status?”
“Everyone cares
about status. Of course, you already have it, thanks to all my efforts—”
“God, Mother, you
just don’t get it. You’re so seduced by your fake lifestyle and your phony
friends … by society. I just
hope that you—”
“Just hope we stay
together. Oh, here comes your father, we can talk later. Do you want to say
goodbye? He’s outside with Gregory—”
“No,” Brianna
shouted. Then in a softer voice said, “Just try and have a good time.”
Ellen hung up and
closed her eyes. Her stomach had tightened into twisted knots. Brianna was
young, and young people are idealists. They don’t know what life is really
like, all the pressures and stress. What did they understand of struggle and
sacrifice? Of commitment and values? Brianna and Brandon grew up with social
status and a trust fund. What does Brianna know about hardship? When has she
ever done without? Nothing was too good for Daddy’s little darling. She got
whatever she wanted, including her father’s undying attention. One day ,
Ellen mused, one day she’ll know exactly what I’ve gone through. Perhaps
then she’ll understand the sacrifices you make for marriage, for family, for
the good of everyone—everyone except yourself.
Ellen longed to feel
close to her daughter again. She had tried many times over the years, but
everything she said was wrong, every suggestion she made rebuffed. Brianna no
longer sought her advice, and the harder she tried to convince Brianna of
things, the wider the barricade became. Ellen felt the distance between them
widen with every conversation. The more Brianna studied this “New Age” stuff
and continued in her alternative life choices, the harder it was to discuss
anything without argument. Ellen knew Brianna was making horrible mistakes that
would later ruin her future. Mistakes that might also damage Ellen’s
reputation. She flinched as she remembered their last fight when Ellen had
asked, “Do you have to be so public?”
To which Brianna
responded: “Can’t you accept me as I am?”
“I could accept you
if didn’t act like such a …” Ellen
couldn’t say the “L” word. She shuddered when she remembered Brianna’s hostile
reply. It was weeks before Brianna was willing to speak to her. Ellen sighed,
pushing the unpleasant episode out of her thoughts.
Jonathan stood
outside the limousine, talking to Gregory, his vice president, with his hand
clutching an overstuffed briefcase. Ellen thought about all the times she
waited for him, all the trips canceled and all the work that had to be done
during holidays. This trip would be different, a chance to be together, without
distraction … alone. Just the
two of them. A chance to remember the love they had shared during those early
years. A renewal.
***
Sam awoke to the
soft tapping on her door. In the darkness, she could see Rory’s strong
silhouette, the violet-blue glow from her bedside clock highlighting his
angular build. It was one in the morning. “Hey you,” she whispered, rubbing her
eyes.
“I got your message,
‘Desperate. Come quick.’ What’s wrong? I haven’t seen you in weeks—did
something happen?” Rory quietly closed her bedroom door.
“Come here first.”
She pulled down the cover, giving a glimpse of what awaited him.
“Someone’s naughty.”
He leaned over her, pulling on the laces of her corset.
She smiled, unable
to hide her mischievous desire. “Light the candles first.”
Rory went to her
dresser and took her lighter from the top drawer. A flickering amber glow
spread across the walls as he lit the candles on her dresser, desk, and
nightstand.
She watched as he
stripped his shirt over his head, then dropped his jeans to the floor. Compared
to Jonathan’s flab, Rory was all muscle—a tower of steel, a smooth hard surface
etched with ridges and valleys. It was a shame he was unable to stay committed
to anyone.
“It’s been too
long,” she said as she grabbed his shorts
“Everyone cares
about status. Of course, you already have it, thanks to all my efforts—”
“God, Mother, you
just don’t get it. You’re so seduced by your fake lifestyle and your phony
friends … by society. I just
hope that you—”
“Just hope we stay
together. Oh, here comes your father, we can talk later. Do you want to say
goodbye? He’s outside with Gregory—”
“No,” Brianna
shouted. Then in a softer voice said, “Just try and have a good time.”
Ellen hung up and
closed her eyes. Her stomach had tightened into twisted knots. Brianna was
young, and young people are idealists. They don’t know what life is really
like, all the pressures and stress. What did they understand of struggle and
sacrifice? Of commitment and values? Brianna and Brandon grew up with social
status and a trust fund. What does Brianna know about hardship? When has she
ever done without? Nothing was too good for Daddy’s little darling. She got
whatever she wanted, including her father’s undying attention. One day ,
Ellen mused, one day she’ll know exactly what I’ve gone through. Perhaps
then she’ll understand the sacrifices you make for marriage, for family, for
the good of everyone—everyone except yourself.
Ellen longed to feel
close to her daughter again. She had tried many times over the years, but
everything she said was wrong, every suggestion she made rebuffed. Brianna no
longer sought her advice, and the harder she tried to convince Brianna of
things, the wider the barricade became. Ellen felt the distance between them
widen with every conversation. The more Brianna studied this “New Age” stuff
and continued in her alternative life choices, the harder it was to discuss
anything without argument. Ellen knew Brianna was making horrible mistakes that
would later ruin her future. Mistakes that might also damage Ellen’s
reputation. She flinched as she remembered their last fight when Ellen had
asked, “Do you have to be so public?”
To which Brianna
responded: “Can’t you accept me as I am?”
“I could accept you
if didn’t act like such a …” Ellen
couldn’t say the “L” word. She shuddered when she remembered Brianna’s hostile
reply. It was weeks before Brianna was willing to speak to her. Ellen sighed,
pushing the unpleasant episode out of her thoughts.
Jonathan stood
outside the limousine, talking to Gregory, his vice president, with his hand
clutching an overstuffed briefcase. Ellen thought about all the times she
waited for him, all the trips canceled and all the work that had to be done
during holidays. This trip would be different, a chance to be together, without
distraction … alone. Just the
two of them. A chance to remember the love they had shared during those early
years. A renewal.
***
Sam awoke to the
soft tapping on her door. In the darkness, she could see Rory’s strong
silhouette, the violet-blue glow from her bedside clock highlighting his
angular build. It was one in the morning. “Hey you,” she whispered, rubbing her
eyes.
“I got your message,
‘Desperate. Come quick.’ What’s wrong? I haven’t seen you in weeks—did
something happen?” Rory quietly closed her bedroom door.
“Come here first.”
She pulled down the cover, giving a glimpse of what awaited him.
“Someone’s naughty.”
He leaned over her, pulling on the laces of her corset.
She smiled, unable
to hide her mischievous desire. “Light the candles first.”
Rory went to her
dresser and took her lighter from the top drawer. A flickering amber glow
spread across the walls as he lit the candles on her dresser, desk, and
nightstand.
She watched as he
stripped his shirt over his head, then dropped his jeans to the floor. Compared
to Jonathan’s flab, Rory was all muscle—a tower of steel, a smooth hard surface
etched with ridges and valleys. It was a shame he was unable to stay committed
to anyone.
“It’s been too
long,” she said as she grabbed his shorts
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