"Well, we were all up," she replied, "and you were over there. This saves you telling the story four times, Sam." She handed him a cup of coffee, already creamed. "So?" she said, offering him a donut from the open box.
"I"ve got good news and bad news," Sam Seligmann said. "Which do you want first?" He took a sip of coffee, and a bite of his glazed donut.
"We know the good news," Rina said. "The cops arrested Jeff Buckley."
"No. The good news is Nora Buckley woke up this morning, and she is absolutely fine, my dears. It"s as if she"s been sleeping for eight weeks."
There was a collective shriek of delight from the a.s.sembled women, and their husbands smiled, nodding and looking pleased.
"So what"s the bad news?" Rina asked.
"There is none," Dr. Sam chuckled. "Where is Heidi?"
"One of the young patrolmen got her into his car, and away to the station house before the news media started showing up. Rick and Joe went with her to make sure Jeff didn"t bully her out of filing charges. She"s hired them as her local counsel," Rina told her husband, who, nodding, was already turning to Carla. "Listen, Carla," Sam said. "I"d like you to go over to Sh.o.r.ecrest with me when I tell Nora. And bring your cell. There"s no phone in her room, and she"ll want to call the kids. I"ll speak with them first with the news their mother is alright."
"When is she getting out?" Rina, practical as ever, queried her husband.
"I told her tomorrow. I don"t understand it. She shows absolutely no effects of lying unconscious in a bed for all those weeks. It"s a miracle."
"Let me bring her to my house today," Carla begged. "She must be frantic about the kids, Dr. Sam. Please!"
"Well," the doctor considered, "she is fine, and if she were anyone else, I"d say no, but why not? I"m just across the street if she should relapse. Alright, Carla, you can have her. Is an hour time enough for you? This is seriously big gossip, and I can guarantee it"s all over town already. I don"t want Nora to hear anything before I have a chance to speak to her. The shock could be very damaging."
"Ten minutes is enough time for me," Carla told him. "I"ll just run home and throw on some sweats, okay? What about Nora?"
She can come home in her hospital gown and coat. It"s quicker, and will get her out of the media eye. Jeff was a big shot in town. They"ll be all over this one. Girlfriend beaten up. Wife comes out of coma on same day. Husband arrested. Oh, yeah. This has Enquirer written all over it," Dr. Sam said.
Carla was as good as her word. Dr. Sam came back from the Buckley house with a coat over his arm to find her sitting in his car, already belted.
"Let"s ride, Clyde," she told him.
He laughed and, tossing the coat in the backseat, got in next to her. He turned the key in the ignition and backed out of his drive.
"She"s really okay?" Carla probed him as they drove.
"She"s amazing," he replied. "I don"t know what the h.e.l.l happened to her, and I don"t know how she came out of it. But she did. And the entire time she appeared to be unconscious, her pulse and respiration were normal. It was more like sleeping."
"It was a heck of a nap," Carla said. She was just a little bit frightened by everything that had happened to Nora, yet it hadn"t prevented her from visiting The Channel herself. And seeing Nora on her beach, switching men with her, and drinking with her at the pirates" inn was a trip.
They were almost at Sh.o.r.ecrest Nursing Facility. The car turned down Sh.o.r.e Road. The morning sun was sparking on the water to her right.
Dr. Sam parked the car, and they entered the lobby of Sh.o.r.ecrest.
"Ohh, Dr. Sam," the receptionist at the desk said, "I hear there was a hostage standoff in your neighborhood!"
"Just came from Ansley Court, Judy, and all"s quiet there," Sam Seligmann responded. "Turn right," he hissed at Carla. "She"s on the main floor. Room 112 at the end of the hall. Ah, here we are." He knocked and then, opening the door, stepped inside. "Nora, I"m back, and look who I brought with me."
The two women hugged and sat down in the twin club chairs grinning at each other. They were sharing the most delicious secret.
"Listen, Nora, something has happened, sweetheart. I don"t know how upset you"re going to get over it, but . . ." He paused, trying to figure the most delicate way of saying it, but there just wasn"t any. "Jeff"s been arrested for beating up his girlfriend. She"s at the station house now pressing charges."
"What?" Nora feigned shock. "When? Where did this happen? OmiG.o.d, the kids! I have to call the kids!"
"I"ve got my cell with me," Carla said, "but wait, and hear Dr. Sam out."
"The police think it happened during a bout of rough s.e.x. He"s mad as h.e.l.l, of course, and threatening everyone," Sam said.
"My G.o.d!" Nora said slowly as if she were having difficulty understanding.
"That poor girl."
"I"m releasing you from the facility right now," Dr. Sam continued. "I"ll drive you and Carla back to Ansley Court. This situation could generate some publicity given Jeff"s position in Buckley, Coutts and Wickham."
Nora began to laugh. "They really are the most conservative of advertising firms. Blue-chip clients. Veddy proper. They weren"t very happy with Jeff and Heidi and the divorce situation. That"s how Rick was able to bargain for me. The one thing Messrs. Wickham and Coutts didn"t want was a noisy, public divorce; this, however, will send them round the bend. A partner arrested for beating a female employee of the firm while his wife lay comatose! Poor old Jeff. How he looked to the world has always been so important to him."
"You"re staying with me," Carla told her.
Nora stood up. "Can we go now, Dr. Sam?" she said.
He nodded, and wrapped her coat about her. "Shoes! Oy! I forgot shoes."
"Bring the car around to the entrance, and it won"t matter. These little paper slippers are really warm," Nora said.
Dr. Sam tossed his car keys to Carla. "You get it while I check Nora out," he said.
Carla caught the keys and hurried out.
"You ready, Nora?" he said. "There shouldn"t be anyone in the lobby right now. It"s still early."
"I"m okay," she told him.
At the desk in the lobby Dr. Sam signed all the necessary papers, and Nora signed where she was told. They heard a car horn beep, and knew Carla was waiting for them. Dr. Sam escorted his patient to the car and helped her into the backseat. Then he climbed into the front seat, letting Carla do the driving this time. After they pulled into the Johnsons" driveway, the doctor helped Nora from the car and into the house.
"You"re okay?" he asked anxiously.
"Yes," she said.
"Come on," Carla said softly. "We can talk inside."
They went inside, where everyone was now waiting in Carla"s living room. After the other women had hugged Nora and welcomed her home, Rina, Tiffany and Joanne left with their husbands, but not before Dr. Sam had checked Nora"s pulse again. Satisfied, he suggested rest, and said he"d be back later in the afternoon. They went into the kitchen, where they found Rina had left a box of glazed Krispy Kremes and made coffee.
"Well, Rick," Nora said quietly, sitting down and reaching for one of the donuts, "what now? Do I sign the settlement agreement?"
"No," he said. "You"re still legally his wife. Trust me when I tell you that Heidi Millar isn"t going to back down. She hasn"t just accused him of a.s.sault and battery. She"s added rape to the charges. Says she came up to bed from watching the television, and he was hot to trot. She wasn"t, told him so, said no, but he forced her anyway. Jeff is now in really serious trouble."
"Everything"s still in his name," Nora said. "What if she sues him for damages?"
"No judge or jury will award compensation to a woman having an affair with a man who has a wife, especially when the wife and children are as presentable as you and the kids are. And especially if the circ.u.mstances are made public.
"I gotta go to the office," Rick Johnson said. "You two going to be alright?"
Nora nodded. "I"m going to call the kids. Carla will tell them I"m okay, and then I"ll tell them what has happened. Thanks, Rick."
"I"m glad you"re okay, Nora," he answered her, and then left the kitchen with Carla, the two of them talking softly.
"Thanks," she called after him.
Carla returned shortly. "Let go upstairs," she said. "You"re staying in the guest room until Dr. Sam is certain you"re okay. Rina brought some of your stuff over so you can get dressed."
"You know I"m absolutely alright," Nora said as they walked up the staircase.
"I know, but I can"t believe this is happening. I just spoke to Heidi last night. I knew when she left, she was fascinated. I knew she"d try The Channel. Poor kid. She was bored to death out here. And Jeff was. .h.i.tting the sack early, leaving her in front of the television. Do you know what happened to her? I mean you were there, in The Channel."
"I imagined someone like Caleb Snow to be her lover last night. I knew you would have enticed her with the fourteen-inch p.e.n.i.s, and every little girl wants one of those at least once," Nora said as they entered the guest room. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "His name is Brad. He"s a dominant, and I just somehow knew that while Heidi wants to be in charge in our reality, she secretly wants to be controlled when no one else can see it," Nora said with a small smile. "Of course if you ask for a favor you must repay it. Because Brad"s bis.e.xual he wanted my Rolfie. I can always get another ma.s.seur so I let Brad have him. I guess Heidi had a good time, considering what happened when she got back from The Channel."
"What are you going to do now that Jeff is going to jail? Rick will get the house for you, but I don"t know about the rest of it," Carla said.
"Well, I am the poor wife," Nora replied with a twinkle.
"I"ll share my Channel connection with you," Carla said.
"No, thanks," Nora told her. "I"m going home tomorrow, Carla. I want to be in my own house. Tomorrow I"ll order The Channel just to be with Kyle for an evening, but I won"t stay now. I"ll be back by morning as always. I have to see what Rick is going to do to protect me now. What if Jeff insists the house be sold so he can pay his lawyers? I know he"ll hire only the best."
"Too bad she didn"t kill him when she beaned him with that vase," Carla said.
Nora laughed. "I can"t say I disagree. Give me your cell. I"d better call the kids now, and let them know I"m okay. Were they too upset?"
"They wanted to come home," Carla replied. "I talked them out of it." She pulled out her cell. "Let me prepare them, okay?" Then she dialed.
J. J. cried learning his mother was awake and okay. He didn"t want to let her go to talk with his sister, but he finally did. "Can I come home next weekend?" he asked her.
"I"m not certain, honey," Nora said. "There"s something else I have to tell you," and she gently explained to her son that his father had been arrested for a.s.saulting Heidi Millar. "I don"t want the media jumping all over you, and they might if you come home."
"I"ll make a deal with you, Ma. If they come to campus, I get to come home, okay?"
"Okay," Nora promised her son. "I"ll call you later this week, honey, alright?"
Jill was more pragmatic about her mother"s recovery. "I knew you"d pull out of it," she said. "Do you need me home?"
"No," Nora said, "but I"ve got something unpleasant to tell you, Jill," and she went on to explain what had happened.
"Daddy beat her up? Geez, I wouldn"t have thought it of him," Jill said.
"I don"t know," Nora said. "I"m not certain when he"s being arraigned."
"They"ve got to charge him, or they can"t hold him," Jill said.
"I"m sure they will charge him, Jill. I can"t believe it of your father, but it does appear as if he is guilty," Nora told her daughter. "Watch out for the media. Daddy was prominent in his business."
"Roger!" Jill replied. "Sure you don"t need me home?"
"I think under the circ.u.mstances it"s better if we"re scattered," Nora answered her daughter. "I"ve got to go, honey. I haven"t called Grandma yet. Bye, now."
The last number Carla got for Nora was Margo"s. "Hey, Margo, Carla. No! Everything is okay. In fact it"s better than okay. Nora woke up. She"s in terrific shape, and Dr. Sam let her come home. She"s with me tonight. I"m going to put her on now. Bye, Margo."
"Mom?" Nora"s voice was strong.
"My G.o.d, darling, you had us all terrified," Margo said. "What happened to you?"
"You got me, Ma," Nora told her mother. "Everyone is mystified, including me. How are you, and how is that s.e.xy Southern gentleman of yours?"
"Taylor is just grand. Persistent, but grand," Margo answered her daughter. "Now, Nora, I want you to ask Dr. Sam when you can fly. You"re coming down here to recuperate, darling, and I won"t take no for an answer."
"Ma, I can"t," Nora said. "A rather nasty problem has come up. It"s Jeff. He"s been arrested for a.s.sault with intent to do bodily harm, and rape. He beat up his girlfriend, and she says he raped her when she said no to s.e.x."
"My G.o.d!" Margo exclaimed. "Thank heavens it wasn"t you, darling. I never did like that man. I"m so glad your father isn"t alive to see the truth. But why can"t you come down? I mean surely you aren"t going to defend him, are you?"
"No, no," Nora a.s.sured her parent, "but you see, Ma, everything is still up in the air. I never signed the settlement, and now Rick says I shouldn"t until we see what"s going to happen. So I"m kind of stuck here for the time being."
Margo Edwards sighed. "Well, I suppose you do have to stay until it"s all straightened out. I"ll tell you one thing, Nora. I am very glad that neither of Jeff"s parents is alive to see this either. His father in particular would be mortified. I always thought the mother sweet, but a bit of a mouse. Oh, I have to go! Here"s Taylor. I"ll tell him the good news. And the bad while we drive to lunch. There is an absolutely darling new little restaurant on the beach about fifteen miles from here. Everyone says the food is heavenly. You"re at Carla"s? I"ll call you later. Bye, now!"
Nora smiled to herself as her mother rang off. Margo was Margo. She never changed, and it was certainly comforting. Everyone was fine, and her little adventure hadn"t really harmed anyone. She looked around Carla"s cozy guest bedroom. It was sweet, but she longed for her penthouse, or was it just Kyle for whom she was longing? Lord, she had only been gone a few hours, and she was already itchy. She needed him so badly. She wasn"t going to sleep a wink tonight, she thought.
By evening the story was all over the news print, television, and radio.
It was a slow news day and the arrest of the golden boy and partner of the most prestigious advertising agency in the country had great salacious value. A couple of Jeff"s more clever campaigns were mentioned, and their commercials shown. Then came the tale of the wronged wife, just out of a life-threatening coma, and the ambitious blond mistress. The story had everything, and it took people"s minds off the war and the economy.
The remote van from the city"s two biggest stations appeared outside of Nora"s house. She was glad she wasn"t there. Eager young reporters began making the rounds of Ansley Court, knocking on doors and asking questions. The Pietro d"Angelo twins were surrounded as they got home from school, with one anchor badgering them until Tiff came flying out of her house, the protective and avenging mother to rescue her children.
"I"m calling the police," she shouted at the media.
"First-amendment rights, lady," one of the young reporters shouted at her.
"f.u.c.k you!" Tiff yelled back as she hustled her kids safely inside.
Shortly afterwards the police arrived and set up barricades, behind which they moved the reporters and their trucks. The trucks were still there in the morning. One of the uniformed cops came to the Johnsons" kitchen door. He suggested that using the backyard might be a good way for Nora to get into her house without being annoyed. The barricades were removed to allow the residents out to go to their jobs, then put back. The police van departed shortly after eleven a.m. One cop remained on guard.
Carla was watching. "They"re eating sandwiches and talking," she said. "I think we can get you home if you want to go."
"I want to go," Nora told her.
"I"ll have to shop for you," Carla said. "I doubt there"s anything in the house you can eat. Heidi didn"t cook. They always had takeout."
"Jeff never wanted takeout," Nora noted.
"Heidi told me she didn"t cook," Carla answered. "I guess she had other talents."
"She must have liked working alone," Nora remarked cattily, and Carla laughed.