Fitness and foolish stubborness combined for an awakening in a predawn beach walk run
Doctor Feelgood
Chapter 39
Life’s detours are often painful as well as unavoidable – Carol Parker 1981
Everything that you were counting on
Was nothing but a pack of lies
Now you're mystified,
Standing with the rest of us
Who used to rule the world
Randall Bramblett – Used to Rule the World Bonnie Raitt Slipstream
Doctor Feelgood
“Your meeting will be in this conference room. Mr. Finn called, and he has landed, and he is on his way. When he gets here Bob will be joining you. Can I get you coffee or something while you wait?”
“No thank you I am fine.”
The door closed and Carol was left alone with her thoughts. A swirling whirlwind of thought and detritus as she waited. Here she was rescuing a man who had wounded her deeply. It would be an agreement on her terms. Protecting her farm and her reputation locally. Those were the two non-negotiables those were the two things she had to preserve to continue to build a future. Five years in and the business was going well, but her personal life had become the crumbling tower. Ruth had so delicately probed. Until she learned what Carol knew, which turned out to be astoundingly little. When Pam Capuano’s (she had kept the name) photos came Ruth had probed with care, careful not to collapse the house of cards. The photos were spectacular, and they selected ones for brochures and a catalog.
“Carol these are great did you know about Pam before she came out?”
“Zeph said she was the best and had edited the ones in the illustrated book. Looks like Zeph was correct”
“Do you know how Zeph and Stephen had known about her?”
“No, I suppose she was someone Zeph knew. He and Stephen seem to be friends. -- are your questions leading somewhere?”
“No, Pam hopes that this second book and especially a documentary will connect her to a big production firm. I was just curious about her background?”
“I suppose she hopes it will get noticed and others connected with the publishing house hire her.” Ruth let it lie then, she was sure I didn’t know Pam was Stephen’s first wife. Also, it seemed likely I didn’t know of any first marriage, not only that Stephen was once married to Pam.
At Della’s first birthday party, Ruth began to unfold another layer of unknown. We were watching happy Della smoosh birthday cake. “kids sure are messy sometimes. They require so much care and losing sleep I suppose I could understand people not wanting kids in their marriage.”
“Della is so delightful I couldn’t imagine your marriage without her.”
“I couldn’t either. JB and I talked about another child and we think we should as long as we space them out a little.”
“Probably best give each child a little space.”
“I suppose a businesswoman like you might want to focus on the business and not want kids of her own.”
“Some women might want that, but I see this farm as a place to grow things. Della has been so sweet I think we should have a child soon. It seems a great life for a child to grow in.”
Ruth then decided I didn’t know Stephen had planned on never being a father, but she didn’t tip her hand. After the apple season at the market was done, we had Thanksgiving and it was wonderful JB, Ruth, Della, Lizzie and a local guy Lizzie had dated a few times. I no longer knew where Lizzie actually lived. She was so often with Della at JB’s and then back here at my house. It was Stephen and I’s last perfect moment. Stephen had taken a new position. The college was far away, but it was a good fit for him. His illustrated version was still selling. Our farm had benefited from the publicity. We had appeared in the major farm magazine, and they had purchased Zeph and Pam’s photos. I also had an amusing image of an old grouch with sore balls. There was much to be thankful for, Stephen was now being scheduled for book promotions of his upcoming book with Zeph and Pam’s new photos. Stephen had begun a radio show on gardens that was distributed around the state’s public radio network. Life that Thanksgiving was as beautiful as an ice skater on a placid lake. I didn’t know I was about to skate over the thin ice and would soon be fighting to survive hypothermia.
Ruth did talk with Stephen after dinner on Thanksgiving, but it didn’t seem too unusual. Stephen had gone back to his college after the weekend. Ruth invited herself over for dinner. JB, Della, and Lizzie also came. They prepared everything served everything, then JB took Della into the living room and Lizzie began to clean up. Ruth told me to stay seated, we had something to talk about. Lizzie returned with a glass of wine and set it down at my place, then Ruth began. “How much do you know about Stephen’s past?”
I replied with what I knew where he grew up where he went to school. His graduate school and where he had begun work on a PhD. His student deferments and then large draft number in the first lottery. How he had fallen for the idea of a growing Earth, part of the return to nature movement, but with scientific approaches. I noticed her intent but blank stare, asked “Why?”
“What do you know about his past marriages?”
“What past marriages, I am sure he had relationships, what marriages?”
“Stephen was married to that photographer Pam”
I choked on air and then realized why Lizzie had brought the wine. I took a sip. “Really, how do you know?”
“She told us when she was here. She thought Stephen and Zeph had told you and you were adulting it, being a professional because she was so good. I have also done some checking and it’s true. She signs her work PamCy, but her legal name is Pam Capuano.”
“That is a big splash of cold water, but you don’t seem done. “
“Nope, Pam gets half the royalties from this second book. It was part of her divorce agreement”
“OK, I guess that doesn’t matter to the farm what else have you learned?”
“Stephen does not want kids, in fact Pam says he has had a vasectomy and can’t impregnate anyone now.”
I took another drink and swallowed slowly and hard, I stared. I think Ruth realized how many lies she had undone. She was right Stephen had told me nothing. He let me go on with any dream, agreed how cute Della was, how wonderful a child could be.
“You’ve known since the photographers were here?”
“I knew what she said, but she seemed like a flakey artist type. I checked it out. Also, I didn’t know what you knew. You may have known everything and didn’t see it was our business. I learned as you talked with me since then, you must not know. Stephen was all the same at Thanksgiving. I did ask him a little of his past and confirmed the places he was at and when. It all matches with what Pam said and what I had found out. We decided you had to know now that we were sure.”
Lizzie had come back. She sat on my other side and put the bottle on the table. I got up and hugged Ruth, I hugged Lizzie then I sat down. We held hands as we all cried. I drank another glass of wine.
“I have to think through this, it destroys so many dreams. False ideas of mine, but I knew he had been a rogue. I thought we were on a solid base. I don’t know what I will do. Parker Produce and Fruit will continue and prosper, we don’t need Stephen Capuano. I am glad I didn’t change my name. The real gut punch is the kids. He let me spin dreams of our future and never once stopped me or told me he wasn’t in complete agreement. It makes everything a lie between us. It is hard to take. I like him, I respect his talents, I forgave his foibles, I did fall in love. He just let me believe my dream, even if it was not reality.”
“JB and I are going home, but Lizzie is staying here with you. We can talk about it later. We were all sorry but wanted to be sure. You are right, our business doesn’t need him, but I know you did.”
This revealing of the truth was only the first stage of this rocket ride I was now on. A rocket that had lost its direction and was about to explode. She had met with Mr. Finn after Christmas and he began advising on a divorce settlement. I suspected Stephen had called off Christmas to avoid more questions from Ruth or maybe he thought I knew about his deceptions. It seems now to have been his pursuit of a new intense dalliance. I had talked to Zeph. He was thrilled that he had sold the photos to a national farm magazine. Now he and Pam had turned this into a contract for a documentary. It would require many location shoots around the nation. He had hoped Stephen had found a permanent relationship. Stephen had always been an incorrigible womanizer. I tempted Mark to an after Christmas trip to Chicago. We had a glorious time. He had never been to Chicago except at the airport. Downtown is fun, if you have some money to waste. We had both escaped to a magical surreal land. It was an escape we both needed. We went to my brother and father’s law firm on different days. I met with Finn and he met with my brother. We left and arrived in Franklin on different days. We caused no scandalous gossip. Many in Franklin thought I should have waited for Mark Greene. He would have a reason to stay on the Franklin farm and I would have a better Franklin certified husband. We seemed such a perfect match singing and playing at Christmas Eve. Mark was not destined for farming in Franklin. It was only through an unfortunate circumstance he was there. One my brother was pushing back against. My brother was often a jerk, but he was a good lawyer. If he thought a case was winnable, he won it. Mark and I had a rendezvous in Chicago. We both had a few cobs to blow out, and for a few days we did. I had been home about a week when Stephen called. He had put himself into a crisis and he wanted my help. He pitched it as our dreams would be dashed and it would mean ruin for us. I listened to him; I told him, I had learned about Pam. He started an explanatory lie, but I stopped him. I said I would come help; I did have interests to protect. I informed him, our was over and now it was his and mine. I suggested he drop out of sight for a couple of days, until I got there with a legal team.
“Stephen, I don’t think you are hiding from arrest, you are not a fugitive; head over to a beach. Please just avoid being around for questions. No more book promotions until we resolve this.”
I then did probably the most un-Franklin like and not a Parker thing; I drove over to Max Greene’s.
“Carol how are you?”- seeing and sensing a little distress in my face.
“I’m OK Max, I need to talk to you and Margaret.”
“I thought maybe you were here to see Mark.”
“Later I need to just speak with you now.”
Margaret got me coffee and we sat down at the kitchen table. I began to tell them about Stephen. “Now he is in a messy situation over an affair. It will harm me and the farm if it isn’t handled well.”
“I never trusted him, just too in the clouds. I like down to earth people.”
“You’re right Max, I should have not allowed myself to live in his fantasies.”
“Oh Carol, I am so sorry. It hurts me, I understand.”
“Ruth, JB, and Lizzie know all about this, they found out and told me after Thanksgiving. Now they all know not to tell anyone anything at the moment. This is an extreme sacrifice for Lizzie.”
“Lord yes that girl works faster and spits out more words than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“How can we help, Carol?”
“I thought Stephen didn’t come for Christmas because he suspected I knew about his past and was avoiding me. He actually had pursued a torrid affair that may cost him his career.”
“Serves him right I would say.”
“It does, but it will harm me and the farm if I don’t put a lid on this.”
“I visited a Mr. Finn at my father and brother’s law firm. He began preparing a divorce agreement, but now there is this new complication. I need to go out there and work with a lawyer there. Mr. Finn will fly out when we are ready for a negotiation. Stephen has someone trying to blackmail him. They are students and it is scandalous and messy, but it isn’t mafia or anything like that. I want to ask if Mark could drive me out there. I need the additional driver, someone who I can trust."
“It’s January Mark could get away.”
“He can go visit Civil War battlefields while I work this out. He told me how much he loves doing that. I know it might look bad and I am not wanting to stop Mark from getting his life back on track. My brother says they will win and completely clear up his trumped-up arrest. My Dad said justice is slow, doesn’t always come from a courtroom, but justice is the best hope. Also, when I meet with these students, I need to be there without a lawyer or a policeman. I don’t want Stephen along, and Mark has that strong hard body that will be more intimidating than I am.”
“Oh my, what do you think, Max?”
“First that Capaswano guy was never any good. Fancy talker no work. It sounds like you’re not going be married much longer, and you’re better off for it. We’ve loved having Mark back and I think nobody will notice if he goes back east for a week or so. It won’t affect his legal case. We are mighty grateful to your family for your help. Lawrence is sharp, and your father said not to worry about legal bills. He has only billed for filing fees. We’re very grateful on that.”
“Will it be dangerous for Mark?”
“No Mrs. Greene, these are students with false accusations. Mostly false who think since Stephen is an author there is money. JB once told me about bar fights. He said most big guys are quiet not looking for trouble, but having a formidable guy standing behind you calms the waters treementdousily is how JB put it.”
“JB ought to know, it is a miracle that he has Ruth. I’ve not seen anyone change like JB. He is wonderful help at the church and that little girl is adorable. Named after a mighty kind woman. No, you take Mark straighten out Stephen’s mess. Mark can drive you in the new Dodge Diplomat. They wouldn’t give nothing on the old Monaco, so I kept it. Mark’s been driving it, it’s a long drive you take the new car. If a single Carol Parker turned a young Greene’s head enough to stay part of Greene Farms and Parkers Produce and Fruit. Well it would not displease us. You two stay safe, does Mark know?”
“I wanted permission first, I did not expect you to offer your car. I was going to take the truck. “
“Your truck may be new to you and better than that little toy you first came in. It’s still a little foreign job; Mark could barely fit in it. You could sleep in the backseat while Mark drove, if you’re planning on driving straight through like I think you are.”
“Yes, I thought we would.”
“You go tell Mark it is alright he’s going. He won’t refuse you, will he?”
“I don’t believe so, no.”
“I didn’t reckon he would. You got enough money for this?”
“Max when I first came, I had no money and my problems were weeds and bugs. Now I got adequate money, but problems by number, and troubles by the score. Amazing what songs you hear when down at the garage, or Lizzie gets hold of the radio dial.”
“Mark’s down at the shop. We’re putting on new more aggressive coulters on the planter. It can wait; it won’t be planting time for three months. I’ll have Mark come to your place and pick you up. I imagine he’ll be over about three o’clock. You two stay safe. We’ll not say a word. If Lizzie can keep a secret surely Margaret and I can. “
“Thank you, I don’t how to say more”
Margaret hugged Carol, “Honey, Max and I will pray for you.”
-
Now I am here waiting to hear a legal strategy before meeting with the extortionists. Mel Brooks maybe could find a new play out of this farce. A knock and then the door opened.
“Hello Ms. Parker. I assume you know Mr. Finn and I am Bob Simmons.”
“You don’t go by Mrs. Capuano?”
“No”
“Just as well it seems.”
“I am going to brief everyone on local laws and the school policies that apply. Mr. Capuano is fortunate our state has old fashioned laws on age of consent. We’ve confirmed the person I call Female One is currently seventeen. She will be eighteen in three months. Male One who seems to be the mastermind is twenty-two. You are sure Mr. Capuano cannot be the father.”
“I called the clinic from your office before we came in. I am assured by the doctor that he has no possibility of being the father.”
“Fraud and misrepresentation are strongly indicated then by Female One and Male One’s actions. On the possibility of criminal liability, I believe Mr. Capuano is in the clear. Mr. Capuano’s other problem is university policy. This is where he exists in a precarious state. In an effort to answer complaints of professors having affairs with students the university has a policy for persons over twenty-five. They are forbidden to have any relationship with any one other than a person aged twenty-two or older. This doesn’t prohibit a middle-aged professor from having an affair with a grad student but was designed to protect undergraduates. Technically Female One was not a student, but Capuano was under the impression she was. If all of this is brought before a disciplinary hearing at the University, there is high probability he would be dismissed and lose his, I must add very popular, radio show. Mr. Finn, I am reminded of Alexander Hamilton and the Reynolds affair. Are you familiar with it?”
“I do not recall clearly it was a sex scandal, I believe?”
“Yes, it was. Hamilton was our first Secretary of the Treasury; he was accused of mishandling government money. In his defense he revealed it was all his money and he was being blackmailed by the husband of a woman he had an affair with. It does seem the affair was a scheme in which the husband and his wife were both plotters. In proving his innocence of embezzlement, he revealed adultery, maybe his wife would have preferred a less public admission as his defense. Male One and Female One have a scheme, they apparently thought a pregnancy would be a clincher. It has revealed the scheme. Now, we have to determine a course of action, can you negotiate a confidential admission, or will it become public? I will leave. I have updated you on the law and the policy that ends my part. You and Mr. Finn will have to design an agreement. I would say I have heard Mr. Capuano on the radio he has an excellent personality and a very useful show for gardeners. I do doubt his judgment. Why he would risk his career and marriage with a lovely woman as yourself I do not understand. He should stay with advice on tomato growing he is lacking in life lessons. Let Jane know when you’re finished use the room for as long as you need. Good luck Ms. Parker.”
“Carol glad to be here, as Laurel and Hardy might say this is another fine mess. Let’s work on an agreement for Female One and Male One as Mr. Simmons described. You are going to get them to agree to a contract. If Mr. Simmons or I are not involved it is an agreement between parties without certain ethical constraints. First, we are throwing the pregnancy back at them as proof of an extortion scheme. I have written the maximum and minimum sentences for such extortion practices in this state you should be familiar with them. They do face significant criminal liability. You can say you do not care if Stephen never works again and would gladly see them grow old in jail. This type of negotiation is purely psychological, you will have to read their reactions and rely on your instincts. They are captured by a vision of fortune. They will not give up easily on what avarice has dazzled them with. Fear can control greed they will fear arrest and jail. That is your stick. I understand Mr. Greene is with you and going to the meeting. “
“Yes, he went to DC today to meet with a friend, but he will be with me in the morning. “
“Your brother introduced me to him in the office. He is fine young man. The local prosecutor is on a vendetta against well-educated intellectuals the government needs in my opinion, it is a travesty. Mr. Greene looks like someone who can handle an unexpected situation. In the Air Guard where your brother served, I doubt that plans went awry. I was in Vietnam on the ground; I went in 1965. Our plans often went awry. Be observant, be aware of where to move if you have to and be willing to adapt. Where are you meeting?"
"In a park Stephen arranged it; he has called and told them I will be there. He said I controlled the money. He had been stalling using his second book not being published yet, as an excuse. I plan to ask them to move to seating outside a café."
"Outside seating in January?"
"This is not Chicago. It is near a bus stop and people often have coffee and hot chocolate there even now. It should give us a table to sign on. I expect to complete this deal, tomorrow.”
“It is good to move. As long as it is a more public space. I think it is only this boyfriend and girlfriend; I don’t believe anyone else is involved. Let them adapt because they are going to have to adapt. I have discussed on the phone your proposals with Mr. Capuano. He did not object to any of the terms we discussed. If we can get this resolved and buried so to speak, he will be amicable on your divorce arrangements. I sent documents via fax and Stephen signed them all this morning and people here witnessed them. His test results will be attached, and your new beneficiaries can come to this office tomorrow afternoon. They should ask for Mr. Simmons. They will receive packets with copies of everything and a cashier’s check. We are recommending a separate check for each and a separate packet. Honestly the boyfriend has suffered very little in this other than his scheme imploding. If they pursue the exposure route at the university, we will challenge standing. The policy is clearly intended for professors and students. Female one is not a student. It will stall the process enough to allow for their arrest. They are pleading guilty to several felonies in these documents, but their threat of ruining Stephen is rather empty for them. There is no money for them just harm to Stephen Capuano. The doctor’s report is being faxed over and copies made. I take it they do not know Stephen cannot be the father, yet?”
“No, I didn’t want them to have time to plot a new strategy.”
“I think they will take the money and run and then you can pick through the aftermath. Tom has made sure we will have cashier’s checks for them. It would be best to get them gone. I know it seems like money wasted. In truth you were inevitably getting a divorce, and this has made Mr. Capuano much more conciliatory; financially it may be a wash. Come to an agreement, get them to sign and date. The signing at this office and the cashing of their checks is the final agreement on their part.”
“Thank you, Mr. Finn, what is your first name I think I will be back in your office again before we are done.”
“Carol, my first name is Sean. Sean Finn and all my ancestors are Irish Americans, as one would expect. Good luck tomorrow. Stay with facts, stay with the business at hand, that is how I control my emotions. Lawrence told me we have some good news for Mr. Greene. The appellate court has rejected the prosecutor’s objections on our appeal. The panel has requested further support for their contentions. It indicates they are ready to rule in our favor. “
“Lawrence knew Mark Greene was here, I thought you lawyers practiced confidentially.”
“Carol they are your father and brother.”
“I just didn’t want to imperil Mark’s future career prospects.”
“No, he will be one of our leading diplomats someday. I am going out and tour Monticello tomorrow, then I will be back here tomorrow afternoon to seal everything up. I expect we will move on to your rather unusual divorce agreement next week. I will send them in with your document packets, check to make sure that the doctor’s report is in each one. Mr. Capuano may not be able to get you pregnant, and according to this report he hasn’t given you a disease, either”
“Knowing the nature of confidentially with family in your firm, I won’t comment on that.”
“We had to include it in the testing. It clears Mr. Capuano of any other liability. I will call at your motel if I need you, otherwise I do not think you need come back here. I will ask you to take the train into Chicago again when we are ready with your divorce agreement.”
“Thanks Sean Finn”
“Thank you, Carol Parker, I always wanted see Monticello, but in the military, it seemed too far from DC. Make sure your packets are in order and good luck.”
Now all she had to do was convince blackmailers with an outrageous plan to accept a reasonable if disappointing settlement. Maybe she should have brought JB, he used to be far more of a threat than Mark.
Photo by Roger Meisenbach
