The Joan of Arc Fountain
Thadeus walked past the bank for the fourth time in two days. It was slightly out of the way, but he enjoyed walking through the park with water features on his way home. It helped him unwind after his night shift at the factory. He slowed his pace as he walked past, hoping to see Sundara. He knew she was there, she always worked on Wednesdays. The bank hadn’t yet opened, the tellers were still counting their tills. Sundara was a manager, so would be in the back offices. He stopped, pretending to look at his phone. She’d be out soon to do the last official walk around before she unlocked and opened the door.
All that money. Thad thought about how different his life would be if he had money. He could take Sundara to expensive restaurants, buy her fine silk dresses in olive or emerald green colors that would beautifully compliment her skin tone. He could buy a house, one they could make into a home. Maybe they’d even have kids, get a pet, build a treehouse in the backyard. Stupid stuff that he’d never even though about. Until he saw Sundara. The first time Thad locked eyes with her, something inside him shifted, the universe seemed to take on new meaning. For the first time, Thadeus thought maybe, just maybe, there was a purpose to life.
He looked up from his phone just as Sundara was walking toward the door. She saw Thad and smiled warmly. She was radiant. Genuine. Thad felt his heart skip a beat as he smiled back. She unlocked the door and greeted him enthusiastically,
“Thadeus, hey! Just getting off work at the factory?”
“Yeah, another day, another dollar - and not much more than that, sadly,” he laughed awkwardly, then added, “Not true for you though, huh? Too many dollars in there to count!”
“Well, actually, it’s my job to know exactly how many dollars there are,” She tapped her manager’s tag, “But it’s not nearly as exciting as people think. Frustrating, really! Considering how little of it I get to take home.”
Thadeus had thought of it before, but had always considered it gauche to ask. Since she brought it up, why not? “Right? I’m sure people ask all the time, but -”
Sundara laughed and it sounded like music, “Am I ever tempted? Yes, people do ask all the time. And I usually laugh it off. But,” she glanced around to see if anyone was in ear shot, “between you and me, yes. How could I not?” She suddenly appeared nervous, as if she’d said too much. She smiled again, “You headed home?”
“Yeah, slowly. I like to meander through the park, maybe stop by Llyod’s and grab an egg and cheese on the way.”
“Ah, I love a good egg and cheese from Llyod’s! So you walk through Malcom X park? Sometimes I sit near the big fountain and read at lunch.”
“The Joan of Arc fountain? That’s my favorite place to sit and eat before I head home. Helps clear my head.”
“Oh, I’ll bet it’s lovely this early in the morning. Fewer people.” She rolled her eyes and made a face.
So she was also a misanthrope, Thad thought. That’s why he preferred the night shift, fewer people to deal with. He’d always suspected that Sundara was one of his kind. He smiled, a bit tongue tied.
“Anyway,” Sundara began, “speaking of which, I suppose I should get inside so I can manage mine. People, that is. Such a joy! I try to hide in my office until lunch.”
“Wise woman! Well, I’ll see you around. Have a great day, despite people,” Thad smiled.
“You bet. Hey, and who knows, maybe I’ll see you at the park sometime.”
“I’d really like that. See you around,” Thad turned and walked away awkwardly. He was beside himself. With this interaction, a thought was implanted in Thadues’ head; a thought that Thadeus would become beset by: accidentally on purpose meeting Sundara at the Joan of Arc fountain during her lunch break.
It wouldn’t be an easy task. She knew he went pretty much straight home to bed after his shift at the factory. He was usually dead asleep by 9am. Occasionally, he’d suffer from insomnia and stay up late watching old Hepburn films and drinking beer. Even then, he’d typically be passed out in his recliner well before Sundara went to lunch at what? 12? 1? Furthermore, he couldn’t orchestrate the encounter too soon; it’d look suspicious. He’d have to wait a few weeks. That was ok, he thought. That would give him time to formulate a plan and work up his courage.
The week following his conversation with Sundara, Thad did his best not to walk by the bank on his way home. On the third day he broke down, but kept it quick. He saw her in her office on her computer, her phone tucked between her left shoulder and ear. She was engrossed in multitasking, so Thadeus stood and watched her for a minute longer than he’d intended. On the fifth day, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to walk by again. After all, he did customarily walk by the bank several times a week. Not walking by would be as conspicuous as walking by too often. He needed to play it cool.
As he passed by, Sundara spotted Thad and waved while smiling warmly. He smiled and waved back. Much to his shock, she took a tentative step or two toward the door. His heart froze. Was she coming to talk to him? No! It was too soon, it didn’t align with his plan. Quick on his feet, Thad made a big yawning motion, smiled again and folded his hands next to his head in the universal sign of sleep. Sundara laughed and nodded in sympathy. Thad nearly floated into Llyod’s to grab his egg and cheese. It was a gorgeous morning, so he thought about sitting in the park by their fountain to eat, but decided against it on the off chance Sundara walked by.
The following week, he allowed himself to walk by on the second day. He decided to leave it to the Fates. If she saw him and wanted to talk, he’d take that as a sign that it was time to move to phase two. But the Fates didn’t will it that day. He arrived just in time to see her walk into her office and shut the door behind her. On the fourth day, Thadeus decided to give the Fates another chance. He made a point to get there a few minutes earlier, in hopes of catching her opening the bank again. This time, the Fates were on his side.
Thad saw her before she saw him so called out, “Howdy stranger.”
She laughed and without missing a beat shot back, “Well, how’s it going, partner?”
Thad tried not to smile too hard while replying, “Oh, you know, different day, same ole mess,” he paused to yawn and stretch dramatically, then continued, “Sorry, my apologies.”
“What’s up, they got you working extra shifts?”
So she seemed interested. That was a good sign. “No, not this week, but I picked up a couple extra shifts last week, so now my sleep schedule is all messed up.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that!”
Her concern seemed genuine. That pleased Thad. “Meh, that’s ok. It’ll even out eventually. On the bright side, it’s given me more time to sit and read in the park.”
“Lovely! I just took my lunch there yesterday. I was thinking about going again today. What are you reading?”
Crap. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. He scrambled. “Well, I’ve been working my way through the classics. Re-reading stuff they made us read in high school.” He panicked. Quick! What was a book he was forced to read in high school? “I just finished Little Women.” Crap, crap, crap! Why didn’t he choose one he’d actually read? He chastised himself.
“How funny! I started reading that for the first time a few months ago,” Sundara covered her hands with her face, “I’m ashamed to admit I never finished. I was having a hard time getting into it. Should I pick it back up, is it worth it?”
Thad shrugged and said the first thing that came to mind, “Maybe it’s an acquired taste. I like it more now than I did in high school, if that makes a difference.”
Just then, there was a clamor inside the bank. Apparently, one of the tellers had dropped a bag of quarters, which had spilled wildly over the floor.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Sundara said quietly to Thad, rolling her eyes, “You had one job to do, Kate.” Sundara seemed relieved to see that he was laughing. “Hey, sorry to ask, but I can’t legally shut the door now that we’ve officially opened. Do you mind standing here for a minute while I help her? If anyone tries to come in, can you just ask them politely to wait a few minutes? Tell them we’re mopping up a spill or something?”
“No problem,” Thad saluted, “I’m on it”
Fortunately, no one tried to enter while he was on guard. Sundara returned, smiling, “Wow, thanks so much. I owe you one!”
“Aw, it was nothing.”
“Well, I hope you can get some sleep, but if you can’t, maybe I’ll see you at the park today? Hell, maybe you can help me get into Little Women,” she laughed nervously.
“It would be my distinct pleasure,” he said with a bow.
Thadeus booked it home and turned on his television. He only had a couple hours to watch Little Women and read as many reviews as he could.
Thadeus was rather proud of himself: He had a date!
All things considered, he did a fair job of talking about the book; he sounded knowledgeable without being pedantic. They ended up spending her entire lunch break together, talking and laughing. Thad was beside himself. When he got home, he was so full of energy that he genuinely couldn’t sleep. That was ok, he consoled himself, Sundara was worth losing sleep over. However, he knew he couldn’t continue this charade. He couldn’t claim insomnia forever. As desperately as he wanted to see her the very next day, he knew that he had to lay low for a few. Slow and steady won the race.
He spent the remainder of the week and weekend strategizing. How could he meet Sundara in the park more frequently without losing too much sleep or his job? He’d thought about it before, for different reasons, but wondered again if he could switch to swing shift. It would be a difficult transition initially, and the pay would be slightly less. Still, he was overdue for a raise and promotion that he hadn’t yet made a play for. His attendance was immaculate and he was in good standing with the boss, Jack. A few of the new employees wanted the night shift for the sign on bonus pay, so he might not have difficulty negotiating. It was worth a try.
The following week, he decided to start the conversation with his supervisor. It took most of the week, but they approved his move to swing. After advocating for his retroactive cost of living raise and cashing in his unused year to date sick and vacation time, he was able to negotiate a commensurate salary. At least, for the next two fiscal years. That was enough. He and Sundara would be ready to embark on their new life together by then. She’d be pregnant with his child, and he would be the most amazing stay at home dad a woman could ever want. He’d still contribute to the household, of course. He’d publish his novels, maybe pick up a few freelance writing jobs; stuff that would generate an income without preventing him from winning father of the year award.
Thadeus could see his plan unfolding.
When he finally told Sundara that he was moving to the swing shift, 2-11pm, she was genuinely pleased. “Oh that’s amazing news, Thad - I’m so happy for you! Working the night shift wasn’t helping your insomnia. Plus it must’ve gotten lonely at times,” She trailed off, uncertain whether she’d said too much.
Thad laughed so she’d know it was ok to venture such guesses, “Yeah, people get pretty lost in their heads working the night shift too long. I needed to get out before I became completely socially inept.” He laughed.
“Nah, you’re super easy to talk to. Hey! Does this mean you’ll have free time for an egg and cheese before work once in a while?” She seemed uncharacteristically shy.
Thad found her shyness endlessly endearing. “You know, I’d really like that. You can help resocialize me.”
Over the next few weeks, Thad and Sundara developed a tacit standing date at the Joan of Arc statue on Mondays and Fridays. At first, one or the other of them would show up with bagels or sandwiches from Lloyd’s. After about a month, Sundara started bringing home cooked meals for them. Thadeus couldn’t articulate why, but the gesture of her making food specifically for them and their conversations touched him deeply. That’s when Thad knew Sundara was falling for him.
A week or two into the second month, he finally got up the nerve to ask her out on a proper date.
“I thought you’d never ask,” She smiled. When they parted ways, she threw her arms around him, hugging him affectionately and kissing him on the check. Thadeus had never felt such unbridled joy. This was everything he ever wanted.
Over the next couple of months, their relationship progressed. The first time she stayed the night at his house, he knew that he was hopelessly in love. Thad hadn’t been with many women, and most of those experiences had been in high school and junior college. He’d started working at the factory at 19 to help pay his mother’s medical bills. He’d started on the night shift, so between that and caring for his ailing mother, he never had a chance to socialize or date much. Now 25, Sundara was his first official girlfriend. He was so anxious about pleasing her sexually that he’d visited the local brothel several times in anticipation.
He knew that the sex workers were paid to act like they enjoyed him, but the loud moans and scratches one of the women left on his back led him to believe that he wasn’t altogether bad at sex. She’d even called out his name, several times, during. Also, Thad was a very quick study. Practice makes perfect, and Thadeus was eager to practice.
As they entered their third month together, Thad had gotten so good at sex with the women at the brothel that he was particulary keen to show Sundara his newly acquired skills. She wanted to take it slow, and he wanted to respect that, but the more over the pants under the shirt making out they did, the harder it became. Pun intended. One night, after being rebuffed when he’d tried to slide his hand too far up her skirt, it randomly occured to Thad that he’d never been to her place. He’d walked her to the door, but he’d never even been inside her building. Was that odd? He wondered. He’d been so consumed with pleasing Sundara and basking in her presence that he hadn’t given it much thought.
When he asked, she replied that her place was no good because she had a roommate and wanted to be alone with him. This was the first he’d heard of a roommate; it seemed odd that it hadn’t come up. Even before they’d started dating, she’d mentioned her apartment to him during their fountain talks. He tried to ask follow up questions, but she silenced him with kisses. Still, once he’d thought of it, he couldn’t let it go. Who was this roommate? The thought burrowed into his head, an insidious worm.
He tried bringing it up casually a few days later when they were sitting at the fountain. Instead of answering him, Sundara covered his lap with her book and unzipped his trousers. It was the first time she’d touched him that way, and he lost control almost immediately. He was ashamed. He’d gotten good at delaying his release with the sex workers, but Sundara’s touch put him over the edge. Despite his shame and disappointment, she was kind. She told him it was totally normal as she walked him to the bank’s restroom to clean up before his shift at the factory.
Still, Thadeus couldn't let the roommate thing go. A few days later, he brought it up again, insisting that she divulge at least a few minor details. He got very little information out of her, but knew better than to press further. He’d have to take the matter into his own hands. He knew that Wednesday she was going out with one of her girlfriends after closing the bank. So, Thad decided to do something he’d rarely done: call in sick. Sundara had talked about this girlfriend before, her name was July. She was an old school friend or something. He’d learned that the roommate’s name was Becky, that she was allegedly a bit of a mess, and that she and Sundara were often at odds. Apparently, Sundara went out with July a few times a week to blow off steam and trash talk Becky. Thad argued that she could vent to him, but she replied that she didn’t want to waste their time together talking about annoying things.
Sundara’s explanation for not talking about Becky was reasonable, Thad supposed. Still, something about it was gnawing at him. He knew then that he had to follow her. Not in a creepy or distrustful way, just out of curiosity. After all, he hadn’t met any of her friends. Not that she’d met any of his. Of course, the sad truth was that he didn’t really have any. He had acquaintances and work friends, but rarely hung out with any of them. At any rate, it was normal for him to be curious about her life. They were in love. Being curious about your partner’s life wasn’t creepy. Not any more creepy than orchestrating chance encounters at the park by faking insomnia. Sometimes you had to nudge the Fates a little. If they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, he was going to have to meet the other people in hers eventually. Nothing wrong with expediting the process.
Having summarily rationalized stalking her, breaking and entering was a short leap. He had a rather clever plan: He’d wait outside Sundara’s building until he saw her leave. Once she was gone, he’d ring up her apartment from the front door. If Becky answered, he’d say he had an urgent message or letter for Sundara and ask if he could leave it with her. She’d let him in, and he’d use the opportunity to charm his way into the apartment and snoop around. He’d compliment her, make her feel comfortable, get her to open up, confide in him. Of course, it was a risk. He could make up a name and wear glasses, maybe even a false mustache. It would be enough to fool Becky, but Sundara wasn’t a fool; she’d figure it out the second Becky told her some guy came by.
He’d cross that bridge when he came to it. He wasn’t overly concerned. If Becky didn’t answer, he’d ring someone else to get into the building. $20 said Sundara had a key under her mat. If not, he’d figure it out. The details didn’t concern him much. He'd meet her for lunch near the fountain, walk her to work, then double back to his place so that he could call in sick and prepare for Operation Break-in. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
~~~~
Sundara was feeling especially annoyed with Thad that Wednesday. She was irritated by him most days, but on the days she got to meet July, she found his company particularly tedious. She passed the day in a foul mood, counting the hours until she could close. She raced home after work to shower and change. She felt like she hadn’t seen July in months, although it had scarcely been days. When July arrived, Sundara buzzed her up excitedly, waiting at the door for her to climb the 2 flights. The instant Sundara saw July, she knew it was all worth it. She grabbed her and kissed her passionately.
“Baby, I’ve been aching for you,” Sundara breathed as July pushed open her robe and grabbed her.
“I know, lover, I can tell,” July grinned as she pushed Sandara back inside, kicking the door shut behind them.
A couple of hours later, the two women were on the couch, in varying states of disarray and undress. July pulled on her slip as she walked to the phone, “I’m starving. Thai or Vietnamese?’ Sundara told July to surprise her, then poured them both more wine. July hung up the phone, resumed her place on the sofa, took the glass, filled her mouth with wine, and kissed it into Sundara’s mouth. A single scarlet droplet spilled from Sundara’s mouth and ran down her chin. July grabbed her by the throat, pushed her head back, and licked the drop back up to Sundara's lips. She climbed on top of Sundara, kissing her passionately, ready to begin round two when the phone rang, startling them both.
Annoyed, July leaped up and grabbed the phone, “Yeah, who’s this?”
The person on the other end inhaled sharply before hanging up.
“Ok, whatever,” July said as she walked back to the sofa. “Just as well that we were interrupted, I suppose. I know it’s unpleasant business, but we gotta talk about the proverbial elephant in the room. How much longer before we’re done with Thadeus?”
Sundara sighed, already weary of the topic, “Lover, please. You know I need at least another month before we have all the offshore accounts settled. You know that I’m as eager for it to be over with as you are. The man’s a dreadful bore, but you know how much he’s worth! This is a big one for us. This one gets us out of here - for good. In another couple of months you’re going to have me on my knees all over Paris. In the finest lingerie, in the fanciest restaurants and hotels,” she moved her hand slowly and deliberately up July’s thigh as she spoke.
“I know, love, I know. I just really hate sharing you with him. Promise me again he’s never been here!”
“Of course not! Don’t be absurd, July. I’d never!” Sundara grabbed July’s chin, forcing her to make eye contact, “Tell me you believe me.” July didn’t reply, so Sundara playful bit her lip while pulling her hair.
“Fine. I believe you. Look, I know I told you it was ok to let him go down on you and do whatever clumsy hand stuff he can manage but, honestly, I’m more bothered by the thought of him kissing you.”
“I get it. I hate the thought of anyone else kissing you. That mouth is mine.”
“It is yours. And you are mine. All of you.”
“Yes, love. All of me.”
The two women were so engaged that they were oblivious to the knocking at the door. The person outside began knocking with more enthusiasm, finally catching their attention.
“Go. Away.” Sundara shouted.
“Excuse me ma’am, but I have your food delivery?”
“Oh yeah, crap. Sorry, be right there.” Sundara turned to July, laughing about how they’d completely forgotten ordering food.
After they’d eaten a bit, July asked, “So, you’re positive when I get Jack to drop the insider tip, Thad will take it?”
“He will when I tell him to. He’ll come to me when he hears it. He’s been asking me for financial advice since before we started “dating”. I have him wrapped around my finger. He trusts me. There’s zero doubt he’ll include me in his decision.”
“Gross. Do you have to say dating? Anyway, you sound pretty confident.”
“Why shouldn’t I? The guy’s hopeless. He’ll know it’s wrong, he’s not a total idiot. He might not know the term insider trading, but I’m sure he’s aware that taking tips from your boss is frowned upon.”
“He’s really never played the market? Never sold or even traded any of his stock? He’s just sat on it for his entire life? It’s pretty unbelievable.”
“Not really. I mean, the guy’s dying mother, who he nursed at home, willed them to him. She had no idea they’d ever be of value, but she had nothing else to bequeath him. The bank had already foreclosed on the house. You wanna hear the really funny part? The only reason she still had stock in the fabric factory was because it was in her husband’s name, in an account the IRS overlooked. She had to forge her dead husband’s signature to transfer them to Thad. If anyone had bothered to do even the simplest bit of research she would’ve been charged with fraud. Ha! Imagine.”
“Instead, it’s been sitting in his account, steadily accumulating interest. And with this trade tip that stock will be worth - what are we at now? 5 million?”
“July, it’s so much better than that. I found out last week that Thadeus has enough stock in the factory to be a major shareholder. And he has absolutely no idea! Lover, if we play this right, we’re looking at over 50 million.” Sundara held up her wine glass.
“Hell yeah!” July cracked open another bottle.
“Cheers, darling!”
“Although,” July began, then stopped herself.
“Oh no. Ok, let’s hear it. Although what?”
“Well, I mean. Don’t you think that part of the reason he’s never sold the stock is because it was the only thing his mother left him?”
“Maybe. Who knows, who cares? What’s your point? You don’t think he’ll part with Mommy’s stock for this?” Sundara slid her robe open. “You don’t think he’ll sign it over to me?” Sundara ran her hand slowly up her thigh toward her breasts.
“He’d be insane not to,” moaned July, moving in for the kill.
Sundara stopped her, “Wait. Turnabout is fair play. Are you positive you can get Jack to drop him the tip? After all, your approach is far less…hands on than mine.”
“Again, gross. And that’s where you gotta trust me, babe. I’ve got Jack by the balls in other ways entirely. That bastard knows that the garment district is about to blow up due to the impending embargo lift with China. But he also knows exactly how short lived that economic growth will be. When the subsequent fabric shortage is created, whose chubby lil finger do you think will be on the trigger? He’ll have just enough time to blow the whistle on Thad and trade his own stock before the next recession. And then, the pièce de résistance! Once his Chinese liaison double crosses him, we get a double payout, and Jack gets a pair of cement shoes.”
“And we’re absolutely certain that the Chinese liaison won’t turn on us?”
“Not a chance. Once Jack trades his fabric stock for a piece of big pharma and transfers the funds to the shell company I’ve created, they’ll gladly pay our asking price for laundering services. The millions they’ll pay us will be peanuts considering they’ll be the new majority shareholders of the factory. They’ll dominate the entire textile industry within a year. We’re talking about a multi-trillion dollar operation. And that’s a whole lotta money to wash. We walk away millionaires - maybe even billionaires - and they’ll continue to profit from dominating market places and creating recessions.”
“All things considered, we’re hardly the villains in this story,” Sundara mused. “I mean, we’re only robbing one man. Technically.”
“And letting him take the fall for a crime he didn’t commit, and laundering money after abetting insider trading. But potato, potato.”
“So Thad spends 25 years in a white collar minimum security prison. Who knows, maybe he’ll finally make friends,” Sundara laughed.
July turned away with an inscrutable expression.
“What? Why does your face look like that?”
“Well, love. You must realize they won’t let him live …” July could tell that Sundara hadn’t thought that far ahead, so proceeded gently, “Babe, listen, I know we agreed that no one would get hurt. But. I mean, you realized they’d kill Jack…”
“Well, that’s a bit different isn’t it? That’s between Jack and his Chinese liaison. That’s on Jack.”
July shifted, trying to ease herself into this new round of mental gymnastics, “Yeah, no. I get what you mean. Thad is a dutiful worker bee without a clue. But we needed a fall guy. You knew that, lover.”
“Yeah, I guess I thought that meant sending him to a cell. Not a grave. But I suppose that’s out of our hands too. He’d be a potentially hazardous loose end. I suppose they can’t take that chance.”
“Casualties of war, Sundara. Call it friendly fire. Not to be crass, but what else would the guy do with his life anyway?”
Sundara sighed. Not out of affection for Thad, she merely disliked having blood on her hands. “I suppose you’re right. Potato, potato.”
“There’s my woman,” July crawled on top of Sundara again, “Now. Kiss me like you love me.”
~~~~~
Thadeus was annoyed that Sundara and July hadn’t left the apartment. He’d been outside for hours. He saw the delivery guy, so knew they were dining in, but figured they might still head out for a drink after. They probably just lost track of time, chatting. He saw the lights go off and glanced at his watch. No wonder! It was after 1am. Becky must be ok with July crashing on the couch.
Thadeus figured he’d better go get some shut eye himself. After all, tomorrow was going to be a big day. He was proposing to Sundara that weekend, and there was still much to do in preparation. He’d watched Sundara admire this gorgeous opal ring in the window at Barney’s for months. It was outrageously expensive, but with the money he was about to make selling his stock in the factory, he’d be able to afford the ring; maybe even a downpayment on a modest brownstone. Sundara was going to love him forever. Thadeus smiled and whistled on his way home. Yes, indeed. Life was good.