Laura's Big Win

by Michelle Tschantre'

Chapter Nineteen - A Step Closer

  At their usual workday morning meeting, Laura and Ryan finally got around to discussing exactly when they would like to be married. The excitement of the previous Saturday's events with Alice and Vincent had made them realize more acutely they were losing precious time in their own lives. Working on his morning neck massage, Laura decided to bring up the subject, ready or not.

  "I know we've talked about a lot of things, but we never did quite get around to deciding when we'll be married. You know" as she wrapped both arms around him "I don't want to let the big one slip the hook. You're not thinking of bolting, are you?"

  "Nope, not a bit. In fact" swinging around in his chair while still managing to hold on to both her hands "I'm not so sure who caught who. Anyway, I've been thinking about that myself, and I think you're right. After seeing those two lovebirds Saturday, it's as happy as I've ever seen Alice. He's a heck of a guy and I'm sure they'll have a great time between the two of them.. Sort of puts to rest all those ad's for ED drugs for middle aged men; he's a real poster child for virility in later life, isn't he?"

  "True, but how's that related to our setting a date? Feeling weak these days, or just threatened?"

  "I'm aging more every day, and the thought of going off on our honeymoon with a cane or a walker just doesn't seem right. So, I think we need to pick up the pace, okay?"

  It had now become more banter than conversation, but the two of them enjoyed the repartee and the closeness it brought as they understood each other even more. Arms intertwined, Ryan finally got specific.

  "You know we're heading for the holiday season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, all those festivities. I was thinking maybe we go for it on the Saturday between Christmas and New Years Day, mid-afternoon, reception and dinner to follow. To tell the truth, I don't want to wait any longer than that for a number of reasons, my own personal desire to be married to you being number one on the list. I don't want you to make a break for it when you regain your senses. How about it? You willing, or are the feet getting chilly now that I'm getting serious?"

  "Not a chance; you're not getting away that easy, Big Guy. That's what Cindy calls you, the 'Big Guy. How ya doin' with the Big Guy? Makin' any progress with the Big Guy?' She just went nuts when I told her we were engaged. We have to invite her, okay?"

  "She's in, but you didn't tell me if the date is good. Better hurry. I'm thinking about going to Wendy's and see if any of those models are still around."

  "Yes, yes, yes; that Saturday is fine. I still have tons to do, but if you're threatening to go to Wendy's and look around, guess I'd better hurry. By the way, when Alice and I ran there the other day, I did a little shopping myself; you'll see. So, how do we tell people the date; grand announcement?"

  "Grand announcement. I'll do that; you get a move on with the invitations. Marcia can help."

  "But Marcia?"

  "I know, I know; Marcia is supposed to be doing company business, but this involves two officers of the company; what could be more company business than that? Besides, if you tell her she's invited, she'll do anything. In the meantime, I need to go see Roger about our annual meeting with staff. Maybe we need to set it up a little this year. Probably wouldn't hurt to get it clear before the holiday pace sets in and takes up all our time partying. Okay?"

  "Okay. Kiss me enough to last until?..mmff."

  "Enough?"

  "No, never, I'll be back for more. Guess I really should do something for the company now. See you, love you."

  "Love you too"

  "I forgot; one more thing. Remember when you told me the headhunters would call, and I didn't believe you. You were right; I shouldn't have doubted. Anyway, I'm not going anywhere, so don't get your hopes up on escaping me."

  "I'll refrain from the obvious, but really, it makes sense. Myself aside for the moment, Windmere is fortunate you're here; we want to keep you."

  "So, how about you? Do you want to keep me?"

  "Sure, if you want to be a kept woman. I have some things in mind on how you can earn your keep."

  "I'll bet you do. Now go back into your den. No?..wait?..replay. It didn't last long enough." Ryan complied, willingly, but had a lot to do in the next few hours.

  Ryan made the short trip to Roger's office, greeted him, and settled into a chair. It had been the custom at Windmere to combine the annual employee/stockholder meeting with a non-designated holiday event. The nature of the company staff was such that there was an assortment of religious beliefs, races, colors, creeds, ethnic background, nationality, and a little of everything else. So, it was a general meeting, non-descript in name, although everyone knew it was "The Christmas Party," with a festive air. This year would just be a little more festive. Ryan outlined his plan to Roger; set up the meeting date to the coming Saturday, and suggested they let everyone know as soon as possible, then turn the staff loose on the preparations. Roger was enthusiastic from the beginning, setting the "can do" tone in his response.

  "We need a staff meeting with everyone here right now to get this in place. I had sort of been aiming toward three or four weeks from now, but you're right; we always seem to get caught in a holiday time crunch of some sort. How about I rally the troops for a brief sit-down to get the basics in line?"

  "Sorry to drop this on you at such a short notice. We just sort of decided we need to get on with our lives and, well, Alice and Vincent made us a little jealous I think; maybe that was what we needed. Anyway, think we can swing it? Your call."

  "Marcia, can you do an all call for a meeting in the kitchen at 9:30 this morning?..just people already here?..great. Thanks?..Now, you were saying? Gotta tell you, I have always loved being here and being a part of things, but since Laura has been here, the place has its life back, and so, by the way, do you my friend. I've seen you watching her; you might fool her, but I know why you want to get married so soon. Little backed up on the testosterone are we?"

  "Not that it's any of your damned business, but, maybe a little backed up. You think that's a problem?"

  "Not from what I can see. I don't blame you. I was your age once, although it's getting harder all the time to remember that far back. Anyway, what else do we need to talk about?"

  "Can we get Cal to have the private accountants send us a statement, to date plus year end forecast? I haven't looked in a while and I want to see if we have some wiggle room to maybe give some bonus money out this year. Work for you?"

  "You're the boss."

  "Shhh. Only about a dozen people actually know that, and for now, that's enough. I haven't discussed it with Laura yet; time just didn't seem right; but, I'll get that far soon enough. There were just a lot more important things to handle first, like convincing her to marry me. Strangely, I think maybe that was her idea and it just finally soaked into my thick skull. This whole thing has been like it's orchestrated or something; things seem to fall into place. I mean, that episode with the Duesey; who did the kids see? I'm sure they saw someone; it wouldn't occur to them to make up a story like that. Guess we'll never know. Anyway, let's see if Cal can get a hard copy, then meet back here maybe this afternoon and see where we are."

  "Works for me. By the way, my daughter said she saw Alice and Laura in Wendy's the other day. I think they were shopping for Alice, but from what she told me Laura was looking at, you better start your vitamins now."

  "Lecherous old man!"

  "Stallion!"

  The staff meeting in the kitchen was somewhat raucous but good spirited. Everyone dealt with the early date in their own way, quickly adapting their time frames to fit the shortened schedule. Roger suggested they notify their "travelers" as quickly as possible, and make the meeting optional because of the short time frame. He also suggested as an incentive, that Windmere provide a breakfast for the morning meeting. The actual meeting, he anticipated, would take less than hour, but suggested they leave time for informal discussions. Doris would be there to bake iced cinnamon rolls, on the theory that if her baking could me
lt the minds of a couple of crotchety old auto parts execs, they could do anything. Doris agreed, but countered that they should also have an omelet line since Henry needed Christmas money to buy things for her and only Fernando was really qualified to make a Spanish omelet anyway. Roger was an easy sell, with fond remembrances of Fernando's culinary skills. Daycare would be provided if needed. The meeting would start at 9:00 AM, after everyone was well fed, coffeed, pottied, and so on. Spouses were included as usual. Pagers, cell phones, land lines, and data lines were hot for the next hour to get the information out, while Laura sat back a bit and again watched in amazement at how this team could function like a greased rocket when the need arose. One thing for sure, she felt more at home here than she had felt at any other place in her adult life, with the sole exception of her own parent's home; even there, she realized that being in Ryan's consciousness was more important than her physical surroundings.

  By mid-afternoon, the numbers were hand delivered to Cal and he went to meet with Roger and Ryan. Although the general accounts and daily operating funds were accessible to everyone who needed them, the capital and major operating accounts were maintained by a CPA firm in Conyerville. Ryan had hired them back when the operation was starting out and he and Mary didn't have the time to do bookkeeping. As Windmere developed and the accounts grew in size, the accountants did less and less of the daily work, functioning more as financial advisors handling major transactions as properties were acquired and the business spread its wings. Only they knew exactly who the stock holders were, and since the company was privately held, no one else had access, even Laura and her growing IT operation. What mattered was that the operation was on solid footing; the chief accountant was tasked to watch trends in operations, and to flag anything he believed to be significant, much as Laura was doing with the daily operations. If there was a difference in operation, it was only that they had far fewer, but much larger, accounts to watch over.

  Taking a seat, Cal handed out the copies of the annotated operating statement, along with the year end predictions. As a long term employee with an excellent track record, his opinion was highly respected, as was his discretion with information. The three sat back and quickly scanned the numbers. Their chief accountant had sensed what they needed and delivered the information in blocks: money in, money out, what's left over at the end. He did take time to separate the various operations Windmere conducted, such as held and operated properties, properties operated for other owners, their procurement operation, and more recently, Information Technology services provided on a membership basis. Roger was the first able to speak after reading the numbers.

  "Ryan, elope. Marry that girl right now; lock her in her office, do something so she can't get away. Do you see those numbers on the IT operation? And that's for only part of a year; can you imagine a whole year at that rate?

  "Ryan, I agree with Roger. Watch those headhunters. This is a whole field we've never been in before, and it's looking great. I can't say that I know much about it, but I do know what she's done for my end of the operation is wonderful. We were sort of plodding along like everyone else, getting things done, moving the numbers around. Now I can negotiate on-line with multiple sources, send everything to one file I can watch build on the second screen, place my order, send break-bulk shipping orders, and never break a sweat. While the other guys are looking for something to write on, I'm done and off to the next thing. No one I ever talked to has heard of using two monitors at the same time to make things easier and certainly faster. She said it's something she learned from taking a basic CAD system class one summer, told our IT system suppliers what she wanted, and, viola, here we are."

  It was one of the very few times in his life Ryan Williams was unsure about anything. "Damn. What can I say? I mean, I know she's got brain power; I just never?..well, you know. I'm as floored as you are. I'm almost afraid to tell her; hard telling what it would cost us. Suddenly Cinderella could run the whole place; well, maybe not the whole place, but a couple of major wings anyway. I really don't know where to go from here. Should I tell her?"

  The three fell silent for a moment. Their operations to date had been very successful, but this new line was generating profits beyond anything they had encountered, and with virtually no investment in physical plant assets. It was a pleasant dilemma, but a dilemma none the less; the whole of the IT operation rested on the well shaped shoulders of one Laura Nessing, soon to be Mrs. Ryan Williams. If anything happened to her, things could go very wrong and very quickly. How much should they tell her about all this, and would it make a difference in their relationship? Cal broke the silence.

  "Ryan, the obvious aside for a moment, why do you stay here, really? There's a ton of companies out there who would pay you megabucks just to sit in their boardroom now and then, and you wouldn't have to deal with day to day operations. Frankly, you have enough money in the bank for several people, you could play golf every day, run when you want, go deep sea fishing, whatever. Why do you stay, and Roger, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be retired. Me, I have a growing family to feed and house, but beside that, why do I show up here every day? Any ideas?"

  "I don't know about Roger, but I pretty well started this place and grew with it and just kept going as it expanded. But, I see what you mean; I've never thought about it that way. I guess it's because this is what I do, what I truly like to do. You're right about the money, and I want for very little really. I do this because I want to see if I can, and it's not just me. You two aren't exactly starving either, and we have hundreds if not thousands of people better off today because they work for Windmere. So, maybe that's part of the reward too. This whole thing with Laura, it's crazy when you think about it. I mean, she really is Cinderella in a lot of ways. Push come to shove, you two need to know I'd take a pass on this place before I'd lose her; that's how deep it goes. But what about you Roger? You're being rather silent all of a sudden."

  "And with good reason. What we're talking about, it's Maslow, isn't it? There I was, retired, plenty of money to live on, solid future doing nothing, but that was it, doing nothing that counted toward what, a lower golf score? What's that worth besides a little bragging? Here, I can direct traffic, take on a challenge. Hell, just the divorce hearing with Harry was worth coming to work for, and besides that, I got paid to do it. Fellas, it doesn't get any better than that, having fun doing what you love to do, and getting paid for it. I see what you mean, Ryan; it isn't about just the money, and since Laura's been here, that has become less important all the while it has been growing like a weed. You're right; there's craziness afoot, but I love it. Is that where you were going Cal?"

  "It is. Sure, I need a job, and with this place as a reference, I've had my share of calls, but there's something about this place today that is more like a living organism than ever before. Maybe we tend to think in terms of physical plant, and not the people who really are the organization. Maybe we need to change that. I think you need to at least let her know how big a part of this place she has become; that would only be fair, marriage or not. My guess is, she's into the program like we are; she'd stay anyway, and besides, Ryan, I don't think she's going to let go of you. So, I think you need to bring her up to speed; after all, in a month or so, unless you're holding out on us, she's gonna be the boss lady in more ways than one."

  "You're right. She's earned a right to the information, and speaking of that, we will have no pre-nup. I can see where that could be necessary for some people, but I know this woman and she knows me; the subject never came up, nor will it if I have anything to say about it. Okay, I'll handle bringing her up to speed. Now, what about a bonus fund for 'deserving personnel'. Looks like the kitty is about overflowing. Thoughts on that subject?"

  The three of them massaged the information a bit, looking at their capital needs for the next year, estimated cost of property acquisition, an annual stock dividend, and other things in the big picture of the operation. At the end of the discussion, subtr
acting out all the designated funds, there was still a sizeable amount of revenue coming in beyond the company's needs. Based on their experience, there was no one good way to award the bonus money, so in the end result they developed a formula with a minimum level so even short term employees would benefit, while the others would be fairly rewarded. They agreed there would be no discussion of percentages or things like that, just an announcement that the checks would be a little fatter in two weeks. Ryan agreed to talk to Laura about the success of her IT operations and what it had meant to the company bottom line, and the other two started moving things along toward the Saturday meeting.

  Later that day when they had a few minutes alone, Ryan filled Laura in on the discussion about the success of the IT operation and how pleasantly surprised they had been. And, because of that, the excess funds would result in bonus checks for a lot of people who had worked really hard, including Laura. He concluded the discussion by suggesting perhaps she should get an even bigger share for all the hard work she had put in to engender that success.

  "Don't be silly. I'd love a bonus check, sure, but that's not why I do this. It's like, I don't know, being something as part of a larger picture, maybe giving away food, taking in young girls with babies, stuff like that; am I nuts or something?"

  "Nope. You're great, as expected. Cal and Roger and I were talking about that this morning, and they said about the same thing; but, you know why? They say it's you. You have become Windmere's personality, it's soul so to speak. We would never have thought to do some of those things you did; Alice would not have reassessed her life and made a life changing leap like she did. This place has changed. We didn't sit there and talk about what property we could buy next or something we could develop; we talked about the people that make up Windmere, you know, all creatures great and small. Roger's right; the place is alive again, and so am I, and I love you very much. Would you marry me someday, maybe the Saturday between Christmas and New Years?"

  "I will. You can't buy me off with a bonus check either. But come closer and I'll show you what will work on?..mmmm?."

  The remaining days of the week went even faster than Monday as plans came together. It appeared they would have a rather good turnout in spite of the short notice, and Laura looked forward to meeting some of the people she had only heard about, the "travelers" Windmere used to conduct their field operations test services on clients places of business. Mostly, these were everyday people who had worked their way into a lucrative and very entertaining good time, for the cost of doing a little paperwork for the company. It was no secret how Ryan had managed to come up with a cadre of surveyors; he had simply approached the members of the local amateur theater company after he and Mary had attended a performance for an entertaining diversion one evening. It was simple, he thought, to go from learning lines for a play and learning essentially the same thing for a road trip. The theater company was thrilled at the prospect of paid vacations, plus some badly needed revenue for their small theater operation. The whole thing was rehearsed on weekends at Windmere itself until the travelers could play their parts with skill and ease. The diversity of the group itself made it work even better, and the individuals command of language made their reports not only readable but more importantly, understandable to clients in exquisite detail if needed. Because some members were retired, and some worked different days or hours, Windmere was not limited to providing their services only on weekends. There was a tendency of resorts to staff down a bit during the week when there might be fewer paying customers, and that is frequently when weak points would best be discovered by the travelers. If nothing else, it was a very rewarding symbiotic relationship.

  Saturday came, and with it more people than Laura had seen at Windmere since the auto parts deal she had aced. The mood was very upbeat as people who saw each other rarely were trying to catch up. Some of the off-site managers had been able to make the trip in, which delighted the airport manager with the landing fees accumulating in the register. Even more importantly, Doris had been right about the food, as usual. Both Henry and Fernando were kept busy, although those who elected the "hot" version from Fernando were also seen consuming large glasses of juice to quench the fire down below after eating. Laura was introduced to many of the travelers, and to those managers who could make the trip; she was surprised that everyone seemed to know a great deal more about her than she knew about them. She surmised, correctly, that Windmere had few secrets among its ranks.

  Nine o'clock, and with the great room packed to the doors, Roger started with a general report and some slides showing the overall progress in operations during the year in various categories, everything from growth in employment numbers to growth in actual revenues. He particularly outlined the growth in vended IT services, and gave Laura all the credit for the new direction Windmere had taken along with its more traditional lines of service. Winding things down, Roger took a few minutes to explain that the unexpected increase in revenue had caused a serious management planning problem, that is, what to do with the excessive funds. A number of suggestions were shouted from the crowd, none impolite or unrepeatable, but Roger kept going. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of dithering, but in reality was less than a minute, he reported that the funds would be disbursed in bonus packages during the next regularly scheduled payday. The applause was deafening, interspersed with a few yells plus a strange native noise Fernando had been known to emit from time to time.

  Winding down his portion, Roger once again gained the crowd's attention. "That about wraps it up for me for this year, except to say you are a great staff, a great family, and together we beat hell out of the competition. Truthfully, we have seen a few competitors arise in the past couple of years, and die off about as fast. We have added services faster than the competition can think of them, and this last thing, the IT services, has them really scratching for something they can advertise they do better than Windmere does. I believe we are in this for the long haul, and it's going to take a Brinks truck to handle the load. If there is an area of operation in which I have a concern, it is in the staffing of management here at the home office. I believe we have hit upon a partial solution to the retention problem, now that certain staff members are becoming well known outside of Windmere, and the headhunters are knocking regularly; isn't that true Laura?.....So, I give you Ryan Williams to discuss that issue. Mr. Williams."

  The assembled staff was somewhat puzzled by this turn of events, but realized these people had a unique way of making things come out right. And in the process it was certainly not beyond them to have a little fun. Most were well aware of the events in Ryan's life, the loss of Mary, his love of children, the weight of sadness he carried for a long time. Yet today, he seemed happier, more cheerful, more like his former self; many of them knew about the relationship with Laura and how things were developing, although most were not quite up to date with things. They also knew that Laura had stepped into the shoes of Alice Hamilton and wore them well along with her other duties. There were, indeed, few secrets at Windmere. Ryan stood to address the assemblage, with as solemn a face as anyone could imagine.

  "My friends, in order to assure the peace and domestic tranquility?.. wait a minute. I think that speech has been done once. But speaking of domestic tranquility, I find that working next door to this woman, this Laura person, who of late has become a real moving force at Windmere, is making life difficult for me. I find it is nearly impossible to come in here in the morning and be grumpy all day. Passing her in the corridor ?well ?.I just want to turn around and look back. It's that sort of thing going on that can disrupt the social structure of an office so much that it is barely functional. And I find that I need to leave my office frequently just to look in hers to make sure she's still with us. I have discussed this with her at some length in private, and I believe we have reached an amicable solution. In short, we have a deal. But, businessman that I am, I would like to present that deal to the stockholders for your approval. Ms Laura,
please rise."

  Laura hesitated at first, wondering what this man she so loved was up to, but gave in quickly. "Ryan, what's going on? What are you up to?"

  "Nope, not good enough. Here, up on the chair." And placing his hands on her waist, he literally picked her up and stood her on a chair for all to see. Her puzzlement grew, but she loved and trusted this man, and if this was what he wanted to do, well, it was fine with her.

  "Okay, can everybody see her now, our IT guru and princess of the domain? Here's the deal. Laura, will you marry me on the Saturday after Christmas, to have and to hold, and all that, forevermore? People, here's your chance to vote. What do you think?"

  The chant started as a roar and grew ever louder by the second: "Say yes, say yes, say yes?.." so loud Ryan could barely hear her reply and she had to shout it out over the crown noise. "Yes, yes, yes you crazy man; I'll marry you!"

  The chant dissolved into general applause and cheering. In retrospect, it was unclear if everyone was really that happy for Ryan and Laura, or if it had something to do with the hot pepper omelets that morning; regardless, the people had spoken, and now wanted to hear more.

  "Okay. With every deal, there is a plan, and we have that all worked out, with the help of some of you, probably a lot of you. You are invited. We know the time. My job is to find the place and things like that. I'm a manager, and you all know what that means: I know what to say, but have no idea how to actually get it done; that's why all of you have jobs, and partly why all of you are here. We gonna need a little help here with this. Okay? Big picture: the ceremony will be in a tent on the grounds, weather permitting or not; we have no backup plan. The reception following that will be in the Great Room of the White House; dinner will be served somewhere in here eventually. Open bar. Any questions?"

  The hall that had been noisy before was now very, very quiet. Finally Franz, in his halting speech, broke the silence. "Did you say the White House Great Room? We are to open the White House, is that right?"

  "You are right my friend; open the White House. It's been closed too long and needs some sunshine, and probably a lot of dusting. I know you and Dennis have been taking care of it the past couple of years, and I thank you for that. You know, it isn't exactly easy to disguise footprints as big or deep as his. Let me assure you; you did the right thing. So, that's it. I have a bride to be, I have a time, and I have a place, and I have all of you. My job here is done; anyone for seconds in the kitchen? I believe this meeting is adjourned. Okay Roger?"

  "You got it. I need a brief chat with the travelers please, just a couple of minutes."

  And with that, the meeting broke into small chat groups of friends, some with Roger or Cal, others just as friends. Ryan and Laura made their way around the room greeting people and receiving their congratulations. Wandering back into the kitchen for the moment, Laura noticed Leslie standing to one side, enjoying another cinnamon roll and a cup of Windmere's finest coffee, but without a baby on her arm.

  "Les, good to see you this morning, but aren't you missing someone? I'm not used to seeing you empty armed."

  "Oh, Laura, no, he's here, just not right here. There he is; see? But mom, I think maybe I screwed up this morning."

  "What happened, Les?"

  "Cindy had to work and Jason came over to bring me here. I cooked breakfast for him and all that, then told him I had to feed my baby before we could leave. He asked if he could watch, and I said okay. I mean, I know I'm nursing; how could I forget that? I guess I wasn't thinking or maybe just wanting to have him stay around. Anyway, I do my feeding in the rocker, so I went on in, unbuttoned, unhooked, and plugged in; simple as that. What was I going to do, tell him no at that point? Anyway, I promised."

  "How did he react? He didn't know before time you were breast feeding?"

  "No, he's just never been there and I guess I never mentioned it. But, mom, it gets weirder. He seemed a little embarrassed at first, maybe more than a little, but after a few minutes he said in a real funny sounding voice it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he'd wait in the kitchen. It sounded like he was all choked up, and I cried after he left the room. No one has ever said anything like that to me before, not ever. How bad do you think I screwed things up?"

  "Les, not at all. I think you got to see a side of him most women never get to see in their men, and I do think he may be your man. I wouldn't go around doing that little act a lot in public, but it is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, and I think he very much respects that you are a good mother. Is this him coming now?"

  "That's him, and thanks mom; I feel better about things now."

  "And don't call me mom."

  "Okay, mom."

  Laura had noticed the tall, well built young man only from the side, and knew he looked a little familiar but was not someone she actually knew. Now that he approached face on, Laura could see that the facial resemblance to Cindy Jefferson was unmistakable, as much as the baby in the new front carrier resembled Leslie. The look on Leslie's face summed things up pretty well; like Laura, she had gone from somewhere below zero, to regaining her pride in herself and what she wanted to be.

  "Mom?I mean Laura?this is Jason Jefferson, Cindy's brother. He's a fireman and teaches some of the EMT classes I take. I don't know why, but he likes wearing babies around his neck?.. this one anyway."

  "Pleased to meet you ma'am. Les has told me a lot about you, and what you've done for her. I sure appreciate that, not that it's any of my business, but it sure seems nice of you to do, you know, like that."

  Laura intervened before he ran out of oxygen trying to thank her. "Look, someone helped me, and I think it's right to help someone else, sort of pass it along. Les just looked like she needed a hand up, that's all. Besides, she's a great employee, and we're proud of what she's doing with her life. She told me about you, too, working on Cindy's house. Sounds like you're a great brother to have around. And you're welcome here anytime, preferably not in an official capacity though."

  Jason laughed. "I see what you mean. Anyway, I do plan to be around, as least as long as Les is around. I just sort of standby in case she needs any more help all of a sudden, you know."

  "Come on Jason; I'm not old enough to be your mother, but I can read a man's face, and I like yours. Les seems to like you, and if you like her back, that's a good start. We're sort of like a family here; once you're in, it's hard to get rid of us."

  "You're not kidding. That big guy over there saw me come in with Les and watched me all the way through the room. Sort of scared me, he did, not that I can't handle myself."

  Laura followed his gaze, and landed on?.Dennis Anderson. "Not to worry about him. Dennis will only mangle you into bits if you don't treat Les right. He has a bad temper about things like that. Les, you need to introduce them, so Dennis doesn't worry."

  "Okay, mom."

  "And quit calling me mom. Next thing you'll be wanting tuition money from me."

  "Nope. You already got that for me. Thanks, mom. Come on Jase; time to meet Dennis the Menace." And off they went.

  By the end of the day Laura was convinced there was some sort of plot working toward having her marry Ryan, not that she minded. Things just seemed to fall into place, and Ryan adding the White House was totally unexpected. She knew what it meant to him, and when they had time to sit and feel each others' warmth and presence, she finally decided she had to know. "Ryan, you didn't have to include the White House; I know the history and how deeply ingrained in you that history is, and I can sense how difficult that must have been for you. But I already love you, and you don't have to prove anything."

  "It's not that I'm trying to prove anything, unless maybe to myself. You're right about the house holding a special place for me, but you're in that special place now. I told Jack that things get better, that we shouldn't ever forget the past, but that we shouldn't let the past control us. My memories of things past don't change things present. Truthfully, when Mary died, I wanted to die too, but I didn't; and
now I see that I had a lot left to do. I don't know why she had to go, but I had no power over that, and it's over and done. Much as I loved her, and miss her, I can't have her back. But, I need someone to love me for being me, and I need to love them for being who they are, and that's why I love you. As much as you are like Mary in many ways, you are so opposite in many others; you're two different people. I loved her very much in the there and then; I love you very much in the here and now. Does that make sense at all?"

  "It does. You are who I believe you are, and I understand that, and love you the more for it. This has been one crazy day. Think things will calm down a bit after we're married?"

  "I hope not. But just in case we ever have a fight or something, I think we should practice making up, you know, sort of a rehearsal, in case we ever have to know that sort of thing. Maybe if you just sort of turned around so I could get both arms around you?..there, that's much better. Now, where were we?..?"

  Sometime in the small hours, after they awoke and found their interlocked arms totally asleep and had a good laugh about it, they parted for the day, looking toward a future that promised to hold as much organized chaos, and love, as they could stand.