Truth and Consequences, page 12
“IS THERE NO DECENCY LEFT IN the world?” railed Cedric. “I want to go back to the Stone Age. No Internet, no gossip rags…. The media’s turned us into cannibals. We feast on one another’s hearts. What’s happened to the right to privacy?”
Penny sighed wearily and shook her head. She didn’t know.
She’d talked to the twins. Both had been furious. Furious at Hilton, at the media and at Alyssa Ritchie. And deeply, painfully concerned about Maeve.
“Good grief,” Bart had snarled in disgust. “Why doesn’t the broad just take a gun and shoot Mom? Can Dad stab her in the back any more? Is there room for any more knives? I don’t think I can make it home Sunday night. I hate it and I’m sorry.”
Will’s reaction was, of course, identical. “Who is this cockroach? I’m calling my P.R. people right away. We’ll squash this woman like the bug she is. I’ll get to Dallas if I possibly can. But Bart and I have contractual obligations up the wazoo.”
Penny folded the cell phone and gave Cedric a hopeless look. “My mother’s been through enough. Now along comes this high-priced hooker to kick her while she’s down.”
“Darling,” he said. “The woman’s a gold digger. Now that your daddy’s gone, she’s grabbing all the gold she can—any way she can.”
“She’s telling the whole world that she sold herself for sex.” Penny fumed. “Doesn’t she have any shame?”
“Not having shame is her stock-in-trade. But don’t let her, of all people, drag you down into despair. Stand tall and stand fast, for your mother’s sake if not your own. In the meantime, drink your champagne.”
She shook her head. “I think I should just go back to my hotel. I’ve got that other shoot tomorrow, and this has been an exhausting day. Thanks for putting up with me, Ced.”
“I love putting up with you. I wish I could be here for the rest of your stay,” he said, his expression genuinely unhappy. “But I have to go to Cancun for that Valencia shoot.”
He swore softly, then looked at her. “Remember what I said about that trouble in the Caribbean. You have to face it. And you have to tell your Craig.”
“Yes,” she admitted. “But now’s not exactly the right time, is it? With both our families in total turmoil.”
“Probably not,” he agreed. “But do it as soon as you can. Don’t put it off. If you do, you might lose him. Forever. And you’ll always regret it.”
“I’ll be fine.” She reached over to squeeze his hand.
But later that night, in her hotel, she did not feel fine at all. Hilton had battered and betrayed his whole family in so many ways that she was losing count.
What she yearned for most was Craig’s long, warm body next to hers. She wanted to lay her cheek against his chest, to feel the strong beat of his steadfast heart.
WHEN PENNY AWOKE, SHE TRIED not to think of how to break the news about Alyssa Ritchie to Maeve. She would hate doing it. Hate, hate, hate it.
On the other hand, she found herself praying that she would be the one telling Maeve, hoping that no one else would get to her first, and that Maeve could stay blissfully ignorant for as long as possible.
She showered, did her hair and dressed in black high heels and a winter-white suit. She donned a black trench coat, then went outside and caught a cab to take her to Morris “Dink” Dinklage’s studio for the lingerie shoot.
She’d never before worked with Dinklage, but she’d heard that he was creepy. She kept telling herself it couldn’t be that different from working with Roddy. It certainly couldn’t be more awful, nor could Dinklage.
She was wrong.
By the end of the day, she was exhausted. She hoped never again to have to pout, purr, or lick her lips invitingly.
It was suitably capped when Dink told her that she looked lovelier in skimpy lingerie than any model he’d ever photographed, and he hoped to work with her many more times. “I think you could have a whole new career in this part of the industry,” he said. “Wait until tomorrow when we do bras and panties.” He gave a sniggering laugh that sounded horribly like “tee-hee!”
Then he added, “Could I take you to supper tonight?”
She blinked in surprise. “I’m afraid I already have an engagement,” she fibbed.
“Too bad,” he said. “I could do a lot for you career-wise. You know?”
“I think you’ve already done it,” Penny said sweetly. She knew she was going to hate these pictures for the rest of her life. The shots, she feared, marked the beginning of the decline of her modeling career.
Don’t feel sorry for yourself, she mentally scolded. This is nothing compared to what Mama’s going through.
“PENNY PHONED,” MAEVE TOLD Craig. “She said she had a wonderful day. That the shoot was easy and the photographer was a perfect gentleman.”
He nodded and gave her a smile. Maeve didn’t notice how strained that smile was.
Delight almost made her glow. She was extremely happy to have Craig here, and she and Gerty had made a wonderful supper for him, Gerty’s celebrated sauerbraten and scalloped potatoes, and for dessert, apple strudel.
Now everything was done, the table was set, the hot food steaming. Gerty insisted eating her own supper in the kitchen. “Craig is your guest. You have family matters to discuss. You need privacy to discuss them, and you know it.”
Now Maeve passed the meat platter to Craig. “Penny comes home Friday night. But you’ll be in South Dakota by then.” She sighed, wishing that the two would get together again.
She added, “But you’ll be glad to see your family, I know. How are they doing? Did you get any news today?”
Craig shrugged, looking conflicted. “Big Gary—my brother—is still having problems, but he seems to be improving. Slowly, but it’s happening.”
“Thank heaven,” Maeve said. “I hope he’ll be well soon.”
“But,” Craig said, cocking an eyebrow, “Lilly’s doing well, but she’s depressed. I guess she’d have to be. But she’ll start her surgeries soon, in Rapid City. There’s a good plastic surgeon there. She can stay with my aunt while she’s recovering. My aunt’s a teacher. She can tutor Lilly. Lil should come back good as new.”
“That’s a blessing,” Maeve said. “And the rest of the family?”
He shrugged again. “Most of them are doing fine. Gary’s wife, Rita, is having the most trouble coping. But she’ll soldier through. Heard from Will or Bart?” he asked. “How’s life in the NASCAR lane?”
“Too fast for my taste,” Maeve said, spooning red cabbage onto her plate. “But they both called twice today along with Sawyer. They’re so protective. I guess they’re just being good sons. But I feel guilty. Bart and Will have so little time. They both have interviews and personal appearances.”
She paused and took a sip of her Chenin Blanc. “But that’s the price of their being successful. NASCAR’s a wonderful sport, but it’s also a business.”
“This wine is good,” said Craig. “To go with your great sauerbraten.”
“Gerty’s great sauerbraten,” she amended. “Oh, how all three of my boys love it.”
She smiled at the memory, and Craig smiled to see her smile.
The phone rang.
Before Craig could protest, Maeve rose and rushed to the telephone on the side table. “Maybe it’s one of the children.”
“Hello?” she said brightly.
All signs of brightness quickly disappeared. She looked confused, confounded. “What?” she said. “What? Who? Who? I don’t understand…Alyssa who? No, I don’t…I have no idea—twenty years? No. No. NO! Don’t call again! Ever!”
She slammed down the receiver as hard as she could. Then she stood, breathing hard, her mouth twitching uncontrollably. Tears welled in her eyes. She began to tremble, and she looked like a lost and terrified child, shivering in a cold rain.
It’s happened, Craig thought, half-sick. It’s happened. Mentally, he swore. He pushed back his chair and went swiftly to her side. “Maeve?” he said, taking her by the arm.
She looked at him, the tears sliding down her cheeks. “I-it was one of those awful newspapers,” she said. “C-calling about H-Hil-H—”
She couldn’t get the name out, so Craig said it for her. “Hilton.”
She nodded. “This person s-said there’s proof he had a m-mmis—”
“Mistress?” Craig asked, feeling lousier by the second.
Instead of answering, she burst into a flood of tears. He grabbed her and hugged her as hard as he could. “Maeve. Maeve. Maeve,” he said, trying to console her. “Do you know how many of us love you? Do you? Penny, Bart, Will, Sawyer, me—that’s just for starters.”
She pressed her face against his chest. “Why did I never catch on?” she sobbed. “How could he do this? Didn’t he ever think of the children?”
She couldn’t say anything else and became lost in crying.
Gerty came out of the kitchen. “Maeve? Maeve?” she said. “What’s wrong?”
“More bad news,” Craig said.
“What?” demanded Gerty. “The boys? Penny? Are they all right?”
Maeve drew back a bit from Craig and looked at Gerty. “The newspapers found out that Hilton was unfaithful to me—for twenty years,” she said with astonishing frankness.
For a moment her face had a look that seemed to say There, I’ve said it. I’ve admitted it to someone outside the family, and I can admit it again.
“Das betrügende Schwein!” Gerty exploded. “The cheating swine! If he ever sticks his snout back in this house, I’ll smash it with a skillet!”
“Listen, Gerty, don’t answer a phone unless you know the caller—”
As if to mock him, the phone rang again. He looked at the caller ID. It said “Unknown Name Unknown Number.” He grabbed the receiver. “Yes?” he demanded.
“This is Scot Netley from The National Star. I’m trying to reach Mrs. Maeve Branch or her representative—”
“Listen,” Craig said from between his teeth. “I’m her representative for now. She’s got no comment. No matter who asks, the reply’s ‘No comment.’ You call here one more time and I’ll have so many lawyers on your ass, you’ll think you’re being attacked by sharks.”
He smashed down the receiver and then jerked the phone plug from the outlet. He put both arms back around Maeve and laid his cheek against her hair. “Maeve, hold on to me. Hold on. Put your arms around my neck. I’ll carry you to the couch.”
Sobbing harder, she obeyed. He lifted her off her feet and carried her into the living room, lowering her to the sofa. “Stretch out,” he said. “I’ll stay here by you.”
He sat beside her, holding her hand. He turned to Gerty. “I thought all the phones were unplugged.”
“N-n-no,” Maeve stammered. “I couldn’t…the children…if they call…”
“Keep one plugged in, then,” Craig told Gerty. “But don’t answer unless it’s someone you know.”
“I’ll do it,” said Gerty. “But first I’m going to get her a tranquilizer.”
By the time she got back from the bathroom with the vial of pills and a glass, a phone started to ring from the den.
Gerty handed the pills and water to Craig and then sprinted to the den. “I’ll keep the one in the kitchen on,” she called over her shoulder.
“Okay, Maeve,” he said firmly. “Sit up a little. Take a pill.”
She obeyed, and then he gave her his handkerchief. “Wipe your eyes. Blow your nose.”
Once again, she did as he said. “Keep the handkerchief.”
She nodded, her mouth still quivering.
“And remember what you promised me?”
She looked at him uncomprehendingly, tears gleaming in her eyes.
He squeezed her hand. “You said if I’d come to supper, you’d go to the animal shelter.”
She shook her head forlornly. The tears began to stream again. “I—I—I can’t. Never again. I don’t want to go out ever again.”
“You promised,” he said. “It’s not like you to break a promise.”
“No. Everyone will f-find out, won’t they? Oh, I’m so stupid. So stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. None of us knew this about him. He fooled everybody.”
She didn’t yet understand that he knew about the mistress before she did. Nor did she suspect that her children, too, had heard the news.
“I want you to go to the shelter,” he repeated. “You need to. They don’t know your real name there. So even if word gets out, nobody there will know it’s you.”
“I just…just can’t,” she said, her voice quavering.
“You will, and I’ll take you,” he said. “And stay around if you want. You’ve got to start somewhere. Your kids wouldn’t want you turning into a shut-in. You’ve got to be strong for their sakes. And your own.”
“No,” she whispered.
“I’ll take you and stay with you,” he said. “You’ve always liked Gary Cooper? Right? Pretend I’m Gary Cooper. And you’re Coop’s girl. Coop’s girl bends, but she doesn’t break. Understand?”
She raised herself up and hugged him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
PENNY DIALED HER MOTHER’S number, hardly able to keep her hands from shaking.
Gerty answered. “Branch residence. Gerty Hoffman speaking.”
Penny sat very straight on the edge of the bed. “Gerty, it’s Penny. I just got a call from some tabloid reporter. He asked me something about Hilton. I wondered…has anybody like that called Mom?”
She heard Gerty take a deep breath. “Yes. I’m sorry, but, yes.”
“Do you know what they said to her?”
“They said your father was unfaithful to her. For a long time, I think.”
Penny groaned and raked her hand through her hair. “Oh, no. This man named Scot Netley called. He asked if I knew about Hilton’s mistress, how long he’d kept her. What was my reaction? What would I like to say to Hilton?”
“How cruel!” Gerty retorted. “Whatever did you tell him?”
“I opened my purse and took out my police whistle. I said, ‘Here’s my reaction.’ I blew it as hard as I could in his ear, then cut him off. I hope I broke his eardrum.”
“Good for you!” Gerty said. “A second call came. Craig answered the phone and cursed him out. My! I didn’t know he could talk like that! Good for him, too, I say.”
“Craig’s there?” Penny asked. She’d been so stunned by Netley’s call that she’d forgotten that Craig was with Maeve tonight.
“He’s here,” Gerty said. “And he’s taking good care of your mother. He knows how to take care of people. He’s a fine man.”
“Can I talk to him?” Penny asked, then swallowed hard.
“Sure. I go sit by your mama. Hang on just a minute.”
Penny waited and for the first time in years chewed nervously on a fingernail.
At last she heard Craig’s deep voice. “Hello, Penn. A reporter got to Maeve. I’d thought she’d be safe for a while. I was wrong.”
“We all were wrong,” she said unhappily. “Should I catch the first flight out of here and come home?”
“No,” Craig said. “Gert and I’ll hold the fort. At this point, it’s probably easier for me than for you. You’re one of the walking wounded Hilton’s left behind.”
In spite of herself, she smiled ruefully. “You’re the born family man, aren’t you? This week you’re holding up yours—and mine.”
“We’ve got our differences, Penny. But through this, we should work together. Oops, my cell phone’s ringing. Looks like Bart’s calling. I’ll talk to you later, hon. Stay strong.”
They said hasty goodbyes. Good grief, he probably was taking better care of Maeve than she could. What kind of woman wouldn’t love such a man? she asked herself.
A fool, answered a small inner voice. Only an utter fool.
THE PHONE CALLS WENT ON NEARLY half the night. Bart phoned and talked to Maeve, too. Then he’d called Penny. He told her he was angry as hell, but he’d managed to be upbeat with Maeve. With Penny, he sounded both wrathful and shamed, yet determined to overcome this latest scandal. “We’ll put this family back together,” he told her. “We’ll figure how to do it.”
Will had been less confident with Maeve, and Penny sensed far more anger in him than in Bart. “It’s like I’ve lived my whole life in a fool’s paradise,” he said. “We all have. But especially Mom. Sheesh! How do we help her through this?”
“Keep racing with all your heart,” Penny said. “Every time you or Bart finishes well, it’ll show Mom that a lot of things weren’t illusions. It’s no illusion that you guys are great drivers. You had help, but ultimately you’ve made it on your own. Give her something to be proud of.”
“One for all, and all for one?” asked Will.
“Exactly. Have it tattooed on your forehead,” she joked.
But when she hung up, she didn’t feel jovial. All of them, the whole remaining family, would have to rebuild from the rubble of near ruin.
It struck her with a jolt, that Craig’s family was in the same predicament, suddenly plunged into disaster. And Craig was trying to help lead both families forward again.
Sawyer hadn’t phoned, and when she called him, there was no answer. She wondered if Craig had been able to get word to him, but immediately thought, Of course, he’ll reach him—somehow. He’s Craig.
AS PENNY DOZED OFF in Manhattan, Craig was holding down the fort in Texas. Gerty had taken him aside and whispered, “This Alyssa Ritchie thing’s shaken Maeve bad.
“None of the children can get home…I hate to impose on you, but you always make her feel better. Tonight, could you possibly—”
“Stay?” he said. “Absolutely. I’ll need to go to work tomorrow, but if I can help at any time, give me a call. Don’t hesitate. I’ll sleep on a couch down here.”
“No. You should have a bed. Besides, she and I sleep downstairs. She hates going up there now.”
He agreed without argument, but he didn’t look forward to sleeping alone up there, so close to Penny’s old room. He and she had spent the night there more than once.
