Chapter 12

The Brown's hugh front room was mobbed with half of Richfield there when I arrived, a half hour late. A mixture of noises assailed my eardrums as I made my way through the throng to the bar in the rathskeller room.

Odell came from behind and grabbed my arm affectionately. "Let me make you a drink, kid, and then I'll start introducing you to the guests."

I followed Odell back of the bar. "Who do these idiots think I am?" I questioned.

"A painter with a past," was Odell's answer with a wink. "They also know you're going to be the subject of my next novel."

While he was making me a drink, Estelle appeared in front of the bar, looking as lovely as I have ever seen her. She wore a tight-fitting black beaded cocktail dress that exposed a great deal of her cleavage.

"Good evening, guest of honor," she greeted. "Estelle, how lovely you look," I commented warmly.

Estelle shrugged. "You've never seen me dressed up, Archer. All the times you've been here, I've worn old housedresses and housecoats. It's about time I showed myself off." She turned to Odell. "While you're at it, dear, would you make one for me?"

"Sure," Odell said somewhat indifferently. It caused Estelle and I to exchange knowing glances. "Oh, kid," Odell went on, "Guess who's going to be here tonight?"

"Who?" I asked flatly, not really caring about the party or who was invited. I just wished that Judy was with me. It would have been our first party together and then it would have meant something.

Odell handed me a drink. "Lt. Ross Sculley," he informed me.

"Who the hell is Lt. Ross Sculley?"

"He's the guy that just got decorated by the President. A big hero. Got his legs shot off in Vietnam."

I shuddered. "A lot of good his decorations are going to do him now."

Ignoring my comment, Odell said, "I thought you may have heard of him. He's from San Francisco."

"Come to think of it, I may have read about him in the papers."

"I did an article about him for one of the national magazines. He's settled her in Richfield now. He has plenty of money, so he doesn't have to worry." Then Odell nudged me and leaned in. "He's also got one hell of a good-looking wife. Wait till you see her. She'll make the buttons on your B.V.D.'s pop."

In the next hour Odell must have introduced me to fifty people. I couldn't tell you who I met that evening ... except Lt. Ross Sculley and his wife.

Everybody was drinking fast, getting drunk and it didn't really matter who was there or what was said. At one point during the evening I was about to engage Estelle in conversation, when Odell tugged at my arm and pointed toward the couch in front of the bay window.

"That's Lt. Sculley over there," he told me. I glanced over and saw a clean-cut young man about my age seated somewhat stiffly. He had canes resting on either side of his legs. I remembered what Odell had said and suddenly realized that he wore artifical limbs. "And that lovely wench sitting next to him," Odell added, "is his wife. Isn't she an eye-opener?"

I studied the young lady closely. She looked familiar. She was blonde, with large soulful eyes and baby lips that were always opened and poised sensuously. The more I looked at her, the more convinced I was that I knew her. It was difficult for a guy like me, who had had so many women, to associate the place with the face. As I kept staring at her, Lt. Sculley started to ease himself off the couch. He was aided to his feet by two of the guests.

"It looks like he's leaving," Odell said. "Come on, I want you to meet him."

I grabbed Odell's arm and stopped him. "No, please, Odell, let it go. I think I know his wife."

Odell grimaced, then laughed. "Kid, you do get around. Your story is going to be a smash."

I saw Estelle approach Lt. Sculley and his wife and become involved in a. short conversation, after which Estelle led the war hero off toward the bedrooms, while his wife remained with the party. Once her husband had left the room, she was immediately surrounded by many admiring male guests. I ran after Estelle, to see if I could be of any service. I caught up to her in the hallway.

"Estelle, may I help you?"

Estelle turned. "Oh, Archer, thank you, no." She turned the much decorated war hero, who was braced with crutches under both arms. "May I present Lt. Ross Sculley, Archer Nelson."

Sculley smiled at me warmly and nodded. He could not offer his hand. "Forgive me, Nelson. I'm a little incapacitated."

Lt. Sculley is going to rest for awhile in the back bedroom," Estelle explained.

Sculley smiled heartily once again. "It's these damn artificial limbs. I'm not used to them yet. They pinch like hell. I've got to remove them for awhile."

"Can I assist you, Lieutenant?" I offered.

"Thanks, pal, but I can manage alone," he replied.

I liked him right off. He was a regular guy, a man's man, you couldn't help respecting. He had more of a beef coming than most of us, and yet he didn't solicit sympathy.

As Estelle guided him down the long hallway, I stood there looking after them. I wondered what I would do, if such misfortune was heaped upon me as it had been upon Lt. Sculley. He was a nice looking guy: He had a most attractive wife. I wondered what kind of sexual relations they could have had together. Not very active, I concluded.

I felt depressed and wanted to be alone. What I really wanted was to run out on the party, and spend the rest of the evening with Judy. But I couldn't do that to Odell. The next best thing was solitude in the backyard.

I had puffed half way through my second cigarette, when a female voice purred from behind me.

"If you want me, Archer, I will come to you tonight."

"What?" I said somewhat startled. Her statement came right out of the blue.

"It's all right now. I'm leaving Odell."

"Does he know?"

Estelle shook her head. "Not yet. I decided to wait until after the party."

I sat down beside her on the arm of her chair. She leaned her head to my chest, saying, "After tomorrow, we'll have nothing to keep Qs apart."

Solicitously, I put my arm around her, inadvertently touching her breast. I felt an instantaneous surge of excitement and started to pull away. But the next thing I knew, Estelle, was pulling my head down and kissing me passionately on the lips.

I jerked back. "No," I cried brokenly.

Estelle drew back and stared at me in blank astonishment. "Archer," she said, her hands lying limp on my shoulders, "There's nothing to hide anymore. After tomorrow, after I've talked to Odell, we can love each other freely, openly. Ever since that morning in the guest room, I've known it had to be you ... nobody else."

I grimaced, finding the scene painfully embarrassing. "Estelle, I'm sorry, but...."

"What is it, Archer? You can't deny that you want me?"

I moved her hands away and stood up. "Yes, I can, Estelle." My hand holding the cigarette was shaking. I put it to my mouth and inhaled deeply, Exhaling the smoke, I turned to look down at her. She was just sitting there gaping at me. "I ... I'm in love with somebody else," I announced softly.

She closed her eyes and gulped hard. When she opened her eyes again, she stared vacandy down at the rug. "And I based me decision to leave Odell on you ... because I thought ... what does it matter now?"

"I'm sorry, Estelle, if I led you to think...."

"You did," she replied flaring up in anger. "You son of a bitch. You sex maniac. Get out of my sight."

She leaped to her feet and stormed out of the room, bursting into hysterical tears as she disappeared up the stairs.