Hmmm...this should be interesting. Mindy watched Mavis Schuyler hurl herself at her son like a silk covered basketball. Having grown up in Schuyler Square, Mindy was well aware of the fact that Brad Schuyler was the golden boy of the family, Number One son and all that crap while Tyler, a much nicer person, had been pretty much forgotten by his parents until Brad took off.
"What are you doing here? When did you get back? How long are you staying? Where did you get that shirt?" Mavis was clutching at Brad, giving everyone in the country club dining room the impression that she was about to drown if Brad didn't hold her up. "Oh, my baby! I'm so happy to see you--it's been awful not having you at home! Just awful--why haven't you called me more often--"
"Let's go sit down, Mother," Brad suggested, peeling Mavis off his chest. "We wouldn't want to make a scene, would we?"
Mindy smirked. Like the rest of the Schuyler family, Brad also used the editorial "we," an affectation that drove her nuts when Tyler did it. "It was nice to see you again, Brad," she commented before he ushered the semi-hysterical Mavis off. "I'll tell Tyler that you're back in town."
Brad looked at her questioningly. "You'll tell Tyler?"
"We're dating. Didn't you know? Oh, I guess you wouldn't since your mom is right; you haven't been in touch with your family very much, have you?"
Sensing an attack on her precious baby boy, Mavis turned at glared at Mindy. "My son has been busy," she hissed.
"I'm sure he has," Mindy replied sweetly. "Everyone's busy these days, although most people can manage a phone call every month or so."
Mavis ignored her. "Come on, darling. I'm dining with Rosanne and her husband--you remember them. Rosanne was our housekeeper."
"She isn't any longer?"
"Heavens, no! She won the lottery! Can you believe it? Let's go back to the table and get rid of them..."
Her voice trailed off as Mavis pulled Brad back to the table. Mindy watched, wondering how Tyler could have such an awful mother. Tyler was so sweet and nice. Her eyes flicked over to Brad who was looking extremely uncomfortable as his mother wedged him into the corner booth next to her. Brad Schuyler had never struck her as either sweet or nice.
What is he back here for? What does he want?
Money, most likely. Isn't that what most people came back home for?
"What are you looking at, big eyes?" Bernard Morton appeared at Mindy's side. "Fancy meeting you here. I thought you were at work tonight."
"I have a date," Mindy informed her boss. She was beginning to think that Bernard was stalking her, a disturbing thought if ever there was one.
"Where is your date?"
"He'll be here any minute."
Bernard shook his head triumphantly. "Not if it's Fritz. He wanted me to send you a message. He won't be able to make it tonight."
"How do you know that?"
"Because his boss told him that he has to work late. If we want to get Fat Off on the shelves before I retire, we've got to get the lead out."
"You told Fritz that he couldn't meet me tonight," Mindy clarified.
Bernard winked at her. "What's the point of being the boss if I can't abuse my employees every so often? Don't look so sad. I'm taking his place. Come on, let's go sit down and I'll tell you the next chapter in my life story and if you're a very good girl and finish your vegetables, I'll take you back to my house for a nightcap."
Over my dead body, Mindy thought.
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