Chapter 20
Jack climbed the two stairs to Ninon's room who stood in the door, pulling him inside and locking die door. She looked wonderful to him, so neat and clean in her white cotton pajamas. A white ribbon was wound about her head underscoring die little girl look. Her eyes were shining but her face was grave. Her voice was full of concern.
"Jack, you look so pale-are you ill?" She took his hat and coat and laid them over the back of a chair. Taking his hand, she led him to the small, battered couch. "Better sit down and rest." She sat close to him, not moving, her anxious eyes exploring his ravaged face. "Has-anything happened? I hope your wife-"
His raised hand stopped her. "Don't mention her. I've got no wife. She's everybody's wife," he cackled. Suddenly he felt dead tired and wondered what had made him come here. To impose upon this lovable child was utterly unfair. His throat was parched and his tongue was like a dry piece of wood in his palate.
"Got a drink for a thirsty man?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Jack. But you see, I don't drink-only in company. But lean make you a cup of coffee."
He watched her busy herself at the two burner hot plate and laid back on the couch, closing his eyes. An iron band seemed clamped about his forehead. Once he opened his eyes to take in the narrow, shabbily furnished room with the bed in the corner. Two straw mats covered parts of the wooden floor. But everything was neat and orderly. His head fell back on the one thin pillow and everything dimmed and finally faded away.
The strong aroma of black coffee wafted up his nostrils, making him open his eyes. Ninon was holding the steaming cup under his nose, now smiling.
"Here, better drink this. I was afraid you'd fainted but you were just dozing."
He sat up, rubbed his eyes and took the cup from her fingers. He took a sip that burned his lips. "Ouch, hot and strong." Slowly he sipped while she stood by watching, taking the empty cup and putting it in the sink.
She has the tiniest feet I ever saw on a grown up woman, he thought watching her paddle barefooted about the room, taking the yellow spread off the bed and folding it carefully to put it on a chair.
Now she knelt in front of him and lifted his leg, pulling till one shoe came off. Then the other. "There, now let me help you undress. You need rest." He played helpless, allowing her to unzip him, takeoff the trousers. He stood up and took off his shirt, staring at her as he slipped off his shorts.
"You really should send me away. I don't deserve your concern."
But she led him to the bed and he lay down feeling her cool, soothing hand on his forehead. He fell asleep at once, never knowing just when she had crept into the narrow bed.
A ray of sun seeping through the blinds tickled his cheek. His eyes came open and he stared in amazement at die pale face on the pdlow, framed by dark vines of hair. Her long lashes cast shadows over her cheeks. He kissed the half parted lips. She moved and her arms reached for him. He took her in his embrace, cradling the dark head, caressing the soft midnight hair, feeling serene. Nothing would be demanded of him, he didn't have to act the roue, he could just be himself and he felt grateful to her.
"Ninon," he whispered, and her eyes opened; they were large and liquid and full of tenderness. He kissed die red lips and stroked the smooth rounded arms. "I need you, Ninon," he said to the room, surprised at his very words.
She stared solemnly at him and nodded. "I thought-I knew I'd lost you. I had resigned myself-you're too good to be true, Jack ... But now you're back. Or, are you?" Her eyes looked frightened. "Will you leave again and disappear?"
He shook his head and stroked her hair. "I have no intention of leaving the sweetest girl in the world." He sealed the promise with a kiss. Now he sat up in bed and grinned. "You'll probably get tired of me, I'm not what you'd call an exciting ladies' man, I want to feel" that the girl I care for is mine-exclusively. That becomes tiresome to most women."
"Not to me, jack. I go for you because you're-"
"Yes, I know," he laughed and the laughter freed his heart, "because I'm solid, dependable."
"Right," she stated. "And what would I want with another man, having you?" Utter sincerity was in her voice, reflected in the dark glow of the eyes.
"I know I'm much older than you, and probably a younger man that comes along-"
"It's what appeals to me-your being older. I feel protected."
Their lips met and there was no more time for words. Looking into the candid eyes, Jack forgot his disappointment with Myra, and ceased to mourn an old love that had died.
"Ninon," he held her face between his palms, "would you go away with me ... leave Hollywood?"
"You mean-you'd want me?"
He nodded. "Of course, this might mean losing your chance to become a star ... But I'll make it up to you. Would you?"
Her eyes filled with tears. "Just ask me," she choked out.
His lips ground against hers and he stared raptly at her ivory breast with the pointed nipples, brushing his palms over them. She fluttered her lashes against his cheek. "When I'm with you I feel at home, Jack," she whispered, ruffling his hair.
He drew back the covers and she lay still allowing him to re-discover her body inch by inch, the flat, smooth abdomen and the lovely columns of her thighs centered by the dark secret flower of her hair; the long smooth legs with the incredibly small feet. He lifted her arms, ran his lips along their smoothness and kissed each finger. She wiggled and smiled, purring like a contented kitten. He became intoxicated smelling her scent, a light flowery fragrance mingling with her own, personal body odor. His finger tips touched the rigid nipples and now ran over die roundness of her breasts. He didn't have to hurry and get on with it. She lay there enjoying his touch, her palms moving down his spine, making him tremble with excitement. He read it in her eyes, that she was his woman, to do with as he pleased, and the knowledge set him on fire.
His hardness covered her soft curves and he whispered. "Sure you want me, Ninon?"
Her arms enfolded him and she kissed him with desperate urgency. "You're all I'll ever want," she said.
It was as if he'd never loved a woman before. He shivered and glowed, and felt dazed with excitement, taking her with slow deliberation, watching her eyelids flutter and her mouth quiver as he penetrated her. He wormed his way, feeling his strength, testing her resilience. Completely one with her, united, not alone in his ecstasy, knowing she shared it with him. He almost could taste his own potency and it made him giddy; he knew that to her he was more satisfying than any other male and the knowledge increased his virility.
He listened to her panting and kissed the moist, parted lips, shaken by a frenzy of excitement. Holding back, ready to explode, tight with unbearable longing.
He moved slowly, then accelerated the motion. Her hands dug into his shoulders and her face was a strained mask. "Now," he cried out, letting go!
For a long time they didn't move, wrapped in the mantle of euphoria, clinging to each other as if they were the only two people in the world.
As he came back from the bathroom she still had not moved, lying there eyes closed, a faint smile on her pale lips.
"You're wonderful, Ninon." He kissed her back to the present and she sat up, hugging him and clinging close.
"Jack, say it, that you won't disappear again."
His kiss promised. "And now you better get dressed. I'll take you out for a royal breakfast."
"Oh but we can have breakfast here." She jumped out of bed, donned her pajamas and opened the tiny refrigerator, taking out a package of bacon and a box of eggs. "See, I've got everything right here."
While he showered and dressed, she busied herself, moved the table to the window and brought on the eggs and bacon, filling their coffee cups.
"Here," she pushed back his chair and forced him down, "you're the guest of honor."
Jack gazed at the red begonia plant in the brown pot she had put on the table and from there, his eyes found hers.
"You're very sweet, Ninon. That's the only kind of girl a man like me needs and wants."
"Finish your eggs." She bent over her plate but he had seen the tears hanging on her lashes.
Surreptitiously he glanced at his wrist watch. Eleven o'clock. He had to phone the office. Never mind Gail; he knew she'd made out okay. Most likely she was with Sid. For one moment he wondered where Myra was. But it really didn't matter to him. He decided to phone Tom from the outside.
He arose and she brought his hat and coat, standing there like a school girl, waiting for his commands.
"Now Ninon," he fumbled for his wallet, opened it and extracted a hundred dollar bill. "I want you to get yourself a nice new dress. Red. And tonight I shall admire you in it. I'll call for you at seven. Without fail." He put the bill on the table.
He saw the doubt in her eyes and kissed it away. At the door she clung to him. "You-you won't disappear again, Jack?"
He took her face between his palms, his eyes sober. "When I get back I shall never leave you again, Ninon."
One short kiss and he was out of the door, closing it softly behind him. Climbing down the stairs, he whistled softly to himself. He felt light-hearted and young; he was a happy man.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
He decided against phoning and took a cab to Tom Sweeney's office. The receptionist stared at him strangely, exclaiming, "Oh, thank Heaven, Mr. Michaels. We've been trying to get you."
Tom appeared at the door to his inner sanctum, looking haggard, drawing Jack inside and closing die door.
"Jack, where have you been? I've been ringing your hotel suite on and off."
"Where's the fire?" inquired Jack, about to take off his coat. Tom's hand restrained him.
"No, no, there's not a moment to lose. Come on, I'll go with you." He ushered Jack out of the office down the corridor and into the elevator. Only in the taxi he spoke, giving the driver Sid Graham's address.
"Why are we going to that man's place? I hoped I'd never see him again."
"Jack, your wife-and no matter what, she's still your wife-she's there. Quite ill."
Jack's stomach knotted. The stars tumbled down from the heavens. "What happened? Is she-"
"She was still alive when Myra phoned. But it's serious. By now, the doctor should be there."
Jack sat quite still letting this sink in. What could have happened to Gad? She had seemed in excellent spirits. Vibrant. Now his insides tightened. The chdd-the child that she might never have ... No use asking Tom who wouldn't know about this. He felt delinquent. Although chances were slim, it might be his child and he had forgotten all about it. Had sought selfish enjoyment. Wild remorse ate at his heart.
The taxi stopped atop the canyon and Jack jumped out and ran into the house while Tom paid the driver and walked inside after him.
Myra, a pale and distraught Myra without make up, her hair in disorder, her unpainted lips bluish, met him in the hall.
"Jack, thank Heaven you're here." She threw herself at him, sobbing wildly.
He freed himself. "What happened? And, how is she? The doctor-"
"He's inside," she pointed at a closed door. "It's hopeless." She lowered her lids. "We had a wild lime, all of us enjoying ourselves with that hussy, Lilith. Then Gail, she didn't want to stop, she and Sid-well, this morning Sid woke me up. I was in die spare bedroom with Lilith. He stood at my bed and shook my arm.
"Gad's dying, come quickly," he said. I went into the other room and there she lay, pale as a sheet, not moving, bluish shadows under sunken eyes. Hardly breathing. Sid tried massaging her, but she remained lifeless ... We called your hotel-"
Jack frowned at the closed door. "What is it? Maybe just exhaustion from pleasure," he said cruelly.
"The doctor says it's septicemia-her blood is infected. He's been with her for some time."
Jack sat down in the nearest chair trying to clear his mind. Blood poisoning? What had poisoned her blood? Of course, in her precarious state of expectancy she could have been internally injured. His tired mind gave up; he knew nothing about the workings of the female apparatus. Maybe it wasn't as bad as they all thought. Maybe she would lose that baby ... Maybe she didn't have to die ... And although he didn't want to live with her any more, he wanted for her to live. She was young yet ... It seemed too great a punishment for her transgressions.
Myra touched his arm and he recoded. "No matter what, I have forgiven her. For having fun-taking Sid away from me."
"Where is Sid?" asked Jack, not really wanting to know.
"He's on the phone trying to get an ambulance." Jack looked at the opening door, getting up. The doctor's young face was set in severe folds. "Are you the husband?" Jack nodded. "She wants to see you. Don't let her talk too long. And," he turned to Myra, "no use calling an ambulance, she'll never make it."
Jack walked inside, feeling dazed. Gad's face looked whiter than die pillow. Her fingers moved but the hand didn't lift. He stared at the bony face, the pale blue lips and the sunken green eyes. This was not Gail, the frivolous wanton who grabbed what she wanted whether it was hers or not. This was a woman in the shadow of death.
Jack advanced; her fingers patted the quilt.
"I'm sorry, Jack-playtime's over. I was no good-no good for you."
Pity filled his heart. He took her icy hand in his.
"Don't talk. You will get well. The doctor says-"
She shook her head. "Curtains, Jack. Show's over." Her smile was a grimace baring her teeth. "I put one over on Myra-took Sid." She stopped to breathe and pearls of sweat broke out on her forehead. "So tired ... Caught up with Myra ... Jack, the doctor says blood poisoning ... That nurse, kitchen table...." She tried to press his hand but couldn't make it. "Jack, I lied to you-there is no baby coming ... That filthy woman-abortion-her dirty instrument-infected me."
"Don't upset yourself, you'll be saved," Jack tried to put conviction in his voice.
He saw saliva trickle down the corners of her mouth. Her chest moved; she gasped for breath. Her eyes seemed out of focus.
Jack you're solid-dependable." She sighed and her head seemed to sink deeper into the pillow.
The doctor stood behind Jack.
"Can't you do something for her, Doctor? Some shot?"
"I looked her over before you came. No use moving her."
Jack saw the lids flutter; her face turned into a rigid, waxen mask.
The doctor closed her lids and covered her with die sheet, leaving die room to make out his report. Myra stood beside Jack; they both stared at the white mound of the sheet.
"She wasn't all bad," said Myra more to herself. "Nobody is ... She just liked to take what she thought belonged to me-first you, and then Sid."
They walked into die other room. Sid stood there, his serious eyes on Myra. "Is she-"
Myra nodded. "She's gone," she whispered. "Oh Sid," she threw herself into Sid's opened arms and sobbed her heart out, "she was so full of life." She looked up into the usually sardonic eyes, grave now. "You did like her, Sid?"
"She was nice to have fun with, Myra," he said. "Rut it's you I've always wanted."
Seeing their kiss, Jack slunk away, feeling unwanted.
He went into the nearest bar and after three drinks knew that his own life was not over with Gail's death. There was no baby, and he was, as of now a free man. He hoped Myra and Sid would hit it off permanently and wished them well. He would bury Gail right here, and after a while he would get in touch with Tom Sweeney who would help with the funeral arrangements.
After two more drinks, he felt awfully lonesome. There must be some one person in the world he could be with now, one who wouldn't prattle foolishly. One just for his need, soothing and appeasing, rocking him to sleep. He put down the glass, left a big bill on the bar and walked into the phone booth dialing Ninon's number.
"Darling, I'm so glad I caught your call. I was just going out to buy that red dress."
"Never mind the dress, Dear. I need you-I-" he fumbled for words.
Her anxious voice hit his ear. "You in trouble, Jack? Where are you?"
"Don't go away, wait." He opened the booth, called to the bar tender. "What's the name of this joint? And the address, quick."
He repeated the words of the bar man into the phone. 'Triangle Bar, 210 Locust Drive.' How long-"
She didn't let him finish. "You wait there. Don't go away. I'm on my way."
He let the receiver dangle, stepped out of the booth and asked the bar man for a cup of coffee. He wanted to be sober when Ninon arrived. He had plans-lots of plans. She would find him sober, solid, and dependable.