A Clean Heart by John Rosengren

Author:John Rosengren [Rosengren, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642501933
Publisher: Mango Media
Published: 2020-03-20T07:18:24+00:00

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Carter found his place card at a table with three hospital doctors and their wives. He knew the doctors remotely from passing them in the halls but was not on a first name basis with any. Through the courses identified on the menu card as soupe d’oignon; poulet roti, pommes de terre rissolé, and haricots verts; salade aux tomates; and on through the tarte aux cerises and café, he listened vaguely to the doctors’ conversation about the poor upkeep of the Calhoun Beach Club’s squash courts and the wives’ conversation about their therapists’ personality quirks. Except for the soup being too salty, the food was tasty, and the coffee, a Turkish blend, was strong, which salvaged the meal for Carter.

As refills were going around, Sister Xavier, accompanied by the band, introduced the auction. “You, the pride of this community, have further occasion this evening to arouse our pride with your generous sympathy for the young people who suffer from alcohol and drug abuse.” She thrust her Manhattan over her head. “I salute each and every one of you for your continued support.”

The auction opened with the smaller items—a hamper of French wines, a dozen doilies hand-crocheted in the Alsace, a set of golf clubs, Minnesota Orchestra season tickets, the Minnesota Vikings season tickets—and moved on to the grand plum: first class airfare and a week’s stay for two at the Hotel Crillon, all donations that Sister Xavier had rounded up from various local businesses. The bidding opened in friendly competition and remained generous throughout. Sister Xavier raised her glass in a toast of gratitude to each final bidder.

Carter felt conspicuous for not bidding on any item. Neither Nathalie nor Mindy bid, which offered some relief as cover, though Mindy was probably oblivious to the political implications. Howard bid early on nearly every item, though only once and each time after a nudge from Judy’s elbow in his ribs. After raising his toothpick in his hand halfway, he withdrew his hand apologetically and pressed his black-rimmed glasses to the bridge of his nose.

The three doctors at Carter’s table didn’t bid either. “Did you see how she worked this one?”

“Benefit for the hospital, but she takes home the loot.”

“Couldn’t have it just for her unit because you couldn’t get the write-off. Give to the hospital, and it’s to a nonprofit.”

Carter adopted a sudden interest in his napkin ring and sat mute.

“She fixed that with the convent?”

“Higher.”

“God?”

Laughter. “No, Palmer.”

“I see.”

They exchanged knowing nods.

One of the wives wanted to know what her husband saw.

“She’s got a keen…business sense.”

“Very keen.”

“Shrewd.”

“Shrew?”

“Either way.”

They ordered another round of drinks.

The auction ended in a rousing success, the week in Paris drawing a winning bid of $14,700. Sister Xavier, beside herself with delight, fumbled through a sloppy speech that exaggerated the virtuous improvements the money would allow Six West to make and finished with a joke. “How do you fit four alcoholics into a phone booth? Tell them there’s a fifth inside.”

With that, she called for the conductor to strike up the band.

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