“Yes.”
“Good.”
Darius nodded.
“Then we're fine.”
That was healthier than silent interpretation.
The club broadened membership.
Not through some grand diversity crusade.
Mostly because old business clubs had to change or die.
Lawyers.
Doctors.
Entrepreneurs.
Professors.
Technology executives.
Artists.
Black.
White.
Asian.
Latino.
Gay.
Straight.
Old Boston names.
No Boston names.
Some older members complained standards had fallen.
Margaret always asked:
“Which standard?”
That usually ended the conversation.
Adrienne never joined.
People found that strange.
Richard asked once.
“Why not?”
They were having lunch in the dining room two years after closing.
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“Because it would feel like something finished.”
Adrienne shook her head.
“That's exactly why no.”
He stared.
“I don't need membership to correct Dad’s rejection.”
“But you might like the club.”
“I do like the food.”
“Then?”
She smiled.
“I already belong to three organizations I ignore.”
Richard laughed.
“Fair.”
She continued.
“And I don't want my presence turned into Wycliffe absolving itself.”
He nodded.
“You're very inconvenient.”
“Professional skill.”
She remained an invited guest.
Sometimes of Margaret.
Sometimes Darius.
Once Richard.
That invitation surprised both.
He called.
“I have two tickets to a lecture.”
“You're seventy-two.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You called like a teenager asking someone to prom.”
“Forget it.”
Adrienne laughed.
“I’ll go.”
Their relationship became friendship slowly enough that neither could identify the start.
Not close friendship.
No family vacations.
No sentimental Christmas cards.
Lunches.
Occasional calls.
Business referrals.
Arguments.
Richard still said things Adrienne found ridiculous.
Adrienne still assumed bad faith faster with him than she did with others.
Once he finally said:
“You know, you’re allowed to be unfair too.”
She stared.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
They had been arguing about a zoning proposal.
Adrienne accused him of opposing affordable-housing units because neighboring property owners were wealthy.
Richard actually supported the units.
His objection concerned loading access.
She had not read the final plans.
He caught her.
Adrienne hated it.
Then laughed.
“Fine.”
“Say it.”
“I was wrong.”
“Again.”