Pillow Talk

by Hailey North

  "Did she explain why she did whatever it was she did that upset you?"

  "No—" Parker heard the denial cross his lips and corrected himself. "Well, she did, but I have to confess I wasn't listening very closely. She did say something about needing money pretty badly."

  Grandfather nodded. "You know, when I was born, the Ponthiers were at pretty low tide. You don't know what it's like to go without, but until I was almost fifteen, my dad and grandpa struggled, still trying to build back the family fortunes. Then the sugar business revitalized and they rode the stock market up and had the good sense to get out ahead of the crash. When others were selling, they were able to buy. But before that, life wasn't so sweet."

  Parker followed his grandfather's story, knowing he wouldn't talk so long without a point. It wasn't his nature.

  "Mrs. Fenniston has shared with me some of what Meg has gone through—how her worthless husband died and left her holding a bag with no sides, top, or bottom to it. So if she did anything to earn money to keep her family together and fed, I'd think long and hard before I condemned her for it."

  "Even—" Parker stopped. He wanted the secret of Jules's final betrayal to remain buried.

  "Even if it had something to do with Jules?"

  Parker stared. Did he know? "What do you mean?"

  Grandfather shrugged. "Women have married for money before. He was a good-looking guy, probably flashing a wad of bills around in Vegas. Maybe she saw a good thing and played her cards to cash in."

  Parker shook his head. "Then why ask me to set up a trust in favor of Gus with anything she inherits from Jules?"

  Grandfather drummed on his knee. "She's giving away the gains so what's not to trust?" He smiled at his own pun, then serious once more said, "I don't think it's Meg you're worried about trusting. I think it's your own heart you're afraid of."

  Parker digested his grandfather's words.

  "Don't think about it too long," Grandfather said, "Life is short."

  Parker gave him a wry smile. "Thanks for listening and for your advice. Now what do we do about Gus?"

  "Custody. You and Meg can watch him."

  "Right." Parker frowned. "I know nothing about children and Meg is going back—"

  The intercom buzzed. Parker pressed the speaker.

  "I'm sorry, Parker," his assistant said, "but that's your nephew on line one and he said it was urgent."

  Parker grabbed the phone.

  Farther uptown, at the Audubon Zoological Gardens, Meg pointed out the white alligator lifting its head from behind a fallen log. "Look, kids, there it is."

  "That's not an alligator," Samantha said. "Alligators are green. Everybody knows that."

  "Shows what you know," Ellen said. "This is an albino alligator. Guess you didn't learn too much in kindergarten, did you, dummy?"

  Meg snapped her head around. "Ellen Margaret Cooper, you mind your tongue. There is no reason to speak to your sister that way."

  Ellen's eyes widened and to Meg's dismay, her tough-as-nails daughter burst into tears.

  Samantha promptly did the same, wailing, "I'm not a dummy, I'm just little!"

  Teddy covered his ears. "Girls," he said, his voice an echo of Gus's. Ellen cried even harder. A young couple, arm in arm with eyes only for one another, moved away with an annoyed look back at the crying children.

  "Sweetie, I didn't mean to make you cry," Meg said to Ellen, "but it's important to speak to your sister in a caring and respectful way, the way you like others to speak to you."

  "Why does that matter when the world is coming to an end?" Ellen dashed her eyes and glared at Meg.

  Meg put her arms around Ellen and Samantha. "Are you sad you're going home? Is that why you feel the world's ending?"

  Ellen kicked at the ground and nodded. Samantha copied her sister's actions.

  "Don't you want to go home? You can see your friends and sleep in your own beds and—" She stopped, at a loss to find treats that compared with white alligators and sugarcane harvesting and a new friend named Gus.

  Determined to make an effort to raise their spirits, she said, "I'll take you to see the white tigers again when we get home."

  "Everyone's seen those," Ellen said in disgust.

  Teddy had uncovered his ears when the girls stopped crying. He walked back to them, a hopeful look in his too-sad eyes. "Hey, Mom, I've been thinking. Nothing's been the same since Dad died, so why not stay here and maybe Parker could be our dad?"

  Dismayed at the eager looks on the girls' faces, Meg tightened her arms around her daughters. "It's not really that simple."

  "Have you asked him?" Ellen demanded.

  "Of course not. Listen, kidlets, becoming someone's dad means becoming someone's husband, too, and Parker and I are not—"

  "How do you know if you haven't asked him?" Ellen stuck to her argument. "You always tell us, 'You never know the answer until you ask.' "

  Hearing her daughter imitate her own voice so perfectly, Meg had to smother a smile. As she thought of how best to respond, a herd of men and women sporting name tags of a tour group surged around the white alligators. Meg drew her children away and said firmly, "Remember how I've taught you that some things are for adults to decide and others are for children?"

  They nodded.

  "Well, daddy and husband questions are for adults." And those questions are too complicated for this particular adult, Meg thought.

  "Now let's go see the komodo dragon."

  "Let's not," Ellen said.

  "Good idea," Teddy said. "Who cares about some stupid dragon."

  Then Samantha piped in with, "Let's go home. I miss Jem."

  Meg studied her suddenly mutinous children. "Yesterday you said you wanted to see the dragon."

  "That was yesterday," Ellen said.

  "Before Gus had to go away," Teddy added.

  "It wouldn't be right without him." Ellen and Teddy spoke in unison.

  Accepting defeat, Meg nodded. She'd been the one trying to avoid Ponthier Place, hoping to slip out of town without bumping into Parker. Well, if he turned up there, she'd be polite, yet cool. And she'd salvage her pride by not letting him see how much she wanted him to forgive her and ask her to stay. "Okay," Meg said, "let's start hiking."

  The childrens' spirits picked up a little as they walked the mile or so across Audubon Park on their way to the streetcar.

  It was Meg who grew more sad as she waited by the yellow streetcar stop marker. Memories of Parker cartwheeled through her mind. She didn't want to leave, but she couldn't stay. Not with the way things were.

  She hid a shiver, continuing to put on a brave face for her children. Red-eyed from crying herself to sleep after Parker's angry reaction, she'd met with Grandfather Ponthier early that morning and asked if he would send them home that evening in the Ponthier plane.

  As sharp as he was, Meg could tell he figured out she and Parker had had a disagreement. He didn't try to persuade her to stay, though, which tormented Meg. Had Parker said something to him about Jules's plan? Or maybe Parker slept with every woman he said hello to and Grandfather knew better than to expect his grandson to be wanting Meg to stick around in New Orleans. The city held plenty of women who'd fall for a Ponthier.

  No matter what direction her imagination traveled, the road was bleak. She'd thanked Grandfather Ponthier and retreated to her room. She had promised the kids one last day of sightseeing but not told anyone at the house her plans for the day or when they would return. Only Grandfather and she knew the time they had to be at the small lakefront airport where the jet was hangared.

  "Mom! Come on." Meg felt a tug on her elbow and realized Samantha was pulling her towards the open doors of the streetcar. From their vantage point on the steps of the car, her other two children regarded her as if she'd lost her marbles. She heard Ellen whisper to Teddy, "I bet she's thinking about your idea."

  In the driveway at Ponthier Place, Parker got back into his car and slammed the door. Horton had no idea where
Meg and the kids had gone. Teensy had gone shopping, accompanied by Dr. Prejean. Mrs. Fenniston had gone to meet Grandfather downtown.

  When he'd suggested Parker take Meg and the kids to Mississippi to collect Gus, Grandfather must have assumed Meg would still be at the house.

  Grandfather's words about not understanding the desperation of having no money shamed him. He could hear Meg as clearly as if she were speaking. She'd said, "You don't know what it's like to hear your children cry when their shoes are too tight and you don't have the money to buy the new ones."

  Yet he hadn't listened. His fury had filled his ears and his heart. And today he was ashamed of his selfish reaction. He'd thought only of himself. What a jerk. Meg hadn't done anything to him. Knowing Jules as he did, Parker could almost hear the way his brother would have described Parker and the evil that would be wrought if Meg didn't help him out.

  She'd said it last night—she'd done what she'd done to help her family. Her first husband must have been a real loser to saddle sweet Meg with problems so massive she'd had to take such drastic measures.

  Having reasoned out the situation, Parker was eager to beg her forgiveness for his harsh words of the evening before, and he was frustrated beyond belief when he couldn't find her.

  "Dammit," he said, drumming on the wheel with one hand and rubbing his bleary eyes with the other.

  A yelp sounded from the side of the house. Jem rounded it, loping towards the car. He skidded to a stop, sat back on his haunches, and cocked his head, dipping his droopy ear even farther.

  "At least you're here," Parker said.

  Jem yelped but refrained from jumping on the side of Parker's car, showing at least the possibility he remembered a few things Parker was trying to teach him.

  Staring at the dog, Parker thought of the choked-back sobs in Gus's voice. He'd called from the infirmary phone, having presented himself there with a self-proclaimed stomachache and lain in wait until the nurse went outside to smoke her morning cigarette.

  This he told Parker in between pleas for Parker and Meg to come get him out of prison. Marianne hadn't even kept him with her overnight; she and Cleveland had driven him straight to Mississippi, complaining of the cost to replace his missing school uniform. But, Gus added bitterly, he heard them discussing how they were going out gambling at one of the casinos there after they dumped him at the school.

  Jem whined and Parker got out of the car. "Okay, dammit, you win." Parker walked around to the trunk, Jem dogging his heels, his tongue panting with anticipation. He found another gym towel, covered his leather seat, then stood back.

  "Got that déjà vu feeling?" Parker said to the mutt as he settled on the seat with a pleased sigh.

  And he could have sworn as he slipped the car into gear, and said, "Let's go get Gus," that the dog actually smiled.

  She might not be able to avoid Ponthier Place, Meg thought as she and the children climbed the broad steps leading to the side door, but she could hide out in her room. After all, she had to pack for all of them and that should keep her busy.

  Ellen and Teddy barreled into the house as the door swung open. Horton smiled at the children and Meg and said, "Mrs. Fenniston was asking for you, Miz Meg. She and Mr. Ponthier are in the Great Parlor."

  Meg's heart skittered. "Mr. Ponthier?"

  As if he understood the question she was actually asking, and knowing Horton, he probably did, he said in a soft voice, "That would be Grandfather Ponthier."

  "Oh, of course." Meg managed a smile.

  "Would the children care for a snack?"

  "Oh, yes," Samantha said, transferring her hand from her mother's to Horton's.

  "Thanks," Meg said and crossed the elegant foyer towards the Great Parlor.

  Mrs. Fenniston was just seating herself across from Grandfather at the chess table. She waved Meg over, a happy smile on her face.

  They exchanged greetings and Grandfather urged her to pull up a chair. Meg hesitated, not wanting to be caught downstairs in case Parker came by the house. But he gave her one of his bossy looks and she relented.

  That's when she spotted the amazing emerald and diamond ring on Mrs. Fenniston's left hand. "Mrs. Fenniston!" Meg couldn't stop her exclamation. "What a fabulous ring."

  Her friend blushed and smiled. "It is lovely, isn't it?" She glanced over at Grandfather, her admiration clear in her gaze. "Augie presented it to me this morning."

  Grandfather fingered one of his pawns. "It's the Ponthier ring. Stays in the family. If you and Parker had come to terms first, it would've been yours." This time his glare was even fiercer.

  "Oh, it looks much better on Mrs. Fenniston," Meg was relieved Grandfather had skipped over her marriage to Jules when referring to the ring but embarrassed that he was still trying to matchmake for her and Parker.

  The doors to the terrace opened. Meg turned to see Teensy and Dr. Prejean walk in arm in arm, in what didn't look at all like a doctor-patient relationship. They strolled across the room and stopped beside the chess table.

  Not letting go of Teensy, Prejean said, "Afternoon, everyone."

  Teensy smiled and for the first time since Meg had been at Ponthier Place, she felt that Teensy actually felt happy as her lips curved upwards.

  "Augie, I've got to hand it to you," Prejean said.

  "Why's that?" Grandfather moved the pawn diagonally.

  "Ooh, that's the Ponthier emerald!" Teensy patted Mrs. Fenniston on the hand. "Better you than me," she said.

  Meg hid a smile.

  "Teensy and I have some news for you," Prejean announced. "Augie, in acting as quickly as you have to declare yourself to Mrs. Fenniston, you've set an example to be admired. For many years I've cared for Teensy, properly as a doctor cares for a special patient. Well, during that time, I've grown to respect and admire—"

  Grandfather said, "Are you trying to tell us that you're finally going to make an honest woman out of Teensy?"

  Teensy lifted her eyes heavenward and clutched the doctor more tightly. "Dickie has made me the happiest woman in the world by asking me to become his wife."

  Mrs. Fenniston rose and hugged both Teensy and Prejean. Even Grandfather extended his good hand for a shake. Meg, too, offered her congratulations, feeling hollow even as she said all the right things.

  She knew she was being silly, but she felt like the only girl without a date at the homecoming dance. When Prejean called for a bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion, Meg offered to tell Horton and used the excuse to slip out. Missing Parker more than she could describe, she made her way upstairs and refused to shed even a tear as she opened her suitcase.

  Meg had her belongings ready to go and had started on Ellen's when Teddy raced into the bedroom. "Mom, you better come quick. Jem's missing."

  Meg groaned. Of course she didn't want anything bad to happen to the dog, but how would she convince the children to leave if they were worried about Jem? It was tough enough for them to have seen Gus ripped away, obviously unhappily so. With a sigh, she headed downstairs to pour oil over the troubled waters.

  It was a shame she had to leave, she thought, descending the staircase, her hand trailing down the polished banister. In the short time she'd been involved in the world of the Ponthiers, she'd come to feel remarkably at home. If only Parker could understand why she'd done what she'd done and let go of his anger perhaps she wouldn't have had to drag the kids—and herself—away so abruptly.

  But after last night's tirade, no way was she spending another twenty-four hours in New Orleans. Even if Parker forgave her, she wasn't sure she could do the same for him.

  "Jem's been dognapped," Samantha said by way of greeting. She sat on the bottom step of the staircase playing with her dolls. "Just like the 101 Dalmatians." But at least she calmly went on disrobing her Barbie.

  Ellen and Teddy weren't taking the news nearly as calmly. Teddy was out on the porch, searching for tracks. Ellen had learned from Horton that Parker had been by the house earlier.

 
; Meg snatched at that straw, at the same time grateful she'd spent the day out and about. She told the kids that Parker had probably taken Jem to the vet or the groomer.

  "In his Porsche? Get real, Mom," Ellen said. "And it's been raining since we got back on the streetcar. Parker wouldn't let a dog with muddy paws in that car."

  "Yeah, he loves that car," Teddy said.

  Her children had been safely home in Las Vegas the day she and Parker had rescued Gus and Jem. Meg remembered Parker's initial opposition to bringing the dog home, especially in his beloved car. She pictured him rummaging in his trunk, then spreading a towel on the leather seat. It had been Parker who'd driven the muddy mongrel home in style.

  She smiled softly at the memory. Parker was such a good man. She thought of him pulling Gus and Jem from the water, remembered him patiently untangling the lines and recasting them for Gus and Ellen and Teddy, and pictured him scattering the bed at Sugar Bridge with rose petals before he made sweet love to her.

  Yes, she could forgive Parker the things he'd said about her last night. He'd been hurt, but her love for him was greater than one night of wounded feelings could destroy.

  Should she wait for him? Find him and talk to him? Ellen and Teddy ran outside to search around the house for Jem and Meg walked slowly back towards the staircase.

  She paused to watch Samantha playing "date.'' Her daughter dipped Ken towards Barbie and said, "Would you like to go to the movies with me?" Samantha accepted for Barbie, then walked the two dolls hand in hand up one of the stairs.

  Some things, Meg thought, followed a time-honored tradition. She'd never asked a boy or a man on a date and she didn't feel like she should start now. Parker had driven her away. If they were to be together, she needed him to want her badly enough that he would come after her. Even if that meant following her all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada.