Читать книгу A Ghost In The Closet - Mabel Maney - Страница 14

“I’ll sit for a moment first and enjoy these lovely flowers,” she told herself, plopping down on the wrought-iron bench overlooking Hannah’s award-winning begonias.

“Just last week, I sat on this bench with Jackie,” Cherry remembered. “She held my hand and looked into my eyes and—” She blushed when she recalled the day Jackie had asked her to return with her to San Francisco. Detective Jackie Jones had already spent a week in River Depths, and her vacation time was running out fast. Cherry knew she was waiting around for an answer—but what answer would she give her? Would Cherry travel west with the dashing police detective or would she choose to stay in this Midwestern fairyland in an attempt to recapture her lost love?

“Oh, Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse, you’re such a silly goose,” Cherry cried aloud, as she was wont to do when faced with a particularly puzzling predicament. As a nurse, Cherry had made many a tough decision and always reacted with lightning-quick action and a cool head, earning her the respect of nurses everywhere. But in matters of the heart, never before had she been so unsure of her feelings.

“Well, just that once, when I had a mad crush on Miss Peebles, the School Nurse, and mother explained to me that when a girl likes an older girl, it’s not a crush in the romantic sense, but rather it’s that she admires the way the older girl carries herself: her poise, charm and attractive, modern way of dress,” she mused.

Cherry chastised herself loudly. “You’re acting like a lovesick schoolgirl!” She shook her head and resolutely jumped up off the bench. “A cool bath and a fresh outfit might be just what I need,” she reasoned. She headed for the house, but as she mounted the back stairs she got a sudden surprise. Jackie was lounging on the wide porch swing, gazing at the sparkling night sky.

Cherry turned bright red. “Oh, hi,” she smiled weakly, wondering if Jackie had been witness to her tortured murmuring. She turned redder still, after she got a good look at Jackie, who had recently stepped out of a refreshing bath. Her jet-black hair was slicked close to her head, and she was clad in a pair of old, soft-looking dungaree trousers and a snug white tee-shirt that showed off her bulging biceps to their best advantage.

Jackie returned her stare, then smiled warmly. “I’ve been sitting here enjoying the meteor showers,” she explained. “They say when you wish on a falling star, your wish comes true,” she continued in a soft tone. “Know what I wished for?”

Cherry turned scarlet. “I got you something at the dog show,” she cried, fishing around in her patent-leather clutch for the brown paper bag that contained Jackie’s souvenir.

Jackie gave a bemused grin when she opened the bag and held up a handsome braided red leather collar and matching leash.

Cherry blushed. “Oh, that’s Midge’s,” she cried. “This is yours,” Cherry said, handing Jackie a small brown bag. Inside, wrapped in layers of protective tissue, was a handsome porcelain figurine of a collie, its head cocked to one side. “The eyes and the ears were painted by hand,” Cherry explained. The figure had cost a pretty penny, but the look of delight in Jackie’s eyes told Cherry that it was six dollars and fifty-nine cents well spent.

“It looks just like the dog I had as a kid,” Jackie grinned with pleasure.

Cherry’s heart started to pound uncontrollably. “I got my mother cute plastic coasters in the shape of Scotty dogs,” Cherry babbled nervously. “And I got Lauren a book about dogs who have rescued people from peril.”

Jackie smiled at the mention of the youngest member of their little gang, sixteen-year-old Lauren Rooney. The troublesome teen had accompanied the gang east from San Francisco, and although she was often underfoot and was too fond of unhealthy snacks, she had proven herself an invaluable aid in times of danger.

“I hope Lauren’s having some good clean fun at camp,” Cherry continued. “Wasn’t it nice of Bess and George to secure her a scholarship so she could spend a week out-of-doors learning necessary craft skills?” Nancy’s oldest chums, Bess Marvel, a giggly girl with a pleasingly plump figure and a sunny disposition, and George Fey, a girl with a boy’s name, had left a few days before for their annual stint as counselors at nearby Camp Hathaway, an exclusive girls’ camp situated on nearby Clear Lake.

“The house sure is quiet without her,” Jackie admitted.

“Even Midge seems a little lonely since she’s been gone,” Cherry marvelled. “I had no idea she could be so maternal.”

Jackie laughed heartily at this notion. “Speaking of maternal, I believe that letter is for you,” she said, pointing to a small cream-colored envelope lying on a nearby wrought-iron glass-topped circular table.

Cherry gasped in delight when she spied the familiar neat handwriting. It was a letter from her mother, Mrs. Doris Aimless of Pleasantville, Idaho! Cherry eagerly ripped open the envelope. Ever since she had spoken with her twin brother Charley, a successful interior decorator in New York City, and received the shocking news that both their parents had had complete and utter nervous breakdowns, Cherry had been on pins and needles awaiting word of their progress. Perhaps this would be it! She eagerly read the missive aloud.

27 July 1959

Dear Cherry,

You’ll never believe it, but your father and I have gone and done the most unexpected thing! We’ve checked into the lovely Tamarack Lodge, “Where Friendly People Go To Frolic!,” a delightful resort with comfortable accommodations, inspiring scenery and the best cuisine.

We’ve met the most congenial people, and we are participating in all sorts of fun activities. Don’t be surprised if you get a darling set of pot-holders for your birthday!

I hope you are having a relaxing holiday as well. Your brother Charley says you’re visiting a new girlfriend in Illinois. That’s nice, dear. My friend Mavis Minot once visited her cousin Marjorie in Ohio for the Snow Carnival. Are you anywhere near there?

How long can you be away from the hospital? Remember, August comes sooner than you think. Shouldn’t you be getting your fall wardrobe together? I heard Kloppman’s is having a sale on woolen nurses’ capes, and if I remember correctly, you’re due for a new one.

Well, I could go on and on about the fun we’re having, but it’s time for luncheon. Today it’s oxtail soup, boiled fish, jellied vegetable ring and orange sherbet. Your father says to say hello.

Love,

Mother

P.S. If you’re wondering whether to stop in Pleasantville on your way back to Seattle, you needn’t bother. Mrs. Henry next door is watering my zinnias and Miss Lily Bee from the bridge club is watching Snowpuff.

Cherry looked mighty puzzled. “Charley told me Mother and Father had been taken to a nearby, thoroughly modern sanitarium staffed by the finest doctors using the most up-to-date equipment available to treat nervous disorders, and here they are, already returned to normal and on vacation,” she cried out. She knitted her pretty brow. “Perhaps I’m not as up-to-date on nervous disorders as I imagined. I had no idea they were so curable!”

This was a worrisome thought, indeed.

Jackie checked the return address on the envelope Cherry had dropped on the ground. “This envelope’s been stamped Pleasantville Sanitarium,” she pointed out.

Cherry gasped. “I know Mother is suffering from a case of hysteria, or in layman’s terms, an unconscious attempt to escape from some unpleasant reality. Could it be she’s suffering from delusions, too? Oh, no,” she cried, throwing up her arms up in alarm. “I must get in touch with Doctor Joe and let him know!”

Jackie tried to comfort the nervous nurse. “I’ll bet your mother’s just pretending to be on vacation so she doesn’t spoil yours,” she guessed.

Cherry considered this. Jackie had a point. “It would be just like Mother to keep a stiff upper lip,” Cherry agreed. She paused a moment in quiet contemplation. The words from her nursing school manual came back to her: Faith is a real remedy, good cheer is a powerful medicine, and confidence is part of the cure for every nervous patient who gets well.

“So if Mother chooses to pretend she’s at a resort, perhaps it’s a good thing after all,” Cherry decided aloud. Suddenly she had a grand thought. “I’ll write back to Mother pretending I believe her little ruse. I’ll ask her to describe the colorful people she has met and the nature hikes and other entertainments. That way, she’ll write me cheery, therapeutic letters which will speed up her recovery. Then she’ll regain her confidence and, in no time at all, be back to her normal contented self.”

“What about what your mother mentioned at the end of her letter?” Jackie blurted out. Would Cherry decide to go back to Seattle and resume her place on the Women’s Psychiatric Ward, or worse, would she choose to settle in River Depths and play nurse to Nancy’s detective? Jackie’s heart was pounding with anticipation. What would Cherry do?

“Oh, I think my woolen nurse’s cape can stand another season’s wear,” Cherry assured her.

“No, I mean about going back to Seattle,” Jackie blushingly stammered.

“When I arrived in River Depths, I wrote the hospital asking for a short leave of absence, at no pay of course,” Cherry informed her. “I’ve got plenty of time.”

“But I don’t,” Jackie was tempted to cry out, forgetting for a moment Midge’s helpful advice. Let Cherry come to you. She’s stuck on you for sure, but she needs to get over Nancy first. Just give it time.

“My vacation’s up soon, and I’ll have to return to San Francisco,” Jackie explained in a calm voice that masked her thudding heart. If she left Cherry behind, she’d surely lose her to Nancy!

Cherry looked at the downcast expression on Jackie’s handsome face and suddenly realized the longer the good-looking detective stayed in Illinois, the longer she was kept away from her vitally important police work. Cherry knew only too well that crime, like illness, accidents and disease, never took a holiday!

“If only I could make up my mind,” Cherry chided herself silently. “I know I have feelings for Jackie that lead me to suspect I’m in love with her, but what about Nancy and the night of passion we shared? I can’t just turn my back on that without first thinking things through long and hard. Plus, Nancy really needs me now. Why, she’s got so much to do, what with inheriting this house and selecting her fall wardrobe!”

Cherry had realized just how much work it was to be Nancy when two days earlier, a dressmaker had wheeled in racks of the latest fall fashions. Nancy had spent the entire day running about the house in various stages of undress while she selected the outfits she would need for the coming year: pretty daytime frocks, sleek going-to-town suits, modest bathing costumes, vibrant ski togs, sophisticated evening sheaths and fancy off-the-shoulder gowns just right for a country club dance. The next day, Velma, Cherry and an exhausted Nancy had lain about the living room sipping refreshing iced tea and pouring over fashion magazines, selecting shoes and handbags, scarves and gloves to round out Nancy’s new wardrobe.

“I could be a real help to her here,” Cherry told herself. “After all, I did take a vow to go wherever I’m needed most!”

Jackie clutched her porcelain figure in her large, strong hands. She felt she couldn’t wait one more minute to find out if Cherry shared her feelings! “Cherry, I’ve got to know. Will you—” Just then Nancy swept onto the porch carrying a tray loaded with all sorts of goodies, and wearing a black felt poodle skirt with white and pink appliqués that showed off her trim waistline. Her pert bosom was covered with a snug white topper and on her petite feet were black patent leather slip-ons.

“You look charming!” Cherry cried as Nancy set down the tray and spun about to unfurl the circumference of the fetching skirt. Nancy stopped twirling, however, when she got a look at the dog statue in Jackie’s hands. A peevish look crossed her pretty face.

“It’s a swell gift, isn’t it?” Jackie boasted, fingering the hand-painted figurine proudly. It would look fine sitting on the mantle in her small but cozy apartment. “Our apartment,” she thought dreamily as she gazed at Cherry.

Nancy gulped. She had assumed Cherry was purchasing the statue for a nurse chum. Her wide blue eyes narrowed in anger. “There’s another skirt just like this one in cherry red lying on someone’s bed,” Nancy cried out in a forced cheery tone. She was talking to Cherry but glaring at Jackie.

“A poodle skirt for me?” Cherry flushed excitedly. “Oh, Nancy, you shouldn’t have! Why, they’re so expensive!” She kicked up her heels and raced upstairs, secretly relieved that her conversation with Jackie had come to an end, at least for now. Cherry had the feeling that Jackie was about to ask her a very important question, the kind of question a girl dreamt of, only Cherry wasn’t sure what her answer would be!

“When will you be sure?” she leaned in close to the mirror and asked the girl in the darling new outfit peering back at her. All Cherry knew was that each time Jackie looked at her, she lost her ability to think clearly. “But is it true love?” Cherry wondered, “or merely a hormonal surge coursing through my body, and impairing my ability to think straight? And when, oh, when will I know for sure?”