Nola insisted she needed to see Connie at least one more time before she left Cincinnati, as who knew when she would return and Nola certainly was not going to Utah.
How unfortunate for Connie, thought Julio sarcastically and restrained himself from actually saying it aloud. He grimaced behind Nola’s back as Connie agreed they would love to come back if they had time. She asked Nola to remind Martin to come to the reunion, as it would help her to see a familiar face.
“I’ll tell him you said that. I know he’s always cherished your friendship.”
Julio climbed behind the wheel, a mocking sneer on his lips. “We had such fun being pregnant together. Truth be told, I bet Mom couldn’t stand Nola. What a supercilious, sanctimonious sycophant.”
“Wow,” said Connie. “How long have you been waiting to make that alliterative comment?”
“Ever since she practically closed the door on my face when we entered.”
Chapter 9
September 20, 1964
“Beth, it’s me.”
“And does this me have a name?”
“What kind of a question is that?” he asked angrily.
“It’s a fair question since I know a lot of people who call themselves me. It’s egocentric to assume there is only one man in my life. Judging by the giant ego, I would assume this is the infamous Dr. Harriman.”
“Beth, you are one super bitch. Why haven’t you called me? It’s been three weeks since our last get-together.”
“That’s right. I told you I’d call you when I was ready to see you.”
“Quit busting my balls. Don’t you want to see me?”
“I don’t think it’s a productive use of my time to spend it on a man who doesn’t intend to leave his wife,” she said.
“Okay, we’ve been through this many times. I think we need to talk in person. Why don’t we meet at the same place and then we can go shopping at that jewelry store afterwards for something that will make your time worthwhile.”
“That’s tempting since I need a trinket for an event I’m attending on Saturday at your snooty country club. Are you and your left-wing, commie, do-gooder wife going?”
“Well, yes, since I’m the club Chairman. Are you going with that fat, bald, nearly-dead dentist who’s been parading you around?”
“Yes, but you left out the adjective generous, and while he may be nearly dead, he rises to the occasion on a consistent basis. I like his drugs and it makes our sessions quite painless. Now, I’m very busy and when I can see you, I’ll call you.” She clicked off the phone.
“Damn that woman. Who does she think she is?” he muttered as he threw a cigarette lighter at the wall. He then pressed the intercom and asked if his three-thirty appointment was here yet.
“Yes. Doctor. She is waiting for you. I’ll send her in.”
He quickly looked at his notes on the incoming patient. He was pleased to see it was Ms. Barbara Palmer, late thirties with relationship problems. He remembered her as quite attractive, but a little too passive for his taste. His personal preference these days leaned toward the bold, brassy and buxom, and as he thought about Beth, he felt stirring in his groin. Well, maybe Ms. Palmer will help take my mind off Beth, he thought with a smug smile.
He stood up to greet her as she walked into his office. “Hello, Ms. Palmer. It’s good to see you. You look lovely. How are you feeling today?”
She slumped down on his black leather sofa and began sobbing.
He walked over to her and sat down. He put his arm around her and massaged her shoulder in sensuous circles while she cried. His hand eventually left her shoulder to stroke her right breast. She pretended indifference, but her heavy breathing said otherwise.
He pulled her to him. “I can’t help myself. I find you so attractive, I’ve been thinking about you since our last session. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. You are so beautiful I can’t get you out of my mind. I’ve been making love to you in my dreams.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her gently.
His hand moved slowly down to her thigh. Under her skirt she wore silk stockings attached to a royal blue garter belt. He unfastened the stockings and quickly pulled them off. Erotic thoughts of Beth rushed through his mind, and his passion increased.
Barbara moaned with pleasure and pulled the doctor on top of her. It seemed like she was quenching a long overdue thirst.
In the heat of the moment, Dr. Harriman remembered the door to his office was unlocked. However, the risk of discovery only increased his hardness and heated desire.
“You’re so beautiful and your body is magnificent,” he said as his hands roamed eagerly over her slim but shapely frame. He undressed her, stroked her to a final high before dropping his pants. They eagerly made love on the couch, and when they finished, he looked at his watch.
“We’ve got a few more minutes before my next patient. Why don’t you tell me why you were so upset when you walked in today, or we can just talk about it when I see you again?”
When she did not respond, he told her to use his private bathroom to comb her hair and freshen her makeup. She returned shortly and nodded at the doctor before going to the reception desk and making another appointment.
With that, he pulled out a file from his desk drawer and started to review it for his next patient.
Chapter 10
Friday—September 5, 1986
Connie woke up in their comfortable hotel suite feeling good, until she remembered where she was and that it was Friday. Tonight was the reunion party at the old boathouse. It was all she could do to keep from taking a sleeping pill, pulling the blanket over her head, and curling up in a ball until her flight back to Utah.
Connie feared prying questions and being an object of curiosity. She really did not want to go but somehow felt she had to do this to get on with her life. At least she would have Julio by her side. He probably wouldn’t know anybody, but he was a good conversationalist and the best dancer Connie knew.
She got up and went into the living room of their suite to make coffee. Julio eventually walked out of his bedroom, rubbing his eyes and sleepily asked what time it was.
“It’s almost eleven and Nola called. We’re meeting her for lunch.”
“What the hell?” Julio screamed.
“Just kidding. I knew that would wake you up. Now hurry and shower. We’ve missed breakfast so let’s go to the Montgomery Rib House for lunch.”
“Is this another gastro-intestinal grenade like the chili yesterday?”
“No, and you’ll love it. Mom and Dad used to take us there, but you don’t remember. It’s funny how I’m starting to remember little things about our childhood. I have this memory of going out with you during your Superman obsession. You had a pair of Superman pajamas and you wore them every day with boots. You would not take them off. We had no choice but to take you out dressed like that. One time we went to the Montgomery Rib House and the waitress put bibs on us so the barbecue sauce wouldn’t stain our clothes. When she got to you, you put your head down on the table and covered it with your arms. You wouldn’t budge. You said bibs are for babies and Superman wouldn’t wear one. We indulged you in your little temper tantrum and let you eat ribs without a bib.
“That night Mom and I had to get you out of your barbecue sauce soaked pajamas so we could wash them. You were on the floor with your little fists flying in the air like a maniac. Somehow, we finally got them off and in the middle of your tantrum, you conked out. Even in your sleep, your fists lashed out. I guess you were still fighting us off. You were something, my little Julio.”
Chapter 11
The roads were still familiar to Connie and she knew her way to the boat club on the little Miami River. They parked the car and for several minutes listened to the music and talking from inside the old weathered building. Connie put her arm through Julio’s, her heart beating so hard she thought she would hyperventilate.
As they entered the building, a woman named Jody walked out and said,
“Wait a minute. I know you, but who are….oh…my…gosh, I can’t believe it. Connie Harriman!” She threw her arms around Connie and hugged her as if she were her long lost sister.
“Jody, it’s wonderful to see you. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Well, it’s the same old me, plus thirty pounds and a face full of wrinkles. Hi. She gazed up at Julio. “Are you Connie’s husband?”
“No, Jody. Remember my little brother Julio?”
Her mouth rounded in surprise. “I can’t believe it. This handsome stud is the little pest we used to kick out of your room all the time. You hit me in the butt with your slingshot once and then ran away, laughing your butt off.”
“Sorry about that, Jody. I’ve learned some manners since then.”
“Come on in, you two. Everyone will be so excited to see you.”
“Jody, lead us to the bar first. I’m losing my courage.”
“How about you two go find a table for us and I’ll get the drinks, okay?”
“Sounds good to me,” Connie said. “Make mine a gin fizz.”
“That takes me back. I’ll have the same,” said Jody.
Laughing, they found a table and sat down, while Julio left them to fill their drink orders. Connie immediately recognized Martin sitting at the bar. He hadn’t changed a lot; still slight, blonde and uninspiring. Martin always looked like he could use a good meal and a gym membership. She waved him over and gave him a big hug. “We missed you the other day at your mom’s house.”
“Yeah, I felt bad about that,” he said, taking a seat. “I was out. It’s tough living at home with your mother. That woman wants to know my every move. I’m living above the garage, but it might as well be in the same bedroom. She shows up in my room every other minute with some excuse to see what I’m doing.”
“Hey, man, that’s got to be tough,” Julio said.
“You have no idea.”
Within minutes, people gathered around their table hugging, crying, laughing and squealing. Connie realized she was actually having fun and enjoyed seeing everyone. People were gracious and didn’t say much about what had happened to her family. When they did, she quickly steered them onto another subject. Her closest friends talked lovingly about her parents. The reminiscing, although heartwarming, made her sad and teary.
There were a few people brave or inebriated enough to ask if the police ever solved the murder case or if she knew anything about her old boyfriend. Connie told them the case had never been solved, and that she had never heard from Andrew once she left Cincinnati.
As the night went on and she and Julio separated, she found herself looking around for him. Always gregarious and popular, she finally spotted him chatting in the corner with several girls. He looked so self-assured and relaxed, a real social animal.
Throughout the night, she thought she heard a few whispers about the girl whose parents were murdered. ‘Remember her?’ Then she decided she was probably just being paranoid, as everyone she talked to made her feel welcome.
The DJ played music from the sixties. Martin asked Connie to slow dance and put his arms around her, pulling her close. They’d always had a platonic relationship and this romantic gesture made her uncomfortable. Connie tried joking with him and pulling away, but he just kept pulling her tighter to him.
She was relieved when the music ended and she walked them both over to a large group of people. He made no attempt at conversation. When people around her squeezed him out, he just stood aside and stared at her. He showed no interest in anyone except her, not even Julio, who couldn’t have cared less. Julio spent the night talking and dancing with a petite strawberry blonde who turned out to be Lily from the other night at the tavern.
Connie walked over to say hello. “Hey, Lily, so nice to see you again.”
She smiled back, saying she had decided to come since the Friday night mixer was open to all classes from Tilden Park High. Connie wondered if Julio had asked her to come. It wouldn’t surprise her, as he was happiest when he had a pretty girl in his arms.
Connie returned to a group of friends and spent the rest of the evening actively avoiding Martin. She could see out of the corner of her eye that he followed her everywhere with a cold blank stare.
By the time the night was over, Connie had talked to almost everyone in the room. She had broken the ice and felt a personal victory for having finally faced this ordeal and gotten through it with flying colors. She finally felt like the homecoming queen Nola had said she would have been.
Chapter 12
Saturday—September 6, 1986
That morning, Connie found herself looking forward to the formal affair that night. She and Julio lazed around for most of the day, watching some old movies on television, doing some light reading and napping whenever they felt like it. They enjoyed each other’s company and snacked on junk food without feeling the need to do anything useful.
Around five that afternoon, Connie decided to take a long, hot, leisurely bubble bath. The Inn’s bathrooms were old, and each one had a lovely large claw-footed tub accompanied by various sundries for the bath and body. The tub was deep enough for her to submerge under a glittering blanket of rainbow colored bubbles.
Rinsing off the skin-softening bath gel, she lathered herself in a body lotion that matched her perfume. Relaxed, refreshed and feeling adequately self-pampered, she removed the new couture dress from her closet, bought expressly for this evening. The sea foam green chiffon, cut on the bias, accentuated her slim athletic figure.
She had been determined to do everything to make this trip a success. Although the dress had been a budget buster, she’d splurged again on a pearl necklace by rationalizing that it would go with everything. Fortunately, the slim silver clutch bag and four-inch heels had been on sale.
Her shopping spree included make-up from one of the counters at Saks Fifth Avenue. Normally, she never used more than lipstick and mascara, so the sales clerk demonstrated how the new products would enhance her natural beauty. She even suggested a fashionable hairdo for the special occasion.
After her very elaborate prep session, Connie felt quite elegant and sophisticated, and announced she was ready for the big event.
Julio, on the other hand, had waited until the last possible minute to dress for the evening. After a quick shower he donned a navy blue, tailor-made suit and Italian silk, blue patterned tie. Lack of effort did nothing to diminish his Cuban good looks. Connie was always amazed at what a handsome man he had grown into. Better looking than most movie stars, it was no wonder he had women falling all over him.
Julio got their car from the parking garage and drove to the front entrance of the Inn, where Connie waited for him. He took one look at her and whistled loudly.
“Hey. You really clean up well. You’re quite the hottie, in fact. Martin will be drooling all over you like a puppy dog.”
“Oh, please, don’t remind me. That was so awkward last night when he asked me to dance. We’re old friends, but we’ve certainly never been romantic. I got this creepy feeling that he was watching me all night.”
“That’s because he was. I think he’s a weirdo, like his mother. They’re both whack-jobs and I think we’ve spent enough time with both of them.”
Connie directed Julio to the old Columbia Parkway, the only way she knew to get downtown. A new freeway had been built that was probably faster and more convenient, but she was going down memory lane and the old Parkway just seemed like the right start to an evening of reminiscing. Within a few short minutes, Julio maneuvered the flashy red sports car into the lot behind the Buckeye Club. Once inside the hallowed old club, they followed signs to the Tilden Park Reunion.
Now that she’d finally arrived, she felt that same jittery anticipation again. Thank heaven for her brother. In spite of the miles separating them in childhood, Connie had tried to watch over him and protect him as much as possible. However, this trip had reversed their roles. He was now the mature and protective brother, and she the p
rotected one. Someday he would be a loving, caring husband and a wonderful father. Now, he was certainly enjoying the opportunity to play the field and date every good-looking girl that took his fancy. With all his attributes, why not?
Suddenly, Connie was shocked to realize how much Julio was like her father. Even though he wasn’t his biological son, they were very similar in their charismatic personas and exceptional good looks.
As soon as they walked into the reunion party, they saw familiar faces from the night before, and Connie relaxed. One of her high school girlfriends, Paulette, grabbed her and pushed her out onto the dance floor. Everyone was doing “The Madison,” an old line-dance from the sixties. Connie had no trouble remembering all the steps. It brought back fond memories of the Friday night dances held after each football game. When the line dance was over, Paulette encouraged several of the women to go up on stage and sing along with the songs the disc jockey was playing.
“Well,” Connie said, “let me get my drink first, then I’ll be up.” She went back to grab her drink and check to see if Julio was holding his own, which of course he was. She joined the girls onstage to do back-up for a non-existent singer near the DJ.
When the DJ took his break and put some slow background music on, Connie went back to find Julio at the bar. He was in an animated conversation with some men she hadn’t seen last night. They turned out to be two of the football players who had been friends with Andrew. They all talked about what a great guy he was and how no one had seen or heard from him.
Connie felt a tap on her shoulder and it was Martin asking her to dance again. She couldn’t think of a nice way to turn him down, but thankfully, the song was a fast one. Besides feeling sorry for him, she always felt she owed him a big favor. When Andrew asked her to the prom, she was afraid to tell her parents, because he was black. Martin offered to take her so she could secretly meet Andrew there. As it turned out, her parents loved Andrew and had no problem with them dating.
Waiting and Watching Page 4