Chapter 10
Annapolis, Maryland, July 14, 2015...
Helen Morgendorffer was mingling with her colleagues at the Maryland Bar Association. The occasion was a party they were throwing for her as today she was turning 65, though a few times she said she was turning 59 before correcting herself. The slip was due to the fact that since turning thirty she'd been in the habit of claiming to be anywhere from a few years to as much as a whole decade younger than her actual age. Once, while talking to her daughter's high school principal, she claimed to be forty-three when she was actually forty-seven at that time. Fortunately, Helen could get away with lying about her age as she, like most women in her family, seemed to physically age at a slower than normal rate since reaching adulthood. When Daria and Quinn were born she was in her early thirties but looked like she hadn't aged a day since she was a college student at Middleton. At forty-seven she could still pass for a thrity-something. Now at age sixty-five she looked like she was in her early fifties, though some of that was due to hair dye and the occasional botox injection. In any event, she was turning sixty-five today and surprisingly okay with that fact.
Helen reflected on her professional life. After she and Jake left the commune in 1973 she'd gone to law school. She wanted to be the kind of lawyer who stood up for the little guy, but it hadn't turned out that way. After law school she took the first job she could find, which was at a law firm in Highland, TX. She spent the next nineteen years working herself nearly to death defending big oil. After almost two decades it was clear that firm wouldn't make her partner no matter how much she broke her back for them. That was why she took a job at another firm in Lawndale, MD. She worked just as hard for these people and eventually did become a partner, though only after threatening them with a gender-discrimination suit. During the six years she was a partner she grew more and more dissatisfied as she came to see just how parasitic the firm was at the highest level. She was so disgusted that when offered a chance to join the state bar association she gladly jumped ship. Now, after five rewarding years of ensuring that lawyers treat people like human beings rather than disposable commodities, she was content. She'd done her part and was now old enough to collect social security.
I've managed to actually live my original dream for the last five years Helen thought. She frowned as something occurred to her. I'm sixty-five. The last few years have been rewarding, true, but I have far fewer years in front of me than behind me. Maybe, just maybe, it's time I step back and FINALLY start to enjoy life.
Grinning, Helen immediately tapped a fork on her drink glass.
"ATTENTION, EVERYONE!"
Everyone there gave Helen their undivided attention as she proceeded to make a speech.
"As you all know, today is my birthday. I don't know how many of you know, but I am now sixty-five years old. It's been a whirlwind six and a half decades. I was born into a family that achieved wealth and status as I grew up. I went to college, fell in with the sixties counter culture and met my Jakey. From there Jake and I went to a commune in California. After a year we left the commune so Jake and I could pursue our dreams. We got married and I went to law school with the intention of being a champion of justice. I lost sight of that goal as I spent the next thirty-two years climbing the latter in corporate law. Then, I remembered why I originally pursued a career in law and walked away from a partnership to come here. I've spent the five years since then living the dream I'd had as an idealistic hippie chick."
Helen paused for effect before continuing.
"I've done my part, and the years are moving by quickly. There's more I want to do with my life. I've proven myself as a capable lawyer, I've raised a family and finally got to spend a few years living my original dream. Now, my daughters are fully grown. My eldest is a TV writer in New York while my youngest is happily married with three adorable children and my husband has been retired for six years now. It's time for me to do the things I couldn't while working in law and raising a family. "
Another pause followed, then Helen announced her intentions.
"That is why I would like to take this moment to announce my retirement. I've enjoyed these years, I've achieved my personal goals and gotten close enough in my professional goals to be content. I'm not getting any younger, so I'd like to spend the years I have left just enjoying life. Thank you."
One of her colleagues spoke up.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say that I wish you all the best. May the years still in front of you be the best of your life!"
Everyone else raised their drinks in toast.
"CHEERS!"
Helen smiled.
Haus Morgendorffer, the next day...
Jake and Helen were having breakfast in the kitchen. They could've slept in (especially given the marathon session of celebratory sex they'd had the night before) but Helen discovered that no longer having to get up early for work would take some getting used to.
"So, honey" said Jake, "what do you wanna do now that you no longer have to put your nose to the grindstone."
"Actually" Helen replied, "we need to talk about that. See, while you were still asleep I looked around and realized something. When we moved here we had two teenage daughters. Now it's just the two of us."
Failing to notice the serious tone in his wife's voice, Jake said "I know! Isn't it great!"
Helen said "Jake, this house is too big for just the two of us."
Jake's eyes went wide with realization. "You wanna move! What about the mortgage?"
Slightly irritated, Helen said "Jake, if you'd ever paid attention you'd remember that after I made partner one of the first things I did with the extra income was pay off the mortgage. This house has been completely ours for more than a decade now."
Jake was amazed. "It's been that long since you made partner!? Wow, time really does fly!"
"That's my point," said Helen, "The girls are fully grown and living their own lives now. Daria's doing well in New York. Quinn has a wonderful husband, three adorable kids and a successful YouTube career that has her and Jim doing much better financially than we were at that age even when you take inflation into account."
Jake thought about this and, as usual, misread what his wife was saying.
"You wanna move in with Quinn and Jim?"
Helen rolled her eyes.
"Jake, I didn't say that."
Once again missing the point, Jake said "But Helen, Daria lives in a one bedroom apartment in Hell's Kitchen. She doesn't have room for us."
Keeping her frustration in check, Helen said "Jake, I don't wanna move in with either of the girls. They have their own lives now and I have no wish to impose." She took a second to calm herself further before explaining. "What I want to do is travel. I want us to see the world and do all the things we didn't have time for when we had kids and careers."
Jake said "Helen, we don't have to move in order to do that."
"No," Helen agreed, "But do we really need a big two-story house when we don't plan on spending much time at home?"
Jake thought it over.
"I guess you're right. I have to admit, this place feels empty without a whole family. So, where should we stay between trips."
"Someplace small, in a town we aren't familiar with" said Helen.
Jake said "So, sell the house, leave Lawndale and move into either a small apartment or condo then?"
Nodding, Helen said "Yes. Ideally someplace warm."
Agreeing with that last part, Jake said "I am kind of sick of raking leaves every fall and shoveling snow every winter. Frankly, the only time I like either of those seasons is during Christmas and when the foliage is peaking."
Helen said "And we can visit our girls during those times."
Remembering how they both lived in California when they were younger, Jake said "Alright, we're finally going back to the west coast."
Helen immediately shot down that idea. "Jake, California's not like it was in the seventies. It's a lot more expensive now. In fact, I did some research and discovered it's now the state with the highest cost of living in the country."
Jake said "If not California, then where?"
Helen thought it over out loud.
"Well, I really don't wanna live in the Southwest. Those nineteen years we were stuck in Highland really soured me on the whole region. Most of the Southeast is out due to our low tolerance for ignorance. Although, there are some areas of the south that are more enlightened." That's when it hit her. "The Ruttheimers live in Florida now. Quinn, Jim and the boys spent Christmas there. How would you like to live near Miami?"
Jake thought it over silently before answering.
West Palm Beach, FL, a few minutes later...
Stacy was in her home office reflecting on the year since she and her family had moved down when the phone rang. She answered.
"Hello?"
On the other end of the line, Helen said "Stacy, how are you."
A huge smile formed on Stacy's face. "Hi, Mrs. Morgendorffer!"
Helen said "Stacy, I'll get right to the point. Now that I'm retired my husband and I have decided to move. Since there are now people we know down there we decided to see about moving to your area. I was wondering if we could come down next weekend and you could show us around so we can get a sense of the place."
Pleasantly surprised, Stacy readily agreed. "I'd love to show you and your husband around."
Helen said "Wonderful! How about Jake and I come down next Friday and on Saturday you and Chuck can show us around?"
Smiling, Stacy said "Looking forward to it."
Helen said "Good. Well, I won't disturb you any further tonight. Bye."
" Bye!"
After that, they both hung up.
The following Friday evening...
Jake and Helen were having dinner at the Ruttheimer's. Their own kids had grown noticeably. Chucky was now six and had his father's red hair while Q was now three and a dead ringer for her mother at that age. The sofa in the living room had been folded out into a bed for them.
"You didn't have to do that," said Jake, "We could've just stayed at a hotel."
Stacy immediately waved this off. "Nonsense, Jake. You guys are practically like family to us at this point."
Added Chuck "You're always welcome here."
Chucky, in a snarky monotone, said "My parents consider you family."
Jake, clueless as ever, asked "Aren't you supposed to be on the evening news, Stacy?"
Rolling her eyes, Stacy said "Only the six o'clock news is live. The eleven o'clock news is typically pre-recorded in the afternoon unless there's a major breaking story. Since the station's only a five to ten minute drive from here depending on traffic I'm almost always home by seven most nights. In fact, since becoming an anchor I've had a lot more free time on my hands."
"Wow!" said an amazed Jake as Helen looked embarrassed.
"Mom's around more" Chucky snarked in his usual monotone.
The next day...
Stacy was driving west on Belvedere Road while Helen rode shotgun and Jake sat in the back. Since her car was halfway between a mini-van and an SUV Jake had no complaints. After the exit onto I-95 was a railroad crossing. Immediately following this was a hotel and then a strip mall on the right while on the left was Palm Beach International airprot.
Pointing to the strip mall, Stacy said "That's where FeistyIT's new headquarters is. He also maintains a Feisty location at the tech superstore on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd."
After the airport, Stacy turned left on Military Trail. Roughly a mile later they reached the next major intersection.
"This is Southern Blvd." said Stacy, "It goes all the way out to Lake Okechobee. At the halfway point is a massive drive thru zoo called Lion Country Safari. Chuck and I take the kids there all the time."
Stacy then turned left on Southern and proceeded back east. Once back across I-95 she pointed out a massive city park to the right.
"Dreher Park, another place we constantly take the kids. It has a zoo, athletic fields, nature trails and even a science museum."
Once past the park the surroundings took on a strongly Latin American vibe. Stacy explained the neighborhood.
"This neighborhood's called Congleton. It's mostly recent immigrants who live here, especially Cubans and Nicaraguans, hence the Latin vibe."
A block into the neighborhood was a major shopping center with a Publix.
"Where Chuck and I do most of our shopping. It's a huge chain down here. All the locals swear by Publix."
After the shopping center and adjacent intersection they went over and overpass covering another set of railroad tracks. Two blocks east of that was a bridge across the lagoon separating Palm Beach from West Palm Beach.
"Now, let's see how the top one percent live" Stacy said with a laugh as she drove across the bridge. Once across Southern Blvd. merged with A1A, which is Florida's version of the Pacific Coast Highway. Heading north there was white sand beaches and clear ocean on one side, huge, ornate mansions on the other. Stacy pointed out the first one.
"That place is called Mar-A-Lago. It's Donald Trump's vacation home."
As they continued north Stacy pointed out all the houses that belonged to famous people. She pointed to one that was made of both red bricks and gray cinder block.
"That one belonged to Roxanne Pulitzer."
Later, she pointed out a very inconspicous small house.
"Ann Coulter owns that one."
A few houses after that.
"That mansion belongs to Anna Kournikova."
A few more houses later.
"That's where Estee Lauder spent the last two decades of her life."
Another few houses later.
"John Lennon was in the process of buying that one when he died."
Finally, she came to one that was less than a block from the shopping district.
"That one belongs to the Sloanes. It where Tom and Sandi stay when they're in town."
A block later, they're going down a street lined with the highest of high end jewlery stores and fashion boutiques.
"And this is where Sandi drains his bank account when they're in town, Worth Avenue, the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast."
All three of them laughed. They had to admit Palm Beach was basically a carbon copy of Beverly Hills. After Worth Avenue they got back on A1A. Now they were in the central part of the island. Instead of mansions there were hotels and oceanfront condos.
"Wow!" said Jake, "Helen, let's move into one of those!"
Helen sighed while Stacy couldn't help laughing.
"Trust me, you can't afford it. Heck, you'd have to be Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg rich to live on this side of the lagoon." After a moment, Stacy added "Or just marry a Sloane, like Sandi did."
The three of them couldn't help laughing at that one. Stacy wasn't even jealous, though she suspected Quinn might be a little jealous of Sandi. While Sandi's twenties had been rough her thirties were like a fairy tale playing out in real life. Sandi was now a rich wife and stay at home mom who doted her kids. Her days as a stripper were behind her, she now spent her ample free time schmoozing at Winged Tree. Sandi had moved from an apartment on Dega Street to a mansion in Crewe Neck. In fact, she had more than one residence now. In addition to the Crewe Neck mansion there was also the vacation house in Palm Beach and, with the recent death of Tom's Great Aunt Mildred, a summer home at the cove on Long Island.
Stacy turned down a wide street called Royal Poincianna Way. The street had large palm trees linning each side. Soon, she turned left on a side street called Whitehall Way. Roughly a mile later they passed by a very fancy school. The sign out front read "Palm Beach Public Elementary School".
"And this is where Chucky goes to school. In fact, that's why I chose our current house. It's in this schools district."
Helen said "I was just thinking of all the ways Daria would lay into you for that if she were here."
Stifling a laugh, Stacy said "Yeah, she is like that. Frankly, though, I liked the idea of my kids attending a public school propped up by the wealth of this island. I want what's best for them and make absolutely no apologies for that."
After the school, Stacy took a right on another main street called Royal Palm Way. They went back across the lagoon into West Palm Beach, where Royal Palm Way becomes Okechobee Blvd. From Okechobee north were high rise buildings.
"This is Downtown West Palm Beach. Believe it or not, we're now less than a mile from the house."
Later...
Stacy, Helen and Jake were walking through City Place, which is the high end shopping district in West Palm Beach.
"An open air mall!" exclaimed an impressed Jake, "Wow! They don't have anything like this in Lawndale!"
Stifling a giggle, Stacy said "Quinn said the exact same thing when I took her Christmas shopping while she, Jim and the boys were down for the Holidays." Looking at her watch, Stacy said "Wanna grab some lunch?"
"I take it you have a place in mind" said Helen.
Nodding, Stacy said "Brewzzi's."
A short time later...
Brewzzi's was a combination brew house and Italian Restaurant (where I've eaten many times in RL). Stacy was conversing over lunch with Helen and Jake.
"What do you think so far?"
"It's great!" Jake excitedly said, "It's a perfect place to spend our retirement years. High end shopping districts, living a few minutes from the ocean, and the rich and famous, zoos and parks."
"It's certainly nice," said Helen, "Now, Jake and I just need to find a place to live."
"No problem," Stacy replied, "But before you make a final decision let me show you some more of the area."
Jake and Helen nodded in agreement. While they didn't say so, Stacy could tell they were pretty much sold on moving to South Florida.
After lunch...
Stacy was now driving south on US 1 with Helen and Jake. They kept going until they reached a street called Forest Hill Blvd. Stacy turned right on Forest Hill. Just before reaching I-95 was another school, called Forest Hill High.
Pointing it out, Stacy said "This is where the kids will most likely go to high school, unless we move again by then."
Jake and Helen could tell that Stacy was very happy with her new life. They continued west on Forest Hill. Stacy wanted to show them some affordable places to live.
Lawndale, the following week...
Jake and Helen were talking it over.
"Helen" said Jake, "we have to move down there."
Helen agreed. "Definitely. That area has a lot of amenities, it's within commuting distance of Port Of Miami, the largest cruise ship port on the east coast, and it's summer all year long down there. Also, it's only a two hour drive from Orlando so we can take the boys to Disney World whenever Quinn and Jim visit." Helen picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Hello, Lawndale Realty. My name is Helen Morgendorffer, and I'd like to put my house on the market."
A month later...
Jim was helping Jake load furniture into a small condo that was part of a senior citizens community called Cresthaven. This was Jake and Helen's new home. After he finished, he turned to Jake.
"There, all set."
Smiling, Jake said "Thanks for helping, Jim."
"No problem, Jake. After all, two strong backs are better than one."
At this point a car pulled up. The car was a brand new white Cadillac Escalade. As the car came to a stop the engine shut off and the doors opened. Quinn emerged from the driver's side while Helen emerged from the passenger side.
"I can't believe Quinn bought herself an Escalade" Jake commented.
"I can," said Jim, "If she has to drive an SUV then it might as well be a Cady."
Helen helped Quinn unload Tommy, Timmy and Teddy. All three of the boys were now a year old. Tommy threw a tantrum that only ended when Helen spoke to him.
"Relax, Tommy, Grandma's here. Aren't you just the most darling little thing!"
Being the center of attention calmed Tommy down. Timmy had been screaming until he saw Tommy calm down. This caused Timmy to calm down as well.
"It's weird," said Quinn, "Timmy seems to constantly do whatever Tommy does. If I didn't know better I'd think Timmy's actively trying to curry favor with his brother."
No one saw Teddy roll his eyes. He seemed to have an awareness that most one year olds lack.
Carrying Tommy, Helen said "So, are we set up?"
"Sure are, Helen" said Jake.
Added Jim "We arrainged the furniture just the way you wanted."
Carrying Timmy in one arm and Teddy in the other, Quinn said "Thanks, babe. Here."
She handed Teddy to Jim. Looking at his son, Jim said "Goo-goo." If he didn't know better, he could've sworn Teddy reacted by rolling his eyes.
Tommy, seeing his father try to entertain Teddy, started acting up again.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Jim started trying to entertain Tommy while still carrying Teddy, whom no one saw stare daggers at his brother.
Quinn said "You guys sure you don't mind taking the boys for a few days while Jim and I have a romantic time in Miami?"
"Not at all" said Helen.
Jake said "Your mother and I do have some experience with that sort of thing."
Quinn and Jim couldn't help laughing at that one.
His face lighting up, Jake said "I just made a joke, didn't I?"
Smiling, Helen said "You sure did, Jakey. You sure did."
And thus, Jake and Helen began their new lives as South Florida retirees.
To be continued...