Chapter 10

Pam was standing in front of Cheryl's desk and gesturing with her hands while describing our run from the bull and scrambling up the ladder in the barn. Cheryl struggled to control her laughter.

"Oh, hi Tom. I was just telling Cheryl how we almost got our tails kicked by the bull."

I added, "Cheryl, I thought we were goners. Pam had already run me to death; but then I had to immediately turn and run up a hill and several hundred yards to escape certain death."

Just then Ron walked in and I introduced him to Pam. They shook hands.

"Pam, it's great to meet you. Tom has kept you a bit of a secret until this morning, but now the world knows about you. I'm very happy for both of you."

Pam replied, "It's been kind of a whirlwind relationship. We met only 10 days ago and I'm trying to learn what I got myself into. Maybe you two can tell me all his secrets and things I should know."

"Tom doesn't have secrets as far as I know," replied Ron. "There're no skeletons in his closet because he dumps them all on me and Cheryl every day." Everyone chuckled.

Cheryl added, "Tom is not shy about telling you what he's thinking, good or bad."

I broke up this "bash Tom" session by asking if everyone was ready to go.

As we drove the fifteen minutes to The Rusty Rudder, Pam gave Cheryl and Ron a brief overview of her background and they shared theirs with Pam. Ron had worked for our company for 30 years and was hired by Dad shortly after the first restaurant opened. Cheryl joined us 23 years ago and was also hired by him.

The lunch was good as usual. Pam had the grilled flounder. Cheryl and I had the sea bass and Ron had the jumbo Georgia wild-caught shrimp. A number of servers stopped by the table to meet Pam and she showed a genuine interest in them as they talked. I was very pleased with the way she interacted with everyone.

After coffee, we walked to the kitchen to meet and greet the cooking staff. Because of health regulations, we didn't shake hands with anyone but the greetings were all enthusiastic and personal. Pam told them how much she enjoyed the flounder.

I drove back to the office to drop off Ron and Cheryl and told them I'd be back after we picked up the turkey.

"Pam, bring Angel and follow me over to Gino's. It's only a couple of miles."

"Sure, but let me fill you in on a couple of things. The bank interview went well and Jason offered me a job for three days a week; so he wants me to be part-time. I'll have to work some Saturday mornings. Is that alright with you?"

"I expected that. This schedule would leave you time for the volunteer work you're talking about."

"That's what I was thinking but Saturdays are our time and I just wanted to be sure you're okay with me working some of the mornings."

"Yes, we can work around that. Thanks for being concerned. What else is going on?"

"I called mom and they're planning to come tomorrow evening and spend the weekend with us."

"That's fantastic, sweetheart! It'll be good for them to meet my parents and maybe we can get Rick and Donna over one day to meet them. I'm a little surprised Rudy could get off with such short notice."

"Mom said he was off this week anyway plus the plant is shutting down from Thursday through Sunday. Something about inventory control and giving employees the holiday off."

"Yeah, with this slow economy, all the car companies are taking down time. Even the VW plant here is going down for a few days. Did you call Wendy about lunch tomorrow?"

"Oh, yes. That was the other thing I wanted to tell you. She's invited me and several women from the church to her house for lunch. I promised to take a pasta salad."

"That's good. It'll give you a chance to talk and meet a lot of new friends. You'll probably be there all afternoon."

"I hope so. The ladies seemed really nice when I met them Sunday."

"Oh, I just remembered. Tomorrow is Wednesday. We have cleaning ladies that will come at 2:00 pm and they're usually there a couple of hours. They have a key and the security code so you don't need to be there."

"Tom, I was planning to clean everything later this afternoon. What a treat to have someone else do it. I see more reasons to love you every day." I laughed, got out and walked around to open her door.

She walked around to the parking lot behind the office and pulled Angel around to follow me.

Gino was there and working hard on Thanksgiving orders. He stopped long enough to greet us and ask about Mom and Dad. He also asked if we were still doing the turkeys for the homeless shelter lunch. I replied that we would always being doing those. The turkey I ordered was packaged and ready to go and I carried it to Angel.

"I'll be home at 6:30 tonight. I need to meet with a couple of employees late this afternoon."

"I'll have dinner ready for you. What about lasagna and salad?"

"Love it." We gently kissed and went our separate ways.

On the way back to the office, I stopped at the bank and signed the forms to add Pam to my credit card account. They assured me she would have a card within a few days. While I was there, I picked up the form for her to open a checking account. My plan was to move a significant sum of money into her personal account so she wouldn't have to ask for money every time she needed it. She would also need to direct deposit her bank salary into that account.

As soon as I returned to the office, I called Dad.

"Hey son. Thanks for calling."

"Are you unpacked and settled in?"

"A little. I think Sarah has washed two loads already."

"I picked up the turkey and Gino said to give you his best. He was busy, to say the least."

"I think he's stays busy. Good quality always trumps low price with people who can tell the difference."

"What was it that you wanted to bounce off me?"

"Tom, I've had a lot of time to think during the cruises these past two months. One thing I've been mulling over is a concept for a new restaurant."

"Oh, that's interesting. You're coming out of retirement?"

"Yes, for a few years. I need to get back to work. Don't worry, you're mom is okay with it."

"Good."

"Here's the 'Cliff Notes' version. It would be a restaurant based on the cuisine of the premium restaurants on big cruise ships. I've been impressed with so many of them that I think we could put together a theme restaurant that simulates that experience. I think it would sell well year round."

"This would be a more upscale restaurant ... a jacket and tie kind of place?"

"Yes. The whole experience would be one of elegance and ultra fine dining with tableside preparation by servers in formal attire. It would be one that's worthy of a special trip, even from Atlanta and Nashville."

"Would you create the menu?"

"Yes, but I have a good start on that. Most of the cruise lines sell cookbooks that feature their offerings along with the recipes. What I'd like to do is to develop the concept and a business plan and then go meet with reps from the cruise lines to explain my ideas. If they agree, we would use their recipes and note on the menu which cruise line originated it. We could also give out a loose sheet in each menu giving the websites for each cruise line so people could check them out."

"But wouldn't that look like we're advertising them?"

"Well, that is a risk but I think we can work around it."

"What if the cruise lines say no and we can't use their recipes?"

"Then, I'll develop them using their recipes for inspiration. The food will be great, no matter which way I go, but the concept is what I need you to think about."

"You know, the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking is next April. You want to do a specialty dinner at Bistro serving some of their menu items? We could dry run your concept and dress all our servers up in formal attire and ask guests to wear jacket and tie for a change."

"I think you're on to something. Let's do it. The last meal served before the collision is well known and I think I have all those recipes somewhere."

"The overall concept is an intriguing idea. There's nothing like it anywhere as far as I know. What location are you thinking about?"

"That's what's really interesting. You know the old Signal Mountain Lodge property up near you?"

"Yes, but it's not on the market as far as I know."

"Not officially. I received an email a few days ago from a loan office at their bank. It's been foreclosed and the bank now has it. He said the owner had passed away and the estate refused to pay off the balance. They want to do a quick deal."

"How much do they want?"

"One million dollars."

"How much land is there?"

"Almost five acres and, as you know, it has a nice view of the Chattanooga skyline and the valley."

"That seems to be a very good price. It's already zoned commercially, and with five acres, there would be plenty of room for parking and a nice garden. Maybe we could develop an upscale place for weddings, anniversaries, corporate events and the like."

"Exactly."


"Why don't we put in an offer for $900,000 and see what they say? Even if we don't build a new restaurant, that land alone is worth the money."

"I agree. I'll give them a call and see what they say. But you're willing to go in with me for the full million if they hold firm, right?"

"That's right."


"Another subject ... I decided to call Brett this morning and he got back to me a few minutes ago. He wants to see you, Pam and the book. He wants you to call him at his house tonight and he'll work with you to get that book into the proper hands." Dad gave me his home phone number.

"Now what was this about a contest you want me to judge?"

"I've challenged the chefs at each of the restaurants to develop new menu offerings using non-traditional meats or fish. Each team will develop two dishes and the winning team will be given two extra paid vacation days. I want you to judge the contest along with someone else that I'll name later. In fact, I want you to offer up names for the second judge."

"That sounds like fun. Would there be like a points system based on taste, presentation, side dishes and so on?"

"Yes, also wine parings that they must specify."

"Good idea. Put me down for that. Should be fun."

"Now you know that Tim, Judy and Bill are all going to politic with you."

"Of course, I'd do the same thing. But that doesn't work with me."

"Good. That's all I had. Let me know what the bank says."

"I'll give you a call tonight or tomorrow."

After Dad hung up, I called Pam. "Hey sweetheart, the plan is that I'll call the district attorney tonight and we'll make arrangements to get the book to him. Dad talked to him and he's very willing to help."

"I'll be so relieved when it's out of my control."

"Also, I've been thinking about this weekend with your mom and Rudy. Has she been to Chattanooga before?"

"I don't recall that she has. Why?"

"I was thinking about taking them to the aquarium downtown and also driving up on Lookout Mountain. Of course, there's also Rock City and all the shops around here she might enjoy."

"All of that sounds like fun. Let's talk about it tonight and make our plans. By the way, I called Jason and accepted his offer. He wants me to work Monday through Wednesday next week to start training. I'd be off the rest of the week. That'll give me a chance to take your mom down to the shelters so she can introduce me."

"Sounds like a great plan to me. You might also want to call the admissions office at the university to see what they say about an application and when you could begin once you're accepted."

"Good idea. I'll do that now."

"Okay, see you tonight around 6:30 or so."

"I love you, Tom."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

The rest of the day went quickly. I met two of the employees that afternoon at Bistro. At each meeting, I asked them to a private meeting room and discussed everything that had happened between us. I apologized for my actions toward them and the anger I displayed over some incidents that were not their fault. They listened and said they understood and appreciated the apology. I assured them they were doing a superb job for us and that I had very high value for their skills and positive attitude. Both employees seemed very pleased.

Arriving home, I found Pam had the table set with a glorious bottle of Tuscan open and breathing. The lasagna smelled delicious. She had also stopped at a bakery and purchased a French baguette.

"You found the wine cellar I see."

"Yes, it's huge. But you don't have that many bottles cellared."

"I haven't purchased any in four or five years so the inventory is down. Maybe we can go wine buying one Saturday."

"Let's do it."

"What are you favorite varietals?"

"I love California cabs and Central Coast pinot noir. I also like grenache and syrah. In all honesty, most any red is fine with me. I'm not so much into whites except with fish."


The lasagna was as good as it smelled. I could get addicted to this lady's cooking.

"While I was exploring downstairs, I also saw your office and the theater. Can we watch a movie tonight?"

"Of course. I have a fairly good collection you can choose from. It's also tied into Netflix through the Internet."

"I called the admissions office and they confirmed what I thought would be the case. It's too late to apply for entry in the next semester so I'll have to wait until next spring to apply for the fall semester. They're mailing me an application."

"That might be for the best. You have a lot on your plate right now with everything being new to you. I'm concerned about dumping too much on you."

She reached for my hand. "Thanks sweetheart, but don't worry about me. I'm tough!"

After we ate and cleaned up the kitchen, I called Brett and put him on speaker.

"Hello."

"Hi Brett, this is Tom Sumter."

"Hey Tom. I was surprised to hear from Jim this morning. I haven't see him in a few years."

"Brett, we need to get together for dinner one evening. How's Lois doing?"

"She's the same, full of herself and having a great time spoiling the grandkids. Your dad said you have a new lady in your life."

"Yeah, she's on the call with me now. Her name is Pamela Davis and she's from the Greenville, South Carolina area. Pamela, this is Brett Johnson, our district attorney."

"Brett, it's wonderful to talk to you, sir. I hope we can meet soon."

"Pamela, it's my pleasure. I've known Tom and his parents forever, it seems, and you'll not find a better family."

"Thank you sir. I'm learning that."

"Tom, your dad indicated that you two might need some assistance. What can I do for you?"

"Brett, Pamela dated a policeman in Charlotte for a few months and discovered a book in his clothes drawer with names, phone numbers and symbols. She accidentally damaged it when opening the drawer to put his underwear away. She looked through it and, when he noticed that evening that it had been damaged, he beat her up pretty bad because she had seen it. He threatened to kill her if she ever touched it again.

"She fled the next morning and took the book with her for revenge. He was arrested a few days ago for theft and sale of drugs from the evidence locker. He's now out on bail and we think this book is important enough for him to be looking for her. His name is John Cramer."

"Would he have any idea that she's with you?"

"No."

"Good. What I suggest is that you turn it over to me in the office. I'll issue a receipt for it and make arrangements with the Charlotte district attorney. We'll send it up by courier to him or her. It could be very important to their investigation."

"I'll come by your place tomorrow. You're still in the courthouse, aren't you?"

"Yeah, same old place. Pamela, it's great to talk to you."

"And to you, sir."

After the call, we went downstairs to the theater room. Pam picked "Sleepless in Seattle." It's a story about a man whose wife died and he moved from Chicago to Seattle with his young son to escape the grief. But after 18 months, he was still grieving and couldn't sleep. His son encouraged him to find a new wife even though he had not even thought about dating again. His son convinced him to call a radio talk show on Christmas Eve and he ended up pouring his heart out about his marriage and how much he missed her. A woman who heard the show was infatuated with the guy and fell in love with him based solely on his story. She wrote to him proposing they meet at the top of the Empire State Building. They did and fell in love.

I knew exactly how this guy felt.

After the movie began, it wasn't long before Pam was cuddling in my lap as we watched the big screen. The cinema chairs were very large and easily accommodated both of us as we cuddled.

I unbuttoned and reached inside her blouse and under her bra to feel the warm soft flesh. Since the bra was tight, I asked her to sit up while I reached under the back of the blouse to release the hooks. She leaned back into my chest and sat between my legs as I reached around and under the loose cups to massage both breasts.

Her head was leaning back against the top of my chest and the fragrance of her perfume aroused my senses. Her moaning began as I played with her nipples, gently rolling them between my fingers.

I slid my hands down her sides and across her warm toned stomach. She moaned louder as I slid one hand down under her trouser belt and under her panty waistband. Pam squirmed and moaned until her relief came. It was a great way to watch a movie.

"Good morning sweetheart."

I struggled to open my eyes. "Good morning to you, I think. Why are you up so early?"

She handed me coffee and slid under the covers next to me with her cup.

"I had another dream," she said.

"Oh, was it Lydia again?"

"No, it was just a weird dream, I think. It was a voice speaking to me."

"What do you remember about it?"

"It told me that I have another sister. Now, as I told you, I knew they had another baby from overhearing my parents talking one time. I just assumed it had died from the way they talked and cried about it. The voice implied that she's alive."

"Did you recognize the voice?"

"No."

"Is that all you heard?"

"Yes, it was a clear voice in my dream that said, 'You have another sister'."

"Maybe your mom told you about her when you were young and your mind is just now remembering it? Our minds do that sometimes. An ancient thought just comes back."

"Maybe, but I don't think so. I don't remember mom saying anything directly to me. The voice never gave me a name or anything about her other than she's my sister."

"Let's see. Assuming this was a real message, you said she was born before your parents were married. That means she would be a couple of years or so older than Jerri."

"That's right. Jerri was born only a year after my parents were married. I came along two years later. This other sister would be 27 or 28 at most."

"That age matches up to Niki Lee."

"I know. That was my first thought. Who else looks so much like me and to some degree, Jerri? There's a chance it's her."

"Did any of the information online about Niki indicate she was adopted?"

"No, but I don't think that kind of personal information would ever be publicized."

"Do you want to ask your mom about this? Maybe your dream was not a real message."

"You mean my brain somehow made it up?"

"Yes, or retrieved it from your memory. I know I dream about extraordinary things that are not real. Maybe something I saw on TV or read about caused my brain to make up a dream. Before you believe the dream is a real message, it should be confirmed by your mom."

"Just like when you confirmed what Lydia told me about you two having sex on Angel."

"And like you confirmed with the heat pump switch, the dream of your dad telling you to flee Charlotte and my dreaming your name was Pam before you told me."

"Also, when Lydia dreamed that you and I would meet for the first time in the cabin on your birthday."

"That's right. All of those dreams were authentic messages because they actually did happen."

"Tom, how can I approach Mom with such a sensitive and personal question? I don't want to embarrass her or risk hurting her. I've hurt her too much already."

"I don't know Pam. Maybe sometime this weekend an opportunity will arise. But if not, what difference does it really make? So what if you have another sister and she is Niki Lee. Does it change anything?"

"I suppose it doesn't but I'd still like to know. Wouldn't you like to know if you had another brother or sister?"

"I suppose."

"Let me think about it. I really want to know but knowing may be worse that not knowing."

"Let's get some breakfast and go for our jog."

After bowls of cereal, we ran two laps or four miles through our neighborhood and the two others adjacent to ours. It was another beautiful morning and the sunrise was spectacular as it's rays slowly spread over the valley.

We compared plans for the day. Pam was going shopping for food we would need over the weekend and then to Wendy's house for lunch. Her mom and Rudy would arrive around dinnertime and we planned to grill steaks on the patio. Pam asked if she could get her nails done at a shop Donna recommended.

"Pam, please don't feel you have to ask my permission to do things like that. Just do it, sweetheart."

"But I'm spending your money and I want you to be okay with that."

"Pam, it's not my money. It's our money. We are in this together, sweetheart. I'm not ever going to criticize you for spending money. I've added you to my VISA credit card account and you'll have your own card in the next few days. I also brought home the forms for you to open a checking account. My plan is to move money into your account to give you a ready source of funds for anything you want."

"I had no idea you were planning that."

"It's just not come up yet but I've been intending to tell you."

"Tom, are you, I mean we, rich?" We both smiled.

"Pam, thanks to a large inheritance from my grandfather and our business, we're comfortable. Please don't worry about money."

"What did your grandfather do?"

"Well, the money mostly came from his father. During the collapse of the stock market in 1929, he bought stocks after they collapsed. He wisely figured that many major companies would survive and thrive after the depression eased. He bought railroad stocks, GE, General Motors and DuPont. And when WWII broke out and again with the major expansion in the late 40's, he became very rich as those stock prices boomed."

"He was very intelligent."

"Yes and he was patient. He made a plan and stuck with it over many years. My grandfather was his only heir and he also was very wise at investing. He bought land with his dad along the new TVA lakes when they first came on the market in the late 30's and early 40's. At that time, not many people were thinking about lake front lots since they were more focused on putting food on the table and fighting a war. Dad still owns thousands of undeveloped acres along Chickamauga and Watts Bar Lakes.