[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
criminals.
Although a bit brusque, C.C. seemed friendly. She showed Fiona around the
expansive house, pointing out special places and pictures. She showed off photos of her
grandchildren, her seven children, all successful of course, and their prized horses.
Amazing. Such a lavish home. It reeked of the riches Chunti had made. But clearly
what mattered most to this woman was her family. In a crystal picture frame, she showed
off her favorite pooch, a toy poodle named Toy. No imagination there.
In an antique armoire, she pointed to the homemade ashtrays her children had made
when they were in grade school, wobbly, ill-shaped monstrosities that sat next to Ming
vases and expensive busts.
So how long will you wait after you and Ned marry until you ll be having
children? C.C. inquired as casually as if she d asked Fiona if Fiona had enjoyed the tour
of the home.
Fiona blinked and focused on the woman. Should she be honest and crush the
woman s spirit, thereby also ruining Ned s chance at getting promoted? With seven
children and countless grandchildren, it was apparent that Chunti put a high value on
family even though the guy came off as a creep. Or should Fiona tell C.C. what she
wanted to hear, that she couldn t wait to start a family and better yet, she might be
carrying a little something inside of her now.
No, that was what had gotten her in trouble in the first place. The lies, the deception,
the stories. She had to be honest. And honestly it shouldn t matter what she and Ned did
in life. What should matter was his incredible talent.
I don t want children, Mrs. Chunti. Fiona attempted to walk away, but C.C. took
her hand in a grip even stronger than her handshake, and pulled Fiona back to capture her
gaze.
What? Are you not able to have children, baby? she asked, her drawl becoming
considerably slower.
I didn t say I couldn t have children. I don t want children. She tried extracting her
hand from the woman s grasp but C.C. clamped down tighter. It was apparent she would
make it her mission to convince Fiona of the errors of her ways for not wanting to bring
forth life, be fruitful and multiply, as it were.
That s just silly. You re a beautiful girl. That Ned s a handsome man. You two
would have beautiful babies. Look at that Halle Berry. Beautiful biracial woman.
Great. Now she and Ned had the responsibility of bringing more beautiful biracial
children in the world.
I want to concentrate on my career. I couldn t devote the time needed to raise a
child. Part of that was the truth. She wanted to concentrate on a career, though not
necessarily law. And she really didn t have the time needed to raise a child. Couldn t this
woman be thankful that Fiona was responsible enough to know she didn t want to have
children, that she thought it was better left to those who actively wanted to be parents,
instead of being unsure and bringing a child into the world and ruining it, possibly raising
the next serial killer?
Hogwash!
Guess not.
C.C. continued, When me and Frank married, we couldn t wait to start a family.
And at the time we got married, I was the one with the career. You think Frank s work at
Meta Corporation bought this house and everything you see in it? She shook her head.
We call that play money.
Fiona wanted to ask if she could play in that money.
I bred horses when I was sixteen. Invested well. Then I came up with a shampoo to
detangle their manes and tails when I was eighteen. Sold it to a corporation where I m
still a managing partner. Invested well. Then I wrote a book on throwing a wonderful,
southern dinner party before that Martha Stewart woman did. It sold very well. And,
again, I invested well. All of this before I said I do and started having children at the
ripe old age of twenty-two.
That was great for you, C.C. You had your career, or rather careers, before you got
married and had a family. I don t have that.
She covered Fiona s hand and looked into her eyes as though she were going to share
the secret of life. Don t you see, baby? I would have given all of that up for my family.
Essentially, I did. As soon as I got pregnant, I stopped working outside of the house. My
real work comes from in the home. Raising a family. Tending to the horses. Keeping
Frank happy. And I m real happy, baby. I wouldn t trade my life for anything. Not one
thing. You think about that. I ve grown up in foster care and been with families who only
wanted me for the check the state gave em each month to keep me alive. I didn t have
the best of upbringings. You would have thought a person like me would have steered
clear of having babies.
Just like me, thought Fiona. Although not raised in foster care, she didn t have the
best of home lives. However, just because it had worked for C.C. didn t mean it could
work for her. They were two different people, with two different lives.
I ve seen the way you and your fiancé look at each other. That man would move
heaven and earth to give you want you want. So what is it? What is it that you want,
dear?
At that moment, she didn t know. She knew she wanted nothing more than to make
Ned happy. But what she wanted for herself was a different story. Her throat closed tight
and her eyes watered before she could stop her body s reaction to the intense question.
What was she doing? Why was she getting so upset? Because she knew she was about to
turn her back on the best man, the best friend, she d ever had and it was all her fault.
Excuse me. I need to go to your bathroom. Fiona rushed down the hall to one of
the many bathrooms. She barely had the door closed before she leaned over the toilet and
purged her guts out.
What a way to start a Fourth of July barbeque.
* * * *
Ned turned to the back door of the house for a fifth time while Chunti was talking to
see if Fiona was on her way out. Standing with Chunti annoyed the hell out of him and he
missed Fiona.
She s only been gone for fifteen minutes, son. Fat Bastard slapped Ned on his arm
to get his attention. You re away from her more than eight hours a day, five days a
week. I m sure you can stand another five or so minutes, can t you?
Ned feigned a smile as he rubbed the sore spot on his arm. The man hit like a
linebacker. It was okay though. Ned needed the abuse. Since he knew Fiona wouldn t
knock any sense into him, someone had to abuse him.
Anyway, this is Max Hedrow. Need I say more? Chunti smirked but the name was
enough.
Ned eagerly shook the man s hand. It s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hedrow. Had
he known the CEO of the company was going to be at Fat Bastard s party, he would have
worn a better shirt. My name is Ned Cholurski. I work in your programming
department.
And do you enjoy it there? Hedrow asked.
Ned cut his eyes over to Chunti. What the hell was he supposed to say? No. It sucks
big, hairy donkey balls to work for a man who never remembered his name, only invited
him to his party to ogle his pretend fiancée and was a drunk, homophobe and a host of
other things that probably shouldn t be said in mixed company? Or maybe he should do
what Fiona would want him to do, which was be kind, courteous, and appreciative.
Overall, lie.
No. He d done enough of that these last few days. He was over playing a puppet. He
didn t have to be brutal but he would be honest.
I think my talents could be best used elsewhere, Ned said with his shoulders back,
his chest out and his voice booming.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]