Frank was seated at the dining room table having breakfast. His mother had just finished eating, but instead of excusing herself, she watched him eat the rest of his eggs.
“Frank, you had two eggs, four pieces of bacon, and four pieces of toast. Were you hungry?”
He laughed as he put the napkin beside the plate. “Work makes me hungry.”
She looked at his waist. “I think you need to eat more fruit and fewer pieces of bacon. You appear to be gaining weight.”
He looked at his waist. “I think you’re right.” He noticed a slight roll above his belt. “But I am sitting down.”
She laughed. Then she changed the subject. “Are you going to work today?”
“Not at the oil company. I’m going to Chicago. I intend to introduce myself to the top executives at the trucking company. Will you ask Annie to pack a suitcase for me?” He wasn’t about to tell his mother the real reason for the trip to Chicago, which was to inquire about Sharon Cooper. More than one person had told him that she had been in Chicago before she moved to Oklahoma. Frank was determined to find out if these individuals were correct. He wondered about what he would learn.
“Certainly. Will you be gone long?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe a day or two. Hopefully, no longer than three.”
She nodded. “George purchased a small jet a few months ago. I’m sure he’ll be happy to show it off by flying to Chicago.”
“That’s a good idea, Mother, but I don’t want to bother Uncle George.”
“I don’t think he would mind. Besides, he used to pilot his plane whenever your father asked, which was quite often. I remember when your father purchased the studio. It seems he had to fly to California every month. However, instead of taking the company plane, he would ask George. Your father knew George enjoyed flying his plane whenever he could.”
Frank remembered. “I’d forgotten about that. But you seem to be forgetting that something happened between them.”
She remembered. “You’re right. Something did happen between them.” She stood and started walking toward the living room. “Follow me. I need to tell you something.”
Frank followed her to the living room. Mary sat on the sofa and Frank sat in one of the chairs across from her. He made a gesture with his right hand. “Well, tell me,” he said.
She glanced at one object and then another. Finally, her eyes rested on his. “Frank, do you remember when your father purchased the studio?”
He nodded. “I believe it was about fifteen years ago.”
She nodded. “Close enough. Do you remember what your father did after he purchased it?”
Frank was confused. “What do you mean?”
“Do you know who he eventually hired to manage it?”
Frank shook his head. “Not really.”
“He hired George.”
Frank remembered. “Of course. I remember now. Uncle George had managed another studio several years before.”
“That’s right. He had managed a studio and, except for visiting his ranch several times a year, had lived in California. However, he left the studio when it was purchased by a media conglomerate in New York City. When he returned to Derrick, he told your father and me that he didn’t think the new owner knew very much about the film industry. Anyway, after your father purchased a different studio a few years later, he asked George if he would manage it. At first, George didn’t want the job, but your father continued to ask whenever he saw him. Finally, George accepted on one condition—that there would not be any interference from your father.”
“I bet father wasn’t happy about Uncle George’s condition, was he?”
Mary laughed. “Well, he didn’t interfere for at least a year or two. Then, he came up with a reason or two for going to the studio. I don’t know what George thought at the time because I’ve never asked him. According to your father, George did a fantastic job. He had taken a studio that had been losing money and turned it into one that earned money.”
“So. What happened?”
“Basically, jealousy. According to your father, whenever he spoke at any of the meetings at the studio, no one listened. He claimed the employees resented him. To them, he was an outsider who didn’t understand Hollywood. He claimed the employees listened to George and only George. Of course, I believe he was exaggerating.”
“I remember when George started visiting us more often.”
His mother nodded. “The visits increased, especially after your father told him that his services were no longer required at the studio. George returned to his house in Derrick and started going to his ranch more often.”
Frank shook his head. “I can’t believe father would fire his own brother.”
“Believe it, it happened. Although George never mentioned it, I know he never got over it.” She glanced at another object in the room. “The funny thing is the studio started losing money after George left. In fact, your father had grown so concerned about the losses that he thought about selling the studio a year or two before he finally did. He mentioned it to me one evening, before he brought it up when you were home from college. I remember suggesting that he ask George to manage it, but he dismissed my suggestion by shaking his head. I never suggested George again.”
“Mother, thanks for telling me.”
She noticed him glancing at his watch. An idea came to her. “Whenever your father traveled to a company, especially if he didn’t fly in George’s plane, he would have his secretary make the arrangements, including having someone at the company reserve a room for him at one of the hotels.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you, Mother. Please, excuse me.”
He went to his father’s office and picked up the telephone. He called his father’s office number at the oil company.
“Williams Petroleum Company,” a female said.
Frank thought he recognized Ms. Cooper’s voice. “Is this Ms. Cooper?”
“Yes, may I help you?”
“Ms. Cooper, this is Frank Williams. I understand that whenever my father had to travel you or another secretary made the arrangements, including reservations at one of the hotels. Is this correct?”
“Yes, Mr. Williams.”
“I need to fly to Chicago. I’d like to leave today, if possible.”
“I’ll make the arrangements for you. I presume you will be flying business class out of Oklahoma City?”
“That’s right.” Frank had learned long ago that “business class” meant “first class.”
“I’ll let you know which flight as soon as I can. What’s your phone number?”
He gave her the number.
“I’ll also call the company. One of the secretaries there will have someone pick you up at the airport as well as reserve a suite in your name.”
“Thanks, Ms. Cooper.”
“Anything else?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Have a nice trip.”
“Thanks.”
He put down the receiver and wondered if he should have asked for another secretary when Ms. Cooper answered. She probably thinks I’m going to Chicago to inquire about her. Frank shook his head. No. She probably thinks I’m going to the trucking company to introduce myself to the executives. Then he thought about what she had said—‘Have a nice trip’—and wondered if she had meant it.
He went to his room to get ready. Annie had packed a large leather suitcase, which was on the bed. Annie always left his suitcases opened after she packed them, just in case he desired to add something. He examined the contents of the suitcase. Except for his shaving kit, it contained everything he needed. He put the necessary toiletries into the shaving kit and put it into the suitcase. He closed the suitcase and put it on the floor at the foot of the bed. He glanced around the room to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. Suddenly, his phone rang.
“Frank Williams speaking,” he said.
“Mr. Williams, I have the flight information,” Ms. Cooper said.
“Okay.”
“It’s flight three-fifty-five. It departs Oklahoma City a little after noon.”
“Thank you, Ms. Cooper.”
Frank heard a click and shook his head. No ‘You’re welcome, Mr. Williams’?
Frank put his phone away and clutched the suitcase with his right hand. Then he went downstairs.
His mother was standing in the hall, near the front door. “Frank, Henry can drive you to the airport.”
He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll drive my car.”
His mother nodded. “Okay, but drive carefully.”
“I will.”
He stepped onto the marble porch and noticed that it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and white cumulus clouds were floating like balls of cotton in the blue sky. He turned and noticed that his mother was looking at him through one of the windows by the door. He smiled, waved with his left hand, and then went quickly down the marble steps to his car.
* * *
Oklahoma City is the capital of Oklahoma. The state’s capitol has an oil derrick in front of it. Williams had never noticed an oil derrick in front of the airport. Yet, he wondered why, considering it seemed to be a symbol for the state.
Inside the airport he went to the gate the agent had mentioned. Some people were standing, waiting to board the plane. Others were seated, apparently waiting for another flight. He went to the agent behind the counter and let her see his ticket. She informed him he could board. He found his seat in first class and started thinking about Chicago.