The Clarkl Soup Kitchens (28 page)

Lawyer will surely tell me to bide my time, let the suit move forward, let her get further into debt. Can’t tell him she will recognize me for the impostor I am as soon as I step foot onto American soil. Got to settle it before I leave Clarkl, and $4,500,000 may be as cheap as it gets.

Wish I knew when we will be able to leave. My ten years was up about six months ago.

Business on Earth does not need me. The banks are paying on time, and I have no danger of escheat as long as the government is paying me for my services on Clarkl. Enough proof of my existence for the State of
Maryland
.

Gene’s apartment is still being leased, with the real estate people happy with the several tenants they have found over the last ten years. No trouble there.

Got about $10,000,000 in the bank and about $22,000,000 in gold under the closet. Enough for any eventuality unless somebody figures out I am not Gene. 

October 12, 2146
, 1100 hours, on Clarkl
– package from Noowal is at the spacestation, awaiting pickup. Will stop there before my maintenance run to the castle tomorrow.

Almost time to leave for my shift at the clinic. Every day we see more and more of the Drones and the Wolpters. Our reputation is growing as a center for healing. A place to meet and greet. Something to do when the snow has delayed a softball game.

Tata never takes a day off. I don’t either, but I have a very easy job, what with driving around all afternoon to castles. Nobody to tell me what to do, except the chef on one of his bad days.

Hope we can get home soon. A nice big house in
Washington
,
Georgia
, with two or three employees to cook and clean and look after the garden. Neighbors visit in the afternoons for tea or bridge. The Episcopal Church on Sundays. Priest and his wife for Sunday dinner.

October 22, 2146
, 2300 hours, on Clarkl
– picked up the ring at the spaceport last week. Much, much nicer than the one I gave Louise. Just a cadet at
West Point
then, wondering what life would hold. Parents were only five years from taking their places in
Cumberland
and couldn’t help much.

Louise was pleased, anyway. The other cadets were making do with various synthetic gemstones, mostly of garish sizes. At least ours was a real diamond. Didn’t matter after a few weeks, when our families had seen it and fussed over it.

Then, at the Officers’ Wives Club, it was just right for a lieutenant’s wife. Don’t know why the field-grade officers adorned their wives in large jewels from foreign lands. Later, all of that didn’t matter.

Today I went to the Bishop’s office to see the lawyer. Best to get all of that business with Genuvusa over with. No need to involve Tata in this awkward affair, especially since it brings up the concern that I might not be able to handle my own affairs.

Had an appointment at 1500 hours, just after I called at a castle near the Bishop’s to maintain the tub.

“He’s running a little late, Mr. Emmentino,” the clerk said. “Just have a seat. Need a cup of tea?”

Forty-five minutes later Tata came out of the lawyer’s office, gathering her cloak around her and tucking an envelope into her satchel.

I stood and smiled at her. She smiled back and rushed out the door.

“You can go in now,” the clerk said. I was too busy watching Tata. Finally, as the door closed behind her, I went into the lawyer’s comfortable office, quarters that were larger than my cabin.

“Now, Mr. Emmentino, you say you want to settle with Miss Genuvusa Emmentino? She has a very weak case, and I feel you do not need to give her anything,” he began.

“Want it all behind me so I can make plans for the future,” I insisted.

“Just buying her off, then?”

“Yes. Can you write up a contract that keeps her away from me for the rest of our lives? Maybe confine her to north of the Mason-Dixon Line?”

He leaned back in his comfortable chair and stared into a far corner of the room for a few minutes.

“We can write up anything,” he finally said. “We will have a hard time enforcing that kind of a clause, though. Better to just say if she contacts you in any way she forfeits all the amounts you have ever paid her.”

I became angry. “I just want her to stay away from me and my….”

The lawyer nodded. “You can’t make decisions for yourself with this woman intent on getting her hands on all your money. We need to execute our contract here, and then you need to file a Universal Restraining Order when you return to Earth. Those orders are not recognized here on Clarkl, but they are nearly everywhere else.”

He gave me a draft contract to review, one that he had used successfully in the past, and I left.

What terrible trouble is Tata in that she had to see the lawyer? I wish I could talk to her. Perhaps she needs money.

I’ve got to get this mess settled immediately.

November 8, 2146
, 0900 hours, on Clarkl
– delivered the executed agreement, along with a money transfer order for $4,500,000, to the Milky Way Ambassador yesterday in Gilsumo. Ought to take about thirty days for it to be finalized. Unless Genuvusa has changed her mind.

Tata seems brighter than before. Perhaps the lawyer relieved her mind about some pressing problem.

Can’t help feeling blue, though, with no news about when we can return to Earth. Still receiving lots of supplies and staples from
America
, but the crafts are not authorized to take any passengers from Clarkl.

Keep looking at the ring. Anybody would appreciate it. Stone from Charta, platinum from Octula. Former engraving has been completely removed.

December 3, 2146
, 1800 hours, on Clarkl
– appointment with Tata tomorrow, after the Monarchs clear out of the clinic.

Very excited. How thrilled she will be!

Not like Louise. Almost a demand from her, with a threat that her father would make sure my career was hampered if there was no marriage the week after graduation.

The Colonel was a good instructor at the academy, and his daughters were popular with the cadets. No reason to single me out. Plenty of suitors, some with family money.

Seemed like a good idea, though. A pretty wife, a rich mother-in-law, a father-in-law at the academy. All that, plus graduating in the top ten percent. Couldn’t be anything but successful.

December 7, 2146
, 2300 hours, on Clarkl
– still can’t shake this nasty cough.

Tata received me in the large hall where the Monarchs waited for their doctor and their whirlpool treatments.

“Gene, I’m anxious to hear what you have to say,” she began.

“Was too hasty all those years ago in the spacecraft. Didn’t spend the proper time getting to know you. All my fault. Want to make up for it now,” I stuttered.

“Dr. Edwards and I have signed partnership papers,” she told me. “Just last week, in the lawyer’s office.”

“It’s not too late,” I said. “What is the buyout? I’ll pay it.”

“I need to be loyal to my partner,” she said, starting to cry. “He has certainly been kind to me, to not make a fuss when we found out we were grounded here for a little while.”

I snorted. “He’s just an old man, Tata. Washed out in
America
, probably, and now here to start over. You don’t love him, and you don’t need him.”

Tears continued to run down her face. “I have agreed to live with him, Gene. We have worked together and have made a success of this clinic.”

“Offer him $2,000,000 in Universal Gold, right now, to tear up the contract. You’ll see how much he cares for you.”

Tata shook her head. “He gave me $25,000,000 in Universal Gold when we signed the contract. He doesn’t want money. He wants a relationship.”

“Well, I want a relationship, too, Tata. You love me. You told me so. Have you changed your mind?” I stormed.

“I can’t leave him. I have agreed. His money is running this clinic, and we are partners in its success. This is what is true now,” she said.

“You are telling me you no longer love me?” I demanded.

“No, I cannot say that. I can only say I have made a lifetime commitment, and I need to remain faithful to that commitment.”

How beautiful she looked, with a wistful smile and a white handkerchief to dab at her eyes.

I handed her the box with the ring. Somehow, it seemed so insignificant.

“Bought this for you, from Tiffany’s. Hope you will take it and keep it to remember me. Maybe you will need it some day. I thought it would be a symbol of our love,” I told her.

She put the ring on her finger and allowed Clarkl’s yellow light to shine on it, creating a brilliant rainbow of colors on the wall.

“Yes, I’ll keep it. I’ll take it out from time to time when I remember you.”

I quickly left. I didn’t want her to see the tears welling up in my eyes.

December 16, 2146
, 1100 hours, on Clarkl
– back to work today after six days in sick bay. First days I have taken off in the over ten years I have been on Clarkl.

Dr. Edwards came over to the cabin, gave me some pills. Each day I felt better. Still have a little cough, but back on duty.

Another appointment with the lawyer today.

January 4, 2147
, 2530 hours, on Clarkl
– picked up a copy of the papers Genuvusa signed. Original is in New Washington, with the Secretary of State, to be handed over to me when I return.

Asked the lawyer to find an address for Louise. The general ought to be easy to locate.

Feeling almost good as new after that long sickness. Need to be prepared for illnesses to take longer to shake, now that I’m over sixty-three.

Another spacecraft arrived, filled with flour, sugar, rice, and wild rice. Still not authorized to take Americans off the planet.

January 20, 2147
, 0800 hours, on Clarkl
– the lawyer sent Louise’s address, and I will write to her today.

Back on my tub maintenance job now. Welcomed by several Batwigs and one Monarch yesterday. Tubs are in terrible condition. How can they live like that?

More bad weather due tonight. Filled all the hoppers for staples up to the brim. Dining room manager lives adjacent to the kitchen, and she can fill them if I can’t get out tomorrow.

January 31, 2147
, 0900 hours, on Clarkl
– most of the snow is gone, and business is back to normal. Drones and Wolpters were very hungry those first days after the storm.

Louise has answered my message. Says she will be pleased to receive any friend of Colonel Hallorin’s.

Hard to write in Gene’s style, so flowing and descriptive. Have a couple of good samples and have borrowed extensively.

Louise is living in
Columbus
,
Georgia
, where she and the general moved after he retired in 2138. He passed away last year, and she has many friends there.

Probably has at least thirty years as a widow, all on the general’s retirement allowance. Close to the commissary and the Officers’ Club. Certainly quite comfortable.

A general’s widow is taken care of, always. Hens clucking around, making sure she gets to the medical clinic and the Sunday buffets at the Club. A dance or two each year. High school kids sent from the headquarters to see to the lawn and the garden. Give them just a few dollars.

February 27, 2147
, 1300 hours, on Clarkl
– two tubs today, after receiving orders from the Bishop. She says Monarchs are getting used to the service, and Batwigs are calling her.

Not much trouble, and always an interesting trip to each castle. Except in the snow, of course.

Bishop has assigned a farmhand to accompany me to learn the procedure. Not much to it except when the mechanics fail. Nice young man from somewhere in
Ohio
.

Louise wrote again. Says she is having trouble paying all the general’s death expenses, including some money still due the funeral director. Wrote back, telling her Harv left everything to his niece and nephew.
Wilson
’s children. Could spare $5,000, if that would help, I wrote.

April 17, 2147
, 1800 hours, on Clarkl
– sent Louise the $5,000, and included another $2,000 as a gift. She assures me it is a loan, until the insurance is settled.

Never could handle money. Couldn’t balance her bank account, even with the daily messages giving debits and credits. No surprise she has no luck with closing the general’s estate. Too tight to pay somebody who knows what he’s doing.

Where’s all the money she saves not hiring a cook and a housekeeper?

May 3, 2147
, 2000 hours, on Clarkl
– another message from Louise, saying she needs $3,000 to pay the mason for the stone. Sent $5,000 so she could pay the cemetery bill.

Helping Tata with another addition to the clinic. The Batwigs want their own waiting room.