Drinking with the Enemy

Mindy fought not to let the dismay she was feeling show on her face. She wanted to sit down and have a drink with Mavis  Schuyler, AKA The Dragon Lady, like she wanted a full blown case of poison ivy. Actually, the two had a lot in common. Like poison ivy, you never really were aware of how awful Mavis was until an hour or so after being in contact with her. Still, there was the very slim chance that Mavis might be her mother-in-law someday so Mindy wanted to keep their relationship as good as possible.

“Well,” Mavis said as she eyed Mindy with distaste, “I suppose so but perhaps we should try for another time. Brad just got back in town and we’re going to catch up. Of course, I’d love to have a drink with you, Bernard. There are so many thing we need to discuss.”

“I don’t mind going on to our table,” Mindy offered.

“Nonsense. Anything Mavis has to discuss with me, she can discuss in front of you,” Bernard said. “I suppose you want to talk about Fat Off?”

“Fat off?” Brad repeated.

Bernard lowered his voice. “It’s a product Kutrate Kemicals is developing. Your mother wants to invest, right, Mavis?”

“Only a fool wouldn’t want to invest,” Mavis assured him. “If Fat Off is as good as you say it is, we’ll make millions.”

“What is it?” Brad inquired.

Mindy felt a little sorry for Brad Schuyler. He looked exhausted. On the other hand, she couldn’t feel too sorry for Brad after hearing about what an awful big brother he’d been to Tyler over the years. He was very good looking but she had the feeling that he was also a carbon copy of his mother.

“It’s a spray that you squirt in the air, breathe in the fumes and it makes you skinny,” Mavis explained in a low voice.

“No need to whisper, Mavis,” Bernard told her. “You’re among friends. Besides, I’ve been thinking it over and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d like your input on Fat Off. Maybe you could even be a spokeswoman for it.”

Mavis gasped. “I’ve never been fat in my life! Mindy would make a better spokeswoman than I would!”

Mindy glared at her almost mother-in-law while silently vowing to call up Jenny Craig the moment she got home. “Bernard, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m getting a vicious headache.”

“Oh, you’re excused, dear,” Mavis assured her. “Why don’t you run along? Brad, you can drive Missy home—“

“Mindy.”

“Mindy. Oops! I can never seem to remember your name. Brad, drive Mindy home and then come right back. Bernard and I will save your seat for you.”

It was truly gaggifying as well as mortifying to watch Mavis Schuyler simultaneously flirt with Bernard Morton and her own son. The woman was positively shameless.

“I don’t need a ride,” Mindy said. “I drove myself.”

“Well, then run along,” Mavis said, shooing Mindy away with a diamond encrusted hand. “I hope you feel better, Mindy.”

“I can take you home,” Bernard said somewhat reluctantly.

“No, please, don’t bother. You stay here and talk business with Mavis. I’ll be fine.”

Mindy knew she would be fine the moment she got out of the country club’s dining room and back home to her own apartment. In other words, as soon as she got away from Mavis Schuyler and her creep of a boss.