“I mean now,” Liese said with a determined expression. “？‘Sometime’ is fine at your age. Not at mine.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” he scolded her.
“Don’t be such a coward. She sounds like a nice woman. I want to meet her. For a cup of tea.”
“Why?”
“Why not? It’s always interesting to meet new people. I have questions in my mind about her. I want to see why you like her.”
“She was a good employer and she paid me well.”
“Nonsense. She was more than that. Please invite her to tea,” she said, sitting up straight, and he could tell that she wasn’t going to give up until he agreed. He felt foolish calling her again, but he did. It was easier than arguing with his mother.
Olivia answered his call again. “What’s up?” She sounded busy and he was embarrassed to bother her.
“My mother wants to have tea with you,” he said bluntly.
“That’s why you called?” She thought he was kidding at first.
“Yes. She’ll drive me crazy if I don’t at least ask.”
“Actually, I’d like to meet her…Sure…Why not?…When?”
“Today apparently,” he said with a grin. “Name your time. Our schedule is free.”
“My place?”
“That’s too much trouble for you, and you don’t have a butler anymore,” he reminded her and she laughed. “Why don’t you come here at four o’clock? Jeans are fine. Don’t get dressed up.”
“Perfect, and tell her thank you.” He did, and his mother smiled from ear to ear.
“What are you scheming about?” he asked her, suspicious.
“I am not scheming. I want to meet your friend. I always did when you were young.”
“I know. I hated it. I felt like you were checking up on me.”
“I was. I still am.” She laughed, and he shook his head, but he was happy to be able to see Olivia again, and grateful to his mother, although he didn’t admit it to her.
* * *
—
Olivia arrived promptly at four, with a small bouquet of white roses and a box of chocolate éclairs, which she knew he liked and hoped his mother did too. Joachim thought she looked beautiful. Thinner, but healthy and energized and her eyes were bright. He thanked her for the éclairs, and walked her into the living room, where his mother was sitting on the couch. She smiled and stood up when Olivia walked into the room, and Olivia greeted her warmly, and sat down next to her. The two women never stopped talking for the whole hour Olivia was there. Liese told her about the Monet she had found, and how the process worked, and Olivia was fascinated. She told her stories about Joachim as a boy too, and some of the sweet things he did, and a mischievous story or two.
“This is embarrassing, Mother,” he reminded her. “I worked for Olivia, as a grown-up. She didn’t adopt me.”
“No, but you two are friends, I think. That includes how naughty you were as children, and how sweet. I’m sure Olivia got up to mischief too.”
“Never, I was perfect. Except when I borrowed my mother’s favorite sweater and loaned it to a friend and forgot to get it back, or when I stole her new high heels and broke one…and locked myself in the bathroom at five and the fire department came and had to remove the door. Stuff like that.” She laughed, and got up to leave, and thanked Liese for the visit. “It was a great honor to meet you, Mrs. von Hartmann. I’ve been a great admirer of yours from a distance ever since I met Joachim.”