Chapter Eleven: Part Three
Pointing to Mason, she continued in a teasing tone, ‘Mason is a somewhat reformed version of indolent rich. After he got sick of jumping out of perfectly good aircraft, he became a praiseworthy entrepreneurial philanthropist, and he likes to play engineer at times. His official title is ‘Earl of Cool’, or something like that, and he’s possibly sixteenth in line for some throne or another.’
She flashed a cheeky and challenging grin at Mason. He answered with his pained-but-good-natured-suffering look, showing her that she’d have to do a lot better than that if she wanted a rise out of him tonight. Everyone laughed when it was clear that her bait wouldn’t be taken.
With her cheeky grin still in place, she continued. ‘Madison is the brains, and the looks, of the outfit. She won’t tell you, but she is responsible for the lives of many, many people around the world. Pandemic Epidemiologist is the official title. You already know Ricky’s story.’
‘Nat, what the hell is it that Dom does?’ Kate asked in a rush of frustration.
‘What do you think he does?’
‘Damn it, Nat. Edison said exactly the same thing to me.’ It was obvious from the smiles around the table that she was not going to receive any clues. Kate started applying her analytical mind to the question. Thinking out aloud, and unconsciously counting on her fingers, she said, ‘He has a huge variety of interests and influences. He knows a lot of people. He’s very adept at managing large groups. It seems he is that-guy-who-always-knows-a-guy. He knows how to work people and he understands how people work. I would suspect some formal psychology training is likely?’
Natalie smiled and nodded, wanting Kate to continue. The Myers were smiling and leaning in too. ‘You two met during or through your studies,’ Kate challenged.
Natalie smiled encouragingly. ‘Not quite in the way you’re suggesting, but close enough not to matter. Go on…’
‘I didn’t even have a hint of Mason and Madison until their gig. There are rarely ever the same people at each event.’ Kate thought hard for a moment and then blinked, looking at Mason and Madison. ‘It was your gig, not Dom’s! Okay, I think he is a middle-man… a facilitator of sorts,’ Kate announced. ‘I have seen how he helps-things-happen. The right people have the right introductions at the right time. I have no idea how one is paid for that, but it’s the only thing that fits all of what I’ve seen.’
‘Well done, Kate. You only missed his degree in business. What about Edison and Nita?’
‘Equals here, but servants on the outside. Here is real, out there is not. Edison says ‘we’ and ‘us’ too often in private to be a casual slip. It’s role-play. I am guessing that the servant can hear things and do things that the master can’t.’
Mason said, ‘You know first-hand how well that works, Kate. Other than Natalie, Dom is the best judge of character amongst us. We still have our reputation because Ashinkata said something in front of you that he would never have let himself say in front of us.’
‘Kate, each personality falls into a slot,’ Natalie said, taking over. ‘Dom is a natural, imaginative and innovative leader. Edison is a natural second in command and is happily Dom’s right hand. Juanita is a logistical genius, but is averse to actual leadership since losing so many people when her father’s leadership passed to her.’
They all paused to consider what had just been said before Mason added, ‘JC is the classic utilitarian, able to fulfil any role he needs to, like a very able junior officer who is destined for greatness. I have yet to see him challenged by anything he didn’t eventually overcome.’ He looked at Natalie.
Natalie nodded in approval at their joint summary. She continued. ‘Their combined strength – Dom’s, Edison’s and Nita’s – is in their total recognition of their own strengths and weaknesses and their ego-less contentment within those roles. Edison is a methodical person who can delegate, read political winds and follow through. Decisive in his own right, he lacks the same brilliant, innovative flair and instinctual timing that Dom has. Edison’s strengths compensate for Dom’s lack of follow through and patience with minutiae. Add Nita, with her natural flair for logistics and organising people, and the three of them are highly effective at getting things done.’
Natalie let that sink in, and then brightly looked at the girls. ‘So, I know Carrie is an atypically talented chef, and clearly revels in that role. Danielle is front of house and knows enough about wine to make Edison’s eyebrows knit in the middle when he doesn’t think we’re watching; a sommelier?’ Carrie’s nodding affirmed Natalie’s assessment so far. ‘There’s a degree in there, something to do with wine…’
‘Very good, Nat. Organic chemistry,’ said Dee.
Natalie turned to face Kate squarely, focused and interested. ‘So, Kate, what is your vocation?’
‘I work with Dee and Carrie in our catering business.’
Carrie cut in, her voice clear and determined. ‘Kate is an engineer, Natalie. She is a gifted and brilliant engineer, just like her father. She is a star maître d', but she is an engineer in her DNA. She’s our business partner because she applies her ridiculously large mind to having every detail and contingency thought of, costed and solved before we even accept a job. That, and we love her to bits.’
Kate blinked at Carrie, as did the rest of those at the table. Carrie was still looking right at Kate. ‘Katie-J, I am happier than I can say to have you back with us. You are our third half, we both love you, and you know it. But when I – we – see you with a big ‘unsolvable’ puzzle, we see you in your bliss. I love food, Dee loves schmoozing and giving as much cheek as she can get away with, as well as being a walking encyclopaedia of wine. You, Katie, are a great maître d', but you are a brilliant engineer.’
Carrie looked at the Meyers and said, ‘Can you believe she got the second highest scores, ever, in all her degrees?’ Anticipating the coming question, Carrie said, ‘Three! She did a double in structural and material engineering, and then did another on advanced materials.’ Carrie looked directly at Kate. ‘You are good at anything you touch, Kate, but your head works differently when you have a nice juicy problem in front of you that nobody else can figure out.’
Dee continued as soon as Carrie stopped talking. ‘We hate the thought of losing you one day, Katie, but we know we will. You are an engineer, toes-to-top. The sooner you realise how deeply we understand this, the better. We love you and want to see you happy, Katie. We love working together, you know we do, but you are too passionate and too good at cracking unsolvable puzzles to be satisfied with catering for the rest of your life, even as spectacularly as we do it!’
Kate stared at her friends, her eyes wide and filled with tears. After a respectful silence, Natalie said, ‘Kate? An old saying, paraphrased, says that to know a person, witness the loyalties they inspire and the qualities of the people that surround them. Intelligent, caring and beautiful friends clearly love you greatly. I feel I know you far better now.’
Everyone had a small chuckle, releasing the tension of the moment. ‘Thank you, Nat,’ Kate said for the three, her eyes glistening and her voice cracking. ‘By that measure, every person I’ve met here shines brightly for every other person. Three days ago, I was a different person, I think we all were.’ Kate looked at her friends, who nodded their affirmations. ‘I can’t believe how different everything feels already. Thank you, all of you.’
A comfortable and companionable silence descended over the table until a series of yawns prompted the evening’s end, and everyone helped to clean up. When Rick and Kate were starting the awkward-glance-dance, Natalie stepped in and took Kate by the waist before saying, ‘Too slow, Ricardo. Katie is mine tonight.’
Rick bowed deeply to Natalie and Kate, saying, ‘I yield to my fair ladies. I bid you refreshing slumber, filled with enchanting dreams, and beauteous wonders.’
Natalie urged Madison to do something about her boy, and their laughter was a simple and happy end to the evening. Dee and Carrie walked with the Myers to the ring road, taking the western path to savour the clear, cool evening.