Page 65 of Grounded
Camille appeared, much more composed, and Beulah moved them into the living room for a visit before dinner. No sense in rushing into the meal when everything was fine to sit for a minute. While Annie brought glasses of tea, Beulah said, “Camille, how long will you be here?”
“A few days, I hope. It depends on the hotel. We’re wrapping up our spring conference season, so it depends on how many problems happen while I’m gone.” Her accent was Northern, Beulah noticed, but of course it would be living up in Cincinnati.
Annie handed a glass of tea to Jake and with one in her hand, sat down. “Tell us about your job,” Annie asked.
Cam’s eyes lit up. “I’m the director of sales for my father’s largest hotel. We book the conventions and meetings. I love it!”
“It’s a lot of responsibility, I suppose,” Evelyn said.
“Yes, but it doesn’t feel like work. It’s kind of like putting on a big show every week.”
They were quiet for a moment and Beulah watched Camille lift the tea and sniff it before taking a sip. She hoped Jake or Evelyn might jump in with something to keep the talk moving.
“Your house is beautiful,” Camille said, looking at Beulah. “It’s very quaint and farmy.”
“Thank you,” Beulah said, wondering what “farmy” meant. Had someone tracked in manure?
“Camille was telling me on the way over she wouldn’t mind riding while she’s here. What about Nutmeg?” Jake directed the question to Annie.
“Sure, anytime,” Annie said.
Camille’s dimples deepened. “When I was a child, my father took me for lessons in Northern Kentucky twice a week for a couple of years. I have several trophies and blue ribbons from horse shows. It’s been a long time, but I would love to ride again.”
“You can probably teach me a thing or two,” Annie said, standing. “I’ll get dinner on the table, family style, then ya’ll can come.”
When Annie left the room, Evelyn said, “Beulah, Annie is talking Southern again. Have you noticed?”
Beulah chuckled. “I’m glad. She’ll be easier for me to understand.”
Jake laughed, but Camille seemed lost at the joke.
Annie seated Jake at the head of the table with Camille on one side and Evelyn next to Camille. Beulah was instructed to sit next to Jake and Annie took the seat next to her and closest to the kitchen.
Jake offered the blessing and after he said “Amen,” something Annie was wearing caught Jake’s attention when he opened his eyes. He stared for a moment and looked back again as he handed her the casserole. Camille noticed his attention on Annie and Beulah thought she saw a faint twitch of irritation on the girl’s face. Annie seemed oblivious as she handed the casserole to Beulah.
“Jake said you live in New York,” Camille said, directing the question to Annie. “Where do you live?”
“I had an apartment in Greenwich Village with three other flight attendants. Fortunately, there were usually only two of us there at a time, so we made it work.”
“I love Manhattan. My dad takes our whole family every year in December. It’s been a tradition since we were small. We stay at the Waldorf, see the Rockettes and the latest Broadway shows, shop and eat at the best restaurants. I told Jake he has a lot to live up to,” she said, looking up at him with large brown eyes through the longest eyelashes Beulah had ever seen.
“I can’t argue with that,” he said. “Cam’s dad is a great guy. He’s been a business mentor to me.”
Beulah noticed Camille’s plate had a small amount of food on it, a sampling instead of a portion. What’s more, Beulah noticed, she delicately sniffed each bite of food before putting it in her mouth. It was ever so subtle, one might mistake it for just a pause, but Beulah detected a slight flaring of her nostrils before the food went in. She felt a tickle rising up inside her, but chastised herself immediately.For goodness sakes,she thought.You’re an old woman acting like a child!Thank God Fred wasn’t here to egg her on.
The rest of the dinner conversation flowed like milk. The awkwardness of the snake scare had worn off and everyone was putting in to make it a nice evening. Beulah didn’t know about fashion, but Camille was put together as neat as you please, like a Christmas gift wrapped with a large bow from one of the old department stores up in Lexington. Beulah could see why Jake was taken with her. She was a beauty and smart as a whip.
At times, the dinner had the feeling of an interview, as much as Beulah thought everyone didn’t want it to feel that way, but there was no way to get to know people without asking questions. Camille was the center of attention, except when Jake was casting sideways glances at Annie. But Camille was a sharp girl and she seemed to know when Jake’s eyes were off her and looking toward Annie for what reason, Beulah did not know. Annie seemed unaware and paid full attention to Camille, but Jake looked to have a question he couldn’t ask.
They finished up supper, and Evelyn helped Annie clear the dishes away. It was one of those times Beulah wished she could get up and do it herself. After all, it was her house, and here she sat like a queen, letting everybody wait on her.
Annie brought out the chess pies, and Beulah explained which pie was lemon and which was plain. Annie poured decaffeinated coffee for everyone, set out the cream and sugar, and took a seat while Beulah cut pieces of pie.
“Beulah, you made my favorite,” Jake said, scooping up a large slice of the plain chess.
Cam refused dessert at first, but Jake finally persuaded her to take a small slice of the lemon.
Beulah couldn’t help herself but to watch Camille sniff the small bite of pie before she ate it. Never in her life had she seen such. She had heard of folks smelling their food before eating it, but every bite?
