Chapter Four Family Tree
May 2022
Since the family dinner had baptized Olivia by fire in Christine’s style, she didn’t worry about what to wear to lunch. It was already 85 degrees, and her white eyelet romper with capped sleeves was the perfect summer outfit. She paired it with her white Hermès heeled espadrilles with a braided detail on the wedge.
Olivia checked the living room. Seeing that her parents weren’t there, she walked out the front door. She didn’t want to sneak around, but she wasn’t ready for the conversation with her mother about Christine.
She walked for ten minutes and found her grandmother waiting in her pearl white Lexus. Christine rolled down her window. Oversized Gucci sunglasses nearly covered her pale elfin face.
Olivia opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. The smell of new car and leather teased her senses.
“We’re going to go a little farther out today and drive to DC. I’ve made reservations at Ocean Prime. You like octopus, scallops?”
“I do.” Olivia’s voice was brighter than her feelings. Instead of dining closer to Highland Beach, they were going deep into Washington, DC. Maybe Christine was ashamed of Olivia?
“Excellent. Their food is divine.”
Dr. LaGrange’s voice entered her mind.
Don’t assume. Just ask.
Olivia cleared her throat. “Is there a reason you selected this restaurant?”
“Now, I know you’re in Sag Harbor, but I’d argue the way we prepare our seafood in DC and Baltimore is even more delicious.”
“I hear the restaurants in Annapolis are very good, too. Not as far as DC.”
“I see.” Christine gripped the wheel, then glanced at Olivia.
“It’s just that—”
“Alan told me yesterday that you aren’t sure how long you are staying. And that you’ve been avoiding engaging with our neighbors.”
“I have.”
“Why?” Christine stopped at a red light and then stared at her. “Why?” she repeated her question, this time softly.
“I worry that once the news of my existence breaks out, it will negatively affect CJ’s career.”
“So I have an altruistic granddaughter.” Christine harrumphed. She tapped her pale pink fingernails against the leather steering wheel. “Surely CJ, a man you’ve only just met, isn’t the only reason you want to lie low.”
Ah, there she is, Olivia thought to herself. The woman Ama and Cindy warned her about. The woman who wanted to know everything about family, friends, and foes.
Olivia swallowed. “I don’t want to be known as the love child of Cindy and CJ. I’ve done a lot of... of growing this past year, but I don’t want to go to that place of insecurity again. I won’t tolerate anyone who makes me feel unworthy.”
Olivia exhaled when the light turned green, and Christine returned her attention to driving the car. She changed the music station to smooth jazz until they arrived at the restaurant.
Christine already had a table reserved in the back of the restaurant, away from the bathroom, away from prying eyes.
After they ordered oysters, goat cheese ravioli, sautéed shrimp, and wine, Christine launched into a series of questions. Olivia noticed a pattern to her questions. She started off safe, with rather disarmingly charming inquiries, like her favorite toy as a child. Olivia had forgotten about a beautiful rag doll named Suzy that Omar and Ama had bought for her.
Olivia could’ve sworn she saw a flicker of annoyance on Christine’s face. And maybe it was her imagination, but jealousy, too. The Black elite circles were small, and Christine had met Ama a handful of times, according to her godmother.
Hoping to bridge the uncomfortable divide, Olivia jumped in to ask Christine’s favorite color, but the woman soon took back control, launching more personal questions. “Are you dating, dear?”
Olivia did not share that she nearly married Anderson, but did divulge that she and a neighbor had been dating for a little less than a year. She also gushed about Garrett’s adorable daughter, Zora, who was also her goddaughter.
“You have many ties to Sag Harbor.”
“I do. I love it there.” Olivia found Sag Harbor charming, but it was the spirit of the people that had captured her heart. People there understood they needed to fight unapologetically to keep their homes away from greedy developers. And what’s more, she’d discovered herself in Sag Harbor the previous summer. She’d fallen in love with the confident and beautiful woman she was today.
“Have you visited before?” Olivia asked. Though she knew the answer, she needed a reprieve from Christine’s curious yet pointed questions.
“Oh yes. My sister and her husband lived there for a long time.”
Christine tipped the deep red merlot into her mouth and then cleared her throat. “Tell me your favorite place to visit.”
“Italy.”
“Favorite city?”
“Florence.”
“The shopping!” they both exclaimed.
When she was a teenager, Omar and Ama had taken the goddaughters to Florence when fall break came during the same time frame for all three of them. They’d sampled delicious treats like lemon and pistachio gelato while walking the narrow, cobbled streets within the old city walls. They’d each chosen a gift. Olivia had gone with a Prada purse.
“What was your favorite purchase?” her grandmother asked.
“My favorite purchase was from Ferragamo. A sheer, off-the-shoulder blue-and-lime dress.” Olivia had bought that dress on her second trip to Florence, during her third year at Goldman Sachs. She’d also gifted herself a matching purse, stilettos, and an amazing lover.
“You must be having some memory.” Christine’s syrupy voice and lifted eyebrow snapped her back to attention. She could just imagine her grandmother’s thoughts.
“It was an unforgettable experience.” Olivia’s cheeks warmed. “I can’t wait to return.”
This time she’d love to see Paris, Rome, and Florence through Zora’s and Garrett’s eyes. An Italian summer, just the three of them. She could feel their hands holding her own. Her heart raced from the fantasy. Shaking her head, she focused on the shrewd woman in front of her.
“Where’s your favorite city to visit?” she asked her grandmother.
“Singapore.” Christine rested her pointed chin on her hand. She smiled idly, as if reliving a beloved memory. “Talk about shopping—just pure opulence. Spas and the food... incredible. It’s the best I’ve ever had. Have you been?”
Olivia shook her head. She’d had a trip to Singapore planned about five years ago until work got in the way. “I haven’t been to Asia at all, but I would love to visit.”
They continued chatting, and soon Olivia broke the vow she’d given to her mother about avoiding personal topics and sang like a canary. However, when Christine asked about past hardships, Olivia talked about food, travel, and shopping instead.
Not life, death, money.
After a few hours of eating and drinking and talking, Olivia looked around and realized the staff had changed over to prepare for the evening rush.
Christine noticed as well. She glanced at her rose-gold Gucci watch. “Goodness. It’s a quarter to four.”
After they walked to the car and got in their seats, Christine pressed the ignition but kept the car idling.
“You know, there’s a wonderful boutique a little closer to home in Annapolis. It’s no Florence, but they have the most brilliant colors and patterns in the area. Would it... would you mind extending our day a bit?”
Olivia’s smile spread so wide her cheeks stretched. “Of course.”
Christine smiled and then shifted gears to Drive. “You know, my Indigo wasn’t much of a shopper. But she had a distinct style. Polka dots, stripes, sometimes at the same time.”
When Christine shuddered, Olivia laughed.
“I can’t say that I miss the ’80s style,” Christine explained. “Give me ’50s, ’60s, skip the ’80s and ’90s and early 2000s.” Christine waved her hand. “But now... now is good. It seems like we’ve returned to our fashion senses.”
Christine drove deeper into Annapolis and pulled into a cute shop off the corner of Main Street.
They entered the shop, and Olivia soon found a few items to add to her summer wardrobe.
Christine clapped, sipping champagne that they’d been given upon arrival, as Olivia modeled a strapless midi dress from the Sergio Hudson collection.
“You look beautiful, Olivia.”
“Thank you.”
“I insist on buying this for you.”
Olivia twirled again, meeting Christine’s eyes in the mirror. “I appreciate the gesture, but I like to pay my own way.”
Christine stared, her eyes blazing with something Olivia couldn’t identify.
“Believe me, I know I can’t buy you, nor do I want to. But if I’m being honest with myself, this is the best time I’ve had in a long while. Alan is a dear, but he has no patience for shopping. Charles is... he enjoys his alone time. And my dear sister Sandra is taking care of her husband, Jeff. She won’t be down for a visit for some time. So this,” she waved her hand with the champagne, “is all the girl time I have.”
“What about your friends?”
“The friends my age live here part-time. They’re here for a few weeks, and then they are raring to go back to their children and grandchildren. I’m not one to beg, but...” She exhaled. “Please let me commemorate this special day.”
Olivia shook her head. “I really couldn’t—”
“I saw you eyeing those earrings near the counter. So was I. Why don’t I buy those instead?”
Olivia remembered the price. It wasn’t as steep as the dress, and her mother wouldn’t look twice at pearl and silver studs.
“I suppose that’s fine.”
Christine lifted her glass in the air as if toasting to her good fortune and then downed the rest.
As the sales associate wrapped the earrings, a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early forties walked into the store.
“Well, hello, stranger!” She greeted Christine like an old friend.
“Lauren, hello!” They leaned forward, but instead of the hug Olivia had expected to see, they air-kissed. “How’s work been treating you? Charles told me you could barely come up for air.”
The woman tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder and gave Christine a smile tighter than her skirt. “Did he now?”
Christine cleared her throat and shrugged.
“Well, work is going well. I had a tough case, but that’s been over for weeks.” Lauren’s voice trailed off when she turned her attention to Olivia. Her tight smile morphed into an open-mouthed stare.
“And w-who is this young lady beside you?”
“I’m Olivia.”
“Olivia?” Lauren offered her hand. “I’m Lauren. Lauren Miles. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Olivia replied, though she couldn’t get a beat on the woman. Lauren looked at her without malice, but certainly strangely. While Lauren studied her face, Olivia swore she could see the woman’s pulse throb at the base of her throat.
Olivia tried to remove her hand, but Lauren didn’t let go. Then, as if she were coming to her senses, she shook her head and finally released Olivia’s hand. “S-sorry. You look like... you look familiar.” She laughed to herself and took a step back.
She dragged her gaze from Olivia back to Christine. “Well, Mrs. Jones. I would love to have lunch or dinner soon.”
“Yes, of course,” Christine replied. “You’re always welcome in our family.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Lauren laughed. “I wouldn’t want to be on a Jones’s bad side.” She tapped Christine’s shoulder with affection.
Christine looked at the spot on her shoulder, then back at Lauren. Her smile, a little less wide now. “No indeed. I’ll see you soon.”
“I’m looking forward to that invite.” Lauren gave Olivia one last smile before leaving the shop.
When Lauren walked away, Christine slipped to the other side of the store. Olivia trailed her grandmother, eager for details about Lauren and CJ’s relationship. Christine pulled a pale-yellow blouse from the rack. “Now this would look absolutely amazing on you.”
But Christine didn’t say anything about Lauren, and after they left the shop, she deftly maneuvered to keep the conversation focused on fashion as they rode back to Highland Beach.
“I love what you’re wearing today,” Christine complimented Olivia. “Who is the designer?”
“Feben. She’s a Black designer based in London and a veritable genius at her craft. I...” Olivia bit her lip. She had almost confessed what she loved most about the designer—that she explored and redefined feelings of displacement. “I’m a big fan,” Olivia finished softly.
For miles, she’d waited for an explanation from her chatty grandmother about the woman they’d met at the store. But after they hit the city limits, Olivia dropped the pretense. “Christine.” Olivia turned in her seat for a clear view of her grandmother’s expression. “Is Lauren a friend of yours?”
“Oh, Lauren is more like an acquaintance. She and Charles date.”
“Date? As in presently?” If Olivia had had antennas, they’d have risen to the moon.
Christine shrugged. “Who knows with Charles? But they attend events together, and she’s been a huge help during the campaign when... when things got sticky for Charles. I like her, and honestly...” she cut a look at Olivia and then sighed. “They’re well matched.”
Olivia’s mouth went dry. She didn’t want to believe that CJ had his perfect, well-hidden family at home and ran around with the incredibly beautiful Lauren Miles during the day. And what exactly happened before she and her mother arrived? Not only Christine but Alan had alluded to some troubles with CJ’s job.
Olivia’s heart hurt for her mother. I’ll just have to ask about his intentions, she told herself.
Lying in bed that night, Olivia found she couldn’t relax enough to fall asleep. She didn’t know what to say to her mother. Her phone was on Silent, but she heard it when it chirped. Ama’s name flashed across the screen.
She accepted her godmother’s call.
“Hello, Ama.”
“How was your day, cher?” Ama’s voice instantly soothed Olivia’s anxiety. She wasn’t at all surprised by her godmother’s phone call. She’d told her about her plans for the day.
“It went well.”
“Really? How so?”
Olivia told her the truth. That Christine had been charming—so charming that she gleaned information regarding her childhood, like her favorite toys.
“Maybe old age has softened her,” Ama seemed to mutter to herself.
“Maybe it has, she really—”
“Or maybe she’s playing the long game. Fattening the cow to slaughter, so to speak.”
“I’m a cow now?” Olivia’s voice pitched high.
“Now, cher. I would never call you anything so vulgar. I just know her game. She wines and dines you, and then lets you down.”
Olivia swallowed her sighs because Ama did not tolerate sighs. To sigh was to lose hope, to give in audibly to weakness when one only needed silent strength.
“I know about Christine’s checkered past, but it seems like she wants to get to know me.”
“And what do you want, cher?”
“I don’t want the locals whispering behind my back.”
“Everyone knows everyone, just like Oak Bluffs and Sag Harbor. Yes, there will be talk, but guess what?”
“What?”
“You won’t die. It’ll run its course.”
Olivia didn’t answer. She didn’t want to be on a “course” to begin with.
“You don’t think I’ve had rumors about me? A Black woman in the ’60s who bossed over those white boys?” she huffed. “They didn’t just call me the Witch of Wall Street. I can’t tell you how many times I heard those god-awful rumors about sleeping my way to the top.”
“I didn’t know about that.” Though the rumors didn’t surprise Olivia.
“Because rumors eventually lose their steam. They fall away and the person’s character and reputation remain. And that’s what you’ll do, my beautiful girl. You will weather whatever storm blows your way.”
“But what if it blows me away?” Olivia realized she had voiced that fear out loud only when Ama replied.
“Then I’ll pull you right back.” Then Ama chuckled. “But something tells me Charles and Cindy won’t let their girl fly away.”
Olivia soon said goodbye and hung up. For once, a call with Ama hadn’t cleared her mind or heart.
What needled Olivia the most was that she wasn’t sure if Lauren was CJ’s girlfriend. And even more disturbing—she wasn’t sure how serious he was about her mother.
It took a special woman to be the wife of a powerful man. After almost three decades as a widow, Cindy deserved to be a man’s sole focus.