Private Faces by Marianne Gage

Author:Marianne Gage [Gage, Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2017-04-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Mokelumne Hill, Berkeley Art Show, LACMA

Seeing Esther and hearing of her challenge with the girls made me think of Rosie, who often counseled children. I realized that I hadn’t heard from her since before her trip to Italy. Why was that? I called, got her answering machine, and left a message. “This is Nat, dear one. What are you up to, and why haven’t I heard from you? I hope everything is okay—”

The machine cut off. She would call me, I was sure.

But she didn’t.

Ben said he had to fly to New York on business for four days.

“But it seems like you just went back there!” I remonstrated. “Why do you have to go again so soon?”

“This is my business, remember? The head office is back there, and I just happen to be on the board. I have to go.”

I was between projects, and bored. I decided to call Hana.

“Hey, Hana, want to have some fun? I need a change. Ben’s going out of town, so let’s think of something to do.”

“Where is Ben? That darling man! Is he getting any good bagels lately?”

“He’s been bagel-less. Right now he’s in New York at a meeting.”

“Well,” she said. “I could look to getting a babysitter. Nice teenage girls are all around here in Los Ranchos, very responsible. Are you thinking out of town?”

“Yeah. The whole world is out there, kiddo!”

“You know, Nat, I am not spending money like I used to. I am on allowance.”

It sounded as if she wasn’t too enthused about my idea, so I said, “Okay, I’ll call again, or ring me if you get a brilliant idea.”

Soon after that, she called and said she would love to do it, but she could only be gone one night, as she’d promised to take Hans and his friends bowling Sunday evening.

I had fallen in love with the Gold Country when I’d been at Esther’s, but I’d drawn and painted like a slave, only taking one day off to see Columbia. I called the old Hotel Leger in Mokelumne Hill, and they said they had one room left. I booked it, and we left Saturday morning. I told her we needed to get an early start, since it would be so hot on the road. I drove Ben’s new red Mustang, and we went through Stockton and Lodi, turning onto Highway 49 near Sutter Creek. Hana began to talk about her divorce, even though it had been final for ages. I asked about the tennis pro, mentioning that Fia had told me about him, and that one remark was all it took. She began to tell me all about the affair.

She said she was crazy about Max. He was a lot younger, she said, and the sex was great. The hardest part was keeping it a secret from her kids; she had to meet him when they were in school or at after-school activities.

And there was another big problem.

“You mean what if Bruce finds out?”

“Oh yes, of course! He is so-o-o jealous.

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