Cutler 02 - Secrets of the Morning

wouldn't dare sit in her chair.
    Jimmy sat beside me on the sofa and we waited and listened as Randolph called the attorney. He began to choke up as soon as he told him what had happened.
    Then he just listened and nodded every few moments. I thought he was going to hang up without asking about my baby, so I jumped up.
    "Can I speak to him, please," I pleaded. He looked at me a moment as if just remembering I was there and then handed me the receiver.
    "Mr. Updike?" I said.
    "Yes. Who might this be?" a deep, resonant voice inquired.
    "My name is Dawn and . . ."
    "Oh yes," he said, "I know who you are. In fact, I was about to tell Randolph to be sure that you are present at the reading of the wills."
    "I doubt very much, Mr. Updike, that I will be included in any way in Grandmother Cutler's will. What I wanted to know is do you know anything about arrangements that were made for someone to take my baby."
    There was a long pause.
    "This wasn't something you had consented to?" he asked finally.
    "Oh no, sir. Never."
    "I see. And you are now telling me you want the child then?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "This is all unfortunate, very unfortunate," he muttered. "Very well. Give me some time. I will have information for you at the reading of the wills."
    "I want my baby," I insisted.
    "Yes, yes. I understand. Let me speak to Randolph, if he is still there, please," he said.
    I handed the receiver back to Randolph and joined Jimmy.
    "He knows about it?" Jimmy asked quickly.
    "Yes," I said. "And he's promised to do something. We'll have to stay at the hotel for a few days until the reading of the will while he makes arrangements. And then, finally," I said sighing, "it will be all over.
    "Come on," I said, taking Jimmy's hand, "let's pick out a room for ourselves."
    "Do you think that's really all right to do? I mean . . ."
    "Who's to say no?" I replied with a smile. I was so happy at the prospect of getting my baby back. "Besides, if my mother is the new queen, I'm one of the new princesses."
    We went to the lobby and I had Mrs. Hill give us a key to one of the nicer suites. Then Jimmy went out and brought in his things. I didn't go up to tell my mother anything, but when Jimmy and I returned from dinner in Cutler's Cove, we found her dressed and in the lobby speaking to some of the staff. I was amazed at how strong and authoritative she sounded as she gave them instructions for the next few days. When she was finished, she approached us.
    "So this is Jimmy," she said, extending her hand. "Last time you were here, we really hadn't had a chance to meet." She gave Jimmy a wide smile.
    Meet? I thought. Why was she pretending Jimmy's last time here was like a pleasant visit? And I couldn't believe how charming and flirtatious she was. Had she no shame?
    "Hello," Jimmy said, a bit confused. She held onto his hand as if she expected him to kiss the back of hers. Finally, she released his fingers, but she didn't take her attention from him.
    "You've joined the army, I see. I just love a man in uniform. It's so gallant and romantic, even when he's only of to some revolting boot camp and not some foreign war. My, you have so many pretty ribbons," she cooed, running her fingers over them.
    Blood rushed into Jimmy's face. Mother laughed and stroked her own hair gently. Then she turned to me.
    "Clara Sue and Philip will be here late tonight," she said. "I'm arranging to have the funeral as soon as possible so they don't miss any more school than necessary. The year is almost over for both of them."
    "How considerate of you, Mother," I said. She didn't change her expression. Her smile was beginning to look like a mask.
    "You two don't have to go out for your meals, you know," she continued. "I've instructed the kitchen staff to continue working. The family will eat in the dining room as usual. Nussbaum is cooking for the hotel personnel, and I'm sure we'll reopen the hotel shortly after the funeral."
    "How efficient," I said. "Grandmother Cutler would be very proud of you."
    My mother blinked rapidly, but continued to beam, her eyes radiating with an excitement I had heretofore never seen. The flood of color into her face made her even more beautiful.
    "As soon as the funeral is over and those offering their condolences have come and gone, I will instruct Mrs. Boston to move Grandmother Cutler's things out of her room so that you can move in there," she said.
    "That won't be necessary, Mother. I have no intention of remaining here," I replied