Chapter 80

They were all outside. The luggage had been stowed in the five cars that lined the driveway. The staff were outside too — even Dagmar. Johnny told me that was a first since Alice was in residence. It was time to say farewell. The guests had been saying goodbyes among themselves. I stood apart, as was my place.

The first off was Malcolm.

“Malcolm, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. Give my regards and my many thanks to my father.”

He smiled and said, “I will, but I would suggest a visit to see him and thank him personally. I would do it sooner rather than later, if I may be so bold to say. All in all, a happy time. It ended well, and I played my part. It was a weekend I doubt will have an equal any time soon. I’m off. You have my number. Call me, and I will see to the arrangements.”

Next were the von Hofmanstals in the same outfits they arrived in. The baron in his cleaned coat looked me over and said, “I expect to see you in Austria or probably New York fairly soon. Once Bruni gets her act in order, which I expect to be very rapidly, we’ll see to the necessary arrangements for a more permanent union. Now, I hope you won’t stick out a hand for me to shake. That won’t do.” Instead, he wrapped his arms around me like a bear and squeezed the breath out of me. “That’s more like it. You will love my castle. Goodbye. Godspeed.”

Elsa followed and gave me a more sedate hug. “I’ll miss you. If you plan on any weekend parties, I insist on being invited. I wouldn’t miss them for the world. I do love this place.” She said as she looked around, “You never know what will happen next.” She gave me a kiss on both cheeks and squeezed my hands.

Bruni was next. We had already had a private goodbye that had left me reeling. She slid into my arms and said, “I’ll miss you.” She whispered softly, “I’ll restrain myself in the interests of propriety. I’d never leave otherwise.” In a normal voice she said, “Call me when you land. I’ll expect you Wednesday. I’ll show you my place. You’ll like it, but I have a feeling we’ll be here more often than not. Love you.” She disappeared into the car. I watched it drive off.

Maw and Bonnie were next, along with Robert the Bruce. He was not on a leash. I think he felt that with his new elevated status, it was beneath his dignity. Perhaps it was. I admired and complimented him on his good fortune.

Bonnie gave me a big hug. “Don’t be a stranger. I had a long talk with Johnny. We made some plans. He will brief you on your way to California. I wish to thank you once again. I am not sure what all happened here, but something did, and I’m the better for it. I suppose it’s a process rather than an event.” She kissed me on the lips with a wink. “Just to let you know what you’re missing. Some things are too good to resist. I apologize. Stay frosty.”

She got in the car.

Maw was next. “I suppose I will have to as well. Come here.” She hugged me.

“Mary, I think that was a first.”

“It was, but you deserve it. I’ll invite you round — you and your lady. I have horses aplenty, and of course Light Bulb will be there too, but then, he’s not for everyone. Bonnie said she has some thoughts that she discussed with Johnny. Listen to him. Safe travels.”

She got into her car. I noticed she needed no help, and Bonnie didn’t offer any. They had definitely redefined their relationship.

Anne and John Senior were next.

Anne came first. “So, you have come into your own. John told me about your conversation. We — actually, I, because I insisted that I do it personally — will do my best to return the sum you forgave us. I have resources. It won’t take long. You should see your mother. I know a lot has changed, but you should. She’s an amazing person. She gave birth to you, after all. I know I didn’t, but I have always looked on you as if I did. I hope you will forgive me. I still have work to do on forgiving myself, but your forgiveness will mean a lot to me.”

“Anne, if you wish forgiveness, then I forgive you, but you will never need it from me. I’ll always see you as my mother, just as I see Johnny as my brother. It may not be true, but it’s true enough. So let’s not hear any more about it. You owe me nothing. Neither you nor John, as far as the trust is concerned. I mean that. Of course, the odd contribution would not be turned away if you should feel so inclined. I just know that owing money between relations creates uneasiness when there should be nothing but goodwill.”

“You’re correct, but I will do what I can. I accept the spirit behind what you are saying.”

“Very well, and you’ll always have your room here.”

“John told me. I must go before I start blubbering. Kiss. Kiss.”

John followed. I hugged him and said, “It’s been wonderful seeing you.”

He stepped back. “Likewise. I will rustle up all the funds and see to the paperwork. It will all be available for signature by Friday. Anne and I are away after that for two weeks, but we’ll be back in town. I’d like to see you then, if that’s all right?”

“Of course. I’d like it very much.”

“We’re off then.” He hugged me once more for a long moment. “Thank you, just thank you.”

He got into the car. Raymond, Mr. Dodge’s chauffeur, closed the door. Before he got in, he said, “Congratulations, kid. You done good. By the way, it was me who moved the curtain in the apartment. Stanley told me to tell you in case you wondered. I was doing the rounds. Later.”

He got in, fired up the limo, and the car moved off.

It was just Johnny and me left.

I went down the line. Stanley was first. He said with a smile, “I don’t expect a hug.”

“Not on your life. It might shift the world off its axis. By the way, I had an interesting chat with Dagmar. I forgot to mention your contribution. Frankly, it blew right out of my mind when I talked to her along with everything else, but I’ll mention it now. I’ll be back Friday.”

“Very good, sir. Do mention that point to her. I will have the apartment serviceable by the time you return. Call me, and I will make any arrangements you need. I act as your concierge, among other things.”

“I will. You will have to educate me on how all this works, but between the two of us, we’ll figure it out. Thank you, Stanley, for everything.”

“Satisfaction is what I strive for. Have a safe trip.”

I went farther down the line and thanked each of the staff one by one. Harry’s handshake was like squeezing sandpaper. Dagmar was last. I gave her a hug, propriety or not.

“Thank you, Dagmar.”

“Thank you, sir. Be back soon.”

“I will.” I then told her about Stanley’s help earlier. She beamed.

“He’s a clever lad. I’ll keep it in mind. He won’t be in purgatory forever.”

Johnny and I waved and got into our car. I looked out the back window as it moved up the drive. The mist had thickened. The house seemed to shimmer in and out of focus and then was lost to view, swallowed in a gray cloud as if it had never existed. I wondered if it had in fact disappeared. For a moment, I thought I heard someone calling out for me to come back, but when I turned around, all I saw once again was the road behind me fading into the mist as the car swished forward. I could have been mistaken. Johnny was saying something instead.

“I have a few relevant points we ought to discuss.”

“Oh yes?” I asked, but I was quite sure it wasn’t Johnny that I had heard.

Years later, I wondered about that moment. What if I had heeded the call and turned back?

Would the future have been different?

* * *

THE END