The Game of Denial (21 page)

They took a wide staircase to the second floor of the English Building and peeked into a classroom with auditorium seating as it quickly began filling. They observed a distinguished-looking older man step up on the small raised stage at the front of the room and wait for the students to settle down before beginning his lecture. He spoke in a casual voice. Evey noticed he seemed to be using a small microphone that was attached to his suit jacket. Brad was soon enthralled with the topic he was lecturing on. Fran tugged at Brad's arm and whispered to him. He reluctantly backed out of the lecture hall and they continued their self-guided tour. Eventually they found an office labeled as that of the chairman of the Department of English. Brad straightened his shirt and walked in, gripping Fran's hand a little tighter.

"Can I help you?" an older woman asked with a smile.

"Umm, yes, I hope so." Brad stuck out his hand and said, "My name is Bradley Chase. My wife and I were just walking around to get a feel for everything."

The woman stood and shook his hand warmly. "Of course, Dr. Chase. It's a pleasure to meet you. Dr. Simmons has been expecting you."

Brad looked at Fran and smiled. "We've been on our honeymoon and just returned a couple of days ago."

"Congratulations. I'm Mrs. Hastings, the department secretary." She leaned forward and said, "Your wife's very lovely, but you already know that."

Fran blushed and said, "Thank you."

"We're not a large university, Dr. Chase--"

"Brad, please."

"Brad, but we're more of a family. Dr. Simmons wants it that way. If you care to wait, or come back in about an hour, he will be finished with his morning session and I'm sure he'd love to meet you. In the meantime, I can show you where your office will be. This isn't exactly Harvard, but it's a nice office and you should be comfortable there."

"That would be great," Brad said. He glanced to Fran. "I'll let you decorate it. Just don't fouf it up," he said.

"Perish the thought," Fran said, rolling her eyes.

Evey was impressed with Brad's office space, even though it was rather plain and bare. Mrs. Hastings left them to return to her office, reminding Brad to stop back by in about an hour. When Mrs. Hastings closed the door as she left, Brad grabbed Fran and hugged her.

"I can't wait to start bringing my books in," he said.

"Thank God I won't have to trip over them anymore," Fran said as she looked at the built-in bookcases.

Evey looked out the window behind the old wooden desk. "You have a wonderful view, Brad," she observed. The office overlooked an open grassy area where students were gathered to relax and study between classes.

Brad and Fran joined her at the window. "It's beautiful," Fran said. When Evey saw the look in Brad's eyes, she knew he had found his home.

A LITTLE MORE than an hour later, Fran and Evey walked back to their car. Brad and Dr. Simmons had become engrossed in something neither woman had an interest in, or understood and it seemed as if it might go on forever. It seemed even more likely when Dr. Simmons invited Brad to join him for lunch. Fran took their car keys from Brad so they could get a look at the town near the university.

Fran liked the historic look as she drove along the main street until she located a parking place. The two women walked leisurely down the street enjoying the freshness of the fall air. Fran remembered seeing a coffee house adjacent to their realtor's office the previous visit. There was outdoor seating and a small courtyard. The grass was still lush and green. A large tree, much older than the ones they'd seen on campus, was surrounded by benches and a couple of picnic tables. Fran was beginning to feel hunger pains and suggested a small restaurant across the street that looked promising. Before they left the area, Fran noticed an office space on the corner was vacant. She wandered over to it and peered in the front window. It was a relatively large open area with an entrance off the u-shaped enclosure and another on the main street.

"This would be wonderful for a gallery," she said. "It's so open and light."

Evey stepped back and looked up. "Looks like it might be two stories."

"Depending on how much work it would be, it could be a great storage or framing area."

"You've always talked about having your own galley one day," Evey said.

"Yes, but this might not be that day. I'll talk to Brad about it though and see what he thinks."

"Can you afford this and a house?" Evey frowned.

"I promised Brad I wouldn't use my trust money. It's important to him that he support us on what he earns."

"Surely he doesn't expect you to stay home all day and do nothing. It's just a thought, but perhaps you should contact your mother. Maybe she would come down and look at it and give you her opinion."

"I would really have to gather some information first. Are there any other galleries or have there been? If they were unsuccessful, why? Mom's a serious stickler when it comes to background information and research, especially if there's money involved."

"Sounds wise. Perhaps the university has an art department and could use such a gallery to display the work of their students."

"That's a wonderful idea, Evey."

Chapter Twenty-One

JOAN NODDED AT Charmaine's secretary before entering her daughter's office. Charmaine was leaning over a work table examining photographs for possible inclusion in a fashion campaign she was working on.

"I need a favor, Charmaine," Joan stated.

Charmaine didn't look up from the stack of pictures in front of her. "Good morning to you, too, Mother."

"It's after lunch, so good afternoon," Joan said.

"So what's this big favor?" Charmaine asked. She picked up a picture and studied it.

"I want you to fly to Virginia tomorrow."

"I've already seen the boondocks. But thanks anyway."

"Fran has located a place she thinks would be perfect for a gallery. She needs a second opinion."

Charmaine tossed the photograph on her work table. "Why don't you go?"

"I can't get away right now."

"But it's all right to expect me to drop everything and jet back to the sticks," Charmaine fumed. "I have clients who depend on me, too, you know. Besides, it would be your big chance to see Mrs. Chase again."

"I wouldn't be going to see Brad's mother," Joan said.

"God, you're trying so hard to forget her you won't even say her name!"

Joan closed her eyes and breathed deeply to dispel her anger before speaking. "I want you to stop this ridiculous fantasy you've developed regarding any kind of relationship whatsoever between Mrs. Chase and myself. Do you understand me, Charmaine? It's childish and I've had as much as I'm willing to deal with. She's a very nice woman, but I'm sure none of us will be seeing her again in the near future."

"Oh really. When did you start reading
Equestrian Magazine
? I saw a copy of the latest edition in the magazine rack in your sitting room. I've never seen you read anything other than
Vogue
or
Elle
or the occasional
National Geographic.
"

Joan's mouth opened, but for a moment she wasn't sure what to say. "You've been snooping through my magazine choices?"

"I wasn't snooping. I saw it when I was waiting for you to get ready for the advertising council luncheon last week. It was in plain sight and didn't require a warrant."

"I'll tell Karina to expect you in the morning," Joan said sharply as she left Charmaine's office, slamming the door behind her.

"DID YOU HAVE a nice flight?" Fran asked as they loaded Charmaine's overnight bag into the back of the Suburban the following morning.

"Delightful," Charmaine said.

"I asked Mom to fly down, but I didn't know she'd foist this off on you. I'm sorry."

Charmaine smiled. "It's not a hardship, sweetie. It gives me a chance to see my sister again and hear all about her honeymoon."

Fran looked across the front seat at Charmaine, "You know I'd never kiss and tell."

"Was it everything you dreamed of?"

"And more."

"Good thing I don't have to get married to enjoy the "˜and more' part," Charmaine said.

"Trust me, Char. It's even better when you know you'll have it forever."

"I'm a little surprised Brad's mother isn't with you today."

"Now that Brad is back to help around the farm, at least temporarily, she had a list of things that have to be done before winter sets in."

"You like her, don't you?"

"Of course I do. She's been wonderful to me and has welcomed me into her family as if I were her own daughter."

"I bet she'd have been here if Mom had come instead of me," Charmaine said.

"Evey likes you, too, Charmaine. She likes all of us. And she's crazy about Mitchell and Morgana. I think she'd steal them away if she could."

"Mom likes Mrs. Chase."

"Evey's a very likeable person."

"No, I mean Mom
really
likes her."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, hell! I mean I think Mom has fallen in love with her."

"That's ridiculous! They've only known one another ten...no, nine days," Fran argued.

"And I think Mrs. Chase feels the same way about Mom."

"She does not!" Fran exclaimed.

"Pull over," Charmaine said.

"What?"

"You heard me, pull over."

While Fran checked the rear view mirror, signaled, and pulled to the side of the road, Charmaine pulled a photograph from her shoulder bag and handed it to Fran. "Tell me what you see," she said.

Fran examined the photograph of Joan and Evey dancing at the wedding reception.

"It's two people dancing," Fran said. "So what?"

"Look at their faces. The last time I saw Mom look at another woman that way, it was when she was looking at Mama. And Mrs. Chase looks positively enamored."

"Mom looked very handsome that day," Fran said in a low voice as a smile from the memory crossed her lips.

"They're fighting their attraction to one another and both are in total denial. Mom thinks she'd somehow be betraying Mama and Mrs. Chase doesn't believe she could possibly be attracted to another woman, no matter how handsome she is."

"I think you're wrong, Charmaine." Fran said without sounding convincing.

Charmaine slid the picture back into her bag. "We'll see."

"I THINK FRAN'S right about the location for a gallery. By tying it into the art department at the university and bringing in local artists from the surrounding area, I believe it could be successful," Charmaine said over dinner that evening. "I'm sure, based on the information Fran's collected, that Mother would agree as well."

"How is your mother, Charmaine?" Evey asked before she put a forkful of food into her mouth.

"Right now she's a little snippy and irritable. We're facing a few deadlines. Nothing we're not used to, but she's been more irritable than usual since she returned from the wedding."

Evey didn't reply and continued eating.

"What do you think of Fran's idea, Brad?" Charmaine asked.

"I know it's her dream to have her own gallery, but the rent is pretty steep for us right now."

"Carmichael Industries would be interested in subsidizing the first year. Sort of a corporate wedding present. I spoke to Uncle Ron and
Meme
about it before I left New York. Of course, she wants it to be called
Meme
's. I told her that would be up to you, Fran."

"Let us talk about it for a day or two. I really just wanted someone else's opinion," Fran said.

"Have you already closed on your house?" Charmaine asked.

"Yep," Brad said. "We already have some furniture, but will need to buy a few things."

"Oh, Fran, did I tell you that Mom actually went on a date?" Charmaine asked, watching Evey in her peripheral vision.

"You're kidding! With whom?"

"Monica Ashford, if you can believe that."

Evey's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. She looked at it and set it down on her plate to take a drink.

"I guess she chased Mom until she couldn't run anymore." Charmaine laughed.

Evey felt the blood drain from her face and closed her eyes to take a deep breath.

"After the way Mom treated her at the wedding, I'm surprised," Fran said. "Did Mom seem to enjoy herself?"

"If the lipstick on her collar was any indication, she did indeed," Charmaine laughed.

Evey wiped her mouth and said quietly, "Excuse me. I'll get dessert."

FRAN AND CHARMAINE volunteered to clean up the kitchen while Brad and Evey fed the horses.

"So tell me about this fictitious date Mom went on with Monica," Fran said as she filled the sink.

"It was a real date. Shocked the shit out of me. It was to some charity fundraiser," Charmaine said as she removed her rings and placed them on the window sill.

"You don't really think Mom and Monica actually...you know."

"According to Meg, Mom got home way before midnight. So if they did anything it was a quickie."

"Mom wouldn't do that." Fran shook her head as she handed Charmaine the first glass to dry.

"Do what? Have sex? She's a single woman. A life-long, card carrying lesbian, so she's not going to hit the sheets with some guy."

"But Monica?"

"Monica Ashford is a gorgeous woman and, even if she is my mother, Mom's still a damned attractive woman. No one could argue that Monica would love nothing more than to snuggle up next to her. I made up the part about lipstick on Mom's collar, by the way. Did you see Evey's face when I mentioned that Mom went on a date?"

Fran frowned. "Yeah. I did. I thought she was going to faint actually."

Charmaine grabbed Fran's forearm and looked around to make sure they were still alone. "I'm telling you she has the hots for Mom and the feeling is mutual."

Fran shook her head. "Evey might be curious, but I don't think it's more than that. And I don't think Mom would seriously attempt to pursue a relationship with my
straight
mother-in-law."