Eleanor had always thought very highly of herself. Too highly.
Despite her meager background, she imagined and attempted to carry herself like royalty, a proper lady; better than everyone she came in contact with. Someone that others should bow and cater to. She was indeed full of herself.
At age 48, the Jamaican born and raised divorcee had only been living and working in the US for a few years. After her daughter left home and married a British man, her husband of almost thirty years realized that he could no longer stomach her arrogance and pettiness. He left her to work with his brother on a fishing boat like he'd always intended.
Unable to endure the comments and gazes of her neighbors and false friends, Eleanor decided it was time to go for a "visit" with her younger sister, Patricia, who worked as a nurse in New Jersey.
But after a year of her moaning and complaining about everything from the food to the weather, Pat was suddenly reminded of why she'd left her older sister behind in Jamaica. She subtly recommended that Eleanor look for a job find a place of her own.
But for a middle-aged immigrant with very little actual work experience, employment prospects were limited. Patricia assisted by introducing her to a young black doctor at the hospital where she worked. Dr. Williams was interested in finding someone to replace his former housekeeper who had recently left to marry. The position required modest work, paid well and provided a place to stay. Since both he and his wife worked very long hours, they need someone to watch and care for their spacious home and look after their teenage son, Thomas.
Initially, Eleanor turned her nose at the thought of becoming anyone's "maid", but especially one who worked for "those black Americans", whom she naturally thought were beneath her. But when her sister suggested she go back to her "friends" in Jamaica, she reconsidered.
After several months all parties involved grew accustomed to one another. Since both Dr. Williams and his wife held Patricia in such high regard, they allowed themselves to tolerate Eleanor's arrogance and vanity. Thomas had the most difficult time with her, especially when she made a point of correcting or putting down almost everything he did and said. But out of respect to his parents, he tried to be respectful to her as well.
Around August of the following year, Dr. Williams and his wife announced that they would be taking a month long Alaskan cruise to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. As much as Thomas was happy for them, he was also pissed, because that meant he would be left at home with Eleanor.
Eleanor, of course, was delighted. She had already begun to regard herself as the true "lady of the house". Thomas merely did his best to avoid her at all costs.
On the day they left, Dr. Williams and his wife gave a few last minute instructions to Eleanor, asking her to use her "better judgment" if immediate decisions needed to be made. Then they both pulled their son aside and apologized for leaving him behind, and promised to make it up to him. Then they also made him promise to continue to "mind his manners", (despite his true feelings) and be respectful of Eleanor's authority.
The first few days weren't so bad for Thomas. Eleanor kept to herself and tended to her duties, allowing him some space. Very little was said between them, beyond a few pleasantries, and all seemed well.
But then Eleanor got bored...
The following weekend, having nothing else to do, Eleanor decided to plan a small dinner party. The Williams' had allowed her to have friends over on several occasions so it wasn't a problem.
But Eleanor didn't want to just have a few people over for sandwiches and chips. What she had in mind was a much grander affair; something where she imagined invited guests "basking in her presence". That was the start of problems for Thomas.
Once the planning started, it was hard to tell who actually worked for whom. "Thomas... Come boy! I need ya ta go fetch a few t'ing's...!"
This went on several times a day for the entire week! By Friday, the day of the "event", Thomas saw red whenever he looked at the woman. Once guests arrived things got even worse. Thomas became butler, bartender, coat-checker, parking attendant.
Only Eleanor's sister showed any concern for the liberties that she was taking.
"Are you sure the folks don't min' ya havin' guest in dere house while they're trav'lin'?" Patricia inquired.
