(This story interlocks with each chapter so if you come into this story other than the beginning, then you may well scratch your head at some of the comments within this chapter. I've tried to make this a glimpse into the lives and lifestyle of three people. They chose to keep there lives private, isn't it strange how life never lets that happen.)
*
Frankie and I had established a good working routine. Frankie had become the company's the primary point of contact for all but the most technical or complex business related issues. I was spending less and less time dealing with administration and, thankfully, more and more time working on my projects ... my first love. She has grown enough in her role that she has been making decisions on my or Mrs. Gillins behalf if neither of us are available although she always leaves a memo to me and Mrs. Gillins on her decisions so we are not blindsided later.
She continues to grow more confident and capable as she sees me approve of more and more of her work. Sometimes I have watched her work and she just exudes confidence. Mrs. Gillins had told me that she noticed the same thing when we had one of our coffee breaks ... At least that's what she calls it. It always feels more like a lecture from mom to me but I have to humor her.
It had been three months since our visit to the Harper Palace and I had yet to check in with either Red or Samantha. I never needed to with Red and I knew Samantha was so desperate for the same status that she wouldn't dare do anything to rock the boat. I had to show trust and expected them both to follow the rules that their status required of them. But, of course, that was three months ago.
"Frankie when was the last time you spoke to Samantha?"
She looked up from the mountain of paperwork parked in front of her.
"About two weeks ago. I tried calling her two nights ago but she didn't pick up."
I started having a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Frankie watched as I picked up the phone and called Red. She answered on the fourth ring.
"Red when was the last time you spoke to Frankie?"
"Hi Jack, good afternoon to you, too. Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking. How are you and Frankie doing? ... (Pregnant pause) ... I spoke to her two days ago. You were in one of the labs so we snuck in a half hour conversation."
"When was the last time you spoke to Samantha?"
"That would be close to three weeks. I called her a day or so ago but got no answer so I left a message."
I thanked Red and apologized for not asking after her and hung up. I phoned Samantha from my cell phone so she would know who called. I hung up when my call rolled over to voicemail thinking it best not to leave a message. I started contemplating everything that could possibly be happening with Samantha as I stared at the documents Frankie left on my desk for review. Finally shaking off my cycle of dark futile thoughts I told Frankie I was going to see Marlon.
I was sure she was on the phone to Red before I even entered the lab. I told Marlon what I wanted and the specs. Marlon started his usual rant about the impossibility of what I was asking.
I stood staring at him with a smirk and said, "Yeah, right, like it was impossible before our last half dozen insanely successful products."
He quieted looked grim and nodded. So we set about bouncing ideas off of each other until we had a working theory. I then gave him a month to make it work since the technology was already out there all he was going to have to do was adapt it. He asked for six weeks.
I expected him to ask for two months so I agreed. He was already wiping the white board in his office ready to work on the design. My next visit was to Mrs. Gillins. She took one look on my face and she sent her assistant out of the office to do some photo copying and filing.
"Ok, what's up?"
"Marlon is working on a special project for me. I need you to liaise for him. He has been authorized to procure any equipment he may ask for and funded from my personal account not the business account. Everything goes through you unless there is a problem that needs my input. You will pass those issues directly to me."
"Is this legal?"
"Yes, it's legal but it's very personal. I will understand if you decline."
She just grinned and shook her head telling me to get out of her office. She has work to do. I knew she had my back. We had been together too damn long not to watch out for each other. With everything in motion I settled back into work. I even offered to help with the mountain of paperwork Frankie had in front of her. That's when she became all territorial. She stood with her arms crossed barring me from her desk. She told me with no uncertain terms that this is hers and if I so much as move one piece of paper on her desk she will dump the whole thing back on my desk and take an "indefinite vacation." I backed towards my desk slowly.
She returned to her work mumbling, "Bosses really need to know where the boundaries are."
Samantha phoned back later that evening. We exchanged pleasantries then I told her that she needed to be here in six weeks for a week. She said she was looking forward to it. We ended our conversation wishing each other a goodnight. Frankie watched me the whole time. She started to speak but thought better of it.
"Something is on your mind?"
"You have doubts about my sister. Something is troubling you I can see it, what do you want me to do?"
"Do nothing you don't normally do. I have the rest covered."
Frankie wanted to say more but nodded in acquiescence. I told her that Samantha would be here for a week and as soon as she left we would need to do a little traveling.
The next morning Frankie started on our itinerary and had me booked as one of the speakers at a seminar in Cincinnati, two visits to companies we dealt with in the area and another visit to a new company that expressed interest in our area of expertise. Our 'travel' wall started to crowd up with news clippings, executive summaries, schedules and technical synopsis. Mrs. Gillins came in and took one look at the wall and shook her head.
"If you guys are going to keep doing this I'm going to get that wall cork covered the next time you're away. I will even set up a separate line item in our budget to track pins and ribbon expenditure."
Peace reigned for the next six weeks. I left Marlon alone and I'm sure he was grateful for that. Samantha called twice in those six weeks and I let Frankie talk to her both times. Mrs. Gillins called me down to her office and handed me a sheet of paper with the final costs of what I had asked Marlon to do. My soft whistle as I read the figure was comment enough but it was a one off item so I knew it was going to be expensive. I thanked Mrs. Gillins and then heading off to see Marlon to learn the abilities and limitations of the gadget and, of course, start playing with it.
Red was also due back but her schedule would be tight. This new film was starting to look like an epic and the Director as well as the film company wanted to keep the same crew together for the sequel. For my part I would like her to finish both movies. The commendations she would be getting from the production would do her a world of good as she leaves Hollywood behind and start a new chapter in her life with us. Samantha arrived at the cabin first. She was waiting in her rental when we got back from the office. Red pulled up about an hour later.
Frankie squealed and jumped into Red's arms as soon as she came through the door. Frankie dragged Red away all the while whispering. Red turns to me with a sparkle in her eyes. What was that about? I left the girls to play catch up while I did some work in the den. The smell of dinner wafting through the open door soon caught my attention and we settled down to eat.
"Samantha, are you enjoying your new status?"
"Very much so, thank you. It fits in with what Daddy has me doing. I must say it did take some time to get back in the saddle. People thought I was getting soft over the time I lost my way. Those that have seen me since then have altered their opinion. It seems Samantha the hard nose is back."
She giggled and Frankie smiled. Red simply watched and said nothing.
"You know your mother will be here in three days time."
"Yes, she didn't say why but I get the impression she isn't going to like being here."
"Your Mother stuck her nose into our business. She has to be reminded that while you are here you are mine. You shared with her what I was going to do and she took it upon herself to stop it from happening. That's why she is coming."
For the next two days we did nothing but picnic by the lake and sunbathe. The girls bonded, teased each other terribly and swam often. Although the play room door remained open I didn't use it. The afternoon before Peggy-Sue was due to arrive I asked Frankie to pack a bag. I then told her that Red was taking her to a clinic tomorrow. She was going to have her body hair lasered off and then both girls were going to be pampered for two days while she rested.
"Oh that sounds like fun, can I go?"
"Not this trip. Your Mother will be here tomorrow and we have one final thing to do to reinforce your status."
I could see it in her eyes. Frankie knew something was going on. I had heaped so much onto such a young lady. I just hoped her training would hold her together. Red and I had discussed this and we both hoped this trip to the clinic and the spa would take her mind off of this whole situation. It still didn't stop her from crying when she said her goodbyes though. Samantha and I watched them leave and she looked at me expectantly. Her Norplant had been installed by her family doctor in Salt Lake City and the report was sent to Doc Kellerman soon after her trip to see Red. I had the feeling she expected me to make good use of it.
My sending her to sleep in Frankie's old room ended that speculation. She made it to the center of the day room before she broke down and said something.
"I don't understand. We are alone and you still won't take me to bed."
When she said that, I smiled. Walked over to her and held onto her hugging her tightly.
