Sintown Chronicles I: Behind Closed Doors (74 page)

Max laughed. “Spoken like a real preacher's kid, Jo. You are almost right, but not quite. Sex was very much a part of the betrothal period, but fundamentalist will never admit it."

“Are you trying to tell me,” Randy said angrily, “that the mother of our Lord was fooling around before marriage?"

“I am simply trying to tell you that making a commitment to live together for a period before marriage is an ancient and honored custom that was practiced during part of the biblical period. I think it is a custom from which you and Jo would benefit."

“I won't do that to him preacher,” Jo said softly. “Believe me, I have already tried and he has strong convictions against it. We are going to get married during the next few days, whether you like it or not. I apologize for wasting your time,” she concluded as she moved towards the door.

“Do you agree with her, Randy?” Mack asked as Randy also headed towards the study door.

“We decided to get married before I called and made an appointment to see you,” Randy replied flatly. “I prefer to have the ceremony performed by a minister, but since you won't do it, we'll just have to find someone who will."

“Who said I wouldn't do it?” Mack asked as he sat at his desk and removed a legal pad from a drawer. “What kind of ceremony do you want?” He picked up a ball point pen and looked up at the couple innocently.

Randy and Jo remained speechless.

“Look, folks, I expressed my opinion. I'm not God. I may be wrong. You overruled me. Now, let's get on with the planning."

“We want something simple, perhaps here in your study with just the three of us. We were thinking about having the ceremony Sunday afternoon,” Jo said, easing hesitantly towards the desk.

“There is a three day waiting period in North Carolina. Have you gotten a license yet?"

Randy cleared his throat and propped his knuckles on the edge of Mack's desk. “We got our blood tests at the clinic Thursday morning and the license that afternoon."

“Well then, legally we can have the ceremony Sunday,” Mack said as he made notes. “But it can't be just the three of us. North Carolina law requires two witnesses."

Again, Randy and Jo exchanged blank expressions.

“I don't suppose you would consider having the ceremony right after Sunday's worship service? We would have plenty of witnesses then,” Mack suggested.

“You would like that, wouldn't you Randy Baby?” Jo asked.

“I wouldn't mind it, preacher, if you keep the ceremony short. I don't want to make folks late getting to their Sunday fried chicken,” Randy agreed.

“My ceremonies are always short,” Mack laughed.

“Mack,” Jo said. “In my dad's churches, people who wanted to join the church came up to the front during the singing of the invitation hymn following the sermon. Is that the way it's done at the Dot Baptist Church?"

“Sure is,” Mack answered.

“Randy,” Jo continued. “We haven't talked about it, but why don't we go ahead and join the church Sunday as well as have the ceremony?"

“You want to join the church?” Randy asked in a tone of disbelief.

“Just because I used to be a prostitute doesn't mean I don't believe in God. If we are going to live in Dot and raise our children in Dot we certainly want them to go to Sunday School, and if we want them to go to church we certainly should set the example by being good members ourselves, shouldn't we?"

“Wait a minute,” Randy said, his heart beginning to pound. “You're going too fast for me. I thought you said you had your tubes tied."

“I did, but your mother said she read that the procedure can be reversed. Doctor McGee confirmed that at the clinic Thursday morning. The least we can do is try to give your mother the grandchildren she has always wanted."

Randy smiled faintly. “Is there any personal detail you and my mother didn't discuss?"

“I can't think of one,” Jo deadpanned.

“I sometimes think you're marrying my mother instead of me."

Mack discreetly looked away as Jo threw her arms around Randy's neck and rubbed her firm breasts against his chest. “Randy Baby,” she said, “I'm marrying the whole frigging family."

“Randy,” Sandra Dollar began after the trio exchanged greetings and sat at the study table in her library, “as I told you on the telephone, I've read your stuff and I like it. Your ‘dirty book,’ as you call it, is extremely intense. I identified so closely with the emotions of the characters that I actually felt their pain, their anguish, their joys and, at least twice, their orgasms.” She laughed and continued, “We'll talk more about that another time. Jo, you've really thrown me a curve."

“How so?” Jo asked in surprise.

“I expected you and Randy to eventually marry, but it came as a shock to see you tie the knot yesterday following the worship service. Then, to learn when I talked with you on the telephone yesterday afternoon that you plan to have children right away and to move Randy's mother in with you—well, it left me shaking my head to say the least."

“I don't understand why this disturbs you,” Jo replied.

“If you and Randy are going to do the work necessary to establish Dollar Publications, I should think you would not have time for all the other. Take it from one who knows, looking after a baby is a full-time job."

“And yet, you are managing nicely, are you not?"

“It's isn't easy, Jo. I try to establish priorities, but then I'm never certain my priorities are right."

“Mrs. Dollar, I..."

“Please call me Sandy."

“Okay, Sandy. I probably should not have blurted out all of our plans on the telephone yesterday. Randy says I tell everything I know. It's just that, when you called, Randy and I had just slept together for the first time, and I do mean the first time. I was floating on cloud nine."

“Oh, my God,” Sandra cried. “I'm so sorry."

“Not a problem,” Jo laughed. “We did it again after your call, before and after dinner, when we went to bed last night and again before we got up this morning. I think he's getting to the point that he likes it a little bit and I know I like it."

Randy shook his head and mumbled, “Tells every damn thing she knows."

“Anyway,” Jo continued, “we haven't mentioned to Randy's mother the possibility of moving in with us. She may not want to do it. As far as children are concerned, Randy's mother desperately wants grandchildren. I have had a tubal ligation. Dr. McGee told me there is a possibility of reversal—I think she called it tubal reanastamosis—either by a laparotomy or through the less complicated laparoscope procedure. Either way, the operation is expensive and there is no guarantee of success. Randy and I have no insurance to cover the procedure and, because of my age, Dr. McGee recommends against trying it."

“What does your age have to do with it?” Sandra asked.

“I'm thirty-seven and near the end of my childbearing years."

“I should think that would be all the more reason to go for it if having children is important to you."

“That's what I think,” Jo agreed. “Dr. McGee said she would make an appointment for me with a specialist. We'll see how it goes."

Sandra nodded and looked down at her notes. “Two more things while we're on the subject. First, you do have health care insurance that will cover the procedure. Dollar Enterprises provides an excellent health care package for all employees. Second, I expect you to work your pretty little ass off for Dollar Enterprises. I know from our prior investigation that setting up this publishing house is complicated and time consuming. Your personal life is none of my business, but if you are not productive, I will fire your butt without warning. Do I make myself clear?"

“Very clear,” Jo responded coldly.

“Now,” Sandra continued, “have the two of you gone over the documentation of our prior research?"

Randy leaned forward, the red tint of his facial complexion slowly deepening. “Yes, we have,” he said, “but before we get into that I must say that you had no call to speak to my wife as you did. She is, by nature, open and above board. I personally resent your threats. You may be filthy rich, but I assure you we can do without you. I can support my wife. Furthermore, neither Jo nor I have any intention of working for you, Mrs. Dollar. We will work with you, but not for you. It's your call."

“Wow,” Sandra replied. “I'm impressed. I like a man with a backbone. Jo, I meant what I said, but if I offended you by the way I said it, I apologize. Now, Mr. Nickels, you can call it working with me or working for me—I don't care. The bottom line is you will meet the objectives I have established or I will terminate the project. Surely you can understand that."

“I do understand that, Mrs. Dollar, but I will tolerate no further tongue lashings directed at my wife. Surely you understand that."

Sandra nodded. “Can we get back to Sandy, Randy and Jo?"

Randy cleared his throat. “Concerning the prior research done on this project, Sandy, it was certainly done in considerable depth, but the emphasis was placed on the wrong details. More than half of the documentation is concerned with the cost of proper printing and binding equipment. That should not be much of a concern to us. Even the biggest publishers farm out the printing and binding processes."

“Our major concerns are twofold. First, we need to find a viable means of distribution of the finished product. If we don't find a way to get our books into bookstores, and back that up with major advertising, we are wasting our time and money. Second, we need the services of one or more experienced book editors. Careful editing can turn your masterpiece and mine into bestsellers."

Randy dug into his ratty briefcase and produced a single sheet of paper, which he passed to Sandra. “We have outlined the steps that need to be taken in the order of importance. As you can see, Jo and I have our work cut out for us. I expect to have an accurate budget prepared for your consideration within a month and to have our first books in the stores in time for Christmas sales this year."

Sandra studied the outline for several minutes. “I hate to continue to sound critical, Randy. Your outline is impressive, but I am not pleased with the dot matrix printing. I authorized a Dollar Enterprises approved computer system for both you and Jo and I am disappointed to see that you have not yet obtained them."

“With all due respect, Mrs. Dollar, your authorization was conditioned on Jo's agreement to participate in the project and your approval of the writing samples I provided you. You did not actually employ us until yesterday afternoon."

“You are correct, of course. Again I apologize,” Sandra said. “But please see Sean this afternoon or tomorrow and get your systems. He is expecting you.” Her eyes went back to the outline. “I see that you do not intend to open a formal office for three months. Do you think that is a good idea?"

“You work out of your home. Jo and I intend to work out of our home. There is no need for a formal office until we obtain the services of an editor or two and begin to solicit manuscripts. If that can be accomplished ahead of schedule we will be much better off and, of course, will need a formal office complex as soon as the editors come on board."

Sandra shifted in her chair, which was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “Although you intend to farm out the printing process, I do want you to check with the owners of the
Dot Courier
. I'm already committed to giving them a shot at the work."

“Normally, printing jobs are submitted for bids. I will be glad to let these people place a bid for every manuscript. In fact, we will probably need to use several companies."

“There is one last item on my agenda,” Sandra said. “The managers and executives of Dollar Enterprises meet weekly on Mondays in Tim's study promptly at nine o'clock. Tim and I believe that it is important that every key player be familiar with the whole picture. I would like for both of you to attend these meeting. I did not invite you to this morning's meeting because I thought we needed to have this private conference first."

“One of us, if not both, will attend your meetings, Sandy,” Randy agreed. “Now I have one last item on my agenda. Jo and I will get the job done according to the timetable presented to you in our outline. However, initially we will be spending most of our time getting our own lives in order. I want that clearly understood before we leave here today."

Sandra stood and extended her hand to Randy. “I believe that we fully understand each other.” She shook hands with Jo, and continued, “I did not intend for this meeting to be as unfriendly as it turned out to be. Both Tim and I prefer that our business associates also be our friends. I hope we can move in that direction. Please keep me informed as to developments in your personal lives, not as your boss, but as one who is genuinely interested and willing to help whenever needed. And, of course, welcome to Dollar Enterprises."

“Randy Nickels,” Jo said as soon as they were back in their car, “get me home immediately."

“Why?” Randy asked. “Is something wrong?"

“Something is very right,” she answered. “I am not used to having anyone stand up for me like that. I like it. I am so turned on that I will screw you right here in the car while you're trying to drive if you don't get us home within five minutes."

Randy's foot pressed hard on the accelerator.

“Mrs. Nickels? This is Jo—Randy's former girlfriend. Are you okay? We tried several times to call you last night but there was no answer."

“I'm not dead yet, if that's what my worthless boy was hoping,” the elder Mrs. Nickels joked. “The damn activities director forced a bunch of us to go out to dinner and to a play last night. I simply wasn't here."

“I hope you enjoyed it."

“Would you enjoy being out with nine old hard-of-hearing women and one old man who pees in his pants and doesn't even know it?"

“Come on, now. Admit it. You enjoyed getting out a little, didn't you?"

“Maybe just a little. What's this about ‘former girlfriend'?"

Jo laughed. “Let's put it this way. Randy now has enough experience to write several more dirty books."