Return Engagement
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
It was almost noon before anyone ventured toward the kitchen. Dan and Marianne were the only two fully dressed. The rest of the Crew were in a wild array of pajamas, robes, nightgowns and anything that was handy. The most popular beverages were Alka-Seltzer and Pepto-Bismol. Food was not a popular item, but sympathy was appreciated and spread lavishly. Dan poured coffee for Marianne and himself. The sound of the liquid hitting the cup caused loud moans from Gracie, Marge, Bill and Jen as all four grabbed their heads with both hands. The beautiful people who played such a big part in this wonderful weekend had been replaced by a disgruntled crowd of sufferers. Bill watched as Dan poured the coffee. "I can’t understand how you two can celebrate longer and stronger than the rest of us and come out looking so good," he said. Dan shrugged his shoulders and said, "You have to learn to relieve your pent up emotions." Bill looked across the table at his wife and said, "See Jen, I told you sex cures all kinds of pain." Jen’s reply was a moan that was one decibel above a growl. Cass and Bernie had not made an appearance yet. Marianne was hoping to see them before she and Dan had to leave. When they finally came in Bernie was wearing pajama pants, a terry cloth robe that didn’t go all the way around him, and socks. Cass followed him and to everyone’s surprise she was impeccably dressed, right down to perfect makeup. Alan took one look at her and said, "What in hell is with you?" Cass looked around the table at the group of Sunday morning sufferers and very seriously said, "Today we have to say good-bye to Marianne. Last time she said good-bye we didn’t see her for forty years. If she does it again I want her to remember me at my best." "Cass," Marianne said through the laughter, "I promise it won’t be forty years this time." Good-byes are never easy. Saying it this time was especially difficult because so much was left unsaid. It had been a lighthearted weekend. The Crew had proven themselves to be just as caring as they were forty years ago. Alan was the only one who allowed himself to get serious and that was due solely to Marianne’s direct urging. As departure time caught up with them there were a few tears, lots of hugs, and sincere promises of return visits in the near future. No one really wanted to break up this gathering and it was difficult for Marianne and Dan to leave. The entire Crew had gathered outside the front entrance of the house to wave good-bye. As Dan backed the car out of the parking area and drove by the front door Marianne had to laugh. Standing at the front entrance to this palatial Connecticut estate were ten well to do, socially prominent people, nine of them in various stages of disarray and impeccably dressed Cass, intent on leaving a good impression. It was quite a sight. "You said this was going to be a memorable weekend and you were so right. I enjoyed every minute of it," Marianne told him. "I’m glad," he replied, "I enjoyed it, too. It was something we all needed." "I still have a million questions," she said. Dan knew there were serious questions in the back of both of their minds. He knew they would have to be answered sooner or later. He didn’t want to look for answers this weekend. He wanted a little more time to prove to Marianne their old love affair was still
153.
very much alive. He glanced at her and asked, "What kind of questions?" She hesitated a minute then had second thoughts about bringing up serious issues. Not now, she thought, the heavy questions can wait. She noticed Dan’s happy, contented expression and she didn’t want anything to interfere with it. "Oh," she answered casually, "things like, does Gracie talk in her sleep?" "I’ll have to remember to ask Herb," he answered with a chuckle. "We do have some serious questions that need answers. You realize that, don’t you?" "I know we do," she said, "but let’s stick to our original agreement and keep this weekend on the light side. We’ll do our serious talking next time, OK?" "It’s OK with me," he said, "provided ‘next time’ is next weekend." Marianne turned sideways on the seat so she could face him and asked, "Do you really want to come back next weekend?" "I don’t even want to go home," he answered. "I want to hear about everything that happened to you and I want to tell you about everything that happened to me." "I’d like that, too," she told him and thought for sure he was reading her thoughts. "Good," he said, "find a place you would like to go, I’ll pick you up Saturday morning and we’ll spend the weekend filling each other in on what we’ve done with our lives." "Wait a minute," she said, "by ‘pick me up’ do you mean in you airplane?" "Sure," he answered. "NOT ON YOUR LIFE" she stated. "There is no way you can talk me into putting one foot in that airplane." "Don’t you trust me?" he asked. "I have all the faith and trust in the world in you," she told him. "But I refuse to be part of anything that completely separates itself from the earth. With me it’s good old terra firma and the more firma the less terror." Dan could see, even though she made a lighthearted remark about the airplane, that Marianne was terrified of flying. We’ll have to work on that he thought, but not now, too many other things to clear up first. "All right," he said, "where would you like to go and how would you like to go there?" "Why do we have to go anywhere?" she asked. "Why can’t we stay home? I have been known to put a meal together in the past. Nothing like the meals at the Prestons, but if you want to be comfortable and talk perhaps the best place is home." "That’s fine with me," he answered. "We won’t plan to go anywhere, but we will plan on being together." That suggestion had a nice sound to it, Marianne thought. The ride home from Connecticut on Sunday seemed a lot quicker than the trip down on Friday. They laughed a lot on the way home. Especially when they remembered the Crew on the front steps as they were leaving. As he turned the car into the driveway, Dan seemed a little concerned. "What’s the matter?" she asked. "Don’t tell me your butterflies are back?" "No," he answered with a chuckle. "I’m ve
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Setting is the New York theater district, 1946. Bill Flanagan and Dan Shaw, Army buddies from World War II audition for a new musical and become part of the cast of Gentlemen Again. Both men are fascinated by the beautiful chorus girls. Bill wrangles dates for them and falls in love with Jen Kelly. Dan’s quiet nature takes a back seat to Bill’s outgoing personality. Director Brian Casey molds a cast of newcomers into a near perfect production and is furious when the producers insist he hire maverick comedian Jack Boyd as the headliner. Boyd is a troublemaker, known for his pompous, arrogant attitude. Off stage the cast tries to avoid him but his inflated ego won’t allow him to accept rejection. As a payback for his dirty tricks the comedian is the target of a hoax. He threatens everyone he thinks was involved. Boyd surprises everyone on opening night by publicly crediting the young director with the show’s success. Most of the cast attend the wedding of Jen Kelly and Bill Flanagan. Brian Casey proves himself an excellent entertainer and is the life of the party at their reception. Prominent ticket broker Josh Golden introduces Marianne Gordon, his top agent, to the cast. Dan Shaw and Marianne are attracted to each other right from the start. Their true feelings come out when they are stranded for hours on an amusement park ride that malfunctions. They are open and honest with each other, but she’s afraid their emotions will interfere with his promising career and suggests they put them on hold for now. She thinks marriage would stifle his chances for success. Jen tries to calm her fears but is only partially successful. Jack Boyd is murdered. Police focus on Brian Casey as the prime suspect. The Crew know Brian is innocent and Marianne lets him know they are all aware of his off hours gay activities. Reporter Paul Gray meets old friend Marianne and she introduces him to the cast. Paul digs up information on Boyd’s past that leads to the killer. Paul is the hero, but Dan Shaw makes out better than anyone. The Crew help Julian overcome a racial problem so he and Harriet, another member of the Crew, can marry. Marianne and Dan help them lease an apartment and evade the restrictions of a narrow minded building manager. A night out finds the Crew caught in a police raid. Marianne and Dan miss it, but an untimely phone call interrupts Dan’s proposal. He is offered a movie contract and she refuses to go with him. She’s afraidmarriage will limit his success. She goads him into an argument so he will go to California alone. Later she reads of his marriage in a trade paper and is so devastated she seeks haven on the secluded farm of her friend. PART II Years later Bill Flanagan accidentally finds a clue to the whereabouts of Marianne. He talks Dan into calling her. A Thanksgiving Day visit precedes a weekend reunion with the Crew. The reunion puts them on the road to romance again. The in-between years are explained to each other and they realize time has not dimmed their love at all. Dan’s honesty with Marianne’s family wins them over and he tries to convince her they can pick up where they left off many years ago. She has her doubts but he encourages her to try. He introduces her to airplane travel and takes her to his home on Long Island. The trip is followed by a visit to Josh Golden and a tour of their old neighborhoods in New York City. They are invited to an old fashioned jam session and Dan sings in public again after many years of silence. A weekend at a resort hotel gets out of hand when bubble bath is accidentally added to the Jacuzzi. Later they embark on an Alaska vacation and it begins with more laughable Frick and Frack episodes. They enjoy each other completely and renew all aspects of their old love affair. Before returning home they agree on a temporary solution to their marriage problem. After vacation Marianne goes for medical tests and doesn’t tell Dan. He is angry and hurt when he finds out and explains that he wants to share everything with her ... the good and the bad. He finally manages to prove how much they need each other. She gives in and asks him to have Josh "call the judge."
About the Author
When I was in school, most females were limited to careers as mothers, secretaries, nurses or teachers. Another option was that you heard "the calling" and chose to become a nun. I never heard the "calling" – even God couldn't shout that loud. I was not going to settle for any delicate female careers. I wanted a lot more out of life. I have been fortunate enough to work in almost every field, except medical. I've gained a wealth of experience and have had a wonderful time doing it. A college education had always been a goal, but circumstances didn't allow it until I was fifty-one years old. It was one of the smartest things I've ever done. I found some of my best friends in my college years, professors and friends who had faith in me when I didn't have faith in myself. Books have always been my constant companions. Writing was a challenge that tempted me for years, like a fascination that I could never overcome. Articles published in regional magazines and newsletters plus a few years of investigative reporting proved to me how difficult it is to be a successful writer. Today, I'm older, milder and mellower. My serious years never offered the sense of happiness or feeling of accomplishment that comes with age and experience. I don't like to be classified as "old" but I will admit to having antique value. I have learned not to take life too seriously and that laughter doesn't add to my wrinkles.