CHAPTER TWENTY
MILLY
It was a tiki-themed night at the Rendezvous Ballroom on Friday. Milly wore a Hawaiian halter dress, peacock blue with a bold red floral print on the full skirt. Sylvia plucked a red hibiscus from her garden on their way out and put it behind Milly’s ear.
“To match your skirt,” Sylvia said as they linked arms walking toward the ferry. “Now you look the part.”
Sylvia teetered along in a fitted, sarong-style dress that hugged her waist and hips, looking feminine and gorgeous, as always. “So, what’s the plan of action?” Milly asked, as they walked. “Do we just keep an eye on Judith, make sure no one suspicious is lurking around?”
“I think so,” Sylvia said.
“And is there a particular beau she has eyes for? Anyone you want to steer her away from?”
“No one in particular,” she said. “Just boys in general. Walter says it’s the music that’s putting them all in the mood for love. That Elvis, he’s so lively and suggestive.”
“And he’s got a movie coming out later this year,” Milly said, “Love Me Tender.”
“I know! I’m going to see it,” Sylvia said. “He’s so velvety-smooth.”
“But I don’t think Elvis Presley is going to be at the Rendezvous tonight.” Milly gave a playful nudge.
“You never know,” Sylvia said with a laugh. “Anyway, I just want to keep an eye on things, that’s all.”
“How are you feeling about the move?” Milly asked. She couldn’t quite believe it when Sylvia had told her, in a very matter-of-fact way, that they were moving from their beautiful, sprawling, waterfront house to the run-down property they owned next door to Adele—a house she had said was not even fit for college kids to rent during Bal Week.
“Oh, fine, I suppose. Maria’s helped me get all packed up, so there’s not much more to do.” She shrugged.
Milly looked at Sylvia, unconvinced. How could she be so calm about all this happening so quickly, leaving the home that she adored, that was also a cornerstone of the community, a place where she brought people together so beautifully?
“Must be a big change,” Milly said.
Sylvia stared straight ahead as they walked. “It’s temporary. We’ve had the same view for years. I’ve got my eye on a few other properties. Once Walter sorts things out, we’ll buy again.”
Sylvia was putting on a brave face, but Milly didn’t push it, not yet.
“How’s Lloyd?” Sylvia asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“Good, great,” Milly said. Now they both had topics they didn’t want to linger on.
“And your lodgers? How’s that going? Hopefully they’re not too rowdy.”
“It’s been quite nice, actually,” Milly said, relieved to have settled on a more comfortable topic of conversation for both of them. “The guys have been very sweet to the children, playing sports with them in the yard. Jack is really enamored of them.”
“You have boys in the guesthouse?” Sylvia asked, shocked.
“I know, I wasn’t expecting them either; I thought it was a nice group of college girls coming. But it’s been fine, really, no trouble, and I haveanother renter coming next week, a gentleman who needs to stay in the area for research.”
“Careful, Milly.” Sylvia squeezed her arm. “You don’t want people to start talking.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. It’s a separate little house; you’ve seen it. It feels very removed from us. Besides, it pays for my tennis lessons.”
“Oh, well, in that case, yes,” Sylvia said, smiling. “Go for it.”
They reached the ferry landing right as the boat was pulling in.
“Good evening, Mrs. Johnson,” the captain said, rushing to give her his arm and leading her and Milly to a seat at the front of the ferry.
“Hello, Joe,” she said, handing him the paper-wrapped box she’d carried with her. “Butter cookies,” she said. “Maria made them.”
