Gentlemen of a Certain Age

By Lydia Scholten Ott

This novel is the story of seven friends who have known each other since their college days. During one of their reunions they decide that after their careers end, they will enter a retirement community in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Benjamin Pollack, a retired anthropolist, selects an apartment on the second floor. When the lease is signed, he tells the general manager of Oakbrook Manor that he'd like to be seated at a table for eight, since he has six friends who will join him when their careers end as well.
The next friend to join the group is Conrad Ballister, a retired investment banker. He witnessed a car accident, seeing a truck driver run into the back of a passenger car, leave the scene with a sneer after refusing to give out his drivers license to the owner of the car. He decided to study law once he got out of school, to bring justice to people like the hapless driver of that passenger car.
A few months later, he is joined by Martin Fraser, a retired Herald Tribune correspondent. When he is brought to the table by the dining room manager, he is welcomed with open arms by Conrad and Ben. After dinner, Ben invites Martin and Conrad to his apartment for a cognac, as they get reacquainted. They decide to get together once a week to hear each other's lifestory.
Sam Whittier is the friend who studied law, and decided to enter the political arena to be elected judge in the San Francisco court system.
Alan Carstairs, a former classmate of Sam Whittier in law school, elected to become a lawyer who did pro-bono work on the side in order to help those who could not afford the hefty lawyer fees.
Peter Evans, was a famous portrait painter until he developed weak muscles in his hands and could no longer claim perfection to a job well done.
Roberto Giovanni grew up in a dysfunctional family, and as the oldest of five children, ended up responsible for his siblings after his father had left, and his mother died shortly thereafter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499041910

Book preview

PART ONE

Chapter One

Fall arrived early in Oregon. The days were getting shorter, the nights chillier, and Mother Nature decided that if squirrels could gather their winter stash of nuts, people could start keeping their homes cozy and warm by hauling in wood for their fireplaces. It did not take long before smoke from the chimneys scented the roads in Oregon cities everywhere.

A Toyota station wagon entered the driveway at 4065 Marion Way in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, and slowly wound its way toward the covered entrance of a large two-story, semi-circular building. Evergreen shrubs lined the entrance way where a sturdy redwood table and four redwood chairs stood near a flowerbed. The sight of this outdoor furniture provided a cheerful welcoming sight despite the dreary weather.

The driver of the Toyota opened his door, tucked the scarf a little tighter around his neck as he walked around the front to open the passenger door. A woman held out her hand, smiled as she got out of the car, and pushed part of her Kashmir scarf over her shoulder with a nonchalant gesture as she waited for her husband to close the door.

Together they entered the revolving door and found themselves in a large, beautiful reception area where a receptionist watched them approach her desk. Her name tag read Clarice Landry.

Good afternoon was Clarice’s cheerful greeting. How may I help you?

I am Conrad Ballister and this is my wife Sophie. We have an appointment with Mrs. Barnes, was Conrad’s response.

Oh yes, was the reply. If you will have a seat, I will let Mrs. Barnes know you are here.

Within minutes a stately woman in her early forties, approached them and introducing herself, shook their hands and led them into an elevator to the second floor. There, Mrs. Barnes walked ahead of them and opened the door to her office. Entering ahead of her visitors, she walked toward a large set of bay windows which allowed her visitors a splendid view of the grounds and walking paths below. Please seat yourselves Mrs. Barnes said, and added Would you like some coffee, tea, or something cold to drink?

Some coffee would be great Sophie replied, it was a long ride.

When the beverages were served, Mrs. Barnes told them that she had a few apartments available which she would like to show them so they could get a feel for the location and views from the windows in each apartment. Sophie responded at once, her eyes sparkling in anticipation. I would love to see them. Her husband added quickly, and I’d like to find out if there are any seasonal outdoor activities.

Mrs. Barnes smiled as she said, There is a golf course within a five-minute walk from here. As a resident of this community you are automatically a member. There is an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool in the basement where water aerobics are taught three times a week. In addition, there is an exercise room with a variety of equipment and you can sign up with an instructor for a personally supervised exercise program. There is a locker room, as well as a changing room in between the swimming pool and the exercise room which makes it very easy to shower and change afterwards.

It all sounds wonderful Sophie said.

Then come with me and I’ll show you the apartments I have available. Do you prefer a one- or two-bedroom apartment?

Why don’t you show us some of each Conrad Ballister suggested, perhaps we can use a second bedroom as an office since we both use the computer and we each have quite a bit of email coming in each day.

Great Mrs. Barnes replied, it’s good to know that people here keep actively involved with the outside world. She walked ahead of the Ballisters and led them around the corner to apartment 225.

Entering the apartment, both Conrad and Sophie were struck by the layout. A short hallway brought them into a large living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, making the room a sunny haven of comfort. Sophie immediately saw the possibilities of how to position their furniture and envisioned curtains and drapes complementing the painted walls. She also visualized where to hang some of their favorite paintings and plants. The master bedroom and bath were to the right of the living room and had a large walk-in closet. Their bedroom furniture would fit very nicely and that made her happy.

Conrad was more interested in the second bedroom which would be their office. Although a little smaller than their bedroom, it had more than sufficient space for both their desks, her computer, and a book case as well as a two-drawer file cabinet for each desk. Sophie had stayed behind in the living room and discovered the door to a balcony where they could put a small wrought-iron table and two chairs to enjoy a first cup of coffee on warm and sunny days. The view was idyllic with its background of mountains that would be lush and green during the summer, and show vibrant colors of yellow, orange and red in the fall. During the winter, they might be able to watch a skilift and many skiers schussing down the mountain from the comfort and warmth of their living room. How lucky they were to get this apartment!

The Ballisters decided that apartment 225 was to be their future home. They went back with Mrs. Barnes to her office, and said they would like to move in by December 1. When Mrs. Barnes confirmed that date to be alright, Conrad and Sophie signed a lease, and Conrad wrote a check for the deposit as well as the first and last month rent. That done, they shook hands, and Mrs. Barnes congratulated them with their new home. Before the Ballisters left, Conrad requested that arrangements for a service elevator be made available on December 1 to have the movers bring their furniture into their new apartment.

Chapter Two

By the middle of December Conrad and Sophie Ballister had settled nicely into their daily routine. Conrad got up at six-thirty each morning and made a fresh pot of coffee. During the many years of their marriage they had agreed that he would brew the first pot of coffee and take two cups out to the balcony during warm weather where both could savor the envigorating flavor before the start of a new day.Then they would discuss who had any appointments, where and when, and if they needed to do some grocery shopping, or intended to visit any of their friends.

After this morning ritual, both got dressed, and Conrad read the newspaper. After a light breakfast and a second cup of coffee, they bundled up and took a brisk twenty-minute walk to the park around the corner and waved to some of the people who passed them. Upon their return to the building, they saw a large van being unloaded of furniture into their building. Sophie wondered how many apartments were still available, or whether someone was moving to an assisted living facility nearby.

That evening Conrad and Sophie went down to dinner and sat down at the large round table where eight people could easily be seated. Their friends Martin Fraser, and Benjamin Pollack were already there and after Conrad seated Sophie between Martin and Benjamin so that each would have a chance to find topics of interest to discuss.

As they perused their menus, Martin said, I wonder if there is anything good served tonight.

The others simply grunted, but Sophie looked up, rolling her eyes, and said, Good Lord, not meatloaf again. Evidently, once a week the chef grinds all the leftover meats and makes meatloaf. Then she added, Well, as long as you put enough catsup on it, anything becomes edible. By the way, are there any other people sitting at this table?

Martin looked up and replied, It wouldn’t surprise me if our group isn’t going to be expanded soon. I saw a large van outside today and furniture was being moved in. This means that new people will either be having dinner at our seating time or the later one. It will be interesting to meet the new people and find out which apartment they will occupy.

After the waitress took their orders she served black bean soup which was the soup-of-the-day. The conversation then resumed where it had left off. Just after they finished their soup, the dining room manager approached their table with a well-dressed couple who were introduced to them as Samuel and Martha Whittier. With a big smile, Martin, Conrad, and Benjamin got up, clapped their hands on Conrad’s back and introduced Conrad as another one of their college friends to their wives. The introductions over, Martha took a seat next to Sophie, while Samuel sat down across from her. Breaking the silence, Sophie suggested that meatloaf was not a particular favorite, but that the pork chops and mashed potatoes were a pretty good second choice. The vegetables of the day listed were beets or green beans, and again Sophie commented that since the beans were the canned variety, beets were a good alternative. The dessert was apple pie which could be served with or without icecream. When the waitress brought the soup to the group, she took the order for Sam and Martha Whittier, and soon a lively conversation ensued between the friends.

Afterwards, Sam suggested they come up to their apartment for brandy and liqueur. Everyone agreed, and so the group left for Sam and Martha’s apartment #212. Unlocking the door, he motioned the group inside and hung the keys on a hook next to the door.

Martha took the group into their living room which had a large curved sofa with two matching easy chairs on either side and a large cocktail table in front. She invited her guests to take a seat, while Sam brought a large tray with a crystal decanter and matching tumblers, as well as a choice of liqueurs.

Now we can all relax and let our hair down—at least what little of it we men have left he added as an afterthought. Would you ladies like the same or something else from the bar?"

He got two orders for Kahlua on ice and two for Irish Cream. When each had a drink Sam stood and picked up his glass. I propose a toast, he said. After they all stood with their glasses raised, Sam continued. To old friendships. May they last forever. To good health and happiness!

They all sipped their drinks and sat down. Now I would like to share an idea with you. Why don’t we arrange to pick a day that all of us are free of appointments, runs to the grocery store or whatever, and get together while each of us takes a turn at telling what has happened since we last met.

And so, after finishing their drinks, they decided to get together the following Tuesday at one o’clock in Conrad and Sophie’s apartment for lunch. By general consensus it was decided that Ben Pollack would be the first to reveal his story.

PART TWO

Chapter Three

BEN’S STORY

"When I was three years old, my dad died of a heart attack. He was thirty-six. At that age, he had not yet made any financial arrangements for my mom because the chance of dying at such a young age had simply never occurred to them. As a result, my mom had to struggle finding a job which allowed her to put me in daycare until she got home. Waitressing was the only job available at the time. But it gave her the satisfactIon knowing she could support the two of us without having to ask her parents for help.

As a sophomore in high school I became interested in the history of people around the world. My mom never had to push me to do my homework. I just greeted her when she came home and for a while we talked as she switched into her mother role.

‘How did your day go?’ she would ask.

I told tell her I got all A’s on my tests and reminded her not to forget the PTA meeting that night. She would just smile and tell me a potroast was already simmering with several cut potatoes. Cauliflower was the vegetable that day and for dessert there was a store-bought cherry pie and I could choose to have it with or without ice cream if I wanted.

I still remember my first day at school. Mom walked me to school where I met up with many friends my age from the neighborhood. After she told me she’d be waiting by the gate at noon to pick me up, we said goodbye and I joined my friends.

From that day on, I was happy with every subject my teacher, Mrs. Merino, taught. I loved reading, and learned to write pretty fast. In a few months, the basics of math were added and by the end of the school year Mrs. Merino gave me