The Family Pool - Excerpt

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The Family Pool Lyz Russo2011

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The Family Pool by Lyz Russois licensed under a

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The Family Pool

I

Mary Adams gazed at her fairly new husband with starry

eyes. "That is so totally sweet of your family!"

"Well, Babe," replied John, who hadn't yet got used toaddressing his wife by her given name, "we are not wealthy for

nothing. We are the Adams. If my uncle chooses to include us

in the family pool, that is surely a fringe benefit of marrying

me."

Mary smiled and said nothing. There was nothing "fringe"

about marrying John! He was larger-than-life, in everything he

did - even in the concepts of his business, which, alas, was stillin its beginning stages, but promised to grow huge - like

everything his family did.

John turned the key in the lock of the apartment, and

carried his young wife over the threshold. She gaped at the

interior with her mouth open.

The apartment was huge, and fitted with luxury. Stained

rosewood furniture graced the dining room which was

complete with a multi-globed candelabra hanging over theenormous dining table. The lead glass of the crystal cupboard

revealed finest cut crystal glasses - possibly Waterford. Past

the dining room a spacious lounge greeted them, with deep

leather sofas and plush woollen carpet. John drew back the

curtains by remote control, and a panoramic view spread out

before them, hills undulating away into the misty distance.

"The way it works," explained John, his eyes trained on the

valley below, "is that the youngest couple gets this apartment.


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It is entry level. There is no guarantee how long we will be

here though. It all depends on when space becomes available.My uncle will let us know, don't worry!"

Mary was still shaking her head in amazement. "That is so

sweet of him!"

"It has been the system for five generations now," said John

smugly.

Mary moved into the kitchen, which was ultra-modern and

fully equipped with every luxury a woman could wish for, to

make her life easier. She found the espresso-maker and madeherself and John each a hot cup.

"By the way," said John, "we are invited to the Residence

for Christmas dinner."

Mary smiled, a bit overwhelmed. She had never yet

celebrated Christmas away from her parents; and now that only

her father was left, she was reluctant to leave him alone at

Christmas. But one could surely not turn down such aninvitation from a man who had just set them up so generously!

She would organize something with her father.

"Yes, dear," she found herself saying. It was the

surroundings.


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II

Mary Adams peered over her glass of orange juice at the

gathered clan. Which was the best word she could think of to

describe them. There were a lot of Adams'; she had been

introduced until her head spun and now she couldn't remember

a single name.A Christmas buffet was spread out on the white wrought-

iron garden tables that graced the spacious verandah. Finest

gammon-and-cranberry-sauce, thinly sliced turkey and tongue

was presented in Wedgwood bone china, which Mary's mother-

in-law, Eleanor, was quick to give her a guided tour on. She

had also jumped ahead with guiding Mary through the mansion

- at least the parts that were open to guests - so that the poor

girl wouldn't get lost!

The house was nothing short of mindboggling. Rooms with

a purpose dwelt without disputes next to rooms that were

merely there to provide more space and beauty. Mary, who

had an eye for art, had spotted some of the magnificent

paintings that were displayed; whereupon she received an

interesting history on each, and its artist. Though many were

contemporary and quite a few from within the family, therewere ancient masters amongst them - a Vermegeren here, a

Spitzweg there.

The bad conscience about leaving her father to his own

devices on Christmas Day had been dissipated by himself. She

had at first tried to introduce the idea of bringing her father

along; to which John's reaction had been utmost horror. John

got on well with her father; but he made it clear that the family

would not take well to the less-than-well-off old gentleman.


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Mary had then tried to arrange that they'd spend the morning at

her father's, and only arrive at Adams' in the afternoon. Butthis too, John had dismissed. They were invited for the whole

day, and what Uncle Daniel decreed, was what was done.

Mary, extremely unhappy about this, had told her father all.

And he had sat her down and told her that she needed to go;

she had married into high society and needed to take her

obligations very seriously, especially in the light of what had

been given to them.

"You can tell me all about it when you come back," he hadencouraged with a smile. "Come here afterwards, no matter

what time, and we'll have some port and Christmas music."

She had once again understood how privileged she was to

have him for a father.

Now she was gazing at the many sleek, tanned bodies in

swimsuits having a great time in the pool, and trying to

remember at least some of the names that went with the faces.Someone knocked a teaspoon against a glass; it chimed

brightly, bringing the whole family to attention.

"Uncle wants to make his speech," announced one of the

many cousins of John, a handsome-looking young fellow with

mid-brown hair and mischievous eyes. Mary tried to

remember whether his name was Peter.

"Does everyone have champagne?" asked Uncle Daniel,

sweeping a look around the gathered clan and noting with afrown the orange juice in Mary's hand. "Eleanor, do top her

up, won't you?"

Eleanor approached with the Moe"t and Chandon and a

clean glass for Mary.

"I'll stick with orange juice, thanks," said Mary in a hushed

voice.

"Nonsense, dear, you'll have some champagne with us!"

"I'd really rather not," insisted Mary.


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"You must, my dear! The whole clan always toasts with

champagne, it would be unthinkable for someone to toast withjuice!"

"But - I mustn't," protested Mary. "I can't. Doctor's

orders!"

Eleanor eyed her with suspicion. "You're not a recovering

alcoholic, are you, my dear?"

"No," said Mary, aware of the whole clan's attention on her.

"Then why on Earth should you not have champagne with

us?""Because I'm pregnant," blurted Mary.

She hated having to disclose it before the whole gathered

clan; more so because she had only confirmed it yesterday and

had been saving up telling John, for a quiet moment. Now he

wasn't the first to hear about it.

She hated the effect of her words even more.It was as though a chill rippled through the whole gathered

Adams clan; as though she'd announced that she had bubonic

plague or were an escaped psychopath. Everyone stared at her.

"Oh my G-d," said Eleanor, shocked, all colour draining from

her face. "Already?"

Mary scowled. What on Earth was wrong with being

pregnant? She was a married woman; she had a stable job, and

they had just been given a roof over their heads that was, whilenot strictly a survival necessity as she had rented an apartment

before without anyone's help, still a huge boost in living

circumstances.

Uncle Daniel was the first to recover his posture. He raised

his glass and announced jovially: "Well, congratulations,

Mary, John! Let's hope it's a son! If it is, call him Daniel! I'd

like to propose a toast to our new addition!"


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The congregated Adams' toasted, laughed and drank; but

Mary detected horrified whispers and shocked expressionswherever she turned.

"We'll have to do something!" - "This is disastrous!" - "Just

shows you, marry down and that's what you get!" - "It's not yet

time!"

She was suddenly extremely nauseous. She excused herself

and headed for the door inside, to find the bathrooms. Just as

she passed the great glass sliding door to the inside, a brown,

skinny claw shot out and grabbed her by the arm. She stareddown into an ancient, sun-browned face. Shrewd green eyes

were narrowed at her. Everything about this old woman

reminded Mary of a crow.

"Get out of here," hissed the old lady. "As fast as you can

go! Get away!" And the claw-like hand released her.

Mary ran.

John caught up with her in the car park. He grabbed her

roughly by her shoulders.

"What the hell were you doing? Announcing that to

everyone and then running away?" One glance at her face

softened him and he hugged her tightly. "Don't be scared!

They can be stuck-up at times, but they are basically a good

family. Uncle Daniel is going to look for a larger place for us."

"But - but - that apartment is huge! It has three bedrooms!"John shook his head. "That's not how it works. Don't

worry. All will be taken care of."

Mary finally found her balance. "John, it's not right. I don't

need your family's help! I do appreciate it, that is a beautiful

apartment, but I can pay my own way, after all I earn a Salary.

I can pay our way easily after the baby is born! It doesn't

matter that your business isn't yielding income yet."


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"Profit," corrected John. "There is income, only no profit

yet. And in fact you'll stop working. No Adams wife has everhad to work while raising her children."

"That's ridiculous," said Mary. "We need the income."

"We'll cope. We're not sinking into the gutter," decreed

John. And that was that.

As though working for one's living were the gutter! Mary

gnashed her teeth as she allowed him to lead her back to that

uncomfortable party.


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III

Mary Adams stroked over her rounded belly as she stared

out of the window. Three more months, and she'd be a

mother... and she had no idea how she was going to play that.

She and John were at complete loggerheads about the work

issue. She was pretending to go along with his plan for now,

for the sake of peace and ohm for her little one - whom she had

decided to call Donovan, but she also knew that this would

cause further friction. Uncle Daniel had imposed his will upon

her and John to name her son after him. But there was no

way. Donovan had been the name of her father's father. Her

family's practically sacred ancestor. Money would not succeed

in taking that right away from her!She was not going to relinquish her job! And be

completely at Money's mercy? She had begun to think of

John's family as "Money" as this was the driving force behind

every decision. The control was complete. John had

convinced her early on to sell her trusty "bullfrog" VW and

instead take on a huge bank loan - in his name - so she could

drive a chique little BMW. He knew that this was as far as he

could push her where sports cars were concerned; even theBMW was too much, as the first service cost her more than she

could comfortably accommodate. She gnashed her teeth and

paid up and wished she hadn't sold her Buggy. Sure, the car

was beautiful and sleek and drove like a dream, instead of

roaring along like a badly tuned lawnmower; but it wasn't

worth sacrificing buying the beautiful crib she'd had her heart

set on for little Donny. Her salary couldn't accommodate such


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a car. And if she gave up her income, her last bit of power of

choice would be taken away. John would make every lastdecision - or rather, Money would. Uncle Daniel; Eleanor;

Aunt Tiara.

There had been something about that funeral today that

wouldn't let her go. It had been the Crow - the old lady with

the brown, claw-like arthritic hands that had warned her to

leave the family, back at Christmas. Had she known back then

that she was riddled with cancer? Probably, thought Mary.

The vision of those two mad eyes boring into hers, wouldn't letgo of her. "Get out, run," the Crow had screeched at her. Had

it been an attempt to chase her off - or a piece of advice?

The door opened quietly, and John moved up behind her.

His large, gentle hand found its place on her shoulder.

"You feeling alright, Babe?"

Mary smiled. This way, she could deal with him. When he

was like this, she could understand him."Just thinking about things," she replied, leaning back

against him. "And you? You knew Suzine a long time, I'm

sure. Are you coping?"

"Life goes on," said John calmly. She looked up at him.

His face was calm. "Mary, she's in a better place, you have to

believe that. I spoke to Uncle Daniel."

"He must be pretty cut up," commented Mary. "She was his

cousin, wasn't she?""Step-aunt," said John. "Yes, he's pretty sad about her

passing. Tragic, so sudden."

"She smoked a lot?"

"That's the strange thing," said John. "She didn't smoke at

all. Never in her life, apparently. As I said, I spoke to Uncle."

She realized he was trying to tell her something different.

"What does Uncle say, John?"

"We're getting the house that Jenny and her family were in."


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Mary blinked. "What?"

"You heard what I said."She glanced about the luxurious apartment. "But why?

Does someone need the apartment?"

"There's always someone who needs the apartment," replied

John with a smile. "That's not the point. We're moving up,

Baby! The house has four bedrooms; no pool, that is very

important; a beautiful playroom for children; a library - but I

have to add, Babes, don't bring too many of your books, the

library is already stocked... it has everything your heart candesire when you raise small children. What do you say to

that?"

She swallowed a few bubbles before asking, "but what

about Jenny and her family? Where are they going?"

"They're getting the mansion in White River. The one Pats

was in? Pats and her lot are taking over from Peter, and Peter

and his wife are moving into Aunt Suzine's house. Theirchildren are all at college now, they don't need all that much

space - anyway it's a beautiful house."

Mary blinked a few times, stared at the rolling hills outside

- a view she would miss, she knew - and got up to make John

some coffee and herself some Rooibos tea. By the time the tea

and coffee were ready, she had collected herself.

"All this gets decided on the wake of Aunt Suzine's

funeral?""It's all in the system, Baberoo. It's how this family works.

There are no disputes over inheritances; everyone is provided

for. Generously."

Communism, cried her rattled mind, and, Patriarchy. She

knew that moment that she had to fight for more freedom.

But something much deeper and more sinister reared its

head that night when she slept... and the haunting eyes and


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claws of the Crow followed her through her dreams, grabbing

at her, screeching at her: "I told you to get out!"


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IV

The library wasn't stocked, thought Mary as she trailed her

hand across the books. It was stacked. She'd had to put most

of her own treasured books into boxes and store them at her

dad's house - who had been glad to hold onto them for her and

gladder to see her. It had been such a busy seven months; she'dhardly had time to visit. She worked long hours overtime

every day in the hope of saving up enough to buy those few

choice baby items she had her heart set on.

The nursery that came with this house left very little to add.

It was painted white; and decorated in soft pastel colours,

neither for boys nor for girls, but a fair mix. Somehow it all

blended together though to create a perfect, still atmosphere

that was necessary for a baby's peace of mind.

Mary's hands itched to fill the place with bright colourful

items. Reds, blues. Boy stuff. Donny was a restless

youngster; he tumbled and turned inside her, and played

football with her bladder. She knew he was going to be a

dynamic, active boy.

John was, as so very often in the last time, visiting Uncle

Daniel. Mary was beginning to wonder if he were married tohis uncle. She had supper ready on the stove, and the table set

beautifully with all the highly priced tableware of this house;

and that had taken some doing, as she was exhausted after the

long day at work! And now the food was slowly getting

overcooked, the salad was wilting and all the alcohol was

escaping from John's wine, and the bubbles from her soda.

Her finger stopped on a huge, hard-cover volume with

gold-embossed lettering: the Adams genealogy. She had never


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been "overcome" by curiosity before but right now the urge to

take it out and look was too strong to resist. She couldn't reallyunderstand why she felt as though the whole congregated

portraitship of Adams' lining the library's walls between the

shelves was frowning at her for trying to learn more about

them. She had a right; she'd married an Adams and she carried

an Adams! She tugged at the huge book and it slid out of the

shelf with some resistance. Once it was in her arms it was

heavy; too heavy to hold in one hand, nearly too heavy to lift

for a pregnant woman. She carried it to the antique study deskand placed it on the wooden surface, tracing the gold lettering

with her finger. And then she carefully opened the book.

If she had expected bats to fly out of it, or a monstrous hand

grabbing her, she was to be surprised. In the front of the book

there were two scribbled notes; one on thin, age-yellowed

paper with faded ink; and one was just a scrap of folded paper

that looked fairly recent.She looked at the older note first. She could hardly

decipher the flowing cursive hand. Small u's had little lines

over them to distinguish them from n's. The small r looked like

nothing at all, just a wavy line. She was getting there.

The signature surprised her the most. "Suzine Adams".

The Crow. She had left a note for posterity? Mary Adams

read.

"This clan is like a prison. Every move you make is decidedby the High Command. Perhaps the comfort of the physical

wealth suits some ladies, but I - need more freedom. I would

love to sell my paintings, have them appreciated by the public;

get some feedback that I'm any good. But no - the Clan will

not permit it. My own principles stop me from leaving my

husband Thomas, who has a bad case of clan, but I feel as

though there is nobody I can confide in, nobody to share my

concerns. I am alone, so very alone! - Suzine Adams."


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The front door opened. Mary put the note back into the

book, electrified. She lugged the heavy tome back to its spotand struggled with it until it was back in the shelf; then she

grabbed a random book - a book on gardening - and took it to

the desk and opened it. And John peered into the library.

"Keeping yourself amused, Baby?"

"Supper's ready," was Mary's slightly unamused reply. She

wished he'd let her know by which time he'd be back from

conferring with the High Command.

Late that night, after John had gone to bed and was sleepingsoundly, Mary sneaked back to the library. She turned on a

low light and searched out the tome of the family genealogy

again. The book hadn't got any lighter since she last lifted it;

but she lugged it back to the desk and opened the cover once

more, scanning Suzine's note once again. So the old lady had

painted? She'd be curious to see her art! And then she

unfolded the other note."Mary," it read, "this is Jenny. Listen to me. This family is

a trap! Get out as fast as you can, you have no idea. Protect

yourself and your baby; it's too late for me and my kids. Love

- Jenny."

She sat there dumbstruck for several minutes before putting

the note into the pocket of her dressing gown, closing the book

and replacing it into the shelf.

She had just had her feelings of unease consolidated byJenny's warning. But - leave John? She loved the man, for

crying! He was Donny's father! If she was leaving the clan,

she'd take him with her.

She turned off the light and ghosted back to the bedroom in

the dark, stopping in the lounge to place the note in her wallet.

No place felt safe enough for it. John must never find it.

She crept back into bed, feeling icy.


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Will Mary escape?

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The Family Pool - Excerpt