The Girl in Hemingway's Studio Page 7

  Finally, at 4:30 a.m., Charlotte and I made it into bed. Alexis took a deep breath remembering all the emotions she had felt that night. Charlotte was having the time of her life, but I was just thrilled and relieved to still be alive and safe. After the big party the next evening, we were both still exhausted, and there was no talk of another escapade in New York City.

  The day after that fabulous party, Grandfather Douglas, Grandmother Marsha, and Aunt Nancy accepted Arthur and Nora’s invitation for lunch. Arthur also invited his two sisters and their families. They declined. Arthur made reservations at The Tavern on the Green for Sunday brunch. Alexis noted that Central Park in the bright daylight was actually beautiful and green. There was gossip and anecdotes concerning guests at both parties and the laughing and joking changed both granddaughters’ minds about their East Coast grandparents. Arthur ordered Dom-Perignon Champagne and glasses for the adults. After the waiter had delivered the orders to the chef, he returned to uncork the bubbly.

  Grandfather Douglas asked Alexis where she was going to college after she graduated from high school.

  “I’m going to ASU, and I want to become an English college professor. I love the English language when it is written and spoken correctly, and I want to share this knowledge with young students who usually decimate the language.”

  “Very impressive,” Grandfather Douglas smiled at his lovely granddaughter. “I was afraid you were going to tell me you wanted to be a rock star.”

  “Not our Alexis,” Arthur smiled. As he thought, However, rock star may be on Charlotte’s agenda. But before the conversation turned to Charlotte’s career, Arthur raised his glass of champagne and toasted his parents.

  “To my parents. Congratulations on fifty years of marriage. What a beautiful way to celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors. To Father and Mother.”

  After everyone toasted the happy couple. Grandfather Douglas noticed that Alexis and Charlotte were left out of the toast and mutely signaled the waiter for two more glasses. Quietly, he poured a small amount of champagne for both girls. Both girls were so pleased at being included in the toast, quickly glancing at their parents who smiled and nodded an okay.

  Alexis began with her very own toast, “To our New York Grandparents. Thank you for bringing us here to help celebrate your momentous anniversary. I’m hoping over the next few years we will have more opportunities to visit and really get to know each other.”

  To that toast, Charlotte added, “I agree. This has been a wonderful trip. If you would like to visit us in Arizona, Alexis and I would be so happy to show you the sights and I would love to introduce you to my friends.”

  Marsha laughed, “Thank you girls, but we traveled to Arizona when your parents got married. It was very different from what we expected.”

  Douglas asked Alexis, “Where would you take us if we happened to show up in Arizona?”

  Alexis smiled, “We would go to places you don’t have in New York. One evening, we would take you to a wonderful steak restaurant in Scottsdale. We would give you one of Dad’s ugly ties to wear.”

  “Why couldn’t I wear one of my own beautiful ties?” asked her grandfather with a puzzling look.

  “Because the people at this cowboy restaurant would see you coming and know you and Grandmother were city slickers. If someone shows up at Pinnacle Peak’s wearing a tie, the waiters will approach you with a pair of scissors and cut the tie off at the knot and fasten it to the ceiling.”

  Douglas roared with laughter, “No, we don’t have any place like that in this City. Where else would you take us?”

  “One afternoon,” smiled Alexis. “We would take you to Greasewood Flats where they have the best hamburgers in the world. There you would see a tough dude’s motorcycle, old jalopies, new BMWs, and chauffeur-driven limousine all parked side by side. The bankers and Wall Street people get out of their limos wearing designer suits and eat their hamburgers sitting next to the motorcycle gangs wearing torn blue jeans, bandannas on their heads, and steel chains as belts. They all sit on picnic tables side by side talking about the wonderful hamburgers.”

  “Okay, I want to go to both of those places,” said Douglas as he turned to Charlotte. “Now young lady, who are these friends you want me to meet?”

  Charlotte was enjoying the conversation, “Grandfather, I would introduce you to the most popular people at my high school, actually my former high school. You would meet the star quarterback of our football team who just received a full ride football scholarship to Notre Dame, the prettiest girl in my class who just got a modeling contract, and the king and queen of the senior prom.”

  “What about the smartest people at your school? Could you introduce me to those people?”

  Charlotte laughed, “Nope, but Alexis could. Those would be her friends.”

  Arthur stared at his father in disbelief. Neither he nor his sisters would ever have considered talking to their father is such a flippant manner. Their father was always so restrained and sober. Conversations with him were always about current events, school, grades, and politics. When their father turned to his children at the dinner table, it was more like an exam or interrogation. He never asked about their friends or social activities. Having a witty, cheeky conversation with this man was inconceivable. I just don’t believe my father or my mother, thought Arthur. They seem to be enjoying the lively banter going on between themselves and our daughters. Of course, I don’t believe for a minute they would ever return to Arizona, let alone go to Greasewood Flats for a hamburger. How I wish my sisters had joined us just to witness this tête-à-tête. I would have enjoyed seeing their shocked faces.

  Of course, neither grandparent knew about Charlotte’s brief marriage, unsuccessful pregnancy, or inevitable divorce. Arthur omitted telling his parents about those sad chapters in their lives, and Nora agreed they should remain a secret. Since Arthur and his parents only spoke to each other by phone every couple of months, it was very easy to exclude certain information from their conversations. Arthur’s mother only wanted to talk about his sisters and their children, and Arthur’s father wanted to make sure his son knew the best stock tips and investment strategies. Arthur knew if his parents knew the facts of Charlotte’s heartbreaking mistakes, they would disown her and never speak to her again.

  Then changing the subject, Marsha asked, “Speaking of friends, Arthur, did you see silly Connie Duncan at the gala last night?”

  “Actually, I did. I hadn’t seen her in years, so I wasn’t positive that was her, but I saw this poor woman walking back and forth past the ballroom almost in tears.”

  Douglas laughed and Marsha resumed with her story, “Yes, that was her. As usual she forgot to RSVP so she wasn’t on the master guest list nor did she bring her engraved invitation, so she wasn’t allowed inside the party. She tried so hard to convince the security guard that she was invited. He maintained his stoic stance and ignored her request to look for me. I was so busy with the other guests and making sure everyone was having a good time, I missed her comical gestures trying to catch my eye.”

  “Well,” Douglas continued the story. “She caught my eye, and I went out to find out what was going on. She was on the verge of hysteria, so I rescued her and added her name to the guest list, found the party planner to make sure she had a seat at the table and all ended well.”

  “My hero,” Marsha added as she put her arm around her husband’s shoulder.

  That loving touch did not go unnoticed by Arthur or Nora. They just smiled a knowing look at each other.

  At the end of the brunch, Arthur was handed the bill. Pulling out his credit card, he joked to Nora, “Looks like only one of our daughters will be going to college after all. The other one’s tuition will be used to pay off this bill.”

  Nora touched his arm and whispered back, “Whatever it cost, it has been worth it. I’ve never seen your parents so engaged and charming. I think our daughters captivated their cold, mean, wealthy hearts and turned them into alm
ost likable human beings.”

  Alexis and Charlotte were seeing their New York grandparents in a totally different light. They were really funny and likable. Regrettably, the girls had no idea it would be the last time they would ever see them.

  Thinking back to those days in New York, reliving that final conversation with my grandparents, I thought about my plans to take them to Pinnacle Peak and Greasewood Flats. Sadly, several years ago, both of those places had been torn down to build exorbitantly priced new homes.

  Also considering my father’s suggestion that I take Charlotte with me to Key West. I want to go to Key West and work on my novel in Hemingway’s studio; Charlotte would be a distraction. She still loved the sense of adventure without any concern for her safety or anyone else. Yes, we are sisters, but are different as night and day.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The Decision

  May 2016

  Marcus had an older brother, Eric, who was a successful insurance salesman. Four years ago, he opened up his own office and employed two “producers” or sales people and a receptionist named, Katie, to answer his busy phones. Eric was the smarter brother, the better-looking brother, and the more ambitious brother. He often flaunted his success in front of Marcus much to his brother’s chagrin.

  Alexis was almost ready to walk out the door to meet Julie and Cathy at The Keg, when there was a knock at the front door. It was Eric.

  “Hi, Eric, Marcus won’t be home for another half hour. I’m just leaving to meet a couple of friends, but you are more than welcome to wait for him. There’s beer in the fridge.”

  “Hi, Alexis. Boy, you get prettier every time I see you. How did Marcus get so lucky?” Eric said as he gave his sister-in-law a hug with a once over glance and a smile. “What kind of beer? Please don’t tell me it’s a generic beer.”

  “Actually, Marcus has switched back to Stella Artois since receiving regular paychecks. Would you like me to get you one?”

  “Yeah, I’ll have one while I wait. I’m afraid I have some sad news for Marcus, our Uncle Fred recently passed away. His attorney contacted me with the news that Marcus and I were the only two people named in his will.”

  “I’m so sorry. Were you close? I don’t think I’ve ever heard Marcus mention an Uncle Fred.”

  “Nay, Fred was our dad’s only sibling. He never married nor had any children; he lived in Missouri and owned several acres with a working iron mine on the property. He always thought he was going to strike it rich, but the land just took his money and his health. Just want to see what Marcus wants to do with our ‘big’ inheritance.”

  “Sure, make yourself comfortable. I’ll send Marcus a quick text to make sure he comes right home after work. See you later, Eric. Tell Betsy hello for me.”

  As Alexis backed out of the garage, she shook her head and thought of Marcus and Eric, two brothers who were as different as Charlotte and herself. Their father died while Marcus and Alexis were dating; their mother, Ruth, has struggled with the loss ever since. Marcus and Eric grew up in a normal household with both parents, but neither was content nor happy with their lives. They always seemed to be in competition with each other. When Eric started to make good money and became successful, Marcus more or less dropped out of the “one-up” contest. Eric became the well dressed, smartly groomed, and silver-tongued brother. Marcus begrudged his success and was resentful of his suaveness.

  Alexis pulled into the entrance of the Tempe Marketplace where she quickly located The Keg and parked in the back of the restaurant. Alexis was a few minutes early, so she waited by the hostess’s desk for Julie and Cathy. They walked in together, and she leaped up and they had a group hug while jumping up and down like they did when they were thirteen.

  “Julie, you look great. Have you lost weight?” Alexis asked.

  “Actually, I have, I started walking again in the morning. It is a good way to get my head in the right place before I tackle the financial world. An added benefit is losing weight.”

  “Cathy, thank goodness you haven’t lost any weight, you’ve always been so skinny. How are the kids?”

  After a few minutes of sharing about their latest news, they followed the young girl who showed them to their table. They gave her their drink order and ordered a plate of cheese nachos.

  “I love coming here this time of day,” Alexis said as she settled into the comfortable booth. “There aren’t many people here, and we can talk without feeling rushed.”

  “Okay, girl,” said Cathy. “Tell us your big news.”

  Alexis pulled out the Florida Fiction Contest envelope from her purse and filled them in on the details. Both had read parts of her book and encouraged her to finish and publish it.

  “I won twenty-one days in Florida, but ten of those days I get to spend in Hemingway’s studio. Those days, I want to be alone and work on my book, but I’d love to have a little company while exploring the Florida Keys the other days. Could either of you take some time to go with me?” She held her breath as she waited for their answers. Both sipped their wine before responding.

  “What are the dates you are going?” asked Julie.

  “I need to be there between July 5 and July 31. I was thinking July 7 through the 27. Does that work?”

  “Well, if I were just a teacher, I’d go with you,” said Cathy. “But new teachers report to my school on August 1 and I need to open up the school on July 25. Besides, Kevin and I are taking Jenny and Wendy to San Diego the week of July 9. I’m so sorry.”

  “Alexis, you know if there was any way I could make it work, I would,” responded Julie. “But Greg and I are taking Brady and Susan on a road trip in July to visit their grandparents in Topeka. I, too, am so sorry.”

  “No way Marcus can go with you?” asked Cathy.

  “No,” Alexis answered sadly. “My father has suggested I take my sister.”

  “Charlotte?” Julie cried out. “He’s got to be kidding. Did you ever tell your father about the frightening night adventure you two experienced in New York City?”

  Alexis laughed as she thought about that terrifying night, “No, and I don’t ever plan to tell him.”

  As they said good-bye, Julie hugged Alexis with a reminder, “Don’t forget Greg and I are expecting you and Marcus at our big Labor Day bash.” Driving home after the entertaining but disappointing meeting, Alexis thought about how much Marcus hated those barbeques with all the screaming kids running around. Once again she considered her father’s suggestion of taking Charlotte.

  Sitting in the driveway of her home, she remembered a different recollection of Charlotte. A memory she hid in the dark corners of her mind. She tried so hard to repress those cruel heartbreaking memories and not think about the excruciating days, weeks, and months after their mother’s death.

  Alexis recalled that horrific late night when their father finally walked through their front door. Grandma Baxter had driven to their house as soon as she had heard the news about her beloved daughter. Grandpa Baxter had died a couple of years before and now her only child was also gone. Grandma Baxter was trying her best to comfort her granddaughters, all the while traumatized herself. Charlotte and Alexis turned to each other for comfort. When their father walked in the door, he gathered all of them into his arms, and they all cried and cried.

  The day of the funeral, both girls were wearing the stylish black dresses their mother had bought just a couple of months earlier; she had reluctantly bought them against her own better judgment.

  “You beautiful girls are way too young to wear such a sophisticated dress,” Nora had said as she shook her head watching her girls come out of the dressing room area. They were in the girls’ favorite store—The Limited. “You should be wearing bright, colorful, and happy clothes. Not black.”

  “Oh, Mom,” Charlotte began her argument. “I’m twenty years old and have already been a married woman for heaven’s sake. I want a dress that will wow my date when he picks me up for the annual Chapman’s Christmas party.�
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  “Well,” Nora found herself weakening. “That dress will wow him and every other warm-blooded man at the party. You do look gorgeous, even if it’s a mature look for a young girl.”

  Alexis walked out of the dressing room in a similar, but more demure black dress.

  “Mom,” started Alexis. “If Charlotte gets a black dress, I should get one too. I’m seventeen, and all the girls wear black dresses now days. Please, please, pretty please!”

  Nora smiled and nodded her head “yes.”

  Both Charlotte and Alexis wore the black dresses to all the holiday parties they attended that month, and now they were wearing the same dresses to their mother’s funeral. How can one dress make you so ecstatically happy one minute and totally shattered the next time you wear it?

  Their mother’s friend, Maryann, hosted a reception in her home after the funeral. It was lovely, and both girls knew their mother would have appreciated all the effort and special details that went into the function. Charlotte, Arthur, and Alexis were still in a state of shock, walking through the day like in a dream. Grandma Baxter was also in the state of denial, nodding to people, moving from one person to the other so she wouldn’t have to add more than a couple of words to any conversation.

  When they finally got back to their home, Arthur poured himself a large glass of scotch and walked out into the patio. Charlotte and Alexis walked into their parent’s bedroom so they could smell their mother’s perfume lingering on her clothes hanging in the closet. They sat down on their mother’s side of the bed and held on to each other for dear life.

  “Did you see Dad drinking hard liquor?” asked Alexis.