Gates of Paradise

by V. C. Andrews

  "I know who he was, Aunt Fanny. I can't forget him and hate him. He did try to help me in his own way."

  "That place is poison. All them rich people destroy themselves one way or t'other. Not that I don't want ta be rich; it's jist the way those beantown phonies lived, thinkin' they was better'n everyone else. Makes them mad as hatters. I wish ya'd change yer mind 'bout it."

  She complained all day, but she saw I was adamant. Shortly after I spoke with Troy and learned of Tony's death, I phoned Luke. I almost didn't speak when he answered the phone. He sounded so sad and alone. My hand trembled at the sound of his voice, but I closed my eyes and spoke up. As soon as he heard my voice, his voice regained its strength and lightness.

  "I've been trying to write you a letter for days, Luke, but nothing seems right."

  "I know. It's why I haven't spoken to you or written to you myself. But I'm glad you called. I'm trying to keep busy and to keep you out of my thoughts, but it's not easy. I'm so happy to hear your voice, Annie."

  "As I am to hear yours, but I'm not calling with happy news," I said, and told him about Tony's death and Troy's phone call. "Your mother is angry about my going and says she won't go back there. She's hoping I won't want to go myself, but I will. I can get around now with my cane, so traveling is easier."

  "I'll be there that morning to take you to Farthy," Luke replied quickly.

  "Oh, Luke, I knew you would."

  "I love you, Annie. I can't help it. I'll live with it and suffer with it until the day I die."

  "And so will I, Luke." Neither of us spoke for a moment. My throat closed up so tightly anyway, I wasn't sure I would be able to get any more words out. Finally, after a deep sigh, I looked at the painting of him I had done and regained my strength. "Oh, Luke, I painted a picture of you standing in the gazebo."

  "Really? Can I have it to hang in my dormitory room?"

  I wanted it for myself, but I thought that was too selfish a thing to say.

  "Of course."

  "I'll see it when I come to pick you up. Don't worry about anything. I'll handle all the travel arrangements."

  "Thank you, Luke."

  "Annie, it's so hard to deny what I feel for you." "I know. It's been the same for me."

  "I'll see you soon." Both of us had to end the conversation for the same reason. Each word was like a sharp, heavy sword, stinging as it struck us, right through to our hearts.

  Later in the afternoon Drake called. He was surprised I already knew about Tony's death, and even more surprised when I told him I would be at the funeral. He didn't even ask me how I had found out, so I didn't mention Troy at all. He put me off with his cold businessman's tone of voice.

  "Well, if you thought you wanted to come, you should have called me. But it's not too late. I'll make arrangements for you."

  "It's all being done. Luke's coming along, too." "I should have known."

  "Please, Drake. For Tony's sake, for his memory, let's keep peace," I pleaded.

  "You're right. Of course, I'll act dignified. Everyone who's anyone in the business world will be there, I assure you."

  "I didn't mean--"

  "Anyway, you can't imagine what's left to do now. I haven't got the time to waste on Luke. It's fortunate I began here before all this happened. I might as well have been Tony's son, the way people are turning to me. I was going to surprise you with the news, but I might as well tell you now. Before he died, Tony gave me a large percentage of the stock in his corporation." He paused, and then dryly added when I didn't congratulate him quickly enough, "I thought you would be happy to know."

  "I know it's what you want, Drake. I know you're happy."

  He was disappointed with my thoughtful and controlled reaction.

  "Yes. Well, I'll see you at the funeral."

  "Yes, Drake." He seemed more and more a stranger to me.

  Luke was at the house very early the morning of Tony's funeral to take me to the airport. I was dressed and ready when he came to my room. I stood without the cane. For a long moment we stared at each other. Finally, he shifted his eyes to the painting I had done of him.

  "Wow, that is really good."

  "I was hoping you would like it."

  "Like it? I love it. You're a wonderful artist, Annie. People will pay thousands for your paintings, I'm sure. I know I will."

  We stared at each other again. It seemed that whenever one of us finished a sentence, there was sure to be a long pause during which our eyes did the talking. Right now mine were telling him how much I loved and needed him and how much I felt cheated by destiny. His said the same.

  I thought Aunt Fanny would relent and join us, but she had as much of that Casteel stubbornness in her as she said Drake and Luke had. She broke our tormenting silences by coming to the doorway of my bedroom, her hands on her hips, her head thrown back in her characteristic manner.

  "Can't believe ya traveled down here ta take her ta that place, Luke. Ya shouldn't have encouraged it."

  "I would have gone with or without him, Aunt Fanny."

  "Yer motha ran away from that place and that man, Annie."

  "I know." I gazed at one of the pictures of her on my vanity table. It was one of my favorites because in it she was gazing off toward the Willies, one of her few good memories of that life brightening her cornflower-blue eyes. "But she had a way of seeing the rainbows after the rain. I think she would have gone to Tony's funeral, too, Aunt Fanny." I turned back to her, my gaze as sharp and as determined as Mommy's could be. Aunt Fanny saw that.

  "I've got to go for both of us."

  TWENTY-FOUR My Prince, at Last

  . As we started for the airport, I couldn't help imagining what it would have been like for us to be going to a plane that would take us on our honeymoon. What if we defied Fate and defied everyone and ran off to get married? This would have been our most romantic and loving journey. Airline attendants and other passengers would have looked at us snuggled beside each other and smiled to themselves, thinking how wonderful young love could be, how it opened the world and made life dazzling, exciting, hopeful, and warm.

  When I looked into Luke's face now as he helped me into the car taking us to the airport, I couldn't help but think we did belong together. How tragic and quick life could be, I thought. Look at what had happened to my parents; look at the agony Tony had lived through. Why shouldn't we choose happiness?

  During the ride to the airport in Virginia and the Plight itself, I debated whether or not I should tell Luke about the letter I had found in the toy cottage.

  Luke had been very polite, almost formal during the journey so far. I knew he was acting this way in order to build a wall between his feelings and me, but it was a torment for both of us. We quickly ran out of small talk, and every time his eyes met mine, our hearts thumped so hard both our faces became crimson. The passion within us wouldn't be denied. It would be easier to harness the ocean tide or smother the lightning that streaked across the summer sky.

  Because what happened between Troy and Mommy seemed so similar to what was happening between Luke and me, I thought he had a right to know and to understand what they had suffered. Surely it would help him appreciate why Mommy was so fearful about our relationship.

  I began by reminding him of the toy cottage, and then I described my discovery. When I recited some of Troy's words, tears appeared in the corners of his dark sapphire eyes.

  "I can under-Stand his loneliness and why he wanted to drop out of the world and live by himself on the other side of the maze," Luke said. "I feel the same way."

  "No, Luke. You can't deny your life the way he has denied his. You must go on to become a doctor like you dreamed you would and find someone you can love cleanly, wholely, without guilt of any kind. You deserve it."

  "And you?"

  "I'll do the same. . . ."

  "You're not a good liar, Annie. Your blue eyes

  betray you."

  "Well, I'm going to try," I insisted.

  He s
miled that smile of Casteel arrogance,

  Drake's smile, too.

  "Luke Toby Casteel, you don't know

  everything."

  After my reprimand, his face became soft, sad,

  like a little boy's face.

  "I know what I feel in my heart and what you

  feel in yours, and I know what that means." "I'm going to try anyway, and so should you," I

  repeated in a smaller voice. I turned away from him so

  he wouldn't see my tears. Luke dozed on and off for

  the remainder of the trip and I stared out the window

  at the tiny houses and highways below, once again

  wishing we lived in a Tatterton toy world where

  fantasies could come true.

  At the airport in Boston we rented a car and

  began the drive to Farthy. I couldn't help but remember Tony's excitement during my first journey to Farthy after I had been released from the hospital. He was so happy and eager to help me. How could I have ever anticipated what was soon to pass? Perhaps if Mommy had had a chance to tell me more about her

  past, I would have avoided the hardship and turmoil. By the time we arrived at Farthy, the throng of

  mourners were gathered at the front of the house.

  Besides Miles and Curtis and Rye Whiskey, there

  were dozens of Tony's business associates, as well as

  many people who worked for Tatterton Toys. Most

  were fol nially dressed in black and gathered in small

  cliques, greeting one another, shaking hands, kissing

  cheeks and talking softly.

  It was a warm, but overcast fall .day, a perfect

  funeral day, I thought. Everything looked grayer than

  ever, and the bleakness emphasized how rundown

  Farthinggale Manor was. I couldn't help but remember

  the proud way Tony had described it when we had

  first driven out here . . his ancestral home, improved

  and expanded by every succeeding Tatterton heir.

  How ironic it was that he had an heir who would truly

  follow in his footsteps but who had no relationship to

  him at all, for Drake was Luke Casteel's son, the man

  from whom Tony had bought his own daughter. And now, in every sense of the word, he had bought Drake,

  bought himself an heir.

  And Drake had indeed taken charge. He stood

  up front by the hearse, dressed in an ebony-black

  tuxedo. His face was as somber and dark as an

  undertaker's. The people he hired to conduct the

  funeral were quietly checking with him for

  instructions. There were people directing cars and

  handing out small prayer and hymn cards.

  Luke pulled his car into line and I gazed up at

  the main house again, the mystery and excitement of

  the big, old gray-stone building gone, replaced with

  unpleasant memories. The window of what had been

  my room was dark. All the curtains had been drawn,

  the panes becoming mirrors reflecting the dismal,

  cloudy sky.

  The servants came to greet me first. Curtis

  looked shattered, his blue lips trembling; Miles looked

  stunned, his cheeks cold, his eyes distant. Even Rye

  looked very old to me. Bereavement had aged him

  quickly; he and Tony Tatterton had been together for

  so many years.

  Drake approached us soon after, ignoring Luke

  and coming directly to my side of the car.

  "How are you, Annie?"

  "I'm fine, Drake." I was determined to be my

  mother's daughter and keep my dignity and strength. "It will all begin soon." He leaned closer to me.

  "Do you know who is here? Who is alive after all?" "Yes."

  He recoiled with surprise.

  "You do?"

  "If you would have let me talk to you calmly

  instead of accusing me of being ungrateful and

  accusing Luke of terrible things, I would have been

  able to tell you I had met him here and he was the one

  who called Aunt Fanny and told her to come to get

  me."

  "But . . why?"

  "Because he saw what was happening, Drake.

  He knew some of the things you refused to see," I

  said, not attempting to hide my anger.

  Drake glanced at Luke and then turned to me

  again.

  "Well . . I . . . did what I thought was best for

  you, Annie. I'm sorry," he said remorsefully. "Let's put it behind us, Drake, and do what

  we've come here to do," I said firmly.

  "Yes. Of course." One of the undertakers

  signaled him. "I'll talk to you later."

  He went back to the hearse. I looked

  everywhere for Troy but I didn't see him. Where was

  he?

  My question was answered after the line of cars

  pulled away from the house and wound its way to the

  family cemetery. He was already there, saying his

  private good-bye. He came directly to our car as soon

  as we arrived. His dark, melancholy eyes brightened

  when he saw me.

  Now that he was dressed in a black suit and tie,

  was able to see the resemblances between him and

  Tony more clearly. However, where Tony's eyes had

  been bright and excited by his confusion and sadness,

  Troy's were calm.

  "Hello, Annie. Was the trip all right?" "Yes, Troy. Troy, this is Luke."

  "Oh yes." They shook hands. I saw from the

  way they looked into each other's eyes that they liked

  each other instantly, and that warmed my heart. When

  opened my door, they both rushed to help me, but

  Luke got there first. Troy stepped back and watched

  him help me out of the car.

  "Just a cane now. That's good," Troy said when

  Luke handed it to me. "How much of a difference

  tender loving care can make."

  Luke, Troy, and I moved to the front of the

  crowd. I saw how Troy's eyes followed Luke's hand as

  it grasped mine. Troy watched us in a most peculiar

  way, his eyes growing smaller, his face darkening. He

  nodded gently to himself and then turned to hear the

  clergyman's words.

  Drake delivered a short eulogy afterward,

  describing Tony as a pioneer businessman whose

  imagination tapped new markets and created an

  entirely new industry. I was impressed with how

  experienced and knowledgeable he appeared. He

  looked years and years older, and I thought Tony had

  been right about him--he was executive material. The clergyman then asked everyone to sing the

  hymn written on the cards we were all given. During

  the hymn my eyes shifted from Tony's monument to

  my parents' monument. Graveyards have a way of

  making all life's struggles seem simple and meaningless, I thought. All family squabbles die and are

  buried here, too: Jillian's madness, Tony's lusts and

  confused passions, my grandmother Leigh's flight

  from who she was, my mother's frustrated and lost

  love . . . all of it was put to rest. Only those of us who

  remained had to struggle still.

  For a long moment Troy and I looked at each other, and I think he knew I understood why he would want to ride into the ocean that fateful day. He looked from me to Luke and back to me. As soon as the hymn ended and the clergyman said his final words,

  Troy turned to us.

  "Won't the two of you come to my cottage for a

&n
bsp; little something to eat and drink before you start

  back?"

  "I'd like that," Luke replied. I simply nodded. I

  looked for Drake, but he was busy greeting business

  ssociates, shaking hands and discussing actions to be

  taken in the near future. I didn't think he even noticed

  we had left.

  I had the strangest feeling when we drove up to

  the cottage, approaching it on a road off the rear of the

  cemetery. It was as if we had all become miniaturized

  and we were about to enter the toy cottage, become

  citizens of a toy world, a world of magic and makebelieve, the world Luke and I had lived in for so much

  of our lives. Troy, the master creator of the Tatterton

  Toy world was our magician. He would touch us with

  his magic wand and make the ugly and the sad world

  go away.

  Luke loved the cottage and was fascinated with

  all of Troy's new creations, especially the medieval vil- lage. Troy prepared sandwiches and drinks for us, and he and Luke talked about college, Boston, and some of the things he was creating I sat back and listened, happy the two of them were getting along so

  well

  Finally, Troy sat back, a gentle smile on his

  face as he looked from me to Luke.

  "Tell me what your plans are now."

  "Plans? Luke's back in college. He'll go on to

  be a doctor. I supposeIll travel through Europe as my

  parents originally planned for me to do, so I can study

  the Great Masters, and then attend college myself to

  develop my art talent. We'll go our separate ways and

  do what we can to make our lives meaning ful." "I see." He looked away, the smile lifting off

  his face and disappearing like smoke. When he looked

  back at us, his face was full of sorrow and pain again.

  "I must confess that I have brought you here with

  ulterior motives in mind. Believe me when I tell you I

  have agonized for days over these things. The greater

  temptation is to bury the past alongside Tony and Heaven and Logan, and live out my days as I

  am now. . . ghostlike, apart from the real world,

  involved only in my make-believe, my toys. "How safe and secure the make-believe world is. But I have the feeling that is something you two already know, for you have found it to be a safe haven for your true feelings." He looked at us knowingly, and I wondered how someone who had seen and spoken with me only a short time could understand