Page 10 of Phoenix Fire

Jason had left his seat and was standing in front of the fireplace, sadly looking at a portrait of his Grandfather. To Jenny, Myrena spoke, “Jason is looking at a painting of his Grandfather, my late husband, John.”

Myrena and Jenny stood and went to join Jason at the fireplace. Jason glanced at them, then returned to the portrait. “This painting is so much like him, Grandma, so true to life. It captures his rugged good looks and his tough pioneer spirit. It's like I'm almost expecting him to speak.”

“He was so handsome, Mrs. Prince. He must have been a very strong and active man. His sun-bronzed face contrasts so eloquently with his white hair and angular features.” Jenny paused, glanced at Jason. “Jason favors his Grandfather. Who was the artist?”

“A man by the name of James Mardel. He lives in Carmel by the Sea in California. He's still there, I believe. He painted this portrait of John from an old photograph in one of my photo albums. He did quite a remarkable job.”

“Mardel captured his essence, Grandma. That's just the way he would look when he mused over something.” Jason raised his highball glass and faced Myrena and Jenny. “Here's to my Grandfather, to the best man I've ever known.”

The front doorbell rang and interrupted the toast.

“That must be Carlton,” Myrena suggested.

They could hear Wardley greeting Carlton in the entry hall. A woman's voice was also heard. It was Sheila, Myrena suspected. They must have patched up their spat, she thought.

The mood of the evening changed in a palpable way with the arrival of Carlton Prince and Sheila Broward. Jenny felt a disturbing awkwardness descend upon her. The feeling had something to do with the way Jason's brother looked at her. His constant stares of appraisal made her uncomfortable.

There was something else. Jenny began to sense a subtle but heavy aura upon the group. Jason spoke less and appeared to become somewhat remote. When she made eye contact with him across the dining room table he would quickly look away. It was a strange and unnerving transition. Somehow, with the arrival of Carlton, a great cloud of cool indifference and antagonism befell the group. Jenny wondered if she was simply overreacting or if she was perhaps feeling an adverse reaction to the prior cocktails. After all, she was not much of a drinker and she had perchance over imbibed this night. It was, real or imagined, a troublesome feeling she could not shake; a feeling that there was hostility hovering above the Prince family.

Sheila Broward seemed pleasant enough. She was a tall, willowy, attractive woman with a pageboy cut to her dark hair. She wore a pretty pink and blue pants suit ensemble. There was a light non-assuming air about her and she spoke with a slight lisp, not at all unbecoming, but, actually, a rather charming trait. It was obvious that she cared a great deal for Carlton Prince, although he was sporadic in his attention to her.

Carlton was dressed in a tan lightweight suit. He was tall and almost handsome. His down-turned mouth and the dark intensity of his eyes produced an intimidating effect.

Dinner passed with predominantly polite and civil conversation about trivial matters and some discussion of the national economy. Rosemary, Myrena's longtime cook and house manager, became the major focus of table chatter, or, more precisely, the culinary delight she placed on the table that evening, a savory roasted duck with all the accompanying side dishes, plus a five-star banana pudding for dessert.

After dinner, over coffee in the library-parlor, Carlton asked of Jason, “What is the progress of your 'Apple Brown Betty' project?” The question was asked idly without any discernible sincerity of interest.

“It progresses nicely, Carlton, a few months until ground breaking. A few government approvals are needed. Thanks for asking.” Jason was not unmindful of Carlton's true lack of interest in his project, but was yet appreciative of the question. Jason continued, “Heritage Tool seems to be doing well. I read where you got a very nice contract from Avco. Did you work on the deal?”

“I'm a Controller, Jason. You know that. I don't get involved in the bidding wars. I trim all the numbers or embellish them, whichever the case will demand, but only with our negotiating people. But, yes, it was a hefty contract.” Carlton looked at Jenny during most of his response, with little concern that his openly flirtatious glances might be disrespectful or embarrassing. He wanted it so.

The ladies were sitting in a quaintly lit corner nook of the parlor, sipping tea and enjoying their own bit of chatter. Low and soothing classical guitar music came from the hidden speakers.

Understanding his older brother's distracting ploys, Jason continued going through the motions of holding a conversation with Carlton. “Your company is building another facility in Goodyear. It seems Heritage is on a roll.”

It was essentially the same or a variation on the theme each week. Jason wished that he and his brother had more in common, wished that they were closer through their adult years. The fatal accident that had taken their parents lives altered forever the sibling relationship. The plain truth was that Jason did not like his brother, and, the feeling was mutual.

“Our company is doing fine,” Carlton spoke brusquely, “but tell me, brother, where did you meet this exquisite lady?” He spoke in conspiratorial tones as he watched the women in their corner scanning scrapbooks and photo albums.

Jason related to Carlton the lightning episode, and the older brother was genuinely interested.

After several quiet minutes, Wardley came with his tray, offering them brandy and more coffee.

“You know, Jason, you're the much favored grandson but I must hand it to you. Your tastes are top shelf. Now, Jenny is my kind of gal.”

“Shut up, Carlton. Can't you put your stupid crap away for one evening?”

“Oh, my, I've gone too far! Please forgive me, my beloved sibling!” His sarcasm was beyond Jason's acceptable limits.

“You're a real ass, Carlton. Were it not for Grandma I'd kick the crap out of you. Now, give it a rest.” With that, Jason stood and went to the bathroom.

Carlton was cumbersome and relentless in his mind games. Jason understood his brother but, despite this acknowledgment, he found his irritation had gone beyond his ability to control, not something he wanted to happen. Carlton obviously liked Jenny and wanted Jason to know this fact and wanted him to suffer his snide remarks and observations. Carlton's inquisition of Jenny and his openly lascivious stares in her direction caused a rather abrupt mood swing for Jason.

This mood shift was not lost on Jenny. She had become much less aware of Carlton's continuing flirting and more concerned by Jason's demeanor. She was bonding quickly with Grandmother Wimsley and felt a maternal fondness for her. Jenny liked Sheila as well, thought her nice, somewhat shy and self-conscious. They were traits which Jenny had always liked in people.

As the evening went on Jenny noticed that Jason became cool and detached. She began to feel a sense of paranoia, that perhaps Jason's coolness was directed toward her. This bothered her immensely because she felt that their relationship was melding nicely.

Their dinner date was wonderful. Jason had lavished her with attention and was a total gentleman all evening. They had embraced, kissed, and lingered at her apartment door at the end of their evening together, and Jason had made no advances whatsoever. Jenny was surprised when Jason called her for lunch the next day. Then, there had come the invitation to join him for dinner at the home of his Grandmother Wimsley. Actually, she was so pleased because it seemed he wanted his Grandmother to pass judgment on her, a move that could signal some serious intentions.

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