They lived near a park, which was an added bonus. And it took her ten minutes to get to work. Rubbing her hands over her temple to get rid of the headache blooming there, she decided it was a good thing she did not have her second job this weekend.
She would go out tonight with Carrie, forget the problems plaguing her. She would sleep in tomorrow, get up and do the laundry she had been putting off, have a pity party and then go pick up her son. She would make them pizza for supper and go to the park for ice cream. Summer was rapidly slipping away and soon he was going to be going back to school.
Taking a deep breath, she straightened and pushed the door open, an easy smile on her face.
*****
He was bored. Rodney Paul Lancashire was having a rather difficult time following the conversation around him. A banker's banquet, he wanted to snicker at the way it sounded. What it really was defied description, and he was getting cross-eyed at the number of speeches and dry attempts at jokes from the men seated at his table.
He was required to be here and was going to have some strong words for his mother who had insisted that the company should be represented.
"Darling, Lancashire Enterprises is steeped in history. Most of those bankers are part or have been part of the company for several hundred years. It would be an awful slight if we're not represented and since you're now CEO of the company, it falls on you. I would be present if I didn't have this charity dinner to attend."
Gloria Halstead-Lancashire was known for her very persuasive arguments. So, here he was at the behest of his mother. He loved her to death, but right now, he wasn't pleased.
He wanted to be anywhere else. A bar surrounded by hoodlums. A basketball game where he had season tickets. In bed with awilling woman. Right now, he was flying solo because the last relationship had tanked.
His mind flickered to the cause of it. Goddamn Ingrid Hall, smart and beautiful and very creative in bed. He had harbored thoughts of making things permanent between them, when he discovered she was into him for his clout and influence.
Her dream was to build her own research clinic and have the Lancashire name behind it. That wouldn't have been such an issue, if she had been honest from the bloody get-go, but she had pretended otherwise.
Tamping out the last heated meeting and the tears that had followed, he tried to concentrate on the man to his right and mentally patted himself on the shoulder when he recalled the name. Benjamin Goulbourne, esteemed banker for fifty years and very proud of his position at Goulbourne Bank & Trust.
"I tell you, Lancashire," he gulped the expensive whiskey like water and paused to lick his lips, bulging watery blue eyes gleaming as he got ready to launch into another spiel about politics and the banking world.
"Interest rates and dividends. We live in a world where people are not interested in putting their money up for safekeeping. The damn politicians are making things more difficult for usbankers." He gulped more whiskey before resuming. "We've been in business for several hundred years. Your daddy and granddaddy made enormous contributions to our business. We lend money on good faith and it's natural for us to want to make a profit. I know you agree that what we do, we do for the good of the people who bank with us. Not just corporate companies like the one you run, but the widows and the little people who trust us with their hard-earned money."
Rodney wanted to point out the fact that the high interest rates, the added fees to keeping one's money in the bank was something that made the so-called little people disinterested and disillusioned, but why encourage the man? He thought wearily. Discreetly glancing at his watch, he heaved a sigh of relief and realized that the two hours he had given the function was at an end. He had done his due diligence and was able to walk out of the crowded ballroom of a hotel owned by his family.
Making his apologies, he pushed his chair back and managed to escape quickly before he was cornered by another friendly banker. He had had enough.
His coat was quickly and efficiently fetched by the attendant. Making his way out of the lobby, he automatically glanced around the area to make a note of how it was kept. His family also prided themselves on quality. Staying at any Lancashire establishment guaranteed the very best service. It was a standard that was the byword of the company and as the CEO, he was determined to follow that trend.
A flicker of annoyance covered his face when the manager came hurrying towards him.
"Mr. Lancashire." Pierre beamed a smile, trying to hide the anxiety behind the cheer. He had been on his staff to make sure things were running smoothly. As soon as he heard Rodney Lancashire was going to be attending the function, he had been on high alert. "I hope everything was to your satisfaction."
"It was. Excellent service as usual. You should be applauded. The flowers inside the lobby give everything a nice touch."
"And the food, I hope the kitchen provided excellent cuisine as well."
"They were complimenting the chef." He glanced at his watch, silently indicating that he was pressed for time.
"I will not keep you." Pierre bowed gracefully, snapping his fingers for the doorman. "Enjoy the rest of your night and we hope to see you again soon."
"Very well." Nodding to the doorman, he made his way out and was gratified for the efficient service as his car was brought around. Leaving the top down, he drove out of the brightly lit parking lot onto the street.
*****
"He's springing up so fast." Melanie murmured as she stared at her baby. "He's going to be tall."
"He already is. What's bothering you, honey?"
They were sitting on her grandmother's front porch, enjoying the breeze wafting through the trees and carrying the scent of honeysuckle in the air. Freshly made lemonade complete with the skins of the lemons floating in the clear liquid was between them on a small antique table. The plate of oatmeal cookies were freshly baked and were practically gone.
"Nothing." She shrugged when her grandmother continued to stare at her with that steady gaze. "Nothing much. Jessica is being unreasonable as usual." She picked up her glass and took a tiny sip. Her eyes strayed to her son, a smile playing around her lips. "He makes it all worthwhile."
"He's a great kid, but his mother needs a life of her own. When was the last time you had sex?"
