by Kate Forster
‘You sure?’
‘Yes, it’s the right spot for you.’ She smiled at her father.
Jeff watched the moment between Violetta and Spencer and felt happy for her. She had wanted this night to be perfect and having Spencer at the head of the table meant so much to her. Just as Spencer was about to sit down, the doorbell rang. Violetta clapped her hands and ran to the door again.
She walked back into the room, with Grace and Frank on either side of her. ‘Look who stopped by!’ she cried.
Birdie stood up. ‘Graciela, I am so pleased you came home,’ she said, her eyes misting over.
Grace hugged her mother. ‘Mom, this is Frank.’
‘My son-in-law.’ She smiled at Frank and kissed his cheek.
‘Lovely to meet you, Birdie.’
‘I believe I know your mother,’ said Birdie, as she held onto his hand.
‘Really?’ asked Frank and Grace in unison.
‘Oh yes, we have met a few times at charity dinners and lunches. Lovely woman,’ said Birdie to Grace.
The dinner was an uproarious affair, with yelling and laughter and tears during the toasts that Spencer made to Birdie and to his daughters.
Presents were exchanged and Violetta took enormous joy in watching Alexia open her gifts. Actually everyone showered Alexia with gifts; having a child, even though a teenager, for Christmas meant Alexia’s gifts ranged from new saddlery from Carlotta, clothes galore from Violetta, and a series of Mark Ryden prints from Grace along with a stunning sketch of a horse that looked very similar to Cookie.
‘It’s never too soon to start your art collection,’ said Grace to Alexia.
And Alexia nodded, awed at Grace and her elegance.
As the evening went on Birdie became tired and went up to bed, Spencer following her to ensure she was safely tucked up. Violetta watched them leave as Carlotta and Chris got Alexia ready for the trip back to the city.
‘It was lovely,’ said Carlotta to Violetta, and hugged her close.
‘It was, wasn’t it?’ said Violetta proudly.
She kissed Chris and Alexia goodbye and he squeezed her hand. ‘Thanks,’ he said in her ear.
‘Look after her,’ whispered Violetta in his ear. ‘She’s not as tough as she makes out.’
Frank and Jeff were chatting amiably, nursing a brandy each, when Violetta walked back into the room.
‘You staying?’ she asked Grace.
‘No, we came straight from the airport. We’re heading back to the city tonight,’ said Grace, looking at Frank. ‘Frank’s showing me his apartment.’
‘You haven’t seen it yet?’ asked Violetta.
‘Not yet,’ said Grace, looking at Frank and raising her eyebrows at him.’
After Frank and Grace left, Violetta and Jeff sat on the sofa in front of the open fire.
‘Happy?’ he asked.
‘Contented,’ she answered, and put her head against his shoulder.
And she was. Now Christmas was over, she just had to get through the fundraiser dinner and then she would be free to date Jeff in the open. She was sick of the running around and hiding. She wanted to be on his arm in public and the sooner she finished the TV show the better. She had stopped looking at herself online, was happy at Pajaro, and thrilled with the ways things were working out with Jeff.
Jeff reached into his pocket. ‘Want your Christmas present?’ he asked.
Violetta sat up as he handed her a box. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt tears welling in her eyes. Now, she wondered. Was he going to ask now?
She opened the box slowly and gasped. Inside were two perfect studs of amethysts in the shape of tiny violets, set in rose gold.
‘They are beautiful,’ she said sincerely.
‘Not too tacky?’ he asked. ‘As you know I am not really the fashionista.’
Violetta kissed him and took out the chandelier earrings she was wearing and put in the delicate studs. ‘They are divine, and so are you,’ she said as she kissed him.
As they went up to the guest room, Violetta was a little disappointed. Had she expected an engagement ring? Surely not, after such a short time together. Not everyone was Frank and Grace. But still, what did it mean, she thought, as she undressed for bed.
She lay under the covers while Jeff unpacked his overnight case. She wondered what she would have said if he had asked her to marry him. She had no idea, she had never thought about it before. Marriage seemed so far away once and now she felt let down somewhat. She sighed and rolled over in the bed.
‘You OK?’ Jeff asked, as he climbed into bed next to her.
‘Fine, just tired,’ she said, and rolled over to her side, her back turned towards Jeff.
Jeff lay still and then rolled over onto his side. ‘Goodnight,’ he said.
‘Goodnight.’
And they slept, Violetta dreaming of Jeff buying her every sort of jewel in the world except the one she wanted.
When she awoke, Jeff was still sleeping and she crept out of the room and went downstairs in her pyjamas and socks. Birdie was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a grapefruit.
‘You hate grapefruit,’ said Violetta, looking at her plate.
‘I used to, I like it now,’ said Birdie, looking up at her. ‘You look about twelve years old in the morning.’
‘Thanks, I think,’ laughed Violetta, as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
‘Violetta, we need to talk about a few things,’ said Birdie, as she put down her spoon.
Violetta sat next to her mother.
‘Sure,’ she said as she sipped her coffee.
‘I have been thinking about Pajaro.’
‘OK,’ said Violetta.
‘I honestly don’t have any memory of it at all. I don’t know why, and it doesn’t interest me in the slightest,’ she said, looking at her daughter.
Violetta said nothing, waiting for Birdie to gather her thoughts and find her words.
‘But it seems that I was quite good at it,’ she said without a hint of arrogance.
‘You were the best, Mom,’ said Violetta, touching her mother’s hand.
‘Maybe, but from what I hear you are doing a wonderful job.’
‘Thanks, Mom,’ said Violetta, blushing.
‘That’s why I’m handing it over to you and putting the company in your name,’ said Birdie, picking up her spoon again.
‘My name?’ asked Violetta, shocked.
‘Yes,’ said Birdie, with a finality in her voice that dared Violetta not to argue.
‘But what about Carlotta and Gracie?’
‘Grace wants to do her own thing now she’s married. And Carlotta won’t have time. She hates fashion anyway.’
‘What do you mean she won’t have time?’ asked Violetta, looking at her mother.
‘Well, I may have suffered a brain injury but it hasn’t rendered me stupid,’ said Birdie, pursing her lips. ‘How many weeks is she?’
‘Six. I think,’ said Violetta, laughing. ‘Are you upset with her?’
‘No, no, not at all. I think she and Chris will be a lovely couple. Although she will have to convert if she wants to marry him.’
‘I don’t think he’s the marrying kind, Mom.’
‘He will be, once the babies are born.’
‘Babies? You know something I don’t?’ asked Violetta loudly.
‘Sorry, slip of the tongue,’ laughed Birdie.
‘I have asked Spencer to set up the paperwork. Your sisters will be taken off and I will allow for them in my will naturally,’ said Birdie casually.
‘Do they know about this?’ asked Violetta, still in shock.
‘Yes, I have spoken to both them. They want to get on with their lives away from Pajaro. You, it seems, have found a life at Pajaro,’ said Birdie, smiling at her daughter.
‘Are you sure, Mom?’ asked Violetta, a tear falling down her cheek.
‘I’m as sure as anything. It’s the right thing to do. When Leon died, everything naturally cam
e to me. He hadn’t changed his will yet.’
‘Leon? You remember Dad?’ asked Violetta, incredulous.
‘Yes, unfortunately,’ said Birdie, sitting back in her chair.
‘When, when did you remember? Why didn’t you say anything?’
‘I remembered when I was in rehab. Not all of it, just glimpses. All very sad,’ she said with no emotion.
‘So you know then?’ asked Violetta carefully.
‘About Spencer being your father?’ Birdie nodded. ‘I suppose I always knew. I just couldn’t leave Leon at the time… I don’t remember the reasons now.’
Birdie sat forward and grabbed Violetta's hand. ‘I never want to go back there, into that dark awful place.’
Violetta was confused. ‘Your coma? I don’t think that will happen, Mom,’ she said, soothingly.
‘No, the marriage. It was dark and lonely and an awful place. That’s what I remember,’ she said, looking away into the distance.
Violetta sat and held her mother’s hand. And finally Birdie pulled herself back to the present.
‘So Spencer asked me to marry him and I said yes.’
‘Oh Mom, I’m so happy,’ cried Violetta. ‘You should have said something last night when we were all together.’
‘No, no, I don’t want a fuss,’ said Birdie. ‘We will do it after things settle down.’
‘What things, Mom? Why wait? You have waited long enough,’ said Violetta excitedly.
‘Well, darling, I’ll be honest with you.’
Violetta waited for her mother to speak. She seemed to be trying to find the words.
‘It’s OK, Mom, take your time, the words will come,’ she said gently.
‘Oh dear me, I’ll just say it,’ said Birdie. ‘I’ll marry Spencer when you stop that awful TV show. I watched it last week and you went to a jazz club, it sounded awful. Now really, Violetta, what were you thinking when you said you would appear in it?’ She tucked into her grapefruit again.
Violetta burst out laughing. Birdie was back.
40
Grace adjusted her azalea pink Carolina Herrera taffeta gown, doing up the thin patent leather belt around her waist.
‘You look gorgeous,’ said Frank, as he walked out of the dressing room.
‘So do you,’ said Grace, admiring Frank in his Burberry tuxedo.
‘All ready?’
‘Nearly,’ answered Grace, as she put her lipstick into her small black satin clutch.
Grace had moved into Frank’s apartment as soon as she had seen it. Four levels in an art nouveau style apartment with a courtyard; it was Grace’s dream home. Frank’s taste in art was amazing and the walls were filled with new and old pieces that Grace adored.
‘I catalogued that,’ she said, pointing to a David Hockney at the top of the stairs.
Frank pulled her into his arms. ‘I know. I remember the auction.’
‘Why did I never notice you?’ she asked, leaning back into his chest.
‘Because you were always running around with a sheaf of papers and a phone,’ he laughed.
Grace and Frank had settled nicely together in the apartment – and into marriage. Grace had visited Frank’s family in Chicago. They had spent a pleasant few days there after Christmas and Grace was welcomed with open arms, even though her and Frank’s marriage was a surprise.
Back in New York, they were attending Violetta’s charity dinner for the hospital, and then she was planning to finish at Pajaro and start looking at gallery spaces, with Frank’s help. They planned on having a wonderful time, walking the city and looking for new artists to represent.
Grace and Frank walked downstairs to the car he had ordered and soon they were on their way to The Plaza for the night.
Violetta had outdone herself, Grace thought, as she arrived at The Plaza and looked at the room, sparkling in silver and red for the New Year’s Eve dinner. The finest of New York’s society had been invited and all had accepted. Perhaps some had wanted to support the cause but mostly they wanted to get close to the scandal-prone de Santoval family.
News of Leon’s death was reported in all the papers but the de Santoval’s had remained silent, not even releasing a statement mourning their loss. With Grace’s quick wedding to Frank and Birdie’s release from hospital and then her time in rehabilitation, the rumours were rife among the champagne crowd.
Grace arrived as Carlotta and Chris did. Carlotta looked radiant in a green Armani gown and Peruvian gold jewellery that Chris had given her for a Christmas present.
Grace and Carlotta greeted each other warmly and posed for the photographers who stood by the front door. Chris and Frank stood by the girls’ sides, smiling uncomfortably and ignoring the inane questions fired at them from the media.
As they walked inside The Plaza, Violetta greeted them. ‘Have you seen Jeff?’ she asked.
‘Not yet, we’ve just got here,’ said Carlotta, looking around. ‘Where’s the food, I have to eat or I may hurt someone,’ she said to Violetta.
‘She is quite serious by the way,’ said Chris to Grace, who laughed.
Violetta looked around. ‘I can send over a bread basket,’ she said.
‘I’ll take care of it,’ Chris said to Violetta, whose face was white with stress.
‘Jesus Christ, this hostess bullshit is intense,’ she whispered to Grace who laughed out loud.
The guests arrived and Violetta didn’t have time to worry about Jeff. The director of the hospital and his wife were placed to be sitting at Violetta’s table, along with Birdie and Spencer as well as Jeff.
Soon conversation was flowing, as were the drinks but Violetta still hadn’t spotted Jeff. She checked her phone repeatedly but was mindful of not saying anything in front of the TV crew who followed her around.
Guests were seated for dinner and Jeff still was a no show.
‘Have you seen Doctor Carson yet?’ she asked the hospital administrator.
‘No, I haven’t, but he was coming,’ said the man, star-struck by the minor celebrities and socialites.
Violetta held back the desire to snap at him that she already knew that and instead she smiled. ‘Well, I hope everything is OK.’ She rushed to the bathroom to call him.
‘Hi, it’s me,’ she said in a quiet voice into the phone. ‘Where are you? Call me, I’m freaking out.’
She hung up. She thought for a brief moment she would love a line of coke to get her through but ignored the want and focused on what she was there for.
She looked at herself in the mirror, so elegant in her black Alexander Wang silk gown and smiled at the woman who came out of the stall behind her.
‘Violetta, what a lovely night,’ said the woman in silver sequins and black taffeta.
‘Thank you,’ said Violetta, smiling politely.
‘Jennifer Derhle, Daily News, Page Six,’ she said, presenting her credentials for the gossip column she wrote.
‘Of course,’ said Violetta, remembering the woman. Once she had worked hard to get onto those pages and now she could barely remember the woman’s name.
‘Now who were you calling, Violetta,’ asked the woman coyly. ‘I heard you.’
Violetta panicked. ‘Oh, it was some entertainment I was hoping would come,’ she said as she checked her lipstick.
‘If you say so,’ said Jennifer as she walked out of the bathroom.
Violetta took a deep breath and looked in the mirror. What was she doing? Something for the hospital or was she trying to prove something to Jeff?
She gathered herself, squared her shoulders and went out to her guests. The opera singers that she had booked from the Met were singing the aria from The Pearl Fishers and the guests sat entranced. She walked back into the room and took her seat next to Birdie.
‘It’s a lovely evening, darling,’ her mother said.
‘Thanks, Mom,’ said Violetta, almost defeated.
‘No word?’ asked Birdie.
Violetta shook her head, afraid the tears would come.
‘He has an important job,’ said Birdie sensibly. ‘If you plan to be a doctor’s wife then you have to get used to this.’
Violetta nodded. Her mother was right. It didn’t quell the disappointment though.
‘I know, I get that. I just wanted him to be here, to share it. I finish filming tonight and tomorrow I wanted us to announce our relationship.’
‘You don’t need to announce it,’ said Birdie quietly. ‘The only people who need to know are you and him and those who love you.’
Violetta listened to her mother, who was right of course.
‘OK.’ She smiled across at the hospital administrator who was opposite her in animated conversation with Spencer. ‘Tell me, what plans do you have for the funds raised tonight?’ she asked.
And she actually listened when he gave his long and involved answer. She asked questions and found herself forgetting about Jeff and remembering why she was here.
The night went on, the silent auction items were bid on, the envelopes on the tables filled and the five thousand a table guests were dancing to the samba ensemble band that got the party going. Violetta was tired. She danced with Spencer, Frank, Chris, the hospital administrator and a few eligible gentlemen who she kept at arm’s length. At the end of the evening she gave a small speech after the hospital administrator spoke.
‘As everyone knows, my mother recently was a patient of the Bethlehem Hospital.’ She cleared her throat nervously. ‘It was a terrible journey for everyone, but particularly my mother, who has made a remarkable recovery, thanks to the doctors and the nurses who tended to her and us every day.’
Violetta looked at the nurses whose table she had bought who sat smiling at her. Leticia clapped and everyone joined in.
‘People forget that it is the family and loved ones who share the illness or injury with the person in the bed. The love and care we were shown was something I will never forget.’
Violetta felt her throat catch.
‘It is a small gesture I have made tonight and although money cannot cure it can help, and I know that what you give tonight will help in enormous ways.’
Violetta paused and then spoke.
‘My journey over the last months has been torturous and also shown on television which unfortunately I couldn’t get released from. I have grown and I hope I am a better person from what you used to know me as.’