Page 34 of Private Pleasures

Nora began to laugh, and looking at her mother, she said, “If you don’t marry him eventually, Ma, I will.” Then she drank down the rest of the potent liquid in the paper cup. And she did feel better. “Nobody leaves here till those damned sandwiches are all eaten,” she said. And the tension broken, her friends began to eat and talk again.

Margo put an arm around her daughter. “That was hard,” she said, “but you did just fine. I never thought I’d see the day when you stood up to Jeff Buckley.”

“A lot of things are changing, Ma,” Nora admitted.

“We’re going to have to go soon,” Margo said.

“I know. You’ve got a dance at the club,” Nora answered. “I like Taylor. I wouldn’t mind if you married him.”

“We’ll see,” Margo replied.

“He’s very rich, isn’t he? I mean, you flew up in his private plane,” Nora said.

“He flies the plane himself,” Margo told her, “although at his age he has another pilot with us, and yes, dear, he’s very rich.”

“Wow! Mom, you really surprise me,” Nora told her parent with a smile.

Margo laughed. “Thank you,” she said. And then she grew serious. “I would have never thought you would be so good about what’s happening, Nora. I’m proud of you, darling, and until you get on your feet I will help.”

“I’ll pay you back one day, Ma,” Nora promised.

“Honey, you’re going to inherit it anyway,” Margo said. “You need it now, and frankly it gives me pleasure to see you make Jeff Buckley’s life a little difficult.”

“I want the house, Ma! I don’t care about anything else, but I want the house,” Nora told her mother.

“I’m sure Rick will do his best for you, darling,” Margo assured her.

“Time to go, honeybunch.” Taylor Bradford had come to where they were seated. “Car is here, and Hal has the plane ready. We got a nice tailwind, and should be home in no time at all so you can get yourself all gussied up for the dance tonight.”

The two women stood up, and Nora put her arms about Taylor Bradford, giving him a big hug. “Thank you for bringing Mom, Taylor. You’re welcome in my house anytime.” Then she stood on her toes and kissed his ruddy cheek.

“I got two sons, girly,” he said. “Wouldn’t mind having a daughter like you at all. Even at this late date.” And he kissed her cheek heartily.

“Good-bye, darling.” Margo kissed Nora, and gave her a quick hug. “Tell J. J. to look in the graduation card I gave him.” She turned and kissed Jill. “You did very well under the circumstances, darling. Grandma was proud.”

“I wanted to smack him,” Jill admitted.

“So did I,” Margo replied.

“Then we both did very well,” Jill chuckled.

The guests were gone at last. Carla stayed to help Nora clean up. Jill had gone upstairs to pack. She was taking an early evening flight back to her college.

“The Channel tonight, you lucky girl.” Carla grinned at Nora.

“I don’t know,” Nora said. “What if J. J. comes home? What does it look like to people on this side of reality when we’re on the other?”

Carla shrugged. “I have no idea. But J. J. won’t be home until dawn. Our party starts at nine, and when it finally ends they’re all going up to the mountain house for a long weekend. No chaperones.” She waggled her eyebrows at Nora.

“I had forgotten that they were going up,” she said. “Yeah, maybe I could get The Channel tonight. I haven’t been able to get there with Jill home.”

“Call now,” Carla encouraged her. “I’ll finish the cleanup. Just a little cake to put away anyhow. I’ve packed two sandwiches for Jill to have on the plane.”

“You are an angel,” Nora said, picking up the telephone handset.

J. J. came home to change for Maureen Johnson’s party. He had been at his girlfriend Lily’s party. Jill was just going out the door to her waiting Cassandra cab. He hugged her. “So long, big sis. When will I see you again? Before I’m off to State?”

“Not till Christmas, kiddo,” Jill told him. “I’ve got just enough time between finishing my course and orientation at Duke to pack up and get there.”