Strawberry Shine

Chapter 16 - Ten Years After High School

Chapter 16 - Ten Years after High School

Angelica

Beth McGhee called me at work. She asked, "Do you remember me from high school?"

"I do. You and your three cousins, Trish, Allie and Amber were my best friends. How are ya'll doing?"

"All four of us are here at my house. I live next door to my mother and father."

"Your parents gave Trish your phone number. I knew you lived in Nashville. I hoped you would come home more often."

"Sorry, my job keeps me busy."

"I am Chair-person for our ten-year reunion to be held October third. Can you come?"

"Let me think about it."

Good, I'll return the call next week."

"One question, will Hector be there?"

"Even if he came, he would not be alone. He has a girlfriend. They have been dating for several years. He doesn't go anywhere without her. She lives in a mansion in Trenton. Nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried."

"I believe he hates you. He would avoid you if he knew you were coming."

"Call me next week."

Beth hung up. Hector saturated her mind. How could I love a man who let another die for him.

Mr. Donelson's secretary phoned and declared, "The boss wished to confer with you, when you have a chance."

Her tone resonated with an unusual beat. The routine call summoned me to appear in ten minutes. Immediate haste drew me to his office.

"Mr. Donelson, you wished to see me."

"Yes, Angelica have a seat."

"Yes sir." He acted very nice.

"Angelica, I'm considering retirement. My son poses no interest in the business. A fascinated party appraised the firm as an investment. He requested my recommendation for an executive manager to supervise the company. I plan to propose your name to the new owner."

"Thank you, sir, I am honored, and I will consider it."

Selling the company and becoming manager shocked my goals. I toyed with the concept of resigning. My work differed from writing novels and screen plays. Thirty, sixty and ninety second commercials yielded me unfulfilled. I created models that excelled in the advertising world but left me frustrated.

I spent a week on vacation considering Mr. Donelson's proposal. I went to the office, and tendered my resignation. I explained my aspirations of writing novels. He wished me a happy and fulfilled life. My severance pay, and cashing in unused vacation rendered enough to live on for a year.

October three was close. Why not go home and procure a proper perception? I called Beth and admitted I desired a transformation in my life. She volunteered to assist me to discover what my life lacked.

At twenty-eight I decided what I wanted to do. I intended to achieve my dream. I prepared the first draft of a novel containing ninety thousand words. It requires editing and polishing.

I arrived at home in my new red Ford Galaxie.

Dad frowned. "Where's the truck?"

"Dad, it was twenty years old."

"Just getting broken in."

Joey, Allie and their three kids were waiting for their Aunt Angelica.

Joey, Jr. said, "Aunt Angelica, we saw your commercial with Jethro the talking mule who sells Fords. He makes us laugh with his Hee Haws, clomps and skids."

"Thank you."

Julie said, "Aunt Angelica, I like Clothes Pin Man who brags about how soft the laundry will be if they use Certa Soft in the rinse cycle. Daddy informed us if it's one of your commercials. They caused us to giggle."

Ralph meandered from back of the house. He said, "I don't bounce and jump much. Old age caught up with me."

I visited Mrs Thomas after school. She seemed to be as busy when she was my teacher.

She said, I followed you through college and graduate school. I am proud of your accomplishments. You signed a form permitting the university to send us a copy of your grades. Your lowest grade was one B+ in a Calculus class. You graduated summa cum laude, and all your professors loved you. Angelica McGhee represented Gibson completely."

"You created full details. What are your plans? I've completed a first draft of a novel and outlined two others"

"Your Mother keeps me apprised of all your accomplishments, and I am on the scholarship committee that approved your grant and stipend. Hector's father funded the program, and Hector renews the funding each year."

My face heated, shoulders stiffened and nostrils flared, "You mean that rascal Hector gave me the scholarship?"

"No Maam, the committee has a representative from each high school in Gibson County. Hector's father initiated the program, but hundreds of contributors donate to it. The donors have no say in who is selected. We, the committee, adhere to a code to refrain from influence by those outside our group. I only stated that Hector is benevolent to insure the funding continues. The original committee determined the qualifications for submission. I am sorry I did not make that clear."

"What about the title – Governor's Class A scholarship?"

"The original committee was required to have the governor at the time in office approval. It was catalogued as class A. Thus, the name developed from a legal process. It originated in Gibson County for students graduating from the county high schools. Regardless of your problem with Hector, he is an honorable man and a war hero. The scholarship is only one of his compassionate projects. If I may add, he is the largest employer in the county. His employees love him. He pays higher wages and better benefits than any other company."

After dinner, I helped Allie and her three children clean the kitchen. I invited my brother and his family to Mamma's Café and Store for frozen custard with strawberry topping. While we waited on our order, Hector and an attractive woman enter the café. He waved at me. A sour taste surged into my mouth. I went to the ladies room with a paper cup to wash out my mouth.

The woman followed me and waited for me to finish. She pushed her way into the room with me.

"What are you doing? I want you to know I am a Grandmaster of Fraternal Fear and I can knock your crazy butt to the floor."

"I am not selling anything. You probably have the ability kill me, and I would deserve it. However, I have something say, and what I tell you will change your life. So go ahead and kill me, and you will never know how I wrecked your life.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Shut up and you will be enlightened about a mistake concerning your future."

"And that would be?"