Chapter 25
November 1, 1925 P.D. 8:06 a.m.
Matt slowly opened his eyes and winced at the sunlight peeking through the bedroom drapes. He realized the alarm from his chrono was sounding, so he frowned at it and turned it off. He looked to his wife sleeping soundly beside him and a sleepy smile spread on his tired face. His wife. He loved the sound of it. She wasn't a morning person, and she would be even less so when she eventually woke, so she didn't wake her. They were up past midnight, sharing a bottle of champagne, lovemaking, cuddling, and talking. He fluffed his pillow, relaxed, and gazed at her sleeping, pretty face.
—
She came to awareness of her dry, scratchy mouth (with a hint of champagne) and pounding head. She sniffed, opened her eyes, and saw her husband (she loved that!) and smiled.
"Good morning, Mr. Goodson," she croaked.
"Is it?" he chortled and scooted closer.
She nodded. "I woke up with you, so yes, but my head is killing me."
"I've got just the thing for that," he said and slid from the bed.
She gazed appreciatively at his nude, muscular body when he retrieved his satchel from his desk and returned with a hypospray. He held it up for her to see and pressed it against her neck and the familiar fwish was heard.
"What's in that?" she asked.
"Officially, a post-surgical agent. Unofficially, an industrial-strength hang-over agent," he explained, "analgesic and electrolytes."
"Breakfast will help too," she yawned and reached for her chrono that read 9:17 am. Plenty of time for breakfast and bath before church.
She left the bed, saw their clothing scattered on the floor, and pressed the kitchen button on the comms panel on the wall beside the door.
"Yes?" Gillian's voice returned.
"Breakfast please," Rachel requested.
Gillian's chuckle was heard. "Of course, it'll be there shortly."
"Thanks."
She yawned again and turned around to see her new husband sitting on the bedroom bench situated against the footboard, stroking his erection. She raised an eyebrow, knowing what he wanted.
"It's going to be a quickie," she said and straddled his legs.
He shrugged. "Your point?"
She sank down on him, sighed, and kissed him. "Never mind."
—
After coming down from her climax high, she remained on his lap and ran soft fingertips over his arms, shoulders, and chest. Matt's current physique was a vast change from his physique when they met. She loved feeling the rise of biceps, buffed shoulders, beefy chest, and chiseled abdomen.
"Like what you see?" he murmured, amused.
She nodded and ran her hands through his hair. "I could look at you all day."
Two light, soft knocks were heard on the door.
"But breakfast is ready," he noted.
Reluctantly, she took the comforter from the bed, wrapped herself in it, and opened the door. She took hold of the wheeled serving cart and pulled it into the room. She closed the door and he patted the space on the bench. She sat and enjoyed a cup of coffee and pulled the comforter around her some more.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"It's a little chilly in here," she said.
Toast in hand, he walked to the life support panel that was next to the comms panel.
"I'll raise the temp a couple of ticks," he said.
"Thanks," she said and dipped a biscuit in the bowl of gravy.
Leisurely lovemaking, breakfast, and a bath were great ways to start the day. No school and no work for the entire week was a fantastic prospect, and they were going to enjoy every minute of it.
—
Matt was shooting a game of billiards when Rachel came into the living room. Nate was in the security office and Robert was watching Matt attempt a far corner shot. Hipper was concentrating on the game; many human pastimes were fascinating to him.
"Good morning, gentlemen," she said.
"M'lady," they chorused.
"Have you seen my purse?" she asked.
Matt pointed to the table by the front door. "You left it in the car. Nate brought it in."
"Did you see happen to notice an earring too?" Rachel asked.
"No, but we can look again," Nate offered.
Hipper trotted from the bay window and hopped into her arms. "Making yourself at home?"
He nodded and opened a closed paw to reveal her missing earring. "That's my clever fellow!"
#
At the cathedral, the newlyweds were congratulated on their beautiful wedding; many saw it televised. No one thought twice about them being at church the day after their wedding. Unless someone was literally physically unable or too sick to leave home, they went to church. That's just the way it was with their people. Aside from that, there really wasn't a romantic getaway or anywhere picturesque for a honeymoon on Grayson. It took days to get anywhere off-planet, then days to get back. So one could either spend their honeymoon on a ship or spend some newlywed time in the comfort of home.
The women settled in their auditorium for their scripture meeting and 70-year-old Patricia McCormick, a women's lay reader for 45 years, started the meeting with a prayer. After, she opened her copy of Meditations and smiled at the gathering.
"In light of the newlyweds among us this morning, we're going to examine a test of life this morning. Please turn to book seven, chapter five."
They did so and she started. "Yesterday, Mrs. Goodson, Mrs. Halloway, and Mrs. Rogers embarked on what is perhaps the greatest test of life for a woman: marriage. After 51 years of marriage, loss of a sister wife, and twelve children, I can say with complete confidence that the vows I took all those years ago are just as relevant for me today…"
—
In the men's meeting, Brother McCormick was embarking upon the same vein.
"This morning, we're to look at what's known as the marriage chapter of the Meditations. With that, please turn to book seven, chapter five."
They did so and he began. "Yesterday, three of you undertook what is the most challenging, yet most rewarding test of life: being a married man…Mr. Goodson, can you tell us what it felt like before your bride walked to you through those doors? Only share what you feel comfortable with sharing."
Matt cleared his throat and started. "I was so nervous my knees were shaking. I thought am I going to be a good husband? She left her home, her family, to take my name and start a family, with me. My best man had to remind me to breathe."
The married men remembered their day and chuckled.
Brother McCormick continued. "It takes a great leap of faith to take a wife and sustain a good marriage. With a strong foundation of faith, and a loving, faithful wife at your side…"
#
After church, they departed Harrington for the Austin City spaceport, where their friends would be departing for Manticore.
"Did your meeting discuss the marriage Meditations?" Matt asked.
She nodded. "I liked it; Mrs. McCormick is an interesting, insightful woman. I'm a newlywed, I need all the insight I can get."
She leaned forward and tapped Robert's shoulder. "Can you turn up the heat a tick or two?"
Her uni-link signaled, and she answered it. "No thank you, I'm not interested."
She ended the call and dropped the device into her purse. "How are they getting my number?"
"Who?"
"I've been getting calls about the warranty on this car, which is dumb because the warranty has long since passed," she sighed.
They saw the signs indicating their approach to Mayhew Steading and made for the spaceport. On arrival, Nate parked in a reserved space and shut down the car. The armsmen left the car, scanned the area, and nodded to the backseat couple. The couple left the car and the four went to terminal two, where their friends were waiting for the shuttle to their ship. Angela saw them approach and got the others' attention. Diego closed the backgammon game he had been playing with Max.
"We really didn't think you'd show," Angela said and hugged her.
"You came all the way here for the biggest day of our lives, so the least we can do is to see you off," Matt added.
"We're going back with dart boards and bingo games too," Zach added.
Rachel and Angela took Theresa aside.
"Keep an eye on Miss Wet Doily, okay?" Rachel asked Angela.
Theresa chortled. "You don't need to worry about me, I'll be fine. I can't believe I cried over that jerk. I've sworn off men for a while."
"My sister said the same," Rachel noted.
"Maybe it's a Theresa thing," Theresa chuckled.
"Attention, Artemis shuttle passengers…boarding will commence in five minutes, concourse 2-A."
"That's us," Diego announced.
Rachel and Matt exchanged hugs and handshakes and wished their friends a safe trip. They watched the shuttle depart and left the terminal. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze.
"Let's go home and play some darts," he said.
November 4, 1925 P.D.
After breakfast, Matt and Rachel waited in the lobby of Grayson United Bank, Harrington branch to review and combine their bank accounts. Matt's assets took an entire five minutes to review. His bank account held 3,258.23 austins. Rachel's account took longer to review, as he was to learn. She talked with the chief banker as Matt read the report.
Account Statement 1-30 October 1925 P.D.
Monthly Pay and Allowances, Grayson Space Navy
3,325.00
Interest, Savings Account 6,548.70
Cash Dividends, Common Stock 68,552.40
Miscellaneous Allowance 2,000.00
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of 30 October 1925 P.D.
Savings Account #857451-02 654,874.10
Inheritance Account #857452-02 378,455.30
Credit Account #857453-02 27,624.21
Investment Activities As of 30 October 1925 P.D.
Common Stock Market Values, Personal:
Mayhew Baseball Corp. 228,632.50
Harrington Sky Domes, Ltd. 521,884.23
Grayson Cattle and Beef Corp. 215,333.05
AustinComm, Inc. 223,783.56
Peake Textiles, Ltd. 164,364.63
Taxes and Fees As of 30 October 1925 P.D.
Income Tax YTD 475.64
Dividend Earnings Tax YTD 1,154.26
Property Tax YTD 248.45 (pending)
GUB Account Management Fee (monthly) 175.00
*All amounts are in Austins. For dollar or other equivalents, please see a banking representative.
The banker cleared his throat. "Mr. Goodson, as you can see from the previous three months, the investment activities remain steady. If you look at the past year, there was never more than a three percent rise or less than a two percent loss in stock values. The distributions from the cash dividends are simple: 70 percent of the cash dividends are reinvested in the listed stocks, 15 percent is redirected to charitable interests as seen on page three, and the remaining 15 percent is deposited into the savings account. With me so far?"
He nodded in understanding but was dumbfounded at the amounts. Over 27,000 austins in spending money!
The banker spoke again. "As far as the monthly savings interest earnings, 50 percent is distributed to the credit account, 10 percent goes to church tithing, and the remaining 40 percent stays in the account. Are there any changes you'd like to make?"
Rachel shook her head. "I've had it this way for five years now, it looks solid."
She patted Matt's hand. "We'll have to meet with my investment banker, you'll get a better idea of all this, and you might have something you'd like to invest in."
"Mrs. Goodson, if you'll acknowledge the change of name tab on document three, and then directly below that, acknowledge Mr. Goodson as co-owner on the account."
When she did so, the banker acknowledge it as well and handed the memo board to Matt. "On page two, I'll need you to authorize and confirm the transfer the amount listed from your account to this new one. Do you wish it to transfer it to the savings or credit account?"
"Um…savings."
"Very good…"
The banker pressed and swiped some more buttons and returned the memo board. "Then directly below that, confirm that you wish to close your account at the Redmon branch. I'll then update your identicard and credit chip with the new account information."
Matt handed over his identicard and wrist device.
"You'll also need to get with the Navy paymaster for your pay to be deposited to your new account," the banker said to him and confirmed the information on his computer. "Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
Matt and Rachel looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Congratulations on your marriage and thank you for your continued business with Grayson United Bank."
—
On the drive back home, Rachel laughed as she read her news sheet. "Did you know our wedding was the most watched program last Saturday night?"
She glanced at Matt staring out of the window.
"Everything all right?" she asked.
Nate glanced in the rear-view mirror at his new charge.
He shook his head and chuckled. "I'm still…flabbergasted."
"At what?"
"At what? Sweetheart, I've never seen so much money!"
She rolled her eyes. "I realize that must have looked like a lot at first, but as you saw, most of it hinges on the investments. That's self-sustaining, and a quarter of the earnings go back into the savings. I don't really spend much of it. You saw the transaction statement? The biggest spending has been the furniture for the manor, from the inheritance account. I splurged on that because I was so excited to buy it."
"What's the miscellaneous allowance?" he asked.
"An allowance the Mayhew kids receive; well, not me anymore."
"Why not?"
"I married someone that earns a suitable living," she said matter-of-factly.
"So if you had married someone without a job, you'd still get the allowance?" he asked, amused.
"That would depend on the someone," she replied.
"All right, humor me, who?"
She sighed and the car turned into the manor's drive. At the front parking space, they left the car.
"If I had married Joe-the-grocery-store-shelf-stocker, it would be different than marrying into a stead holder's family."
"So if you had married someone who stocked shelves at the grocery store, you'd still get the allowance?" he asked.
She nodded and Nate unlocked the front door for them to enter. Gillian appeared from the kitchen.
"Would you care for lunch?"
She looked at Matt and he nodded. "Yes, thanks."
They continued the conversation and went to the dartboard to start a game.
"Because marriage into a stead holder's family would mean you no longer need the allowance," he concluded.
"Correct," she answered.
"Not many steadholder sons work, do they? And none of them would work stocking shelves," he concluded.
She shook her head. "No, they don't need to. Honestly, I don't see any steadholders approving of their children working in a grocery store. That sounds snotty, but it is what it is."
"So they just sit around and do nothing?" Matt asked.
"Some do. The heir presumptive isn't expected to. The other sons go to college, the military, or some position in a business that the stead holder has a vested interest in. Take the Kimbrells, for example. The oldest son is the heir presumptive, Commander Kimbrell is in the Navy, and son number three is the pitching coach for the Kimbrell baseball team."
"Do you know him?" Matt asked.
"I do," she said, "I was introduced to many steadholder sons growing up."
And she still chose me!
"So all nine of you get an allowance?"
She nodded. "Eight, now."
"And that doesn't bother you?"
"Why would it?" she asked.
He quietly sighed. Only the very wealthy wouldn't be bothered about losing 2,000 austins a month.
"I feel like this there's this whole other world that I don't know about," he said.
She kissed him. "You're a smart cookie, you'll pick it up in no time. It's been this way for over seven hundred years. Basically, what was mine is now ours."
"Do you expect this for our kids?" he asked.
She laughed and tossed a dart. "I hope so. Between us, we can afford allowances for them."
"Starting a savings account when they're born is a good idea," he replied.
"Remember, dad started savings accounts for all of us when we were born. By the time I was thirteen, I had 24,000 austins plus interest in the bank," she explained.
"And then you began personal financial management classes because that's a lot of money for a thirteen-year-old," he added.
She nodded. "Exactly. It was in a trust, of course. I asked dad what he invested in, and he showed me his investment portfolio. My first stock purchase was Mayhew Baseball Corp, then I added the others over the years. Now I'm proud to say that I have a two percent stake of Mayhew baseball."
"So if you decided to just sell-off, let's say, your shares of Harrington Skydomes you'd receive 521,884.23 austins?" he asked.
"Less after the income tax, transactions fees, and resuscitating my investment advisor, yes," she chuckled, "and then Aunt Honor would be curious as to why I'd suddenly sell-off over 100,000 shares of Skydomes stock."
#