Heavenstone 02 - Secret Whispers

I said.
    “Well, tell me more details about him. You said his name was Ethan?”
    “Ethan Hunter. I did tell you he’s graduating from SUNY Albany, and he was interested in business.”
    “Is he enrolled in a graduate school? Which one?”
    “No, he’s not. He plans to spend this year actually in the working world. Why do you want to know so much about him, anyway?”
    She smiled. “When it comes to men, I have good instincts. That’s evident by the fact that I’m with your father. So, tell me, really. What sort of a young man is Ethan? I don’t mean tell me about his grades. Think about your impressions of him as a person. Draw a picture of him for me so I can visualize him.”
    “It’s no longer important.”
    “Humor me,” she said. “Please.”
    “He’s very intelligent, ambitious, and mature,” I said quickly. I described his physical features and added that he had a very nice smile.
    “And his family? You didn’t say that much about them at lunch.”
    “I told you his father is an accountant. I don’t know how rich they are,” I said, now letting some Cassie bitterness into my voice.
    “Oh, I’m not impressed by people with money,Semantha. As you can imagine, because of my father’s position in the bank, we have always known wealthy people. In my view, money often makes potentially interesting people boring.”
    “Really? Money does that? Why?” I asked, surprised.
    “They get too comfortable, rarely do spontaneous, interesting things. All sorts of advisers manage their lives. I know people who don’t even know their own net worth. They leave it up to some hired hand to decide if they can buy this or that, and often when they want something, they get talked out of it because it isn’t as financially wise as something they don’t want as much. For some people, money is freedom, but for most, as far as I can tell, it’s another form of imprisonment.
    “So, getting back to my question, I wouldn’t judge your boyfriend one way or another based on his family’s income. Money doesn’t make your character, but your character can help you make money. That is, if you’re sincere and trustworthy. Is your boyfriend sincere and trustworthy?”
    “I guess he’s not really my boyfriend,” I said. “I mean, we never said we wouldn’t see anyone else, and no promises were made for the future.”
    “And most of all, he didn’t show up for your graduation, which I know was very upsetting for you,” she added, nodding in sympathy. “Do you have any idea why not? He hasn’t called since?”
    I had an idea, but I wouldn’t tell her. That was for sure. I had the feeling, though, that she saw it in my face.
    “No, he hasn’t called.”
    “Well, whatever. I just wanted to assure you that one disappointment in love has nothing to do with what might come later and also to assure you, without even knowing any more, that it’s not something for which you should blame yourself, no matter what. My goodness, look at you. You’re a bright, beautiful, healthy young lady from a historic family that is the envy of everyone.”
    She patted my hand again and stood.
    “The worst thing to do is wallow in disappointment, and I have just the solution to prevent that.”
    “What?”
    “I’d like it very much, Semantha, if you would participate wholeheartedly in your father’s and my wedding plans. I have a great deal to arrange—music, menu, flowers, dresses for the bridesmaids, the first of whom I hope you’ll be. I’d like your opinion about it all, so I’d like you to accompany me to the various venues. Starting today.”
    “Today? What about your mother?” I asked.
    “What about her?”
    “Won’t she be participating?”
    “My mother passed away nearly five years ago.”
    “Oh.”
    “And I have no sisters. So, you see, it’s just the two of us women now. I really do hope we can become close, and there’s no better opportunity for us to do so than planning my wedding, don’t you agree?” she asked with a wide, warm smile.
    “Yes,” I said.
    “Good.”
    Mrs. Dobson came in with my breakfast tray.
    “I could have gone down for breakfast,” I said, more for Mrs. Dobson than for Lucille.
    “I told you we’re spoiling you a little. Let us do it,” Lucille said. “You agree, don’t you, Mrs. Dobson?”
    “Miss Semantha’s not an easy young lady to spoil, ma’am. She’s always thinking of others,” she replied without looking at her. She set the tray on my bed table