A Memory Unchained (11 page)

“A tear? Not my happy faced Chéri?” Pamela had to smile.

How tender and caring this beautiful man was. A stranger

only a few short days before, now her comforter and friend.

She squeezed his hand tightly.

“He did not like my price?” Rex seemed to know the

problem.

Pamela tried to wipe her eyes. Rex handed her his

handkerchief.

“Not exactly. He didn’t even give me a chance. He

wouldn’t listen to me. He hung up on me!” She dried her

tears.

“This man – he is your boss?” Rex asked.

“How can I possibly work for a man who is a hypo-

crite?” she sniffed.

Rex raised his eyebrows. His usually wrinkle-free fore-

head had vexed lines across it. He didn’t answer, he waited for Pamela to answer her own question.

“I wonder if he planned this farce all along to dis-

credit my abilities!” Tears began trickling down her cheeks again.

“This is silly!” she said as she fumbled in her purse for a tissue.

“Now, now, don’t be so hard on yourself.” Rex caressed

her hand.

“I’m being stupid, I know,” she muttered. “But I was

so excited.”

“All is not lost, Chéri,” Rex tried to console her.

“I’m so sorry, Rex. You have been more than kind and

helpful. I shouldn’t do this to you.” Pamela dried her eyes again and straightened up.

“I was excited about your creations. It’s very frustrating 98 __________________Gloria Graham

to be so close to my dream.”

“Your career is very important to you, isn’t it Chéri? Is there any chance this Orland will reconsider our offer?”

“I don’t know anything anymore,” she murmured. “I

had so hoped this trip was a sign of his trust and confidence in me, now I just don’t know.”

“Come, Chéri, perk up. Perhaps things will look

brighter in the morning.”

Rex tried to suggest that perhaps Orland didn’t mean

to sound so abrupt. Pamela half-heartedly agreed.

As they dined, it was evident to Pamela that Rex was

deep in thought. He was quieter than usual. Pamela began

to worry that she had overstepped her bounds with Rex

and had overworked his kindness.

“Let’s stroll,” Rex said, grasping her arm gently.

Pamela had to smile.

“Stroll?” she laughed. “Is that the same as walk?”

“Oui,” he answered, “And where, but in Paris, can

you str--err,” he stopped, “walk’ along the banks of such a beautiful river in the moonlight?”

Pamela shook her head in agreement and tossed her

black hair in the cool evening air, breathing in the fresh air deeply. She held Rex’s arm tightly as they strolled together along the banks of the Seine.

The river glistened with reflections of lights on the

water. She thought how much Paris looked like her Back

Bay at night. She had drifted off with thoughts of Back

Bay, when Rex stopped by a small bench facing the river.

“I’m sorry, Mon Ami, But I too have been deep in my

thoughts.” He looked serious. A look she had never seen

on his face before.

A Memory Unchained___________ 99

“I could tell,” she answered softly.

“Who needs him?” he asked.

“Who do you mean?” Pamela looked puzzled.

“Orland!” he answered abruptly. His eyes were flashing

as if he truly had a revelation!

“I have an idea – a good one!” He paused. “Do you

remember my friend, Grant Mondane?”

“Oh yes, quiet well! I remember he’s young and in

trouble – financially. What about him?”

“He’s a wizard in his trade! He knows everyone is Eu-

rope and he needs help, like you!”

“I understand that, but what has that to do with Or-

lands?”

“Forget Orlands. You are my chosen one – my repre-

sentative – forget Mr. Orland. There is another way! You

are the one I want, not Orlands. There are any number

of department stores that would welcome my collection

– especially with someone as talented as my Pamela to

represent it!”

Pamela squealed. “Rex, you mean you still want -

me?”

“Of course! You are my ‘chosen one.’ I can trust you

to show my designs to their utmost!”

Pamela threw her arms around his neck, sobbing her

joy all over his shirt.

“Now, back to business,” he said quickly, wiping her

eyes. “Grant needs my collection too. He cannot afford

the price I must get, much to my sorrow. I long to help

my friend and perhaps if we all put our talents together

we could meet all our needs – in a style we could soon get accustomed to.”

100 __________________Gloria Graham

Rex waited for Pamela’s response to his bombshell.

“But, what about your pay? Grant’s finances?” Pamela

didn’t quiet understand what Rex meant! She added, “Kel

Orland is out – he would never go for that!”

“Perhaps not, Chéri, but there will be someone who

will. We will think on it!”

Pamela hugged Rex again. “You are so special, my

friend.” She smiled and kissed his cheek. “How can I ever tell you how special you are to me?” He pressed her hand

firmly in his – and squeezed.

“I know,” he said softly.

“The unspoken words are the most meaningful,” he

whispered.

“Do you think we can do it?” she said hesitantly.

Rex stiffened up, clicked his heels and said, “An

American beauty! – a Paris designer and a young Euro-

pean department store management? How can we lose?”

He doubled over in laughter! Pamela joined him. It was a

funny combination for sure, but she couldn’t help wonder

- could they really put that kind of a merger together?

The following morning Rex left a message with Grant’s

secretary: “Meet us for dinner – 7:00 PM – Pierre’s. Signed Pamela and Rex.”

Grant looked at the message with question but he

quickly made arrangements to meet them.

Rex’s maroon limousine pulled up at Pamela’s hotel

early. This time he was at her door in person.

“Will you come in?” she asked.

“For just a moment Chéri,” he smiled.

“Would you like something to drink? I have some very

American Coca-Cola.”

A Memory Unchained___________ 101

“A small glass perhaps.”

Pamela poured the soda into a small glass.

“Sorry, my crystal isn’t the best!”

Rex smiled and looked around the room.

“Is this the best your boss could do for you?”

Pamela smiled. “It’s alright. I can manage.”

Rex’s face reddened. He walked to the phone, dialed

a number and waited. Pamela could only hear his side of

the conversation.

“Rex Dupar here,” he said. “I want a suite, fully stocked, immediately. Pick up Mrs. Thornton’s baggage tonight.”

He quickly gave the hotel and room number. Then he

hung up.

“What was that all about?” Pamela looked surprised.

“Let’s pack your things. You are moving from this

– place! You will see.” He started gathering her things.

When the maroon limousine picked them up, Pamela

was still in a state of amazement.

Rex smiled in his very special way at her. “On to the

business at hand,” he said.

Pamela sank back into the plush velvet seats of his

maroon limousine.

“I don’t believe you,” she whispered.

“Believe it, Chéri, believe it. Nothing is too good for

my American in Paris!”

At Pierre’s that evening, the maître d’ seated them in a

private booth lighted only by candlelight. Pamela caught

sight of the handsome young man swaggering toward

them! He reeked of elegance and his cloths were immacu-

late. His stride was solid, as if he were sure of himself! Her heart couldn’t help beating fast as he came closer.

102 __________________Gloria Graham

She remembered his passionate kiss and his strong

arms around her. She had been so sure of her ideas about

a younger man and an older woman – until she met him.

He shook her very foundations, the morals she grew up

with. She felt unsure of her feelings now.

“He’s the age of my daughter,” she reminded herself,

“And soon to be a business partner.” Both situations needed her utmost wisdom. She smiled at him as he came to their

table.

“You’re just the man we want to see!” Rex pulled the

chair out quickly for Grant to sit down. “Pamela and I

have been discussing business, much to my distress – I’d

much rather be doing something special with her.” Rex

blew her a kiss. She smiled as he joked with her.

Grant smiled too. He knew his good friend, Rex, bet-

ter than anyone else. Rex enjoyed beautiful women, and

Pamela was just another of the many women who adored

him. Grant smiled at them in his thoughts.

“Business?” Grant quipped, “On a beautiful night like

this?”

They teased and joked until Pamela became restless!

Rex realized her feelings and stopped, looked directly at Grant, and proposed their new business idea. Then he sat

back in his chair and watched Grant’s expression!

“Are you kidding me! Cause if you are, I’m going to

forget we’re friends and sock you in the nose!”

“Not kidding!” he said bluntly! Grant glanced quickly

at Pamela.

“Are you ready for this?” he questioned her.

“Are you?” she answered quickly.

Grant cocked his head and said, “The way I see it, all

we need is a lot of money, a lot of luck, and millions of Rex Dupar’s designs!”

Pamela burst into laughter. Rex smiled and shook his

head.

“We can’t fail!” Grant smiled.

Pamela made the decision. It hadn’t been

an easy one. She had argued with herself, felt sorry for

herself, then finally said her prayer for guidance.

The wire to Kel Orland read:

PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. EFFEC-

TIVE IMMEDIATELY. WILL REPAY FOR PARIS TRIP.

REGRETFULLY---

PAMELA THORNTON

She re-read the wire. Her thoughts were still churning

with happiness over Rex’s suggestion to work together. She suddenly felt the responsibility of being his agent. It was a feeling Pamela enjoyed.

Kel Orland left her no alternative. She wanted to be

104 __________________Gloria Graham

fair – to share her good fortune with him but his attitude had ended that feeling.

Pamela sent the wire.

“That says it all!” she thought. She planned to repay

Kel Orland for her trip or she would never feel right. It was the trip of a lifetime and she would always be grateful to Orlands for that!

“Why pay them back?” Jill had questioned her mother

on the phone.

“There will be no question of integrity. I’ll just feel

better,” she insisted.

“That’s just like you, Mom,” she said, not surprised at

her mother’s reasons.

“When are you coming home anyway?” Jill asked.

“Soon darling, soon.” Pamela knew Jill missed her as

much as she missed Jill.

The weeks had passed rapidly for Pamela, but now it

was time to go home!

She realized the new business venture would take some

doing to put together, she needed to go home and take

care of her personal life. She missed Jill more than she

wanted to admit!

It would be expensive flying home and then back again,

but that’s the way it had to be. She would talk it over with Rex at lunch tomorrow, she thought.

Deciding to go home was a load off her mind. She felt

good about it! She took a little longer in her nightly beauty ritual! The moisture cream seemed to soak in quickly in

Paris, “Funny,” she thought, “never even gave a wrinkle a thought until I turned forty!” Pamela rubbed harder, mas-saging her few wrinkles seemed more important.

A Memory Unchained___________ 105

“Not bad enough I can’t see past my nose – now

wrinkles!” she muttered as she patted her neck with a firm upward thrust.

She had finished all the messy treatments when the

phone ring startled her. Three short brassy rings made the call seem so urgent!

The operator said something very French that ended

with, “Mrs. Thornton?” That part she recognized.

“Oui,” Pamela answered. She had learned a few French

words but sentences, no!

“Pamela,” the voice on the other end sounded so far

away! “I can hardly hear you, bad connection,” he said.

Just then the operator interrupted, spoke a little French, and within seconds the man’s voice came back clearer.

Pamela’s heart pounded. It was Jeff!

“Jeff?” she questioned.

“You bet.” His voice gave her butterflies in her stom-

ach!

“How’s Paris my love?”

“Wonderful, just wonderful!” She felt she was scream-

ing in the receiver.

“Why am I screaming? Can you hear me alright?”

“Like you were here next to me! So how’s New York

and Boston?”

“Still here, missing you!” Jeff sounded sincere.

“Oh really,” she paused; her voice a little sarcastic. She didn’t add any other comment, just waited for his next

remark.

“Did you get my roses?” He asked.

“They were beautiful. It was kind of you. Thank you!

I’ve fallen in love with Paris!” she added.

106 __________________Gloria Graham

The phone cracked again.

“In love with who?” He sounded distressed. Now he

was doing the screaming.

“Paris, silly, Paris.” Pamela answered almost yelling.

“I was afraid of that – you know New York needs you!

I need you too!” His voice was distant again, or quieter, she didn’t know which one it was.