Scene 42

Scene forty-two...Unlike Him #1
Time: After school, Thursday, May 23, 1946
Place: William's boat
Storyteller: Janet


"Is Betty at work?" I ask.

"Yes, why?"

"Because I have another secret to tell."

"Please no. We're engaged. No secrets."

"But I must tell you and if Betty finds out she'll be sick with worry. Is that what you want?"

"I hate this. Get it over with," says William.

"Nosy me...I surprised Dad in the Kennel Club parking lot. Actually we surprised each other. Normally I'd get the ninth degree, but instead he asked me to deceive Mom about his whereabouts. Well, that's a first. It's not like him at all. Something is wrong with him or between my parents. I'm scared."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Just keep an eye on him. A couple of other times I caught him headed toward South Beach or leaving that parking lot, but he didn't see me. This is odd. I'm worried about him instead of the other way around."

"Janet, the track has a license. It's legal but it's not for young people, especially not pretty blonds who look older than their sixteen years. I'm not concerned about your dad betting on the dogs every now and then with his Rotary buddies, but you need to stay away from that place. Ever heard of the Mafia?"

"I can take care of myself, thanks to your boxing lessons."

"Ever heard of kidnapping at gun point?" Now you have me in a tight spot. If you get hurt, I'll never forgive myself. If Betty learns the secret, she'll never forgive me. The engagement will be off...the marriage...she'll divorce me...and take our kids with her."

"You're getting ahead of yourself. I'll steer clear of the track, but not the pier."

"Please don't make me regret this. And don't tell anyone...not Doris...not Betty..."

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