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"Okay," I said. Despite the opportunity and my desire to be near him. I was still very nervous. This could lead to even bigger and bigger mistakes. I thought. I promised myself that the moment I saw that happening or the moment I felt uncomfortable. I would leave.
Maybe I would just go home and write a long letter to my mother and leave it at that. Maybe that made a lot more sense, or maybe it was too late to do anything like that. It wouldn't be much longer before I would know.
My intention to sleep late, have breakfast in my room, and then dress and leave calmly was shattered by the ringing of my phone at seven-thirty. It was Aunt Agnes. Hearing her voice was almost more of a shock than the phone ringing- itself. It was as if she had somehow broken through my wall, a wall built to keep out reality and responsibility.
"What are you doing there?" she screamed.
It took me a moment to clear my head. I had been in such a comfortable sleep, gliding on a cloud, feeling warm and snug and safe.
"Aunt Agnes?"
"Yes, yes. Whom did you expect? I tried to reach you at your college residence, and then I called the dean's office, and
they told me you had taken a leave of absence. It sounds more like a leave of your senses."
"How did you find me?" I asked. annoyed.
"I forced that man at your house to tell me. I practically had to threaten him with police action."
"You had no right to do that. Aunt Agnes."
"I have no right? I have a responsibility to my poor dead brother's memory to look after you. Willow."
Her concern for me was quite out of character. What did she really want?
"What is it? Why are you calling me?"
"The condition of the house, for one." "What condition?"
"I had people go there to pick up my things, and the report I received was absolutely horrible. Your socalled caretaker is back to his drinking."
"No, he can't be," I said.
"Well, he is. What are you doing down there? And at The Breakers! What is this? Why did you leave college? Why didn't you tell me first, ask my opinion? Well?"
"I have some personal things to sort out. Aunt Agnes. I need to be alone."
"In Palm Beach! And at The Breakers! What sort of alone is that? Are you with someone? Well?"
"I don't want to discuss it over the phone. Aunt Agnes. It's really not any of your business. Thank you for your concern."
"What? What about the house? He's liable to set it on fire."
"I'll call him. I'm sure whoever told you those things exaggerated. He's probably feeling low about Daddy's death and just needed to be comforted."
"With alcohol? What sort of comfort does that bring?"
"Please, Aunt Agnes, It's very early."
"Early? It's nearly eight. What sort of things are you sorting out doing there. Willow? You know, a young woman with your inheritance becomes a target for unscrupulous gigolos, especially in Palm Beach. You're not experienced enough or old enough to handle yourself in those circumstances. Don't you sign any papers, and don't you marry anyone. I should come right down there," she threatened.
So that was it. I thought. She was worried I would give away the family jewels.
"No one is taking advantage of me, Aunt Agnes. That's not why I'm here."
"Well, why are you there? Why can't you tell your mint?"
"I'm not ready to tell anyone anything. You'll just have to trust me," I said.
