Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

Author:Suzanne Weyn [Weyn, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, General Fiction
ISBN: 9780606230612
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2009-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

That night Blythe and I stayed up deep into the next morning, talking with Mimi, who curled up with a quilt in one of Agatha’s overstuffed armchairs. The twins had woken up earlier and weren’t nearly as surprised as the rest of us to see her. Then they returned to bed with Agatha and Mother, who made Mimi promise not to run off again without saying good-bye.

“Tell us everything about Victor,” Blythe requested eagerly now that the adults were asleep.

Mimi sat forward in the chair. “Jane has already seen him. Do you remember, Jane?”

I did, and I told her so.

“Who could forget him?” Mimi went on. “He is so handsome with large dark eyes. He’s slim with broad shoulders. For some reason Mr. Guggenheim assumes he’s Egyptian.”

“But he’s not?” I asked.

“No! He thinks it’s funny that Mr. Guggenheim just jumped to that conclusion by looking at him, so he doesn’t tell him otherwise. But Victor was born in England and his ancestry is Italian.”

“Will you continue traveling with the Guggenheims?” I asked, trying to keep tones of disapproval from my voice and not completely succeeding.

There was tension in the air as Mimi looked me in the eyes. “I know you don’t approve of Ninette,” she said after a long pause.

“Have I ever said so?” I replied.

“You don’t need to say anything,” she snapped.

“That’s your business. I only asked if you’d be traveling with them.” Really, I didn’t want to fight.

“Mr. Guggenheim is here in England. We left Ninette behind in Paris with her maid so she could see family and friends. She’ll board the Titanic when it docks in Cherbourg to pick up passengers. It looks better.”

I scoffed. “Who do they think they’re fooling? Everyone knows what’s going on between them.”

“There’s a fortune in money involved, so Mr. Guggenheim doesn’t like to leave any proof that his wife’s lawyers could get ahold of,” Mimi explained evenly, as though it was a mere legal consideration.

“When did you become so worldly?” I asked. She had changed—she seemed older, more sophisticated—and I didn’t like it.

“I’ve been traveling the world for over half a year, Jane, and I’ve been with Ninette, who was a cabaret singer in Paris before she met Mr. Guggenheim. So yes, I am worldlier than when I left. I don’t think that’s so bad.”

“Well, I do!” I said, raising my voice. “You’ve been dazzled by Ninette and her crowd. You think the way they live is all right just because they’re rich. I don’t think they’re happy or good. You never used to care so much about money. What is it you think money will do for you?”

“Ha!” Blythe laughed. “What won’t it do?”

“I’m not talking to you!” I snapped.

“Money protects a person from the world,” Mimi replied forcefully.

“Why do you need protection from the world?” I demanded.

“Why can’t you get this through your head, Jane? Because I’m black!”

“No, you’re not,” Blythe insisted.

“I am!” Mimi shot back. “I have been to Europe and even to Northern Africa. It’s not like America.

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