The Lovely Chocolate Mob - By Richard J. Bennett Page 0,32
other for a moment. We both were old enough to realize that some children, and grandchildren, could be vultures.
“Now that he’s dead, she stands to inherit many billions of dollars, and that’s after Uncle Sam gets his share.”
I sat there, letting it soak in. I thought to myself, “One billion by itself would be enough for a lifetime. That’s a lot; she can’t possibly spend it all in one lifetime, or can she?” Then I wondered aloud, “Where do you think Franklin fits into all of this?”
Helen squirmed. “Franklin has been talking about retiring for the last few years. Medicine has been very stressful for him; it demands much of his time and energy, and as a result, the kids and I haven’t seen him as much as we used to. Now I’m wondering if it’s because Miss Lovely was part of the equation.”
“What would Miss Lovely see in Franklin?” I asked. “Even though he’s a well-off medical doctor, certainly he doesn’t fit into her care-free Hollywood lifestyle.”
“Franklin is a handsome man…” she said before trailing off. She forgot for a moment I was one of her past suitors. Handsome I’m not; I get it. Decent-looking, yes, but handsome, no way.
She continued, “He has charisma, charm, and can make a girl feel loved….” Oh, yes, Helen, I know I’ve failed in all of these departments as well. But I don’t think you’ve felt loved in the past few years or else you wouldn’t be sitting here talking with me about personal problems.
“I know he’s all these things, probably more,” I chimed in. “Do you think Miss Lovely was lonely enough to want to get involved with an older man? He’s at least 10 years older than her; do you think she goes for distinguished, settled gentlemen as opposed to dynamic, up-and-coming, but not yet established young men?”
“Franklin can make a girl feel she’s important, as though she’s desired,” continued Helen. “I felt that once. We had a fast engagement and quick marriage.”
I sat there, looking into Helen’s eyes, which seemed to shift between her plate and my eyes. “Yes, I remember all of that.” She didn’t move, but her eyes looked down. I continued with, “Are you saying that Franklin doesn’t make you feel loved now?”
“I think Franklin loves me, but the communication is just not there. He’s so hurried; he’s tired all the time. He doesn’t take time to relax anymore. I don’t feel the same way about him as I did when we first got married.”
“You did have quite a whirlwind romance. You must have been swept off your feet, falling head over heels in love with him. He had charm, charisma, good looks, and could make a girl feel desired. Yes, these are all the qualities of a suitor,” I said, trying not to sound too bitter, and hoping I wouldn’t get angry. “However, from another perspective, people change over the years. That’s no reason to say ‘I don’t love you anymore’ and end a marriage. And who says a marriage can’t survive without love, or even the feelings of love?”
“What you’re saying is a hard concept; I think that marriages work better if love is involved,” said Helen.
I answered, “Yes, I’m sure that’s true, but look at it this way: Franklin has already won you. He doesn’t have to act as though he’s trying to win the prize anymore. Did you expect him to keep up the act?”
Helen’s eyes flashed. “I want him to treat me as though he loves me, and show me some attention.”
It was time to talk hard facts to Helen. “Look at your life. You have four kids. You drive a red convertible. You don’t have to work. You’re living the high-end version of the American dream; what else do you need?”
“I need a loyal husband who will add some stability to the home,” she replied. “And I did work while he was in medical school!”
“Well said. He owes you for medical school. Does he currently have a wife who adds stability to the home and who shows him love and respect?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, getting defensive.
“What gave you the impression I didn’t respect him?”
It was time to dig in. “I mean, why are you driving a red convertible at your age? That’s a car for sixteen-year-old-girls who want to be seen and to go parties and to the prom. You should be driving a family van that costs a fraction of a sports car.”