Tales of the City 03 - Further Tales of the City

unity.”
    Silence.
    “This time it’ll work, Prue. I know it. Everything is so much easier when you have a family.”

Four on the Phone
    M OTHER?”
    “DeDe! Thank God! Where are you?”
    “Nome. Listen, Mother … ”
    “Did you find them?”
    “No. Not yet. I’m coming home, Mother. I just wanted you to know …”
    “This is awful! Oh God, this is awful, DeDe. I thought you said you could …”
    “I tried, Mother. I was sure we could….”
    “You’re insane! I’m calling the police right now. We can’t go on handling this thing on our own. I don’t care about the publicity anymore. I don’t …”
    “It isn’t the publicity, Mother. It’s Mr. Starr. We can’t afford to have him hear about this from the media.”
    “So you just let him run off with your children? I’ve never heard such madness! You’ve lost all sense of judgment, DeDe. Anyone who distrusts the police so much that …”
    “I don’t distrust the police. I just know your Mr. Starr.”
    “You’ve never met him!”
    Silence.
    “DeDe?”
    “I think I have met him, Mother.”
    “What on earth are you talking about? DeDe … please, darling … you’re scaring me to death!”
    “I’m sorry. Mother. I’ve tried to protect you, but I need your help now. I want you to be brave. Can you do that for me?”
    “Of course I can. What are you talking about?”
    “Is Emma there?”
    “Of course. She’s always here.”
    “You’ve got company, then. Are any of those Quaaludes left?”
    “DeDe …”
    “I want you to take one after we hang up.”
    “DeDe, I’m calling the police after we hang up. You’re not responsible for your actions anymore. That’s become perfectly clear, and I won’t be …”
    “Sit down, Mother!”
    “I am sitting down.”
    “Good. Now listen to me … Mother, please don’t cry.”
    “I can’t help it.”
    “I’ll be back tomorrow morning, Mother. We’ll talk about the police then.”
    Silence.
    “In the meantime, I want you to know about Mr. Starr, so we can discuss this rationally when I get home tomorrow. You’ve won, Mother. I’ll do whatever you want. Only hear me out. There isn’t time to waste.”
“Mouse, it’s Mary Ann.”
    “Thank God! Where are you?”
    “Nome. We didn’t find them. The whole damn thing has been a wild goose chase.”
    “They’re here, Babycakes! Somewhere.”
    “What!”
    “Jon saw them come back on the ship. Jon Fielding. He’s the doctor on the Sagafjord!”
    “You’re making this up!”
    “I wish I were! Didn’t somebody check to see if they were on the ship? I mean … this doesn’t sound like a kidnapping at all. Meanwhile, we’ve got a fairly pissed-off lady living in the basement.”
    “I know. I’ll take care of that. Is Jon sure?”
    “He’s sure.”
    Silence.
    “What now, my love?”
    “God!”
    “That isn’t an answer, I’m afraid.”
    “Listen, Mouse … did Jon know where they were going?”
    “He assumed they were being delivered to Halcyon Hill.”
    “Forget that.”
    “Jon said he was a friend of the family.”
    “Well, he’s not, Mouse. He’s lying. The man went berserk. He kidnapped those children!”
    “And then cruised leisurely back to San Francisco.”
    “Mouse … I know it sounds crazy … but that’s because he’s crazy. Something’s not right here.”
    “You’ll get no argument from me.”
    “At least the kids are O.K.”
    “Mmm. Bambi will be relieved to know that, too.”
    “Jesus, Mouse … I’m really sorry.”
    “Do you let her out, then?”
    “Well … no. I mean, the kids are still missing and … God, I can’t think straight anymore. You might as well keep her until I get back tomorrow. I’d rather do my explaining there. Please tell Mrs. Madrigal not to worry … and tell Brian I love him. I tried to reach him, but the line was busy at Perry’s.”
    “I’ll tell him you called. Take care, Babycakes.”
    “You too. I miss you.”
    “Same here,” said Michael.
    “By the way, ask Jon …”
    “He’s staying for the wedding,” said Michael.
    “Fabulous.”
    “In Burke’s room.”
    “Less than fabulous.”
    “Don’t you start,” said Michael.

When the Children Are Asleep
    Y OU ASKED ABOUT THE CHILDREN,” SAID LUKE, STILL holding Prue tight against his chest.
    “Yes.”
    He studied her at arm’s length for a moment, then beamed like a doting father. “Come along. It’s getting dark. We should fetch them.”
    He led her up the slope into the rhododendron