The House (21 page)

David said of Bryce, “I told him you’ll call back to confirm.”

Edward’s virility had been on the wane as he sank from the pinnacle of his manhood into middle age. His present transformation asked more of Anna than any of his past antics. Honesty
.
Perhaps if she could present her truth about Inman to the children. Anna was determined to offer an example that Serine could follow. Once more David called Anna from her ruminations.

“He’s dying. I’m losing my dad.”

Anna touched her eyes, still sore from crying earlier in the chair beside Edward’s bed where memories swirled above, and below.

“I know,” she whispered.

Anna met Bryce for lunch at Scott’s. Bryce stood as she approached the table.

“Thank you for meeting me.” Bryce offered his hand. Anna ignored his gesture and pulled out the chair across from him. Ironically, they were at the same table where Anna had sat with Inman the prior evening. She sat.

On joining her, Bryce said, “I took the liberty of ordering a pot of tea. Edward said you liked that.” She glimpsed the steam surrounding the teapot. If only Edward had attempted to fulfill other, less tangible, but no less meaningful, desires.

Bryce lifted his briefcase. “I’ve been meaning to call, but—”

“I see you’ve been speaking with Edward,” she said. Bryce lowered the briefcase onto the linen covered table. “Then again, you are his attorney and the one person who works with him.”

“In light of Edward’s condition—” Bryce started once more.

“My husband’s dying. It’s taking a toll on all of us,” Anna said. An air of strain overtook Bryce. He looked as if he might cry, or worse, that he lacked the words to state his cause. Anna’s anger toward Bryce increased as he lowered his head. She didn’t know the meaning or root of her indignation. Bryce had been good and loyal to Edward. And he appeared to desire the same with Anna. She managed to say, “I appreciate you being there for Edward even when I couldn’t.”

Bryce’s palm gave a slight tremble. The same tension that had overtaken him when Anna entered Edward’s hospital room settled him once more. He opened his briefcase and removed a folder of documents. Anna sipped her tea.

Bryce laid the folder upon the linen covered table and then, with what seemed all that he could gather, said, “Edward has made you the owner and president of Manning Ventures.”

Anna carefully lowered her cup onto its saucer. “Edward sold real estate. His company was called Manning Real Estate.”

“Yes, but over the years, he invested much of his profits into what has now become three small, yet lucrative, conglomerates.”

“Manning Ventures?” Anna tried absorbing the name.

“Startups that have subsidiaries in Angola, India, China, Saudi Arabia, and the Soviet Union. Most are related to Internet technology and the development of alternative forms of energy.” Bryce went on. “They hold much potential for the future, particularly and in light of our recent economic oil crisis, I would suggest—”

“No, wait a minute.” Anna raised her palm. Bryce’s words, the full brunt of their meaning sank in. “You’re saying that Edward’s willed me his company, Manning Ventures, so that when he dies—”

“No. You’re the owner and president right now.” She stared at Bryce, the truth of his anxiety in earlier moments now eroding. “I filed the last forms yesterday. It’ll take a week for the county and city clerk to record the change, but essentially you own Manning Ventures.” Bryce spoke the words, as if having shed a weight.

“Well, the first thing I’m going to do is sell it. I know nothing about real estate.”

“It’s not that simple. As I said, these small conglomerates have nothing to do with the real estate company. In fact,” Bryce pulled back his sleeve and read his watch, “Manning Real Estate has been sold. All that remains,” his words slowed, “—is Manning Ventures. And you, Anna, are its major stockholder, and president.”

“I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.” She shook her head then turned toward the window adjacent the table. She considered In man from last evening, their argument, her leaving and then their lovemaking.

“The company is solid,” Bryce reiterated, trying to make her understand. “There are some outstanding debts, which comes with any business. Yet, through the last eight years, the company held its own. It hasn’t needed an infusion of cash from the real estate company.”

“And you want a job.” Anna turned back to Bryce. “Better yet to keep the one you have.” She leaned into the table, and whispered, “How about you buy the company? I’ll sell it to you. Make a loan you can live with.” Anna wanted to be through with Edward Manning and his surprises.

“I would love to do that. But honestly, even with what I’ve learned from Edward, I have no skills at running this company.” A sheen of tears slipped over Bryce’s eyes and delivered a sad sparkle.

“And you think I do?” ?

Chapter 29

Anna hated double talk. And Henderson, as she sat in his office, was beginning to sound like Bryce. “Just, hear me out.” Henderson begged.

“That’s what Bryce said.”

“Then perhaps you should.” Henderson leaned across his desk. “Edward owes you.”

“But not a company. I don’t know what to do with it.”

“Run it. At least don’t sell it as a knee-jerk reaction. Take a look-see. Investigate what Bryce is telling you. The sale of Edward’s real estate company provides more than enough for you to live on. In fact, once everything has settled, go to France.” Henderson pointed to the sky beyond the window. “See Paris.”

“Oh, but Bryce has to prepare me for a board meeting,” Anna quipped. “Edward’s dying.” She sighed. “This is
Edward’s
money. It’s all he’s worked for.”

“That’s right. Edward has cancer and won’t live to see his third grandchild enter this world. But, you’ll be here. The money will come in handy.”

“How can you be so cold?”

“Few people come to grips with reality and their role in shaping it. Edward seems to have done that,” Henderson said. “From the looks of it, he’s going to leave this world in a better manner than he lived. I’m proud of him.”

Tears threatened to overtake her. It had become like this since Edward had admitted he was scared, that life and all its uncertainties frightened him. Then Anna had slept with Inman. The emotions she had abandoned in her will to take care of her children had crawled to life.

Henderson came around his desk and lifted her hand. “Forgive me, Anna, but I’m not about to let you throw away what you’ve worked so hard for. Edward obviously agrees.”

“I was a wife and mother, and of the latter, not a very good one.”

“Life is dirty, Anna.” Henderson’s words took her back to that night Anna had Edward begged him to make love to her.
You’re too

good for me. I’m dirty and mean, like life,”
Edward had said
. `I won’t soil you. I won’t make you like me.”
Hours earlier she had served him the filet mignon with pearl onions and asparagus with wild rice. Everything about Edward, his tone, the movement of his body, the slope of his shoulders had reflected his shame.

Despite his hatred for the physician to whom Violet had been a mistress, Edward had become like the physician. Anna had undergone a variation of what Violet Manning had endured.
They understand,
Wyntonia had said of others regarding Edward’s long absences. Now Anna did. The house symbolized so much.

Anna said to her attorney, “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” She stood and left Henderson before the tears started to fall.

During the drive home, Anna replayed her conversations with Bryce, and then Henderson
. Manning Ventures is a small conglomerate of companies with investments in the U.S., South America, Africa, and China
, Bryce had said. Henderson then asserted,
Edward never involved you in any of his businesses. He spent more time in those countries than he did at home in your house
. Anna crawled upon the bed and shut her eyes. She was at home and inside Theo’s room. Moments later, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Anna called.

The door opened and Linda peeked inside. “It’s me.”

Anna sat up, smoothed back her hair, and made a feeble attempt at wiping her face. “Sorry, but I was tired.”

“David said you met with Bryce.” Linda lowered herself onto the bed.

“Yes.” Anna nodded.

“How did that go? Are you alright?”

“Not well. And no, I’m not.”

Linda chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Anna knitted her brows.

“For once you’re telling the truth.”

“When have I ever lied?”

Linda’s smile dimmed.

“Let’s just say that relaying the reality of a situation, particularly when it involves Dad, has not been a skill you’ve possessed.” Anna sighed. Linda had verbalized Anna’s struggle for the last thirty or more years. She lifted Linda’s hand then explained what Bryce had said concerning Manning Ventures.

“I know nothing about running a company. What am I’m going to do?”

“Have you spoken to Inman?” Linda asked.

“What do you know about Inman?” Anna screwed her face.

“He seems to care for you.”

“I love your father, but—”

“None of us have ever questioned that,” Linda said. “Not even David.”

“I doubt that.” Anna’s shoulders fell against a sinking feeling within.

Linda said, “You need to let yourself have some fun.” She sounded like Theo.

“Your father’s dying. And my children are unhappy. I don’t mean you.”

“You’re so certain I’m doing fine?” Linda’s smile returned.

“I am so happy that you’ve found happiness.” Anna embraced her. “I thank God everyday for Brad and what he’s given you.” Anna whispered then, “And now with the baby...”

“You’ve given me a lot, too.” Linda touched her stomach.

Anna placed her palm over Linda’s hand to her stomach, then said, “I failed you in so many ways.”

“That’s in the past. And I certainly played my role.”

“You were hurting,” Anna said. “There was a time when I ...” She began to cry.

“I wanted you happy,” Linda said. “And no one wanted to talk about it. David was the worse.”

“I guess that’s why you treated him like your nemesis?”

“When it came to you and your happiness, he was my nemesis,” Linda said.

“Would it be true to say that when it comes to David, you don’t always see straight?”

“I can see why Heather won’t sleep with him.”

“Linda.”

“David’s charming. He’s also bossy. And he can be passive aggressive.”

“He’s never been unfaithful,” Anna asserted.

“That is true, unless you count self-absorption, being totally consumed with one’s success, career, and status in the world as in fidelities. What he needs is a taste of Millicent to set him straight.” How different Linda sounded from Serine. “Then again, she’s so much like David,” Linda said of her sister-in-law, “ ... he might be overcome.”

Anna laughed amid the echo of Linda’s words. Change had arrived.

“You’re right about David ... “ She sat still for a moment. “But somehow I feel as though I’ve failed you, Serine, and your brothers. If only I had been more truthful. But I couldn’t have you hating your father. And there was no way I was about to fall into poverty by leaving him. He was a good provider. He never hit me.”

“No one has a perfect marriage,” Linda said.

“Some
are
better than others.”

“And then there are those that are worse.” Linda’s round face warmed to another smile. “You never let us know the full truth about Dad until we could handle it. For that, I’ll always be thankful.”

“But my unhappiness ... you said that—”

“I thought it was me or that it was something I had done wrong. I was angry,” Linda said. “I wanted to fix you, make you smile.”

“And you prefer that to me telling you the truth?” Anna was confused.

“I’m not saying I want my child to go through the same. But neither am I willing to tamper with history. I survived. That I was depressed in all that was going on makes sense. I know that now. Any child who sees their parent unhappy assumes some of the responsibility. My marriage to Brad has taught me a lot. Talking with his father has also helped.”

Anna rubbed Linda’s arm. “Things are working out for you two.” She smiled.

“I don’t know what I might have done had you actually told me about Dad’s affairs when I was a child. It was one thing to sense something, and quite another for your mother to confirm your worst fears.”

“You were sitting right there at the table when your father brought Gabrielle home to dinner. You watched the two of them, laughing and so excited about all of his plans. You called your father on it. But I pretended all was well.”

“But you never affirmed what I suspected. My outburst during dinner, the pain I felt during adolescence was based on suspicion, albeit correct. You never said Dad was having an affair with Gabrielle or any other women. That gave me hope.”