Chapter fifteen

The minute Tannen's limo departed for Hartford/Springfield airport, Gail jumped into her new BMW and headed to Manhattan. With the pedal to the metal, it was a mere eighty minutes before she pulled onto Madison Avenue. That's why I don't take the train.

She entered Talley's and waved hello to Joey. Gail pointed toward Jordann's office. "She in?" He gave her a thumbs up.

"Come in," Jordann shouted after Gail's knock. "Well, look who's up and running again." She jumped from her swivel chair and hurried to Gail. "Mmm!" she said, and hugged Gail hard. "How are you? Tannen told me everything. Sit."

"Walking can be tiresome, but my leg is feeling stronger every day."

"Good." Jordann pulled her chair over to sit with Gail. "Now what brings the lovely novelist back to my door? A massage? Lunch? Idle chitchat? Tannen give you the heave-ho already?"

"None of the above. I'm here on business."

"Okay, let me hear it."

Gail pointed to the ceiling with her cane.

"Have you rented that apartment?"

"Not yet. The work was finished just last week. Why?" Jordann lit two cigarettes and handed one to Gail.

"Thanks." She took a long drag and exhaled slowly. "I'd like to take it for six months."

"Really? O...kay. I'd prefer twelve months, but I'll give you six. It's fifteen a month. It's small, Gail. You can do better and I know you can afford better."

"I want something small to," she paused, "escape from Connecticut, for a while."

"You haven't even seen the apartment. What about Tannen's place?"

"I don't think either one of us is looking to shack up right away."

"I see. Is everything okay with you two? I didn't-"

"No, no," Gail said. "We're fine. Tannen said she's enjoyed some of the conversations you've had."

"That's good to know. Watching you two that night, I saw disappointment and hurt in her eyes. I knew Tannen sensed something. She gave me plenty of time to grovel and feel guilty, but she was very easy to talk with afterward."

Gail pictured her head on a pike, alongside Jordann's. "She wielded her ax my way. I considered it the end of something that hadn't really gotten off the ground."

"Should I give her your bra?" Jordann teased.

Gail laughed. "Uh, no."

Gail took another drag from her cigarette and then mashed it out in the ashtray. She explained her situation at some length and Jordann listened intently.

"I understand. Yes, I'll do that for you. How soon do you want the apartment?"

"Today. Can I see the apartment now?" Jordann took the keys from her desk. Gail caught them when Jordann tossed them to her.

"Follow me."

They entered the stairway from outside. A fresh coat of paint and bright lights were welcoming. At the end of a short hallway was the rental. Gail unlocked the door and they entered.

"This is nice," Gail said. Large windows brightened the spacious living room. "It's larger than I thought."

"It used to be a small apartment, attached to a storage facility," Jordann said. "We took out some walls, put a few up, and turned it into a cozy loft."

The living room led into a large kitchen with enough space for a small table and four chairs.

"All of the appliances are new. Fridge, dishwasher, compactor, stove. Let me show you the bathroom." Gail followed her through the bedroom and into the newly renovated bathroom. "I had them gut the place. All of this is new."

Gail reviewed the untarnished black porcelain sink and toilet, all with brass hardware. The black bath doubled as a Jacuzzi, and a separate shower was against the opposite wall. "Very nice. You put some money into this."

"You're tellin' me. The contractor gave me a nice deal." Jordann led Gail back into the bedroom. "Nice window light, like the living room. There's plenty of space for a queen-sized and whatnot." She walked to the opposite wall and opened two sets of double doors. "Tons of closet space and I had them build additional storage space in the living room." She turned to Gail. "Nice, huh? I'd live here myself, if I didn't already have a place."

"This is perfect," Gail said as they walked back to the living room. "Are utilities covered with rent?"

"Everything is included except phone and Internet. I think it's a bargain."

"Absolutely. Especially for this town." She looked at her watch. "Thanks, Jordann. This means a lot to me and to Tannen." Gail walked to the kitchen and pulled her checkbook from her bag. She quickly wrote the full six months' rent for Jordann and handed her the check. "You can send a lease to the address on the check." Gail gave Jordann a quick hug. "I have to get back to the sticks and get a swim in for the knee. Thank you again."

"I think the world of you, Gail. I'm happy to help."

Gail arrived at her house at a quarter past three. She powered up her laptop and surfed through some furniture sites. She settled with Bob's Discount Furniture. She liked the idea of outfitting a living room for less than one thousand dollars, including end tables. After she added a queen-size bed, dresser, night table, and small kitchen set, the tally was still under five grand. She added a small entertainment center.

"Dishes. Hmm." Gail swiveled in the chair. "Pier 1 is right up the avenue and the grocer is down the avenue." She looked at the screen again, added the apartment address and her credit card number. When the order completed processing, Gail printed the receipt and stuffed it into her desk.

"Gotta love e-commerce."

Gail stripped and slipped into an orange bikini. She worked her leg in the warm water, strengthening her knee with each motion. She held on to the edge of the pool and kicked with both feet. Tiring as the exercise was, it was the best way to get rid of the cane.

After a full hour of kicking and swimming, Gail prepared an ice pack. When she returned to the pool, she turned a lounger to face the sun and stretched onto it. Gail placed the ice pack over her knee, and secured it with a towel.

The surrounding gardens had sprung lush during the weeks Tannen was her guest. Gail's grounds person took great care without her involvement, but she did miss weeding this year. I wonder if Tannen and I would have gotten this far if I'd been gardening.

Gail grabbed her cell phone from the table and relaxed on the lounger. The evening sun warmed her, and she was about to fall asleep when her cell phone played its minuet. Gail opened the phone without looking at the caller I.D.

"Hello."

"Hi, hon. How's the knee feeling?" Karen asked.

"Tired but better. Did you find the bassinet you were gaga over?" Gail heard what sounded like a car door closing.

"I got it on sale!"

"Always the bargain hunter." She heard Karen's Mini Cooper motor turn over. "Do you want to come over? I'm feeling lonely without my actor lady around. She went to L.A. this morning."

"I can't. We're on the way out for paint and new carpet. Come by later, if you want. Feel free to bring a pizza with extra pepperoni."

"Sounds good. Say hello to Jeff for me. The baby, too."

"I will. Bye, hon."

"Bye."

Gail closed her phone and set it on her belly. She put her hands behind her head and grinned, remembering last night with Tannen. "I'm happy," she said, and Bach again chimed his minuet against her stomach. She opened the phone.

"Hello."

"I'm calling for Gail Prescott." Tannen's British accent sounded phony, which made Gail happy.

"Hello, sweetheart. This is a pleasant surprise."

"I'm missing you," Tannen said tenderly, and Gail envisioned her faux pout. "I'm very annoyed with Hollywood, and I knew your voice would help."

"Do me a favor?"

"What is it, darling?"

"Drop your American English, please."

"Sorry, darling." Tannen chuckled. "Is this better?" she said, reverting to her native sound. "Do I feel closer? Does my voice wrap around you the same way my body does?"

"Mmm. A close second to your body."

"We were very greedy last night, darling."

"Lustful, greedy, selfish. It was a wonderful night in Woodbury."

"I think we had it in our minds to be greedy before..."

"Before I tucked my tail between my legs?"

"Precisely."

"No chance."

"That's good to hear. How was your talk with Jordann?"

"Everything worked out nicely. The furniture will be delivered in two days."

"The sooner the better," Tannen quietly said.

"Hey, you. You aren't thinking Jordann and-"

"No, darling. I'm missing you an awful lot. Being in love with you feels wonderful and I'm not ready for this first separation. I wish that ignoramus had screwed up at least a week later."

"You won't be away long, will you?"

"About two weeks."

"Oh. Damn." Gail sighed.

"Darling, will you come out to Los Angeles?"

"I have to go into the city in a couple days, and then my editor wants me to do some brainstorming for some changes. His benevolence was short-lived. I guess they want to go to press quickly. I could come out in about a week."

"I know you don't like L.A. I could come back to Connecticut."

"Like that'll happen any time soon." Gail crossed her legs.

"You have nice legs," Tannen said.

Gail smiled. "Thank you. You climb them very well."

Tannen chuckled. "I'm glad you approve. You've developed a nice tan over the summer. You look lovely in the orange bikini."

"I what?" Gail felt something pelting her legs. She looked down to find white rosebuds nestling where her legs crossed. Gail sat up and looked quickly around the back lawn. "Where are you?" She spied Tannen sitting against the side of the greenhouse. Tannen waved at her.

"Hello, writer lady," she said into the phone.

"Why are you not on a plane right now?" Gail pushed herself up and walked toward Tannen.

"I'm stalking you," Tannen said. She closed her phone as Gail approached. She stood and held her arms out. "Come here, darling. I called the producer and-"

Gail closed her phone, tucked it beneath the waist of her bathing suit, and embraced Tannen. They kissed lovingly long.

"-told him I will be there in a week. I instructed the driver to circle back and I visited with Karen. She dropped me off," she kissed Gail again, "while you talked to her. I couldn't bear leaving you."

"I'm glad you came back, but won't there be ramifications with you holding up production?"

Tannen grabbed Gail's hand and they walked into the garden. They were immediately surrounded by muted colors and the hum of bees. Tannen snapped a black-eyed Susan from its stem and tucked it behind Gail's ear.

"Production? It's a bloody reproduction! I talked with my manager and there is nothing in my contract stating that I be present for the fuckup of another." She put her arm around Gail's waist. "I gave them what they paid for."

Gail laughed. "Is this Tannen Albright's diva side again?"

"Not really. I promised to arrive in a week, and I've made bloody sure my time is compensated."

"In what way?"

"I asked for a year of two courtside tickets for the Knicks. They'll be in my hand tomorrow morning. Between the two of us, I think we can come up with at least one person that deserves the tickets."

Gail stopped and toyed with the collar of Tannen's blouse, then brushed loose hair from her shoulder. The late-afternoon sun agreed with Tannen's hair coloring, bouncing silver and blond light into Gail's eyes.

"You're a good person, Dame Tannen. Your queen is a sharp cookie."

"Thank you." She pushed her bangs from her eyes and then looped her arms loosely around Gail's waist. "Shall we tend to some business?"

"Tenfold?"

"Actually, not Tenfold, if you can believe it. That'll happen soon, though. Let's go over to Karen's and help them with the new room. I'll make a mouthwatering double pepperoni pizza for the four of us."

Two days later, the furniture was scheduled to arrive at the apartment. Gail and Tannen ate breakfast at Talley's. At Tannen's request, Jordann joined them.

Soon after they ate, the delivery arrived. Tannen ran up to unlock the door, and Gail guided the movers to the apartment. Efficiently, the men executed the delivery in less than twenty minutes. Gail tipped the men. Tannen signed autographs.

Jordann assisted Gail with the arrangement of furniture while Tannen strolled down to the market to stock the refrigerator. They covered the bed in fresh linen and then stocked the bathroom with various items. Task completed on their end, Jordann headed back to her restaurant duties. Tannen returned shortly after, in a cab, and with seven bags of food.

"I picked up a coffeepot, too," she said as they unloaded the bags.

"All set?" Tannen asked Gail.

"I am. Are you going to your apartment?"

"Yes. I have some calls to make. I'll see you later, darling?"

"Yes." Gail hugged Tannen. "This means a lot to me, Tannen. Thank you for helping."

"It means a lot to both of us, darling." She playfully smacked Gail on her backside. "Off with you, now. Finish the mission. I'll call you later."

Gail drove off to Pier 1 Imports. Forty minutes later, she emerged with an associate who assisted with several boxes and bags. She then made her way down to Fourteenth Street and picked up three small table lamps, a floor lamp and a reconditioned laptop computer.

"That's the end of it," she said, and drove toward Madison Avenue.

Gail maneuvered a turn onto Sixth Avenue. She spied Harry and Hans walking up the avenue. Gail stopped the car several yards in front of him and hit the button to open the passenger window.

"Harry!" she yelled to him. He stopped and Hans's ears twitched, neither knowing where the voice came from. "To your left. I'm in the car, Harry." Horns blasted around her, while angry cabbies shouted obscenities. Hans strained toward the car when Gail reached over and opened the door. "Come here, Hans. Come on!" she encouraged the dachshund. Harry let go of the leash. Hans jumped in, onto Gail's lap, and excitedly licked her face. "Hi, cutie." She scratched his head as Harry approached the car. "Get in, Harry. These people will kill me soon if you don't."

Harry got in and took Hans from her lap. Gail pulled into traffic and continued up the avenue toward the new apartment. She looked over at Harry.

"I'm glad I saw you. I have an awful lot to thank you for, Harry." She reached over and scratched Hans's back. "You too, little fellow."

"It wasn't a problem, ma'am."

"It's Gail, Harry. Remember? Call me Gail. I'm probably alive today because of you. Thank you."

"You're welcome. You've gained some weight, Gail," he said, looking out the window.

She laughed. "Yes, I have. Do you think you could carry me through the city again?"

"I'd find a way," he said quietly. "You were kind to us. I was more than happy to help you." He grasped the handle of her cane and ran his thumb over the brass top. "How's your knee?"

"Better every day. I'll finish with the cane tomorrow or the next day. I could use some help for a few minutes, if you don't mind," she said, and Harry looked into the backseat. He scanned the packages. Hans was content to smear his nose on the window. "I need to get these things into an upstairs apartment. Would you help me?"

"Yes, I will."

It took only five minutes for Gail and Harry to get the packages upstairs, opened, and placed on their given table or into the dishwasher. Harry gave Hans a bowl of water, and Gail instructed him to relax while she made a quick phone call.

"Jordann, I'm back. Can you send up a BLT with extra B?"

"You have company already?"

"Yes."

"I'll send Joey up in a few. Don't forget that I have to leave at eight."

"Thanks." She closed her cell and sat at the table with Harry.

Harry looked around, nodding approval. "Nice little place, Gail."

"I think it's cute. A far cry from Connecticut, for sure."

"Connecticut, huh? What brings you to New York?"

"A new friendship." She bent and clapped her hands low to the floor. "Hey, Hans. Come on, boy." Hans arrived quickly and skidded on the waxed floor of the kitchen. She picked him up and he licked her face again. "Have you been a good boy?"

"Sometimes," Harry said as he scratched at his beard, "I think the words 'friendship' and 'New York' shouldn't be in the same sentence."

Gail turned toward Harry. "You've become jaded. The city has a lot of good to offer."

"Jaded? No. Exhausted is the word."

Joey knocked on the door and Gail set Hans on the floor.

"I hope you're hungry, Harry." She placed the tray in front of him.

"May I use your bathroom to wash up?" he asked.

"Be my guest."

Hans sniffed the air, fully aware of the yummy bacon.

"This is very kind of you, Gail." Hans sat at Harry's feet, looking longingly for the smoked meat he smelled. "No begging," Harry said and Hans listened well. He sat calmly at Harry's feet. "You've moved from Connecticut, then?" He took a large bite of the sandwich.

Gail looked at him for several seconds before she answered.

"No, Harry. I'm just trying to help a friend."

"There's still room for more weight on you," he said. "You should be eating one of these."

She watched Harry while the BLT disappeared during his man-sized bites. His eyes were green and some sparkle remained, even through his current lifestyle.

"New Yorkers are blind to us. My friends abandoned me. My family kept telling me to find a job, that I wasn't looking hard enough. The only decent conversation I get is from a bored cop, on his night shift. He doesn't hassle me, and he fattens Hans with Mickey D French fries. He gives me the quarter-pounder with cheese and soda."

"Harry, I don't know exactly what to say to you."

"You've already said thanks, Gail. That's more than enough."

"It isn't enough," she said. "It is unbelievable that you carried me up Fifth Avenue because I was screwed up enough to think I needed breakfast at Tiffany's! I mean...well...how weird is that, Harry? I don't think I could even write something that outlandish. You're serious stuff, Mr. Harry and Hans. You saved my life and I want to repay that."

"What I find unbelievable is someone who drives a Beemer and wears Michael Kors slacks to move into her apartment would give me a second look."

"Do you think you could muster a little credit for yourself?" she asked. "Do you understand the enormity of what you've done for me?"

"Yes," he said. "I understand it, Gail."

Gail realized she felt nervous, afraid of how Harry might react, but she plunged ahead with the idea. "I was thinking about how I could thank you properly, Harry. This is the best I can come up with."

"It's a great sandwich, Gail. Thanks."

Gail let out a heavy breath. She shook her head, more at herself for her feelings of discomfort, than at Harry. "Lunch is not the proper display of thanks."

"What do you mean?"

"If you'll accept it, I've rented this apartment for you and Hans." Harry's jaw dropped open. "It's yours for six months. All you need to buy is food. Everything is taken care of, except Internet and phone, if you want them."

"You're kidding!"

Hans whimpered at his master and snapped his head toward Gail. Even Hans seemed aware of the offer presented to them.

"I'm not kidding, Harry. I want to help you get back on your feet."

"You're kidding!" he said again.

Gail shook her head. "Still not kidding, Harry."

"But I can't pay for anything. I don't have a job, Gail. No one wants-"

"Downstairs is Talley's Pub and Restaurant. I know the owner and she needs a chef immediately. She's also looking to upgrade the menu. Doesn't that sound like fun to you?" Harry sat quietly. "Harry?" He looked up from his plate. An obvious tear fell onto his beard. "Her name is Jordann, and she needs you to start the day after tomorrow. She'd like to meet you tonight and she'll be there until eight."

"You're kidding?" He ran his fingers through his long, knotted hair. He scanned the apartment, turned his head to brush the tear away. "I don't believe this." He looked back at her. "Is that what all of the male items are about in the bathroom?"

"Ah! You peeked into the medicine cabinet, did you?"

"Doesn't everyone?" He smiled through his beard. "This is incredible, Gail. Still not kidding?"

"Nope. What do you think? Will you accept my thanks?"

"I'm not stupid. We need this." He patted Hans on his head and thought for a moment. "I haven't any clothes to meet Jordann."

"Top dresser drawer. You'll find a pair of pants, a polo shirt, and a pair of boxers that should fit. I have no clue what size shoes you wear, so you'll have to make do temporarily. Across the avenue is a barber. Grab a hot shower and zip on over before you meet Jordann. I've taken care of many things, if you'll permit me to go on."

"Yes, of course."

"Come into the living room with me."

From the end table, she pulled out three envelopes and handed him the first one. "This blue one is from a friend of mine. Her name is Karen. It contains a gift certificate for Redman's shoe store. It's a block or so up the avenue. It also contains a certificate for Best Buy, if you want a television." She handed him a second envelope. "This green envelope is five hundred dollars in cash, from Karen's husband Jeff. The money will tide you over until you're paid. This yellow envelope is from me and it's for Hans." Harry opened the final envelope and pulled out a gift certificate to a local pet store. "You'll find two bowls for him at the bottom of the kitchen cabinet. Also dog food and treats. I tucked a bed for him under your bed."

"I...I just don't believe you've done all of this." He sat on the sofa. Hans jumped up to join him and both were startled when Gail's cell phone rang.

Gail reached into the pocket of her slacks and removed the phone. "I have to take this," she said after seeing the caller I.D. "Hello, sweetheart."

"Did you locate Harry, darling?"

"I did. He's with me now."

"Has he accepted your offer?"

"I haven't heard him say yes. Let me ask. Harry, another friend of mine is concerned about your future. Will you accept the gift from us?"

"Yes," he said.

"Tannen, he said yes." She was amused when Harry looked quickly toward her.

"May I speak with him?" Tannen asked.

"Sure." Gail handed her cell phone to him. "Harry, this is Tannen Albright. Will you speak with her for a moment?"

"The actor?"

"The actor," she said.

"Hello," he said. "It was my pleasure," he answered and waited. "An envelope? I would feel better about it if you told Gail...Okay. Here's Gail. Thank you. Good-bye, Ms. Albright." He handed the phone back to Gail.

"Darling, I've placed the Knicks tickets into your handbag. I'd like you to give them to Harry."

"Another wonderful idea from the actor lady."

"Thank you. Will you be arriving soon, darling? I'm missing you again."

"In about an hour. Let me finish here and I'll see you soon. Good-bye, actor lady." Gail closed the phone and looked at Harry and Hans.

"Six months, Harry. Jordann will renew the lease for you, should you decide to stay." She removed Tannen's envelope from her handbag. "This," she waved it in the air as she sat beside him, "is from Tannen." She handed him the final envelope.

"I just can't believe any of this." He opened the envelope and read the tickets. "Oh, my God. The Knicks?"

Pleased with his happiness, Gail stood.

"I have to leave. You know what you need to do, so relax and enjoy. Don't forget to see Jordann before she leaves."

"Thank you, Gail. I've never met anyone quite like you. I'll repay you one day."

"That isn't necessary, Harry. Just get your stride back with our blessing and devout thanks. I forgot to mention that the fridge and cabinets are stuffed with food and beverages, another contribution from Tannen." Gail shook his hand. "Good luck to you, Harry. I'll be in touch. Good-bye."

Gail closed the door behind her, feeling exceptionally good for what they had done for Harry and his canine companion. Her drive to Bethune was without snags, and soon she entered Tannen's apartment.

"Anybody home?" she said.

"In the bathroom, darling," Tannen said. "Give me a minute."

Gail waited at the piano and pushed a few keys. She looked over at David's picture on the wall, and he seemed to be smiling greater than before. David, the all-knowing. "Thank you," she said to the photograph. Tannen entered the room and Gail stood to greet her.

"Well done, Ms. Prescott. Bravo."

"You should have seen his eyes, Tannen."

"We'll keep in touch with him, yes? I'd like to meet Harry one day."

"Yes." Gail gave her a hug and Tannen kissed her playfully. "Now it's our time. There's a Garbo film festival in Tribeca. Queen Christina begins in an hour. Care to be my date?"

"Me? Pass on Garbo? You're in charge of refreshments." Tannen grabbed Gail's hand and they walked out the front door.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-27