BEYOND THE CONTRACT

Mr Borders’ stubbornness

He put his arm around Robin’s shoulder and tried to lead him away. “Well, I’d like to talk about the proposal. You know, give you a personal sounding on my opinion.”

“Not tonight.” Robin stepped back to Andrea’s side. He glanced at her and his mother. “At the moment I am with the two most beautiful women here and no one is pulling me away. I refuse to go off and smoke Shisha and talk business with a bunch of men when I could spend a much more pleasant evening here.”

“Borders’ stubbornness, irritating, but legendary.” His mother smiled.

The lights flickered. “Dinner is ready,” explained Robin. He held out his arm to his mother. “Are you in need of an escort this evening?” He held out his other arm. “Andrea. And to think he wanted me to leave you two women behind.”

Part of the art gallery had been transformed into an intimate dining hall. Robin headed toward a main table.

A waiter snapped to attention. “Mr. Borders. Follow me, please.” He pulled out a chair for Robin’s mother while Robin held a chair for Andrea. Mrs. Maystorm and her husband joined them. Robin shook Mr. Maystorm’s hand and waited until Mrs. Maystorm sat.

Andrea glanced about the room. On the walls hung fantastic modern expressions of art, alive with colors and depth. Scattered about the room were round tables exquisitely decorated with white linen table clothes, gleaming crystal wine goblets, sparkling silverware and cream-colored china. On the center of each table set a low bouquet of blood-red roses and silver chrysanthemums, surrounding a glowing blue candle.

Seated at the table next to theirs were the Mayor, the Governor, the Vice President and their wives. At strategic points in the room were large men with serious looks on their faces. She could not see the Vice president’s face. His back was turned toward her.

“Would you like to meet him?” whispered Robin.

Wide eyed, Andrea shook her head. “Maybe later.”

Everywhere, waiters and waitresses were seating their guests and

filling wine glasses. Another couple joined their table. The chatter among six of the seven people was light and friendly. It wasn’t until well into the main course that silence fell and Robin’s mother asked, “So, Andrea, satisfy everyone’s curiosity and tell us, how did you meet my son?”

Guessing the truth would be inappropriate, Andrea looked to Robin for help. “It’s alright,” laughed Robin. “You can tell them. Although I am afraid they will say it is wonderfully embarrassing.” A meek smile was all she could manage. “I’ll tell it. First off, let me simply state, Mother I broke up with Daiane .” He paused, “I know she was your favorite, but it didn’t work out. I can’t marry someone I can’t trust.”

His mother sighed. “Robin, I will never be a grandmother if you don’t get married. Now, that was a wonderful stall tactic, but tell us how you two met.”

“Only stalling because it is a bit embarrassing. I was on my way to a meeting and realized I’d missed lunch. I stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a sandwich and a latte. Reached in my coat pocket - no wallet. Checked my suit jacket - no wallet. Opened my briefcase. Not my briefcase. Mine was in the limo on its way to the airport then on to Japan. Now, I can’t call the limo because my cell phone is in my briefcase. While I’m puzzling this out the cashier is getting impatient. I had no cash on me. Andrea rescued me and bought my lunch. And she leant me her cell phone and Mr. Hiriotto and I exchanged briefcases via my limo driver. She refused to let me pay her back so I offered to escort her to dinner.”

“And what do you do?” asked Mrs. Maystorm.

“I’m an illustrator. You know, children’s books.”

“What a delightful job. It must pay very well,” said Robin’s mother. “Claws back in Mother. I bought her the dress to get her to come.” “You see, I thought he meant go to the gallery and then to dinner. Not

have dinner in the gallery. I pretty much panicked when he explained where we were going and who else would be here.” She stared at the back of the Vice President.

Robin leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek. “You are a dear and I love you. Nevertheless, I will choose whom I am going to marry and when that day will happen. If I were to choose Andrea, you will be a good mother and accept that.”

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