Chapter Eighteen The Turning Point
Chapter Eighteen
The Turning Point
Saturday
Madison barely got any sleep last night. Her lunch with Victor sparked a level of enthusiasm that had been missing from her professional life for a while. This podcast could be something fun and fulfilling, and no one would be nixing her ideas.
She and Victor had climbed the rungs of the magazine’s ladder together.
They were both disheartened by the prospect of being out of work, and they recognized that finding a job when you’re hovering around fifty isn’t easy.
There were fewer jobs at their level, and youth and technology cost the companies less than a high-end executive.
During her tossing and turning, Madison concluded that she had to move on, regardless of what the merger would bring.
This was the Universe giving her a message loud and clear that she deserved to be the leading lady in her life.
If she succeeded, it would be fantastic.
If not, she would dust herself off and start again.
For the fourth … or was it fifth … time. She stopped keeping track.
However, today she was going to focus on her date, keeping herself open to whatever would come in that realm, too.
She stretched and jostled the kitties, who were still sleeping peacefully beside her.
They were used to getting up early, but this was getting ridiculous.
Mario looked up at her, then put his head down and went back to sleep.
Luigi took the opportunity to snuggle up closer to his mommy before she started her day.
Madison considered what Viggo would be grilling tonight.
A nice juicy steak, prepared by someone else, made her mouth water.
She flung the covers off and catapulted herself from the bed.
Luigi followed. Mario yawned and slowly got off the bed, too.
If breakfast was being served, he might as well be in on it while it was fresh from the can.
Madison saw the felines following her and laughed. She was glad that her kitties had adjusted well to their new environment. They seemed to love it, especially the sunroom. Who wouldn’t? It had a beautiful view, and the birds made for great entertainment.
That reminded her: she needed to fill the feeder. Ever since Lincoln put it up, more birds flocked to it. Word must have gotten out to the feathered community that there was a new aerial snack bar for the songbirds.
After feeding Mario and Luigi, Madison set to making herself some coffee.
She looked at the window and saw the sun creeping over the horizon, creating streaks of yellow and orange.
Madison wondered if it qualified for the saying Red skies at morning, sailors take warning.
She decided to ask Viggo. It would be a good conversation starter.
Not that they needed one, but Madison was a bit nervous.
Tonight would be different. Intimate. At least that’s what she hoped for.
Not necessarily sexual. Well, maybe. If he kissed her the way he had several nights before, she thought they might need a fire extinguisher. She laughed to herself.
It had been an exceptionally long time since she’d made love with a man. It’s like riding a bicycle, she told herself, and laughed out loud.
Madison took her coffee to the patio and tried not to think too much about tonight. She’d take it as it came.
About an hour later, Olivia joined her on the patio.
“Good morning. You’re up early,” Olivia said, yawning.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Ah … thoughts of your rendezvous with the captain, keeping you hot and bothered?” her sister-in-law teased.
“Yes,” Madison admitted. “But I’m also excited about launching this podcast with Victor.”
Madison began to go into more detail about their plans, but stopped suddenly with an idea: “How would you feel about becoming a PA? Production Assistant?” Madison asked casually. “I couldn’t pay you, at least not at first.”
Olivia sighed. “If you didn’t ask me, I would be highly insulted, disturbed, and hurt.
As far as paying me? We can figure something out.
You paid for the house for the summer. It’s been a wonderful escape from the noise and the hustle.
” Granted, they lived in a suburban type of neighborhood, but they were surrounded by the energy and commotion of New York.
“So, do we have a deal?” Madison put her hand out to shake.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Olivia shook her sister-in-law’s hand and then gave her a big hug.
Lincoln entered the patio during this lovefest.
“Hey, what’s with all this hugging? I feel like I’m missing out on something,” he teased.
“I told you about my podcast idea? Well, Olivia agreed to be our production assistant. But I don’t like the word assistant. You can be a producer.” Madison grinned over her mug of coffee.
“Wait. What?” Lincoln asked. “Are you both quitting your jobs?”
“We may not have a choice. In the meantime, we are executing a side hustle.”
“I see,” Lincoln said. “Obviously, I should be the CFO.”
“You’re on!” Madison gave him a high-five. “Another family project.”
“We did a heck of a job with this one,” Olivia said, pointing to her sleep shirt that said KIRBY’S MARINA.
Around ten in the morning, there was a knock at the door.
“Are we expecting anyone?” Olivia asked, as she watered the many plants they had accumulated in the living area.
“Not that I know of.” Madison went over to the entry. She peeked through the sidelight and took in a quick breath. “Oh my gosh.”
Olivia put the watering can down and moved quickly to where Madison was standing. “Who is it?”
“Arlo,” Madison whispered. “What do you think he wants?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Olivia brushed Madison aside and opened the door. “Hello. Arlo, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He stood shamefaced in front of her.
“What can I do for you?” Olivia asked calmly.
“Accept my apologies. To you and your family.” He handed over a rolled piece of construction paper.
Olivia took the paper and began to unravel it. “Oh my gosh! It’s the map!”
Madison popped out from behind the door. “The map?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Arlo repeated. “Listen, I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused. Me and my brother, well, we fell into hard times. And well, I figured if we could find some money, we’d be able to save the business.”
Olivia and Madison almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But they both considered that he just might be sincere. This time.
Olivia and Madison decided to take a remarkably high road. “Would you like to come in?” Madison offered.
“I don’t want to be no trouble, but that would be nice.” Arlo proceeded to unlace his boots. Madison elbowed Olivia.
“I’ll get you a pair of slippers,” Olivia offered. She rummaged through the front closet and pulled out a pair. Luckily, both women were still in their slippers—not that it mattered at this point, but they might as well keep up the ruse.
Madison showed Arlo to the patio. “Would you like some coffee?”
“Uh, sure.” Arlo was stunned by their hospitality and kindness.
Olivia went to the kitchen to fetch a fresh pot. Madison began the conversation. “You said you and your brother were in serious financial straits?”
“Yep. I mean yes, ma’am. Our brother Dennis was spending all the money on stuff for himself and wasn’t payin’ none of the bills. Then he died. So, this guy came looking for whatever Dennis was supposed to find for him.”
“And did he?”
“Nope.” Arlo shrugged. “But then this other guy came along and told us Dennis owed him money, too. For a slip where he kept his new houseboat.”
Madison was intrigued by the intrigue. “And Dennis never told you about the houseboat?”
“No, ma’am. It looked like he was figurin’ on headin’ south.
Maybe Cuba or something.” Arlo shook his head in shame and disgust. “Imagine. He was just gonna up and leave me and Mikey high and dry to clean up his mess, not caring that we would probably lose everything. I’m glad our parents aren’t around to see this. It woulda broke their hearts.”
Now Madison was beginning to feel sorry for him. “This is very distressing.”
“You bet. But Mikey was able to make a deal with the other marina guy and sold the houseboat. But when Mikey tried to pay the first guy the money he gave to Dennis, the man got real angry. He came to the shop and whacked Mikey real good.”
Madison gasped. “That’s awful! Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s home now.” Arlo hung his head. “I gotta tell ya, I was the one who hit Crusty over the head.”
Madison shot up. Maybe she was too quick to render sympathy.
“I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just wanted to get out of there.”
“You mean Crusty’s place?”
“Yeah. I thought maybe the papers the guy was looking for coulda been there. But they weren’t.”
Olivia brought the coffee to the table. She had heard everything while she was in the kitchen. “Is anyone pressing charges?”
Arlo looked at both women. “I was hopin’ you wouldn’t. Like I said, we needed the money, and I thought the map was gonna get us some.”
Madison looked at the map, lying open on the table. “It’s terrible that you and your brother were going through such hardship, especially when it wasn’t your own doing.”
“Yep. Anyways, that’s why I came by. I wanted to return this and say how sorry I am. I tried not to do too much damage to the door, and I’ll pay you for whatever it cost you to fix.”
“How about you come by once a week and help Crusty and Josh clean up the place?” Madison offered.
Arlo chuckled. “You are the second person to tell me to help clean up.”
“It’s better than going to jail, wouldn’t you agree?” Olivia offered. She had worked in child services for many years before she went to work for Madison. She had seen a lot of turmoil. This was pittance in comparison.
“I suppose yer right.” Arlo took a sip of his coffee. “I apologized to Crusty last night. Brought him a pizza.” He nodded with a slight smile. “It was kinda nice.”
“Do you know what you and your brother are going to do?”