Cherry Two

Part 24

Chapter 22

That afternoon Kent showed up and Keenan called a family conference. Everyone sat around the main solarium among potted plants, with Kent sprawled on the floor as usual in cut-off jeans and a sweatshirt without sleeves. Keenan had changed and looked uncharacteristically businesslike for a weekend at home.

He put his arm around Sonia. "Alain, I'm going to need your help with something very important at work. It means going downtown with us each morning until it's finished. Are you ready for some real department work? I'll see to it you're paid."

Alain glanced at Calley then back to Keenan, confused. "Well... yes, of course I will. You know I'd like nothing better."

"Good. We start Monday."

"But what about Calley?" Alain reached for the girl. "She'll be on her own."

"That's the other reason why I wanted this get-together. We all know the situation regarding Sonia's father—your grandfather, boys."

"MEN! We're men, not boys," Kent piped up, sullen. His impatient bare feet wagged about on the tiled floor.

"Yeah? Well men take responsibility." Keenan retorted through clenched teeth.

Sonia grabbed his hand. "Don't get upset. He's only seventeen."

Kent seemed to seethe. "He's always taking Alain's side. Making out I'm a dummy."

"To get back to what I was saying. Calley, would you like to spend your last week with Robert up in Monterey? Sonia has agreed. She'll also allow you... 'MEN' to visit with him if and when you like. Understand, the rift between your mother and your grandfather can't be fixed. This is merely a concession, so let's not get carried away. How about it, Calley, shall I call Robert? We're not trying to get rid of you, only you might be bored for hours on your own."

Calley was no dummy either. From her talks with Robert, Sonia would never have agreed to anything like this. Clearly they wanted her well away from Alain. She hunched forward in the chair and laced her fingers together. "Well if Alain's going to be busy... I guess I'll go."

Keenan got to his feet. "Great. Then that's it. I'll book you on a flight to the peninsula tonight and run you out to LAX. We'll see you back here next weekend." He made an about—face and headed for the nearest phone.

Sonia moved over and took hold of Calley's hand. "Are you sure you're okay about this, love?"

The girl barely looked at her, not smiling. She gave a quick nod as Alain looked on. Lethargic Kent hauled himself up from the floor and sloped off to raid the fridge.

***

"They know," Calley announced.

Alain made sure the study door had closed all the way. "No they don't. Besides, what is there to know?"

Calley cupped her mouth with both hands as if in prayer. "Alright—they think they know. Let's face it, Alain; I'm not good enough for you. I was supposed to go ga-ga over your bonehead brother. They think I'm somehow seducing you against your will."

He moved in closer and gripped Calley's bare arms. "Well... the seducing part's not exactly wrong."

She grabbed a hold of him around the waist and buried her face in his chest. "Oh, Alain, I want you so bad."

He hesitated before placing a hand on her hair. "Look, Calley, we had some fun. This work thing with Dad is what I want. It may have come about because of you and me, but I don't care—I'm ready. We'll see each other before you leave."