Who gives a shit? thought Val. But she pretended to like the plans.
“I have to ask you a favor. When you see Nicky, say hello for me.”
“Don’t go upsetting yourself.”
“I’m not. Honestly, I’m fine. But I am serious. Please say hello.”
“If that’s what you want, okay.”
“Thanks a million.”
“How’s Didi?”
“She’s wonderful fun. I haven’t laughed so much in ages.”
“Give her my love, and tell her to keep her hands to herself.”
“Really, Karen, don’t talk like that.”
It was as if she had read Val’s thoughts. The difference was Val had no intention of telling Didi to keep her hands to herself.
“Princess, you take care. By the by, did you find a box on the dresser in the bedroom?”
“What box?”
“Go in the bedroom and look on the dresser.”
Val put down the phone walked into the bedroom and sure enough, there on the dresser she saw a box. Val knew immediately it was from Tiffany’s. She picked up the phone near the bed and opened the box.
“Oh my goodness. What have you done now?”
“Well do you like them?”
Val stared at a pair of earrings with two enormous blue star sapphires surrounded by diamonds.
“I think they’ll match the color of your eyes. And after all, you are my star. I wasn’t sure if you had pierced ears or not, so I bought clip-ons. They can be changed if you want.”
“You never cease to amaze me. I always seem to run out of words. Thank you isn’t enough. You really shouldn’t have.”
“But you’re glad I did.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. They’re so beautiful. I’ll be scared to wear them.”
“Don’t be foolish. You wear them and enjoy them. Now try to get some rest. I’ll talk to you soon. Take good care of yourself, and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do with me.”
“Don’t be silly. You make me blush when you speak like that. Karen, I hope my mother isn’t going to be too much of a burden to you. I should wish you a good trip, but I can’t help wishing I was going too.”
“We’ll probably return Sunday night, so I’ll be in the city Monday morning. You won’t even know I’ve been gone. Did Dr. Anderson’s assistant show?”
“He’s like an old friend already.”
“How do you feel?”
“Great, luv. I have enough energy for the whole cast, and I promise to only take two yellows at night.”
“Is Reagle treating you well?”
“It’s all sort of falling into place. I’m a bit worried about my big song. It has a large range, but they don’t seem to be worried. I hate the leading man and he hates me, and that twerp Danny is really getting on my nerves. But on the whole, it’s better than I thought. I’m kind of glad they cut my part to the extent they did. At least I keep telling myself that.”
“Keep thinking that way. Sweet dreams, princess. By the way, good news. The police announced that the coroner didn’t find any foul play connected with Peter’s death. They now consider the whole incident an accidental overdose. Case closed. See, I told you it was nothing. Good night, precious. Sleep well.”
Val walked back into the sitting room holding the Tiffany box. Glen was lighting another J.
“Perfect timing, darling. What did you get? A new bijou?”
He took the box from her and opened it.
“My, my, it looks like the lady has some kind of serious hang-up, I must say.”
“Aren’t they something?”
“Karen is always a tough act to follow.”
“Does she buy these kinds of gifts very often?”
“I wouldn’t say often.”
They all laughed. Val felt a little embarrassed. “Don’t be silly. Karen is my best friend, that’s all.”
Didi piped in. “Aren’t you going to try them on?”
“I feel funny. I mean, I’ve never owned anything quite like these. My grandmother wore things like this.”
“They are a tad formal. You must wear them like you’ve had them for years.”
Val sounded like Tallulah as she gingerly took the earrings and placed them on her ears.
“I know. It’s all attitude darling.”
She pulled her hair back and went to the mirror. Karen had been right; they did match her eyes. They were gorgeous.
“I don’t have a thing to wear with them.”
Glen took them, put them on, and swished around the room. “Darling, something like this goes with everything.”
He put the earrings back in their box and the gift was over. They all puffed away. Didi amused them with stories about her travels in Europe.
“London was great fun. Everyone was doing downs there. Paris was hash. I didn’t do much coke—only when I met some Americans in the South of France. Greece was hash again, washed down with delicious Domestica wine that tasted like resin and cost about two dollars a bottle. I’m glad to be home. Back in the good old USA where grass and downs are popular.”
It seemed to Val that Didi’s travels centered around the drug scene in every country she visited. It was amazing how well she looked considering her stories. Val was still such a novice when it came to the drugs Didi had mentioned. She remembered her yellows. It was getting late and she wasn’t tired. She knew she had to get some sleep. She excused herself, went to the bathroom, and took her ration. She returned to find Kevin and Glen ready to leave. Glen bowed and kissed her hand like a southern gentleman.
“Sugar, the time to say good night is upon us or we won’t have any night left to make good.”
The two of them blew kisses as they made their exit.
Val busied herself picking up glasses.
“Well that was a fun evening. Kevin’s very nice isn’t he?”
“Come here.” Didi gestured to the seat next to her. Val joined her on the couch. “Kiss me.”
It was like Svengali directing a scene. Val leaned over and their lips touched. She started to move away, but Didi moved with her so their lips stayed intact. Tongues began flashing in and out of mouths. Didi stood up and led them into the bedroom. They undressed without trying. It just happened. There they were. It was as if they had known each other for years. Val lay across the bed and Didi was on her knees between her legs looking down at her. Val looked up and smiled. It looked like Didi still had her bikini on. The bottom half at least. The narrow strip of white across her thighs, and the patch of black hair growing into a perfect triangle, were the only contrasts to her perfectly tanned body. She must have gone topless all summer. Her small breasts stood up proudly, and Val felt compelled to touch them. She reached up and softly etched the shape with her fingers.
“Your skin is like satin.”
“And you are like the white alabaster marble, found only in Volterra.”
They didn’t say much more to each other. Didi’s mouth was busy exploring parts Val didn’t know existed. It went on and on. When she thought she couldn’t feel any better, Didi managed to take her to heights unknown. There was a gentleness about their lovemaking. They took time discovering each other’s pleasures. Didi smelled delicious and tasted even better. They must have fallen asleep making love.
The wake-up call penetrated Val’s mind. She groggily reached for the phone and felt Didi’s body next to her.
“Good morning, Miss Rhodes. It’s nine-thirty.”
“Thank you. Could you call me back in a half hour and would you be a darling and order two continental breakfasts to be delivered at ten. I need the extra half hour. So would you be a darling?”
“Anything for you, Miss Rhodes.”
“Thanks so much.”
She let her body down on top of Didi and started kissing her. She smiled still half-asleep. Val continued kissing her all over. She loved to touch her. To taste her. To see her writhe and relax, to always want more, and yet be satisfied.
What a shame she had to go to rehearsal. Thank God she’d had a noon call. She wanted to stay right there in bed, all day.
The phone rang with her second wake-up call, and the doorbell rang with room service. The outside world intruded on her magical space. She wondered if she looked different. Would the waiter know just by looking at her that she was in heaven? He didn’t seem to.
She sipped her coffee and watched Didi sleep. She didn’t want to wake her and went to take a shower. Once covered in lather, she couldn’t help but touch herself until she came. She dried off, then slid back under the sheet and gently kissed Didi’s shoulder.
“Breakfast is served. Do you want it in bed?”
“No. I want you in bed.”
Val’s heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t just her; they both felt the same way.
“One of us has to be strong. If I come back to bed, the world will not see Valerie Rhodes today.”
“Fuck the world, I want to get off!”
“Me too!”
Val jumped back into bed.
CHAPTER 31
Feeling High, Fearing Low
She made it to the theater on time feeling absolutely fabulous. She saw Kevin and Glen. They were warm and friendly and didn’t make any cracks or ask any questions. She loved them for that. Kevin showed her a press release he planned to send out about her. She loved that too.
In fact to be honest, she loved everything. All the cuts in her part that had upset her were welcomed. All she wanted to do was to get back to the hotel and Didi. Before leaving, she’d suggested that Didi not answer the phone. Didi agreed, quite satisfied to watch the tube for the day as she still had jet lag. Usually Val went to her dressing room between numbers, but that day she stood in the wings and watched. The kids from Karen’s party didn’t seem such a threat to her anymore. When a dancer named Rudy introduced himself, saying he knew Nicky, she didn’t feel at all anxious.
“I was out on the coast for a couple of years. Nothing broke for me. TV wasn’t my bag. I’m happy to be back in New York and love being a gypsy. I can always do an Ed Sullivan for extra bread, or work on a soap if I’m lucky.”
She listened to this small talk, happy just to kill time. She cabbed it back to the hotel with Glen and Kevin. It seemed that dynamic duo were already inseparable. Walking through the lobby, Glen asked what was happening later.
“I’m not sure.”
“Check with us if you feel like company or anything.”
“Will do. And thanks you two, for everything.”
The elevator doors hadn’t even closed and she was already halfway down the hall. She swore when her key didn’t open the door right away.
“Fuck.”
“Who’s there?”
Just the sound of Didi’s voice made her stomach flip.
“You only get one guess.”
The door opened immediately. Before they were inside, they were kissing like two lovers who hadn’t seen each other for years.
“This has to go on record as the longest day of my life. I never thought it would end. I feel like running around the room. There’s so much I have to say.”
Didi sat on the couch amused, watching Val dance around the room.
“Calm down. Calm down.”
“I can’t. I feel so high.”
Didi caught her and kissed her passionately. Val felt weak at her knees.
Didi poured them some wine.
“And what about you? Did the divine Didi have a divine day?”
Didi flopped into the armchair. “Comme ci comme ca. The woman on Let’s Make A Deal chose the wrong door and that sort of depressed me until the Newlyweds came on and made such fools of themselves.”
Val walked over to the armchair and fell to her knees. “I, on the other hand, have been able to think of nothing but you.”
Didi gently stroked Val’s hair. “I should hope so. Listen beautiful, I hate to bring us down, but your phone did ring a couple of times. I think you should check your messages.”
“I don’t want to know who called.”
“I think it was Karen.”
“Why would she call when she knows I had to be at the theater?”
“Maybe just a friendly check. I had a message from her when I checked my room. You know she’s going to be mad as hell if she finds out what’s going on between us.”
“Why? I hate all these complications.”
“Our Karen tends to be very possessive,” Didi answered.
“I really like Karen, and I wouldn’t be here now without her. She’s been a terrific friend. But you! Oh Didi, I don’t know what you’ve done to me. All I know is I can’t get enough of you.”
“Did Glen say anything?”
“No, nothing. I was surprised. He never mentioned your name once.”
“He’s smart, our Glen. That’s why I adore him. He can’t talk about something he doesn’t know about. I have every right to be in Boston, don’t I?”
“Of course you do.”
Their whole conversation made them realize they were entering the, If we continue this it could mean trouble, phase.
CHAPTER 32
Let the Games Begin
Karen and Mrs. Rhodes landed in L.A. after a comfortable flight. Mrs. Rhodes had watched a movie most of the time, thrilled with it all. This was how she liked to travel: first class all the way. Karen had taken care of everything. They checked into the Beverly Hills Hotel, and she was shown to one of the exclusive bungalows scattered throughout the grounds.
She leisurely unpacked her new outfits and shoes. Karen had told the saleslady at Bonwit’s to charge up to two thousand dollars to her account. She’d had a glorious time shopping. She was going to wear the gold-brocade cocktail suit to dinner that evening. Her Givenchy-style gown, which reminded her of Audrey Hepburn in Charade the moment she saw it, was perfect for the Première. The only fly in the ointment was something about Karen that made her feel uncomfortable, it was as if she had to get her permission to do anything, even speak to her own daughter. She decided right then and there to put a call through to Val. It was around eleven Boston time, and knowing her daughter she knew she’d still be up.
“Hello, Valerie, its Mummy.”
“Mummy, what a wonderful surprise,” It was. Val was thrilled to hear her mother’s voice and not Karen’s.
“How was the trip? How’s the hotel, and how’s Karen?”
“Let me get a word in edgewise. The trip was fine, and the hotel is absolutely magnificent. I’m in one of those private cottages where Elizabeth Taylor stayed with Eddie Fisher, or one of her husbands. Karen is, well what can I say, she’s charming and generous and seems to be for you one hundred percent. But…”
Val interrupted her. “And what are you doing tonight?”
“We’re meeting a couple of your West Coast agents for drinks in the Polo Lounge. Then dinner somewhere else. I must say I’m very excited and I have the most beautiful gown for…”
She stopped and changed the subject. “And you, my pet, are you working hard?”
“You know how it is. But everything’s fine. I can’t believe we start previews next week. It seems impossible that they’ll be able to pull the whole show together by then. You’re going to love Lydia Lopez.”
“Are they treating you well?”
“You don’t have a thing to worry about, honestly Mummy. I’m happy and healthy and full of the devil.”
“You do sound good. I miss you terribly. I don’t think we’ve ever been apart for this long a stretch. Ever.”
“I know and I miss you. I wish I could be there with you for the…”
Now Val paused. Neither of them wanted to say the word Première.
“Mummy, if or when you see Nicky, say hello. If anything he made me grow up.”
“You didn’t need to learn about growing up from him. I’m afraid I’ll find it very difficult to be in his presence at all. But you know me well enough to know I’m not about to do anything to jeopardize you or your
career.”
“I know.”
Val had heard enough.
“Have fun, Mummy. Give my love to Karen. Oh and a big kiss to Herby and Shelly. They were so nice to me in Italy. I’m going to try to get some sleep now.”
“That’s the idea my pet. You need a lot of rest; you always did. Why don’t you put a do not disturb on your phone?”
“That’s a good idea. I’m going to do that right now. Talk to you soon, Mummy.”
“Good night, and God bless.”
“God bless you. Good night, Mummy.”
Val rang off happier than she’d been in ages and turned to Didi.
“I’m calling the desk to tell them not to let any calls through till tomorrow’s wake-up. That was my mother’s idea; isn’t she brilliant?”
She did just that and they fell back into each other’s arms, making the most of the time that was theirs alone.
Karen had tried to call Val and was told the line was busy. When she’d tried a second time she’d been told there was a DND on that number. Furious, she’d tried Glen and Deidra Grayson’s suite, but again no answer.
“Would you like to leave a message, Madame?”
“Just say Karen called and will call back tomorrow.”
She got off the phone and did two lines of coke before calling Mrs. Rhodes .
“How’s it coming Mrs. Rhodes?”
“Karen dear, I do think we can cut a few of the formalities at this point. I told you before, please call me Anne.”
“Okay, Anne. I’ll try. I thought I’d come to your bungalow now, and we can go to the Polo Lounge together.”
“Terrific. I’m ready.”
They made a stunning entrance into the dimly lit, crowded bar. Herby shot up to greet them and introduced his wife Linda and a gorgeous starlet named Sharon Templer, Shelly’s date for the evening. It struck Anne as quite amusing that most of the men from the agency had names ending in Y, like Murray, Shelly, Herby, Stanley, and they all tried so hard to look young. They wore open-neck shirts with too much jewelry and had hair that looked like it wouldn’t move if a ton of bricks dropped on them.
Murder! Hollywood Style Page 15