Time Depressed

By C E Chester

After being devastated by corporate espionage, everyone at Crowne-N-Dale Inc. tried to save the family owned less-than-lethal weapons manufacturer. When that failed, Andrew built a time machine. Instead of just losing her job, Monica's fiancé and the lakeside mansion they lived in become figments of a dream she struggled to remember when awake.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C E Chester
• Release date: Oct 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988722724

Book preview

One

Andrew Bower twisted the screw into the cork. He had taken off the jacket and tie he had worn to the office, but still wore his slacks and dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up, as he opened the bottles of wine sitting on the table. His wife of twenty seven years, Mimi, lit the candles. They both looked up when they heard the front door, but neither of them went to greet the house guest. The Thursday night dinners had started twenty years before when they all balanced the time required to merge two companies and still spend time with their young families.

Stephanie Lane was the first to arrive. She still wore the slacks and blouse she had worn in the lab. Her strawberry blond hair had gray mixed in. Strands of it fell down both sides of her face and behind her ears. Even though she was the youngest of the parents, lines etched her forehead and the corner of her eyes.

She said hi to Andrew, who she saw every day at the office, but hugged Mimi. They chatted for a moment about how their week had gone, but were interrupted by a chime from her cell phone.

I just want to make sure this isn’t anything important. Stephanie sat down in her normal seat by the door to check it.

Heath and Elaine Radcliff were the next to arrive. They always seemed formal, even though the dinners were anything but. He looked his part of being the oldest of the group with his thick hair almost all gray, but his wife's chignon was pure black.

Heath said hello and then went immediately to his seat on the far side of the table. Elaine glanced at Stephanie, saw that she was busy and walked over to the hostess. Both women squeezed hands, pressed cheeks together and then went to their seats.

Stephanie had her phone and purse put away when the front door opened again. All the wine bottles were opened. All the food was in place. Andrew settled in his seat.

The younger generation finally arrived. Monica Lane and Clint Bower rushed through the front door, sure they were late. When the couple got to the threshold of the dinning room, they saw two other seats still empty. Knowing they weren’t the last to arrive, they stole a kiss before going in.

Andrew and Mimi Bower sat at each end of the long table. Since they had a large, formal dining room and Mimi loved to cook, the majority of the dinners were served at their house. Clint sat down next to his mother, in the same seat he’d had since he required assistance cutting up his meat. Monica sat down between him and her mother, Stephanie. They both looked alike, other than the fact the mother had strawberry blond hair, while her daughter’s was brunette. There was an empty chair at the end between Stephanie and Andrew reserved for Rick Lane.

Across the table, Heath Radcliff sat with his wife, Elaine. There was an empty seat where their son, Jason, normally sat. They both sat with straight backs and their hands folded over the napkins in their laps waiting for dinner to officially start.

The clock in the hall chimed six times. Mimi looked across to her husband. Is this everyone?

Jason is still in London, seeing if Scotland Yard is interested in buying our products, Monica replied.

His flight gets in later tonight, so he'll be back in the office tomorrow. Elaine added with a smile.

Do you know where Rick is? Heath asked Stephanie.

The lab tech sighed. I have no idea. I came here straight from work, and didn’t see him when I left the office. She looked at her phone. I don’t have any messages from him.

Should we wait until he gets here? Mimi asked.

Oh, no, Stephanie reassured everybody. I sent him a text message. I’m sure he’s just running late.

Everyone scooped food onto their plates from the serving dish that was closest to them, and then passed it clockwise down the table. The dinners were supposed to be casual, not that you could tell by looking. Most of them wore business attire, because they had come straight from work and hadn’t bothered to change. Mimi ensured everything was done and the house staff left, so they could all feel comfortable talking without worrying about what was being overheard. Anything could be discussed at the table; business or personal.

The wine tonight is a new vintage I found last week. It should go great with the lamb chops.

When the kids were little, there was always three bottles of wine on the table, so each adult could enjoy two glasses. Now, with everyone at the table being legal drinking age, there were four.

After pouring her glass, Elaine sniffed the bouquet. She closed her eyes as she drew in the fragrance. Her hand rocked gently, swirling the liquid inside the globe. Her eyes fluttered open as she took a sip. Oh. She set the glass down. That is good.

The hostess smiled, appreciating the positive feedback about her choice. Even though everything was arranged to be help yourself, she still watched to make sure everyone had enough. It was only after the others had started eating that she lifted her fork and joined them.

Mimi and I have an announcement.

Oh, Andrew.

I know. I know. I should wait until the wedding, since it is a wedding present, but I can’t. He turned to Clint and Monica. Your mother and I have been talking, and we want to give you something that you’ll think is as special as we think this union is. Something you will always cherish and remind you how great true love really is. It was simple when we thought about it. There is only one thing that does all that. So, on your wedding day, we are going to give you the lake house.

There was a moment of shocked silence.

Does this mean we’ve seen the end of the company retreats? Heath asked.

Everyone looked to Clint and Monica for the answer. They looked at each other, and stared into a mirror of their own expression. He sighed. She rolled her eyes.

Of course not, Clint answered.

Not unless we’ve lost our jobs. Monica added.

Well, we are the newest employees, Clint joked around. If layoffs are going to happen, we would be the first to be let go.

Andrew cleared his throat. All the kids knew that was a warning to stop goofing off.

The bride-to-be put down her fork and put her hands in her lap. How do I explain this? She paused and took a deep breath, while she figured out the best way to word what she wanted to say. I’ve heard the story a hundred times. Heath and my Dad own a store front in Bozeman that sold traditional law enforcement equipment. Andrew owned a building here in Missoula where he developed state of the art less-than-lethal weapons. One night over drinks, the three of you decided to combine the old with the new.

’It was never a family business,’ Clint said in a tone mocking the older men at the table.

Monica laughed. Not even when I went to school and Mom started working in the lab. It wasn’t having relatives working together that made this company into a family; it was the priority all of you put in making sure family came first.

Thursday night dinners started out of necessity, Heath interjected. The merger took up a lot of our time, and all three of you kids were all in diapers. The wives would have killed us if we didn’t allow them some time of adult interactions.

I understand everything was done in the most logical way, but my perspective is a little different that yours. Monica replied. "I grew up with everyone gathering at this table once a week. Anything and everything was open for discussion. One minute you guys would iron out business travel plans, and the next we would figure out what kind of dress I should get for the prom.

For me. She looked over at her fiancé. "For us, there was no clear line where the company stopped, and our individual families began. There were Easter and summer breaks up at the lake. Which eventually lead to a satellite office and workshop up there. We were all a part of everything. I had an incredible childhood, where I knew anything I said was just as important as anything anyone else did. Other than the one year in high school I wanted to be an actress, I’ve never thought of doing anything else. We know all the big breakthroughs for the company have happened up there. More gets done out on the deck with drinks that any staff meeting at the main office. We are all invested in seeing this company succeed, so we aren’t going to stop the traditions that have been the most successful.

Besides, our marriage brings two out of the three families together. We want to foster the feeling of this being a family company, not ruin that. I don’t remember a Fourth of July that didn’t have all of us up there, and I don’t want to know what that would be like. She looked back and forth between her perspective in laws. Thank you. I’ve loved that place since the first time I saw it. I will cherish it always.

Monica leaned into Clint and looked up into his brown eyes. She had a huge smile; one she seemed to wear all the time. It was reassuring to see he had the same goofy expression. Everything in her life seemed perfect and just when she thought she had everything, she got more. The only thing that would have made the moment better was if Jason was there to share it with them. He would be just as happy as they were.

I know things are strained at the office. The wedding gives us all something to look forward to. Elaine said.

Everyone smiles and agreed with her assessment, and then went back to eating. The sound of silver ware clinking on China filled the room.

Andrew, did you get my e-mail about the primers? Stephanie asked. I know you got a great deal on the last batch, but don’t know who you got them through. I’m down to the last box, but there’s no rush. I’ve ran the shotgun through ten thousand rounds. I’ll be busy for at least a week seeing how it held up.

I did. I was going to do it tomorrow. Since there is no rush, I’ll do a little shopping around and make sure I’m still getting the best price.

There was another break in the conversation. Mimi took a few more bites, waiting to make sure they were done before she spoke up. The library has a fundraiser in July to raise money for the new building. I hoped Crown-n-Dale could be counted on to buy a table.

It was a formality for her to ask. She knew the company supported all her charities.

Is this another black and white event? Monica asked.

No. You can wear color, but needs to be a dress. A very nice dress. If you need to go shopping, I’d be happy to take you, Mimi offered.

I might have to take you up on that.

The hall clock chimed seven, and Elaine poured her second glass of wine. Monica noticed the older woman was always very proper. She would only have one drink per hour, always dressed impeccably, never had a hair out of place, and had perfectly straight posture. The younger woman tried to be like her, but felt like she fell a little short of the mark.

After dinner, Heath and Elaine were the first to excuse themselves. Andrew and Mimi settled into the living room. Stephanie stood in the hall, between the living room and the dinning room, looking at her cell phone.

Did you hear from Dad? Monica asked

Not yet. The older woman shook her head. I’m going to head home, in case he forgot it was Thursday, and is waiting there.

Okay. Monica hugged her mother. I’m going to help with clean up, so Clint doesn’t have to do it all on his own.

All right. Stephanie smiled. If you lose track of time, just stay here. I don’t want you out on the streets at two in the morning, even if it’s just to come home.

I love you, too.

Both women smiled at each other with a little tilt of their head. It’s been a long day. I’m probably going to bed early, so I won’t see you until morning. Thank you for helping, and have a good night.

One more hug, and then Stephanie went down the hall to the front door. Monica watched her mother put on her coat and leave, then turned around and went back in the dinning room. She made a stack of dirty plates with silverware on top, and carried them into the kitchen. Clint was bent over opening the empty dishwasher, so they could load it.

Nice ass.

Clint stood up and turned around. You kiss your mother with that mouth?

Come to think of it, I just hugged her good bye. It must have been because I knew that profanity was in there just waiting to get out and I didn’t want to soil her with it.

He laughed, and stepped out of the way so she could set her arm load in the sink.

I’m beginning to think Jason intentionally plans these trips over Thursday night, just so he can get out of doing dishes, she said.

I hadn’t thought about it, but you might be right. He said before stepping out of the room. He returned with the plates still covered with food scraps and scrapped them into the trash can. I don’t think I could get away with it, but Jason seems to. Do you remember the time I told my Mom we should just leave the dishes for the maid, because she would be coming back in the morning?

How could I forget? That was the ‘You don’t know how good you’ve got it’ speech. ‘Most kids don’t have hired help to pick up after them. They have to do the dishes every night.’

’All the dishes’ Mom elaborated. ‘Not just the plates and forks’. We never had to do the pots and the pans.

They both laughed as they continued to rinse off dishes and load them for washing. Clint brought in handfuls of stemmed wine glasses that all were run under the tap and then set on the top shelf.

Did you ever make that mistake again? Monica set a plate she had just rinsed off on to the rack and took the one Clint held out for her.

Are you kidding me? Mom said if she ever heard another comment like that, she was going to instruct the house cleaner to not touch my bedroom or bathroom. The fear of scrubbing soap scum was enough to keep me in line.

Three chords rang out. Monica dried her hands and then pulled out her cell phone. Jason texted. He offers his congratulations on our wedding gift. I’m messaging him back: OMG. Can you believe it?

Clint went back to the dinning room. He set the dishes he brought back out of her reach. We don’t have to wash these. They weren’t used. He put them back into the cupboard as she looked at the next message on her phone.

He’s worried were going to turn the lake house into our love nest and not let anyone else come back up.

Tell him to stop being absurd.

Okay. Monica typed the message. I also added that he will always have a bedroom there, because it wouldn’t be home without him.

Clint took over rinsing the last couple dishes as she continued corresponding.

I asked how everything was going.

There was a long pause until the phone chimed again, during which Clint got the last few dishes loaded up. He went back out to the dining room, and came back with a wine bottle in hand.

It doesn’t sound like things went well for him, she said while looking down at her phone and then looked up to see him taking a swig straight from the bottle. What are you doing?

"There’s a little left in this bottle, and all the glasses are already rinsed.