Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Essie Rodrigez-Holt listened as her husband talked. This was information she needed to understand so she could relay it to her daughter.
“Sophie doesn’t have a case. Bob has assured me of that,” Frank said.
Bob was actually Robert Welford Brown, one of the premier lawyers in Florida, if not on the entire East Coast of the United States. He was Frank’s attorney and one of his golfing partners.
“That’s good,” Essie said. “But what if she doesn’t respond to the letter?” Bob had sent a letter explaining to Frank’s daughter that she must cease and desist immediately or face a reciprocal lawsuit.
“Doesn’t matter. Bob gave her two weeks to respond. If she doesn’t answer, Bob will go forward with our lawsuit.”
“Oh, Frank, this is such a mess.” She’d never thought in a million years that getting married to Frank would lead to him suing his youngest child. “Have you told Chad what’s going on?
Chad, Frank’s eldest, was the complete opposite of Sophie. Chad was married, had two kids, held a high-level position in Frank’s paper company, and had welcomed Essie into his dad’s life with genuine happiness.
Sophie was none of those things. And now, her use of social media to bash Essie had spiraled into something far worse than anything Essie could have imagined.
“I’ve told him,” Frank said. “He’s really upset with his sister. He even offered to talk to her, but I don’t know what good that would do.”
Essie latched onto that. “It might, Frank. She might listen to him. He is her big brother.”
“But I think she resents him, too, if I’m being honest. When I was talking to her, I mentioned how if she came to work for me, she could be doing as well as her brother in a few years.” He frowned. “She rolled her eyes and acted as if that was beneath her.”
“What is that girl’s problem? There’s nothing wrong with Chad’s life. He’s doing wonderfully.”
“I agree, but according to her, that’s not the life she’s interested in. She wants to be somebody. Her words, not mine.”
“And she thinks social media is the way to accomplish that?” Essie had been trying hard not to get angry, but she felt her self-control slipping away. “She’s delusional. I’m sorry, but she is.”
“No argument from me.” He scrubbed a hand over his face.
“I hate to lay the blame at Stacia’s feet, but Sophia didn’t get these ridiculous ideas from me.
I never liked all those pageants and dance competitions, but Stacia said they’d help Sophie build confidence.
Seems more like they created a need in her for attention and adoration. ”
He sighed and did his best to smile, but the pain and concern in his eyes was plainly visible. “I don’t think this new boyfriend of hers is helping, either.”
“We’re going to get through this.”
He took her hands. “Thank you for being so understanding and not declaring war on Sophie.”
She didn’t say anything, but to her mind, he’d already done that by deciding to countersue Sophie. “Will you think about letting Chad talk to her? I don’t think it could make things worse and she might listen to him, despite how she reacted in front of you.”
Frank gave a little shrug. “I’ll think about it. For you. But I’d better get going now. I have to meet Hans at the course for my lesson.” Hans was Frank’s golf instructor.
“I’m going to take myself to the pool for a bit. I think a little relaxation would do me some good.”
“That sounds wonderful. In fact, maybe I’ll join you after my lesson. It’s only an hour. I’ll bring my trunks and we can have a swim, spend some time together and if we stay long enough, even have an early dinner right there. See if there’s a cabana available. If there is, get one. If you want to.”
“I love that idea. I’m going to pack a little bag and head over there.
” It really did sound like exactly what she needed.
She could take a dip, sit by the pool and enjoy the sun, and make headway on the new book for book club.
The little restaurant at the clubhouse that also served the pool area made the best chef salad. It would be perfect for dinner.
She loved to cook but a night off from kitchen duty was never a bad thing.
“Fantastic.” Frank went toward the bedroom. “Feel free to invite your new friends. I’d love to meet them.”
“Maybe I will.” She wasn’t sure who would be available, but she’d send a text to the group and see who was around.
Afternoon everyone! I’m headed to the northside pool if anyone wants to join me and hang out. Frank will be meeting me there after his golf lesson, but until then it’s just me. She hit Send and went to pack a tote with everything she thought she’d need.
Frank had changed into a golf shirt and shorts. He kissed her on his way out. “See you in a bit.”
“Have fun.” She picked out one of her favorite swimsuits, a navy and white polka dot tankini with lime green accents. It had a vintage look but there was nothing old-fashioned about the tummy control panel.
She tugged that on, then slipped into a gauzy white caftan coverup and white flipflops. Bag packed with all the essentials, she locked up the house. She was happy to see Frank had left her the golf cart. She stood on the porch a moment, taking in the view of the Gulf. What a beautiful day.
Just then, her phone vibrated. She checked the screen to see an answer from Paige.
I’d love to! Just got back from lunch and need to change. 10 mins?
Cece replied next. Can’t. Off to Slimercize in a few. Blech. Lol
Wow, Cece was going to a fitness class. Essie had to wonder what had motivated her. Maybe being around Paige, Blaise, and Maude? They were all pretty fit and looked great in clothes.
Essie glanced down at herself. A workout wouldn’t hurt her once in a while, although she and Frank did walk the beach a few times a week. Maybe if Cece went again, Essie would go with her. Going to a thing like that with a friend sounded much less intimidating.
Maude chimed in next. Client thinks they got hacked. Maybe next time.
Then, finally, Blaise. I can come for a bit. Thanks!
Pleased with that result, Essie got in the golf cart and drove to the Northside pool and clubhouse.
It was a large complex with a lazy river that linked to the main pool, which was twice the size of the Southside pool.
That one, next to the Fitness Center, was an Olympic regulation pool, with half of it set up for those who wanted to swim laps.
This was the pleasure pool, meant for lounging, floating, and hanging out. You could get an alcoholic beverage at this pool, along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best you could do at the Southside pool was a smoothie or a salad.
At least that’s what she’d heard. She’d seen that pool but never spent any time there.
She parked the golf cart and walked through the gate, greeting the attendant who was handing out towels from the tiki hut. She took two, then asked him, “Are there any cabanas available?”
He looked on the tablet at the counter. “There are a few. Would you like one?”
“Yes, please. Ten, eleven, or twelve would be nice.” Those were at the end of the first row and because of how they were situated, more private.
“Twelve is all yours.” He had her sign for that cabana. “Someone will be right over to get your drinks.”
“Thanks.” She made her way to the cabana. They weren’t free, but the small cost to rent one was well worth it. She knew they were popular because there was talk about adding a few more.
As soon as she arrived, she put her bag on one of the loungers and sent out another text. I’m in cabana 12.
She immediately got herself situated. Her bag went next to her lounge chair, but she hung her caftan up inside the cabana. There was more seating inside, along with a small round table, a small flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, and a ceiling fan, which was already on.
She spread her towel over her lounger and settled in to get some sun. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to get a lot of reading done with company coming, but she didn’t care. She could read tonight.
Getting to know the Queen Bees better was more important.
Paige showed up first, in a gorgeous one-shouldered one-piece suit covered in a bright floral print. And, of course, she had a matching sarong. She looked like a movie star in her big sunglasses. “Hi, Essie! This is so fun. I love that you got a cabana.”
Essie smiled. “It was Frank’s idea. He’s coming after his golf lesson.”
“Is it all right if I take the lounger next to you or do you want to save it for him?”
“You can have it. If I know him, he’ll be in the cabana on his phone doing business when he gets here.”
Paige put her towel and bag down. “I look forward to meeting him.”
A young woman with blond hair in a ponytail and the pool staff uniform of tropical print camp shirt and khaki shorts arrived. “Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Krissy and I’ll be taking care of you today. What would you like to drink? Menus are attached to the chairs.”
Essie found the laminated menu card attached by a stretchy, old-fashioned telephone-style cord. She glanced at it. “I’ll have the pina colada mocktail cooler.”
“Great choice.” Krissy looked at Paige. “And for you?”
“I’ll try one of those, too,” Paige said.
As Krissy left, Paige leaned in. “My daughter is coming in for the weekend tonight. It’ll be so nice to see her.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Is she coming to meet Graham?”
Paige quickly shook her head. “It’s too early for that. She’s just coming to hang out and decompress. She works so hard. She’s bringing her dog with her.”
“What does she do?”
“She works for an insurance company.”
Just then, Blaise rolled up in a snakeskin-print bikini with a sheer black coverup. The bikini had wide straps and modest hip-hugging bottoms, but Blaise looked phenomenal in it.
Essie almost gasped at the sight of her. “Did you just come from a fashion shoot?”
Blaise laughed. “Is this too much? I never wear this suit because I think the print is a little over the top but it’s surprisingly comfortable.”
Paige shook her head. “You look exactly like what you are. A model.”
“You’re both very sweet.” She settled onto the lounger next to Paige. “What did I miss?”
“A server took our drink order,” Essie said. “And Paige’s daughter is coming for the weekend. What’s new with you?”
Blaise got a big smile on her face. “I’m having dinner with Brick and his son tomorrow night.”
Essie let out a little squeal. “That’s so exciting. Tell us more.”
As Blaise filled them in, Essie realized she’d completely forgotten to worry about Sophie and the lawsuit.
Frank had been right. Inviting her friends was a great idea.