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CHAPTERFIFTEEN
BROADIE
“Hi, Dad.”
“Thank you,” I tell the hostess as I approach my daughters, currently sitting at a four top table in the Rotunda of this historic Richmond, Virginia landmark. The Rotunda is located at the bottom of the grand staircase of the Jefferson Hotel. The elaborate buffet is just off to the side and contains almost every breakfast and lunch item imaginable.
“What? Am I late again?” I laugh.
“No. We were excited and came early,” Lilly says, her cheeks all aglow.
Sitting back in my chair, the memories of this place come flooding back. We used to bring the girls here all the time when they were little and continued the tradition long after the divorce. It was a special time for them. They usually got dressed in something frilly and felt like princesses for the day. We’ve celebrated any number of birthdays and milestones, like their sweet sixteens, and graduations here.
There’s a stately ambiance about The Jefferson Hotel. Its grand staircase has been rumored to have inspired the filmGone With The Wind. You definitely feel as if you’ve been transported back in time when you walk in.
“So, what’s the occasion? Our birthdays aren’t for months,” Lauren says.
“I told you I’m trying to get better about seeing you two. I’m leaving for a business trip soon and wanted to have brunch with you before I left.”
Lilly offers a sweet, gracious smile while Lauren looks as if she remains unconvinced. I can’t be upset with her hesitancy. I’ve let them down often enough. It’s going to take time to earn their trust.
“So, what are we having?” I ask, rubbing my hands together at the thought of the glorious options. Their champagne Sunday brunch is unmatched in this town, in my opinion. There are the typical southern breakfast delicacies such as their Jefferson’s Biscuit Benedict, a spin on the classic eggs benedict, southern comfort French toast, as well as made to order omelets. But I think the ham and ribeye carving stations steal the show.
“I’m just going down the row and filling up.” Lilly lets out an excited squeal. She’s so slight. Her stomach is never as big as her eyes. And she’s not a glutton. She’ll usually pick her favorite things and not be wasteful. Her sister, on the other hand, will fill her plate but only peck at the items containing carbs. She has the perfect figure but is very self-conscious about her weight.
“Don’t forget to save room for dessert.” I chuckle.
“Oh, I won’t.” Lilly smiles brightly. “There are rows of three-tiered dessert trays over there.”
Lauren gives me a sullen pout.
Sliding an arm around her as we make our way to fill our plates, I ask, “What’s that look for?”
“If I eat this food, I’m going to gain a dress size, Daddy. Can I use your card to get some new things?”
This kid.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
* * *
It’s almost here. The trip to Jamaica is less than two weeks away. Although I enjoy visiting new places once I get there, I don’t normally get this excited about travel. There’s so much red tape at work to get the time off. Not to mention, knowing what awaits me once I return makes it hard to relax.
Yet the motivation for this trip is entirely different. The time away will let me get caught up on a few things. I can chart remotely, so I’ll finally get my backlog of medical records complete. There’s a presentation I’ve been meaning to work on for an educational dinner symposium sponsored by one of the drug reps I’ve been putting off. However, there’s one main item on my agenda.
Her.
I can’t help but smile at the thought of finally spending time with Poppy.
Knock. Knock.
As I look toward my study door, I find Stu and quickly usher him in. “Come in, come in. I was thinking about the trip and wanted to tie up some loose ends. Porter should be coming as well.”
“Right here, boss.” I grin as my driver jogs in behind Stu. These two couldn’t look more different. While my head of security, Russell Stewart, is tall and built like an MMA fighter, Andrew Porter is not. However, Porter manages to handle most anything I need. He was hired as a driver, nothing more. We’ve been together for years, and he hasn’t let me down yet.
“Hey, Andrew,” Stu greets.
“Take a seat. I know you fellas are probably two steps ahead of me, but I wanted to make sure we were all on the same page. It’s been a while since I’ve done any international travel.”
