Her Last Letter (27 page)

“Isn’t it?”

“You look nice,” I said, noting that she appeared thinner than ever. “Pretty dress. I love that shade of turquoise on you.”

“Thanks, you look nice too.”

“I’m catching a cold, so don’t breathe too deeply around me. Are
you
getting sick?”

“Sick? What makes you think I’m sick? First you compliment me, then you tell me I look sick. Thanks a lot.” She shook her head and turned back down the hall.

“Linda, I didn’t mean it that way. Linda, please stop.”

She did. “No, I am not sick. I’m just tired. Excuse me, Gwyn. I have to use the bathroom.”

“Okay. I’ll see you out there.”

I made my way to the bar set up in a corner of the living room and asked the bartender for a glass of merlot, then meandered to an empty chair and sat down, kicking my high heels off, hoping no one would notice.

I felt a hand lightly touch me on the shoulder. “Hello, gorgeous.” Josh stepped around in front of me. “Sore feet?”

I smiled up at him. “Yes, but you weren’t supposed to notice,” I said, slipping the heels back on.

“Oh, leave them off. Who’s going to care? Certainly not me.”

I looked behind him, wondering if he’d brought a date. Considering how handsome he looked tonight, I figured the woman would be rushing over to claim him by now. His blond hair fell casually over his forehead, framing eyes that sparkled with devilish mischief.

“I don’t know any of these people,” he said, kneeling at my feet, his hand cupping my left knee for balance.

“Yes, you do. You know as many as I do. And Caroline will be here soon.”

“She’s already here. But she has a date.”

“Where? I didn’t see her.”

“She just walked in.”

Josh looked me over. “You’re more beautiful than ever, Gwyn. You have to promise me a dance later.”

“Of course … if I can.”

“Oh, your husband will survive it. Looks like he’s preoccupied already.”

I turned in the direction Josh was nodding. Trevor was standing at the bar with Bob Morris and Sylvia Breslin. Last year, Bob had attended Linda’s party, but unfortunately, this year he’d brought Sylvia. “Sure, Josh, we can have that dance. Why not?”

Josh laughed. “She’s a troll compared to you.”

“She’s a business associate of Trevor’s,” I said. “In fact, we spent a weekend in Aspen with them recently, as their guests … well, her guest, actually.”

“Is that her guy?”

“Her date, not her guy. It’s purely platonic, Trevor says. I like Bob though. He’s nice.”

“Looks like you need another glass of wine. I’ll get it for you. Merlot?”

“Yes, thanks.”

He rose and approached the bar, shook Trevor’s hand, then made introductions with Sylvia and Bob. Trevor noticed me watching the four of them and waved, then stepped away from the group and walked over.

“Why don’t you join the party?” he asked, taking a seat on the arm of my chair. “You took off and left me with Wolfgang. That wasn’t very nice. He was giving me the make and model of every snowmobile he’s rented for tonight, and I’m thinking I won’t even go.”

“Sorry.”

“You should be.”

“I didn’t know Sylvia would be here.”

“And neither did I,” he said, emphasizing each word, “but I have to be polite, don’t I? It might look a little ungrateful if I just ignore them.”

A moment later, Caroline came around the corner of my chair with Nate. Trevor rose to his feet. “Oh, don’t get up,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she brought her guest forward.

Nate reached out to shake each of our hands. “Hello, Gwyn, Trevor. Nice to see you again.”

Caroline whispered down toward my ear. “Where’s Linda? I wanted to say hello, but I haven’t seen her.”

“I don’t know. I talked to her earlier. Must be busy with something.” I scanned the roomful of people, but Linda wasn’t among them.

“Oh, well, I’ll find her eventually.” She turned to Nate. “Want something to drink?”

“Sure.” He turned to us. “Could we get you anything while we’re up there?”

We shook our heads. “Thanks, we’re good,” said Trevor.

Nate led Caroline away.

I tapped Trevor on the arm, but his gaze had moved in the direction of the hors d’oeuvres table. “She likes him,” I said. “I haven’t seen her look that happy in a long time.”

“That’s nice. Let’s get some food. I’m starving.”

I noticed Josh making his way toward me with the glass of wine he’d promised. “One second,” I said.

Trevor spotted Josh also, but grimaced, manufacturing a smile as Josh neared. “Hey, Josh,” he said, watching as Josh offered me the wineglass. “So what’s been going on with you? How are you these days?”

“Great. And you?”

“Can’t complain. Didn’t expect to see you here though. What brings you to Glenwood?”

“Oh, visiting the family, enjoying the holidays.”

“How are they?”

“Fine.”

“That’s good. You planning on going out with the guys later, on Wolfgang’s snowmobiles?”

“No, I thought he was joking.”

“Don’t think so.”

“I didn’t bring a change of clothes,” Josh said.

Trevor waved a hand. “I’m sure Wolfgang’s got extra stuff you can borrow. You’re not going to stay inside with the women, are you?”

“I thought the women were invited too?”

“Yeah, but Gwyn’s not going. She has a cold.”

“I haven’t decided that for sure,” I said, “but you’re right, probably not.”

“Sure, I’ll go,” Josh said, “if Wolfgang can suit me up. What the hell?”

“Yeah, what the hell,” Trevor said, smacking Josh on the back so hard his drink slopped over the side.

Josh narrowed his eyes at Trevor, then excused himself and walked off toward Caroline and Nate.

“Doesn’t that guy ever bring a date?” said Trevor. “If he wasn’t your ex, I’d swear he was gay.”

“I thought you said you weren’t going out, that you’d changed your mind.”

“Well, I changed it back.”

“It’s a bad idea and you know it. It’s freezing out there and you’ve had too much to drink. How many is that anyway?”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’m hungry and I’m getting some food. You coming?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

After the snack, I ditched Trevor and searched for Linda. I’d spied her once, briefly, when she’d stopped to talk to a few guests, but just as quickly she’d disappeared again.

I looked for her in the kitchen, then in the rooms off the hall on the main floor. Finally, I found her in the room Linda referred to as the library, a grouping of chairs and loveseats surrounded by bookcases only partially lined with hardbound books.

“What are you doing in here?’ I asked.

“Nothing, trying to find a little space.”

“Oh. Just wondered where you were. I can leave if you’d rather be alone.”

“It’s okay. Go ahead. Sit if you want.”

I noticed a weird odor in the room, masked somewhat by the heavy scent of Linda’s perfume. “This room smells a little funky, don’t you think?”

She sniffed the air. “Yeah, guess it does. Books are probably moldy. Nobody actually reads them. If I opened one up a moth would probably fly out. It feels cold in here too, doesn’t it?”

“A little chilly.”

“I’ll start a fire.” Linda rose and turned on the gas jets for the fireplace. “If this damn thing works.”

After a few seconds, flames ignited. We sat quietly, staring at the fire.

“Looks real,” I said.

“It should. I spent enough on it.”

It was then that I noticed a tear slip down her cheek, then another.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Don’t-”

“No, tell me, please.”

She sat very still, then lifted her head and smiled sadly. “Have I always been such a loser? Did I ever do anything right?”

“Linda. What are you talking about?”

“Nothing. Just that no one really gives a shit about me. Except you. And then … maybe not you either. But how could I blame you? I’m such a pain in the ass.”

“You’re not.”

“I will bet you that not one other person noticed I’m missing from my own party.”

“That’s not true. Not true at all. Caroline was looking for you. And a lot of other people asked me where you were.”

She shrugged.

“Linda, everyone likes you. You have tons of friends. Everyone goes on and on about how much fun you are, and you give these great parties.”

“Yeah, my great parties.”

“Did something happen? Something must have happened.”

She stared ahead, her eyes glazed over.

“Wolfgang?”

“I don’t think I want to talk right now.”

“Tell me. What happened? What did he do?”

“Not
now
, Gwyn.”

“Okay … okay. Then we’ll just sit here.”

She took a deep breath, let it go. “I’m glad I have you, Gwyn. You know that? I don’t say it very much, but I am.”

“I know.” I moved in close and put my arm around her. “I love you, Linda. I do. Please believe that. And everything’s going to be okay. From now on. I won’t let anything bad happen to you-not to either of us.”

This only made her cry harder. She stayed tucked under my arm for several minutes, and then finally shook herself loose.

“I’m better now,” she said, sniffing. “I’ll just go upstairs and fix myself a little, then I’ll be back down.”

“All right,” I said.

She rose to leave.

The first thing I did was go look for Wolfgang. I found him near the bar, flirting with Sylvia of all people, though she didn’t appear to be paying much attention. Instead, she was craning her neck in the direction of Trevor and Bob.

I turned away in disgust and cruised the room trying to find Caroline and Nate. They were seated on one of the couches near the Christmas tree, the lighting lower on that side of the room. Caroline scooted closer to Nate to make room for me. “Enjoying the party?” she asked. “You look tired.”

“I am. I have a stupid cold. I hope I don’t give it to you.”

“I’m not worried. Hey, is that the infamous Sylvia? The brunette?”

“In the flesh.”

“Kind of the painted lady, isn’t she? Puts that makeup on with a trowel. I haven’t seen Trevor talking to her much. In fact, I think he moves around the room just to avoid her.”

“Yes, but what does that mean? He knows I’m watching him.”

“True. But maybe it means he’s telling the truth. Maybe he’s not interested in her.”

“No, maybe he isn’t. But she’s not the only woman he knows. And maybe he doesn’t want to make it too obvious. Oh, who knows? Who cares?”

“You care.” Caroline leaned in close. “So, how’s it going with-you know? Anything happening yet?”

I shook my head. “Not a lot yet, but I’ll tell you when we’re really alone. I’m a little paranoid. I feel like everyone can hear me, no matter how softly I talk.”

“From what you told me about-you know-maybe they can.” She looked suspiciously at the couple seated across from us. “I did talk to Linda, finally. It took me a while to find her.”

“I don’t think she’s in a people mood tonight,” I said. “These parties really wear her out. All the planning involved.” I motioned toward Nate, who seemed content to gaze around the room while Caroline and I conversed. “Is Nate having a good time?”

“I think so. But he’s all talked out. He was on duty since early this morning. Needs some quiet time, I guess.”

“So it’s going good?”

“So good it’s scary. I hate feeling this way.” She leaned in closer still. “He’s a great kisser. But that’s
all
I know so far. I’m not going to rush into anything with him. And he’s not pushing me.”

“He seems really nice.”

“Yeah, he does. But he hasn’t gotten to know me yet. I don’t know if I can keep my apartment clean for much longer.”

I laughed. “If he takes the time to get to know you like I do, he’ll adore you.”

“Whatever,” she said, but grinned. “I saw you talking to Josh when we walked in. How did Trevor handle that?”

“How would you expect?”

“Hand to hand combat, right?”

“Trevor plans to go out and challenge Josh on a snowmobile. I did, of course, try to talk him out of it.”

“The whole idea is hilarious. A bunch of drunk guys out tearing around the property. Wolfgang’s idea?”

“Who else? Maybe Nate can put a stop to it.”

“Private property. As long as they don’t go out on the public roads, he can’t do much. And I don’t think he’d want to. He’d be the guy on the outs with the host, and he doesn’t want to ruin Wolfgang’s party. Maybe he can keep an eye on things. I sure hope Wolfgang thought to update his liability insurance though.”

The hors d’oeuvres trays were moved out and replaced with a hot buffet. Trevor filled a plate, but I wasn’t hungry.

“I’m getting tired, Trevor. Why don’t we just go home afterwards? Okay?”

“No, but I’ll take you home if you want.”

“Earlier tonight you said you didn’t even think you’d go.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Why is this so important now?”

“It isn’t. I just don’t want to be the only one not out there.”

“It’s a stupid idea and you’re not even sober.”

“I’m sober enough. Don’t bother to argue. I’m going.”

The trio of jazz musicians kicked it up a notch, and a few couples moved onto the area set aside for a dance floor. Though still angry at Trevor, I accepted his invitation to dance when the tempo again slowed.

“No talking,” he said.

“But-”

“No, if we don’t talk, we won’t argue.” He pulled me close, his fingers pressing lightly in at my waist, then moving upwards, rippling along my spine. I began to relax, feeling much more forgiving.

He looked down at me. “Better now?”

“Yes.” Moments later, I spotted Sylvia watching us, and pulled Trevor closer still. “Can I ask one favor?”

“What?”

“Don’t dance with Sylvia if she asks.”

“What makes you think she’d do that?”

“That’s easy, she hasn’t let you out of her sight since we walked in. It’s perverted the way she stares.”

He glanced at her, then laughed. “She’s not watching me. She’s talking with Bob. You’re imagining things.”

“Yeah, sure I am.”

As the music died away and Trevor led me off of the floor, Sylvia suddenly appeared in front of us.