Laura's Big Win

by Michelle Tschantre'

Chapter Twenty - Alice's Return

  The ensuing weeks between their date setting and the actual day of the wedding flew like the wind. Guest loading business actually increased, which kept the home facility itself very busy. It had become apparent to some companies that having a holiday party in a controlled environment away from the office would generate the desired familiarity between managers from different branches, but would avoid the pitfalls so often seen where familiarity and alcohol generated unacceptable behavior. Then, too, there were the Thanksgiving Holiday festivities to deal with thrown into the mix, not to mention school events involving Jack and Amanda. It was during a quiet evening repast with just the four of them when Jack mentioned the school activities in the upcoming weeks. The Conyerville school district had neglected to keep up with the times, in particular where keeping religion out of holiday activities came into play. It wasn't that they flaunted their violation of state school policy, they simple disregarded it as a matter of course, and people came to like it that way. It was a very fine line they toed, but they managed somehow to continue flying under the governmental radar. And so it was that both Jack and Amanda had events for parents to attend. After talking about what they would be involved in, Jack asked his mother if she thought maybe she could come to see him.

  "Of course Jack, I wouldn't miss it, you know that. And I'll get to yours too Amanda. You kids are pretty high up my list you know."

  What caught Laura by surprise was the deep male voice next to her saying "Wouldn't miss it for the world. You know, some of our travelers are getting on in years. I need to start looking for some good actors to replace them. Besides, if you're anything like your mother, you'll look great in a spotlight." Richard had never ever attended anything for either child, regardless of what it was, and here was a man to whom she was not yet married taking time from a hectic schedule to spend time with two little kids. It was true that she was sure he was developing a love for them as his own, yet to actually take that step was a notable milestone. But just to be sure, she turned to face him and asked for a little assurance it was all true:

  "Can you go, really? The kids would love it, but I thought you were out of town that day and wouldn't be back until later. Really, if you can't, just the thought you would try to be there would mean a lot to them."

  "Can't miss my first opportunity to see them perform. Besides, I overheard Marie the other day talking about it, so I called the school and checked. They were a little reluctant to talk to me, until I told them I planned on coming with you. Guess I sort of invited myself, if that's okay. I reassigned my travel to someone closer to the site; they needed a break from routine, and so did I. Did I do good?"

  "You could not have done better. I know we haven't been through any ceremony or anything like that yet, but right now you are a better dad than these kids have ever known. Where have you been all my life?"

  Jack had been listening and watching as the adults turned toward each other: "Look out Mandy, I think it's gonna get mushy in here and?. eeeahhha!"

  Laura had gathered Jack up and was planting little kisses all over his face, while he wriggled mightily to get free and Amanda went into the giggles. "Mushy, mushy, mushy. I'll show you mushy." Laura intoned, while Jack broke down in gales of laughter. Not to be left out, Amanda jumped into Ryan's lap, wound both arms around his neck, and asked if he would come see her as well. Assured that he would, peace finally ensued, and they returned to a little quieter time; Laura would remember it later as the most "family" thing she had ever seen in her married life, at least where she and her children were concerned, and she wasn't even married to this man, yet.

  Later in the week when they actually attended the school activities, Laura learned something else. She thought about it later and decided maybe her senses were a little keener with Ryan at her side, or maybe she was getting territorial about him. She didn't catch it at first, walking through the corridors, but when she paused for a moment to look aside at a display, she realized several women they had just passed had slowed and turned enough to look back at them. Laura was sure they were not looking at her, or her children, but solely at Ryan. At first she dismissed it, but involuntarily checked over her shoulder the next time they passed some women, and sure enough, they looked back. They had been walking along more or less as a group, but now Laura moved closer to Ryan and interlocked her arm around his, almost as a defiant gesture to the other women around. In his maleness, Ryan simply enjoyed her closeness, never realizing the stir he was causing.

  Stopping for a treat after the school activities, Ryan was seated where he could observe the playroom, while Laura placed the order and the kids burned energy at will. The familiar voice that greeted him was from a temp who had worked at Windmere several years previous, and who had kept her eye on Ryan from the outset. She knew he was married at the time, but she also knew Mary had passed away, and as near as she knew, he was a single and very eligible man.

  "Ryan, how nice to see you again. How are things with you?"

  It never dawned on Ryan this woman was on the hunt, and he was in her sights. "Oh, Gail, good to see you. Things are going good for me. And you?"

  "Really good, now. I stopped dating the guy I was seeing back when I was working at Windmere, so my life is less complicated, and I have some free time to enjoy. I was sorry to hear about Mary; I enjoyed knowing her. But, life does go on, like it or not. So, what have you been up to recently? Anything good?"

  "Yes, he has been up to some good things. He's really great with my kids, soon to be our kids." Laura had come up on them so quickly it was almost as though she appeared magically. "Ryan, that tray's going to be pretty heavy. Could you carry it to the table please?" And with that, things became perfectly clear to Gail that Ryan was no longer a fish in the sea. Although they exchanged pleasantries, Gail melted away quickly, but not before Ryan caught the scent of animosity between the two women. It was not something he had ever bothered himself with, but obviously Laura did, and he was concerned about allowing any misunderstanding, however small, entering into their relationship.

  Later in the evening, kids asleep in their beds, Ryan and Laura were having a nightcap before separating for the night, chatting about minor things they needed to discuss concerning their upcoming wedding. Laura remembered the incident in the ice cream shop earlier in the evening, and needed to clarify things a bit, as much in her own mind as for Ryan.

  "I need to tell you I'm sorry about that little fit I threw when we stopped for a treat. I don't know exactly what set me off, but I want you to know it was my fault and I won't let it happen again. It wasn't very fair to you, putting you in the middle like that. So, I'm sorry. Okay?"

  "I knew something was wrong, and that you were clearly upset, but I didn't understand what happened. Really, all she did was stop to say hello to me. That's all."

  "Look, we think differently. Men and women are just different?.."

  "For which I will eternally be grateful, especially in your case."

  "Me too, but let me finish, okay? What you heard was her asking how you were, but what I heard was her telling you she had dumped her boyfriend, she knew you were flying solo since Mary was gone, and the way she was standing said she wanted to take you for a test drive. You were obviously sitting there waiting for someone since you weren't in line or eating, and the only other people in the place were me and the kids. I guess I saw her as invading my territory, and I know I don't own you or anything, so I shouldn't have reacted so quickly.. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

  "Nothing to forgive. You do own my heart, and I guess I'd be a little put out if you didn't defend your territory. So, suppose we call it a draw for now. I can put my class ring on my ring finger and wear it upside down so it looks like a wedding band, if you like, until I get the real thing. I know: how about a nose ring with a string on it for a leash? Are we having a lover's 'incident'? If we are, can we practice making up now? I'd like that."

  "You're smart mouthing me, aren't you, and I'm trying to be
serious."

  "No, ma'am; I'm being very serious. I understand the deal, but if you think I'm smart mouthing you, meet me halfway around the table and I'll show you what else we could be doing."

  So ended the discussion about Gail. Laura satisfied herself that Ryan either didn't read Gail's advertising, or discretion being the better part of valor, had elected to ignore the signs. Either way, Laura felt assured he was not vulnerable to approaches from other women, and her concern receded.

  Christmas Day morning saw the four of them in the cottage. Virtually all activity at Windmere had stopped for the day. Other facilities would be operating full tilt, but the home office had done quite well during the year, and in truth, decided to take the day off. People would check in from time to time, and being on-call was assigned to top management in three hour increments so everyone had a fair shot at an uninterrupted day. It was notable of the Windmere operation that the home office had sufficient confidence in their operators at other locations that they could virtually shut down for a while; it was something developed over the years by giving those operators the confidence to make decisions based on their training and knowledge of their operations. The only caveat was that the operator making the decision be able to justify the reasoning. It was a productive system that tended to weed out those unable to handle the demands of being decisive based on the best information at the time. Not one operator had ever been discharged for failure to act in a crises, even though not all of their actions had been exactly correct. It was more important that they be seen as doing something proactive, right or wrong, than being weighed down with inertia.

  Laura had warned Ryan to be up early or miss the ripping open of gifts. She was grateful that she had the income to buy things for the kids, and was equally grateful that she did not have to justify her purchases to anyone. Ryan was totally lost about what kids wanted or needed, so the two of them had done some joint shopping. Although he did come up with a couple of things on his own, he ran his ideas past Laura before ordering, just to make sure they were both doing the right thing. It would not, she assured him, get any easier, because kids grew and changed so quickly and people who marketed to kids were both greedy and devious. That aside for the moment, Ryan arrived early enough, and with a good morning kiss to sweeten his coffee, the two of them awaited the still sleeping children. They had discovered to their surprise that as the day of their marriage grew closer, they not only grew closer to each other, but if they had any apprehensions about it, those apprehensions diminished in the anticipation of the many good things that day would bring.

  The waiting was soon over as both Jack and Amanda appeared to pop out of their beds at the same moment. Laura maintained strict rules on morning hygiene, but that was disposed of quickly and the kids piled into the living room. Past Christmas Day activities had virtually been programmed into them: open things, say thank you, take things to your room if you ever want to see them again. It was one more thing about Richard that Laura had learned to loath, but today she was not married to him anymore and the kids were allowed to be kids. Laura had restrained herself, and Ryan to a degree, so there was an impressive array of presents, but not so much as to be overwhelming. The other precaution she had taken was to remind Ryan that these were kids and that their priorities were not always the same as the adults in the room; she did so to protect his feelings just in case he gave them something that was not an immediate hit. It was an effort without future justification. At the same time, it was curious to her that while she knew Ryan had purchased some things, she had seen him bring nothing into the cottage. There was the usual assortment of clothing, kid's books for later reading on someone's lap, and an assortment of toys and games. When they had finally worked their way through about everything, Ryan announced that Santa had mistakenly left some things in the big house and that he had brought them along that morning. Asking the kids to help, he opened the front door and rolled in a four wheel cart Laura recognized as coming from the kitchen, but laden with several packages instead of equipment.

  "Carefully, carefully. We don't want your mom to yell at us for messing the place up." In truth, the place already looked like a confetti plant, and Laura laughed at his incongruous remark.

  "Jack, I think this may belong to you. Mandy, I'll have something for you in just a minute, okay?" Ryan's biceps bulged under the weight of the package. Whatever it contained belied the pretty wrapping paper. Jack tore into the paper, to expose a very heavy packing box under it. They virtually needed some kitchen tools to get the box open, but when the top flaps finally yielded to the pull of young hands, Jack's eyes widened until Laura thought they might meet in the middle; she caught it with her camera just in time.

  "Franz, and Santa, tell me these engines are pretty temperamental, but once tuned correctly, they are both powerful and have a high top end. I know you may not recognize the name right now, but you will in time."

  "Yes sir, I recognize the name, I just can't say it very good and I don't think Franz can say it at all, but I've seen pictures of 'em on things, mostly carts and stuff like that. I can't wait to find something to put this one on and see it run."

  "Tell you what, Jack; after we get done here, and you get some breakfast in you, suppose we go over to the carriage house and see what else may have come along with this and just got dropped off in the wrong place. Franz said he had some weird things there, oh, and by the way, here's one more thing you'll need eventually. Your mother said it is a requirement. Okay?"

  Ryan handed the boy a smaller, lighter package for him to open. Laura was quick with the camera when Jack managed to free a helmet with visor, chin strap, and flame painting, from the box. The grin on the boy's face literally lit up the room. Ryan was delighted at the way things were working out, and he had cleared it all before taking the plunge into go-cart racing for the boy who would soon be his son. In her own wisdom, Laura trusted this man to do the right things with her only son, and while she was not exactly entranced at the thought of racing, Ryan had all the facts on his side. He pointed out how few things really went wrong in cart racing compared to kids left to develop bad habits on their own, and he would be there to watch as much as possible at the local track. It was truly a father-son moment.

  "Thank you sir, this is the bestest present I ever got from anybody. I promise I'll take great care of it, and I'll always wear my helmet."

  "You're welcome Jack; it's my pleasure. But, remember to wear that helmet or your mother will beat both of us. Now, I have a little something for your sister, who has been waiting very patiently. Amanda, can you help me with this box?"

  Lightning couldn't have been faster to get to Ryan's side as they slid the huge box off the cart. It really wasn't all that heavy, but Ryan made a show of it anyway. Laura had known about the engine and the cart awaiting assembly, but this one was a secret even to her. Finally, with the box placed in the middle of the floor, Amanda started in with the unwrapping, tearing through what seemed like layer after layer of paper and packing material. The pile of discarded material grew considerably before she came to what looked like the final wrap, a soft cottony blanket of material gently placed around whatever was contained. As the removed material started to expose the contents, Laura gasped aloud. Jack was pretty busy in his own world, but stopped examining the engine for a minute, and the eager Amanda made short work of the remaining wrap. There it stood, a dollhouse sized version of the White House, the place they had only seen from the road, but which in only a few more days they could enter. The real significance was probably lost on Amanda, who was simply thrilled to have the huge dollhouse to play with, but Laura looked at Ryan for some explanation.

  "It took a little doing to come up with this. After the plans for the White House were drawn up and construction completed, I took the drawings to a model builder and asked him to build a replica sized so scale model furniture would go with it. My plan was to give it to my little girl someday, but things didn't work out so well with that idea. Anyway, it's he
re today, and there's a little girl here; I think she likes it. How about her mother?"

  "You never cease to amaze me. And by the way, as of this Saturday afternoon, you will have a little girl. Remember? We're a package deal."

  "And I like the package very much, especially what I see from here. Now, before I forget entirely, here's the box with the furniture. We can move this whole thing into the bedroom before she gets too far with it."

  "Ryan, that's my only concern about this doll house. There isn't much room left in here now that we have managed to gain back some possessions. I'm afraid the house could be damaged if it stays here; I wouldn't want that to happen, and I know Amanda would be upset, so?.."

  "Not to worry. Remember our deal: you do weddings, I do real estate. I'm working on a solution to that problem even as we speak. Trust me on this; I can work it out. Okay?"

  "Yes, okay. I know you have some way of making things all work out for us. Guess I should trust you one more time. But really, are you looking at a place? I know, I know, that's your part of the deal, but us girls get curious now and then. Any hints?"

  "Nope, no hints, but the answer is that I'm getting pretty close. Besides, we will be married in a few more days, and after that suppose you, we, I mean, you know, suppose there's more of us in the future. I'm taking all that into account. Anyway, I think I'm getting too weak to do much on that just now."

  "I got the hint. Southwestern omelet? Or do we move the dollhouse into the bedroom first, or are you going to go carting with the guys first, or is there something else you'd like to do?"

  "There is, but I'll settle for an omelet first. Oh, by the way, Santa left this for you."

  Ryan extracted a small elongated box, neatly wrapped, from his pocket. From the look of the paper, Laura surmised correctly that a store had wrapped it, but it was coming from Ryan's hands and that is what mattered. With the kids absorbed in their own activities, it was almost as though Laura and Ryan were in the room alone when she finally opened the box cover. Typical of a jeweler, it was a box within a box, but that was quickly resolved by her nimble fingers. Raising the lid, Laura could only hold her breath at the sight of the diamond necklace and matching earrings. If there was a moment of doubt, it was dispelled by the tiny sticker of origin in the corner of the box.

  "Do you like them?"

  "Oh my God, Ryan, I'm shaking. I know you love me, I do, but this is crazy; they had to cost a fortune."

  "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 t
he 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.