Page 61 of Set In Stone

She stepped aside and motioned for me to follow her. She led me over to a long cherry wood dining set and pulled out a chair for me to sitat.

“Thank you,” I told her as I satdown.

“You still look a little flushed. How are you feeling? Can I make you a cup of tea or coffee? What about dinner? Have youeaten?”

Ilaughed.

“I’m fine, but thanks. I actually just wanted to come by and say thank you for the soup. It was very kind of you. In fact, I’m feeling considerably better than I didyesterday.”

Despite what I said, Vivian walked into the kitchen and set up an ornate looking percolator used for brewingcoffee.

“That’s wonderful to hear,” she called over her shoulder. “Samuel, would you like acup?”

I turned to look behind me. Samuel stood just inside the door. He was like astatue.

“No, ma’am,” he replied, his expression remainingstoic.

Vivian just shook her head and continued on with her task. While she prepared coffee, I looked around her apartment. Just as I imagined it would be, her space was tidy and neat, but not nearly as modern as Alexander’s penthouse. Vivian’s home was decorated with more traditional trends. The apartment had an open floor plan, larger than I would have expected, with a large kitchen, living room and dining area all within my view. Despite the open concept, it didn’t feel cold like the penthouse did at times. Vivian’s was warm andinviting.

When she returned, she carried a tray with two steaming cups of coffee and an assortment of cookies. I could use the coffee, but I avoided the cookies. I had lost a few pounds during the weeks I was in the hospital and I was determined to keep them off. I wasn’t sure, but there was something about Alexander seeing me naked every day that kept me motivated, and sweet treats didn’t get along very well with my hips or mybehind.

“I appreciate the coffee, but really. You didn’t have to go through the trouble,Vivian.”

“Nonsense. I don’t mind,” she assured. She added a few dollops of cream to her cup and then looked quizzically at me. “So tell me. I’m sure my chicken soup isn’t the reason you’re here. What can I do foryou?”

I blushed over the fact that she was able to sense an ulterior motive for my visit. I smiled and tried to keep my responselight.

“I’ll be honest, I’m not used to having a housekeeper. I wanted to get to know you a little better. After all, you are the woman who washes my underwear,” Ijoked.

She gave me a soft smile, a gentle one that matched the look in hereyes.

“I wondered how long it would be before you came to see me. I’ll admit, you held out longer that I thought youwould.”

I blinked, unsure of what shemeant.

“I’msorry?”

“Never mind. I’m just getting ahead of myself,” she dismissed. “So you want to know about me. Well, I’ve lived in this building for twenty-seven years. I came to work for Mr. Stone a little over ten years ago. It was right after he bought the penthouse. He was so young, obviously new to his wealth, but smart. So very smart. I mostly did basic cleaning for him a few times a week just for some extra cash. It wasn’t until…well, until later that I began working fulltime.”

I noticed the way her expression grew sad. To my surprise, her eyes misted over. Curious, I couldn’t help but to ask her what waswrong.

“What is it,Vivian?”

Instead of answering right away, she pulled a tissue from her apron pocket and dabbed the corners of her eyes. Folding it back up, she waved her hand back and forth as if suddenlyembarrassed.

“Oh, don’t mind me. You’d think after all this time, I’d be able to talk about my deceased husband without getting allweepy.”

“Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t meanto–.”

“No, no. It’s not you, dear. I’m just a silly old woman. Now, where was I?” She paused and seemed to be trying to collect her thoughts. “A year after I started working for Mr. Stone, my husband passed away. I loved my dear Wilson something fierce, but with his death came a mountain of debt that I couldn’t pay. When I told Mr. Stone that I would need to move, he wouldn’t hear of it. He paid off the debt and offered to pay me a regular salary if I stayed. That’s when I started working for him full-time. His only stipulation was that I be available at all times. Considering all that he did for me, I couldn’t refusehim.”

I gave her a wistful smile and felt my heart melt. I thought about what he did for Wally’s, my former employer, and how he saved the grocer from going under. I thought of Hale’s mother and about how Alexander paid for her stay at one of the best long-term care facilities in the city. And now, I had another story about Alexander’sgenerosity.

Vivian and I talked for another thirty minutes. I learned that she didn’t have any children or grandchildren that she was tied down to, so making the move to Westchester with us would be simple. After a while, I became incredibly comfortable with her and I regretted not getting to know her sooner. There was something familiar about her, like she was the grandmother I’d never known. My grandmother passed away right after I was born, so I have no memory of her. However, if she were alive, I imagined her to be much likeVivian.

Perhaps it was that connection that compelled me to bring up the topic I had been thinking about since I walked into herapartment.

“Vivian, I’m worried aboutAlexander.”

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