Thomas Kramer's Vulgar Behavior

We open the show with my mother visiting Lea. It was a funny exchange watching Lea explain how the woman mom argued with is really a man dressed as a character. Mom’s reaction was priceless, as usual. The rest of the conversation is just too tiresome to re-hash week after week so I will skip any further commentary.

By now you have met the fabulous Lauren Foster, who accompanied me to the Lisa Pliner luncheon. Lisa approached Lauren to donate items for her event gift bag from the Miami Institute where Lauren is employed, as well as invited her to attend. We were excited to go to the luncheon and I was looking forward to seeing many of the Miami ladies I socialize with on a regular basis. When I saw the episode and heard what Lisa said, I was in shock! I had a very different conversation with her which was via text message. Lisa had asked me on several occasions if I had recommendations for staging and catering that would be interested in donating their products and services. Since I don’t rent out furniture or own staging equipment, I couldn’t help her with that request. Philippe, my husband at the time, owns a catering business but he was in France for several months because his grandmother had passed, so I could not offer his catering services. Someone told me that Elaine was hosting the event and that usual dread came over me that I get when I know I am going to run into him. I asked Lisa if she had hired him to host via text, she responded “Maybe because.” I wasn’t quite sure what she meant and I responded “? why?” I didn’t understand what she meant so I said “? why?” meaning “What? Because why?” She answered that if Elaine was charging she would not going to use him, so I offered recommendations just as I had with the other elements of her event. She mentioned two separate times that she did not want to use him if he was going to charge her.

I didn’t think anything of the conversation as I get asked on a daily basis from friends for help for their personal events as well as their charities. It is very easy for me to extend a helping hand as this is something I have been doing for decades. I am very busy and I try to help my friends via email or text while I multi-task at the office. I have too much going on each day and phone conversations tend to take up too much time, especially with friends. I always help those who ask me if it is within my power. If there is one thing I do not like to do it is to say no to someone, it’s just my nature to try to help everyone out. I don’t blame James for being upset, but he was not told the truth and that I can prove!

Dinner at Thomas Kramer’s, what can I say, another night of insults and people being thrown out. It is sad to admit, but this dinner scene was one I had witnessed pretty much every time I had been to his house for a gathering over the last 18 years. It was difficult for Ana to understand why I would not say something to Thomas for the way he spoke to her, but my actions (leaving the dinner with her) spoke louder than any words I could have uttered at that moment. I knew too well how any comments I could have made on her behalf would have escalated his anger.

I am very different than Ana and some of the other women on the show. I am soft spoken and non-confrontational -– it’s just who I am and I don’t apologize for it. If we were all the same, the world and the show would be without color, variety, and excitement. I know Ana feels the need to step in and defend me sometimes, but it is her nature and calling in life as an attorney. I love Ana and I appreciate when she steps in and feels the need to speak up on my behalf if I am not present, but this is something she does because it is her instinct. I do not ask her to do it nor is Ana one that can be told what to say or how to act and I respect that about her. Since I had left with Ana, I did not witness the vulgarity of Thomas’ tone with my mother. I had seen him behave this way with countless people over the years, but never with my mother. I have never spoken to Thomas again after that dinner party and I really do not see myself getting over his behavior towards my mother and friend. Mom was not surprised by the way Thomas spoke to her because she too had seen him act this way before over the years. I think we both have grown too old and tired to put up with that kind of behavior anymore.

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