ARROW - 45. Chapter 45

Saturday morning we were sitting in our kitchen enjoying a cup of coffee when Colin’s phone rang. It was Mary. I wondered how long it would take Marylou’s mother to call her.

I only heard one side of the conversation. “Mom, she has always acted that way. She is an embarrassment.” “Yes, I don’t know but she thinks she can do anything she wants.”

“No one likes her.” “Mom, stop over today, I’ll show you a tape of how she behaved.”

“Yes, I tape all who enter.” “Just come over for lunch, bring Dad also. I’ll show you Armand’s gift.”

“Mom said Marylou’s mother called early this morning crying.”

“Is she crying because of what the guards told her and she has come to the realization of how Marylou acts or is she crying because we wouldn’t let Marylou into the club?”

“We didn’t stop her, she stopped herself."

"What time is your mom coming?”

“She will probably be here about 11.”

I started to laugh. “Why are you laughing?”

“It’s 11:30 now. Come on, we will have to let them in.”

Walking the front door, Mom and Dad were standing there. “You need a bell or something to let you know someone is here.”

“Armand, what did the Roman’s use?”

“I don’t know. Let’s look at your photos and see if we can come up with something.

“Mom, before we discuss Jane’s concern, look at the tape.”

Walking back to Colin’s office, he put on the tape. I watched Mom’s face as she watched the tape. “Did she act like this all the time she was in the club?”

“Do you remember me talking about how some of the girls felt it was okay to take food and drinks from the boys table? Well, she was the one who did that when Armand was here his first night. Armand was very angry and let them know what they did was arrogant and crude. We left and went and had dinner at the French restaurant.”

“So you expected something.”

“But not what we got on tape. We taped all of the people who came in and who signed the book. We changed the payment system and we expected some of the members may object and say they never attended the re-opening of the club. This way we had them on tape. It was pure luck we got Marylou doing her rant.”

“Can you make a copy of that tape. I think Jane needs to see how her daughter behaves.”

Colin made a copy and gave it to her. I was glad Colin had the equipment.

“Mom, Dad, stay for a coffee. I’m sure Marcel has something we can have for lunch.”

Walking into the club, we headed for the kitchen. Marcel was there doing some prep work. He had made a few Tapas for tonight. Colin smiled as he took them to the kitchen table. He told Marcel he needed to taste them to be sure they were good. Mom, Dad and I laughed.

“Colin, you better watch it or you’ll need new clothes.”

“If he get’s fat to the point he needs new clothes, then he will not be allowed on the roof and he will sleep in the bedroom on the third floor, alone.”

We laughed as Colin handed the plate back to Marcel.

Mom asked where did we have what we called Tapas. Colin told her when we were in Spain. Then I had to listen to Colin tell her all about Barcelona. We had told her and Dad when we showed them the pictures, but I think it will be years before Colin relegates those memories to the back of his mind.

Mom and Dad joined us as we had Tapas for lunch. Dad thought they were good and told Mom she needed to get Clair to prepare some for home. They left but not before I gave them an itinerary highlighting lunch on Sunday. Mom asked if this is open for all and not just club members. Colin said it would be open for the public as well as club members. But the public would have to pay their tabs before leaving.

The band showed up at 3. By time they sat up, tuned their instruments and started to run through a few songs, it was close to four. I took a coffee out to the door men, Marcel followed with a plater of Tapas.

The club opened at 4, I stood at the desk while they signed in. There wasn’t any problems. I had a printed a schedule for when the club would be open, which I gave each member as they signed in. On the schedule for Sunday, I indicated open to the public.