Greenlee, Susie, and the kids didn't return home until late in the evening. They had gone to a Chinese restaurant to eat, so they skipped the nightly family dinner. Susie went to put the kids to bed, while Greenlee decided to go for a walk. She didn't feel like dealing with her family, she just wanted to take a relaxing walk without any worries. She didn't get very far though before she heard a car behind her. She turned around, squinting her eyes.
"Oh man," she muttered with a deep sigh. She stopped, waiting for the car to pull up. It was her mother's limo. The car stopped beside Greenlee and she bent over as the backseat window was rolled down.
"Hello Mother!" Greenlee waved her mitten as her mother's face appeared on the other side of the glass.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you out of your God-damn mind?"
Hey, there's the old mom I know and I love, Greenlee thought.
"Just taking a walk." She said outloud.
"Why? Do you know how cold it is?"
"It's a little chilly, yeah," Greenlee shrugged, "but I like the snow." She dug her boot into the soft, white snow. Mary completely ignored her.
"The Du`Pres arrived just a bit ago. They were so looking forward to seeing you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"
"Wow, that must have been absolutely humiliating."
"Are you being sarcastic with me, young lady?"
"No, mom..." Greenlee rolled her eyes.
"And what's this I hear about you avoiding poor Andrew?"
"Avoiding?"
"Yes, his mother said that he said you were avoiding him."
"Mom, Crandlemire's sweet, but not for me."
"I don't God-damn care weather or not you like him; I want to hear wedding-bells within the next year!"
"You want me to marry Andrew Crandlemire?"
"Yes."
"Are you out of your God-damn mind, mother?"
Mary sat up straight, she was taken aback by her daughter's straight forwardness.
"That is no way to talk to your moth--"
"Listen, I came to your stupid Christmas party, what more do you want?"
Mary turned away from her daughter, trying not to lose her temper.
"You really don't get it, do you mom?"
"This conversation is over."
"I'm not finished." Greenlee slammed her hand over the window to prevent her mother from rolling it up. Mary looked at her, obviously annoyed.
"What's come over you? Why are you acting like this?"
"The problem isn't me mom. The problem is you. You treat me like shit all through my teenage years, and then I come home for Christmas and you act like there's nothing wrong with the world. I see through that now though, you just wanted to butter up so I'd like Andrew, and now that I don't like him, you're pissed off."
"Greenlee, get in this car right now."
Greenlee clenched her teeth, there was no talking to this woman was there?
"I'll be home in less then an hour, just give me some time."
"I said get in the car, so you better get in the God-damn car."
No reasoning with her either.
"God, fine. I'm sorry I tried to be alone for twenty minutes without having to listen to your stupid shit."
Greenlee stomped through the snow to the other side of the car, swung open the door, and climbed inside.
By the time they had gotten back home, Greenlee was nearly in tears. It looked like this was her fate. Mother wanted her to marry Andrew, so she guessed she had to. What were her other choices? It's not like there was a line of guys waiting to ask her out, or like she was getting any younger. Maybe that was just the fate of all rich girls, maybe they were just supposed to marry whoever their parent's chose. It wouldn't be that bad though, would it? Andrew was successful, rich, handsome... what more could she ask for? Well, maybe a little personality.
After she was back in the mansion, she decided to find Andrew. Out of pure luck, she found him in the first room she checked: the library. The Smyth library was quite a sight to see. It contained every book worth reading placed on wooden shelves a mile long around the walls of the entire room. An oversized stone fireplace gave it an elegant, cozy feel, and the hardwood floors were set off with layers of oriental rugs. Greenlee used to spend hours in this room, drowning herself in her favorite books.
Andrew was over by the law books in the left corner of the room, flipping anxiously through them.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Greenlee said. Andrew turned around quickly, surprised by her voice. He closed the book and tipped his glasses.
"Very," he said, "I've never even heard of some of these law books."
Greenlee suddenly felt compelled to kiss him, he looked extremely desirable. She took a few steps towards him.
"Why'd you become a lawyer?" she asked.
"I've always been interested by the law." Andrew said, "I don't really know why."
She nodded, as if she understood, and walked closer, stopping directly in front of him.
"Why'd you drop out of college?" He asked looking down at her, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
"I don't remember," a small smile crept across her lips.
"Don't remember?" He sounded surprised. She elevated herself on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Nope. Don't remember." She leaned in and kissed him. He held her waist as he pulled her closer. They were locked in a kiss for several moments, but Greenlee broke it by pulling away. What the hell did I just do! She thought to herself. Here's this guy, Andrew Crandlemire of all people, who is your typical average rich guy, a breed of guy's that Greenlee can't stand, and a guy who she's only known for 2 days, and just because he's a little cute (drop dead gorgeous is a better explination, really) she goes and kisses him.
"Greenlee..." He began, but before he could say anything more they were both startled by a clicking noise behind them. Greenlee whirled around to see a young man, having just walked into the library, standing as surprised as they were.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He said.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Greenlee swallowed hard, she felt a little embarrassed.
"Leo, Leo Du`Pres."
Andrew stepped forward, offering his hand.
"Andrew Crandlemire."
Leo shook Andrew's hand, nodding.
"Were you looking for something?" Greenlee asked.
"Not really, I was just exploring the place a bit. It's fuckin' huge."
Greenlee glanced up at Andrew with a smirk, "Yeah, it's pretty amazing." She said.
"Look at all these books," Leo glanced around, "I bet some of them have never been read."
"I doubt it. We can't even reach the ones on the top shelf. My dad thought those library ladders were too cheesy to put one in here."
Leo laughed, "So you basically have no idea what's up there?"
She shook her head, "Not a clue."
"That's insane." He looked up at the top shelves. "Mind if I climb up and take a look?"
Greenlee gave him a skeptical look, "What would you climb on?"
"The shelves?"
"Don't be stupid," Andrew said suddenly, "You'd probably break something."
Greenlee gave Andrew a playful shove, "Don't be so parental," she joked.
"Listen, Greenlee," Andrew turned to her, "I'd like to talk to you."
"Ah, I see I was interrupting... I'll just get on out of here then."
"No, don't go Leo." She had just met the guy, but in less than two minutes he had shown more personality and adventure then Andrew had in two days. And not to mention, she had just kissed Andrew and felt completely awkward about it, so she didn't really want to be alone with him.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow then," Andrew said slightly annoyed. He turned and left the room, leaving Greenlee a little surprised.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Leo asked after he was gone.
"No," she shook her head, "I just met him yesterday."
"Really? You guys looked pretty close."
"Nevermind." She said, "Want some cocoa?"
"Cocoa?"
"Yeah, I was just about to make some hot chocolate for myself."
"I'd love some." He smiled.
"I'll be right back then." She smiled back, then left the library, heading towards the kitchen. She was surprised to see that the lights were still on, surely the kitchen crew had finished cleaning up by now? She walked in to find the entire kitchen torn apart. Every cupboard was open, and everything that was once in the cupboard's was now all over the counter-tops and floor. Greenlee noticed a pair of legs sticking out from one of the shelves below the counter.
"What the hell are you doing?" She said. Josh crawled out from the cupboard.
"Greenlee! Where do you keep the tea kettle?" He asked.
"You tore the kitchen apart looking for a damn tea kettle?"
Josh stood up, looking around at the mess, "I guess I did kind of tear it apart, huh?"
Greenlee walked to the stove. Sitting on top was a cloth covering something. She pulled of the cloth to reveal the kettle.
Josh smiled weakly, "So that's where you keep it."
Greenlee sighed and walked to the sink. She filled the kettle up, then put it on the burner.
"I'll help you clean up." She said.
After the kitchen was spotless (and the cocoa was made) Greenlee returned to the library carrying a square tray. On the tray were two mugs of hot chocolate, a creamer full of milk, and a small bowl of marshmallows. When she first walked in, it appeared that there was no-one in the room. Greenlee stood for a minute feeling hurt that Leo would leave, but she finally noticed him hunched over some books behind the couch. She set the tray on the coffee table.
"What are you looking at?" She asked. Leo turned around with a child-like grin on his face.
"The books from the top shelf." Leo said, pointing upwards. Greenlee glanced up to find a chunk of the top shelf empty; a grin crept across her face.
"Did you climb up there?"
"I admit it," He said standing up and climbing over the couch, plopping himself in front of the coffee table, "I climbed up there."
She sat down beside him, picking up her mug.
"So what'd you find?"
"Well," He took a sip of his cocoa before turning to face her, "there was a book on anatomy, a book on evolution, a really old dictionary, a book in Latin, a book on Greek mythology, and that's all I was really able to grab before..."
"What, you fell?"
"Sort of." He held up his arm to reveal a bloody cut on his elbow.
"Oh, Leo! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it doesn't even hurt." He smiled, taking another drink of cocoa.
"You know," He said, "this is probably the best hot chocolate I've ever had."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"Well thanks, I'm flattered." Greenlee pulled her legs onto the couch, sitting Indian-style.
"Hot chocolate always makes me feel better," she said, "I don't really know why. Whenever something's wrong, I always make hot chocolate."
"What's wrong right now?" Leo asked, he had genuine concern in his voice.
"Oh I don't want to trouble you with my life story," Greenlee sighed, "It's really pretty routine and boring."
"What, your life or your problem?"
"Both, actually."
"Couldn't be all that bad... have you looked around at your house lately?"
Greenlee's eyes widened, "Yeah, I've looked at this house for the past twenty-one years of my life. Trust me, it's not as special as it may seem."
"No?"
"No. It's an old house once owned by a rich New York family in the 1850's. My great-grandfather got a hold of it in 1934, making it his home and passing it on to his son, who in turn passed it on to my father."
"Who in turn will pass it on to you?"
"I don't know. When I was growing up they always told me I couldn't have it, that it was for my brother. There was no brother, of course, it was just wishful thinking on their part. For years they tried to conceive a son, but it never happened. They're stuck with me."
"So then, you should get the house?"
"Should, yes, but it will probably go on to one of my male cousins."
Leo put his cocoa down and rested his chin in his hand thoughtfully.
"That doesn't make any sense. Isn't there any way you can get the house?"
"Oh, sure," Greenlee smirked, "there's a way."
"Which is...?"
"I have to get married, then my dad will pass the house on to my husband."
Leo stared straight into her eyes.
"Is that what was up with that guy earlier?" He asked.
Greenlee sensed a certain sort of seriousness come over him.
"You mean Andrew?"
"I mean the one I found you kissing."
Leo sure was blunt, Greenlee thought.
"I'm not blind, I can tell you don't love him," he continued. "Maybe you're attracted to him a little, but that's as far as it goes."
"You're right, I don't love him." She admitted.
"So why were you kissing him?"
Greenlee was at a loss. She honestly didn't know why.
After an awkward silence of staring down into her cocoa, she finally spoke again.
"I'm not really sure."
"You want the house and the money, don't you? Is that why you're trying to make yourself fall in love with him?"
"No!" Greenlee shouted quickly, becoming defensive.
"I. . .I'm not like that. . ."
Greenlee put her mug of hot chocolate back onto the tray and stood up. She felt a little uncomfortable in this conversation. After bidding Leo goodnight, she hurried out of the room and hurried upstairs to her room.
Now Greenlee felt horrible. She felt just like all her cousins, just like all her aunts and uncles, just like boring stuck-up Crandlemire, and horrifically, she felt just like her mother. Thanks to Leo, Greenlee realized what she was doing. Mary knew that the house would go to Greenlee's oldest cousin unless it was given to Greenlee, and the only way it could be given to Greenlee is if she got married. Of course, they wouldn't want some bum (like her ex-fiancée) to just march in and inherit the house, so Mary thought if she got the Crandlemire's involved, at least the house would be passed on to another rich and snobby family.
Greenlee fell for it too. She had eventually givin in to her mother and was going full force for Andrew. Thank God for Leo.
"Oh man," she muttered with a deep sigh. She stopped, waiting for the car to pull up. It was her mother's limo. The car stopped beside Greenlee and she bent over as the backseat window was rolled down.
"Hello Mother!" Greenlee waved her mitten as her mother's face appeared on the other side of the glass.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you out of your God-damn mind?"
Hey, there's the old mom I know and I love, Greenlee thought.
"Just taking a walk." She said outloud.
"Why? Do you know how cold it is?"
"It's a little chilly, yeah," Greenlee shrugged, "but I like the snow." She dug her boot into the soft, white snow. Mary completely ignored her.
"The Du`Pres arrived just a bit ago. They were so looking forward to seeing you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. Do you know how embarrassing that was?"
"Wow, that must have been absolutely humiliating."
"Are you being sarcastic with me, young lady?"
"No, mom..." Greenlee rolled her eyes.
"And what's this I hear about you avoiding poor Andrew?"
"Avoiding?"
"Yes, his mother said that he said you were avoiding him."
"Mom, Crandlemire's sweet, but not for me."
"I don't God-damn care weather or not you like him; I want to hear wedding-bells within the next year!"
"You want me to marry Andrew Crandlemire?"
"Yes."
"Are you out of your God-damn mind, mother?"
Mary sat up straight, she was taken aback by her daughter's straight forwardness.
"That is no way to talk to your moth--"
"Listen, I came to your stupid Christmas party, what more do you want?"
Mary turned away from her daughter, trying not to lose her temper.
"You really don't get it, do you mom?"
"This conversation is over."
"I'm not finished." Greenlee slammed her hand over the window to prevent her mother from rolling it up. Mary looked at her, obviously annoyed.
"What's come over you? Why are you acting like this?"
"The problem isn't me mom. The problem is you. You treat me like shit all through my teenage years, and then I come home for Christmas and you act like there's nothing wrong with the world. I see through that now though, you just wanted to butter up so I'd like Andrew, and now that I don't like him, you're pissed off."
"Greenlee, get in this car right now."
Greenlee clenched her teeth, there was no talking to this woman was there?
"I'll be home in less then an hour, just give me some time."
"I said get in the car, so you better get in the God-damn car."
No reasoning with her either.
"God, fine. I'm sorry I tried to be alone for twenty minutes without having to listen to your stupid shit."
Greenlee stomped through the snow to the other side of the car, swung open the door, and climbed inside.
By the time they had gotten back home, Greenlee was nearly in tears. It looked like this was her fate. Mother wanted her to marry Andrew, so she guessed she had to. What were her other choices? It's not like there was a line of guys waiting to ask her out, or like she was getting any younger. Maybe that was just the fate of all rich girls, maybe they were just supposed to marry whoever their parent's chose. It wouldn't be that bad though, would it? Andrew was successful, rich, handsome... what more could she ask for? Well, maybe a little personality.
After she was back in the mansion, she decided to find Andrew. Out of pure luck, she found him in the first room she checked: the library. The Smyth library was quite a sight to see. It contained every book worth reading placed on wooden shelves a mile long around the walls of the entire room. An oversized stone fireplace gave it an elegant, cozy feel, and the hardwood floors were set off with layers of oriental rugs. Greenlee used to spend hours in this room, drowning herself in her favorite books.
Andrew was over by the law books in the left corner of the room, flipping anxiously through them.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Greenlee said. Andrew turned around quickly, surprised by her voice. He closed the book and tipped his glasses.
"Very," he said, "I've never even heard of some of these law books."
Greenlee suddenly felt compelled to kiss him, he looked extremely desirable. She took a few steps towards him.
"Why'd you become a lawyer?" she asked.
"I've always been interested by the law." Andrew said, "I don't really know why."
She nodded, as if she understood, and walked closer, stopping directly in front of him.
"Why'd you drop out of college?" He asked looking down at her, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear.
"I don't remember," a small smile crept across her lips.
"Don't remember?" He sounded surprised. She elevated herself on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Nope. Don't remember." She leaned in and kissed him. He held her waist as he pulled her closer. They were locked in a kiss for several moments, but Greenlee broke it by pulling away. What the hell did I just do! She thought to herself. Here's this guy, Andrew Crandlemire of all people, who is your typical average rich guy, a breed of guy's that Greenlee can't stand, and a guy who she's only known for 2 days, and just because he's a little cute (drop dead gorgeous is a better explination, really) she goes and kisses him.
"Greenlee..." He began, but before he could say anything more they were both startled by a clicking noise behind them. Greenlee whirled around to see a young man, having just walked into the library, standing as surprised as they were.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" He said.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Greenlee swallowed hard, she felt a little embarrassed.
"Leo, Leo Du`Pres."
Andrew stepped forward, offering his hand.
"Andrew Crandlemire."
Leo shook Andrew's hand, nodding.
"Were you looking for something?" Greenlee asked.
"Not really, I was just exploring the place a bit. It's fuckin' huge."
Greenlee glanced up at Andrew with a smirk, "Yeah, it's pretty amazing." She said.
"Look at all these books," Leo glanced around, "I bet some of them have never been read."
"I doubt it. We can't even reach the ones on the top shelf. My dad thought those library ladders were too cheesy to put one in here."
Leo laughed, "So you basically have no idea what's up there?"
She shook her head, "Not a clue."
"That's insane." He looked up at the top shelves. "Mind if I climb up and take a look?"
Greenlee gave him a skeptical look, "What would you climb on?"
"The shelves?"
"Don't be stupid," Andrew said suddenly, "You'd probably break something."
Greenlee gave Andrew a playful shove, "Don't be so parental," she joked.
"Listen, Greenlee," Andrew turned to her, "I'd like to talk to you."
"Ah, I see I was interrupting... I'll just get on out of here then."
"No, don't go Leo." She had just met the guy, but in less than two minutes he had shown more personality and adventure then Andrew had in two days. And not to mention, she had just kissed Andrew and felt completely awkward about it, so she didn't really want to be alone with him.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow then," Andrew said slightly annoyed. He turned and left the room, leaving Greenlee a little surprised.
"Is that your boyfriend?" Leo asked after he was gone.
"No," she shook her head, "I just met him yesterday."
"Really? You guys looked pretty close."
"Nevermind." She said, "Want some cocoa?"
"Cocoa?"
"Yeah, I was just about to make some hot chocolate for myself."
"I'd love some." He smiled.
"I'll be right back then." She smiled back, then left the library, heading towards the kitchen. She was surprised to see that the lights were still on, surely the kitchen crew had finished cleaning up by now? She walked in to find the entire kitchen torn apart. Every cupboard was open, and everything that was once in the cupboard's was now all over the counter-tops and floor. Greenlee noticed a pair of legs sticking out from one of the shelves below the counter.
"What the hell are you doing?" She said. Josh crawled out from the cupboard.
"Greenlee! Where do you keep the tea kettle?" He asked.
"You tore the kitchen apart looking for a damn tea kettle?"
Josh stood up, looking around at the mess, "I guess I did kind of tear it apart, huh?"
Greenlee walked to the stove. Sitting on top was a cloth covering something. She pulled of the cloth to reveal the kettle.
Josh smiled weakly, "So that's where you keep it."
Greenlee sighed and walked to the sink. She filled the kettle up, then put it on the burner.
"I'll help you clean up." She said.
After the kitchen was spotless (and the cocoa was made) Greenlee returned to the library carrying a square tray. On the tray were two mugs of hot chocolate, a creamer full of milk, and a small bowl of marshmallows. When she first walked in, it appeared that there was no-one in the room. Greenlee stood for a minute feeling hurt that Leo would leave, but she finally noticed him hunched over some books behind the couch. She set the tray on the coffee table.
"What are you looking at?" She asked. Leo turned around with a child-like grin on his face.
"The books from the top shelf." Leo said, pointing upwards. Greenlee glanced up to find a chunk of the top shelf empty; a grin crept across her face.
"Did you climb up there?"
"I admit it," He said standing up and climbing over the couch, plopping himself in front of the coffee table, "I climbed up there."
She sat down beside him, picking up her mug.
"So what'd you find?"
"Well," He took a sip of his cocoa before turning to face her, "there was a book on anatomy, a book on evolution, a really old dictionary, a book in Latin, a book on Greek mythology, and that's all I was really able to grab before..."
"What, you fell?"
"Sort of." He held up his arm to reveal a bloody cut on his elbow.
"Oh, Leo! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it doesn't even hurt." He smiled, taking another drink of cocoa.
"You know," He said, "this is probably the best hot chocolate I've ever had."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"Well thanks, I'm flattered." Greenlee pulled her legs onto the couch, sitting Indian-style.
"Hot chocolate always makes me feel better," she said, "I don't really know why. Whenever something's wrong, I always make hot chocolate."
"What's wrong right now?" Leo asked, he had genuine concern in his voice.
"Oh I don't want to trouble you with my life story," Greenlee sighed, "It's really pretty routine and boring."
"What, your life or your problem?"
"Both, actually."
"Couldn't be all that bad... have you looked around at your house lately?"
Greenlee's eyes widened, "Yeah, I've looked at this house for the past twenty-one years of my life. Trust me, it's not as special as it may seem."
"No?"
"No. It's an old house once owned by a rich New York family in the 1850's. My great-grandfather got a hold of it in 1934, making it his home and passing it on to his son, who in turn passed it on to my father."
"Who in turn will pass it on to you?"
"I don't know. When I was growing up they always told me I couldn't have it, that it was for my brother. There was no brother, of course, it was just wishful thinking on their part. For years they tried to conceive a son, but it never happened. They're stuck with me."
"So then, you should get the house?"
"Should, yes, but it will probably go on to one of my male cousins."
Leo put his cocoa down and rested his chin in his hand thoughtfully.
"That doesn't make any sense. Isn't there any way you can get the house?"
"Oh, sure," Greenlee smirked, "there's a way."
"Which is...?"
"I have to get married, then my dad will pass the house on to my husband."
Leo stared straight into her eyes.
"Is that what was up with that guy earlier?" He asked.
Greenlee sensed a certain sort of seriousness come over him.
"You mean Andrew?"
"I mean the one I found you kissing."
Leo sure was blunt, Greenlee thought.
"I'm not blind, I can tell you don't love him," he continued. "Maybe you're attracted to him a little, but that's as far as it goes."
"You're right, I don't love him." She admitted.
"So why were you kissing him?"
Greenlee was at a loss. She honestly didn't know why.
After an awkward silence of staring down into her cocoa, she finally spoke again.
"I'm not really sure."
"You want the house and the money, don't you? Is that why you're trying to make yourself fall in love with him?"
"No!" Greenlee shouted quickly, becoming defensive.
"I. . .I'm not like that. . ."
Greenlee put her mug of hot chocolate back onto the tray and stood up. She felt a little uncomfortable in this conversation. After bidding Leo goodnight, she hurried out of the room and hurried upstairs to her room.
Now Greenlee felt horrible. She felt just like all her cousins, just like all her aunts and uncles, just like boring stuck-up Crandlemire, and horrifically, she felt just like her mother. Thanks to Leo, Greenlee realized what she was doing. Mary knew that the house would go to Greenlee's oldest cousin unless it was given to Greenlee, and the only way it could be given to Greenlee is if she got married. Of course, they wouldn't want some bum (like her ex-fiancée) to just march in and inherit the house, so Mary thought if she got the Crandlemire's involved, at least the house would be passed on to another rich and snobby family.
Greenlee fell for it too. She had eventually givin in to her mother and was going full force for Andrew. Thank God for Leo.