Unfinished Business Cham Challenge 149 PG-13

[cassysj]

I do not own any recognizable characters, no copyright infringement is intended.

2009

Josef was in his office when his assistant Laura buzzed him.

“Do you have an appointment with a Jane Whitley?”

He froze, he hadn’t thought about that name since 1955.

“Is she in the waiting area?”

“No. She’s downstairs with security. Laura said. The former Cleaner asked. “Do I need to escort her to….La Brea?

Josef briefly considered it. “No, I’ll take care of any travel arrangements. Have security send her upstairs but Laura……cancel everything else for the day and go home.”

“Josef, I’ll activate the soundproofing but I don’t like to leave you…unattended. The last time that happened there was an explosion.”

“I’m a big boy. I can protect myself from a senior citizen.”

“Josef the last time a senior….

“Laura do I have to escort you to La Brea?” He said pointedly

Laura’s eyes silvered. “No. I’ll leave you to your business with Ms. Whitley. Her heels clacked angrily towards the elevator. Josef would make it up to her, he just couldn’t imagine why Jane was showing up on his doorstep now.


March, 1955

Sarah was bubbling with excitement. Her cousin Jane was coming to visit from the Hamptons. She knew Jane and Charles would get along famously.

“Sarah, I’m not sure this is a good idea. We should be going out to dinner after the show. Your cousin is going to think something is off.

“Not at all. I told Jane you have an ulcer and can’t eat after nine o’clock.

“I have an ulcer??? How am I supposed to provide for you if my body is falling apart in my twenties.

Sarah ignored him. “I said we’d go out for drinks.

“So, I drink hard liquor but don’t eat. I’m a great catch.”

Sarah giggled and waved to her cousin. The two women hugged while their dates waited to be introduced.

“Jane, I’d like you to meet Charles Fitzgerald.

Jane was almost a clone of Sarah except her hair was as golden as the sun. She had the same mischievous glint in her eyes as he kissed her hand.

“Hello, this is my friend, Thomas Fitzpatrick. It looks like we may keep the same initials even after we’re married. Jane showed Sarah a tasteful diamond ring. “Thomas just asked me to marry him! I haven’t even told Mother yet so please don’t tell anyone.”

Sarah grinned. “Actually Charles has proposed to me too. He won’t show me the ring until he talks to Daddy.

Jane smiled. “You’re a true gentleman. Sarah, would you come with me to the powder room?

Later that night, Sarah revealed to him that Jane was “late” and she and Thomas were going to elope in May. He could smell the baby but being a gentleman he never mentioned it.

That night was the only time he ever met Jane Whitley so he didn’t understand why she was here now.

The elevator door opened and her eyes widened in recognition but then sparkled, so much like Sarah.

“Mr. Kostan? I’d like to make a donation to the Sarah Whitley Memorial Fund.”

“Mrs. Whitley, that’s very generous but you could have just sent a check to the Foundation.

“It’s Miss Whitley and no…..I couldn’t do that. I know you’re a busy man but could I have five minutes of your time?

Josef offered his arm. “Of course, M’am. I’m sorry for being so rude. He walked her to his office and they sat down on the couch.

“Miss Whitley?”

“Jane, please.”

“Jane, why are you interested in the Sarah Whitley Memorial Fund?

“Well, a long time ago…..I had a cousin named Sarah Whitley. Isn’t that a coincidence?’

“Indeed, although Sarah is a fairly common name.”

The woman nodded. “Yes, it is like Joseph or…..Charles. Anyway, I’ve just come into a large inheritance from my uncle John Whitley.

“So you’re looking for a tax deduction? Josef suggested

The woman’s face hardened. “Not exactly. I don’t want a dime of his filthy money. He cost me everything, more than money can buy.”

Josef gently asked her if she wanted to talk. She nodded.

“Sarah and I were like sisters. She had a fella and so did I. Sarah’s father didn’t approve of her boyfriend so she asked me to cover for her one night while they ran off and eloped. She never came back home. Uncle John drove to the Hamptons in a rage. He was screaming and yelling that I taught his daughter to be a whore. My father told him to calm down but he hit me….. I fell down and……..I was in the family way. He didn’t know that…we kept things secret back then…..I lost the baby. I had to be taken to the hospital and the doctor said I would never able to have kids.


Josef patted her hand a new fury bubbling up against John Whitley.

“I couldn’t marry Thomas and deny him children. Word got around and no gentleman wanted to have anything to do with me. I had a pretty lonely life.

“Did you ever see your cousin again? Josef asked.

“No. I felt responsible, until one day my Aunt Anne told me to think of Sarah and Charles as….forever young.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Jane looked him in the eye. “Well, some people are too big for one lifetime. It’s like they’re immortal. Aunt Anne told me not to feel guilty that Sarah was fine. Do you think she’s fine Mr. Kostan?”

“I’d like to think your cousin spent her whole life with the man she loved.” Josef said honestly.

The old woman smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m sure my uncle will turn over in his grave if I hand over his fortune to you. I had unfinished business with him and I think you might be the man to settle the score.”

Josef laughed. “I'll see what I can do. It’s a diverse charity can you think of a group that might really aggravate your uncle?

Jane smiled. “Yes……. possibly a blood bank.

“A blood bank?” Josef asked.

“Yes. My uncle had a crazy idea that his daughter’s boyfriend was a vampire. I personally don’t believe in vampires but if they did exist wouldn’t it be nice if they had a place where they could….get their nutritional needs met in a convenient and inexpensive manner.

Josef kissed her hand like he did all those years ago. “Miss Whitley, I promise you, your money will be put to good use.”


2013 - Long Island


Josef brought five freshies to the funeral of Jane Whitley. The church was filled with a few octogenarians and over fifty vampires who spoke about the extraordinary works of the Jane Whitley Food Bank.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Oh this was wonderful! Thank you!

[francis]

Poor Jane didn't have a lucky life but she seems to suggest that there's more to the story than she said. There was a whole bunch of subtext here, just like they talked about babies back then.
If only Fitzpatrick was a vampire too, then he would probably have been okay with having no children.

[allegrita]

Oh my gosh, what a brilliant take on the Challenge! I love Jane, and I feel very sorry for her that her life turned out to be such a lonely one. Yet another mark against John Whitley. She sure got the perfect revenge, though. And did a lot of good at the same time!

[Lucy]

great tale....and Josef is always a source of great advice!

[jen]

Cassy

This is wonderful!

Jane sounds like a terrific character and I certainly can see that she and Sarah would have gotten on so well. She sounds very bright, too.

Thank you!

Jenna

[BlueEyedMonster]

Loved Jane she seemed so sweet I felt sorry for the way her life turned out.

Very nicely done challenge.

[Marigold]

It's sad that Jane had such a lonely life, but it's great that she put that money to good use. What a fitting memorial for Sarah.

Nice answer to the challenge, Carol!

[darkstarrising]

This is a very imaginative and enjoyable story, Carol. Of course Sarah would have a close friend or relative who would miss her, but Jane is more than that. Both women share the tragedy of losing ones they loved. Sarah may be forever young and in limbo, but Charles never deserted her. Jane, on the other hand, was abandoned because of her inability to have children.

And it's absolutely delicious that Jane hands John Whitley's money over to Josef!! The old coot must be spinning in his grave!!

[cassysj]

Shameless bump. I had so much fun with this story.