Splintered Heart (39 page)

"It's been a busy time for both of us, Ferris. You've been walking around like a ghost. You're very distracted these days you know."

"Yes my darling," He looked at her gravely. "And you still don't know where you stand, do you?"

"There are new factors Ferris." Marian noticed that he'd removed the band-aid from his cheek. "I'm still not sure what I'm going to do about the California office. Beth is a wonderful friend and helper, but she doesn't have enough experience to run everything by herself."

"Beth's husband was at the office today."

"Really?"

"We had a lunch together. Senator Weidman is retaining me for the television aspect of his campaign.

"Why, Ferris, that's wonderful! Aren't you excited?"

"When Weidman phoned, my first thought was that it was something you had arranged."

"I didn't arrange it. I did some seed planting, but you know he must have done some checking. It's your reputation that got you the job."

"A California client might be just what I need."

"Ferris, is there trouble with the
 
Farm
 
Kitchens
?"

"I may have to drop the account."

"That cut on your face — does that have anything to do with it? You never told me what happened."

"Charles has me in a bind, Marian."

"He's had you in a bind for years, Ferris and you never really have told me why."

"Marian, Charles Riche could... He could hurt us."

"Us? Is he threatening to come to me with stories?"

Ferris nodded.

"But I know the stories, Ferris."

They looked at each other. They both started to speak, then stopped.

"Marian you don't know all the stories. You see..."

"No." Marian put a hand to Ferris' lips. "No names, dates, times and places. If Charles tells me about Andrea, I'll nod. If he tells me about Elena..." She shrugged. "I'll laugh. Whatever he says, I'll thank Charles like a marvelously sophisticated lady and give him a enigmatic smile!"

"Marian darling, I love you.

"Maybe we should say that less often and mean it more when we say it Ferris. I don't know about love right now."

++++++++++

Chapter
 
71

There was laughter in the air along with the fragrances of food, the hum of conversation, the rippling music from Dave who was playing the piano.

The hostess moved through her guests, attaching herself to a conversation, detaching herself as her eye caught a glass that needed refilling, a plate of hors d'oeuvres that needed to be passed. She was proud of the sparkle and sheen of her house. Her head was high, her thoughts were free and easy, gliding along, going whichever way the breeze cared to blow.

Mamma was watching Dave — the fingers of Hannah's hand were patting, tapping the beat, as Nurse Arlene, lips pursed, hovered over her.

Elena, in a white milliskin jump suit, was bubbling over to Uncle Milton, fascinating him and Courtney who was eyeing Elena, as he talked with Ferris.

They had arrived together, migrated with drinks to the corner where they were nodding and chuckling. Their rapport was delightful, and ironically amusing.

The hostess, noting Jeanna, Jeanna's husband, and Paul Sheldon chatting about politics, glided toward the kitchen with two empty glasses in hand and the package Jeanna had brought along — left them on the dishwasher while tasting the casserole. It was perfectly cooked and ready to be served. The table was ready. And just in time, Felipe opened the door for Dr. Stephen MacGregor.

Stephen waved to Elena, and headed toward Marian, immediately took both her hands. "Hi honey. What kind of test is this? Did I pass? I'm certainly not as good-looking as your other men-folk, and I can't play the piano like the young man over there."

"All my friends are here, Stephen. I should have warned you."

"Maybe you should have warned them! They don't know it, but I'm the one you like the most. You look great. You look wonderful!"

"Thank you." She knew it was true. White blouse, a cool pink long skirt, no jewelry, no belting or fussy ruffles, not even high heels, just low-heeled pink slippers, hair clipped back out of the way but not in a chic neat bun. The way she was dressed exactly suited her mood. Her clothes were not outstanding, or particularly stylish, but they were comfortable.

Marian lit the dinner table candles. Announcing, "Dinner is ready," she took Stephen's arm, and indicated where she wanted her guests to be seated.

"Marian, my goodness, a sit-down supper," Jeanna gasped.

"Mari's brave!" said Elena.

"They're complimenting your daughter, Hannah," said Aunt Paula.

Mamma looked proud, Ferris was pleased, Courtney was amused and so was Dave — his eye brows were double-raised, as if he knew everything she was thinking. And that amused Marian because her thoughts were in so many directions — hostess and wife thoughts, daughter and niece thoughts, boss, lover, friend thoughts, plus music thoughts that expressed the feeling of that moment — all of them at her table, unfolding their linen napkins.

The dinner conversation moved from topic to topic, but the talk was mostly of food. Stephen got Ferris, Paul Sheldon and Courtney talking about the
 
O.A.'s FARM KITCHENS
. Jeanna and her husband had been to Florida and eaten there. Elena, Milton and Paul talked about investing in a fast food chain, and Dave Kay joined in as if he were an expert on that subject as well as synthesizers.

"To Ferris, my brilliant associate," Courtney raised his wine glass.

Mamma raised her glass. Arlene watched with great trepidation, and that got everyone watching.

Mamma said, "Ferris." She pronounced it slowly, distinctly.

Everyone smiled and took a sip.

Ferris explained that he was going to California to work on the Weidman re-election campaign. Courtney said, "Don't stay out West too long. Not with me in the East, and your beautiful wife available!"

"Amen to that!" Dave gave Marian his special grin.

Elena toasted Marian. "We love you Mari," flashing a sideways smile at Courtney Bennett.

"O.K., your turn, Marian," Stephen said.

Marian stood up. "I do have something to announce. My company has expanded too. We have a new California office." She raised her glass.

"You're moving to California?" Paul Sheldon looked concerned.

"No. I'm staying. I want to toast Elena. I'm appointing you, Elena, to head of the West coast branch office of the
 
Foundation Research Exchange
!"

Elena was radiant as everyone toasted her.

Marian smiled into her wine glass, signaled Felipe to bring in her cake, telling her guests, "It's a joint celebration, Elena's been promoted and I'm celebrating my birthday! Number forty-five!"

She received the joking remarks about getting older with a grin.

"You've got to make a wish!" Jeanna insisted.

Marian closed her eyes. Forty-five was like thirty. There were lots of little things to wish for, but nothing big enough to waste a birthday wish on, and the little things were all things she could do on her own, without help from Santa Claus, God, or the birthday fairy.

Marian blew out the single candle. "Good health for everybody!"

There was wine, second portions of cake, tea, fortunately only six orders for coffee that Felipe and his wife served in the porcelain and silver-trimmed demitasse cups.

"This is just lovely," said Aunt Paula, "I never knew you had such a talent for domestic things dear."

"Such sweet little cups!" Elena spooned in lots of sugar with one of eight miniature silver teaspoons that came with the set.

"Thank you," Marian smiled, wondering what the talented hostess would have done if all her guests had ordered coffee? The eight-cup set with one saucer still missing was obviously inadequate.

Paul Sheldon was the first guest to leave. "I'm pleased with your business plans, it's growth for FRE. When Ferris gets back we should have the
 
Cooper-Riche
 
problems solved, once and for all."

"Ferris told me a little, about what's been going on." Marian hoped Paul would tell her more.

"Myra Peterson — she's well-fixed — it'll help Charles get back on his feet."

"So it's to be
 
Peterson-Riche
 
Inc
?"

"
Riche
 
and
 
Riche
. I never thought Charles was the type to settle down but marriage, his marriage to her— it will be good for him, don't you think?"

"I have a feeling it's just what Charles deserves!" Marian said.

"Yes. And Charles can comfort Mrs. Peterson. You read about it in the papers?" Paul said.

"Read about what?"

"It was in this neighborhood in fact. The authorities aren't sure if it was an accident or homicide." Paul lowered his voice. "The daughter fell to her death. What a shocking blow, imagine a Mother living with a thing like that for the rest of her life!"

Dave Kay pulled Marian aside. "I'm cutting out too. We have a date for the backers audition, Thursday next week. Afterwards I want to talk to you about our next musical project — it's supposed to be sort of American
 
Turn of the Century
."

"Turn of the Century?" Marian found the idea surprising and interesting. "Why are we working on the next project when we haven't finished the first one?"

"Got to plant the seed for number two, while number one is getting born!"

Marian didn't say "check." She said, "O.K. Kay!"

Arlene wheeled Mamma in her wheelchair to the door.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Mamma?"

"Enjoy yourself," Mamma echoed.

Hannah was making progress in her speech therapy. Occasionally she'd parrot what had been said to her.

"You really are progressing. One of these days you'll be on the phone with the other Mothers, Mamma!"

Hannah nodded.

"The other Mothers need you, Mamma. They need your advice."

Hannah nodded and echoed, "Need your advice."

It was such a perfect parrot echo of Marian's own tone of voice, it made her ruefully comment, "I need your advice too Mamma."

"No you don't," said Hannah.

"I don't?" Marian was stunned. The reply was so natural, so like Mamma before the stroke, Marian couldn't quite believe she'd heard it correctly.

Arlene, in her baby-talk tone said, "Say goodnight, Mrs. Melnik."

Hannah gave Arlene a look, and turned to Marian. "You did well," Hannah said in a very strong voice — there could be no question about what she meant.

Aunt Paula waited till her sister was in the elevator. "My oh my, what a very special evening this has been!"

Marian braced herself — which would it be — a guilt arrow about Hannah or a delicate poison dart about middle age?

"It seems like yesterday that you were just a sweet innocent child and now..." Paula had tears in her eyes. She left it to Marian, to finish the sentence.

Moving toward Stephen, Marian saw Courtney put an arm around Elena's waist, saying, "Come on baby doll, I've got my car, I'll drop you off."

"What's so amusing?" Stephen asked.

"It's all amusing — my husband, Elena, my relatives, you here, and Dave."

"I had no idea, when I gave you my 'fun list' prescription, that I was going to want to be on the top of your list, Marian. But that's what I want, honey."

Marian gulped.
 
...Is he proposing...?
 
She felt as if he were.

"Yes, I'm proposing," Stephen said, catching her thought. "Happy birthday, Marian. I hope it's a wonderful year for you and me, and a year from now you and I will be celebrating your birthday together." He put his hand on her brow lightly brushing away the furrows. "Don't look so worried. You don't have to decide now. I just wanted you to know my honorable intentions."

Stephen moved to the door.

Marian watched him shaking hands with Ferris — tall handsome prince husband, and the gentle wise good Doctor.

In the kitchen, as Marian was putting away a few last things, Ferris slid a gold and silver bracelet-watch over her hand.

"Does it fit? We can have it adjusted."

There were delicate diamonds, a silver
 
little
 
hand, a gold
 
big
 
hand with a diamond set into the point. There were no numbers.

"Ferris, it's a lovely birthday present!" He certainly knew how to pick the kind of jewelry she loved to wear. He was always going to be the kind of man that wanted to show the world that she was his pride and prize.

Ferris started rinsing the glasses in the sink.

"Stop the dishes for a minute." Looking at him with his hands on a glass waiting for her to say something important, Marian realized how utterly nonsensical it was — the age lie — the fact that she'd been so haunted by it. "Ferris, it doesn't mean anything to you, that this is my forty-fifth birthday?"