The Caterer

Chapter 34

T ABBY INVITED CYNDI INSIDE. They sat at the island in the kitchen, going over the details for the military wives’ event at the end of the week. Tabby started her speech over the weekend, a warning on the need to keep your business in house and not to trust those around you. She tried to think about what she wished someone told her when she started TabiKat. Don’t hold things too tightly. It can all be taken away. Trust no one.

“We asked for submissions from those coming who need a small business loan. Do you mind reading over what they wrote?” Cyndi asked.

“I could do that,” Tabby said hesitantly.

“Great! Here are the applications.” Cyndi pulled a stack out of her bag. “We are going to announce the winners at the luncheon. Is it okay if we say they can meet with you to go over their business plans?”

“I’m sure there’s someone more qualified.” She scanned the applications .

Cyndi tilted her head, her face sad. “I really wish you could understand what a powerhouse you are, Tabby. These women would love a role model like you. I’m sorry it ended badly, and your friends betrayed you. I can’t imagine that loss. But women need to see a strong woman in the tech space. A strong woman in business. Whether it’s a greeting card company or stamps or baby bibs—these women need to see someone passionate about their dreams, taking it seriously. That’s you.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

“I don’t know your sister, but I imagine some of your tenacity rubbed off on her if she’s doing this well.”

“I don’t know about that.” Tabby laughed slightly. She could give these women a fire for what they loved. She got it from seeing her mother take control of the House, maybe she could pass that on.

Cyndi left after lunch. Tabby turned off the TV and sat at the island in her kitchen, reading over the applications, unsure how much feedback the women wanted. There were some strong ideas. Others were barely hobbies. If she had to move every three years, risk Paul being deployed, maybe ending up in Japan or Germany, she never would have gotten WlkmNt done. While the odds might be stacked against these women, with a bit of determination, they could flourish. Her mother had the world stacked against her. People told Tabby she lacked experience and women had no place in programming. A vindictive ass tried to run her sister out of the culinary world. Still, they pressed on. Women were remarkable at overcoming challenges.

She left the applications behind and went to get her laptop. Opening it, she deleted her speech before letting out her breath and starting again.

‘Back in 1973, my mother had a vision.’ A woman with no advantages managed to finish her bachelor’s while her first husband drank and beat her. She left him, finished her degree, and went to work at the local rep’s office, who moved her to D.C. There she gained the respect of her party who pushed her to run at only twenty-seven. She rose to prominence in the House, becoming one of the most powerful people in the country. That tenacity ran through her blood and Alice’s too. Her mother reminded her girls anything was possible. For the first time since Tabby lost her company, things started looking a little bit brighter.

Alice got home after dinner. She set her bag by the door, slipping her feet out of her tennis shoes before she pulled the wrap off her head. There was something slow to her movements, sad almost. Over the weekend Tabby and Paul took the twins out on the trail beside the water. Paul asked if she’d tried to see things from Alice’s perspective. Delany had his hand in dozens of companies across the area, the chance for Alice to partner with him opened doors that could have taken her years to reach. He told Tabby to separate the two, to see how Alice was getting what she wanted. Logically Tabby got it and wanted to be happy for her sister. But the betrayal lingered. To not say anything, to act like she was booked because of her hard work and not because of the scoundrel. It seemed like Alice had said all she was going to, now expecting Tabby to get over things. But she didn’t want to; she wanted to hold her sister to account. Paul asked what her relationship with Alice was worth, Tabby still unsure of the answer.

“Hey.” Alice washed her hands at the sink. “What are you working on?”

“My speech for the military luncheon on Friday. There’re leftovers in the fridge if you want them. Where were you?”

“An event with the Mystics at RFK, then I stayed to work in the office for a bit.” She pulled some leftovers and then started for her room .

Tabby called after her. “Cyndi said she emailed you about the event.” She didn’t know how to come back after a fight. In hindsight, after her anger dulled, her actions often embarrassed her, but she had never been good at apologizing. It became easier to say things and then cut the person out, acting like it didn’t matter anymore.

Alice came back to the island. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yeah.” To prove her point, she got up and reached for another wine glass. Alice sat on the stool next to her, describing what Cyndi and the others were thinking for food. Tabby poured her a glass, the menu sounding delicious. She debated bringing up what happened, but instead enjoyed being near her sister. They could talk about things later.

Alice reached into her pocket and pulled out a flash drive, hesitating.

“If you still want to help me with a website, it’s some photos from the last few months.”

“Of course.” Tabby tried to give a reassuring smile. She loaded the photos while Alice took her bowl to the sink. Images of spreads of food, Alice and Carver at events, one or the other with various random people. One showed the food truck redone, Tabby telling Alice how good it looked.

“Thanks.” Alice sat and took a drink of her water. Tabby scanned the action shots of staff refilling buffets or prepping food, images of full banquet halls. “Thank you,” Alice said. Tabby looked at her. “For this and everything else, thank you. I don’t tell you that enough. It’s been a lifesaver living here.”

Tabby debated biting her tongue. “If that’s true, how could you get in business with Delany Clare?”

“It wasn’t a conscious choice…” Alice lowered her gaze.

“Not a conscious choice? What does that even mean?”

Alice looked at her. “I met him before the TabiKat party. He called after the acquisition to ask if I was available for a company event. At the time, I didn’t know he bought you out and after, well, I needed the booking. Everyone told me to separate what happened to you from what Delany was offering. Then we took off, and it felt good to have my dream, and I don’t know, I kind of hoped you could just be happy for me.”

“Happy for you? How am I supposed to be happy for you when you lied to me and…Don’t you care about what he did to me?” People kept telling her she was licking her wounds but all she wanted was for someone to acknowledge her hurt.

“I think it was Bobbie. Delany said he thought you knew about the sale. I…”

Tabby clicked her tongue. “Isn’t that sweet, covering his butt by blaming his best friend.”

“You don’t know him, Tabby. You’ve had one interaction with him. I’ve spent hours with this man since July; don’t come at me like I’m na?ve.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time some guy lied to you to get what he wanted.” She closed her laptop. “Have you ever thought about what he wants out of this deal? What he expects? No one opens their Rolodex for nothing. Ever think he’s doing this to get you into bed? What if he’s not who you think, and you’ve banked your entire career on one person—again? God, if you’d listened to me about your ex, I tried to warn you that he was running around on you but no, you insisted on keeping me out. Left it all for me and Mom to clean up. And don’t pretend like Delany is your only support. Tasty Pudding only exists because of my initiative. I don’t think asking you to show a bit of loyalty is too much.”

Alice studied her before she shook her head and walked to her bedroom. Tabby thought about calling after her. Give it time. Alice would find out what kind of man the scoundrel was, and when that time came Tabby would demand one hell of an apology.