It’s Sunday, 6 a.m., Cincinnati time. Cliff’s telephone rings and rings and rings. Cliff grumbles, rolls over in bed.
“Just let it ring,” says Marie.
“I guess I should answer the damn thing,” says Cliff. “It might be Sal.”
“I don’t think she’d call this early.”
Cliff picks up the phone and says, “This better be important.”
“Hi Cliff. It’s Frank. I wanted you to know we had a great hoedown last night. It seemed like half the town showed up to dance and eat. Art served up a great feast, including crab cakes just for you. And chili dogs.”
Cliff chuckled. “Marie’s favorite.”
“Yeah, and young Jack was a big hit as host . Folks loved him, especially the young women.”
“I hope he behaved himself. Was he sober?”
“Jack was too busy running the show and talking to the press to do much drinking. He likes being the big shot.”
“He always did, which is why he got into so much trouble.”
“I guess he learned his lesson. At least, that’s what he told Matt. I doubt that he wants to see another jail cell. Would you if you were in his shoes?”
“Hell, it’s his life, not mine,” says Cliff. “It’s up to him to make it work.”
“I agree and I’m betting he will.”
“Don’t bet the farm. Did you sell any produce last night?”
“Sure did, and most of the folks said they like the idea of the refrigerated truck.”
“When do you plan to drive it into town?”
“We’re loading up right now, and should be leaving here by seven, though I don‘t know how many customers will be there on a Sunday morning.”
“Maybe you should park near a church.”
“Think so?”
“Just kidding, Frank. Park the truck where you planned, by the mall.”
“Right. I wish you could be here to see your plan in action.”
“Sorry, Frank. I’ve got my own business to run.”
“Ok. Give my love to Marie. Tell her the folks raved about her poster.”
“Will do.” Cliff hangs up the phone and tells his wife that Frank is in love with her poster.”
“Goody,” says Marie. “Now can I go back to sleep?”
“Yes, if you have nothing better to do.”
“Later, Tiger.”
Meanwhile, in mid-town New York, Foster Willoughby has just called the St. Regis Room Service to order breakfast for two. To Betty Manning, he says, “We still have time for a quickie.”
“I hate that expression,” she says. Betty gets out of bed and walks to the bathroom. “Wasn’t last night enough?”
“It’s never enough, Sugar.”
“Please! That’s another hayseed term I don’t like.”
“Whatever you say, Ms Manning, but you didn’t seem to mind last night.”
“Blame it on the wine. In the light of day, I’m feeling guilty. What if your wife finds out?”
“I’ll never tell.”
“Well, suppose Marie finds out and tells Sally who tells Judd.”
“I thought you trained her better than that.”
“She has a mind of her own.”
“I can’t believe your daughter would do anything to hurt you.”
“You’re right, Foster. Forgive me for being such a worrier.”
“Go take your shower. Breakfast will be here soon. What would you like to do this afternoon?”
“Catch a plane to Connecticut.”
“Is that what you really want to do?”
“Of course not,” she says as she closes the bathroom door.
Foster gets out of bed, puts on his robe, picks up the phone, asks for an outside line, and dials his wife’s number as he looks out the window at Fifth Avenue.
“Good morning, Dorothy. How are things at the farm? Good. I’ll be taking a late plane home. Yes, the trip was very profitable. Love you, too.” He hangs up the phone just as Room Service arrives.
Foster knocks on the bathroom door. “Come and get it…Sugar.”
In Lexington, Dorothy tells her lover, “Foster won’t be home until late tonight.”
“What time is it now?”
“Why, it’s July, darling.”
He laughs. “Then, let’s go back to bed.”
Later that afternoon, Marie says to Cliff, “We’d better head for the airport. Sally and Judd should be arriving in about an hour.”
“Right. Judd said he had a good session with the Philadelphia publisher, who wants us to do another book.”
“Wonderful!”
“I don’t think so. Judd can do the next book solo.”
“Won’t Sally be disappointed?”
“No. She’s still pushing me to write my autobiographical novel.”
“Will you?”
“I guess so. That’s what my mother wanted.”
“Then do it.”
“I’ll try. I’ll make it a wedding gift to Sal. Then, at last, I can say goodbye to the past.”
“Does that mean that Captain Jack is finally dead.”
“Yes, as far as I’m concerned, Watertown never happened. Lew and I just appeared suddenly, in a flash of light, fully grown”
Marie laughs out loud.
“For the first time, Sweetheart, I’m my own man.”
“Not so fast, Tiger.”
“What now?”
“You’re also my man.”
Cliff embraces his wife. “Do we really have to meet that damn plane?”
The End (I think)
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