Tag: Ada Burke

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Kingsport #45

“Barbara, ya got a minute?”

Barbara Wilkes spun around in the staff room in the bowels of the Montgomery Estate to find Ada Burke glaring at her. She forced a tight smile onto her face as she said, “Sure. How are you, Ada?”

Ada hated it when Barbara put on that fake-nice voice. Ever since Barbara had gone upstairs to work for Mrs. Montgomery, she’d become a little faker. “Oh, I’m just fine. Ya know, things are still the same down here. Washin’, foldin’, runnin’ meals and whatnot…”

“I remember. Well, if you don’t mind, I should get back to sorting Mrs. Montgomery’s mail. My break is almost over.”

“Before you do,” said Ada, quickly. “Mind if I ask you somethin’?”

“Of course not,” replied Barbara, carefully.

Ada sat across from Barbara, her mind racing a thousand miles a minute. “Seems that a friend of mine lives in your building.”

“So?”

“Said there’s some man stayin’ with you.”

Barbara could feel her throat tighten as her stomach began to churn. She knew she’d been careful about keeping her private life to herself, so how in the world did the likes of Ada Burke know that someone was living with her. Thinking as quickly as she could, Barbara replied, “Ada, I really don’t like to discuss my private life…”

“Just thought we were friends…at least friendly, ya know? Didn’t you know had a fella.”

“Ada, I think…this conversation is really inappropriate. If you’ll excuse me…”

“It’s all right. Just thought I’d ask. Makin’ sure you’re all right and all that.”

Barbara forced a half-hearted smile on her face which hid the frantic fury inside of her. “Well, I don’t make inquiries into your home life and I would appreciate it if you didn’t into mine!”

Before Barbara knew it, she was out of the staff room and into the corridors beneath the Montgomery Estate. She couldn’t believe that someone in Kingsport knew about Kenny. Barbara had given him crushed enough pills in his food to keep him lethargic until she figured out how to get rid of him. And now, that nosey busybody, Ada Burke, knew about that man. She wanted nothing more than to scream, but Barbara gathered her composure. No, she thought, quietly, she had to keep playing the long game. In time, Barbara knew she would move upstairs forever. Once that happened, she would get rid of all of the people who knew anything about her past…and that included one Ada Burke.

“Yes, Steven. That’ll be fine. Call every single white shoe law firm in Connecticut, New York, Paris, and London. I want cut Charles off at the knees should he decide to divorce me,” said Alison Farrell Montgomery in a hushed voice. “Thank you. Set up the calls and we’ll take it from there.” Alison placed the phone on the receiver just as her youngest child, Will, wandered into her private sitting room. “Please tell me that you and Connor have made up, Billy.”

He let out a soft sigh before saying, “We have. The wedding will go ahead as planned.”

“Thank goodness,” said Alison, lightly. “After the story in the Kingsport Press…”

“Mom, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“If India was behind it…”

“India is always behind everything bad that happens in my life. She’s hated me since the minute I was born.”

Alison kept quiet because she, of all people, knew that her son was right. “Then onto brighter news: My fittings for my wedding outfits went off without a hitch. Oh, I meant to tell you that I’m re-opening my homes in Paris and Cannes once I return to Europe after your wedding.”

“You’re leaving?” asked Will, his voice quivering with sadness.

“Yes,” replied, Alison flippantly. “Billy, my life is in France. I can’t sit around Kingsport for months on end. I’ll lose my mind.”

Will sullenly bit his bottom lip. “I’ve enjoyed having you in town. I wish you would stay.”

“You have access to the Montgomery jets. If you ever feel lonely, book one and come see me. It’s not as if we don’t have the time and the resources to see each other on a whim!”

“I know, but… Mom, I do think Connor has a problem with our lifestyle…our money.”

“He’ll get used to it,” sniffed Alison. “Besides, he should be happy that he doesn’t have to support you on a surgeon’s salary. Sorry, Billy. I didn’t mean it the way it sounds.” Alison walked over to her son and touched his face. “Billy, Connor will adapt. If he loves you for who you are, then the rest of it doesn’t matter.”

“But what if the rest of it does matter…to him…?”

“That’s what divorce lawyers are for,” said Alison, honestly. “If this marriage doesn’t work out, it doesn’t mean the next one won’t.”

“I love Connor,” said Will, plainly.

“Oh, Billy, you’ve loved a lot of men.”

“Mom!”

“There was Lord Sam Duncaster, Brian Hepworth-Walton, and, let’s not forget the very first one, Nicholas Davenport. Actually,” said Alison in a low, private tone, “I thought you got together with Connor to get back at India.”

Will met his mother’s eye with shock and contempt. “That’s something she would do to me! I’d never do that to India…or anyone else!”

“I know that now, Billy.” Alison’s checked her phone which emitted an alert before saying, “I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay married to Connor, especially if it doesn’t work. There are other men out there who will love you for who you are, not for who they want you to be. A cliché, yes, but it’s true. Now, off with you. I have to change for lunch at the country club.”

As Will left his mother’s suite and considered her words, he knew then and there he was going to marry Connor and they would stay married forever. He couldn’t prove his mother right. He just couldn’t…

In our next installment, the Montgomery family celebrates Alison’s birthday…

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Kingsport #39

Ada Burke wasn’t a suspicious woman. However, she had the sneaking suspicion that Barbara Wilkes wasn’t a woman who was being completely honest about her past or her life. To Ada, Barbara was the most dangerous kind of woman: The kind who’d become anyone to get anything. However, Ada liked Barbara well enough, but from what she’d seen the other day, she wasn’t sure she could trust her.

Yesterday evening, Ada dropped off a pie for her friend, Doreen’s, picnic the following day. Little did Ada know, but Doreen lived in the same apartment building as Barbara. Ada hadn’t known where Barbara laid her head until Doreen kept gossiping about the young woman whose father…maybe lover…was causing a raucous the other night. It wasn’t until Doreen pointed to the woman and the man that Ada realized it was Barbara. Barbara looked very familiar with a man who had some relation to her, but she didn’t know the true nature of their relationship. In that moment, Ada swore to herself that she would uncover Barbara’s secrets once and for all.

And now, as Ada stood outside of Barbara’s apartment, she raised her first to knock, but she stopped herself. Was this a step too far? Barbara was entitled to her privacy, but something nagged at Ada. Something deep within her soul. She knew that woman was too good to be true…and if she knocked on this apartment door, she could finally prove it. Ada was safe in knowing Barbara was busy working at the Montgomery Estate today, so she screwed up her courage, knocked on the door, and waited.

“Yeah, what do ya want?” Kenny Wilkes belched as he opened the door, clad in his stained underwear.

Ada was aghast at the sight of this slovenly man. She preferred men who cared for themselves…maybe not as well as Charles Montgomery and his sons, but men who tried to look neat, not raggedy. “Oh, I am…from the local church. We’re out collectin’ donations…”

“Stop ya right there, sister. Ain’t interested in no bowing and scraping to some man in the sky.”

Ada quickly took a deep breath as Kenny tried to close to the door in her face. “A friend at church said your wife had donations for us.” She searched his face carefully for any sign of reaction to the word ‘wife’.

“My wife ain’t a good Christian,” snorted Kenny. “Worse than me.”

“Huh.” Ada could feel her lips tremble with glee. “Must’ve been a wrong name. Sorry for wastin’ your time.”

“Hey,” Kenny called after Ada. “I don’t know who put us on that list, but we ain’t poor no more. My girlie’s got herself a job at that big estate with them rich folks. Tell that to your church folk.” With that, Kenny slammed the door in Ada’s face.

As Ada walked outside into the muggy August air, a sense of relief washed over her. Barbara Wilkes was married. She was common! More common than Ada or anyone else she knew. That man was old enough to be Barbara’s grandfather! Ada nearly leapt into the air, but something stopped her. Yes, she may have found out one of Barbara’s secrets, but she worried…and wondered…what else that woman from nowhere could be hiding…

Eli Davenport walked into Charles Montgomery, IV’s office at Montgomery Industries with a purposeful stride in his step. One of the benefits to being the father of Charles Montgomery’s granddaughter was being able to have direct access to this influential man. They greeted each other warmly before Eli said, “Thank you again for agreeing to see me, Charles.”

Charles gave Eli a light smile. “It keeps me from having to deal with Billy and Connor’s wedding plans. I trust you’ll be at the wedding.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Eli quietly cleared his throat. “Charles, I need your help. Rather, I need Montgomery Investments help with a business acquisition.”

“I thought you had contacts from here to Wall Street to Hong Kong and London.”

“I do… I do. However, I want…I would like for this deal to be kept quiet for as long as possible.”

Charles raised a curious eyebrow. While he had been born into unimaginable wealth which stretched back almost as far as the modern book, he wasn’t what one would call an astute businessman. He had teams and teams of analysts, bankers, advisors, and the like who gave the go-ahead on any deal he or the company was considering. Charles wasn’t a born businessman, but he knew how to play the part for the rest of the world. “Do tell me more.”

Eli stared Charles dead in the eye as he said, “I want to takeover Davenport Technology.”

Charles sat in complete silence. For a moment, he feared that his senses had left him. “I’ll need you to repeat that…”

“I want to orchestrate a takeover of Davenport Technology.”

“Why?”

“It’s the right thing to do. I can unlock the potential which lies within the company. The current CEO is lackluster at best. If I don’t do this, someone else will see what I see and make a play for it. I need the backing of Montgomery Investments to fully execute my plan.”

Charles stared at Eli with marked disbelief. “Your mother is one of my closest friends. I admired your father greatly. The company was his legacy to you, your mother, your siblings…”

“This isn’t about family,” seethed Eli.

“It’s about your ego,” corrected Charles, bluntly. “Eli, we are family. India is fond of you and she isn’t fond of anyone. However, I will not betray Sheila by allowing one of my companies to steal her company from underneath her!”

“Davenport Technology is a publicly traded company! It’s not my mother’s company. We may own the largest block of shares, but we don’t have to vote in unison! Besides, we can buy the company’s bonds in order to take over the company by…”

“My answer is no!” snapped Charles, hotly.

“Charles! You and I both know this makes perfect business sense!”

“Eli, I will no betray Sheila and your family because you want to…oh, I don’t know, get one over on them. If this is what you want to do, then find someone else to help you. You’ve often intimated that you’re a business savant, so go and prove it. The Montgomery family and our companies will not be complicit in this action. I’m sorry, but my answer is no.”

“Then… Thank you, Charles.” With that, Eli turned, stormed out of Charles’ office, and out of the building. His mind was spinning at a million miles a minute. Charles Montgomery was his last hope. If Dylan were able to help block Eli’s takeover of the company, then all was lost. However, as Eli replayed the events in Charles’ office, he wondered if he could convince Sheila to vote her shares and Nicholas’ shares with him. After all, if he threw enough money at them and the public shareholders, they’d have to approve the deal. Money did talk and it was a language the Davenports loved more than anything else.

 

In our next installment, Connor tries with Will…

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Kingsport #26

India Montgomery stepped into the Morning Room to find Dr. Connor Windsor with his arm draped around her brother, Will, without a care in the world. The sight of them together made her sick. Ever since their mother, Alison, had returned from Paris for Will and Connor’s engagement, she hadn’t been able to try and win back Connor. Alison hadn’t said anything to her, but she knew all too well not to upset Will in front of Alison because their mother would always side with Will. India had hated Will since the day he was born and that showed no signs of abating now. The only thing India wanted was for Will to get out of the way because he was the only one stopping her path to happiness.

“Good morning,” chirped India as she made her presence known.

Without turning his head, Will blithely replied, “Can’t you eat in another room?”

“You expect me to eat breakfast outside of the Morning Room? I’m not middle class, Billy,” spat India. She sat across from Connor and her brother and rang a small silver bell. “I considered taking breakfast in the rose garden, but it is far too humid for my tastes.” India focused on Connor, who was doing everything in his power to avoid her gaze. “I only like getting hot and sticky…sometimes…” India said, her eyes never leaving Connor.

A moment later, Ada Burke appeared with India’s breakfast under a silver dome. In a flash, Ada vanished into the servant’s quarters.

“Connor, let’s go out for dinner tonight.”

“I can’t,” sighed Connor. “I have to consult for a surgery next week.”

Will kissed Connor’s cheek. “It’s all right. I’ll find something to do.”

“I’m sure you will,” snapped India. “I think you should go play with your horses or whatever it is you do, Billy.”

Connor glared at India with marked contempt. “If you’re only going to stir up trouble, you can have the Morning Room to yourself, India. Come on, Billy.”

Before India could respond, Connor took Will by the hand and left India alone in the Morning Room. She wanted to scream. She wanted to kick something or someone. India’s blood simmered because she knew Connor loved her, not Will. She knew Connor was using Will to get to her. India knew she had to get Connor alone in order for them to reconnect. It was only a matter of time before Will and Connor got married which meant if she didn’t act quickly, her life with Connor would be ruined as it had been before. India wouldn’t let that happen again…she couldn’t…

Sheila Davenport and Alison Farrell Montgomery clinked their champagne flutes over breakfast at the Kingsport Arms Hotel. While it wasn’t normal for either of these two society women to be seen dining in public in such a flagrant fashion, Alison had suggested the idea to her best friend. And, as it turned out, they were having a marvelous time.

“I only wish I knew what to do about India,” Alison said through the din of the restaurant. “Her obsession with Connor is unhealthy.”

“I know you and Charles are worried about her, Ali, but India is a grown woman. She has to make a life for herself without interfering with Billy and Connor.”

“That’s easier said than done,” sighed Alison. “India’s always had an attachment problem. It’s just a shame she hasn’t put all of this energy into her relationship with Faren.”

Sheila took a long sip from her champagne flute. “I hate to say it, Ali, but I feel that Faren is better off with Elijah than with India.”

“No argument there,” added Alison. “It’s a shame really. India will never know the joys of being a mother because of her obsession with Connor.”

“Do you think the two are linked?”

“Yes,” insisted Alison. “Anyway, I didn’t come here to talk about my daughter. Are you still seeing Robert Fairman?”

Sheila made a face of distaste. “Absolutely not! That man turned out to be nothing but a chancer! Trash. I couldn’t get him out of my life fast enough. Are you still dating Count Andre du Renault?”

Alison could feel her face flush. How she wanted to tell Sheila everything that had happened with the count which had been the catalyst for her sudden return to Kingsport. “I… He and I have decided that it’s no longer wise to see each other,” Alison stated diplomatically. “We’re very different people…and I have a husband…”

“You and Charles haven’t had a real marriage in years,” tutted Sheila. “You two deserve to be happy.”

“Sheila, I don’t want to talk about Charles.”

“You two are on the same estate. You’re bound to see each other.”

Alison cast her eyes down to her smoked salmon. “Outside of seeing him once with Billy, we’ve kept out of each other’s way. Sheila, we shared a few lovely years, raised our children, and decided it was best if we went our separate ways. It works for us.”

“I understand, Ali. It’s just…”

“What?” inquired Sheila.

“If you love him, tell the old coot.”

Alison burst into peals of laughter. “Sheila!” cried Alison as she attempted to stifle her laugh. “What a thing to say!”

Before Alison could say anything else, she and Sheila both saw the same sight: Charles Montgomery, IV emerging from the private dining room with a young little thing hanging from his arm. A wave of fury and embarrassment rushed through Alison. Before she knew it, Alison was marching to confront her husband.

“Alison,” stammered Charles. “I…”

“I’m Alison Montgomery. His wife,” Alison said in a low, cautious voice to the young woman.

The young woman turned six shades of red as Alison gave her an icy stare. “I…”

“Please. I have no use for your pitiful explanations. Just go.” Alison watched the young woman scurry away faster than the wind could carry her. “We said we’d be discrete,” Alison said to Charles, quietly.

“I was being discrete.” He cleared his throat as he took Alison by the hand and stepped into the shadows. “You had no right to make a scene.”

“I’m your wife! This is my reputation, too!”

“You’ve lived in Paris for the better part of two decades, Alison! You’re the one who wanted nothing to do with me. We’re estranged.”

“We may be estranged,” bit Alison, “but I am still Mrs. Charles Montgomery, IV. That will never change.”

“My, my, my,” taunted Charles, “I think you’re jealous.”

“I am not jealous!” huffed Alison. “If you’re going to have affairs with cheap young women, do it in New York City, not in Kingsport.”

Charles gazed at his wife with loving contempt. “You want me. You hate me. You loathe me. You can’t stand being around me. Which is it, Alison?” He waited for a response which never came because Alison stalked off towards the restroom leaving Charles and Sheila completely bewildered over what had just happened. However, Charles knew one thing was for sure: Now was the time to ask his wife for the one thing he wanted, yet was afraid to broach. Charles Montgomery, IV wanted a divorce.

In our next installment, Warren and Jill have a heated argument…

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Kingsport #23

Nicholas Davenport waited for his older brother, Eli, to finish a business call which had already run into their meeting. He glanced around Eli’s impressive office which offered a million-dollar view of San Francisco. It was hard for Nicholas to be impressed, but when he was around Eli, who he considered the most successful of his siblings, Nicholas was always in a state of awe.

“Sorry about that,” Eli muttered as he hung up the phone. “One of my analysts wants to get into crypto, but she’s a lone wolf on this one.”

“I want to get into it,” piped up Nicholas. “I actually wanted to sell my stake in Davenport Technology to put some of the money into new investments, but Mom pushed back at me.”

Eli listened carefully before saying, “I know. Lisa told me.”

Nicholas shifted uneasily in his seat. He should have known their mother would have told Lisa everything. Lisa and Eli had always been the closest set of siblings, which should have registered to Nicholas before this moment. “Oh. So much for privacy.” Nicholas took a deep breath before adding, “I want you to buy my shares in Davenport.”

“I can’t do that,” muttered Eli.

“Why not?!”

“Nick, I hate to this say, but I think Mom may have a point. Davenport is a safe company. Your stock in it is worth $80 million. That’s huge. Most people will never see that kind of money in six lifetimes.”

“Eli, it’s not fair,” pouted Nicholas. “I’m a man in his thirties who isn’t even in control of his finances. Mom is the trustee on my trust. I can’t sell a share of stock or cash out of my market funds without her say-so. It’s ridiculous!”

“I think… Nick, you may not like it, but I think it’s been done for your own good.” Eli watched as Nick folded his arms and averted his gaze. “You’ve had a bunch of careers and no successes. The money and assets in your trust have been a golden goose for you…for the whole family.” Eli gave his little brother a compassionate smile. “I understand your frustrations, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Then this was a wasted trip,” snapped Nick, hotly. “All I want is to be in control of my finances. I’m sick of this family treating me like a child!”

“If you want to start a business or acquire one, you know the family office will give you the money. Do that instead of investing in something you don’t understand just because your friends showed you a meme on Reddit.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “That’s low, Eli.”

“Look, I’m glad you came to me, but I think you need to enjoy the fact that you’re fabulously wealthy without any work on your part. Nick, if you want my advice, talk to the investment manager and ask for a bigger payout from your various investments. Your money should be making at least eight to twelve percent. You have a lot of options, but I don’t think cashing out of Davenport is a prudent move.”

Feeling dejected and powerless, Nicholas thanked his brother for his time, gave him a hug, and left his office. On the way down to the street, Nicholas couldn’t help but feel useless. He called his driver to pick him up as he watched the hoi polloi of San Francisco rush past him on their way to lunch or a meeting. They had a purpose. Nicholas had yet to find his.

He got into the back of the black town car, turned on his Spotify EDM playlist, and closed his eyes as the driver whisked him to the airport hangar. Maybe my life isn’t so bad, thought Nicholas. After all, he had tons of money, could charter planes, and didn’t have to worry about a damn thing. However, in the depths of his mind, Nicholas knew life would get better, if only there were something to do…

“Miss Wilkes, a moment?” Dane Hurley, the Household Manager for the Montgomery Estate, approached Barbara on her stool in the kitchen.

Barbara straightened her back, plastered a smile on her face, and stood to meet Dane. She always put on her best face when he was around. It had taken her some time to work out the power structure among the staff of the Montgomery Estate, but she was now well aware that all of the power rested with Dane Hurley. Mrs. Taplin was a guard dog; Dane held the keys to the kingdom. “I always have a moment for you,” cooed Barbara.

“We’ve been pleased with your work so far. You were an asset during the Independence Day party. We would like to offer you a full-time position on the family’s payroll.”

Barbara’s eyes exploded with sheer excitement. “Oh, thank you!” She threw her arms around Dane’s neck, but quickly corrected herself after realizing her error. “I’ve tried to work so hard here, Dane.”

Dane fixed his collar, cleared his throat, and said, “We’d like for you to answer phones and be an unofficial Girl Friday of sorts to Mrs. Montgomery.”

“The mother or the daughter?” asked Barbara carefully.

“Mrs. Alison Farrell Montgomery. India is referred to as ‘Miss’ Montgomery due to her unmarried state,” Dane said with authoritarian gravitas. “Mrs. Montgomery’s assistant in Paris is unable to come to America for the duration of Mrs. Montgomery’s visit. You will bring her breakfast in the morning, answer her calls in the staff office, and assist her as needed in the house. I will not have to remind you how to act with members of the family. You are to be a professional at all times. If you don’t know the answer to a question, ask me or Mrs. Taplin.” Dane checked his watch. “I have to meet with the head gardener. We can discuss the rest of the details after lunch.”

Barbara didn’t see Dane walk away because she was stunned by this new wave of luck. She’d be in front of the family, not stuck folding linen and hauling beverage carts across the estate during the middle of summer. Barbara would finally be able to see how the other half really lived. What they were really like. She’d finally be able to enact the next portion of her plan. And that fact alone made a twisted smirk across her lips.

“You look like you’ve won the lottery,” said Ada as she walked by. “What’s news?”

“I’ll be assisting Mrs. Montgomery,” Barbara replied, coolly.

Ada’s face feel. “Oh, Barbara,” she said carefully, “that woman will run you out of this house.”

Barbara held her breath for a moment. She didn’t want to react to Ada, who she was now cross with for muddying her happiness. “I don’t think she will,” said Barbara, evenly. “Dane wouldn’t’ve given me the position if he didn’t think I was up for it. I’ll be upstairs, Ada! Upstairs!”

“How many times do I gotta warn you about going upstairs and bein’ around those people? Yeah, they’re rich and they pay well, but they’re not nice people. They’re mean and unkind and don’t care who they hurt in the process,” whispered Ada. “I wouldn’t trust them. Not an inch.”

“Well, that’s you,” sniffed Barbara.

“Girly, I’m looking out for you,” insisted Ada. “Going upstairs with those people… It won’t end well. Never does. The stories I could tell,” Ada said, her voice trailing off.

Barbara folded her arms with marked contempt. She tolerated Ada, but now she was growing annoyed with her instance that Barbara stay in her place and be invisible. Barbara had lived her whole life like that and she wasn’t going to do it anymore! The reason she came to Kingsport was to change her life for the better! No one, not even Ada, would stop her. “Ada, we’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m going upstairs to assist Mrs. Montgomery and there’s nothing you can say to stop me. I’m moving up, Ada. The last thing I want is to be trapped in the bowels of this house for the rest of my life!” spat Barbara.

A heavy feeling of dread filled Ada’s heart as she watched Barbara storm down the staff corridor. In all of her years at the Montgomery Estate, Ada had seen girls just like Barbara who thought rubbing shoulders with the family would be the answer to all of their prayers. More often than not, it was an opening to a portal to hell. Ada had seen it for herself; Barbara was too arrogant to listen. Ada sighed quietly because she knew what lay in wait for Barbara. For the first time in a long time, Ada was content to mind her own business and watch the destruction of Barbara Wilkes…

 

In our next installment, Eli makes a proposal to the Davenports…

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Kingsport #17

Lisa Davenport Collins thumbed through the worn auction catalog as a little yawn made its way across her lips. Today had been a very trying day. One client insisted his Rembrandt was authentic (it wasn’t), while another insisted her collection of dog paintings could fetch top dollar in an upcoming evening sale (they wouldn’t). Although Lisa didn’t need to work, she loved the feeling of having something to do unlike everyone else she knew who pretended to work once they earned enough money to ensure they could stay in cashmere and diamonds for the rest of their lives. Lisa tucked the catalog into the desk of her home office when her son, Oliver, bounded down the hall followed by her brother, Dylan.

“Uncle Dylan is here to see you,” announced Oliver.

“Thanks, little man.” Dylan handed his nephew a crisp ten-dollar bill.

“Awesome!” Oliver squealed as he ran down the corridor.

Lisa saved the document she was working on as she said, “Mom is furious with you.”

Dylan let out an irritated sigh. “I’m aware of that, Lisa. I thought you wanted me to come by to talk about something important.”

“You know how much she relies on you, Dylan.” Lisa removed the silver tennis watch from her left wrist. “Instead of being understanding…sometimes you can be a little harsh. Now, I know Mom probably worked your last nerve, but she didn’t mean any harm.”

“Lisa, you sound like she coached you into saying that.”

“Hardly. I’m not a fool where Mom is concerned, but I do think you could stand to be more understanding and less…volcanic.” Lisa moved closer to her brother, who sat on the love seat in her home office. “We’re one of the few wealthy, old black families in America. Most of our wealth is tied up in Davenport Technology. If Meredith does do something to harm the company, there goes our whole way of life. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t want to see that happen to us, Dylan.”

Dylan thought about his sister’s words for a moment. While she rarely interfered when it came to the family company, he knew all too well that her concern was well placed, unlike Sheila’s. “Lisa, there’s nothing I can do about Meredith. None of us are on the Board of Directors. We’re just owners. Unless we vote in unison, then there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“I don’t see why we can’t vote in unison, Dylan. You always have Eli’s proxy…”

“I did.” Dylan shrugged. “I told Mom that I’m not going to be her go-between when it comes to Eli anymore.”

“Dylan,” Lisa said with unbridled shock. “Why would you do something like that?!?”

“Because I’m literally not my brother’s keeper!”

“This is different. We all know… Mom and Eli are best kept apart.”

“Lisa, my mind is made up. I’ve already told Mom. If she wants to call a family meeting to agree on how to vote our shares, then she’s going to have to speak to Eli and get him to fly in from San Francisco. Or, you can get Eli’s proxy from him.”

Lisa shuddered at the thought. While she was on good terms with Eli (for the most part), she didn’t feel like it was her responsibility to be put in the middle of his epic battle of contrition with Sheila. “I’d rather not,” whispered Lisa. “Sometimes I wish that whatever happened with Dad hadn’t happened and we could…” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know…”

“There’s no use in wondering, Lisa. It’s all in the past. It’s up to Mom to let things go, which she’s incapable of doing. I’ve told her many times that I’m not going back to Davenport. I’ve told her I will not vote Eli’s shares by proxy. She doesn’t want to listen. She wants to get mad and let you do her bidding. I’m sick of it, Lisa. I really am.”

 

 

“Barbara, come with me.” Mrs. Taplin summoned Barbara with her long, bony finger. “We need you to welcome a guest to the estate. Louise is at lunch. Normally, we’d never have a maid do it, but we cannot simply have a guest show themselves around the estate. The guest will be in the Sun Room.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Barbara, quietly. “I only want to do a good job.”

“That’s all anyone wants you to do,” snapped Mrs. Taplin. “There’s no need to work so hard.” Mrs. Taplin showed Barbara into the main servant’s corridor. She handed her a sheet of paper. “Read this. Everything on here tells you how to greet a visitor, how to show them to a room, and how to wait on them until a member of the family comes to greet them. The butler will show in the guest in a little less than an hour. I suggest you absorb everything on that page!”

Barbara found a chair in the hall as she read through the withering manifesto. “You are to say hello to the guest without giving your name when they enter the room. Simply ask if they would like a refreshment, alcohol, tea, or coffee. Take the order. Do not write it down. You must rely on your memory. Relay the order to the kitchen. You will then retreat to the staff area until called upon again,” Barbara read quietly. While she loved being on the Montgomery Estate, she was quickly growing tired of being rendered invisible all of the time.

“I just saw Old Taps marching around like she wanted to kick a puppy. You okay?” asked Ada.

Barbara stood up as she checked her watch. “Yes, I’m fine, Ada. If you’ll excuse me, I have to welcome a guest to the Sun Room.”

“The Sun Room! Look at you movin’ on up!” laughed Ada.

Yes, I am moving on up, Barbara thought, ruefully. There was no way in the world Barbara would allow herself to become trapped in the hell that was being a maid on the Montgomery Estate. She was moving up…and she wouldn’t let anyone stop her.

 

 

“Good afternoon, Dr. Windsor.”

Connor tapped away on his phone without looking at the lowly maid standing in the corner. “Hi,” he grumbled.

“Would you like a refreshment? Coffee, tea…”

“No,” snapped Connor. “Just have someone bring me an iced tea.” With a wave of his hand, he went back to his phone.

Barbara stood there for a moment. Whether she was stunned or insulted, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she had a job to do. She’d come this far…she’d made it upstairs…and she would do whatever it took to stay upstairs in these plush, sun dappled rooms. Without a word, Barbara turned, walked to a door in the corridor, and returned to the servant’s area.

“Will,” said Connor as Will walked into the Sun Room. “Thanks for calling me.”

Will walked towards Connor, stared into his gunmetal blue eyes, and kissed him. He kissed him as if his life depended on it. Here, in this moment, Will felt safer and more complete than he had in his entire life. “I’m sorry,” sighed Will. “I reacted impetuously.”

“Hey,” whispered Connor. “It’s okay. Let’s leave it in the past.”

“I do love you, Connor.”

“I love you, too, Will.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t visit you in Maine…”

“It’s all right. We’re here now.” Connor took Will in his arms. He smothered his boyfriend’s neck in raw, passionate kisses. “I had a lot of time to think.”

“About what?”

“Us.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Without a word, Connor dropped to one knee and pulled a small ring box from his blazer pocket. “William Harrison Montgomery, will you marry me?”

 

In our next installment, India’s world is rocked…

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Posted on

Kingsport #14

“How long do you intend to stay here?”

Will Montgomery ignored the question as he walked through the high-end jewelry store tucked along a quiet street in the middle of Paris. He looked at few diving watches, waved over a shop assistant, and asked to see three of them. “I’m not sure,” he finally replied. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

Alison Farrell Montgomery turned towards her son with a modicum of concern in her eyes. While she always enjoyed Will’s all too infrequent trips to see her, she was worried about her youngest child. He was a person who love hard, wanted it all on his terms, and never liked confrontation. For Alison, she knew Will would never have an easy life when it came to love because he made loving him very difficult. “Billy,” said Alison, “you can stay with me as long as you’d like.” She walked over to him and placed her hand on his. “I just wish you wouldn’t let India get under your skin.”

Will groaned. “I don’t want to talk about India.”

“Billy…”

“My life was terrific until you let India leave Paris,” seethed Will.

“I didn’t let India leave Paris! She’s an adult. She can do as she pleases,” snapped Alison. “Billy, don’t you think that the reason India left Paris was to get under your skin?”

Will thought about the statement for a while. He’d never considered it, but it was a possibility…and it was something India would do. “You don’t think…”

“When I spoke to Warren a few weeks ago, he mentioned how happy you were with Connor. It’s possible someone from the country club saw you with Connor and came to the same conclusion. If someone tipped off India, that may explain why she left one night without nary a goodbye.”

Will kicked himself for being so stupid…for being so blind! How could he have not seen right through India’s surprise return to town?!? She’s done this on purpose! “I didn’t even think about that!”

“Why would you? You aren’t very perceptive when you’re only thinking about yourself, Billy.”

“Ouch, Mom.”

“It’s true.” Alison told the sales assistant they would take the three watches Will wanted along with a diamond tennis bracelet for herself. “Billy, if you love Connor – and I don’t know why you do – then go home and be with him. All of this drama with India is pointless. She’s always been obsessed with Connor. That will never change. However, if you do love him, then you’ll go home, be with him, and show her that you two are impervious to her machinations.”

“I will,” said Will, triumphantly. “I can’t believe I was too pigheaded to see what was right in front of me. Thank you, Mom.”

Alison smiled, lightly. “Thank me by not letting India push you around. You’re not a child anymore, Billy.

“Barbara, Miss India Montgomery is by the pool and she would like her lunch.” Ada handed Barbara a printed menu which listed the exact lunch order of India Montgomery including the precise number of croutons to be placed in her salad. “Chef is almost done with it. Get everything ready so you can take it to her without delay. You don’t wanna keep that one waiting because she’ll have you fired if you’re fifteen seconds late.”

Barbara nodded in agreement. While she hadn’t spoken to India Montgomery, she still remembered how she observed India eavesdropping outside of Will’s bedroom last week. To say Barbara was intrigued by India would have been a very accurate statement. “Oh, Ada,” Barbara called after her colleague, “which pool is India by?”

“The outdoor pool. Pay attention, Barbara!”

A few minutes later, Barbara was being sent up a service elevator she hadn’t seen before towards the outdoor preparation area near the pool. She quickly ensured everything was up to snuff on the lunch tray as she pushed open the door. The blinding afternoon sun nearly made Barbara cry out in pain. For the last few weeks, she’d been working inside of the main house which rendered her vulnerable to the unrelenting summer sun. Once she regained her composure, Barbara wheeled the cart through the oppressive humidity. She began to sweat profusely through her uniform and, for a few moments, Barbara thought she would drop dead from heat stroke and suffocation.

“Just leave the tray there.” India pointed to a spot to her left without ever lowering her sunglasses or looking up from the magazine cradled between her knees.

“Yes, Miss Montgomery,” said Barbara, quietly.

“You’re the new one.”

Barbara picked up the tray from the cart and placed it on the table to the left of India. “Yes, Miss Montgomery.”

“Your manners are too sparkling,” sniffed India. “They’ve trained you well.”

“Would you like anything else, Miss Montgomery?”

India lifted her head for the briefest of moments before lowering it once more. “If I need anything,” she began, “I certainly won’t ask you.”

Shock and humiliation coursed through Barbara. She felt like the lowest form of being in the known universe.

“You can go now,” India said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Stunned, Barbara forced a smile onto her face as she went back to the outdoor preparation area. She could feel the tears begin to swell in her eyes while she frantically hit the buttons on the elevator. No one had ever spoken to Barbara like that before, not even when she was at her lowest moment in life. That snooty heiress didn’t even talk to her; she barked at her. She treated her worse than a dog…worse than nothing. In the elevator, Barbara held back her tears because she knew every area of the servant’s areas was awash in cameras. The last thing she wanted to do was let any of these people see her cry.

Back in the servant’s area, Barbara returned the cart to its corner and resumed her place on the stool in the chef’s kitchen. Maybe, thought Barbara, this was a bad idea after all. Before she arrived in Kingsport and during the first two weeks, everything seemed possible and full of opportunity. However, very slowly it was dawning on her that the gulf between people like the Montgomerys and everyone else in Kingsport may be too vast to ever cross. Even with all of her planning, Barbara had been dismissed by India Montgomery and made to feel like she was worth less than less. She felt inhuman. Yet, before the tears began to flow, Barbara swallowed her pride. She hadn’t come to Kingsport to make friends or become popular. It was then that she realized that India Montgomery had given her the greatest gift of all: A window into the world she lived in. If Barbara could exist around India without being the victim of her wrath, Barbara realized that she may achieve she goals quicker than anyone could have imagined. As Barbara sat on that stool to await her next assignment, a small smile formed on her lips. If she played her cards right, Barbara could learn everything she needed to know from Miss India Montgomery.

 

In our next installment, India plots her next move…

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