Janet's Quest

Scene Eighty-eight...St. Petersburg Time: Afternoon, Saturday, October 26, 1946 Place: The beach Storyteller: Janet Nothing like a stroll along the shore after ballet class. It cools the sore feet. That looks like Sergey coming my way. Good. I need to talk with him. "Master, do you have a few minutes? I could use some advice." "Of course." "Madame 'C' suggests I spend my senior year in Paris and take dance lessons after school hours." He looks sad. "That would be excellent for your Rockettes career. Anna and I will help you find teachers...and it will be best for me, also. I love my wife, but you are like a haunting ghost from the past." Tears flow down my cheeks. Sergey continues, "You remind me of my old country. I had to leave, but miss it...Russia before the revolution...St. Petersburg. My home has changed names twice since then. 1914, Petrograd. 1924, Leningrad. I still can't call it that. I won't. Som...

Scene Eighty-nine...We'll Stay Time: Evening, Saturday, November 2, 1946 Place: William's boat Storyteller: William "How's your dad doing?" I ask. "Looked great today. Wonderful. Back to work. Lost a few pounds. Quit smoking." "I can see and smell all that, but how is he really doing...deep down?" "He couldn't be any better, under the circumstances. I'm more worried about us." "Worried because...you're afraid to ever mention moving again?" "This changes things, William. What if..." She's choked up...about to cry. "Don't worry at all, Betty. We'll stay as long as you like." "But I don't want to stay." "I know. Come over here." She crosses the small room. We curl up together. It's been too much for my wife; she can't take anymore. What if she learns the business Janet knows about Harry?

Scene Ninety...Paris Time: After lunch, Sunday, November 3, 1946 Place: Robert's home Storyteller: Janet "I want to spend my senior year in Paris." I announce. Betty, William, and Paul gasp. Dad looks surprised, but no signs of heart failure. Thank you God. "I spent the summer between 'Hill School' and 'Penn' in Europe. Should have stayed longer," says Dad. "Why Paris?" "That's the best way to finish high school and study advanced dance at the same time. Madame, Anna, and Sergey have all the right connections." "Your mother and I'll meet with them and work out the details." Betty's jaw drops. "Tony and I are researching vineyards in Provence as an investment. Been thinking about moving there in '48. We should be able to push it up a year, if Janet is serious about Paris." "I'm serious, alright." "Do I have any say in the matter? Mom asks. "I...

Scene Ninety-one...Thanksgiving, 1946 Time: 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 28, 1946 Place: Robertson's home Storyteller: Janet I'm tired of waiting for them. Might as well get a drink. Paul's out back, behind the bar. I'll put in my order before the rush. "Sloe gin and coke, please." In goes my first shot of booze. "You deserve it," he says. That sounds like a motorcycle. Betty and William arrive with hands too full to pet Lucy. Mom rings the dinner bell. "Say a prayer, Harry, then carve the turkey." "How soon after Christmas are you leaving?" I ask Betty and William. "We're going next week. Have a lot of stops to make," my sister answers. "All family?" Nosy me. "First Tony and then the grandparents," she replies. "And finally, the Rockettes!" William smiles at me. I kick him under the table. "What about Tom?" Mom asks. "Doc and Sal are fighting...

Scene Ninety-two...Engineering Time: After church, Sunday, February 9, 1947 Place: Robertson's Dining room Storyteller: Janet "Lucy, stop begging. Lois, am I allowed to have another piece of chicken?" Dad is hopeful. "Help yourself, dear." Paul invited Doris to Sunday dinner because Dad always acts better when she's around. "Doris, I was certainly surprised when you quit nursing and returned to U.M. full time. The hospital will never be able to replace you." "She works in the marine biology lab," says Paul. "It's about time they expanded that department. After all, we have an ocean here," Dad replies. "Yes, and the school of engineering opens soon." Doris actually had the nerve to say the word 'engineering' to Dad. "And I'll transfer to that department in June," Paul says casually. Mom scurries to the kitchen and stays there. "Damn good idea." Dad shocks every...

Scene Ninety-three...We're flying Time: Afternoon, Saturday, June 21, 1947 Place: Robertson's home Storyteller: Janet "Doris, thank you so much for offering to stay in our house and care for Lucy. Paul won't be gone long," says Mom. "Don't mention it. I'm renting my place to tourists while he helps you unpack. It's college money for me." Dad wants to go by ocean liner. Paul wants to get us settled before the Nice Grand Prix. That means we're flying. "Don't you think your mother deserves a vacation on the 'Queen Mary?'" Dad tries to put a guilt trip on Paul. "Yes, but you can bring her back for my graduation on the Mary or Elizabeth. We're packed. We have plane tickets. We're flying." Paul won.

Scene Ninety-four...The Prince Time: Afternoon, Sunday, July 20, 1947 Place: Grand Prix, Nice, France Storyteller: Janet "Now aren't you glad we flew, Dad? Let's see how close we can get to the Maserati," says Paul. "William, keep an eye on the ladies. Paul and I will be gone a few minutes." Betty and Mom are chatting about French fashion. William turns to me. "Prince Rainier has been looking more at you than the race. He must like blonds." "Where is he?" "If I tell, you'll stare and point and embarrass all of us." "Tell me." "He's with the actress. Red dress. You can't miss her." "Oh, no. He caught me looking at them." "You should listen to your folks and go to a Catholic girls school in Paris. That might convince Prince Charming to marry you." I scoff, "Don't be silly. He's not allowed to marry an American. Besides, you know I'm goin...

WARNING Spoiler Alert !!! This is "The End" Please read scenes 1-94 first. EPILOGUE...Scene 95...Letter From Janet Time: June 16, 1948 Place: Nice, France Storyteller: Janet Dear Paul, I can't believe you missed the Monaco Grand Prix, all because of college. Nino won in a Maserati, per usual. The Prince kept staring at me again. Doris needs to see the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. It's on a cliff above the sea. Betty likes her job at the hospital. Also, she's taking Mediterranean cooking classes. By the looks of her, she's eating too much delicious food, or she's pregnant. William will soon be joining the faculty of medicine at Aix-Marseille University. I wonder if they'll get an apartment? Can babies live on boats? Surprisingly, Dad didn't explode about Betty moving a hundred miles away. He's busy getting the vineyard perfect for Tony's visit. Mom continues to paint with the Big Shots. Guess you heard I graduated....