly at the reference, but stood his ground. “You haven’t changed a bit Alice, excep
t maybe, I think, you’ve got kind of a wild streak we didn’t know about. Looks like your sheep are coming back for the shearing. Good luck.”

  The group reseated themselves at the table. One player had opted out, and a woman had taken his place. The slips of paper were distributed, each wrote a number and passed the paper back to Alice.

  “Gentlemen, and lady; the low number is $20,000. We will expect you to cash out at the end of the sixth game. Game is Texas Hold ‘em. Please identify the charity for which you are playing. Are there any questions?”

  There being no questions, the charities were identified and the games began. Six games later, the homeless shelter was doing quite well, and in retrospect, all the charities came out ahead considering it was money from out of nowhere. The players arranged fund transfers to the Windmere charitable account, or ordered out checks as needed to their respective charities. All in all, it was the biggest stakes game Alice had ever dealt in her life, but strangely, she didn’t feel any pressure at all, probably because these people liked the fun of the game and cared little about the money. If nothing else, it was a memorable experience, with more than one player suggesting a rematch at Windmere in the future. Over the years, it would become an annual event, but by invitation only; Alice and Vincent would return many times to run the tables.

  For all the excitement in the carriage house, Alice did have other responsibilities this day, one of which was to get Laura to the “church” on time. Mostly, that consisted of making sure the dress was properly worn, hair fixed just right, things like that, even including a last minute pep talk just in case the flesh was willing but the spirit was getting nervous. Alice was to serve as the Matron of Honor, while Roger stood as Best Man. The bride would be escorted by her father, but “given” by her children when asked “Who gives this woman in marriage?” It was a line they rehearsed often, even with Father Jim, just to make sure they got it timed correctly. For his part, Ryan was as sure about this and as calm as he could be; he even sensed that he could feel the “rightness” of this day. Once planned, things rather took their own course toward completion, even though Laura had planned much of this day herself. As with most things that seem simple on the surface, it is the underlying complexity that makes it seem so. On the other hand, the Windmere staff was accustomed to handling large gatherings of assorted persons; they just had a higher interest in this particular gathering. Laura had become “theirs” to take care of for the moment, and when little rough spots popped up, as they will in any large venture, the staff squelched them with accuracy and rapidity. She had not considered the large number of cars to park, since most large gatherings at Windmere were transported from the airport; this was more local in nature, and a good many invitees elected to drive it, even from some distance away. But then there was Franz, and Dennis, who handled all the parking and provided cart transportation to and from the tent area. Cal had thought to arrange with Sheriff Dawson to hire off duty deputies for the gate. Doris and Marie, and their husbands, had been there since sun-up, and the housekeeping staff on duty had rounds assigned to keep the place looking good at all times. The day care area was in full staff early on, and in general, the place could not have held much more activity, with one exception. A call from the airport manager said he had a radio call from a helicopter that intended to land at the golf course pro shop parking lot; whomever it was knew the area, but wanted to let people know it was not an accident. It was just one more thing in a whole series of events that made the day memorable. If there was any one thing of any importance left undone, Laura remembered it mid-morning.