Chapter 4 - THE FIRST DINNERBeatrice Montgomery met Audra with perfect manners.
That was almost worse than open hatred.
She smiled.
Asked about Kentucky.
Complimented her dress.
Offered wine.
Then spent entire dinner proving Audra did not belong.
Camille asked:
“So what did you do before meeting Grant?”
Audra smiled.
“I worked at hospital and kept books for construction firm.”
Camille:
“How charming.”
Beatrice asked:
“Did you finish college?”
“Yes. State university.”
“Ah.”
One syllable.
Enough.
Grant noticed some.
Not all.
He squeezed Audra’s hand under table.
Caleb was four then.
He sat between Grant and Audra, too young to understand class contempt.
Beatrice watched him carefully.
At dessert she asked:
“And Caleb’s father?”
Audra stiffened.
Grant answered.
“Not involved much.”
Beatrice looked at Audra.
“How unfortunate.”
Then:
“Children need stability.”
Grant set fork down.
“Caleb has stability.”
Beatrice smiled at son.
“Of course.”
Afterward, in car, Audra said:
“Your mother hates me.”
Grant laughed.
“She hates everybody at first.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He kissed her hand.
“She’ll adjust.”
That sentence became foundation of too much suffering.
She’ll adjust.
Camille will grow up.
Mom doesn’t mean it.
Give it time.
A year later they married.
Grant wanted Audra and Caleb to live with him in family mansion temporarily while east-wing residence on property was renovated.
Temporarily became permanent because Grant traveled.
Beatrice liked having son under same roof.
Audra did not.
But she tried.
First Thanksgiving after marriage, Beatrice arranged gifts for every child attending.
Caleb waited patiently.
One package for cousin Emma.
Another for Luke.
Another for twins.
Nothing for Caleb.
Audra thought mistake.
She whispered:
“Did Caleb’s gift get misplaced?”
Beatrice did not lower voice.
“Those are Montgomery family gifts.”
Audra stared.
“Caleb is part of family.”
Beatrice smiled.
“Of course, dear.”
But no gift appeared.
Grant was in New York closing merger.
Caleb asked in car:
“Did Grandma forget me?”
Audra swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Should I remind her?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“We’ll get you something tomorrow.”
She bought toy train and wrapped it herself.
Told Caleb Beatrice found missing gift.
It was first lie.
Not to Grant.
To Caleb.
To protect him from truth.
Later Grant asked on phone:
“How was Thanksgiving?”
Audra looked at Caleb playing with train.
“Fine.”
That was second lie.
May you like
She believed she was keeping peace.
In reality, she was teaching Beatrice there would be no consequence.
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