Chapter 9
Jerry considered the answer to her question. What was all of this? A yacht? A ballroom? A dance floor? Then he smiled and walked to the center of the room. "This," he began turning around to take a full survey of the room. He thought it added a dramatic effect, "is a fund-raiser." Around the perimeter of the room were ten tables for two. Seated at most of them were other handsomely dressed couples.
"A fund-raiser for what?" V asked incredulously. "Well dressed yachters need to raise money?"
"No well dressed yachters raise money for people who don’t have money to raise themselves." Jerry said as he led her to their table.
"And what are they raising money for tonight?" V asked oddly curious that he might really be telling the truth.
"You might not believe this but we are here to raise money for small fishing operations."
"You are right. I don’t believe you. This doesn’t seem like the kind of cause Jerry Jacks would be interested in. Most people chose to support causes that affect them or their loved ones in some fashion. The last time I worked for J&J Jacks they were in the oil business. Hardly the kind of company who worries about fish populations."
"So you are telling me that since, among other things, my company drills for oil I can’t support the fishing industry? That is pretty short sighted of you, if you ask me." Jerry said with a laugh.
"Well, if you were doing it as a PR stunt you would be better served to do it in Alaska. That is where your oil interests are centered. Also oil spills aren’t really the cause of the fishing problems on the East Coast of the United States."
"Very good Ms. Ardinowski, we are not here for PR. If it was for the press, there would be news crews and cameras."
"Jerry I haven’t known you for very long, however, you have never struck me as the philanthropic kind. Why are we here?"
"I do enjoy eating fish. That is easier to do when people catch them?"
"It is cheaper when it is done by the large companies not by local fishermen. This cause is for small locals.." V said after finally read the back of the information sheet sitting on the table. "So, I will ask again. Why are we here?"
Jerry smiled. "Would you believe me if I told you it was an elaborate plot to impress you? I became so interested in you that I had you and your family researched. Upon learning about your father’s past I made reservations for tonight on the off chance that we would run into one another and you would agree to go out with me."
V thought about it. She knew Jerry was not above scheming but that seemed elaborate even for him. "Okay, why are we really here?"
Jerry smiled. "You never relent. Very well, Luv, I will tell you." Just as he was about to tell her the truth: the lights dimmed, a man walked to the piano, and took his seat at the bench. "We are here to see him. I bought the tickets for the entertainment."
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Jax got off the phone, went downstairs, and took a seat at one of the booths in The Outback. While waiting for his guest to arrive, he listened to the band. "Why couldn’t V be here watching them tonight?" He asked himself out loud.
"Well I imagine, since you called me, she isn’t here because she is out with your brother. Am I right?"
Jax looked greeting his guest. "Yes she is. Can you tell me why?"
"You know her better than I do. I would imagine she is out with him because he asked her."
"Thanks that is what she said when I asked her." The trouble he was having getting information exasperated Jax. Chasing information was really more Jerry’s line of work. It seemed so easy. Ask a question, people tell you things. What was so hard about that?
"You are telling me you didn’t need me. If you already knew the answer why did you call me?"
"I want to know why my brother asked out V?" Jax asked close to losing control of his temper.
"He is a man. She is a woman. He needed a date for the evening. She was free. Isn’t that how it usually works?" She enjoyed watching his temper. It was almost worth getting up and coming to the Outback.
"Why did he need a date?" Jax asked more simply.
"Why does it bother you?" The lady asked with a knowing grin.