Scene 27

Scene Twenty-seven...The Kennel Club #2
Time: Lunch hour, Wednesday, April 3, 1946
Place: William's boat
Storyteller: William


Mr. Robertson is sitting on the sofa with Tom in his lap. The cat is purring. It's like a nervous habit, the way Harry is petting him over and over. The man is frowning.

"Do you think Lois and Janet saw you?"

"Hopefully not. Lois thought I was playing golf. What a weasel I am to deceive my dear wife. You've got to help me, William."

"Stop punishing yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Guilt's a form of self-inflicted punishment. It rarely solves the problem...just makes you miserable."

"I'm miserable alright. What will solve the problem?"

"Maybe negative reinforcement. Like when you passed your family on the bay. The second you saw them you were horrified...rapid pulse...sweat. Right? Perhaps that negative feeling has cured you? You might be so afraid of getting caught, you'll never go to South Beach again?"

"By golly, you're right. I'm too scared to disappoint my wife. What if I caused her to have a relapse? I'd never forgive myself. She wouldn't mind an excursion to the track every now and then with my Rotary buddies, but to deceive her...well, Lois is far too fragile for that."

"I'm cured!" Harry stands so abruptly that Tom tumbles into the floor.

He better be cured. I'm not a psychiatrist. This family trusts me more than I deserve.


Popular posts from this blog

Scene 95...Epilogue

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.
Read more

Scene 21

Scene 21...Swan Lake Time : Afternoon, Saturday, March 2, 1946 Place: Ballet School Storyteller: Janet Mom is watching me drive. She says, "What do you suppose Brodskys were fighting about last week? And in front of us? When Madame called to say they accepted you, I almost dropped the phone." "Yea. I was down in the dumps, thinking I'd never see this studio again." "Park over there. "Mom points to a space in the shade. Anna introduces me to the class. The two dozen students are probably in high school.  We warm up at the barre, then move to the center. "Adagio," says Mistress. She leads us through a series of exercises, fluid and focused, performed slowly. "Arabesque," Anna continues. I stand on one leg. The other extends behind my body. My goal is to create a smooth line from shoulders to arms and into the toes of my extended leg. The door slams. Sergey enters, all smiles. I hold my pose until Mistress says ot
Read more

Scene 17

Scene Seventeen...Rubies Time: After school, Friday, February 15, 1946 Place: Doris's house Storyteller: Janet I burst through the front door without knocking. Betty is dressed for work. Doris will be home from her shift soon. "What did he give you? Show me." "Hi Janet. How are you?" my sister teases. "Don't torture me. What did you get for Valentine's Day?" "I'll tell you about our romantic evening and then show you this." She puts the little, red box on the kitchen table. I try to grab it, but Betty is quicker. "Okay, make it snappy. Skip all the boring stuff." "William ordered us the most expensive entree on Sal's menu, lobster." "I don't care about food at the moment. Move on." "We walked back to his boat, arm in arm, with Tom. A golden moon reflected on the water; is full moon tonight?" "Who cares? What did you drink? How many?" "Rum an
Read more