Adam
Chapter 95
Maxieplus
Georgio grabbed Kasey when he returned to the table, they were talking quietly, and Kasey kept looking at me. I moved over to their side and said.
"What's up?"
"Tell Adam."
I looked into two pools of dark green eyes and I was instantly lost in them.
"Adam!" Kasey almost shouted.
"Adam, I rang my contact, and Ethan is in a bit of troubles. He lives in a share house with three naughty boys who were doing business with male prostitution. They wanted to get him involved and he has resisted, he was desperate to get out of the house. They were raided by the police four weeks ago so Ethan was charged along with the others. This is not a big deal, but because they didn't have a business working permit they all have been charged."
"That's dreadful, he must be going insane."
"The other boys told the police that he wasn't involved, so his lawyer got his charges dropped. His problem now is he is in deep troubles financially. Anne has offered to let him move into her room when Peter finds a flat, but because of the uproar with the others they have been evicted and must move in two weeks."
"Why the hell didn't he come to me?"
"He thinks you have done enough for him, and the others. He is very independent Adam and is making plans to move back home to the country."
"Well that's never going to happen, he's one of my best stylists. Okay, we need to get Anne a flat as soon as possible. Ethan can move in with James, Marko and Lynnie. In the meantime, he can come here and stay in Joe and Trisha's flat."
"Is that wise Adam?"
"What alternative do I have, he needs help and soon."
"Georgio can you call your contact and ask if he has much stuff to move?"
"Already done boss, he has been selling off his stuff to raise money. So he doesn't have much only the clothes Adam gave to him."
"We move him into the new apartment until we get Anne sorted out," Kasey said.
"The new one?" I looked at him.
"He's independent Adam, can you ask him if he would like to look after the apartment until Anne moves, we need security for it."
"Okay, but I was going to spend at least a night there before it's leased out."
"Then it's Eva's old apartment. He can share with Evans and Jameel. I don't mind if he comes here, but I kind of like the way it is now."
"I get your point," I know what he means, if Ethan comes to live here he will be a virtual stranger to everyone apart from me.
Trish and Joey arrived and Joe immediately complained about the diving board. He wanted the boys to go to his place to use it, and mum can cook something while they are there. I sat with Trish and told her about Ethan's troubles she was shocked because she had no idea he was in dire straights.
"He will be okay one way or the other. Kasey thinks he would feel like a stranger moving here. Maybe he's right even I don't know him all that well this proves it. I am a bad boss." She looked over her shoulder and leaned in.
'It's because of the kiss Adam, he doesn't want Ethan around because he's still feeling guilty."
"I didn't think of that, but he was sick at the time and I certainly don't blame him for that."
'It's Kasey Adam. He would be thinking more about you than him, he doesn't want to upset the status quo."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Leave it to me."
"To you?"
"Yes to me, I hired Ethan for the North side salon. I know he doesn't get along with his family, so we do have something in common. I have an idea but I have to ask Joey first."
"What, move him into Joe's flat?"
"No, thanks to Kasey Mick is buying it."
"That's good news, and when were you going to tell me?"
"Now." She laughed.
"Okay, so you have an idea?"
"Yes." That bugger she's not going to tell me. The pizzas arrived and everyone swooped on them, I guess some things will never change. The boys couldn't thank Kasey enough for their present and Joey was tempting them with all sorts of offerings, like ice cream when they come and use his. They promised him they will use his when we are there.
"When?" Joey asked.
"When poppa gets a food invitation I suppose Uncle Joey." Sam grinned, he's a smart one that boy of mine.
"Trish said to leave it up to her, she has an idea."
"Did she tell you what it is?"
"No, she's being very secretive and has to ask Joe about it first." He started laughing, and then topped up my wine as we languished in the bathtub.
"What's so funny?"
"Adam, surely you of all people can work it out. Does Ethan cook?"
"I don't know, he has made a few things for our staff get-togethers but nothing outstanding from memory." He laughed again.
"Okay, what do you know that I'm not seeing?"
"She's going to ask Joey first. Any guesses?"
"No, just tell me."
"They have that guest bedroom with an en-suite downstairs, if Ethan can cook, which Trish would know, maybe free rent for some meals now and then."
"That sneaky woman, of course, she would do that." I started laughing. I then grabbed my phone from the floor and sent her a message.
'Did Joey say yes?'
'What?' She answered immediately.
I didn't answer her, so she sent six more texts, her last one she threatened to come over and cut all my hair off. I was still laughing as I slipped into Kasey's arms, he was telling me we should offer to pay his debts off, but I told him we should let Trish do that.
"Do male massage parlours still exist Adam?"
"Apparently yes, Kasey. Why do you want to try one?"
He stared at me for the longest time so I added.
"Or I can dress slutty and charge you by the hour."
"That's better, when can you start?"
"Tomorrow I'm a bit tired tonight."
"Aww."
"Shops shut, go to sleep." He did eventually but that hard-on was still planted between my legs when I dropped off.
In the morning the sun was out, and two boys were eyeing the pool off once again. The argument started when mum placed their breakfast in front of them.
"We will go to Uncle Joey's then," Billy said, he's brave.
"You will do no such thing William, now eat your breakfast"
"Yes mummy." He wasn't happy but his mum get's the last word. Sam looked at me and I said.
"Don't even think about it." He giggled at my stern face, he knows me so well.
As we walked to work Trish dropped back with me.
"Who realised what I was up to, you are Kasey?"
"Kasey."
"Figures."
"What have you planned so far?"
"He can move in with us, he gets free board for a meal or two." She grinned.
"So he can cook?"
"Yes Adam, he does all right and we will pay all his debts off when he opens up to us."
"A wonderful idea baby, you have done well."
"You are not the only one that can help our friends out Adam,"
"Point taken madam Trish, and it's about time." She giggled.
"So Joey's okay with the arrangement?"
"Of course he is, it's either that or he lives on pizza for the rest of his life."
I know Kasey was updating Joey on Ethan's plight and I overheard him say.
"What Trish wants Trish gets. I don't mind having a stranger in the house especially if he's gay. At least he will keep his bathroom and bedroom tidy."
"Have you seen Adam's closet? he sorted it out a week ago and it's still a mess."
"I heard that," I shouted.
"Well, it is." He shouted back.
"Fair point," I answered.
I know his closet is very tidy, that comes from his military training.
We dropped our kids off then our men and I had the chance to ask Trish how she was going to play this.
"I will tell him Adam,"
"Tell him what?"
"He's coming to live with us because I heard he will be homeless in a few weeks."
"You're going to tell him you know all about his troubles?"
"Yes Adam, honesty is the best policy, catch up." She laughed again.
The crew started arriving and we were one down today. Tim has a cold and doesn't want to spread it around. So I will do some wigs for him. Ethan looked good in his new outfit as he sat with Gloria and they talked quietly. I grabbed a bun and went to check the stations out, Lynnie does a good job, they all sparkled.
"Ethan can I talk to you for a minute."
"Yes Trish what's up?"
"Come with me."
It was almost a screaming match after they shut the tea room door.
"You need to control that pride of yours, so you're coming to my house to live."
"Leave me alone, I have it all sorted out."
"You are living with us, end of." It settled down and I looked at Gloria and said.
"Trish has it sorted out lovely, no more stress for our Ethan." She giggled.
"I have just leant him some money, he's desperate."
"I gathered that, but Trish has this so he won't be on the streets. Is he a good cook?"
"The best." She smiled, throwing back her long red locks and greeting her first client
Ethan came out and he looked flushed. He threw me a glance and said.
"Looks like I'm moving into Trisha's."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No, but don't tell her." He winked. He then handed Gloria something he had taken from his wallet and said.
"I'm fine now, and thank you." It was the money he had just borrowed.
It was a standoff with them both all morning, he would make a comment, and she would bite back.
"I gave him my card, he's going to Cody's shop soon to replenish his clothes and he will pay off all his debts."
"Good and thank you."
"My pleasure Adam, now I don't need cooking lessons." She laughed.
"Okay I am going to have lunch with Kasey and then I'm going to see Aunty Mary."
"Good luck, she will either surprise you or kick you out. Either way, keep calm."
"Like you were with Ethan"
"Get stuffed Adam, it had to be done." I kissed her then I left to get our lunches.
He was happy to see me and he wanted to know if I wanted him to come with me. I told him I don't hold out much hope, but I will try on my own.
A small suburban sixties house with perfectly manicured gardens met me when I parked outside Mary's home. The doorbell lilted out a lovely chime as I stood there waiting for the occupant to ready herself for a visitor.
"Adam, it's so nice to see you again, welcome to my humble home please come in."
"Hi Aunty Mary, you look very nice today."
"Thank you, I feel so special to have such a lovely visitor. Please sit down and would you like coffee or tea?"
"Coffee my lovely,"
"I only have instant."
"Instant is fine."
"She popped into her kitchen and made us a drink, she had it all on a tray with some cake she probably had made for this occasion.
"This is delicious, orange cake my favourite."
"It is very easy to make Adam, I will give you the recipe before you leave."
"Thank you, my family will love it."
She sat opposite me and I smiled.
"Now what have I done to deserve this wonderful visit from you?"
"Mercedes Wilkinson mentioned your name when we were there for dinner. She said you worked in the Myer cafeteria for years."
"Yes I did, I managed it right from the start of my working days. How is Mercedes, I haven't caught up with her for ages?"
"She is coming for lunch on Saturday, I would like to invite you and Mal if you're not too busy."
"Thank you Adam, but that's not possible. Mercedes and I catch up in a cafe in the city occasionally that's enough for me."
"Okay, but the invitation stands and I will leave my address with you before I go."
"It would be good to see Adele's home again, I went there a few times just for tea and at Trisha's wedding I didn't get the chance to look around. But that's not why you are here my boy, something is up isn't it?"
"Yes, and I apologise in advance. I didn't want to do this and neither did Chloe or Mercedes, but I was elected to talk to you like it or not."
"Well it must be something very important if they sent you."
"It is, we want you to consult on our movie, you know more than I do about Adele's life. Please hear me out first."
"I will Adam, she was a lovely woman and so kind to this cafeteria worker, all the ladies were very kind to me back in those days. Now what movie?"
"I believe you were not only a cafeteria worker Mary, you were their go-to for any troubling worries they had. You were and still are a wonderful memory in the younger ladies' minds. Kasey is making a movie on Adele and Fred's life, it has already begun production, but they are only doing background at the moment. I only knew Adele for a year, but you knew her for many years. Your insight and knowledge would be invaluable to the story. I need someone like you to make sure we have it right and authentic."
"She was authentic, there were no hidden secrets from anyone that loved her."
"This is the thing, we want you to go back to work and help us get it right. You can start by reading the script and a synopsis of the storyline, if you spot anything you can inform us."
"I have never felt so special Adam, but I don't know anything about making movies."
"Neither do I, so I need your help."
"Me a working girl again, what will the children say."
"They will love you even more because you are doing something good. Of course, you will be paid, and you will get credit for your input."
"Can I let you know on Saturday, I have to talk to Mal and the children first?"
"So you will come Saturday?"
"Yes Adam. I would like to see that old house again and Mercedes, she's a wonderful lady and has been so kind to me over the years."
"We are also going to make a documentary about her family. The people who helped build Brisbane. It will include Adele as a friend, but we realised that Adele and Fred's story isn't the only one to tell. There were many more families out there that helped shape this city back then."
"Yes, there were Adam, what a wonderful thing for your husband to do for Mercedes' family, that will be very nice to see."
"There's something else I would like you to do for us."
"Oh my, I am feeling very humblel today." She almost blushed
"We not only want to continue the series we want to include the people behind the builders, the ordinary people that helped shape their personal lives, people like yourself."
"No, I am no one special Adam. I knew a lot of people but I didn't do anything great like the others. I served tables, and knew my place."
"You did a great more than that Mary, you listened, gave advice, and soothed any worries. You were their go-to when they had big decisions to make. Or needed a shoulder to lean on. You are special, and we want to tell your story before it is lost in time. We are chasing up a few other ladies we think were the bone structure of this city, but we want to start with you."
"I am very humbled Adam, but to tell my story on the telly isn't very interesting, people will laugh at it."
"People will be riveted to their seats like they are doing with Adele's story. She wasn't alone in helping to build this city, you were there also, and saw it from a worker's perspective. We need that perspective to tell the bigger story." She sat back and looked at me, I took another piece of cake.
"I will get you the recipe." She stood up and went into the kitchen. When she came back she passed it to me and I thanked her.
"There were some awful things going on back then Adam. It's so different today, and I say much better. People like yourself weren't treated very kindly and the shop boys were always open to blackmail and ridicule. Some ladies were treated appallingly by their bosses and before you ask, I sat and listened to many awful stories from the boys and Ladies. All I could do was offer a soft hug and a shoulder. If you put that comment in the story I will very much consider it. I have grandchildren that need to know what happened back then, we should never forget the torment and the good times we all had."
"Well I have been on the bad end of that myself, it almost got me killed."
"I have read many write-ups on your abuse Adam. If my family agree I will consider your request."
"Aunty Mary you don't know how happy you have made me, and I am sorry I disturbed your day."
"Did your husband make you come Adam?" I bushed and answered.
"Yes."
"Well he made the right choice, you are always very kind to me when I am in your lovely salon. I always feel like a queen when I come to see you."
"You get the same treatment as anyone else, but we all think you are a very special person."
"I had plants placed near the big windows and a table hidden behind them, my customers would sit there when they wanted some privacy. I would sit and listen to their problems if they needed me. Our dear friend Adele only made me sit so I could have a rest. She said very little of her troubles, but when her son died, all she wanted was a cuddle."
"It was a very sad time for them both, how they didn't go insane is beyond me."
"It was Jimmy, they were keeping it together for that dear dear boy."
"We found their cars behind the Federal police offices the other day. They are in mint condition, and there were also boxes of war memorabilia we think Fred collected."
"Yes a very trying time for everybody concerned, she couldn't look at the cars. They had given them to each other for Christmas before the boy passed. When Fred died she stored it all away, she came into my cafeteria that day and sat staring out at the city, she told me she had put them to bed but she didn't say where."
"That solves it then, we thought that may have been the case."
"I have said too much Adam, I am not one to gossip about past pains. If I do decide to accept your requests I will hand you my diaries of that time. I never wrote a bad word or put down any deeply personal conversations, but I sometimes get them out and sit remembering all my lovely customers."
"That would be awesome Mary, you ask your family and I will accept your decision."
"Will I have to be there every day?"
"No my lovely, just when we all meet to discuss things, you will be picked up and dropped off."
"Don't go to any trouble Adam, I can catch the bus I have a weekly ticket."
"You won't, you will be driven there and home, and any shopping you want to do on the way the driver will stop and wait for you."
"So the cafeteria worker will be almost treated like a queen?"
"You are a queen Aunty Mary, to a lot of people you certainly are."
I sat for another hour talking to her, she knew more than I knew about Adele and Fred's life. I guess she was being cautious earlier, because she relaxed and opened up a bit more to me. She said I could take the diaries, but I said I will wait for her decision before they change hands.
"Is everything okay with you now Adam, I don't like to ask at the salon?"
"Perfect Mary, no bad things will happen to me ever again."
"Well you look lovely today, and you went to a lot of trouble to come and see me, thank you." I kissed her cheek and then I left.
I rang Kasey when I parked around the corner. I couldn't believe I had pulled that off, well potentially. He was happy, and he wanted to see me as soon as possible, so I took the motorway home. When I got to the fed building it was full of trades going about their business, and the latest builder of Brisbane was waiting for me in his office. I told him everything that had happened and he sat quietly and listened. When I finished I apologised for offering a car to transport her, he laughed.
"Wait until she sees what we are offering her for her input and maybe her life story."
"Can we afford it?" He laughed again.
"I'm sure we can come up with some money Adam." Nope, no hints on any bank balances today.
"Adam, the money we made out of the first series is financing the movie and the jewellery season. I think we can afford to pay Aunty Mary what she's worth."
"And all I get is sex?"
"You love it, and anyway, you have too many clothes already." He was happy and I couldn't wait to collect some wages tonight. I know Kasey and my production company did well with the first series, I had seen the offers we received at our meetings, but Kasey will never hand over the rights to it all because he felt it was my story, not any strangers. I walked back to the salon and sat in the reception area, looking around I saw my family working away on their creations and felt blessed like Aunty Mary does. Trish was watching me and after I breathed in the scent I winked at her.
"We got her."
"She agreed?"
"Almost, she has to ask her family first." I smiled.
"Typical." She smiled back. I went out the back to start on a wig and felt good about myself, after a half hour Ethan came in to help.
"I know it was you that helped me."
"Ethan, I will say it only once. If you have a problem come to us, please don't torment yourself with worry. You will love living with Trish and Joey and if you don't when Anne finds a place you can move into the apartment. Nothing is too much trouble for our staff and friends."
"Well, I am humbled, so thank you again. I didn't sell mysef Adam."
"I know."
"So you did have me checked out?"
"Kasey did, he saw I was worried about you and he fixed it."
"God I hope I meet someone like him, it must be awesome having a guy look out for you all the time."
"He loves me, and yes there will be someone for you I will keep my eye out."
"Thank you." He smirked. He doesn't believe me, but if I were to trip over a soldier or two that maybe were gay, I certainly would send them to his chair for a cut and shoulder massage. As it turned out, after work both Trish and Joe took him home so he could pack his things. She told me the house was almost empty, and all he had were three boxes to haul. He cooked them dinner and they dined on the back porch. By the end of the night Joey acted more like a father than a friend, he took Ethan under his wing and was handing out all sorts of advice.
"He's going to make a wonderful father Adam," Trish whispered to me the next day. Saturday was looming and I had rang Nat to see if she was available to cook for the day, she was. But Friday I had a visitor at the salon, a well-dressed suburban housewife wanting to talk to me.
"Hi Adam, I am Connie, Mary's daughter."
"Pleased to meet you Connie, coffee?"
"Yes please, and a chat." I took her into the tea room and closed the door then made our coffees.
"Now, what can I do for you Connie?"
"I have been elected spokeswoman for the family, and we had a meeting yesterday at home. I believe my mum is going to be put on the telly?"
"Yes, her story will be attached to the Adele's series, although we will get an actress to play the younger Mary she will be narrating her story and appearing now and then. We will try and make it as painless as possible for her and she will be treated with the highest respect."
"Well said Adam, we were only concerned that you may want to change her and make her into something she isn't, for dramatics."
"That will never happen, you have seen the Adele series there is no way we would do that to your dear mum, she's too precious to everyone to change who she is. It's because she is who she is, that we want to tell her story."
"We were afraid she would be laughed at, and that would disturb the family very much."
"No, she will be herself, a wonderful asset to Brisbane, and a friend of all of us."
"Then she will do it Adam. I am only here because dad is still worried and now I can put his mind at ease. As you can imagine we kids are super protective of them both."
"And so am I, she is too special to all of us here and to the production company."
"I have been instructed to hand over this suitcase, it is full of mum's memories. We all have read her diaries and there are some fascinating comments in them, but nothing that will bring on a lawsuit." She smiled.
"Thank you for your support, she will be working on the movie first, then we will start on her life. So she may be tied up for a year or so, part-time. She will still be home in time to cook Mal's dinner." I smiled back.
"Then I wish you all well and look after mum, she is very special."
"We will, but I fear she will be the one looking out for us if I were to be truthful."
"She will, and she makes some amazing cakes too." She then laughed.
She left a half hour later and I rang Kasey to give him the good news. On Saturday we all celebrated a new star in the family. I made sure Chloe was there, and I am sure the long talk they had about making movies helped Mary's nerves. I did hear Chloe say.
"Keep it real Aunty Mary."
"Adele used to say the same thing my girl, she was so nice to all of us workers."
"Now. A tour of the house is in order before we have our lunch." I said.
"I can do it." Chloe took her hand and they went inside.
"I didn't think you could pull that one off Adam." Mercedes said.
"I'm a natural apparently." I looked at Kasey and winked.
"Do you need any investors?" She asked.
"No, but thank you." I laughed.
Trish and Joey arrived and introductions were made, there was no sign of Ethan he's over buying up big on clothes today, there goes my number one spot. Joe was talking to Georgio and Trish joined us ladies for a chin wag.
"How did he go last night?"
"We settled him in and he made a pasta bake for our dinner, it was very nice."
She winked.
When the girls came back mum and I went to place the food on the table, Mary followed and wanted to help. Mercedes and Mary sat next to each other for lunch and they talked away like old friends do, the information we collected was mind-boggling. Even Mal was surprised.
"She never talks to me about all this stuff Adam."
"She certainly has some wonderful stories Mal."
"I had better listen closely in future." He smiled at me.
Our day went off without a hitch, the boys were in the pool, and Ken Joey and Kasey were now in talks about the new estate. I think Ken has been hired as a consultant. Chloe had worn a piece of jewellery Mercedes had given her, and when she saw the lovely bracelet she said.
"Christmas in Paris nineteen ninety." Chloe smiled and kissed her cheeks.
"When is your big day?"
"Soon Mercedes, we are all very excited. You will come won't you?"
"Of course, we will be honoured to attend. He is a very handsome man, you keep your eye on him. There are people out there that would try and take him from you."
"Never, and as you well know I was bought up on a farm. I know a thing or two about handling cows."
"That's my girl." They both laughed.
The afternoon was perfect and Mary got a copy of her contract and the address of the lawyer who will handle it's signing. Kasey had been more than generous with her compensation, I could see she wasn't happy so I took her for a walk over to the pool.
"I know you are not happy with the offer, but believe me, it's only a tiny part of what the series is bringing in."
"It's such a lot of money, I have never seen that much written down. I wish I could do it for nothing or just a small amount for my input."
"Aunty Mary why would you ever think you don't deserve this. Chloe makes fifty times that amount?"
"She is a star Adam. I am a no one."
"There you go again. You are not no one. You're a very important lady who has knowledge that the production company needs, and for that, they will pay you for it."
"She gave Mal and myself the deposit to buy our home Adam, she was a very generous lady."
"And let me guess, you paid her back."
"We were so grateful. but it never entered our heads not to pay it back, she protested but in the end, she accepted we were a lot different than her."
"You amaze me sometimes, every time I talk to you there is always something I didn't know."
"I know a lot Adam, if you need to know anything about anyone just ask a waitress." She winked.
"So I don't need to worry that you and Mal will try and give the money back?"
"It will help the children Adam, and the grandkids."
"The lawyer will put you onto a money manager who can sort it all out for you, and make it painless."
We walked back to the table and the kids were eyeing the desserts so Mary took charge and dished it all out.
Nat had done a great job and our guests were impressed, I had to put a stop to Mary trying to do the washing up, so Kasey distracted her by going through her contract, which she didn't understand and I doubt Mal could explain it all to her. Trish and Joey were very intrigued with Mercedes, she told them stories that would curl your hair while Mary tried to shut her down. We were all dying to hear them as she rattled off a few, we got no names she said that's the way it had always been when they got together.
"She who can't be named is still holding court in her overdone mansion on the hill I believe. The one thing she doesn't realise is her friends aren't her friends, they are freeloaders. But she donates to charity quite often so they put up with her. I stopped going to her home she's too into herself."
"And who is that?" Trish asked.
"A starlet that married a famous sportsman, I know her background and it isn't very pretty. One day it will hit the press he is having an affair with one of her friends, then watch the sparks fly."
"I will keep my eye on the social pages then."
"Word has it she's no saint herself, and she is a client of your lovely salon."
We then played the guessing game, but I knew who she was talking about. That one client that gets under my skin. She did mention once, she had been in a TV series before she was married. Yes Mercedes she plays a lot while the husband is away on business.
Donations are gratefully received at Nifty https://donate.nifty.org/