PRECARIOUS by Robert F. Clifton (ebook reader macos .TXT) 📖

way. With a simple no comment. However, a question raises it’s ugly head. The question is, why? Why did merchants and other businessmen constantly call for information on the deposits of Cummings and Blankfield? Could it be because of their past business tactics? As a matter of fact, is this frivolous law suit a mere, unethical, attempt to make gains financially against my client? I ask you now to render a not guilty verdict for my client, Thank you.”

The following Monday Robert was called to the office of Melvin Parlin. When he walked in he was told to take a seat.

Mr. Parlin looked at the young lawyer for a while then said, “Congratulation on winning the Wilson case.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Do you know that he’s decided to do away with his current legal representatives and go with us?,” asked Parlin.

“No sir.”

“Well he has. Do you know what that means?”

“No, I have no idea.”

“That means that you just brought a multi-million dollar enterprise to our firm. You, my young man are on your way to becoming a partner. Keep up the good work.”

“Thank you Mr. Parlin.

“Would you like to know why you haven’t made partner before this?”

“Certainly.”

“You’re still single, a bachelor. Need I say more?”

“No sir.”

***************

On a early, Saturday afternoon Robert and Barbara walked through the empty, fifth floor condominium located in Rittenhouse Square. Well, what do you think? This one has three bedrooms, two baths, plenty of closet space where the last one had only one bath,’ said Barbara.

“I’m still thinking about the first one you showed me” said Robert.

“That was a one bedroom, one bath and it’s on the other side of town.

“Well, I don’t know. All of them need furnishing and decorating. Let me ask you something. If you had to live in any of the three that you have showed me, which one would you select?”

“This one,” Barbara replied.

“Why?”

“It’s a corner condo. Gives you a great view. I’ll admit that it’s expensive, but look at it as an investment. I can almost guarantee that in the future should you decide to sell it my father will buy it back.”

I don’t know. The windows need drapes. You don’t like the rugs.”

“If you want I can give you a name of a great interior decorator.”

“Have you used this person before?”

“Oh yes. Mildred Hemple is her name.”

“I see. How would you like to work with her and have this place done the way you vision it?”

“That would be delightful. I must tell you that she’ll require a deposit.”

“Fine, tell her that when she’s ready she’ll either get a check from me or Barbara Sayer.”

Barbara stood in silence trying to catch her breath. Finally, able to speak she asked, “Are you proposing?”

“Yes if you’ll have me,” he answered.

“Yes, yes, yes. Now hold me and kiss me.”

“Why don’t you wait until you see the ring,” he said as he took the ring box out of his pocket. I hope you like it,” he replied.

“Back at the residence in Chestnut Hill Barbara and Robert walked into the house. “Mother! Father! Come quick I have news,” said Barbara loudly.

The Wilson’s got up from their chairs in the den and walked out toward the entrance way. “And, just what the hell is the big news? It damn sight be good, making me get up with this bum knee of mine,” said Harry Wilson.

“Robert has asked me to marry him,” Barbara said excitedly.

“Son of a bitch. That is good news. I was afraid you’d live here with us forever. Congratulations son, but let me warn you. She takes after her mother and can be a real pain in the ass at times.”

“Thanks a lot Harry”, said his wife as she then began to hug first her daughter and then Robert.”

“I’ll tell you what. For a wedding present I’ll either give both of you a condo or a million dollars. What do you say?” ,asked Harry.

“Father! I don’t come with a dowry. It’s like you’re bribing him to marry me,” said Barbara.

“Quiet daughter. Well, what’s it going to be?”

“We’ll take the condo. I’ll make my own million dollars,”

said Robert.

“The following weekend Robert took Barbara to Atlantic City to meet his parents. His father, Frank was happy to meet his future daughter in law. Mary, Robert’s mother like most mothers thought that that although she liked Barbara, her son could do better.

In the time they spent in the two story home in the Inlet section of the city Barbara slept in Robert’s bedroom. Robert slept on the sofa in the living room. After breakfast on Saturday they went to the beach. That evening as planned they went to the Steel Pier and danced to the music of Ralph Marterie. Robert glided Barbara across the dance floor she said, “I didn’t know you could dance this well”.

“Arthur Murray”, he replied.

“Well, you got your money’s worth.”

*******************

The wedding took place at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill. The reception was held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, also in Chestnut Hill. Harry Wilson was a long time member.

Robert and Barbara spent their wedding night in the condo on Rittenhouse Square and the next day flew to London to begin their honeymoon. They had decided to do what they called, “The Big Three,” visiting London, Paris and Rome. They would be in Europe for a month.

In London they stood and viewed Buckingham Palace. Saw Westminster Abbey and Number Ten Downing Street. At times they ate in street restaurants, experimented with fish and chips and bangers and eggs for breakfast. In the evenings they visited the pubs and drank. warm, beer.

The visit to Paris meant that Robert sat in the many boutiques as Barbara shopped. He was able to convince her to stop buying when he informed her about the duty she would have to pay upon their arrival home. She agreed.

Instead of beer they now sampled fine wines and champagne. The ate French cuisine cooked with lots of butter and they both tasted escargot for the first time. Barbara had a difficult time chewing them, while Robert had no problem at all. They both passed on the frog legs. They visited the Louvre and the National Museum of Modern Art.

In Rome they took in the typical tourist attractions. They saw the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St Peters Basilica and visited Vatican City. Again, like Paris they drank fine wines and ate Italian cooking. Then, it was time to return home. Instead, they wired home, telling family and the legal firm that they needed another week, then made arrangements to fly to Spain. In Madrid they went to the bull fights, marveled at the reaction of the fans in the arena seats. Finally, their tour of Europe was over and the couple flew into the International Airport of Philadelphia.

Robert Sayer sat at his desk reading information pertaining to the next case that and been assigned to him upon his return to the firm. He sat and relived the handshakes, slaps on the back and the questions of how he was enjoying married life. “Married life? Am I enjoying it? I guess so. I love Barbara. I love being with her. Still, there’s something wrong. What is it? I have to admit that it’s not the same kind of love that I had with Janet. This love for Barbara is different, so different. With Janet she was all I thought about from the beginning of my day to the end of the day. With Barbara I’m content knowing that she loves me. Yet, I want to have that same feeling, that same kind of love that I had with Janet and so far it’s not there. I want it to be there. I want that feeling again.”, he thought to himself.

Robert now immersed himself in his work. Barbara worked with the same charities that she had worked with before her marriage. Once or twice a week she drove her white, Mercedes W207 convertible into Chestnut Hill to visit her mother either at home or at the Cricket Club for lunch. Her mother always inquired about her happiness and Barbara constantly assured her mother that she was very, very, happy.

By winning case after case in court and bringing more corporations and corporate heads legal business to the firm Robert was made partner. He stood on Spruce Street and watched the names on the sign hanging over the entrance to the building, Pratt, Pratt and Parlin change to Pratt, Pratt, Parlin And Sayer. There were times when he sat and thought about his life.

Now, approaching his late thirties, professionally he had done well. From a young college student who washed dishes at night in a restaurant, to a young naval officer wounded just off the coast of North Korea to becoming a budding attorney, he had done well for himself. From a kid in the inlet of Atlantic City he had married well and entered Philadelphia Society. He was financially secure. Still, something was lacking.

Long a Philadelphia Eagles fan he had purchased two season tickets on the forty yard line, row thirty at Franklin Field hoping that Barbara would join him. She didn’t. On the Sundays that he went to the home games she visited her father and mother or one of her girl friends

At the first pre-season game Robert settled into his seat. As he looked over the printed lineup he held in his hand he stopped and stood to allow a young, attractive blond woman pass by him in order to take her seat. It was two seats to his right.

The woman looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Then, he decided to speak to her. “I notice that the seat next to you is empty. Is it one of yours?”, he asked.

“Yes, unfortunately my husbands not a real fan. He bought the tickets last year attended one game and hasn’t been back since. I usually take one of my girl friends to the games. And, since you mentioned it, I see the seat next to you is vacant also.

“Yep, the wife isn’t into any sports except swimming or playing tennis at her club.”

“How nice for her. And, you are?”,the woman asked.

“Sayer, Robert Sayer.”

“Jane Collins.”

“Nice to meet you Jane Collins. And what do you do Jane Collins?”, he asked.

“ Do? Oh, I’m the chief bottle washer, vacuum cleaner operator, cook and sometime concubine to my husband, the idiot, William Collins.”

“Now, it can’t be that bad”, said Robert.

“Really? Your married. Why is the seat next to you vacant? You know what happens to romance? It flies out the window right after the wedding ceremony. You can bet if you were still courting she would be sitting right here, biting her lip because she had to pee so bad. Married now? She’s at home or where ever. So, what about you. What do you do?”

“I’m an attorney.”

“Really? Great, I might need you when I get ready to dump this dumb bastard I’m legally attached to.”

“Sorry, I don’t handle divorce cases?”
“Naturally, oh well, it’s nice meeting you anyway Robert Sayer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Six

Jane

 

On Sunday, October 6, 1963 Sayer and Jane Collins sat and watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Dallas Cowboys by the winning score of 24 to 21. In the excitement of the win those in the stands stood and hugged each other. Robert found himself hugging Jane. He noticed the he enjoyed it, especially when she made no motions to move away. He looked into her blue eyes and said, “Hey, we won.”

“Yes, yes we did, she answered.

“Now what?, he asked.

“Now, it appears that another game is to begin,” she said.

“Looks that way. I’m game if you are,” he said.

“Let’s go some place to either have a drink or a cup of coffee and talk this thing over. I don’t think that either one of us want to get into something over our heads,” said Jane.

“Good idea. Do you know where the Cosmic Bar is?”, he asked.

“Yes.”

“Since we both have to move our cars, let’s meet there.”

“Alright”, Jane agreed.

Later, they both sat in the dimly lighted