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I could see Daddy smiling.
You will know when you do, Willow. You will know.
10
Advice from the Palm Beach Women .
I began to think that Linden had forgotten about
his request and my promise to pose again far him so he could do a portrait to present to Thatcher and me as a wedding present. Perhaps he saw how busy I was attending college and attending to the wedding plans, as well as socializing with Thatcher, meeting more and more of his friends and associates. Feeling guilty about not spending more time with Linden. I approached him to suggest he and I go looking for his tuxedo soon. That was when he reminded me about the portrait. He decided it would be the first project he would attempt as soon as he had his new studio ready.
In the meantime. Whitney scheduled my bridal shower at her home just a week before the Eatons were to move from Java del Mar. Of course. Bunny complained at every opportunity, moaning and groaning about all the pressures Thatcher and I had put on her and Asher by insisting on getting married so soon.
"Some people here think you're pregnant." she managed to insert one day.
"They'll be quite disappointed." I told her. I could see she was one of those people.
My denial didn't slow her down. I began to see the rear loggia m
ore as a theatrical balcony from which she could rant and rave, throw up her arms, and sigh deeply to any audience she managed to trap. As if she wanted the entire Palm Beach social community to witness her travails, she had a constant parade of afternoon tea guests, by no means the least of whom were the infamous Carriage sisters, who were probably as capable as UPI or AP in spreading news around the world.
Thatcher had a great tolerance for his mother's histrionics. I noticed that he favored referring to her as Bunny in front of people rather than as Mother. I imagined that in his mind's eye, he really did see her as a character in a play and therefore tried to avoid taking anything she did or said very seriously. He was adept at handling her, humoring her, placating her, even more so than his father, who at times seemed like an outsider, a guest in his own marriage, willing to leave the handling of Bunny. as I thought of it, to his son and his daughter. I couldn't decide who was more self-centered. Asher or Bunny.
There was so much to think about. It was nice to have someone with whom I was comfortable enough to discuss much of this. and Professor Fuentes turned out to be that person. From time to time he and I had one-on-one sessions, as he did with all his students, but somehow mine ran longer and occurred more frequently. I grew to like him increasingly, and found myself revealing more and more of my personal life to him. He laughingly accused me of using him as my personal therapist. I smiled, but thought. -maybe it was true.
"Not that I would shy away from it in the least." he told me when he saw my smile harden with the realization, "I would love to be of any assistance to you. Willow."
I described my future in-laws to him, and we began to discuss Thatcher's attitude toward his parents.
"He sounds like a very wise man who long ago, probably in his youth, arrived at a certain acceptance. He balances it all quite well, from what you tell me, never denying who and what they are, but yet handling them with love and respect. He was born to be a lawyer, I'd say, a good one, I'm sure. He knows how to arrive at a good compromise.
"Remember that old saving." he added with a smile, "you can choose your friends but not your relatives."
"I can choose by marrying or not marrying."
"From what you have told me and from the glow in your face these days. I'd say you've lost that option. Willow."
I laughed.
"Maybe so. Professor."
"It's a nice wind that carries us off to such a blissful journey. I look forward to being so swept away myself" he said. He gazed at me for a split second or so longer than I expected, and just as unexpectedly, I found my heart tripping and my face growing warm.
Can you see the affection and warmth someone has for you in his eyes? Can you fathom holy deep ft es, arid does it frighten you or does it excite you and stir up places in your own heart that you have reserved for someone else? I wondered.
Sometimes. I thought, it was better to leave some questions unanswered, leave some doors unopened. Too much light could also blind you.
I never mentioned to Thatcher my tete-a-tetes with Professor Fuentes, except to tell him I had a teacher's conference occasionally. He was happy I was enjoying school and kidded me about eventually earning more money than he did and supporting him like some Palm Beach walker.
"I'll be a kept man."
"Could you be satisfied doing nothing but play?" I asked.
"I'd like to be given the challenge." he replied, and laughed when I tilted my head and looked at him curiously. "No,' he added quickly, "I enjoy my work more than most people enjoy their play. Don't worry about that."
This was during one of the frequent times we spent at what was now our romantic nest, the beach house.
"I'm beginning to wonder if this friend of yours even exists.
