interest in his project, but was yet appreciative of the question. Jason continued, “Heritage Tool seems to be doing well. I read where you got a very nice contract from Avco. Did you work on the deal?”
“I'm a Controller, Jason. You know that. I don't get involved in the bidding wars. I trim all the numbers or embellish them, whichever the case will demand, but only with our negotiating people. But, yes, it was a hefty contract.” Carlton looked at Jenny during most of his response, with little concern that his openly flirtatious glances might be disrespectful or embarrassing. He wanted it so.
The ladies were sitting in a quaintly lit corner nook of the parlor, sipping tea and enjoying their own bit of chatter. Low and soothing classical guitar music came from the hidden speakers.
Understanding his older brother's distracting ploys, Jason continued going through the motions of holding a conversation with Carlton. “Your company is building another facility in Goodyear. It seems Heritage is on a roll.”
It was essentially the same or a variation on the theme each week. Jason wished that he and his brother had more in common, wished that they were closer through their adult years. The fatal accident that had taken their parents lives altered forever the sibling relationship. The plain truth was that Jason did not like his brother, and, the feeling was mutual.
“Our company is doing fine,” Carlton spoke brusquely, “but tell me, brother, where did you meet this exquisite lady?” He spoke in conspiratorial tones as he watched the women in their corner scanning scrapbooks and photo albums.
Jason related to Carlton the lightning episode, and the older brother was genuinely interested.
After several quiet minutes, Wardley came with his tray, offering them brandy and more coffee.
“You know, Jason, you're the much favored grandson but I must hand it to you. Your tastes are top shelf. Now, Jenny is my kind of gal.”
“Shut up, Carlton. Can't you put your stupid crap away for one evening?”
“Oh, my, I've gone too far! Please forgive me, my beloved sibling!” His sarcasm was beyond Jason's acceptable limits.
“You're a real ass, Carlton. Were it not for Grandma I'd kick the crap out of you. Now, give it a rest.” With that, Jason stood and went to the bathroom.
Carlton was cumbersome and relentless in his mind games. Jason understood his brother but, despite this acknowledgment, he found his irritation had gone beyond his ability to control, not something he wanted to happen. Carlton obviously liked Jenny and wanted Jason to know this fact and wanted him to suffer his snide remarks and observations. Carlton's inquisition of Jenny and his openly lascivious stares in her direction caused a rather abrupt mood swing for Jason.
This mood shift was not lost on Jenny. She had become much less aware of Carlton's continuing flirting and more concerned by Jason's demeanor. She was bonding quickly with Grandmother Wimsley and felt a maternal fondness for her. Jenny liked Sheila as well, thought her nice, somewhat shy and self-conscious. They were traits which Jenny had always liked in people.
As the evening went on Jenny noticed that Jason became cool and detached. She began to feel a sense of paranoia, that perhaps Jason's coolness was directed toward her. This bothered her immensely because she felt that their relationship was melding nicely.
Their dinner date was wonderful. Jason had lavished her with attention and was a total gentleman all evening. They had embraced, kissed, and lingered at her apartment door at the end of their evening together, and Jason had made no advances whatsoever. Jenny was surprised when Jason called her for lunch the next day. Then, there had come the invitation to join him for dinner at the home of his Grandmother Wimsley. Actually, she was so pleased because it seemed he wanted his Grandmother to pass judgment on her, a move that could signal some serious intentions.
Now, Jenny
“I'm a Controller, Jason. You know that. I don't get involved in the bidding wars. I trim all the numbers or embellish them, whichever the case will demand, but only with our negotiating people. But, yes, it was a hefty contract.” Carlton looked at Jenny during most of his response, with little concern that his openly flirtatious glances might be disrespectful or embarrassing. He wanted it so.
The ladies were sitting in a quaintly lit corner nook of the parlor, sipping tea and enjoying their own bit of chatter. Low and soothing classical guitar music came from the hidden speakers.
Understanding his older brother's distracting ploys, Jason continued going through the motions of holding a conversation with Carlton. “Your company is building another facility in Goodyear. It seems Heritage is on a roll.”
It was essentially the same or a variation on the theme each week. Jason wished that he and his brother had more in common, wished that they were closer through their adult years. The fatal accident that had taken their parents lives altered forever the sibling relationship. The plain truth was that Jason did not like his brother, and, the feeling was mutual.
“Our company is doing fine,” Carlton spoke brusquely, “but tell me, brother, where did you meet this exquisite lady?” He spoke in conspiratorial tones as he watched the women in their corner scanning scrapbooks and photo albums.
Jason related to Carlton the lightning episode, and the older brother was genuinely interested.
After several quiet minutes, Wardley came with his tray, offering them brandy and more coffee.
“You know, Jason, you're the much favored grandson but I must hand it to you. Your tastes are top shelf. Now, Jenny is my kind of gal.”
“Shut up, Carlton. Can't you put your stupid crap away for one evening?”
“Oh, my, I've gone too far! Please forgive me, my beloved sibling!” His sarcasm was beyond Jason's acceptable limits.
“You're a real ass, Carlton. Were it not for Grandma I'd kick the crap out of you. Now, give it a rest.” With that, Jason stood and went to the bathroom.
Carlton was cumbersome and relentless in his mind games. Jason understood his brother but, despite this acknowledgment, he found his irritation had gone beyond his ability to control, not something he wanted to happen. Carlton obviously liked Jenny and wanted Jason to know this fact and wanted him to suffer his snide remarks and observations. Carlton's inquisition of Jenny and his openly lascivious stares in her direction caused a rather abrupt mood swing for Jason.
This mood shift was not lost on Jenny. She had become much less aware of Carlton's continuing flirting and more concerned by Jason's demeanor. She was bonding quickly with Grandmother Wimsley and felt a maternal fondness for her. Jenny liked Sheila as well, thought her nice, somewhat shy and self-conscious. They were traits which Jenny had always liked in people.
As the evening went on Jenny noticed that Jason became cool and detached. She began to feel a sense of paranoia, that perhaps Jason's coolness was directed toward her. This bothered her immensely because she felt that their relationship was melding nicely.
Their dinner date was wonderful. Jason had lavished her with attention and was a total gentleman all evening. They had embraced, kissed, and lingered at her apartment door at the end of their evening together, and Jason had made no advances whatsoever. Jenny was surprised when Jason called her for lunch the next day. Then, there had come the invitation to join him for dinner at the home of his Grandmother Wimsley. Actually, she was so pleased because it seemed he wanted his Grandmother to pass judgment on her, a move that could signal some serious intentions.
Now, Jenny
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