OVER THE NEXT WEEK, I only saw glimpses of Jasper coming and going from the house. He was always dressed for work. Portia didn't say much, but she watched him as her drinking became regular.
I overheard them one evening while I was doing the laundry. He was raising his voice and accusing her of wasting his money. He was going to start giving her an allowance. She hadn't been happy about that at all.
The next morning she'd woken up and appeared in the kitchen asking for whiskey in her coffee.
When Sunday morning came and there was no notice of guests or another party, I was relieved. I'd be able to attend family day and spend time with Heidi. I had worried all week that I might have to disappoint her again.
I made coffee for Portia-adding the whiskey-then made her a fruit salad using the berries I'd gotten at the store the day before. She never asked for food anymore. I was taking it upon myself to feed her anyway.
She scowled at the fruit, but said nothing as I sat the bowl in front of her. She also didn't mention the whiskey in her coffee. After the argument over money with Jasper, she hadn't talked much at all. I could feel her rage boiling under the surface, though. Each day she was getting worse. I was worried that when she exploded, Jasper and I may both be thrown out.
Today, however, I wasn't going to worry about anything. I took the plate of cookies I had made last night and headed for the back door. When I stepped outside, Jasper was walking from the pool house to the main house. He frowned at the plate of cookies in my hand and at the way I was dressed. This was the only day I wore my own clothing.
"Going somewhere?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied hoping he didn't ask for details.
"Where?"
"It's my day off. Sundays that is. I leave for the morning and most of the afternoon."
He waited as if he wanted more of an explanation. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to tell him more. Portia hadn't told him about Heidi. There had to be a reason why she didn't tell him. I knew that Portia paid for Heidi's care. Now that she was on an allowance and Jasper was taking control of her money, I wasn't sure how that would be affected. He had to know about Heidi and the expense for her care at some point. I worked to provide her that care. It was part of my salary.
"My mother tends to live above her means. She sees no limit to spending. My father never curbed her and she needs to slow down. It isn't her money after all. The amount she has been paying you seems ridiculous. Surely you know that. Six thousand dollars a month is not a normal salary for the job you do here, but Portia was adamant that you needed that much. Regardless, I don't think taking a full day off work on Sunday is fair if you're paid the same amount as some of the executives I know. Do you think I am being unreasonable? If you need Sunday off, I am fine with that. But we need to discuss a new salary. One that makes sense. I don't know anyone who pays a live-in housekeeper that kind of money."
Six thousand dollars? Portia hadn't told me the cost of Heidi's care. I never imagined it was that much every month. I loved where Heidi lived. And she loved it there too, but $6000 was insane. I thought it was around $2500 at most. But never $6000. I wanted that place and the care Heidi was being given, but how could I ask the Van Allen's to pay that? He was right of course. My job and salary wasn't worth even half that a month.
"I . . ." I had no idea what to say. Words didn't come. If I took Sunday's off and he lowered my pay that meant Heidi would have to leave the home. She'd adjusted to her life and was happy. How could I jerk her out and move her somewhere else?
I'd have to work nights to make it work. Not to save for college, but to pay for her to stay at the home. I could not expect Jasper to continue my over-the-top salary because Heidi needed special care.
Jasper was right. It wasn't fair at all.
"Okay," I finally said. "What is fair?" I should discuss this with him in more depth, but I didn't know what else to say.
"I asked around this week after I saw how much you were getting paid a month. The average for your job is $2800 with room and board. Ms. Charlotte was being paid three thousand when she retired and that was after sixteen years of working here. Considering you've been paid $6000 for the past six months I would hope you've saved up money. I think the fair thing to do here is pay you $2000 for the next six months to even out some of the exorbitant pay you've been receiving. This job can be harder at times. I'll have more parties. There will be more entertaining that you'll be responsible for. But you have been paid well. I expect you see that. Portia gave you that salary and like anyone else would, you accepted it. Can't say I blame you. But it was too much. Entirely over the top."
Two thousand. I'd need to somehow make $4000 more a month to keep Heidi at the home. How would I do that? It seemed impossible. All I could do was nod my head. I couldn't argue with him. It wasn't his responsibility to take care of my sister. He didn't have to give me a job and he owed me nothing. Portia had felt some form of payment was meant for my mother, although I have no idea why. But Jasper knew as little about that as me.
"We are clear then. You are free to take your Sunday's off. Starting at the first of the month your paycheck will be $2000."
I nodded again. It was all I could do.
He gave me a tight smile. "Glad we can agree. You handle Portia well. She wants to keep you. That's not easy to manage because she's hard to please. I have no fault with your job. You do it well. No complaints. But I would like to add some things to your job description. Starting with having breakfast on the table for me at eight every morning. I'll leave a list of things I prefer and I take my coffee black and strong. I also want my bedding changed every three days and my sheets should be pressed. I need you to keep my fridge stocked with the items I will also list. Check it daily, and make sure I'm not running low on anything. I am sure I will have a few more things to add. But we can discuss that later. For now, go enjoy your day off," he said ending our conversation with a friendly smile this time.
Then he reached under the plastic wrap on the plate I was carrying and took a cookie. "I like cookies too. Leaving me some would be appreciated." With that he walked into the main house.
I couldn't move just yet. My stomach was in knots and my thoughts raced with how I'd make up the difference of that money. How would I take care of Heidi now? Would I be able to keep her in the place she was now calling home?
I turned to see Portia standing inside watching me. Her face was blank, lacking any emotional. She was simply staring my way.
Would she tell Jasper about Heidi? Was that even an issue? He had no reason to take care of my sister or give me a job. He was giving me a place to live and work. Heidi lived only ten miles from here. I had to find a way to make this work. The only answer was for me to get a second job. One where I could make the most money.
I'd have to leave Heidi early today to find out if any clubs were hiring nineteen year olds. A club would pay the best, even if all I could do was work as a hostess. The college clubs let nineteen year olds in with a band on their wrist marking them as too young to drink. I was pretty sure I could get a job at a club or maybe as a waitress somewhere.
For now, I had to visit my sister and smile. And pretend it was okay. That our lives weren't holding on by a thread yet again.
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OUTSIDE ROCKS on The Riverfront-an eighteen-year-old and older club that was located on the roof of a well-known hotel-seemed to be highlighting it as the most popular location for the college crowd in the area.
I had left Heidi at four that afternoon and spent an hour searching for places that were hiring and were open late night or all night. Rocks on The Riverfront didn't get busy until nine in the evenings, and was open until three in the morning. Those were perfect hours for me.
It wasn't even seven yet. I'd called asking if they were hiring, and a girl had me speak to Mr. Carey Jones, the manager. He said he'd interview me at the club at seven o'clock. Mr. Jones went on to tell me that they had limited positions for someone my age, but he may have an opening for a hostess. I knew without him saying anything he wanted to see what I looked like. My appearance mattered at a place like this. I hated that, but I was desperate.
The short black skirts and tight black halter tops the girls were wearing when I walked in were expected, but seeing the uniform only made me more nervous. I never dressed like that. The most revealing thing I owned was cut-off blue jean shorts. This would be difficult to adjust to. If it paid enough that I could pay for Heidi's care, I could live with it.