Dani listened as Vanessa continued explaining some of the new styles and fabrics, passed out fabric samples and answered questions from a few of the other buyers. Vanessa was so composed and seemed to fit perfectly in this element. So different from the little girl she had been. Yet, at times, Dani caught the twinkle in her eye, the one she knew too well and memories flooded over her. Pictures of the days at the park and beach, or watching her ride her bike up and down the sidewalk, swirled in Dani's mind. Dani had spent most of her free time with Vanessa, babysitting her while Miguel worked. It was her excuse to her parents for spending so much time there. And she remembered other times, too, with Miguel, as the three of them went places or just hung out around Miguel's apartment together. It was just like being a family. Those times felt like they'd last forever, yet ended so quickly.
As Dani tried to concentrate on what was being said, she couldn't help but compare the Vanessa of yesterday to this one before her. Yet, with her composure and easy manner, it was easy to believe Vanessa had been born for this.
Vanessa closed the meeting with a reminder of the fashion show again and also a personal note. "There's an invitation in your folders to join us this Sunday at the house for our annual Fourth of July celebration. I hope that all of you will come. Directions are also included as to which train you need to take and the times the limousines will be waiting at the station to shuttle guests to and from the house."
A few of the other buyers began talking animatedly among themselves about the good time they'd had at last year's party. One by one they left as Vanessa stood at the door shaking each person's hand and saying goodbye. As Dani and Traycee approached, Vanessa extended her hand. "Miss Westerly, I'm happy to meet you. I heard that Janette had her baby. How is she?"
"She's doing fine," Dani replied, shifting a bit under Vanessa's searching eyes. "She's taking a three month leave, but should be back in time for the spring buying season. This is Traycee Caverns, my assistant," Dani tried to shift the attention away from herself. "She's helping me while I take over Janette's responsibilities."
Vanessa smiled and nodded a hello to Traycee, but her eyes returned to Dani. "I'm sorry for staring," she finally said. "You seem so familiar to me."
Dani's heart pounded in her chest. Part of her wanted Vanessa to remember her, but the other part kept telling her no. There was no need in bringing up the past. Dani was relieved when Vanessa finally changed the subject.
"I hope you both will join us at the house this Sunday. We usually have a good time. There will be close to two hundred people there. It's sort of a mixture of business and pleasure."
Dani said that they would try to come, all the time knowing she didn't mean it, and quickly made her exit with Traycee close behind her into the safety of the corridor.
All that evening and the next day, Traycee spoke of nothing else but attending the party on Sunday. "The buyer from Macy’s said the house is on a long stretch of beachfront and they put on a food spread you wouldn't believe. I've never been to the ocean before; it would be so much fun!"
Dani tried to discourage her by insisting they had plenty of paperwork to catch up on and suggesting that the Fourth's celebration in the city might be just as exciting. But Traycee could not be swayed. "It's so hot here in the city," she complained. "And the party is in Southampton where it is sure to be cooler. It sounds like such a good time. Please say you want to go, Dani."
Dani finally gave in Saturday night after they had finished the paperwork from that day's meetings. As she drifted off to sleep that night, she assured herself that she wouldn't be running into Miguel since he was in Chicago. As long as Vanessa didn't remember her from the past, she might have a good time after all.
Chapter Six
The morning of the Fourth broke with a stifling heat, reinforcing Traycee's complaint about the weather. Dani dressed in cotton khaki pants and a pink silk tee, pulling her hair back in a neat French braid, making her look years younger. Traycee anticipated the heat by dressing comfortably in walking shorts, a cotton shirt and sandals.
The two walked to Penn Station, taking the train indicated on Vanessa's instructions. After a brief switch at Jamaica Station, they were on their way through Long Island, finally reaching the station in Southampton where several limousines awaited to take guests the rest of the way to the house.
It was past noon by the time the two women were seated in a limousine. Vanessa's notes had indicated there would be limousines arriving and departing from the station every hour from twelve-thirty until eight that evening when the last train to the city departed.
They shared their limousine with six other people. Traycee began talking animatedly with the young man beside her who introduced himself as an advertising executive from Regal.
Dani kept her eyes out the window hearing very little talk, but enjoying the view. She was pondering a million "what ifs?" What if Miguel did appear? What if Vanessa recognized her? What would she say? Finally, she decided to stop worrying and take each encounter as it happened.
The 'house' as Vanessa had described it turned out to be an estate that boasted a mansion-sized home and extensive waterfront property. Dani's eyes widened as she surveyed the place before her. The driveway curved through white gates and circled in front of the main house which boasted three stories and four white columns holding up the second floor balconies. Paned, white-trimmed windows broke up the brick that covered the exterior. Obviously, this mansion was large enough for several families to live in. Once again, the fear that Miguel might be here crept up on Dani.
The party of people stepped out from the limousine and entered through open double doors where Vanessa stood greeting the guests. She looked young yet elegant in a white cotton halter dress and flats, her mass of red hair tied in back with a satin ribbon. A large emerald solitaire hung from her neck, reflecting the sparkle in her eyes.
Upon entering the house, Dani stood spellbound. The entryway boasted a vaulted ceiling from which hung a chandelier that sparkled brilliantly upon the white marble floor. A grand staircase curved up countless steps to the second floor with a hallway to the left of that. At the far left was an enormous living room with several sets of French doors leading out onto the veranda facing the ocean. Already there were a hundred people milling around both inside and out.
Traycee whistled softly and exclaimed Dani's own thoughts. "Quite a 'house'!"
After greeting her other guests, Vanessa walked hurriedly up to Dani and Traycee, a smile playing on her full lips.
"Dani," she exclaimed, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. "I'm so happy you came." She smiled a hello to Traycee before looking again at Dani. "You should have told me yesterday who you are," she continued, pouting a little like the child she had once been. "I knew you looked familiar, and last night when I mentioned your name to Daddy, he told me. I'm just so thrilled to see you again." Vanessa continued squeezing Dani's hand as Traycee shot Dani a puzzled glance.
It took a moment for the news to settle on Dani. The word 'Daddy' had thrown her the most.
"Your father is here?"
"Oh, yes, of course. He's the one who has been putting on these parties for years. He's around here somewhere; do you want me to find him?"
That was the last thing Dani wanted. "No, no, don't bother" she answered quickly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself. I didn't know if you'd remember me."
"Remember you?" Vanessa looked shocked. "How could I forget you? We had so much fun together back then. I can hardly wait to spend some time with you, catching up." She looked over Dani's shoulder at the approaching guests and sighed. "As soon as I've done all my corporate duties, I'll search you out. And I can't wait for you to meet my husband, Matthew, and our daughter, Michelle. She's upstairs taking a nap now. As soon as she wakes up, I'll bring her down."
"I'd love to see her," Dani said smiling back at Vanessa. "I bet she's as beautiful as her mother."
Vanessa reached out and hugged Dani. "I'm so happy you're here."
"Me, too," Dani told her. And she truly meant it.
Traycee and Dani wandered through the party awhile before Traycee spotted her advertising friend and went down to the beach. Left alone on the veranda, Dani was thankful that Traycee didn't prod her with questions over Vanessa's sudden familiarity. Traycee was proving to be more mature than Dani had originally given her credit for.
The party was unlike any Dani had ever attended. On the beach were several carts, like street vendors, offering free hot dogs, pretzels and tacos along with soft drinks and beer. On the veranda, which surrounded the entire back of the house, sat a large table with an endless supply of food, and two bars were open for anyone wanting stronger refreshment.
The aroma of the food was too tempting for Dani to pass up so she filled a plate with several different hors d'oeuvres, two steaming butterfly shrimp and a piece of French bread that was still warm from the oven. Aware she could run into Miguel at any moment, she assessed the crowd before choosing to sit at one of the tables on the veranda. At least, she thought, she was prepared with the knowledge that Miguel was here. It wouldn't be as much of a shock as it had been at Cathy's apartment. But she did wonder how she'd react when she saw him again.
"Vanessa told me you were here, but I could hardly believe it." A voice came from behind Dani and she turned to see her old friend standing there.
"Cathy! What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question," Cathy said, laughing at her friend's surprised look. "But I already know the answer." Cathy sat opposite Dani in a brown wicker chair covered with a plump pastel cushion. Her apricot silk blouse made her skin glow with color. "Why didn't you tell me you were buying coats this season? I had to find that out from Vanessa, too."
"I guess I've been too busy to keep in touch," Dani replied. "Coat buying fell into my lap at the last minute. But what about you? Why aren't you in Chicago?"
"Michael invited me to come. He said he could use extra help supervising the party." Cathy smiled, putting both hands palms up in the air. "How could I refuse such a tempting offer?" she asked, laughing.
A worried frown spread over Dani's face. "I thought you and Michael split up."
"Oh, we have, but we're still good friends. Actually, I think we were better as friends than as a couple anyway." Cathy's eyes sparkled as she continued. "As a matter of fact, I've been seeing one of the men in the Accounting Department at Regal back home." She laughed again. "Imagine me, with an accountant! But we have a great time together."
Dani couldn't help but laugh along with her and the two settled in to catch up with each other's lives since they'd last talked. Between the warm summer air cooled by the salty ocean breeze and Cathy's company, Dani began to relax and enjoy herself.
Vanessa's husband Matthew came along while the two women were visiting and introduced himself to Dani. He seemed very pleasant and easy-going and Dani liked him right away. He also liked to joke about his position at Regal. "I'm only the head of the Advertising Department," he told her with a twinkle in his brown eyes. "So I work for the 'big boss' like everyone else."
"The big boss?" Dani questioned, assuming he meant his father-in-law.
"Vanessa, of course," he said. "And what a tyrant she can be!"
Dani laughed at the picture of Vanessa as a difficult boss and the other two joined in with her laughter.
The time passed swiftly and soon Matthew excused himself to make the rounds. Cathy also needed to go and check on the preparations in the kitchen. Dani followed her toward the kitchen and asked where the nearest bathroom was where she could freshen up.
"Down the hall by the staircase, first door on the left," Cathy instructed her.
Dani followed her directions down the oak paneled hallway and opened the first door she came to on the left. As she entered the room, she realized she had not found the bathroom but an office instead, and began backing out when something caught her eye, drawing her further inside.
The room was paneled in oak like the hallway and finished in the same hunter green as the conference room at Regal's and over the gleaming oak desk hung a full length portrait of Vanessa. She wore a velvet, emerald green off-the-shoulder gown, which made her eyes of the same color shine brilliantly. Her mane of auburn hair tumbled over her bare shoulders. The intensity of the portrait's colors were so stunning and lifelike that Dani could only stare, mesmerized. It was obvious it had been done recently because it looked exactly as she looked now.
Taking her eyes away from the portrait, Dani slowly assessed the room around her. The desk, under the portrait, was strewn with papers as though someone had recently been working there. The wall to the left was floor-to-ceiling bookcases, filled completely, and to the right were heavy drapes drawn closed against the sunshine. On the table behind the desk sat several smaller photographs of Vanessa as a child, her wedding day, and another of a baby girl who Dani guessed to be Michelle. In another glass-encased frame were military metals, a Purple Heart and various lapel pins. Upon seeing these, Dani realized that this was Miguel's room, his home office.
She turned to leave, fearing she might run into him, when once again something caught her eye. The closet door to the right of the desk was slightly ajar, revealing a poster hanging on it. She stepped up and opened the door wider, seeing what she had suspected was there. On the poster-sized picture stood a very young Miguel in camouflage clothing, flanked on both sides by two Army buddies. All three men were holding their weapons in front of them with the dense Vietnam jungle in the background.
Dani remembered the poster from Miguel's small apartment, then too hanging on the inside of a closet door. The photo had been taken by a fellow soldier the last day of his tour before he was shipped home. One week later, Billy, one of the men standing beside Miguel, had been killed. The other man became missing in action several weeks later. When Miguel returned home to the states, the man who had taken the picture sent him this poster-sized version of it.
Dani's heart ached as she remembered the Miguel from the past. How his eyes would mist as he spoke of Billy's death in Vietnam. The nightmares that he awoke from screaming. The pain of almost losing his leg when he'd stepped on a land mine. Those things, along with his tenderness toward Vanessa, were what had drawn Dani to Miguel. He'd been so human, so warm and caring.
Lost in time, unaware of all around her, Dani's hand instinctively reached up to touch the photograph of the man she had once loved so dearly.
"Some things are hard to let go of." A deep voice brought Dani out of her trance with a start. She knew before looking who was in the room with her. Turning, she faced Miguel standing only inches behind her.
Startled and embarrassed to be found in his private room, Dani said the first words that came to her. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was looking for the bathroom and accidentally came in here." Dani hesitated a moment. "When I saw Vanessa's portrait, I couldn't help but come in for a closer look."
Michael only smiled at her and then turned toward the portrait. "It's beautiful, isn't it? I had it done right before Vanessa married. I guess I wanted to capture her youth and innocence forever."
Dani studied Miguel as he stood admiring the portrait. Dressed casually in jeans and a red polo shirt, he looked much like the Miguel she had met years ago. His face had that tender look, the one he always wore when speaking of his daughter and Dani couldn't help but soften towards him. He glanced over at her and she was once again embarrassed to be caught staring at him. Quickly, she changed the subject by turning back to the poster.
"I see you still have this." He was so near, she caught the scent of his cologne. She forced herself from basking in it.
"Yes," he answered quietly. "I've thought about putting it away from time to time, but I never have the heart to."
"It's a part of your past," she told him, still staring at the poster, not trusting herself to look into his eyes. "An important part. I don't think anyone expects you to give it up entirely." She wanted to ask him if he
still had nightmares and if his leg still ached at times, but then she reminded herself that it wasn't her business anymore. She wasn't suppose to care, she reminded herself harshly.
"You always did understand about that part of my life," he said tenderly. "More than anyone I've ever known."
Dani turned and faced him. He was too close. His eyes showed the tenderness that his voice conveyed. She walked to the side of the room in front of the draperies to escape his nearness. How dare he make me care about him again, even for a moment, she thought angrily to herself. He still had the power with only a look to reach her soul.
Tartly she said, "Obviously I didn't know as much as I'd thought." She spread her arms wide. "All this comes as quite a surprise."
Michael walked over to the drapes, standing near her again. He pushed aside one heavy drape and the room filled with sunshine. The view of the beach and the ocean beyond was spectacular.
"I tried running away from 'all this'," he told her. "My grandfather started the business when he came over from Portugal and my father continued in his footsteps. I was being groomed to take over when I went out to Berkeley for college. But once I'd escaped to California, and away from the family, I didn't want to come back." He sighed and Dani looked at his profile as his eyes searched the ocean beyond.
"So you left it all behind?"
"For a few years. I married Diane while in college and we had Vanessa right away. Two years into college I was drafted for Vietnam, which really pissed my father off. He wanted to try and get me out of serving, but I insisted on going. When I came back and Diane left me, I still couldn't bear coming back here. So I stayed in California all those years and, well, you know the rest."
Memories Page 4