“Do you think he’d make a good father?”
I’d thought about that.“I don’t know.Several times when he was up here, there were kids around.He didn’t go ga-ga over them.But he wasn’t bothered by them.If anything, he seemed a little shy.I suppose it’s understandable.He had an older brother who left home early on, but there were no younger siblings.He’s had no experience with kids.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Why would it?I’m no more experienced than he is.”
“If you were to have children, one of you should know what you’re doing.”
“We’d learn pretty quick.”Only after the words were out did I realize what I’d said.I’d stepped right into it.Once a shrewd defense attorney, my mother hadn’t lost her touch.“Hypothetically, of course.Neither of us is planning on having children, least of all together.”
“You’ve discussed it?”
“Of course not!”I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d lost my advantage in the discussion.Taking a slow breath, I went on more calmly.“My relationship with Peter is professional.Much as I hate to disappoint you, we didn’t fall in love at first sight.”
“Maybe you will on second sight, or third.”
“Not likely.I’m not interested in falling in love again.”
Mom gave one of those wise laughs that I hated.They usually preceded a truism.This time was no exception.“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Jillian, because you don’t usually believe what I say, but love happens sometimes whether we want it or not.”
“Not to me,” I insisted.“I’m very much in control of what is and is not going on in my life.”
“Then why did you call, if not to pump me on what I knew about Peter Hathaway’s social life?”
“I called,” I told her, sounding remarkably mature and unruffled, given that she had me pegged, “to tell you I’ve decided to go to the show in New York.You’re on the mailing list, so you’ll be getting a notice with the details, but it’s on for the second week in November.The opening is on Sunday afternoon, but there’s going to be a pre-opening thing the Friday evening before.You’re all invited to that, if you want to come,” I knew they wouldn’t, “or if you want to stop by during the regular times.I was thinking maybe you’d take the train up and we’d meet for lunch one day.”
“Do you have to be at the show the whole time?”
“I should be, since I’ve decided to go.”
“But do you have to?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Then why not come home for one of those nights?I’ll invite everyone over.We can have a nice family dinner together.”She paused, and I could just see one elegant brow arching.“Unless you were planning to be home for Thanksgiving anyway.”
I wasn’t, and she knew it.I had hoped that one or more members of my family coming into New York, which they did often enough, would eliminate my need to go to Philadelphia.But my shows didn’t appeal to the Madigans, and Icould see why.If my work was being shown at the Guggenheim, they’d have been there in a minute.The Fletcher-Dunn Gallery was something else.Ifound it exciting, because the patrons of the gallery appreciated the kind of work I was doing, though it wouldn’t bother me if I never had a show, and I certainly didn’t aspire to the Guggenheim.
One part of me thought it was too bad that my family couldn’t recognize my career by putting in an appearance at my show.The other part was just as happy to keep them separate from my work.So if I had to go to Philadelphia, I supposed I could.
“How does Monday night sound?”I asked.
“Off the top of my head, it sounds fine,” Mom answered.“I’ll check with everyone here.If there’s a problem, I’ll let you know.”
“If I don’t hear from you, then, I’ll give you a call when I get to New York.I’ll be making reservations at the Park Lane.”
“The Park Lane?Why the Park Lane, when your father can get you a suite at the Parker Meridien for next to nothing?”
“The Park Lane is fine for what I want,” I told her.I didn’t like taking favors from my father’s friends, because the favors almost always involved a catch, and I didn’t want to owe anyone a thing.Besides, I liked the Park Lane.It was on Central Park South.“Take care, Mom.I’ll talk with you soon.”
I pressed the button on my phone, then releasedit and punched out Moni’s number in New York.I wanted to tell her that I’d decided to attend the show.I also wanted her to make the hotel reservations for me, and to see that an invitation to the pre-opening reception was sent to Peter.
After all, he was my best friend’s lawyer, on retainer to me.And he lived in New York.If nothing else, he could fill me in on the latest developments in Cooper’s case.
7
Cooper’s case was the last thing on my mind as November progressed and the show drew near.The first thing on my mind was work.I was determined to give Moni everything she’d asked for and more, which meant that I spent most of my waking hours in the studio.
