Breakfast wasn’t going that well for Val and Karen, but luckily, Glen arrived and cheered them up with stories about his new heartthrob Kevin. Then they called Anne, suggesting she accompany Karen to the coast for the Première. Much to Val’s surprise, her mother loved the whole idea.
“It would be my pleasure. I certainly don’t want that scallywag getting all the publicity.”
It was settled. Karen left with her usual “not to worry” advice and Val went to the theater. After a tough day of trying to keep her chin up as she saw her part change constantly, she begged off going out to dinner with Glen.
“I’m tired. I’m just going to call room service and have a quiet evening for a change.”
“I’ll look in on you when I get back. Take it easy.”
She was in a strange mood: full of energy, yet not wanting to do anything…on the verge of depression, yet too up to crash. She looked at herself in the mirror.
“If only I were playing Ophelia, I could do it to perfection. No wonder the poor darling went mad. Maybe I was Ophelia in another life?”
Still looking at herself, she laughed.
“Minor detail. Ophelia was a fictional character.”
She stopped smiling.
“Well so is Valerie Rhodes. How amusing is that.”
The door buzzer startled her.
“Val, its Glen.”
She was still wearing her rehearsal clothes, a one-piece black leotard with a man’s shirt, turquoise leg warmers, and heeled character shoes. She tied the shirttails at her waist and shook her hair, letting it fall over half her face. For once, she thought she looked rather good. She could tell by the reaction of the three people facing her that she had been right. She bowed them into the sitting room.
“Do come in. And where have you lovelies been tonight?”
“Val, you look divine. This, my dear is the Kevin you’ve been hearing about, and this is Deidra. Kevin is with the show’s PR firm, and Deidra is my wife.”
“Your what?”
Val, couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Deidra glided across the room, landing in lotus position on the couch. She lit a J and took a long drag before simply saying, “It’s true.”
Glen continued. “Deidra called me from New York this morning. She just flew in from London last night. Instead of letting her stay in the city alone, I told her all about you, so here we are to keep you company.”
Glen took over the bar and poured them all some white wine. Val felt a little flustered, but with the J and the wine she soon relaxed.
Didi, as she was now being called, had a wonderful, easygoing air about her. Her long, shiny black hair fell from a center part, framing her tanned face. She wore a beaded headband across her forehead. She was an uptown version of a Haight–Ashbury hippie. She had a full mouth, nearly Mick Jaggerish, with white, perfect teeth. Her eyelashes were so long and thick and her dark brown, almond-shaped eyes so alive, it was hard to take your eyes off her. Her hip-hugger jeans were shoved into red platform boots with yellow stars scattered across them, and her loose, white Indian top made it apparent she had joined the bra burners. Val sat next to her and Didi started to fill them in with her version of how the unlikely couple had met.
“We were in Switzerland and both in our late teens. We were part of a group attending a ski clinic in Chamonix. Most of the kids attending the clinic were American. Most had a story similar to ours: rich parents who considered us social threats.” This got a laugh. “Some of us had blown our inheritance money on drugs. Others embarrassed their parents by being expelled from prestigious schools for things that wouldn’t make good copy in the social columns.
Didi went on to explain that kids like her were frequently shipped off, out of the country. She had spent two hideous years in Spain at a chic but strict convent. After rebelling at first, she eventually learnt and played by the rules. When the nuns finally informed her parents that she’d made “remarkable progress,” she was allowed to go to the ski clinic in Chamonix as a reward. Glen came from a hellish situation himself. He’d spent two torturous years at a French military academy. Based on good behavior, he was allowed to go to the same clinic. They hit it off immediately. It was left unsaid, but they’d both understood there would be nothing physical between them. “We had a ball. Together we rediscovered life all over again. Toward the end of the program, we literally sat in Glen’s hotel room plotting our future.”
When they returned to the States, they announced their engagement. Their families were thrilled. It was a fine merger. Glen received an inheritance and his parents upped his trust fund allowance. Didi’s family did the same. They globe trotted for a couple of years and were now back in the States, cooling their heels while Didi’s aging aunt neared the end of her life. They planned to stick around to attend the funeral in person and then visit the lawyers for the reading of her will.
“That’s it in a nutshell,” Didi summed up.
“Wow that’s a big nutshell.”
“I’m not quite through yet.”
Everyone was laughing and enjoying the saga.
“I know this sounds harsh, but honestly they’re making it very hard for the rich these days. I mean at one time you didn’t have to be Onassis to make it. Now if you’re not ultrarich it’s hard to make ends meet. It’s not easy to live on inherited wealth with all this inflation. I used to be able to live on just my dividends. Now I have to find something to do. My trust funds are legally tied up for the next five years. I mean really, how can a human being function in New York City on two thousand dollars a month?”
This was Didi’s lament. Val couldn’t help thinking that most people managed on a lot less. She felt sorry for her in a way. Here was a person who had always been surrounded by wealth and didn’t know how to live any other way, yet her family still had the reins on her finances. It reminded her of her father’s situation.
Glen started singing, “What Do The Simple Folk Do?” and they all burst out laughing again. He went on bended knee in front of Didi and sang “Poor Little Rich Girl,” to which Didi tried to say without laughing, “It’s not funny.” But of course it was.
It ended up being a wonderful evening. They all loved film and the theater, so they had lots to talk about. Of course, it helped that Kevin knew a lot of the dirt that never made the headlines. They put on the TV and got hung up on a re-run of That Girl without the sound on. Just watching Marlo Thomas’s facial expressions was hilarious, especially after a good puff and some wine. The phone invaded their space.
“I don’t want to answer it.”
Glen volunteered. “I’ll get it.”
It was a good thing he did. It was Karen.
“Just checking in.”
“Hi Karen. All quiet here on the Western front.”
This struck them as funny and they laughed too loudly. Karen heard them.
“Are you having a party without me?”
“You wouldn’t call it a party.”
“Sounds like fun to me. Who’s there?”
“Val, me, my friend Kevin, and Didi.”
“Didi? What the fuck is she doing there? Glen I left you in charge of the situation. Of all people. How could you? She’s not one of my favorites, and you know that. When did she get there?”
“Don’t lose it, Karen.”
He walked into the other room for privacy.
“It’s okay. She came up today. You may not like her, but she’s really very sweet. I don’t see any problem. The two of them hit it off right away.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. Just how well are they hitting it off?”
“Calm down. Personally, I think it’s just what Val needed. A breath of fresh air to take her mind off all the shit that’s going on with the show.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m sorry for the outburst.”
“Hey, it’s cool.”
“Let me talk to Val. And Glen, I love you.”
“And I love you, you idiot. Have a good trip to the coast, and we’ll look for you on the tube. Make sure you get on camera.”
He came back to the living room and motioned to Val to come to the phone.
“Hi, Karen.”
“Hello, princess. I just want to bring you up-to-date. I saw your mother today, and she’s so excited. She’s like a child. I sent her to Bonwit’s to buy a gown for the the major event. We leave at six p.m. tomorrow. Your agent and manager loved the whole idea. I think you’re going to come out of this with more publicity by not being there.”
Who gives a shit? thought Val. But she pretended to like the plans.
“I have to ask you a favor. When you see Nicky, say hello for me.”
“Don’t go upsetting yourself.”
“I’m not. Honestly, I’m fine. But I am serious. Please say hello.”
“If that’s what you want, okay.”
“Thanks a million.”
“How’s Didi?”
“She’s wonderful fun. I haven’t laughed so much in ages.”
“Give her my love, and tell her to keep her hands to herself.”
“Really, Karen, don’t talk like that.”
It was as if she had read Val’s thoughts. The difference was Val had no intention of telling Didi to keep her hands to herself.
“Princess, you take care. By the by, did you find a box on the dresser in the bedroom?”
“What box?”
“Go in the bedroom and look on the dresser.”
Val put down the phone walked into the bedroom and sure enough, there on the dresser she saw a box. Val knew immediately it was from Tiffany’s. She picked up the phone near the bed and opened the box.
“Oh my goodness. What have you done now?”
“Well do you like them?”
Val stared at a pair of earrings with two enormous blue star sapphires surrounded by diamonds.
“I think they’ll match the color of your eyes. And after all, you are my star. I wasn’t sure if you had pierced ears or not, so I bought clip-ons. They can be changed if you want.”
“You never cease to amaze me. I always seem to run out of words. Thank you isn’t enough. You really shouldn’t have.”
“But you’re glad I did.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. They’re so beautiful. I’ll be scared to wear them.”
“Don’t be foolish. You wear them and enjoy them. Now try to get some rest. I’ll talk to you soon. Take good care of yourself, and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do with me.”
“Don’t be silly. You make me blush when you speak like that. Karen, I hope my mother isn’t going to be too much of a burden to you. I should wish you a good trip, but I can’t help wishing I was going too.”
“We’ll probably return Sunday night, so I’ll be in the city Monday morning. You won’t even know I’ve been gone. Did Dr. Anderson’s assistant show?”
“He’s like an old friend already.”
“How do you feel?”
“Great, luv. I have enough energy for the whole cast, and I promise to only take two yellows at night.”
“Is Reagle treating you well?”
“It’s all sort of falling into place. I’m a bit worried about my big song. It has a large range, but they don’t seem to be worried. I hate the leading man and he hates me, and that twerp Danny is really getting on my nerves. But on the whole, it’s better than I thought. I’m kind of glad they cut my part to the extent they did. At least I keep telling myself that.”
“Keep thinking that way. Sweet dreams, princess. By the way, good news. The police announced that the coroner didn’t find any foul play connected with Peter’s death. They now consider the whole incident an accidental overdose. Case closed. See, I told you it was nothing. Good night, precious. Sleep well.”
Val walked back into the sitting room holding the Tiffany box. Glen was lighting another J.
“Perfect timing, darling. What did you get? A new bijou?”
He took the box from her and opened it.
“My, my, it looks like the lady has some kind of serious hang-up, I must say.”
“Aren’t they something?”
“Karen is always a tough act to follow.”
“Does she buy these kinds of gifts very often?”
“I wouldn’t say often.”
They all laughed. Val felt a little embarrassed. “Don’t be silly. Karen is my best friend, that’s all.”
Didi piped in. “Aren’t you going to try them on?”
“I feel funny. I mean, I’ve never owned anything quite like these. My grandmother wore things like this.”
“They are a tad formal. You must wear them like you’ve had them for years.”
Val sounded like Tallulah as she gingerly took the earrings and placed them on her ears.
“I know. It’s all attitude darling.”
She pulled her hair back and went to the mirror. Karen had been right; they did match her eyes. They were gorgeous.
“I don’t have a thing to wear with them.”
Glen took them, put them on, and swished around the room. “Darling, something like this goes with everything.”
He put the earrings back in their box and the gift was over. They all puffed away. Didi amused them with stories about her travels in Europe.
“London was great fun. Everyone was doing downs there. Paris was hash. I didn’t do much coke—only when I met some Americans in the South of France. Greece was hash again, washed down with delicious Domestica wine that tasted like resin and cost about two dollars a bottle. I’m glad to be home. Back in the good old USA where grass and downs are popular.”
It seemed to Val that Didi’s travels centered around the drug scene in every country she visited. It was amazing how well she looked considering her stories. Val was still such a novice when it came to the drugs Didi had mentioned. She remembered her yellows. It was getting late and she wasn’t tired. She knew she had to get some sleep. She excused herself, went to the bathroom, and took her ration. She returned to find Kevin and Glen ready to leave. Glen bowed and kissed her hand like a southern gentleman.
“Sugar, the time to say good night is upon us or we won’t have any night left to make good.”
The two of them blew kisses as they made their exit.
Val busied herself picking up glasses.
“Well that was a fun evening. Kevin’s very nice isn’t he?”
“Come here.” Didi gestured to the seat next to her. Val joined her on the couch. “Kiss me.”
It was like Svengali directing a scene. Val leaned over and their lips touched. She started to move away, but Didi moved with her so their lips stayed intact. Tongues began flashing in and out of mouths. Didi stood up and led them into the bedroom. They undressed without trying. It just happened. There they were. It was as if they had known each other for years. Val lay across the bed and Didi was on her knees between her legs looking down at her. Val looked up and smiled. It looked like Didi still had her bikini on. The bottom half at least. The narrow strip of white across her thighs, and the patch of black hair growing into a perfect triangle, were the only contrasts to her perfectly tanned body. She must have gone topless all summer. Her small breasts stood up proudly, and Val felt compelled to touch them. She reached up and softly etched the shape with her fingers.
“Your skin is like satin.”
“And you are like the white alabaster marble, found only in Volterra.”
They didn’t say much more to each other. Didi’s mouth was busy exploring parts Val didn’t know existed. It went on and on. When she thought she couldn’t feel any better, Didi managed to take her to heights unknown. There was a gentleness about their lovemaking. They took time discovering each other’s pleasures. Didi smelled delicious and tasted even better. They must have fallen asleep making love.
The wake-up call penetrated Val’s mind. She groggily reached for the phone and felt Didi’s body next to her.
“Good morning, Miss Rhodes. It’s nine-thirty.”
“Thank you. Could you call me back in a half hour and would you be a darling and order two continental breakfasts to be delivered at ten. I need the extra half hour. So would you be a darling?”
“Anything for you, Miss Rhodes.”
“Thanks so much.”
She let her body down on top of Didi and started kissing her. She smiled still half-asleep. Val continued kissing her all over. She loved to touch her. To taste her. To see her writhe and relax, to always want more, and yet be satisfied.
What a shame she had to go to rehearsal. Thank God she’d had a noon call. She wanted to stay right there in bed, all day.
The phone rang with her second wake-up call, and the doorbell rang with room service. The outside world intruded on her magical space. She wondered if she looked different. Would the waiter know just by looking at her that she was in heaven? He didn’t seem to.
She sipped her coffee and watched Didi sleep. She didn’t want to wake her and went to take a shower. Once covered in lather, she couldn’t help but touch herself until she came. She dried off, then slid back under the sheet and gently kissed Didi’s shoulder.
“Breakfast is served. Do you want it in bed?”
“No. I want you in bed.”
Val’s heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t just her; they both felt the same way.
“One of us has to be strong. If I come back to bed, the world will not see Valerie Rhodes today.”
“Fuck the world, I want to get off!”
“Me too!”
Val jumped back into bed.