Tummy full, she leaned back to sip the rest of her drink. She’d wait for Sheki to open the conversation.
“How are you feeling about the news release?” she finally asked.
“News release? This is not a business transaction that you and father neglected to finalize.” The woman had a one-track mind. It appeared all details of her life took on a certain order-of-business and failed to focus on the personal touch.
“I suppose that came off sounding official. You must know I don’t do personal very well.”
“You managed to raise one daughter – that takes a heart and soul contact,” Jolene said.
“Oh, dear, you give me far too much credit. I’d have failed miserably without the help of Atlanta’s finest nannies.”
“You underestimate yourself. Life presents challenges at home and work, experience being the best teacher.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Sheki said. “You may as well know right off that I tend to indulge my selfish nature. I was raised in an underprivileged environment as an only child, and when I finally broke free I was ecstatic. I’m ashamed to admit that I married your father for the stability he offered, and when I saw my dream career unfolding, my need for him grew less. Then I got pregnant. The idea of motherhood threw me for a loop: One child was more than I could cope with, so when twin baby girls arrived, I crumbled, and took far too many pills just to make it through the day. I felt certain I’d never survive.”
“Poor you,” Jolene said as she took a long sip of her drink. If the woman expected sympathy from her, she’d be sadly disappointed.
“Well, it turned out my childhood fantasy won over the idea of being stuck as a mere homemaker waiting for my husband to return from his exciting career. The plan to separate you girls took effect one month after you were born, and at the time, it seemed the only reasonable solution.”
“Reasonable?” Jolene barely comprehended what she was hearing.
“Yes, and look at you now; you are all grown and your father did an amazing job. I understand you travel the world.”
“I’m not on holidays, if that’s what you are implying. I’m a flight attendant who serves clients as they travel the world.”
“Oh, dear. It sounded so much better the way your father described it.”
“I’ve enjoyed it, and it’s provided me opportunity to see other countries. I especially enjoy the diversity of cultures. To think that the entire human race is created with skin and bones but we all think and live so differently.”
“There you go!” Sheki announced, as if they’d won a prize. “How about you think of me as someone from another culture? Perhaps that will soften your heart and help you to understand.”
“I suppose I could try that,” Jolene said, anxious to make an effort at anything that might lead to discovering one thing she liked about this woman.
“You will get on well with your sister, Selene. Although she is career driven like me, she actually enjoys the odd emotional encounter. She is insufferably independent – won’t hear of coming to work for me. Has to hang in with Fashion Queen Magazine to prove she can do it on her own.” She raised her tall glass with the fancy umbrella sticking out the top, to her lips. “And look where that landed her; at the bottom of the heap—again.”
“I do recall Craig mentioning something about her losing a promotion at the workplace just before they came to the resort.”
“Yes.” Sheki said quickly, and plunged the conversation where Jolene did not want to go. “I find it interesting that in all the world, Craig has managed to touch both of my daughter’s lives.”
“Interesting is not the word I’d use. More like a disaster,” Jolene said. “How can we hope to build a new relationship when we both care for the same man?”
“Oh, I understood you and Craig were history?”
Jolene stammered. “We are, but it’s still awkward.”
“Matters of the heart are always awkward. That’s why I chose career. Men are a mere distraction I get tied up with now and then, but it never ends well.”
“I will get married someday, and it will be for life, with no chance of scattering abandoned children around the countryside to pick up the pieces I toss selfishly in my wake.”
“I detect anger, and I understand completely. I’m sorry you think that picture you painted applies to you and me. Truly, I couldn’t wait for your father’s yearly updates; the pictures, the dance recitals, graduations and prom night. I treasured it all in my heart and always wished the best for you.”
“Is that what this little chit-chat is all about? You trying to appease your guilty conscience by making your inconsiderate act years ago sound normal. Our relationship is anything but normal, and both you and daddy have made this unplanned introduction to my twin sister a mockery.”
Jolene saw a misty glaze cover Sheki’s eyes but would not back down. “I am so sorry that you’re being forced to tread in the emotional arena that you so detest. I’ll leave now so you can regain control of your cold heart.”
She jumped off the lounger, grabbed her beach bag and headed for the dock. Maybe paddling a boat out to the center of the lake would help to stifle her temper.
Why couldn’t she come to grips with this mess? Four days was not nearly long enough to undo a lifetime of damage.
Chapter 13
At supper Selene came and hovered over her table. “May I join you?”
Jolene had simmered and did not relish another confrontation with the Gabel’s but at the same time wanted the meeting more than
