Locals called it Coulson House, an understated characterization of the property. Located on a hilltop, it seemed oddly out of place in its high-desert southwest location. Its classic architecture bespoke a building better suited for a city that had witnessed a significant passage of time instead of one that had barely been in existence for a decade.
Well-manicured palm trees majestically lined the long winding concrete drive from the street below to the massive estate. Situated on a five-acre parcel, pinyon pine trees dotted the perimeter of the property. Within a year after the structure was built, Randall Coulson had lawn planted, transforming the barren dirt surrounding Coulson House into a lush green carpet.
As a small child, Garret and his older brother, Harrison Junior, or Sonny as his family called him, played hide and seek on the rarely used third floor of the mansion. Garret learned to be quick witted when playing such games with his brother, or else he would find himself locked in some trunk or cupboard for an indefinite length of time.
Parking his truck in the front drive, Garret noticed his brother’s green MGB sports car. Sonny is home, he thought. Getting quickly from his vehicle, he slammed the door shut before racing to the front entrance. He found his grandfather, father, and older brother all in the living room enjoying evening cocktails. Sonny shared the leather couch with their father, Harrison. Garret’s grandfather, Randall, sat on the large leather recliner facing the two men.
“When did you get home?” Garret asked after he sprinted into the room and plopped down on an empty chair.
“About thirty minutes ago,” Sonny told him, as he took a sip of his drink. Over six years separated Sonny and Garret. The brothers weren’t close, but it wasn’t the age difference; Garret simply disliked his older sibling. Yet, there was no doubt they were brothers. Both bore a striking resemblance to their father, Harrison.
People said Harrison Senior inherited his blue eyes from his mother, Mary Ellen. Harrison’s father, Randall, had dark brown eyes and while he was a tall man, he wasn’t as tall as his son. Now in his early seventies, Randall continued to be active and as fit as any man twenty years his junior.
“Don’t you have classes?” Garret asked.
“Your brother has decided he’s finished with college,” Harrison explained. He sounded slightly annoyed.
“Dad, I’ve got my bachelors. You and Grandfather didn’t even finish college.”
“That was different,” Harrison insisted.
“Oh leave the boy alone,” Randall said. “He’s right, you know. We did fine without finishing college. And he’s a Coulson. We make our own rules.”
“Well I do have my degree.” Sonny sounded insulted. “I just realized there was no reason to get my masters. Waste of time.”
Garret sat quietly and watched as the three men debated Sonny’s future with the family business. I do have my degree, his brother had insisted. Garret then recalled a conversation he had overheard between his brother and another college student. Sonny had been paying someone to take his tests—write his term papers. Garret wondered if his father or grandfather knew or cared.
Remembering that afternoon’s conversation with his algebra teacher, Mrs. Chamberlain, Garret asked himself, Do I want to be like my older brother? He didn’t doubt Sonny would have a financially stable future. His brother had the support of their wealthy grandfather. But the thought of living his entire life dependent on the controlling man, never accomplishing anything on his own merit, troubled Garret. He wasn’t sure if it was Mrs. Chamberlain’s private lecture or listening to his grandfather and father plan his older brother’s life, but in that moment, Garret Coulson knew he had less than two years of high school to turn his academic future around.
“Does this mean you’re staying here?” Garret asked, breaking into the conversation. He had been so lost in his own private thoughts he hadn’t really heard what they had been saying.
“I guess you weren’t listening.” Garret’s father sounded annoyed.
“Grandfather feels it would be good for me to see more of the world before I start work.” Wherever he was going, Sonny seemed pleased. “I’ll be traveling abroad.”
“How does Mother feel about this? Where is she, anyway?” Garret asked.
“She should be home soon,” Harrison said. “She was at that lecture up at Clement Falls this afternoon.” Harrison glanced at his watch. “Although, I’m a little surprised she isn’t home yet.”
“So you actually convinced her to go?” Garret asked.
“Someone from the family needed to be there, and your father and I had meetings all afternoon,” Randall said.
“Does she know Sonny is home?” Garret asked.
His question would be answered in the next minute when Vera Coulson sailed through the front door.
“Is that Sonny’s car?” she asked, hurrying into the room. When she saw her eldest son, she rushed to him and gave him a hug.
When Sonny started to explain the reason for his unexpected arrival, Vera interrupted him and said, “You can tell me all about it, dear, over dinner. Let me run upstairs and freshen up.” She dashed from the room as quickly as she had arrived.
The four men chatted for a few minutes longer when Garret’s younger brother, Russell, ran into the living room to announce dinner was about to be served. Everyone stood up, agreeing the conversation could be resumed in the dining room.
Harrison and Randall lingered in the living room for a few minutes discussing business, while the three brothers walked toward the dining room. Neither man noticed when Sonny shoved his foot in Russell’s path, causing the eight-year-old boy to trip and fall to the floor.
“Why did you do that?” Garret asked angrily. He leaned down and pulled his younger brother to his feet. Russell glared at Sonny, refusing to cry.
“Because it’s fun,” Sonny said with a laugh. He was still laughing when he walked into the dining room and was greeted by his mother, who gave him a second welcome hug.
Shaking his head in disgust, Garret patted Russell’s shoulder and gave the boy a quick wink. There were times Garret found the kid annoying, but he figured that was simply the nature of little brothers. He didn’t see the reason to go out of his way to make the kid’s life miserable.
Thrilled to have her favorite son home, Vera clutched Sonny’s left arm as he walked her to the right side of the table, where the two took a seat next to each other. Garret and Russell sat on the opposite side, while Harrison and Randall took their places at opposing ends of the table.
“So tell me, Sonny, to what do we owe the honor of your visit?” Vera asked.
“I’ve decided not to get my masters.”
“You’ve dropped out of school?” She looked over at him.
“It’s only been a month, no big deal.” Sonny shrugged.
“Says the boy who is not paying for his own tuition,” Randall grumbled.
“I thought you were okay with this, Grandfather?” Sonny asked.
“You miss the point. If you recall I thought getting a masters in the first place was a waste of money. You have all the degree you need. Would have saved me some money had you just listened.”
“So what are your plans? Are you staying here, working for your grandfather?” Vera sounded hopeful.
“Grandfather says it will do me good to have a European tour before starting work.”
“You’re traveling abroad?” Vera looked from her son to her husband. “It would be nice if you took me to Europe.”
“This is my father’s idea,” Harrison told her. “But if you wish to do some traveling, no one’s stopping you.”
“Alone? Or perhaps I could go with Sonny,” Vera suggested.
Garret glanced at his older brother and chuckled. Sonny’s expression was priceless, and Garret almost felt sorry for him, yet not quite. It would serve the idiot right if Mother tagged along on his big European adventure.
“I don’t think so,” Randall chimed in. The tension in Sonny’s face drained, replaced with a look of relief. “A young man does not take a trip such as this with his mother.”
“I suppose not,” Vera reluctantly agreed.
The table was silent for a few minutes while they ate.
“I thought John was joining us for dinner this evening?” Vera asked.
“No, John had to fly off at the last minute this afternoon, putting out fires,” Randall explained as he helped himself to a roll.
“John Weber?” Sonny asked, “Is he still doing your dirty work, Grandfather?”
“He does not do my dirty work, Sonny. John Weber is a very effective troubleshooter for Coulson Enterprises. And if you intend to take part in the family business, I expect you to speak more respectfully toward valuable members of the company,” Randall snapped.
“I was just kidding, Grandfather.”
“Sometimes your humor escapes me,” Randall said.
“It’s because he isn’t funny,” Garret said under his breath between bites. From across the table Sonny gave him a swift kick. Garret silently glared at his older brother.
“So how was the lecture?” Harrison asked his wife.
“Boring, how did you expect it to be?” she asked.
“Well, did you enjoy it at all? It’s usually lovely up in Clement Falls this time of year.”
“I suppose. A very handsome man flirted with me.”
“Someone from the museum looking for a donation?” Harrison asked.
“No.” Vera glared at Harrison. “He was just some man I met when I stopped at the market.”
“Well that explains why you were so late,” Harrison said, yet he didn’t seem upset.
“Mother, picking up men at Clement Falls now?” Garret teased.
“Hardly.” Vera glared at her middle son.
“Did he know who you were?” Randall asked.
“Why do you ask that?” Vera frowned at her father-in-law.
“You need to be careful, Vera. All sorts of unscrupulous men out there waiting to take advantage of someone in your position.”
“What do you mean in my position?”
“I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.”
“I find that insulting, Randall. Basically you’re saying the only reason a man might flirt with me is because I’m married to your son?”
“I didn’t realize having strange men flirt with you was so important,” Randall said.
“Good lord, I never said it was important. I simply made a comment that a man flirted with me, and the only conclusion you can arrive at is that someone wants something from you.”
Randall started to comment but Harrison interrupted, saying, “Dad, I’m constantly amazed at how little you know about women.” He turned to look at Vera. “I apologize for my teasing. I didn’t mean to start—this. You are a very attractive woman, and I see no reason why a man wouldn’t flirt with you.” Harrison paused for a moment then asked, “Russell, hand me the rolls please.”
“I need someone to drive me to Tommy Chamberlain’s house tonight,” Russell said as he handed his father the basket of rolls.
“Who is Tommy Chamberlain?” Vera took a sip of her wine.
“He’s a boy in my class. His family moved here this summer.”
“Why do you need to go there on a school night?” Vera asked him.
“Tommy was sick today, so the teacher asked if someone would take him his school work. I volunteered.”
“That was generous of you.” Vera sounded annoyed.
“My driver can take you,” Randall told Russell. “You do know where this boy lives?”
“Thanks, Grandfather. Yeah, I know. Ryan Keller told me.”
“Who’s Ryan Keller?” Randall asked. He couldn’t recall a Keller family.
“He’s also new this year.”
“There are a lot of new people moving into Coulson,” Randall said with a smile, pleased the city he founded—that bore his name—was growing.