Reverse Metamorphosis book one of the Irrevocable Change trilogy (48 page)

After all of the guest except Clay and Anna’s
children and mates had left, the six of them gathered in the
library, weary from the day’s stressful events. At ten thirty
Marshall said he was beat and was ready to retire for the night.
Adrianna declined to go with him and stayed behind. When Marshall
had been gone for about ten minutes John asked Clay to leave so the
family could have a personal conference with Anna. Immediately Anna
waved Clay to stay seated, “Clay is a close friend and confidant of
mine and there is no need for him to leave. Anything you have to
say can be said in front of him. John then brought up the issue of
Anna’s finances.

“Mother, I assume he left you well off
financially so you’ll be well provided for?

“If by, HE, you meant your father, yes I am
financially secure.”

“Good, I’m pleased he provided well for you.
Now we can all get on with our lives and live without the burden
and guilt of the family business hanging over us.”

Anna hesitated slightly before questioning
John, “Explain what you mean by that statement.” Adrianna, Meredith
and Clay sat quietly and waited, warned by the ominous strength in
Anna’s tone of voice.

“I mean,” John spoke softly, measuring his
words carefully, “We now can all put the association with thugs,
and the accusations of violence and murder behind us and learn to
live normal lives, without the shame and notoriety the family
business forced us to bear.”

“So you have decided your father was the sole
person responsible for our livelihood all of your life. That he
alone caused the burden of guilt and shame you have so nobly borne
for so long?”

John proceeded cautiously, “Of course,
Mother. He was the gang leader, and he would have dragged Jimmy
into the same lifestyle had Jimmy not been killed. And as for the
guilt and shame, surely you will not try to defend and justify a
criminal enterprise which breaks every law and code of human
morality and ethics. If it weren’t for you I would have abandoned
my father years ago. ”

Adrianna cut in, but with some apprehension,
“I, think we should all go to bed now.”

“No, we will not go to bed now, none of us.”
Anna seized complete control and continued to address the group,
sending pointed stares to all, but then focusing on John in
particular. “This is the business my father created, and I, being
his daughter, inherited with Tony. I don’t recall you being so
offended by our dirty money that it ever prevented you from whining
until you received your share. It dressed you, paid tuition to a
fine Ivy League college, bought new cars, sent you to Europe on
summer breaks, paid all of your personal expenses and financed your
wedding and honeymoon. When the education our dirty money provided
landed you a prestigious job you began to point a finger at your
father and berate your heritage. Somehow you have exempted me from
your loathing for our business. Well, it will undoubtedly surprise
all of you to learn I am continuing our, Criminal Enterprise as you
so eloquently described it. I have already taken control of all of
the operations and will now run the business myself.”

John jumped out of his chair before Anna
finished and stood in shocked disbelief, “You don’t mean it; you
can’t mean it. What in the world are you thinking, to continue in
this loathsome business when you have money to retire and live away
from the stench of it?”

“You still don’t get it, do you John? I have
run this business from our bed since your father was eighteen years
old. I directed every major move he made; it was I who made all of
the important decisions and fed them to Tony as his own; I told him
who to impress and who to get rid of. It was I who took over when
he was shot and hospitalized, and saw to it he regained control
when he recovered. I understand the business and politics of the
gang hierarchy better than he ever could. He was excellent at the
operations end; reading and reacting to happenings on the street,
but it was I who directed the success of the business. And now I
intend to take visible control and run the business as I’ve always
known I could.”

John stood with his mouth open and his fist
clenched. Meredith rose and moved to stand beside him; not knowing
what else to do. Finally he replied in a soft monotone, “You’re
right, I did misjudge you. I assumed you were simply loyal to your
husband, or intimidated by him. I never guessed you had more than a
minor role in any of it.” John took Meredith’s hand before
addressing Anna, “Good bye Mother, I don’t want ever to see you
again. Please don’t attempt to contact either of us. I disown you
and want nothing more to do with you.” Looking at the others he
said, “Good night. We’ll pack our belonging and find a hotel for
the remainder of the night.”

As John and Meredith walked to the stairs
Adrianna made a move to address them but was stopped by a wave of
Anna’s hand. “Let them go Adrianna, this has been building for
years and has finally come to a head. Stay out of it. You can
continue to have a relationship with them if you choose, just don’t
include me or attempt to provide me with news of what they are
doing. He has made his choice and I'm done with him.”

“Clay,” Anna changed the conversation, “I
would like to speak to you in the morning. I’ll call you around ten
and arrange to meet. You have been a loyal and trusted friend and
advisor to Tony, and I would like to continue the arrangement, with
a few minor changes.”

“Tomorrow and early next week isn’t good for
me. I can meet with you, say next Friday at ten.”

Anna acknowledged her acceptance of the date
and time, rose and excused herself to go upstairs, leaving Clay and
Adrianna alone in the living room.

Adrianna turned on the couch and spoke to
him, “I should have known this would happen when I first heard my
father was dead. Never did I consciously think about her assuming
control, but since she has, it doesn’t surprise me.”

“I feel the same way. Even today I didn’t
take time to think about what would happen with Tony gone.”

“It’s ironic, but I actually had the same
thoughts as John; Mother would arrange for another family to take
over for a large sum of money and retire to Florida.”

Clay slid closer to Adrianna, “How are
you?”

“I’m fine.”

“A fine is what you pay in traffic court. Not
good. And how is it with Marshall Sr.?”

“The same. He’s a good husband; loyal,
dependable and trust worthy.”

“And boring. He sounds like a little boy
scout. I talked to him earlier and almost fell asleep standing up.”
Changing the subject, Clay asked, “How’s Anthony Marshal?”

“He’s fine, a perfect baby; sleeps soundly,
plays happily and is just a joy to be with.”

“I know, I held him for a while this evening.
Your uncle Ted said he looks like me.”

Very softly Adrianna replied, “Yes, he does.
I’ve noticed it too.”

“I’m getting a vasectomy, so we won’t have a
problem in the future.”

“Clay,” She turned on the cushion to face him
and stared wide eyed, “I told you we are through. You made your
choice and it’s over.”

“NO! It’s not over. We’ll continue meeting or
I’ll show Marshall dated pictures of us having sex. Even he'll
notice they coincide with the time you conceived our baby.”

“Clay, please don’t do this, not to me or our
child.”

“And then even Marshall will notice how the
baby he thinks is his looks more like me than him.” Clay attempted
to rise and discovered he had set in one position too long. After
grunting and painfully pushing himself up with both hands he turned
to Adrianna. “I’ll call you after Christmas.”

“I see you’re in pain, what’s wrong?”

“I was in an accident and broke a rib. When I
call be prepared to arrange to get away overnight. And bring little
Tony.”

“No Clay! I won’t do it. I’m not going to
cheat on Marshall. Please, drop this now; I do not belong…”

“Our son belongs to me and you will do as I
tell you to, or else.” Clay turned and painfully made his way out
to his car.

Driving home, he wondered how minor the
changes Anna had in store for him would be. He had a hunch about
what she wanted and was sure he wouldn’t approve. And, more
importantly, he hoped his ultimatum to Adrianna would cause her to
rekindle their relationship; even if he didn’t have damning
intimate pictures of them to produce if she refused.

But, tonight he just wanted to get home and
into bed. He’d deal with Anna and Adrianna later when the physical
and emotional pain both subsided.

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book one of the Irrevocable Change trilogy. Writers depend on book
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