A Memory Unchained (5 page)

She was thinking about all the male statues around her

when Rex walked toward her. He smiled.

“I know this is the work of the masters, but…” she hesi-

tated. Rex laughed. “You are blushing again Mon Chéri.

Enough sightseeing for today!” He laughed again.

“I think so, I could use one of those beautiful sidewalk

cafés right now!”

“As you wish, just across the square,” he pointed toward

the corner.

“I’ve never walked so much in my life. My legs are

killing me!” She rubbed her calves as they relaxed in the small cafe.

Rex laughed as he suggested, “Now, about the party

40 __________________Gloria Graham

I’m having. Will tomorrow night be alright?” Rex looked

delighted with himself.

“What have you got up your sleeve? You look a little

devilish!”

“Just a few friends – to meet you!”

“Tomorrow will be fine. I should be able to walk again

by then.” She smiled as the waiter placed a delicious smelling bowl of pottage in front of her. Where else but in Paris would a bowl of soup look and smell so delicious!

Pamela had trouble falling asleep. Her

sightseeing trip through Paris had been exhausting. She

wondered what Rex had planned for the next day. She

glanced at the roses on the dresser from Jeff, still blooming beautifully.

It hadn’t been very long ago she had attended Janice’s

party. She could replay every moment in her thoughts. Her eyes closed as she remembered that special time.

It had been a perfect evening for a party! The sky was

blue, crisp, and clear. Every star sparkled like a faceted diamond. The moon looked like a giant light bulb dan-gling in the sky. Pamela stood for a long moment at the

entrance before she rang the door chimes. She took a deep breath and wondered again if she should turn around and

run while she still could.

42 __________________Gloria Graham

She remembered how the butler had answered the door

before she could turn around. She hesitated as she slowly handed him the gold engraved invitation. Walking slowly

into the brightly lit dining room, she could feel the eyes and see the heads turn as she passed by. She felt like her blue chiffon was making a hit! She caught sight of Janice making her way through the crowd toward her. She breathed

a sigh of relief seeing a familiar face!

Janice began bubbling all over her.

“Oh, Pamela, how wonderful you look, your cocktail

dress, it’s exquisite! I must talk to you later about designing one for me!” She paused just long enough to take a

breath. “But now I have too many people I want you to

meet, come.”

She took Pamela by the arm, pushing their way through

the crowd! Pamela wondered why the buddy-buddy act?

Janice acted like they were long lost friends. She followed along thinking, “There is no sense ruining a perfectly good evening. Besides my dress may just gather a few more

customers for “Orlands,” thanks to Jill!”

Before Janice wandered on to the next group of impor-

tant people, she whispered in Pamela’s ear.

“Is that dress your own creation?”

Pamela paused for a moment.

“Well, it’s all in the family,” she said, thinking to herself that Jill wouldn’t mind her omitting a long explanation!

“You must design something for me! It’s utterly sub-

lime.” She was gushing with admiration and envy.

“It would be a pleasure. Please, come in anytime. We

should be able to do something very nice for you.” Pamela smiled.

A Memory Unchained___________ 43

It was gratifying to know she looked good. This outing

had cost her a lot of time and money trying to look just

that way. Tonight she definitely felt elegant and Jill had seen to that.

Pamela circulated slowly, talking with the different

business people she knew and the women she had done

fashion creations for. Everyone who was anyone in Boston

society was present. Janice had outdone herself. Her parties were always spectacular!

Pamela had been trapped by one of her competitors

and was becoming bored with his boastful talk when Janice took her by the arm and rescued her. She pulled Pamela

aside and whispered there was someone she wanted her

to meet.

“Thank you, anything would be better than old bor-

ing!” she laughed.

“Come, you must meet him!”

“He’s been watching you all evening,” she said, whis-

pering softer. She followed Janice toward the terrace to a group of small intimate tables. As they worked their way

through the crowd Pamela noticed the very handsome man

sitting at the far table. He was definitely worth a second look she thought. She didn’t have time for another look;

they were headed straight for his table. Pamela felt her face flush. She wondered if the heat was on or if it was just her?

She smiled as Janice introduced her.

“Jeff, this is Pamela Thornton.” Janice smiled and fin-

ished her introduction. Pamela felt she was really buttering her up for something.

“Really?” he said in a deep voice. “Maybe I’ll just steal you from Orlands.” His silver blue eyes sparkled as he

44 __________________Gloria Graham

talked.

Janice ignored his entire conversation and interrupted

with, “Jeff owns a string of department stores, Desmonds

of New York. How many now Jeff?” she said.

He looked embarrassed!

“Oh, a couple or so, and I can always use another sharp

designer!” He smiled at Pamela and took her hand and led

her out of Janice’s clutches!

“Well,” he said, “that’s a relief. That woman tends to

get on my nerves, money or not!”

They both laughed. Pamela couldn’t keep her eyes off

his. They were as blue as the sky with a glint of silver every now and then. When he looked at her she felt as if he could hypnotize her easily!

As the evening progressed they took longer glances

at each other, as if a veil between them were being lifted slowly. They danced at a proper distance to every slow

dance and talked through the fast ones.

It was becoming evident that Jeff Desmond was inter-

ested in her! She couldn’t remember feeling this kind of

excitement in a long time. It was a feeling she had tucked away! For over a year she had suppressed the desire for a man but now she had met someone who stirred up that

old feeling. It scared her!

“Silly,” she thought. “Only moonstruck teenagers feel

this way.” Pamela rubbed her hands, they were perspiring.

Her face felt flushed. Had to be a hot flash she assured

herself!

By the time the party ended she was more relaxed in

his arms as he led her around the dance floor. The proper distance shortened as he pulled her closer to his chest.

A Memory Unchained___________ 45

His soft voice and gentle personality made her feel

comfortable. The evening slipped by too quickly and finally Jeff got around to asking the big question.

“Are you married?”

“Widowed,” she answered with no hesitation, “a year

and a half ago. This is actually my first social outing.”

She decided to tell it like it was, even if Jill had warned her not to!

“I admire your honesty!” he said.

“And you?” she asked. “Are you married?”

“Divorced,” he answered. “She left me years ago. Took

our son when he was six months old. Left me for a guy

with plenty of money, gave her what I couldn’t then!”

He hesitated. “I was pretty shook up for a long time,” he paused again, “until this friend of mine took me under his wing.” Pamela listened with interest.

“By the time I got my life together it was too late to

find her.”

“Where did they go?” She asked.

“Europe, I was told. I never saw my son after that. I

tried to locate them, but I couldn’t afford to hunt them.

I had to learn to live all over again. I wanted my son!” his voice dropped.

“It must have been hard to pick up the pieces,” she

said concerned.

“Wasn’t easy,” he said quickly. “I had a lot of help,” he smiled.

“What about you? Have you picked up the pieces?”

“I think so, but my daughter doesn’t! She insisted I

come to this party tonight. She worries about me like I

was the daughter!”

46 __________________Gloria Graham

“I’m glad she won,” he said.

“Me too,” she said softly.

“We have a lot in common, don’t we?” he said. “We’re

both working hard to overcome something! Looks like

we’re surviving!” He smiled and Pamela felt a strange ache in her stomach!

“I think you’re right,” she agreed. Pamela’s heart

pumped faster. Had she met a Christian man right out of

the gate? That would be too good to be true.

She wondered, should she mention her faith? She de-

cided to omit the subject of religion for the time being.

It had been a beautiful night. “A wonderful way to get

back into circulation,” she thought. She didn’t even mind Janice’s overbearing attitude! After all, she had introduced her to Jeff. It was unusual for her to meet a man she could be at ease with immediately. Jeff Desmond was definitely

that way! Pamela smiled to herself.

Pamela began her round of thank-yous and goodbyes

as the party began breaking up.

Jeff escorted her to the door and then to her car!

“I enjoyed the evening,” he said firmly. “Can we do it

again? Soon?”

“I’d like that.” Pamela flashed her beautiful smile over

her shoulder as she slid into her car.

“Do you like to fish?” he asked.

“Uh,” she paused, and then laughed. “Not really, I’m

a terrible sailor!”

“How about tennis?” he fired back.

“Sure. I’m not very good, but I love to play.”

“Great,” he said. “Saturday at my club. Shall I pick

you up?”

A Memory Unchained___________ 47

“Will it be convenient if I just meet you? Got to get

back to the office early Saturday afternoon.” She needed

an out, just in case they didn’t hit it off the second time!

Pamela watched him in the rearview mirror as she

pulled out of Janice’s circle drive.

He looked so handsome in his white dinner jacket!

He waved again. Pamela smiled and said to herself softly,

“Thanks Janice, I owe you another one!”

Pamela couldn’t wait to call Jill. It was late, but she

promised she would call. Jill was as excited as her mother!

“I was hoping you’d call, I wasn’t sleeping,” she said. “You’re a little late getting home aren’t you?” Jill joked.

From her mother’s description of the evening, Jill

caught Jeff’s name immediately!

“Is he good looking Mom?”

“Well, yes, but just a very interesting, well-adjusted

man.”

“And available!”

“Jill!” Pamela chided.

“Just kidding Mom, I’m so glad! It’s what I prayed for!

Are you going to see him again?” She added with no pause

in-between.

“Uh-huh, Saturday, for tennis!”

“Super, It’s just what you need, a boyfriend!”

“Wait a minute young lady! He’s just a very nice

man!”

“Okay,” Jill agreed. “But give him a chance, prom-

ise?”

“I promise, just for you!” and added swiftly, “whose

the mother in this outfit anyway?” Pamela laughed. Jill

was definitely her best friend. She loved sharing with her 48 __________________Gloria Graham

daughter!

Pamela had been euphoric about the whole evening.

Meeting Jeff was an added blessing. It was the first time she had even given any man a second look since Tom’s death.

Jill’s insistence made that evening possible.

Paris was especially beautiful in the evening. The breeze that blew in her open patio door gave her the idea to just sit outside and relax for a while. She hadn’t had any time alone since she arrived in Paris.

It was a nice feeling. The quiet was pierced only by the

sounds of crickets. A sweet aroma from the flowers that

surrounded the patio filled the air. She was enchanted

with Paris.

Pamela sank back into the soft patio chair.

A familiar sound rang in her ears. It was the sound

of tennis players. “Who would be playing at this time of

night?” she wondered. It was evident not everyone suffered from jetlag! It was still early for them! She walked to the edge of the court and watched a game in progress.

She was immediately taken back in time to a memory

chained in her heart. She thought of her first date with Jeff Desmond to play tennis. It had been a beautiful Saturday, perfect for a game of tennis.

Pamela remembered how nervous she had been. She

changed her clothes three times before deciding on a cute navy blue outfit. At least she would look like she knew

what she was doing!

Jeff had been waiting for her on the front steps. He

waved when he spotted her car.

“Hope I’m not late, traffic was terrible!”

She smiled.

A Memory Unchained___________ 49

“You’re just on time!” he said as he pulled her door

open, beckoning the doorman to park her car!

“Are you ready for this?” he asked, smiling in a very

intriguing way.

“I warned you, I’m really rusty. I haven’t played in a

very long time!”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that one before, I’ll just wait and see!”

he laughed.

Pamela remembered that day as she watched the young

couple on the tennis court in Paris. They were conversing very poorly in French and she couldn’t understand a word

they were saying! She did understand their laughter.