Fair and intruders!
The vet truck rolled down the drive, still a little muddy after the light snow last week plus the freezing and thawing. In Fairs wake was Fred Willard, driving a new Volvo XC70, and someone behind him in a Volvo SUV.
Harry wondered why the caravan.
Fair hopped out of his truck and put his arm around his wifes waist, getting straw on himself and propelling her toward the XC70, a lovely silver station wagon. Fred emerged and handed Harry the key.
Six cylinders. Fred, a Volvo salesman, smiled.
You rented a Volvo? Harry was incredulous.
I bought a Volvo.
Fair, were in a depression!
Recession, Fair replied.
Bullpucky, Harry shot back.
I have enough, recession or depression, and youre driving to Fulton, Missouri, in something safe.
He was one hundred percent correct. Besides, they really needed a vehicle that wasnt a truck.
Harry, stunned, finally spoke. Its beautiful. And I will be safe.
She couldnt have been more wrong.
I
resent that. Mariah DAngelos cheeks burned with indignation.
You can resent it all you like, Mariah. You fell down on the job. Flo stated this calmlytoo calmly.
The techie is working on the problem. In the meantime, Ive made notes from memory. Mariah slapped the table.
How do we know you didnt make up the figures to cover yourself? Flo went for the throat.
Inez lightly tapped the table with her gavel. Ladies, this solves nothing. If we compare last years income and expenditures to what we have so far, based on Mariahs memory, well get some idea of where we stand. Why you all trust computers is beyond me. You should keep the books by hand as well as on your computer. Im not saying, Mariah, that you didnt need to file everything on your computer. I know it makes it easy to print copies, but its always a good idea to keep vital information in a form not dependent upon electricity.
Mariah stammered. Nothing coherent came out.
Flo leaned back in her chair with her hands folded.
Liz Filmore, ever eager to put the Richmond chapter in a good light, said, We do that.
How wonderful for you. Mariahs voice could cut ice.
Lets take a break. A fifteen-minute break. When we return, I expect
to see an attitude adjustment. Inez rapped the gavel on the table again, her disgust apparent.
She rose, steadying herself for a moment on the tables edge. Her knees throbbed. Bad weather was coming. She stepped into the hallway. Although the alumnae chair emeritus, Inez had to take over the actual chairs duties because Mariah and Flo had made it impossible for Liz. Too young, cowed by the rich St. Louis and Kansas City alumnae, Liz couldnt keep order. Neither Mariah nor Flo paid the least bit of attention to her, but they respected Inez, even feared her a little. She was the only person on the twelve-woman alumnae board who could keep order. As St. Louis and Kansas City were vitally important to the economic health of Missouri, so they were to William Woods. Having a representative from each city was important. Seattle, large as it was, had not fielded as many alumnae over the years as had the two great and completely different Missouri cities.
Small knots of women chatted in the halls, lobbying for pet projects or gossiping about Mariahs computer crash. Some found it suspicious. Others felt that those things just happened.
Flo fanned the suspicious people. Until we have an accurate accounting, I must assume all is not well with our funds.
Are you suggesting Mariah misused them? DeeDee Halstead, head of the L.A. chapter, leveled her gaze at Flo.
Flo hesitated just enough to intimate perhaps that was the case, but she said, Mariah has enough money; she doesnt have to steal ours.
Flo left this group, satisfied shed stirred the pot. She passed a few other members on her way to the ladies room. As she opened the door to enter, Mariah pushed it to exit. They knocked each other off balance. Regaining that balance, they stared at each other for a moment.
I should have known it was you. Mariah brushed back a straying lock of expensively colored hair.
All you had to do was get your fat butt out of the way, Flo sniffed.
Diva that you are, Flo, your buttwhich surely harbors more cellulite than you care to admitis no smaller than mine. But, you know, Ive always respected your success. Thats why I know youre trying to ruin me.
What? Flo was puzzled and irritated.
Whenever weve been forced to talk to each other about school projects, youve mentioned a company or two. I researched them and sometimes even invested in them. Much as I hate your guts, I know you are a financial wizard.
Whats your point?
You set me up for a fall. I made moneyuntil now.
Youre not my client. I have nothing to do with whatever it is youre talking about.
Mariah spat, Liz is your protegee. Im her client and Ive lost a lot. Youre behind it, and I know it!
I did no such thing. Youre out of your mind. Flo raised her voice.
Im going to take you down, and you wont get up again. Mariah shook her finger in Flos carefully made-up face.
Youll go down with me. Flo brushed by her furious enemy.
While Flo and Mariah displayed their mutual antipathy, Inez, alone, walked to a window that faced north. Tree branches denuded of leaves waved in the wind. A front was on the way. She hadnt watched the weather today, but her body proved more reliable than newscasters. Whatever was behind the front made her bones ache.
Kenda Shindler, a cheerful soulwhich was helpful in her role as assistant to the presidentwas walking down the hall and stopped to chat with Inez. Have you heard the weather report?
No, Inez replied.
Unfortunately, a big snowstorm is heading our way. The weatherman predicts it will last at least two days. She paused. Hows it going?
Id like to take Flo and Mariah and knock their heads together. Its only ten oclock. By lunch I may be ready to kill them.
Ah. Kenda knew well their conflicts.
Inez shrugged. Ever notice how some people are energized by an enemy? Kenda nodded, so Inez continued, Thats what weve got here. Tons of energy but to no good purpose.
Well, if anyone can straighten them out, its you.
Thank you. Inez had her doubts. Tally in yet?
Yes, thats why I came by the meeting. They arrived an hour ago. Big Mim, Little Mim, and Tally. Good thing they flew in a day early. Oh, yesHarry is here, too. With two cats and a dog. Kenda lowered her voice. Is the dog properly housebroken?
Tucker? Oh, my, yes. And knowing Harry, she probably brought kitty litter and a box. Shes good that way. Ill be glad to see all of them. It will be like old times, Tally and I rooming together.
I wish Id known William Woods when you were a student here. Kenda smiled.
Smaller then. William Woods fosters lifelong friendships. Thats certainly consistent. One becomes educated and grounded in our culture and uplifted by friendships.
Down the hallway, Mariah had raised her voice, and both women turned to look in her direction.
I dont think they got the message about friendship. Kenda half-giggled.
Oil and water, chalk and cheese.
Board meeting tomorrow? Kenda asked.
Yes. Everything is taking twice as long as it should. Inez grimaced. Yet another meeting.
Maybe Aunt Tally would like to sit in.
Inez laughed. Kenda, I love Tally like a sister, but she has no patience with people. Never has. Shed take her cane and lambaste both Mariah and Flo.
Kenda said conspiratorially, That might be just what they need.