Lydia's Dream Ch. 11-12

As he finished the biscuit, everybody jumped into action. Ruth was icing the cake, Pam began the pumpkin pie and Dad began pulling everything out of containers and starting to work.

Dad told us he was making a green bean casserole with almonds, corn pudding, stuffing with sausage, apples and cranberries and potatoes with three kinds of cheese and bacon. His cranberry sauce was really a relish that I eagerly awaited every year. All of us sighed. It would be a feast worth remembering.

Mom put on an apron and began working (with Pam's blessing) to make the pecan pie. Mom had made some of the best pecan pies I'd ever tasted so she was well qualified and Pam appreciated the help. Rudy and I were the odd men out so we walked to the library to talk. Our work would come later.

After a few minutes, we heard singing in the kitchen. It sounded a little like a Kenny Rogers and Dottie West concert.

Rudy and I rushed there while Pam was in the middle of Dottie's part of "Every Time Two Fools Collide," written by Lionel Richie. Dad then sang Kenny's part as he gazed into her eyes. They ended by holding hands and singing together the final lyrics as her eyes made love to him, as only Pam could do.

We were blown away by their voices and applauded and cheered as they took a bow.

I exclaimed, "You two need to give a concert. I knew Dad could sing but Pam has only sung 'Happy Birthday' to me. That was really special, sweetheart."

Pam laughed and said, "We were standing here talking and James mentioned he loved country music. Of course, I do too. Then he said he really like Kenny Rogers, especially the duets with Dottie West. I love Dottie West so I started singing the lyrics to their most famous song. Of course, you heard the rest. He has a wonderful voice."

Dad responded, "Pamela, I'll be thrilled to sing with you anytime. You are very talented." Ruth added that Pam sang in the church choir and also at Furman in the choir. I was learning new and impressive facts about this young lady every day.

A little after 1:00 pm everything was ready and we all sat at the table with the feast in front of us. I asked Dad, as was our custom, to give thanks for us. He stood and we all held hands.

"Our Father, to say 'thank you' is just not enough for us to recognize the gifts You have given each of us. We are here today because of Your grace and mercy. None of us can claim a right to anything in Your kingdom. But as we pause on this day of thanksgiving, I want to recognize just some of the gifts You have given to those sitting at this table.

"Sarah is the greatest partner You could ever have given me. She blessed my life with three wonderful children and supported me through many tough times. She shows the world every day how a Christian should live. Her love has no limits and I thank You for her.

"Tom is a wonderful son and I'm thankful for him and the passion he brings to everything he does. Lydia was his perfect soul mate and none of us know why You took her home so soon. But we trust You and have faith that Your plan is perfect for all of us.

"Pamela has brought a joy and energy to this family that we have missed these last few years. I know that You brought them together to be one in love and in life. Tom really needed Pamela to make his life complete once more. Thank You for their new love of each other. I pray for Pamela as all these new friends, events and surroundings may seem overwhelming at times. Hold her close to You and give her wisdom and patience.

"Ruth has been through many trials and tough times when only You were there to help her. But You blessed her and Richard with children who love and honor her and now support her as she and Rudy look forward to their new lives together. I think You for Ruth and the values You taught her and that she has taught her daughters.

"I thank You for bringing Rudy and Ruth together and giving them the love that will fulfill them and make their lives complete. Please give them patience as they learn to adapt to each other's ways.

"And finally, thank You for being with us everyday and for letting us help others less fortunate. It is in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that I pray. Amen."

We all said "amen" and I quickly glanced around the table. Everyone was wiping their eyes, including me.

We gorged ourselves. I had two full plates. There was just so much great food in front of us, it was hard to decide what we liked the best. The cheerful chatter around the table was as fulfilling as the food and the six of us thoroughly enjoyed being together.

Rudy and I decided we would take the lead in cleaning up the kitchen. Pam and Ruth helped by wrapping and putting away the leftovers. Mom helped by bringing all the used plates and silverware to the kitchen. Dad helped by going to the library for a quick nap on the sofa. He deserved it.

The afternoon was devoted to football games on the big screen in the theater room. While everyone started watching the game, I think I was the only one who wasn't sound asleep within 15 minutes in those big comfortable chairs. But then, the next thing I knew, the game was over and a movie was playing. I guess I also fell asleep.

Late in the afternoon, Donna called. They had just awakened from their nap and asked whether they could come over to greet Ruth and Rudy. I told her we would love to have them, just come anytime.

I went looking for everyone and found Ruth and Rudy in the library reading the paper and one of the books I had on the Civil War. Turned out Rudy was an avid reader of Civil War history and a student of battle strategies. They said that Pam and my parents had taken a walk to enjoy the beautiful sunset. I put on a jacket and walked outside just in time to see the sun set over the hill behind us. There were shades of orange, pink and red on the scattered clouds.

The walkers returned just before dark and I told everyone that Rick and Donna would be stopping by but I didn't know when. That set off a little scurry to put things in the house back in order. They arrived an hour later. Both Rick and Donna commented on how much Pam looked like her mother.

We had a very pleasant visit and snacked on the bountiful leftovers from lunch. All in all, it was a perfect Thanksgiving Day.

****

Later that evening, as we were preparing for bed, Pam gave more information about Ruth's baby.

"Mom told me this morning that she was born January 18, 1984, in the Greenville Hospital. Her doctor was named Jamison or Jackson, or something like that. She was never allowed to see the birth certificate or any of the hospital records for the baby. She never even saw her daughter; she only heard from the nurse that it was a beautiful little girl. Her hospital stay was only two days and her recovery was really fast. I guess when you're only 18, your body bounces back quickly. She went home to her parents but her dad was really upset with her and the whole situation. Her mother did support her carrying the baby to full term but was disappointed that Mom was dating such an older man and that she had been so careless.

"Mom had missed pretty much a full semester at college and it was difficult mentally for her to live at home. She eventually was able to move in with three other girls and she went another semester before her dad just stopped paying for her education. Richard got a pretty good job about then and he asked her to marry him. They eloped and got married with only his parents knowing about it. They moved into the farmhouse with his parents and had Jerri a year later.

"She rarely saw her parents until Jerri and I were a few years old. She took us to visit them one day and her parents seemed to appreciate that. But there was never any real love between them after all that had happened. I feel so bad about that. I never knew any of this had gone on."

"Are your grandparents alive?"

"Only Mom's mother is still alive. Her dad died from a heart attack when he was 69 and her mom remarried a couple of years later. She now lives in Florida but Mom hasn't seen her in years. We did go to my grandfather's funeral and I remember that quite well."

I said, "I checked again and Niki is going to be at the Westin Hotel on Saturday the third. The website says only invited guests will be allowed to the big announcement and all the hoopla surrounding it."

"How do we get invited?"

"I've no idea. Maybe we just go and see if we can see her for a few minutes. I don't know but it may work since you look so much like her."

"I want to go. I just have the feeling that she's my sister. I've got to find out."

The rest of the weekend went fast. The aquarium was great, as always. Rudy was shocked at the size of the rainbow trout they had. Pam fell in love with the seahorses, especially the leafy seadragons. She said they were so ugly they were beautiful, whatever that meant.

Friday afternoon, we went to Ruby Falls and enjoyed seeing this waterfall a little over 100 feet high within a limestone cave. The advertising photos made it look a little more impressive than it really was.

Saturday, Rudy wanted to see the battlefields so we spend the day absorbing Civil War facts and seeing where so many men died for what they believed. It was very sobering to think of their sacrifices on both sides, often with brothers fighting for opposing armies. Slavery and the war was a very sad part of our history.

Sunday, Pam and I were up early to jog while Ruth and Rudy slept in a little longer than normal. We heard them again Saturday night really going at it and were sure they needed their rest.

The church service was very good. The minister spoke on God's blessings and how to be thankful in a world where we think we did everything by ourselves. Many of my friends and Pam's new friends stopped by to meet Ruth and Rudy and to greet Pam again.

After a quick lunch at home (more leftovers), Ruth and Rudy left for home. We planned to see them at least at Christmas if not sooner. Pam and her mom hugged a long time and shed a few tears. Ruth reminded her not to say anything to Jerri about the adoption.

We spent the rest of the day putting together a guest list for the Christmas party on Saturday December 17th. Most of the guests would be from the church and my company but a number of our neighbors as well as Gino and Sylvia would be invited.

On Monday, we both went to work. Pam had to be at the bank at 8:00 am and she decided to drive the Jeep. She was very excited and worried for ten minutes about what to wear. Her appearance was very important to her. She was very proud to be working again.

I spent the day meeting with suppliers and negotiating contracts for 2012, now just a month away. Ron and I worked a couple of weeks every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas focusing on contracts, prices and menu planning with our chefs. Insurance for our facilities, employees and our business liability is a big deal and negotiations on those are always difficult and time consuming. Monday afternoon, I was at The Meeting Place to meet with three employees who I had mistreated. Those meetings went well and I was glad I decided to take Pam's recommended approach.

I arrived home at the normal time Monday evening. Pam met me at the door wearing a big smile but not much else. She had on a white cut-out halter teddy that didn't hide much of anything. To say she was sexy would be a major understatement. This woman was just about perfect and I was so glad that she loved me and was totally committed to me. We spent an hour in bed and were totally exhausted as we celebrated our love. We gradually made it to the shower and that renewed our energy, at least to some degree.

I grilled pork chops and we ate leftover green bean casserole and corn pudding from Thanksgiving. At the table, the discussion was all about her job.

"I arrived a few minutes early and Jason let me in. Everyone was so nice to come and greet me. Jason had a training plan that we reviewed and we sat and talked for several minutes, just getting to know each other. I really like him. Evelyn is going to be my trainer. She was one of the tellers who interviewed me and she has family in Greenville. She's probably in her late 40's and has been a bank teller for a long time. She has three children, all grown and on their own. No grandchildren yet. Her husband works for TVA.

"We went through all the basics today and I observed her handing deposits and withdrawals for several hours this afternoon. She even let me greet some of the customers and handle a few of the simple transactions. She showed me how to verify identities and she let me count her drawer after she had done it just to make sure I could do it. I passed."

"How do you like it thus far?"

"I like it very much. The customers were nice, except for one elderly lady that was hard of hearing. She was mad at the world, Evelyn told me, and she is like that all the time. No one really knows why. I felt sorry for her."

"You're not going to miss serving tables?"

"Not for one minute. You were wise to recommend this. I get home at a decent hour. My clothing doesn't smell like garlic or cooking oil and I'm working with great people. What could be better?"

****

The rest of the week flew by. Thursday, Mom took Pam to two of the shelters for abused women and their children. Pam came home even more determined than ever that she wanted to volunteer. Both of the shelters asked for her help and she agreed to spend four hours one day a week at each one. She would be helping the ladies with job searches, interview skills and proper manners when dealing with the public.

On Saturday morning, all of our attention was focused on the Westin Hotel in Atlanta and our effort to meet Niki Lee. We didn't have any real plan of how best to get a meeting. We just hoped that it would be possible. Pam wore a navy blue A-line belted dress that stopped just above her knees and sheer fashion black back-seamed panty hose. It took forever to get those seams perfectly straight but we had fun doing it.

To complete the fashion look, she wore a Hermes silk scarf that was one of Lydia's favorites. When she emerged with the full glamour makeup and jewelry, I could do nothing but stare with my mouth open. I had never seen such elegance and style like this anywhere. If she couldn't get us a meeting with Niki, no one could.

We drove Angel down to Atlanta and the excitement began when we pulled into the Westin valet parking area. I couldn't believe what happened.

Chapter 12

What do you mean funny? This is not funny!

As I drove Angel into the Westin reception area, an attendant rushed to open my door. I supposed it was the first McLaren he'd seen. He seemed very surprised when my door opened up vertically and he stood there with his mouth open.

The young man said, "Welcome to the Westin, sir. Are you planning to check in?"

"No, we're here to meet someone."

"Can I park your car over here next to the other Mercedes?"

Looking over, I saw two SLK's and agreed he could park her there.

I walked around and activated Pam's door and held her hand as she stepped out of the car.

Suddenly, photographers came from all directions and an explosion of flashes went off as each scrambled to get the perfect shot. She was surrounded, and people were trying to push me out of the way. It was scary.

Two men in dark suits rushed over and began pushing photographers out of the way. Three Atlanta police officers also came and blocked an area big enough to give Pam some room.

"Niki, where have you been? We've had security looking everywhere for you! You worry us to death sometimes." He took Pam by the arm and began to escort her inside as the police ran interference. Pam refused to move.

"I'm not Niki. I'm Pam Davis."

He turned and looked at her again, obviously exasperated. "What's with the Southern accent? Niki, please don't do this. I'm in enough trouble already and I've got to get you to the dressing room right now."

Pam looked at me. "Tom, would you give me a hand here. Please tell this gentleman I'm not Niki." He looked at me and I confirmed that she was Pam Davis.

As we talked, a black limo pulled in behind us and Niki Lee emerged. The courtyard was instant chaos when she stepped out. The photographers didn't know which way to point their cameras. The police didn't know whom to protect and the security guys were dumfounded with two Niki Lees.

One of the security guys pushed his way over to the recently arrived Niki Lee, who I could just barely see through the scrum of photographers. He yelled back to our guy, "I've got her Jay. This is Niki."

We had photographers still snapping Pam as fast as they could. I guess because she was so beautiful or they didn't hear she wasn't Niki. I looked over the scrum again and police were trying to force everyone out of the way so the real Niki could enter the hotel. Then she looked directly at Pam and stopped in her tracks. Her mouth flew open and she stared.

I suppose she asked her people to open a path to Pam because the whole scrum instantly changed direction and moved toward us. It took a while but she eventually was face to face with Pam and she stared again. The photographers were yelling curses, pushing and shoving, trying to get a photo of the two together.

Niki finally exclaimed over the din, "This beats anything I've ever seen! Did you have work done to make yourself look like me?" I could see her looking closely at Pam's neck and face.

Pam replied, "No, I've always been told I look just like you. I wanted to meet you."

Niki smiled and replied, "Can we talk a little later? I'm running really late." She turned and whispered something to her bodyguard and he nodded. The scrum then moved to the front door and Niki was able to escape into the safe confines of the lobby. The Atlanta police returned and stood next to Pam and me to keep everyone away, as much as possible. The flashes were still going off and blinding us.

In just a moment, the bodyguard returned. "Miss, I've been instructed to escort you and your associate into the conference room for the reception and announcement." He then walked with us and our police escort into the hotel and directly to the conference center. All along the route people was gawking at Pam and trying to take her photo with all the little digital cameras and smart phones.

We arrived at the reception room and immediately knew that everyone there thought Pam was Niki. They were applauding and trying to get close to her for an autograph and photo. The bodyguard told us to follow him and he took us to a front cordoned-off area where only the dignitaries were allowed. He leaned over and spoke directly into my ear. "You'll be safe here. Don't go anywhere. When the show is over, I'll escort you out. Niki wants to speak with you."

I now had a chance to see if Pam was okay.

"Tom, I never imagined this would happen. I'd hate to be such a public person and have to endure this every day. How does she do it?"

"I don't know. We could have been injured out there."

We sat marveling at all the energy in the room. When seven Playboy models showed up in one place, the world noticed. In just a few minutes, a man who turned out to be an announcer, walked onto the stage and welcomed everyone. The music started, and the ladies walked in and onto the stage to the beat of Tom Petty's "American Girl." They were gorgeous, elegant, classy, stately, sultry, or any other word you could think of to describe feminine perfection. They all wore form-fitting gowns of various colors. Pam and I were stunned at their beauty. There was a loud murmur in the crowd when Niki walked out. They thought she was already sitting in front of them.

Top executives of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. followed the ladies. The reason for the major announcement was that Luxembourg adult entertainment giant Manwin was acquiring Playboy TV. The two companies wanted to use this opportunity to describe the strategy and introduce the Chief Operating Officer of Manwin who appeared via Skype. And, of course, when you can parade the best of the best models in front of everyone, you get attention to your message.