The food is saved by the sauce and its warm notes of curry, pepper, and coriander. A hint of Kaffir lime blends delicately into it. It’s probably better than the boring chicken usually served at these events.
“I hope it’s okay,” Poppy says, leaning closer as I finish a bite.
“I love curry,” I say genuinely. “I ate a lot of it in London and Mumbai.”
Adair pushes away from the table so quickly that her chair nearly topples over. “I’m going to the powder room.”
She can’t cover that she’s visibly upset. I know why. I remember how she used to dream of studying in England—of living there. Instead, she’s been stuck here in Tennessee, and it’s all her own damn fault.
“I should go get ready for the auction.” Kai stands and places his napkin on the table. It’s obvious that he’s going to check on her. I’ll never understand all her little lapdogs or how they chase after her. Even after all this time, they don’t seem to care how she treats them.
“Kai is emceeing the auction tonight,” Poppy says, diverting everyone’s attention away from Adair’s dramatic exit.
“So how does this work?” Luca asks. “I see a little fur ball that I can’t live without and I have to outbid whoever else wants it?”
“No one actually takes pets home” she says, laughing as though this is obvious. She seems genuinely amused at the thought. “It’s all ceremonial. It’s sort of a runway show of animals combined with an auction.”
“No one adopts the animals?” I ask. I will never understand rich people. “Why not just ask everyone to write a check instead of all this trouble?”
And expense.
There’s a shared look among the Valmont heirs at the table.
“It’s nice for people to see where their money is going,” Ginny explains.
“The dinner encourages people to donate more,” Poppy agrees. “After, you get to take a photo with your pet before he heads back to the rescue.”
In other words, it’s a chance to seem benevolent to your peers. It hardly matters the motivation. Whether it’s the guilt of seeing poor, helpless puppies without a home or just to show off how good of a person you are compared to your neighbor, motives don’t matter. It’s another pageant of wealth and privilege. I wouldn’t be surprised if the evening ends with everyone donning masks and robes while chanting mystical incantations to the gods of banking and finance.
“How charming,” Luca says under his breath.
“There are some really adorable animals,” Poppy says, oblivious to his sarcasm.
Everyone claps as Kai takes the stage with a microphone in hand. He beams a million-dollar smile at them. “Good evening and thank you to everyone who came out to help us support the Valmont Animal Rescue.”
Last year he was nominated for a Grammy, and now he’s stuck entertaining socialites in the name of friendship. Kai is just another object in the Valmont collection of treasures, expected to return at a moment’s notice whenever they need to use him for a function. He’s a crystal vase brought out of the china cabinet for special occasions.
“Tonight, you’re going to meet some of the animals you’re saving with your adoption money,” he continues.
Adair quietly rejoins us at the table. I want to keep her in my sights, so I pretend to be absorbed by the overview of how the auction will work.
“If there’s a guinea pig, I’m bidding,” Luca warns in a whisper.
“Thank God, they don’t let you keep the animals,” I mutter.
“I would make an excellent pet owner.” He clutches his chest.
“No, you would not.” I can’t imagine Luca being responsible for another living creature.
“Everyone, say hello to Diamond,” Kai says as an older woman in a black satin gown carries a tabby cat on to the stage. She looks uncomfortable, her dress isn’t designer or expensive. Undoubtedly, she’s a volunteer who has been tapped to parade around the animal population for the amusement of the Valmont elite.
“Diamond started her life on the mean streets of Nashville. She enjoys scratching posts, belly rubs, and catnip. Now don’t forget, ladies, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Kai looks pained to say this bit, and I’m about to ask who wrote the script when he hits us with: “The bidding will begin at one thousand dollars.”
Luca sits up and stares around. “A thousand bucks for an alley cat? These people have lost their damn minds.”
I chuckle quietly. I suspect he hasn’t seen anything yet.
When the bidding concludes, Diamond raises just under three thousand dollars for charity.
“I take it all back,” Luca says quietly. “This is genius. I wonder if I can get one of these women to adopt me.”
Judging from how many women in the room keep glancing in our direction, it wouldn’t be hard for him to find willing matrons. Not that he needs the money.
Next up, a small terrier catches the eye of Ginny. Malcolm grudgingly raises his paddle, looking uneasily at me. He shrugs as if to say women. We both know he doesn’t have the money just to show off for philanthropy. That doesn’t stop him from driving the price up to $5000, though. He winds up in a pissing contest with another man whose wife is whispering furtively in his ear. It’s like their entire reputations rest on what sad dog to fake adopt.
“And now the lovely Adair MacLaine would like to introduce you to Zeus,” Kai says, and I’m surprised to see Adair leading a giant black dog onto the stage. Zeus has a brutal look to his muscular body. There’s clearly pit bull in his blood. But he doesn’t strain against his leash. His tongue lolls comically out the side of his mouth. “Zeus came to our facility after being saved from an animal shelter that doesn’t have a no kill policy. It’s animals like Zeus that need our help. He was discovered chained up in a yard in East Nashville, but despite his rough beginnings, he’s proven to be a gentle giant. The bidding will start at $300.”
“Why so
