Had I left my only home to
follow a blind illusion,
a desperate dream?

Back in Provincetown, Gary was probably climbing the
stairs to his attic workshop, his hideaway. May was surely
sitting at Aunt Sara's feet and doing either her summer-
school homework or reading. Uncle Jacob was complaining
about being confined after his heart attack, and outside, the
sea was relatively calm, the waves rolling toward shore,
their white-caps glittering under the same starry night. I saw
myself standing there, looking into the darkness until I
spotted one small light, the glow of a tanker slowly making
its way north to some distant harbor.
So was I on my way to some distant harbor, I thought, and
despite being submerged in this glittering city of dazzling
lights and noise, I felt as alone as that small light against the
horizon, drifting toward the darkness beyond.
Oh Mommy, I thought, why did you leave me behind and
then call to me this way?
Are you really out there, waiting? Are you as alone as I am?
Are you as lost? Did you ever regret driving off that day?
Did you look back with tears in your eyes and have second
thoughts? Didn't you remember how much I loved you and
needed you? Could you really Just erase, the sight of me
running into your arms, gazing up at you with such love and
such need?
And when you turned and looked toward the future, was it
really a future without me, forever without me?

I'm coming for the answers. Mommy. I'm on my way....

V.C. Andrews* Books

Flowcre in the Attic
Petals on the Wind
IfThereBeTbonas .
My Sweet Audrina
Seeds of Yesterday
Heaven
DarkAnget
Garden of Shadows
fallen Hearts
Gates of Paradise
Web of Dreams
Dawn
Secrets of the Morning
Twilight's Child
Midnight Whispers
Darkest Hour
Ruby
Peart in the Mist
All That Glitters
Hidden Jewel
Tarnished Gold
Melody
Heart Song
Unfinished Symphony

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(77 / */"y
Unfinished
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Prologue
go

The New York City skyline took my breath away. As
Holly and I approached the sparkling city, I reflected on
the rush of events that had brought me all this way. Too
excited to rest yet too tired to talk with Holly, I decided
to write Alice Morgan and thank her for sending the
picture that had catapulted me into this odyssey, this
journey to find my past.

Dear Alice,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sending me
that clothing catalogue with the picture of the model
who looked just like my mother. Kenneth and I
agreed with you, and Kenneth contacted the catalogue
company and they gave him the name of the
model, Gina Simon, and her address. And you'll
never guess where I'm headed right this very minute
as I write this letter. Los Angeles! Hollywood! Well.
actually, I'm in New York City now (or driving
through it at least--we just passed the Empire State
Building!). Kenneth's friend Holly offered to drive
V. C. ANDREWS

me to New York. and then Holly's sister Dorothy
and, her husband, Peter, have volunteered to let me
stay with them in Beverty Hills. Can you believe it?
I'm a little scared to be traveling so far on a
dream, though. What if this Gina Simon just turns
out to be a woman who looks a lot like Mommy? Or
maybe even worse, what if she is my mother? What
does that mean? Then who is buried in her grave in
Provincetown? And why'hasn't she let me know that
she's okay, that she really didn't die in that car
crash? Maybe she got sick and lost her memory. If
Mommy has amnesia she might need me now more
than ever. I just have to go. I have to have the
answers to all these questions.
You would think that with all the excitement of
finding a clue about my mother I would be happier.
Sut leaving Provincetown almost broke my heart. I
know when I last wrote you I told you that I was
lonely^ and that Grandma Olivia was giving me a
,.A®Aofnw, and that certainly hasn't changed, but
Qay and I have grown so close that it was painful to
leave huns And to watch little May cry, as she waved
good-bye was just awful. They really have become
like family to me. And Cary, of course, has become
much more. I'll have to tell you all about it when we
talk.
Well, Alice, I hope to have news for you soon. and
I hope you are enjoying life back in Sewell. I really
do miss West Virginia. And you of course! Say hi to
everyone at. school and keep your fingers crossed!
Love,
Melody
J
80

A Glimpse into the Future

.Holly's crystal shop looked small inside because every
available space was utilized. The air reeked of incense
and there was some kind of Far Eastern music playing.
Large crystals, all shiny and Jagged, stood on antique
tables at the center of the shop and tall oak bookshelves
lined the side walls. I turned my gaze to the books
alongside me and noticed that the shelves were filled
with titles describing meditation practices, astrology,
faith healing, the afterlife and paraphysical wonders,
whatever they were.
Along the back wall was a long glass case crowded
with birth stones, as well as amethyst, blue topaz,
citrine, garnet and other minerals set in earrings. On
the shelves behind the glass case were boxes of incense,
teas, Tarot cards and herbal medicines. The ceiling was
covered with charts of the constellations, along with
posters explaining the powers of various stones. Above
the cash register, framed in flowers, was a photograph
of a man Holly said was the Buddhist guru who had
taught her about meditation. A curtain of multicolored
V.C. ANDREWS

beads hung in the doorway that led to the rooms in back of the shop.
We'd only been in the shop a few moments when a
young man in a wheelchair, whom I knew had to be
Billy Maxwell, parted the curtain and appeared. He had
silky ebony hair that reached his shoulders and framed
his face, a face that bad an angelic glow because of his
rich, almost alabaster complexion. As soon as he saw
us, his light green eyes brightened and a gentle smile
appeared on his face. Perhaps because of his disability
and dependence upon his arms and shoulders, his
upper body was firm, muscular, obvious even in his
loose, light blue shirt. He wore a pair of dark jeans,
white socks and sneakers. There was a large, round gem
in a gold casing dangling on a gold chain around his
neck and his right ear was pierced and filled with a
turquoise stone earring.
"Hi, Billy," Holly said as he wheeled himself closer,
his eyes fixed on me.
"Hi. l&m got here earlier than I expected. How was
your trip?" he asked her, while still concentrating on
me.
"Good. This is Melody."
"Pleased to meet you," Billy said, extending his hand.
He had long, soft fingers and a palm that was warm
against mine.
"Hi," I said. There seemed^to be such peacefalness in
his face, a calmness that helped me feel at home.
"So you're on a big journey," he said, sitting back.
"Yes," I answered, unable to hide my nervousness.
"The Chinese say a journey of a thousand miles begins
with a single step and you've taken that single step.
That's usually the hardest," he added. "Now the momentum
will take over and carry you to where you have
to go."
I nodded and then glanced at Holly, not sure what I
should say or do. She laughed.
"You'll get some good advice here. Melody. Billy's the
best tour guide in our galaxy."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
Billy smiled but kept his eyes on me. It was strange,
having him- look at me so intently, but I didn't feel
intimidated or self-conscious. I felt his sincerity, his
concern and it was as if he and I had known each other
for years instead of minutes.
"What's been happening here?" Holly asked before we
started across the shop.
"Well, Mrs. Hadron's daughter gave birth prematurely
early this morning, but the baby is doing well. She
stopped by to thank us for the smoky quartz—it really
helped her daughter get through the crisis. And Mr. Brul
was here this morning to tell you that the variscite
helped him recall a past life. He had vivid details to
share."
"Past lifer' I asked.
"Yes. He saw himself in England, mid-nineteenth
century. He said he was a bookkeeper, which made sense
to him. He's an accountant now."
"You mean you believe we all have former lives?" I
asked^ looking from him to Holly and then back to him.
"Yes," Billy said smiling. "I have no doubt."
"Well, for now we'll have to concentrate on her
present life," Holly said. "This way, honey."
"I'm sorry I can't help with your bags," Billy apolo
gized.
"We'll be fine," Holly replied. "See you in a few
minutes."
"Welcome again. Melody, and don't worry. There is
good energy surrounding you." His eyes grew small.
"Things will work-out for you," he said with confidence.
It was as if he really could look into the future.
"Thank you," I said.
The door chimes rang as two elderiy women entered
the shop. While Billy attended to them. Holly led me
through the curtain of beads to the living quarters at the
rear of the shop,
"Our rooms are right back here," she explained. I
followed her through the doorway to a short hallway.
V. C. ANDREWS
There was a small living room on the right with a sofa, a
smaller settee, two easy chairs, a glass table and two
standing lamps.
'This is Billy's bedroom," she said nodding at the first
door on the left. "It makes it easier for him to be closest
to thfrshop. I have the next room and you can take this
room across the hall," she said opening the door.
It was a very small room with one window that opened
on the rear of the building. There wasn't much to look at:
just a driveway that provided access to garbage trucks
and a small, fenced in area for someone's dog. The dog
was in its doghouse at the moment, with just its large
black paws visible. The window had light brown cotton
curtains and a window shade with a quarter moon and a
star painted on it. There was a large ball-shaped mauve
candle on the nightstand. The dark pine bed had a light
brown comforter and matching pillows. It looked comfortable.
Actually, the room was cozy with its tan carpet,
its dark pink "walls, lamp, rocking chair, table and
matching dark pine dresser. A set of chimes^dangled in
the corner above the chair, barely moving at the moment.

"This room gets a lot of use," Holly explained. "Many
people who belong to our network of friends pass
through New York going one way or another and stop
over for a short visit. I know it's small but..."
"It's fine. Holly. Thank you."
"Why don't you just settle in. The bathroom's at the
end of the hallway. Freshen up. I'll do the same and call
my sister. Then well have some dinner. Billy does all the
cooking, you know."
"Really?"
"And he's quite the gourmet"
"I forgot what you told me about why he's in a
wheelchair. Did you say he was shot?"
"Mugged, about five years ago not that far from here.
He ran and the mugger shot at him and shattered Billy's
spinal cord."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
"How horrible, but I'm glad you told me. I didn't want
to say anything wrong."
"Don't worry about that. Billy is quite at peace with
himself and his condition. Because of his spirituality, he
pities more people than pity him. I cant think of a
moment when he was depressed these past few years.
Anyone who comes in here feeling the least bit sorry for
himself usually leaves feeling ashamed of his own self-
pity after they talk to Bitty. And he's a wonderful poet,
published in many literary magazines. We'll get him to
read you something later."
Holly put her arm around my shoulders and squeezed.
"Just like Billy said, everything's going to turn out
fine, Metody."
I nodded. The discoveries, the quick decision to make
the journey and the ride to New York, as well as how
overwhelming the city was, suddenly filled me with a
deep fatigue. I felt my body sink, my legs soften, my
eyelids turn to lead.
"Tabe a rest," Holly wisely advised. A$ soon as she left
me I lay down and dropped my head to the pillow.

A tinkle, like the sound of glasses "being jiggled in a
dishwasher tray, woke me. For a few seconds, I didn't
know where I was.. The sun had gone down and the room
was filled with shadows. Someone had come in while I
was asleep and turned on the small lamp by the rocking
chair. I sat up to grind the sleep out of my eyes. The
window was slightly open and the breeze that passed
through made the chimes hanging from (be ceiling tap,
which solved the mystery of the sound.
I heard a gentle knock at the door.
"Yes?"
Holly, dressed in one other bright yellow dresses with
a yellow and green headband, her silver crystal earrings
dangling down to her shoulders, poked her head through
the open door.
"Y>u've been sleeping quite a wirile. Getting hungry?"
^ ^'
0s 1?'
^ jy
^^y
'and everything is
roigBt arrives, I'll call
set you at the airport.
: now and promises to
^ been preparing a feast.
rhen you're ready," she said.


t. Oh," she said before
, "I spoke to Kenneth. He sends his
t wishes," she added, but I picked up
'tone.
dng wrong?"
;jiist sounded a little down. Maybe he misses us.
s you, especially," she offered.
e*s probably working twenty hours a day."
^ '"twenty? More like twenty-two," she said with a small
faugh. Then she closed the door and I got up and opened
my suitcase to pick out something to wear. After I had
washed up, fixed my hair, and changed, I went out to the
kitchen. The aroma of the food was tantalizing and
made my stomach chum. Billy, bent over a table obviously
built lower to accommodate him in his wheelcbair,
turned as I entered. Holly was in the shop with a
customer.
"Hi. How are you doing?" Billy asked.
"I feel better after my nap. Looks like I slept longer
than I thought I would. Can I help?"
"Everything's done," he said nodding at the table he
bad set. "Hotty will close the shop in about ten minutes
and we'll have dinner. Oh, let me light the candles," be
said. "I like to dim the room when we eat. It heightens
the sense of taste when you diminish the power of the
other senses. Did you know that?"
"No."
"It's true," he said, laughing at my skepticism.
"Didn't you ever notice that food tastes better in the
dark? Assuming it's good food, that is." He Ht each
candle and then returned to his work table.
UNFIWSHED SYMPHONY

"How long have you been cooking?"
"Since I became a vegetarian. It's just a lot easier to
cook for yourself and besides, preparing good food is an
art and very self-satisfying. Most people today think it's
an ordeal, but thafs because they dont take pnde in
what they do. They don't look for the essence, the inner
rewards. Life for them is full of burdens. They're never
at ease and they rarely enjoy their own accomplishments.
Their days are full of stress and negative energy."
He turned back to me.
"I don't mean to bore you with a lecture. Holly says
once I get started, I'm like a clock that won't wind
down."
"No, really, I don't mind," I said. "Why arc you a
vegetarian?"
Billy paused in his food preparation and turned his
chair so he could face me.
"I follow many Buddhist traditions and consider all
animal life sacred, but other religious groups practice
vegetarianism as well. In the Roman Catholic Church,
for example, it has been practiced monastically by
Trappists since 1666 and among Protestants by Seventh-
Day Adventists. I believe that the killing of animals is
unnecessary and cruel and can conceivably lead to
disregard for human life. It's also a healthier way to live,
as long as you don't neglect your protein."
He smiled.
"Now you think I'm some sort of kook, right?"
"No," I said. "but I know a4ot of people in Cape Cod
who would be unhappy if people stopped eating fish."
"Oh, well, for that I make an exception," be said with
a wink. "I'll eat net-caught fish on occasion, as long as I
know there are no chemicals added,"
"Something smells very good," I admitted.
"Tonight's menu," Billy announced, sitting up
straighter in his chair. "We snail begin with chilled okra"
yogurt soup, then an orange, walnut and romaine salad,
followed by rice, carrot, mushroom and pecan burgers
9
V. C. ANDREWS
on toasted seven-grain bread. For dessert, I have pre
pared a carob cake with carob ricotta icing. Something
special in celebration of your arrival," he added.
My silence brought laughter to his lips.
"Don't know what you're in for, huh?" he said.
"It sounds ... interesting," I said, and he laughed
harder.
"What's going on in here?" Holly asked as she entered
the room.
"I just described the menu to Melody and she was
speechless. Then she said it was interesting. How's that
for diplomacy?"
"Oh. Don't worry, Melody. You're in for a delightful
surprise," Holly promised.
"Did you close up?" Billy asked. She nodded.
"Then let the feast begin," he declared, slapping his
hands together.
Once again I asked to help, but Billy insisted I was the
guest of honor. It amazed me bow quickly he could move
about the kitchen, spinning himself on the wheels of his
chair. Holly turned the lights down and took her seat.
The soup was delicious and refreshing. The salad was
very good, but I was most surprised by the vegetable
burgers because they did resemble meat in their texture
and even their flavor.
"How do you do this?" I asked, munching away.
"He has magic hands," Holly said.
Billy asked questions about Cape Cod, my life there
and my life before in Sewell, West Virginia. He was a
good listener, absorbing every detail. Occasionally, he
and Holly exchanged a look that told me they had
discussed me and my situation at length.
"You have to realize," he said when I completed my
explanation as to why I was on this trip, "that places
change people. We react to our environment, to the other
people around us, to the climate and especially to the
sort of energy force that is there. Even if this woman is
your mother, she might be more of a stranger te you now
than you would expect."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
"I hope not," I said mournfully.
^Just be prepared," Billy advised.
"I don't know how to prepare for something like that."
^"Maybe I can help you," he said, his eyes intense.
The telephone rang and Holly spoke to her travel agent
riend, When she hung up, she told me my night was set
or the day after tomorrow.
s-^R will bring you into Los Angeles about eleven a.m.
" ifie time. I'll call Dorothy and give her the flight
aber and time," she added, returning to the phone.
heart began to pound now that my plans were
aminga reality. When I looked at Billy, I saw he was
Bng softly at me, his eyes full of comfort. It helped
; relax again.
fbm time when Holly hung up, she shook her head.
|]p^3£)orothy will take you to some Beveriy Hills restau- at for lunch, where you will eat a piece of celery and a
ipfiil of pasta for a hundred dollars, I'm sure," she said.
Fhink of my sister as someone who has to be humored.
» La Land is just Disneyland for the rich and famous."
**0h, now let her make her own conclusions. Holly,"
iBBy said charitably. "Who knows? She may enjoy that
ibdd."
^SNot this down-to-earth girl. You listen to me, MelohfOet in and get out. Find out what you have to find
faad if it isn't what you expected or what you want,
lyourselfon the next plane out aad come back here if
a like before you return to Cape Cod," Holly said.
jso, ignore ninety percent of what my sister tells you
(t be skeptical about the other ten percent."
fffi^ phone rang again. Holly spoke to someone for a
| moments and then, when she hung up, she an-
unced she had to leave for a while,
STI^ave to 4o an astrological reading for someone. It's
past due. I hate to leave you your first night here,
»

&'B be fine," Billy said.
i-you read her one of your poems?"
11
theJ
,. ^Jl
ji speeds
fordq
"01
l^C APfDREWS
I like," he replied, turning to me.
.please," I said. "But I insist that you led
up."
^^Wo problem. I'm a gourmet cook and all gow
cooks let people help cleaa ap."
He and Holly laughed and I smiled widely. I had I
in New Yotk only a few hours, but I felt more at hi
here than I had at the homes of my so-called rela)
and family. Maybe Billy was right; maybe there was;
a thing as positive energy and maybe he would give
enough to help me get through the dark valleys
tunnels that loomed ahead. The question was,
find any light at the end?

After I straightened up the kitchen and put dishes,
cooking implements away, I stopped by the living i
where Billy sat gazing at a notebook in his lap.
"Come on in," he said. "I was sitting hew thir

to my rebirth."
"Rebirth?"
He nodded and flicked some strands of hair from
eyes. He had that soft, angelic smile on his lips again, i
had never met anyone who seemed so at peace wit)
himself. Jt reminded me of the deep calm before a stor
when the whole world seemed to be holding its brea
Gary called it Mother Nature's deception, claiming s
tricked us into believing all was well Just before she s<
the furies down around us.
"Yes, rebirth, for Iwas dead to so much before my..
my death," he said. "I was like most people, blind 2
deaf, confused by the clatter and noise, chasing matej
things, living on the lowest level and never hearing
songi"
"The song?"
"The spiritual song, the voice deep within us all,
voice that links us to each other, to every living and <
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i-living thing. Even the man who shot me is part of
i overall spiritual essence, and in that sense, we're
t of each other, forever."
|36d they catch him?"
No, but that doesn't matter. He shot himself when he
I me. We're eternally tied together by that act."
Tfou mean you could forgive him for it?" I asked,
funded.
'Of course. There's nothing to forgive. The negative
tgy that was in him is what must be driven away. He
t captured, a prisoner of that, just as I was captured
t for a while made prisoner by the bullet that shat-
fd my spine."
"How can you be so positive?" I asked with curious
tonishment.
|''| was lying on my hospital bed, feeling terribly sorry
| myself, cataloguing all the things I would no longer
| able to do, regretting how much I was dependent on
ler people, in truth, wishing I would die," he ex- ftined, "when suddenly Holly stopped at my bed
companied by her guru, an elderly man from India
to had eyes like crystals themselves. It was part of their
tttity work to visit the infirm and give sick people
fpe. Right from the start, I felt something about him,
me inner strength that he was able to share with me,
still in me. He taught me how to meditate and opened
t doors to my new self. I dedicated my first poem to
bl He has since gone back to India. That's a picture of
1ft in the shop.
"After that Holly came to me and offered me a job in
ac shop and I agreed. I've been here ever since.
"Let's see," he said, flipping the pages. "Ah, yes. This
is when I first began to write poems. I wasn't working
se long. I had read some poetry in this Village newspat
and thought I would like to try putting my thoughts
wn, too. Want to hear it?"
^Very much, please."
Be stared at the pages for a long, silent moment and
en in a very soft, low voice, read.
13
V, C. ANDREWS

"I had come to the end of daylight
and faced the doorway of darkness.
But when I touched my face,
I realized my eyes were closed and my skin was
cold.
All that I thought I loved and needed was gone
and I was naked, shivering in misery.
They were measuring me for a coffin.
Suddenly, I heard a voice calling from within
myself.
I turned my eyes around to look back,
to look down, to look deep
and I saw a single candle.
It drew me closer until I could reach out
and put my fingers in the flame, j
Slowly, meticulously. I burned away my dead
body 1
and when it was gone, I was. no longer naked."

He looked up-slowly.
"It's beautiful," I«ud. "but I'mnotsureltoiderstand."^
"I had to crawt out of my old, now crippled body, burnt
it away because it literally imprisoned me. Oace I found:
the inner light, true spirituality, I was able to go beyond
the physical body and reach a higher place. Someday,
you will too. Everything you love and think you seed,
looks lost. You're on a search, because you fed naked,
without meaning or hope; but you'll see that you have
everything you need inside yourself and you didn't have
to take a single step m any direction."
I said nothing. We gazed at each other in the silence,
and then he smiled, j
"You've got that look in your eyes again. You think I'®|
a hook again." 1
"No," I said, laughing. "Actually, I hope what you sayjj
is true." ;.
"It is, but these are discoveries everyone has to make
for himself or herself. I can only show you the way, point
you in a direction."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

thai why Holly called you the best guide in the
y?"
"Yes," he said with a laugh. "All right, enough lessons
» one evening. Want to go for a walk?"
^**A walk?"
| He laughed at my surprise.
| ""Well, you'll walk and push me along," he said.
|,**0h. Sure," I Said, hoping I hadn't insulted him with
"~ ^astonishment.
It's pretty warm out. You dont need a jacket." With;
any hesitation, he turned his chair around and
seled himself out of the living room, through the
ihen and out into the shop. I almost had to run to keep
.We paused outside the door for him to lock it and then
asked me to push him up the street. At the corner, we
vssed and went down another street, past the shops, a
r restaurants and a small theater. The sidewalks were
ided with well-dressed people, and I enjoyed seeing
glamorous hustite-and-bustle lifestyle.
ben we reached the N.Y.U. campus. Billy had me
e. to listen to some speakers. Some were making
* sal speeches, others were ranting about the coming
i end of the world. At one corner a man played a
and sang folk songs to a small group that had
ed around him. He had his hat before him and
ie were putting in change and dollars.
aher down, a group of young men sang spiritual
i a cappella. They were very good and they, too, had
'set out for contributions.
hat do you think?" Billy asked me as we moved
the sidewalk, past homeless people asking for
Hits, a man arguing with a tree, And a black boy
|1ooked like he couldn't be more than twelve playing
xmgo drums.
Sow I understand why Holly calls New York a
'rid of life."
,y laughed and asked me to wheel him toward a
r where there were no people and little noise. I sat
c'watehed the traffic, the groups of tourists and city
V. C. WOREWS
dwellers making their way to and from their destinations. ;

"It was on this corner," he suddenly said.
"What was?" |
"Where it happened. I was running in that direction,"^
he nodded to the left. "It was about two in the morning. I;
was a student here^ you know."
"Oh. Doesn't it bother you to come here?"
"No. It intrigues me. I can give you this advice,
Melody Logan," he said in a deeper, darker voice that
made my spine tingle. "Seize the moment, confront the
face of that which frightens you and search until you find
a way out. Don't let anything shut you up inside yourself.
Wherever you go, whatever you see, when you are most
afraid, think of this corner, of those shadows, of me
sitting here and staring back through time at myself, at
the gunman, at the sound of the pistol, at myself folding
on that sidewalk and then, suddenly rising up out of
myself and standing taller than before."
He reached out and took my band and I felt as if his
courage and spiritual strength moved into me. I smiled.
"Thank you. Billy."
'Thank yourself, cherish yourself and don't let anyone
make you feel small."
He sat back and suddenly looked exhausted, as if he
had spent all hi,s energy on me.
"Maybe we should go back now," f suggested. He
nodded.
Holly still hadn't returned by the time we arrived.
"Can I help you with anything?" I asked.
"I'll be fine," he said, smiling. "Thank you."
Billy wheeled himself down the corridor, first to the.
bathroom and then to his room. I prepared for bed
myself. As he went by to go to his room, he paused at my
door.
"Good night. Melody."
"Good night. Billy," I called. He wheeled into his
room and 1 marveled at how cheerful he was and how
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
Fhe had driven the shadows of loneliness from his
..K
heasn't in my room five minutes before those shadows
"(b closing in on me. Here I was in a strange place,
ffram anyone I loved or who loved me, feeling like a
derer who bad tost all sense of direction and no
er knew her way home.
am what well of faith did Billy Maxwell draw so
h-strength?
ay there in the dark thinking about Cary, hearing his
hter, recalling flashes of his smile, his beguiling eyes,
t his smirk. Thinking about him made me feel better.
®ed my eyes and concentrated on the memory of the
id of the ocean, visualized the sight of the tide
ting in to wash the shore.
ad soon, the shadows of loneliness sunk back. Sleep,
', the tide, washed over me.
I was drifting out.
When I woke the next morning, I was embarrassed by
w late I had slept. I practically jumped out of the bed,
shed and dressed. Holly and Billy had already opened
I shop and were dealing with customers.
Tm sorry 1 slept so late," I declared when the
(tomers left.
That's all right, honey," Holly said. "You must have
a. exhausted. Billy told me you two went for a walk,"
wadded.
?' "I guess all the excitement of being in New York tired
tee out."
? "Ill get her some breakfast," Billy called out as he
glided for the kitchen.
^lhate being so much trouble."
' "You're no trouble. After you have some breakfast,
|te*ll go get your airline tickets," Holly said. "Then, I'd
Ske to show you some of New York. What would you like
^ see the most?"
'" **I don't know." My mind reeled with the possibilities,
the things and places I had only read about and Alice

17

V.C. ANDREWS^
and I had spoken about back in S
us planned a future trip together.'
childhood fantasy was now a reality 4
"I guess I'd like to see the Empire i
Broadway and the Statue of Liberty a
Natural History and ..."
"There's only one day," Holly said,.]
"I'll show her most of that," Bift
kitchen. "Got some fruit, a bowl of i
juice and coffee in here waiting on ]
"You'll show me?" I asked, not 1
ment wen. He and Holly looked at i
laughed.
"Billy gets around as well as anyone^
has a van with a lift and a specially a
wheeL"
"Gift from my parents," he said,«
strange that he had never mentioned!
"I can't take you away from the shop; j
"What do you mean? I'm due a+^
aren't I. Holly?"
"More than ooe," Holly replied. "Better eati
so you can get started,ff Holly said. "Go on," she i
"Stop being a worrywart."
I laughed and went in to have ray breakfast. .
ward. Holly and I drove over to the travel agency whe
her friend worked and I picked up my airline tickets;
Having them in my hand with the itinerary spelled out
before roe made me suddenly frightened. Would I really
get on that plane tomorrow and fly across the country to
stay with people I didn't know and search one of the
country's biggest cities for a mother who might not want
to see me?
Bitty had his van in front of the shop when
returned. He showed me how the lift worked and'
took. his pinthe Anvei's seat. Holly waved goc
as we drove off for my tour of New 'Ywk, Billy look
excited about it as I was.
virgin
state what one
fe«'~ -
fc,at the distance was
I tt*«Bd4ook up was

r^
; garage there and
k day for it. We'll

i bumpkin," I said,
i^tei.*
t^fast "were? It would be
"a|A Bflly could turn
(^thought. How could

rifll were just a small
I. the ^oide& o( pca^te, &
i and aces movm% up and down
,fhe^nsot cars, (he noise and commol^on
seemed not to exist. He wheeled himself along
6srcly noticing any of it, while my eyes raced back and
forth, up and down, taking in everything.
The elevator ride to the observation deck of the
Empire State Building was the most exciting I had ever
taken, and when we stepped out and over to the railing, I
thought we were literally on top of the world. I squealed
with amazement. Billy laughed and gave me some
change for the telescope through which I could see the
Hudson River and clear across to New Jersey.
Afterward, we drove up to Broadway and past all the
ater marquees, the great electric signs and through
aes Square, a place I had seen only on television and
d about in books. My heart pounded with excitement.
K couldn't wait to write to Alice. Billy decided we should
Chinatown, where be-i
able lo mein. While we were^
hand-painted fan.
; Statue of Liberty. The
ere was a wans breeze^;
' Harbor. When we returned to shore, I
as more tired than he pretended and I
time to go back to the shop, claiming 4
I was tired myself. I wasn't. New York had a way of
injecting its energy into me. The panorama of people,
things to see and do was mesmerizing and helped me
forget all my worries and troubles.
Back at the shop, the three of us sat and had some tea
while I ranted on and on about the things we had done
and seen. Afterward, Billy went into his room to meditate
and Holly and I took care of the customers. I was
fascinated with how much people were intrigued by her
crystals and gems, how much they wanted to believe in
thft yawls. Msorts of people came in to buy and
inquire about the items: old as well as young, men and
women alike. Some were frequent customers and many
testified to the claims Hatty made about her stones.
When Billy emerged from his room, he looked re",
vived. Once again I offered to help him with dinner, but
again he told me I was the guest and he enjoyed the^- preparations. After she closed the shop. Holly and I sat ]
in the living room and relaxed while Billy made dinner. I 'j
told her about the poem he had read and the things he,
had said. "He's a wonderful person. I'm happy he became my
partner." ;
"He said his parents gave him the van, but he didn't
mention any more about his family to me. Where are*
they?" ?
Holly grimaced. ,
"They live upstate and they are quite happy he's n6(!
there, too. They don't accept his way of life now. rxs^'
father calls him a hippie."
"Oh, how sad."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

-isn't happy about it, but he's resigned and he
i* "
!»
i he have any brothers and sisters?"
i older brother, an attorney. He sees him whenever
Bes to New York; or, I should say, once in a while
becomes to New York. I don't think he calls every
He wanted Billy to go home and live with their
ts, but Billy won't be treated like some handi;d
person, as you've probably already noticed."
p's amazing," I said. "Inspirational."
Uy nodded. Then she turned a bit serious.
H*Tve been working on your charts. Melody," she said.
Now that I know more about you and the events, and I
U pinpoint things, I can get a clearer picture."
"And?"
"I don't think you're going to find what you want," she
id gently. "Maybe you should turn around and return
>tbeli£e^out^Nft,thfcpeo?te^oix^3uaw^ottca&co<MA
w

it was like a dap of thunder above my head. I sucked
^.breath and smiled.
^» know I can't," I said softly and she nodded. "But
being with Billy and learning from him, I'm not as
Ms I was."
Ht's good,"
l wry grateful to you for what you've done for me.
C.know if I would have had the courage to do this if
gB't for you, Holty. Thank you."
. i <^dn't smile.
Utope I've done the nght thing," she said.
eould only wonder what it was she saw in the stars
SBttade her even doubt it.
r, I thought, not to ask.
Billy wheeled himself out to watch Holly and I get into
her car the next morning. After I loaded in my luggage, I
paused to say good-bye and he took my hand into his and
looked deeply into my eyes.
"Often, most of the time, I should say, we feel like
ships passing each other in the night," he said. "We
spend so little quality time with each other, barely
getting to know each other, but r don't feel that way
about you. Melody. You have been kind and trusting
enough to open your heart to me. Thank you for
sharing."
"Sharing? Sharing what?" I asked with a smile. "My
problems?"
"Your problems are part of who you really are, but you
didn't just share your problems. I got to see your
excitement. I was able to feel your energy and it's
strengthened me."
I looked at him with astonishment. How could I
strengthen anyone at the moment: me, trembling on the
sidewalk, terrified of the journey ahead of me.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
leaned forward and removed the gold chain, and
ue locket he wore around his neck. Then he handed
t3tome.
f-s "I'd like yoa to have this," he said. "This is a lapis
leittzulL It helps release tension and anxiety, bat more
: important, it will enhance your ability to communicate
I'math your higher self. It has helped me a great deal."
l-.s.-Then I shouldn't take it," I said/
; ^-'No, it's all right. I want you to have it. Please," he
| insisted.
I ,Alsaw he wouldn't be satisfied until I accepted his gift,
S',so I took it and put it on. He smiled.
; </ "Thank you, BiHy." I leaned down to kiss him on the
? cheek, which automatically turned crimson. Then I
[ hurried to the car.
^"Miad the galaxy white I'm away," Holly called back
to him. He laughed and waved as we drove away. I
looked back and waved again until we rounded a corner
aad he disappeared from sight.
"It's funny. I haven't been here two full days, but I feel
like I've known Billy for years and years," I said.
/ Holly nodded.
, "That's the effect Billy has on everyone. I'm glad you
had a chance to spend some time with him before you
left for California," she added.
California! Just the way she said it and the way I
thought about it made it seem like another planet. I sat
with my knees together, my hands nervously twisting on
ray lap as we wove our way out oftheiaty and toward the
airport. Think of something pleasant, something calming,
I told myself.
On the way to the airport. Holly described her sister in
more detail, but admitted they hadn't seen each other for
nearly a year.
"I won't go out there, and even when she comes here, I
feel like I'm embarrassing her. She's seven years older, so
there's nearly a generation between us, but deep down
she's really very kindhearted."
"It's very nice of her to do all this for me, a complete
makes her feel
ghing. "I have
'reached into her
y box wrapped in ie sign for Aries,
with amethyst. The
id diamond, but she

it away," I promised,
purse.
i airplane hangars came

My heart thumpfcs^/ yparade drum at the sight of
-* <U the cars, the Umousinwand buses, people scurrying
everywhere and skycaps loading luggage. Horns blasted,
policemen shouted at drivers and waved at pedestrians
to make them walk faster. Airplanes thundered overhead.
How would I ever find my way through this maze
of activity? Everyone else looked like he knew where he
was going and was going there fast. I felt like I was
floating through a dream and could be bumped toward
one direction or another.
"Now don't worry," Hotly said, seeing the expression
on my face. "As soon as we pull up, the skycap will take
your bags and give you your baggage receipts. Then he'll
tell you what gate to go to for boarding. The directions
are posted clearly inside the airport," she assured me.
"And if you have any questions, there will be someone
from the airlines nearby."
I took a deep breath. I was here; I was actually going.
She pulled to the curb and we stepped out. The skycap
took my bags and stapled the receipts to my ticket.
"Gate forty-one," he mumbled.
"Gate forty-one?"
I tried to get him to repeat it, but he was already
helping someone else. I turned to Holly.
"I can't stay parked here any longer. They just give you
UNHNISHBD SYMPHONY
t time to drop wmeone off. You'll see a television
ir inside with your flight number and gate num-
,>along with the time your plane takes off."
"Thanks for everything. Holly."
|S"&u call and 1*11 call you," she said. She held my
ads and stood looking at me. Then she shook her
ead. "Your mother must have been some blind woman
y leave a daughter like you behind," she said. She
ugged me and I held on to her, held her as if she were a
uoy keeping me afloat in this ocean of people and noise
6d activity.
.sShc turned and got back into her car, flashing a final
mule my way. I watched her drive off, waving and
tooking after her until she was gone. Now I was really all
Intone, without a friend in the world. Two elderly people
"brushed past me roughly, neither realizing they had
| almost knocked me over with their suitcases. I was
standing in the wrong place. I clutched my purse and
headed inside before someone else trampled me.
It wasn't much different inside. People were rushing
. by, pulling luggage on wheels, calling to each other. At
the desk, a man was arguing vehemently with the attendant
while the people behind him all wore looks of
annoyance and frustration. How they could all use Billy
Maxwell's calming words and meditation, I thought,
shaking my head.
"What's so funny?" a young man in a dark gray suit
asked. He had curiy blonde hair and impish-looking
hazel eyes with a dimple in his right cheek that appeared
when be pressed his lips together. He carried a black
briefcase and as umbrella.
"What? Oh. I was just watching those people and
seeing (he steam coming out of their ears."
"Steam?" He turned and looked at the line. "Oh." He
smiled pleasantly. ^'You'ro a seasoned traveler, huh?"
"Who? Me? No sir. This is my first trip on an airplane,
ever!" I exclaimed.
"Really? Well, you don't look it. Where are you going?
Wouldn't be Los Angeles by any chance, would it?"
25
V. C. ANDREWS

"Yes," I replied. "I've got to go to gate forty-one."
"That's easy. Fm heading that way, too." He nodded
to his left. He took a few steps and paused when I didn't
follow. "I don't bite," he quipped. .
"I didn't think you did." 1 said nervously, and started
after him.
"I'm Jerome Fbosworth," he said. "Unfortunately, I
have to travel a lot so I am a seasoned traveler." He
grimaced. "Hotel rooms, taxis and airports, that's ray
life. What a life," he concluded with a smirk.
"Why do you travel so much?" Like everyone else, he
walked at a quick pace. I nearly had to jog to keep up.
"I'm in banking and I have to go from Boston to New
York or to Chicago or Denver often. Sometimes I go to
Atlanta and sometimes I go to Los Angeles. Today, it's
Los Angeles. Ever hear of that movie. If It's Tuesday,
This Must Be Belgium?"
I shook my head.
"Well, anyway, that's me. Busy, busy, busy. SomeH*
timvwf* <"»«* iwddud. WWr^
"Yba dont look like a man in Jus forties," I said.
"But J look like a mm jn his thirties?" He waited, his
eyes tightening.
"Early or mid-thirties," I admitted.
"That's because my hair's starting to thin out at the
top of my forehead and that comes from stress. I'm
really onfy twenty-eight" He started to turn and
stopped. "What did you say your name was?"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
a't tell you my name, but it's Melody, Melody

>dy? Don't teU vos you sing and you're on your
»Los Angeles to become a star," he said disdain he continued walking.
Or I'm not going there to become a star," I replied,
I didn't think he really heard me.
Eight up here," he said, indicating an escalator.
fife got to check your purse, so if you have a gun in
I'd better take it out now."
gan!"
it kidding," he said.
?n we reached the entryway, I watched him put his
ise on the table and realized they were looking at
% screen. I put my purse on the moving table and
dt through the metal door. A ringing sound started
ie attendant stepped up to me.
ive any change or keys in your pockets?"
'i, ma'am," I said.
t*s probably that necklace. Put it in the basket," she
red.
rome Fonsworth stood watching and smiled at me.
yly, I took off the necklace Billy had given me and
it in the basket Then I walked through the gate

^^^^^^^w^^8^ .a«rt
^"^said, offering me fhe basket to tste wft
%ace I^id so qufckly and put it on. Then I

lA^h^to;oy:u^d^^^^^
w» totete oftbis watch." He checked it as he slipped a
'toy sold i--fcft tecJr 00 Aw wrist "Mw^re gooe 00
nerican, flight one-oh-two abo?**
'wb."
y^We have almost an hour. Want a cup of coffee or
omcthing?" he said, nodding toward the cafeteria.
"I might have a cup of tea."
s "Stomach's woozy?" he kidded.
^As a matter of fact, it is," I said. I didn't see why I
~ ild be ashamed of being nervous. I bet he teld been
27
he said. "Youwrent|
ii." Me waved his long 'riSW.
,lTememjteedy<)ur6iUnan)»6.P^||
r^verything and, everyone wtenyOTit^v^'^
Ised. He bit into his doughnut and then off^ted ^
5jme. . . . , ., .,,. I."' : ':.' ," :" .„;'" ^"i
^thaBkyou." , ;., ,,,,:.:, /" -.-„"'...„.,.:
"You'll (aim, down once you're jn the air," aeassau^i
me. "Actually, flying'&tb^be^-<i?aytoAaYA You puto^j
earphones, sit back and fall asleep. Most o?the tsc^SfVvc's
Sfft to work on the plane because I'm behind i« my|
paperwork. I hate paperwork," -: . ;.-, ,|
"What exactly do you do?" ,; '; 7 ; j
"I work on commercial loaas,^ be said. "It's not asj
glamorous aswhat people do m Hollywood. So why are I
yott goiag itheitf? Ifectrtion?1' He coatnoied^ % JoekJ
28
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
sd after he asked me questions, as if he didn't care
; I would answer or he was looking for someone else.
|6» I'm going to meet my mother."
fc." He turned bade. "Your parents divorced and
I five with your father?"
Hot exactly," I said.
Hbudon't have to tell me your private business. I'm
I being nosy to pass the time. Your name's Melody,
|you don't sing?" he asked. He looked to his right,
wing his doughnut quickly, actually gobbling it.
(play the fiddle."
iBtddle?" He turned back to me and laughed. "Not
Iviolin?*1'
|lt's different. I was brought up in West Virginia
W.playing the fiddle is very popular."
>h. I thought there' was something unusual about
iccent. Fiddle huh? Well, I suppose that's nice," Hei
wed the last morsel of his doughnut and licked his
s. "I'm hungrier than I thought. I think I'll get
er doughnut."
^*6h, let me get it this time. 'You bought my tea," I
.Kered. ' " . :' ' . / - ijHe. laughed.
"A woman of independent means. I like that Sure.
ilt me a plain ... no,: make it a chocolate doughnut
iis time," he said. I reached into my purse, opened my
allet and took out two dollars.
"Is this enough?"
^ "Yes," he said, shaking his head. "It's more than your
tea cost so it's not exactly a fair exchange," he warned.
* "That's something a banker would say," I replied and .he laughed harder.
g^Thanks." ... .... - .., . . , ' :
[' I went to the counter and picked out the doughnut. His
Icyes were still full of laughter when I returned.
t "I'm not used to women buying things for me. The
giris I know belong to the leech society," he said, taking
j&e doughnut. "Come on, share this one with me, okay?"
r 29
I'
V. C. ANDREWS

"AH right," I said and took the hatf he broloe ofil''
|^i ate in silence.
"I was in Los Angeles two months ago for a cor
tion," fafesaid when he'd finished his half.
"Did you like it?"
"Los Angeles? I stayed at the Beverly ffiltoa. That's
the; way to see Los Angeles ... chauffeurs, the best;
Ijj, i restaurants. Matter of fact, that's the way to see ans
" [ place. Where's your mother live?" |
i I rattled off the address because I had committed it ta
memory soon after Kenneth Childs had given it to me >iai
Provineetown.
"West Hollywood. Could be nice," he said. "He
^ come you've nevjer been there before?"
"She hasn't been there that long," I replied. He si....
from my face that there was much more to the story, birf|
' ^ he didn't look like he wanted to pry anymore. He|
nodded and then looked around again.
"I just remembered I gotta make a phone call. Woul<j
you watch my briefcase? I'll be right back," he said and
jumped up before I could reply. He hurried down th<
terminal. The way he was burning up energy, he probaJ
biy would look like forty or fifty soon, I thought.
I sat back and watched the crowds of people mos
along, the children dinging to their parents' hands i
the couples who also held hands or walked side by si
Where were all these people going? t wondered. Wer
any of them first time airplane travelers like me?
Suddenly, Jerome appeared again, looking all but
breath.
"I gof a new crisis," he said, "here in New fork"
^Oh, I'm sorry."
"I've got to return to the city." He picked x«p t
briefcase and then he paused. "The trouble is I had to getj
these papers to Los Angeles today. Listen, could you do |
me a great favor? I would be willing to pay you." '~'»|
"What is itr I asked.
'There will be-a man at the airport wai^agat the j
when you arrive. He'fl be holding a sign that
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
th.' Just give him this briefcase. I'll be calling
|lelling him to expect you. Okay?"
"" it give him the briefcase?"
at's it," he said. "Okay? Here," he added taking a
allar bill out of his wallet.
,, you don't have to give me any money for
[ling so simple," I said.
r insist."
[won't do it if you insist on giving me money. If we
t do little favors for each other..."
fe smiled.
^u know, I had a feeling it was my lucky day when I
r you standing there and smiling like that. Thanks.
d if we ever run into each other again, I'H be sure to
^you another cup of tea."
ie pushed the briefcase toward me.
^A man will be standing with a sign ... 'Fbnsworth.'
'f won't be hard to find," he declared and then he
Iked off, disappearing in the crowds of people who
I just come off airplanes.
E finished my tea and got up. The briefcase was a little
'vier than I had anticipated, but it wasn't too heavy. I
feed down the terminal until t reached gate forty-one.
re were many people there already. I asked the
ndant what I had to do next.
ftmll get your boarding pass at the ^esk," she
rooted and I got into line. Ten minutes later, I
:hed the desk and handed the attendant my ticket.
? gave me my boarding pass and I sat and waited with
ryone until the flight attendant announced our plane
old begin boarding.
FMy heart began to beat madly again. When I heard my
sat number, I joined the fine and made my way to the
irplane. The attendant at the door smiled warmly at me
hd directed me to the right.
"You have the aisle seat," she said. I found it quickty.
here was an elderly man in a light brown suit sitting by
window already, his eyes closed. He opened them
; I sat beside him.
the seat in front i
st as I had been

ies for the first time,"

brother in Brooklyn. He^j
I come to him. Used to I
to get old, butyou know w3
ative," he added and laugbi
his tinhpt^ / bouncing on the bridge of ,
nose. ^''''''"'^. /
"How old is yourwother?"
"Ninety-four, two years older than me," he replied.
"You're ninety-two years old?" I asked, astonished.
"Years young. If you think of yourself as being jol
you're old," he said plainly. He did have remarkab
young-looking light gray eyes, more hair than I thought
man of that age would have and a face that, althc
crossed with deep wrinkles in his forehead and tern;
was not that weathered. He was slim, but be cen
didn't look fragile and weak.
"I'll have to ask you to tell me your secret," I
smiling.
"}bu mean the secret to keep bouncing?'* He leani
toward me. "Do what you have to do, but iet soi
else do the worrying," he replied and then he
again. "It's all up here." He pointed to his
"Mind over matter. So, are you in college?"
"Not yet," I said and told him a little about myself.
had a hearing aid, which I thought had to work very %
He seemed to hear everything I said.
I didn't realize how long X had been talking until
pilot announced we were the next plane to be appro'
for takeoff. I sat back, holding my breath.
"Is this your first timfr in an airplane?"
"Yes sir, it is," I said.
"Remember what I told you," my elderly friend
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

(that twinkle in his eyes. "Let someone else do the
ting."
closed his eyes and sat back, looking very relaxed. I
"tecky to be sitting next to him because he had a
lisg effect on me. How could I be nervous when a
I in his nineties was so brave?
Bee we were airborne, he told me all about his life.
could remember fee Spanish-American War, as well
be First and Second World Wars, of course. It was
d-boggling thinking about all the changes he had
I/He and his brother had worked with their father in
l^arment industry when they were only ten and
Tw years old. He had had many different jobs in his
'and finally had become an insurance salesman,
tssd and moved to California where, he said, he
Ie some money ill real estate. His wife had died
riy fourteen years ago. I heard about his children and
grandchildren. He talked so much I didn't realize
? much time had passed. We had our lunch and then
:ook a nap and I read a magazine. I fell asleep for a
Ie myself and when I woke up, I heard the pilot say
iwere dose to Los Angeles.
Remember," my elderly friend said, his hand over
ie, "stress and worry, that's what puts age in you.
w, time, time's just a reminder that we ain't here
ver."
Fhank you," I said.
fler that, it all happened so fast, the plane landing,
ing my things together, saying good-bye to my new
id and leaving the airplane. My heart was thumping
tard and quickly, I was afraid I'd faint before I set
Fon Holly's sister. I didn't have to look long. She was
I there at the gate doorway, unmistakable, an elegant
sty in a wide-brim white hat, a lace coat over her
t-white silk dress. She wore matching silk gloves and
e diamond earrings. Her hair was a sleek cap of pale
ting gold, pulled back from her face to show a
ptured profile and unlined face.
Solly had^ warned me that her sister Dorothy was
iBeveriyHil
. The mere sij
dput her oni
nose had tx
aed so often, 1
e Holly's youth
, I would team that
('her plastic surgeo
/ ^ 4V /i
^ ^ /
' / /



chauffeur, a hanc
;s and hair the col<
sides with a sweepil
/eft chin, and a sha
ah cheekbones. At
moment, hIsTHlt-t*^-^^^ /urled up slightly in
right corner, a laugh inhiiTeyco as he contemplated i
wide-eyed and terrified walking into the terminal.
Dorothy was a tall woman, at least four or five inc
taller than Holly. Her chauffeur was easily six feet two <
three, I thought. He was trim, movie star sleek with th,
perfect Hollywood tan I saw on the faces of stars in ft
magazines. The caramel tint emphasized his aqua eye
Dorothy waved. Beside them stood two uniformed!
policemen studying everyone who came from the pli
I waved back and hurried along.
"Melody?"
"Yes," I said.
"I just knew it was you. Didn't I, Spike?" she said as 3
approached.
"^fon.^ai&.«.^A&4iaicnf(oci&^ ^(ts»cA,w
handsome smile.
"Oh dear me, look at you. You're so sweet,";
"Isn't she just the freshest little thing you've cverjl
Spike?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said gawking at me, a silent lau|
his lips. >'.
"Welcome to Los Angeles," Dorothy declared.,.'
sister has told me all about you, but of course, I v
get to know you for myself. Pm sure half the thin
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
t are either exaggerations or figments of that wild
ition of hers. Spike, take her briefcase. Brief-
k she asked herself, raising her eyebrows as soon as
ud it "Why would you he carrying something
^agly? Couldn't my sister provide you with a
Ie bag? Something more feminine?"
s not mine. I'm doing someone a favor," I said and
I past them, looking for the man with the sign.
sor?" Dorothy looked at Spike. He shrugged.
iet someone at the airport in New 'Ybrk, a banker.
s on his way here when he had an emergency and
. go back to the city. He asked me to take this to
igeles and give it to a man who held up a sign with
me, Fonsworth," I said still looking past them.
ghjbdpn't see him."
" hat nerve," Dorothy said. "Especially to burden a
S girl coming here for the first time." She looked at
again, whose smile had evaporated and been
1 with a frown that put furrows in his forehead.
s went to the policemen behind me and then he
quickly for the briefcase, practically pulling it
Elf my hands. I thought he was being rather rude and
^ about to protest. After all, it was my responsibility.
itepped away quickly.
>id you have a nice flight, dear? Sometimes it's
ipy and they always manage to serve you your food
I when it's bumpy. I don't fly unless I can fly first class
we, not that it's less bumpy, but at least you know
[be a little more comfortable. So, you must tell me
irself and your adventure and of course, tell
; my sister. I hope you don't believe half the
rims to be able to do. We'll have lunch," she
e I could utter a syllable. "After Spike gets
&w
y*»
, a deep breath. Spike remained a few steps in
9*
f want to get that briefcase to the man," I said.
~^ and I feel responsible."
, dear. Spike?"
35
fr.
i down at i
lysaid.
rted to <

tested.
headed ir

briefcase?"!

ind unpredie
r trying to gi
ag real estat
irt you. Whei

jnneth, Holly*<
fthe Ifeaeh and how we became friends. a
itir drives that ridiculous circus car?"
^ I said, laughing and thinking about the bright'
tec-colors.
?-bad her ears pierced when she was only eight;
ydo know. She had a friend do it and she had to be ts
^ the doctor before infection set in. My father
fitfioas."
Itefoits Dorothy could continue, Spike reappeared, butt
wifeoct the briefcase.
^"Where's Mr. Fonsworth's briefcase?" I demand
instantly.
"In flhe garbage bin. Let's get moving," he said
Dorothy.
'What? Why did he do that?" I cried.
"Quiet," be said gruffly.
"Now just a minute," I began, determined to ma
him explain. He surprised me by seizing my arm at thej
elbow and pulling me forward. Before I could protest, I
turned to Dorothy.
"Drugs," he said.
"Oh dear."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY fl

briefcase was lined with something called cover
hear of it?" he said sarcastically. "That's
jf why the police were waiting at the gate. They
off; he found out and planted the case with her,"
[Dorothy and then looked at me. "If they would
opped you, you would have been in great trouble.
s we all would have," he added.
I.,." I looked at Dorothy, whose eyes were
I as wide as mine. "He was a nice young man, a
. Surety, this is a mistake," I cried.
e shook his head.
must have spotted her a mile away," he told
iy-
led my arm out of his grip and swallowed over the
, aching lump in my throat.
"at's not true. He had an emergency, and. bow
. he know I would do such a thing anyway?" I

1 you refused, he would have looked for someone.
K»r given up .for today. You just transported a tot of
line across the country and you might even have
light it to Mrs. Livingston's home," he added firmly.
felt myself wilt, the tears burning as I looked at
rothy. She wagged her bead at Spike, Sashing him a
1, chastising look.
j£0b. don't be so harsh on her. Spike. She didn't
>w." She patted me on the shoulder. "It's nothing,
j-. These things happen in today's mad worid, but we
a't worry about it now. Let's just get her luggage and
Spike. I'm absolutely famished. We'll go directly to
I Vine on Beveriy Drive. Wait until you taste their
ed goat cheese salad. Melody, and their grilled egg-
it sandwich."
hinking about the trouble I might have gotten myself
i just as I had started out on this journey made my
it close. I took a deep breath of relief and shot a
e at Spike, feeling ashamed that I had gotten so
' at him when he was just doing what he thought he
/ unpleasant thir
/ st buy myself sor
/ eel good again." He
^That's what we'll <
buy you sometBiBg^ice to wear. I'm su
ht have the right things. You need somethi
fashionable if you're going to traipse aroui
ty Hills."
i, I can't ask you to do anything tike that"
'^Qf course you can't, but I still can do it," she ssd4
with a laugh.
'"I spotted one of my bags and Spike scooped it up.
"I almost forgot," I said, digging into my pUrse.a|
"Holly sent you this." 1
I handed her the small package wrapped with the sign J
of Aries. Dorothy rolled her eyes. "
"Oh no, what magic charm did she deliver (his time?"
Without opening it, she dropped it into her own pwse.''|
I thought how much Holly would be disappointed, bollj
before I could say anything, my second bag appeared and ]
I pointed it out to Spike. We showed my receipts to th&|
attendant at the door and Spike carried my bags out to
the limousine. It was a long, sleek black Mercedes with j
plush leather seats, a bar and a small television set in the |
rear. Spike opened the door fof us and we got in. The |
leather smelled brand new. |
"I'm really sorry about what happened in there," I'l
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

cljBa^HB^SMBBM^^S^M^^ySUffly' "Stf^rf^'^BPR^THTM^^^
ne.
at hear you," Dorothy sang. "I don't hear
at things. I've trained myself to be deaf when I
rfce, so you might as well stop talking about it.
; about you again. Tell me about this place ...
mining town and how you came to live in
town," she said. "I'm actually fond of the Cape,
^only stay in Hyannis. That's where the Kennedy's
hi know. Spike, please take the fastest route to The
she told him when he got behind the wheel. "I'm
tety starving to death back here."
i, ma'am," he said and winked at me as he pulled
'the parking lot and onto the road.
& all that had happened, I hadn't even looked up at
^magnificent blue sky. We shot into traffic and we
? soon on one of California's famous freeways. I was
' here, and somewhere, not far away, my mother
t-be, too; If I ever needed her, I thought, I need her

39

I throtigh Los Angeles was very different from
through New York City. Everything seemed so
tier apart and there weren't nearly as many tall
, even though there seemed to be many more
owever, Spike obviously knew his way around
s as soon as we ran into a line of heavy traffic on
e'.freeway, he took an exit and began to wind the
fine through the city streets. Dorothy said it wasn't
the nicest area of Los Angeles, but even the poorer areas
looked bright and dazzling to me. Sidewalks glittered
and giant billboards advertised new movies. However, I
did notice there weren't as many people walking the
sidewalks as there were in New "York. Here, everyone
seemed to be in cars. Minutes later, Dorothy eagerly
pointed out the sign that read cny of beverly hills.
"Home," she declared with a deep, grateful sigh. The
way she spoke about it made it seem as ifBeveriy Hills
were an island on which she felt safe and secure from the
rest of the world.
Spike drove up to the front of The Vine, a restaurant
UNTINISHED SYMPHONY
i a hunter green railing smothered in vines and bright
: and red bougainvillea. There was an outdoor patio
looked- nearly filled with patrons. Waiters and
oys in starched white shirts and black pasts with
c suspenders scurried about gracefully, moving like
lible people past the obviously well-to-do clientele,
[ of whom were thick in conversation.
The restaurant's valet hurried to help us out once
pike came around to open the door.
"Merci," Dorothy said with a wave of her glove.
-When Spike got back. wto the car, I wondered where
e would go to eat, but I didn't have time to ask. Dorothy
wept us down the cobblestone path to die gate of the
atio, where a very attractive young woman waited at
be hostess station.
"Mrs. Livingston," she said, flashing a smile made for
aothpaste commercials, "how are you?"
"Starving, Lana. Meet my sister's young friend, Melo-
| dy. She's just flown in from New York. This is her first
6 time in Los Aageles and I thought I would introduce her
EBrst to The Vine. So get us a good tabte," Dorothy
r insisted.
l Lana turned and studied the patio.
^ "I have number twelve open," she declared as if it
• were an amazing accomplishment.
; Why was it so important where we sat? I wondered.
All of the chairs looked the same and the patio with its
fountain and blight flowers looked beautiful no matter
where- you were sitting.
' "Bellissimo," Dorothy approved. Lana started down
• the cobblestone patio and we followed until she stopped
at a table nearly perfectly centered. Dorothy beamed
with satisfaction and after we sat Lana handed us the
menus encased in leather folders the same hunter green
shade as- the railings.
"We have an angel hair pasta special with red peppers
and portobello mushrooms today, Mrs. Livingston."
"Oh, that's good. Merci "
As soon as Lana left us, Dorothy leaned toward me.
V. C. ANDREWS
"This is usually a table reserved for movifr stars," she;
said. "It's where everyone can see you."
"(Ml." Why did she want everyone to see us? I wondered.
It made me feel more self-conscious about my;
haa» my clothes, everything I did. |
1 looked at the menu. The prices were shocking*!
Everything was a la carte and die salads were almost as
expensive as the entrees. Simple things were described so
elaborately, I wasn't sure I recognized them. What was a
heart of celery?
"Don't you think a second about the prices," Dorothy
said, anticipating my reaction. "My husband Philip
mites off everything I spend one way or another." She
laughed. "He says since I do so much to help the
American economy, the least the government can do is
subsidize me."
"What does your husband do?" I asked. "I don't
remember Holly telling me."
"He's an accountant and a financial manager with
some very impressive clients," she replied, lifting her
eyebrows. Then her face filled with the excitement of a
starstruck little girl. "Oh, I think that's somebody sitting
in the corner over there," she said, nodding right. I
turned.
"Somebody?"
"A television star, right?"
"I doa't know," I said.
"I'm sore it is. Welt, let's see," she said, turning back
to the menu. "Why don't we have the angel hair special
after the goat cheese salad, okay? Do you like iced tea?
They make it with a touch of mint."
""Yes, ma'am."
"Please don't call me ma'am. Melody." She gazed
around nervously to see if anyone nearby had heard.
"That makes me sound so old. Call me Dorothy."
"Yes, ma'... Dorothy," 1 said and she smiled and
nodded with approval, holding the brim other hat as she
did so. The waiter came. He spoke with a thick Spanish
accent I had trouble understanding what he said, but
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

^had no problem. She gave him our order and
'"Par favor," the Spanish for "please." I already
ticed how she liked to throw French, Italian and
b expressions into her conversation, flicking her
i as she did so.
a't imagine you ate very well on the plane, did
i poor thing?"
»too nervous," I admitted.
t*s okay. I'm always too nervous to eat when I
Philip's never too nervous to lose his appetite
f anything. Now, let's get right down to your prob-
^She said, pausing only when the busboy brought us
|iced tea. "As I understand it, you want to find out if
I woman is your mother, a woman who came out here
be a movie star. You were told she was killed in a car
?*nd they even shipped her body back to Province- A?"
es."
; sounds very, very complicated. I discussed it with
p and he agrees we should simply hire a private
stive. After all, why should a young girl go investig
such a thing?"
^-¥0h no," I moaned. "This is something I have to do
^self. Thank you, but I do," I insisted.
^Hieally?" She stared at me a moment and then rolled
peyes. "Well, I suppose you can start yourself. I'll have
ike take you around. He's very good when it comes to
ird things, as you saw, but you must listen to him,"
i admonished. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to
li while you're my guest," she said. Then she thought
out what she had said and added, "I wouldn't want
ything to happen to you under any circumstances."
"Thank you, Dorothy. I do appreciate y<m concern
u me and what you're doing," I said.
. ^*Now, now, let's not think about it. Ill become deaf,"
f threatened again. I started to laugh, "So," she
itinued without catching her breath, "tett nae 'y
3ut my dear little sister. Does that crippled r
f with her in the rear of that hotein-ta^
; being crippled*" I began |
' York and what Billy and I J
ort a time. She listened, a sa
I the feeling she was studying,)
Fattention to the things I said.
'ul to be young and impressionat
(th a sigh. "It's almost a shame to ir
ie hard realities of the real world. JH
to face them. But you saw now my sj
e hippie, some gypsy. And she's so pi
and bright when she wants to be. I could find her
adequate husband in a heartbeat, if she would let
but que sera, sera."
I was about to protest and explain that I thought I
was happy as she was and lived a good life, but our s.
arrived. They looked delicious. However, the por
made me smile and shake my bead. A half dozen for
would clean the plate. I felt guilty having her pay fer|
"It seems like a. lot of money for this small amount C
food, Dorothy." I
"Nonsense. It's more than enough. You've got. I
watch your diet, especially here, my dear. Just loo
around at these women. Look," she ordered and
realized she really wanted me to do it now.
I looked around the restaurant as subtly as I
There were many attractive women, all with 1
hairdos and expensive-looking clothes. It was o
a place for thy rich, And beautiful
"Everyone watches her figure. Competition, <
tion, competition, my dear. Every woman is <
with every other woman here."
"Forwnat?" I asked.
She laughed.
"For what? For-the eyes of a man, what eteeTI
these women want to be in pictures or with p
men. But don't worry, ¥Q explain it all to you later,
from the little you have told me about your backgroi
I know you have so much to learn, and I do enjoy hcl;
a young woman become... sophisticated," she
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
E*Now don't eat too quickly. You don't want to
tee some naive young giri from the Midwest.
i" this is the best table. We should enjoy our
t in the spotlight. See, people are wondering who
l already," she said, nodding at people at other
-She was right--they were looking our way.
ly adjusted her hat and smiled at someone.
i can be friendly," she said, still nodding and
? at people, "but don't speak to anyone first. Let
©me to you. Always wait for them, and never tell
^too much," she warned. "The more mysterious
e, the more your stock goes up. That's the way
t would put it." She nodded at someone to our
^Don't worry, you'll learn. After a white," she
id me.
B really not here for any of that, Dorothy," I said
, "I'm just here to see about my mother."
1 course, but like everyone else who comes here,
[ soon fall in love."
I in love? With what, with whom?" I asked.
y, with yourself, dear. Who else?" she said and
i. "I'm sure," she added when I just stared at her,
l that is exactly what happened to your mother."

tor what proved to be one of the longest lunches of
[fife, our meal followed by cups of cappuccino and
Vk tacts that cost as much as the meal itself, we finally
J Spike was right there with the limousine, waiting.
| held open the doors and I did feel like someone very
ecial because of the way pedestrians paused to look at
fand the way the hostess and other staff members
led over Dorothy. She was like a sponge, soaking up
artificial smiles and growing fatter on that than the
riy portions we had been served. I did get a glimpse
e bill and Holly wasn't far off when she had told me
: it would cost. Dorothy had paid over seventy-five
its for lunch!
We rode past other expensive-looking restaurants, up
what Dorothy annc
ieo Drive.
Mnorrow, my dear, to find;
' wear." ,
ft turn and drove us past beam
lore elaborate than the other i
nns and tall hedges. As we dn
off the names of movie stars, singers i
en in films. She also knew the name!
film dire^/and producers who lived in various hoi;
because her husband Philip had some of them
clients.
Finally, we slowed before a two-story English "B
bigger than any house I had ever seen. It had a ste
pitched roof, side-gabled, with tall, narrow wind
with multi-pane glazing. There was a massive chin
on the left crowned by three decorative chimney i
The walls were brick contrasted with wooden claddi
It was the sort of house I had seen only on the cove»s|
romance novels.
"Home sweet home," Dorothy declared as Sp
turned into the pink tile driveway lined with Tiffi
glass lamps. The lawn looked like an emerald carj
with every blade cut perfectly. There was an enomu
weeping willow on the left, its tearful branches nea
reaching the ground, and on the right was a thick <
that looked proud and majestic as it towered over
flowers, rock garden and yellow, white and p
bougainvfllea that clung to the tall wooden boarder fa
beneath it.
"Tftmr house is so big?" I exclaimed. **I didn't thix
houses could be so big in a city. It's a mansion!"
"I suppose it is a mamion. We do have twenty roc
she said, "if you cou&t the help's quarters, Pnflip's <
Philip's gymnasaim ..."
"Gymnasium. Twenty rooms!

that ifs ^^
dally when I host my women's dub meetings.

46

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

; the house was a three-car garage, but be- entrance was on the side, it made the house
(Seven longer. 1 saw windows above the garage, too.
"E parked in front of the arched doorway and
t came around and opened Dorothy's door. As
Fshe stepped out, he rushed around the limousine
(mine and reached in to take my elbow and help
. I felt silly having someone do the simplest things
, but I was afraid to make a social error.
s her bags to the pink room, please Spike,"
ty commanded. "We have many guest rooms, but
: you'll enjoy this one the most. It suits young
^," she said. Spike glanced at me with a small smile
S lips and then opened the trunk.
it me acquaint you with our house before you settle
f what I'm sure is a much needed rest," Dorothy
I me. I followed her to the front door, which seemed
tpen magically as we approached.
t- Ttboit, stout, bald-headed man ^with bushy gray
Brows and a pug nose greeted us. He wore a dark blue
I and tie and had a light complexion with rust-tinted
Is along the crests of his cheeks and the base of his
ihead. His skull was peppered with what looked like
ikies dropped randomly along the middle and down
(temples. His thick lips were almost the same shade of

'"Hello, Alee. This is Melody. She will be staying with
Ifor a while."
He nodded.
'Very good, madam," he said in sharp, dipped tones
h just the slightest nod. His light gray eyes swept over
e, making me feel as if I had to pass inspection before
" ?ring the house. After a moment, he stepped aside
|we entered.
l^cntryway had dark, rich-looking brown tile that
lemented the walls paneled with dark cypress.
tVS a teardrop glass chandelier glowed. The stair- wmding up with a mahogany balustrade and de- spindle work, was polished to a pristine glow.
V.C. ANDREWS

Spike started up with my bags. Alee right behind 1
but I followed Dorothy deeper into the house.
On the right was a very large living room with a i
pine grandfather's clock that bonged the hour of tl
All of the pieces of furniture were oversized to fill f
great space. Light blue satin curtains draped the
dows and the marble floor was covered here and
with large Persian oval area rugs in a matching
There was so much to visually gobble, I could only s
my head: great oil paintings depicting scenes in i
like Paris and London, as well as grand gardens, all J
elaborate gilt frames, glass sculptures that looked U'
they cost hundreds of dollars, porcelain figurines^
dainty and perfect they were surely hand-painted, si"
and gold candelabra, antique swords ... how could i
one be so rich?
"Cozy, isn't it?" Dorothy asked proudly.
Cozy? It was a room in which one could run tours, i
relax, I mused, but only nodded.
She showed me the den, with its rich, plush lei
sofas and chairs, Philip's office, the dining room w
table that could seat twenty at a time and the kit
that looked more like a kitchen for a restaurant. She ^
especially proud other ovens, although she was qi
say she never even boiled water for tea,
"That's Selena'sjob," she declared and introduc
to her cook, a very short and very plump Pei
woman with eyes as dark as peat moss. "Sclena liv
the rear of the house," Dorothy explained. "Spike hasi
apartment over the garage, but my maid, Christina, 1'
in West LA. She arrives here at seven in the mon
and leaves after dinner, usually about eight Philip j
them all off the books," she added in a whisper.
"Off the books?"
"Things accountants do to stave off the greedy gov
ment. Let's go settle you in. I'm sure you want to i
and freshen up after your trip."
"Yes, I do. Then Td like to visinbe address."
"The address?"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

my mother might be," I said.
lit away?" She grimaced. **Surely, you want to
atil tomorrow."
rather do it as soon as possible. It's why I'm
I emphasized. She raised her eyebrows.
eeep forgetting how much energy young people
I," she said. "Very well, if you insist. Well have
ie ready for you in an hour."
Fhank you, Dorothy, and thanks for showing me
r house. It's wonderful."
I beamed.
; done most of the decorating myself. With the
^professionals, of course. Holly's been here only
^an you believe that? I think she's afraid to return,
to face the fact that she might like it here," she
[ with a wink.
^doubt that, I thought. Holly was impressed with
|itual, not material things, I wanted to tell her, but I
ft my lips sealed tight.
"5 climbed the stairs. Alee had already unpacked my
ps, hanging up what had to be hung and putting my
r things in the dresser drawers. It embarrassed me to
ze he had done all this and especially handled my
irthings.
/as so shocked by the bedroom though, that I didn't
Ithave time to feel embarrassed. This wasn't a room,
Ea chamber fit for a princess. I couldn't believe the
fh splendor, the opulence! The walls were covered in
| damask, colored a delicious strawberry pink, richer
to the pale mauve of what I thought had to be at least a
^inch-thick carpet. There was a king-size white pine
, the wood somehow treated so it had strands of
fh pink through it. There was a canopy and over the
itself was a soft, furry coverlet. Even the walk-in
et was bigger than any room I had slept in. It bad
ives for shoes and a mirror and a small dressing table
rthe rear. But there was also a vanity table and
tting dressers in the room itself.
of the fixtures in the bathroom were brass. The
'.C.ANDREWS
I tile. There was a whirlpool,)
looked tike it would fit a wl
I. Mirrors everywhere caught^
;ment. This was the guest roomi Vd
and Philip's master bedroom be like?
believe how wonderful your hoBSe-aJ
said again.
"I'm glad you'll be comfortable," she replied.
"Comfortable! This is a palace. How could any<
be comfortable?"
She laughed.
"Are you sure yoa want to go dragging yourself i
West Hollywood so quickly? Why not pamper your
bit, dear? Take a whirlpool bath, rest, watch I
television on your own set. We'll have some
d'oeuvres before Philip gets home and then we'll hi
nice dinner--"
"It sounds wonderful, Dorothy, but I'd feel guilty. ]
not here to enjoy myself. I'm here to find my mother,*!
reminded her.
She sighed and shrugged.
"Everyone is in such a rush these days. Welt, lit Spike to be ready.*"
"Thank you. For everything," I said.
She flashed a smile and left me to take a shower a
change my clothes. I was tired, nearly exhausted, but i
excitement over being here and being so dose to findiflj
Mommy was stronger. I got into the shower and let) "
warm water wash over me until I tingled and then I j
out, put on a pair of jeans and my best blouse, brust
out my hair, took a few deep breaths, closed my eyes ag
thought about Billy Maxwell and Holly sitting bes
me, advising me on now to calm my nerves and gat'
my energy, energy I needed now more than ever.
Then I rose and set out to find my mother.

Thinking about the time that had passed su.
Mommy had left me with my stepfather's relatives

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
m, I was suddenly plagued by a new, albeit
t fear. Had time and events changed me so that she
not recognize me, especially if she was suffering
ane form of amnesia? It hadn't been all that long,
fit so different. When I confronted her, how would
?Jt seemed ridiculous to walk up to someone and
iello, remember me? I'm your daughter. You're
tber." If there were other people standing around,
ould surely think I was mad.
| stepped down the carpeted winding stairway and
h the entryway to the front door, I felt myself
, It was an illusion, of course, stimulated by the
' everything around me, but more important, by
e of the task I was about to begin. I took a deep
t and stepped outside.
ec was leaning against the limousine reading a copy
riety. He looked up at me and smiled. Then he
I his paper and opened the rear door, stepping back
; graceful motion with a very affected and deliber-
' theatrical bow.
Aadam," he said.
"hank you," I said in a voice barely above a whisper.
rted to get in and paused. "Oh, here's the address," I
, handing him the slip of paper that might have held
itey to my future. "Is it far away?"
P^othits's far away in this town except a good part,"
^commented.
got in and he closed the door and went around
ickly to the driver's seat.
'Would you like to look at this?" he said, offering me
i copy of Variety.
"No thank you" I replied.
yHe shrugged.
li"l just thought you'd like to see what a Hollywood
^paper looked like. It's filled with all sorts of news about
factors and actresses. You've never read one before, I
%et," he muttered.
r^"No, I haven't had a reason to," I explained.
ANDREWS

^started the engine.
9 be an actress or anything," I ;
^remained on his Hps.
in is an actress and therefore would i
Svies," he quipped.
ae. And every woman is not an actress,3
back at him. ""-'" I
He laughed again. The patronizing smile that i
mained on his face was infuriating. , /
"I want to go to college and do other things,";
continued, wondering why it was so important to w
explain myself.
"Your mother came out here to be an actress, did
she?" he asked as we proceeded down the long driven
My shoulders stiffened.
"If you're trying to be an actor, why are yw|
chauffeur?" I asked in reply. He
turned and looked at me to see if I were
serious.
"It takes a lot of time, intense studying, knocking i
doors, hundreds of auditions until you get that one
break," he whined. "In the meantime, unless yoon
born with a silver spoon in your mouth or unless ;
have some rich friends who are witling to stake you,;
take any job you can that pays for groceries and ,)n
This isn't a bad job for-me. Mrs. Uyingston gives mej
lot of leeway. Whenever I have an important audition
she gives me the time off, even if it means she has to usea
taxi service."
"How long have you been here trying to be a f
actor?" I asked him. ,
"Three years, seriously at it," be replied.
"Have you been in any movies?"
"I had a few bit parts. I have my Screen Actors Gufld3
card. That's more than a lot can say. I was in a playsixjj
months ago. It ran nearlya month, too." N|
"Thenyou must be good," I said. He turned to fiaslQ
meoneof his handsome smiles. ' ';t
"I am. I just have to get everyone else, the important
, tosee it," hesaid. "Afterawhile it's all just your
t stars anyway," he added. "Being in the right place
e right time."
Hyou believe in astrology?" I asked.
Eey, I'll believe in anything they want me to believe
s long as it means I get the part," he said.
|*s that important to you?"
"ae you kidding?" He turned back and gazed at me
'I had just arrived from another planet. Then he
»d. "After you're here for a while, you'U under*
i," he said. "It's in the air."
E hope I'm not here that long," I muttered and gazed
.'the window. Spike continued to watch me in the
rview mirror. I allowed my eyes to meet his briefly
'are I turned to stare almost blindly at the passing
cry. I couldn't help but be nervous about what was
' minutes away. My stomach was doing somersaults.
;e finally noticed my anxiety and took some pity on

li'lt's been some time since you've seen your mother,
@h?" he asked softly.
R^Yes."'.' /' . .:.. . - . } " .
j|"ABd you're not even sure it is your mother?"
||"No;" I said, "although everythingpoints to her being
|y mother."
Ipe shook his head. ;
|."What..A-gig. 'This' address, it's an inexpensive condo
|evelopment. Most of the owners sublet to people tying
to break into the business."
fe^The business?"
i'^hat'* what we call Hollywood, the biz," hesaid.
"SW?have ourown lingo." He laughed.
t"It's ;Mkc another country," I muttered, but loud
nough for him to hear, which made him laugh even
^rier...:'. -..^ „ ',..:...."..' ^ ' " ^.
;.**'Vbureallywouldn't want to be famous, in Show
^business? I J>et you Aave some ^sort of talent."
1 continued-to jstare out the: window;
"Iptay the fiddle and some people say I'm very good."

53
country music
said.
sic star," I said, sha
someone to fall into
his or her own fantasies, ^
happened to Mommy? \softline about yourself. Look at me. 3
itions a week and most of til
a call back, but do I let th,
just keep coming back at ther
Sooner oFtettss. y^ooner or later," he chanted.
«' gazed at him^ondering if he, not me, was the i
who should be pitied.
.^/
^//
^ Y
"Its just down this street,'* he finally said, <
making a right turn. My heart seemed to stop and i
pound, pound, pound like someone beating on a low
door. I held my breath as he slowed the limousine.
"That's it," he said, "The Egyptian Gardens. I ji
love the names they give these places."
I peered out the window. Tall hedges walled in ti
pink stucco complex that wound around the pool in .
ell shape. The buildings were only five stories high, each]
unit with its own small balcony. Some had flower boxes '•
with plants overflowing the sides. All had a small table .
and chairs. Although the pink shade was bright, the
buildings looked worn, tired, chipped and battered in ;
places. The lawn was spotty, some of the bushes looking j
sickly with many branches without blossoms.
There was a directory of the residents just to the right'
of the main gate above which was the name of the
complex scrolled in dark pewter. Spike was right. I saw
nothing Egyptian or even vaguely Arabic about the place
and like him, wondered why it was called The Egyptian
Gardens. The main gate opened and two young men in
shorts and polo shirts, wearing sneakers without socks,
walked out laughing. They were both slim and good
looking, both with wavy dark hair. They were so identi
cal, in fact, they looked like they could be twins.
"Pretty boys," Spike mumbled. He got (Kit and opened
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

For a moment I thought my legs wouldn't
at I pushed myself up and stepped out. "I'll wait
r&for you," Spike said.
ik you," I said, or at least I thought 1 had. 1
sure I actually made the sounds. He tilted his

a okay?"
dded and crossed to the main gate. I looked up at
rectory and read the names until I found Oina
„ My fingers trembled as I reached up to press die
i next to the name.
> point in doing that," I heard a female voice say
I turned as a young woman with bleached blond hair
s up beside me. She was in a pink tank top and whitfr
dex shorts and had her hair tied in a ponytail. She
id in place as she spoke, her pretty face flushed,
1 beads of sweat across her brow. "It doesn't work.
/ were supposed to fix it last week and the week
3re and the week before, but nothing gets done fast
und here." She took deep breaths and continued to
; her feet in rhythm. "Who you looking for?"
I "Gina Simon?"
"Oh, Gina. Sure. She's right across from roe. Four-C.
tie on," she said arid jogged through the main gate.
f paused, holding the gate open, and continued to lift
I drop her feet as she did so. "It's not locked. So much
^^ecurity.here,"
til followed her in aad she continued to jog down the
bway. I walked quickly, just about jogging myself to
up. She paused when we reached the pooL Three
ig women in bikini bathing suits were sunning
iselves on lounges. I gazed about quickly to see if
| Mommy was at the pool as welL I was relieved she
[wasn't. I didn't want to meet her in front of all these
r people.
| A tall, very thin young man with short light brown
I- hair sat dangling bifr legs over the diving board.
» "Hey Sandy, how was your workout?" he asked the
young woman who had let me into the complex.
fon a motor bite

mges sat up and br
[ long, reddish brown'
fwas very pointed, she

>unds?" she asked, rolling 1

said. She spun on her 1
'*mon, before they eat you alh
; young women laughed. I burr
_ ae around the pool, down a wallr
steps of the second building. Once inside,
d jogging.
"I'm trying to lose weight for an audition. It's a pi
itoot and you know how the camera puts the pounds <
y©tt. The elevator's right down here," she said, indie
ing the corridor on her left. "I'm Sandra Glucker, but i
show business name is Sandy Glee."
^My name's Melody," I said.
"Perfect," she said, shaking her head. "I love
Actress, dancer, singer?"
"No," I said.
"No?" She stopped walking and turned back to
"Are you a writer?"
"No," I said, smiling. "I'm not in the business."
"Oh. Oh," she repeated as if just realizing there v
other kinds of people in California. She looked at
again. "You're pretty enough to be."
"Thank you."
"Gina Simon. How do you know, Gina? Oh, don't";
mind me. You don't have to tell me. I'm just someone ^
addicted to gossip, but it's not as bad as some of the'':
other addictions around here."
We stepped into the elevator and she pushed the
button for the fourth floor.
"We know each other from someplace else," I said and
hoj>od that would be enough for her.
Someplace else? Is there someplace else?" She
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
t at her >own remark. I smiled and the elevator
Maned. "You're from Ohio?"
or
t's where Gina's from, some small town near
s, I think. So, what, did you meet in school or
gr*
A? No." How old did she think I was? Even
I important, how old did she think Gina Simon was?
i%at, is it top secret? There's Fbur-C," she pointed
e door down the hallway. Instead of going into her
apartment she watched curiously as I walked to1
apartment 4C.
I gazed back at her and flashed a nervous smile. Then I
a deep breath and knocked on the door.
^e door buzzer works," she said. "At least, it
d."
h. Thanks." I pushed it and waited. So did she. No
came to the door. I pushed the buzzer again. The
aids seemed more like minutes.
She's probably not there. Maybe she went to an
ition. Didn't you call first?"
'f^No." I said sadly.
|i**Too bad. In LA., you should always call first. I'll
bably see her later. You want me to tell her you were
e?"
No," I said and realized I said it too quickly. I
ited. "I was hoping to surprise her."
"Oh. Oh! I love surprises. So does Gina, I'm sure."
' e snapped her fingers. ""You're not her sister, are you?
e told me she has a younger sister. You are, aren't
a?" she followed before I could speak. "That's terrific.
e*ll be so happy. She misses her family so much."
"She does?"
"Of course. Deep down inside, no matter how beauti-
al she looks and sophisticated she seems, Gina is a
imple giri. That's why everyone loves her. You want to
| wait in my place?"
"Er, no. I'll just come back later. Thanks," I said.
"You sure. Because--"
so
t A Different World

you want to go right back to the house?" Spike
me.
I don't <?are," I wailed and curled up in the corner of
ii .seat. I*ve come all this way for nothing, I thought, for
iream, a child's dream. I should have done what
ipthy suggested: had a private detective do the foot-
ck first. But even that idea was silly. Where would I
the money to pay him? Grandma Olivia wouldn't
yvea ft to me for that. She couldn't care less
to" or not my mother was really alive unless it
it I was out of her hair, out of Provincetown and
' from her precious family.
ITsa sorry you were disappointed," Spike continued,
He in LA. you've got to learn how to live with
^appointment."
~yf% don't want to be in L.A.1" I cried.
|b"**Sare you do. You haven't seen the best of it yet," he
^Saed. "Look at those houses up there. They call that
^Hollywood Hills. The views are terrific. See how
V. C. ANDREWS

some of them are built on the edge of the hill? I bet)
get a thrill when the earth shakes, huh?"
Despite myself, I peeked through my hands to
the houses.
"And you're so close to the ocean here. If you ^
go and relax or get some sun, hey, all you do is i
few miles. Ill show you," he said and made a
turn, sped up and headed west. "Say you're at work,!
and you've had a bad day, so before you go home tol
old lady, you take a little detour," he rambled. "Bac
the boondocks, you'd stop in some grungy tavern
moan over your suds. Bvt here... hey, took over th
See that building. That was-used as the front shot I
Gone with the Wind. That's Tara'"
I glanced out the window.
"This is a movie studio," he continued. I sat up
gazed at the long white buildings and the trucks. Mine
later. Spike told me to look straight ahead, and the
was ... the Pacific Ocean. Just the sight of the '
and the vast silvery blue water pulled at my he
thought about Cary and May and walking on the I
with Kenneth's dog Ulysses at my heels. I remem
the wind ia my hair, the smell of the salt air, the sound <
the terns above me, the^wonderful feeling of being a
and part of nature.
Spike was right. We started out in a city sad mom
later, here we were, parking on a bluff overlooking a 1
stretch of beach.
"Let's walk over to the fence and look down overi
Pacific Coast Highway." He got out and apeaed"!
door. I took a deep breath, ielf myself relax, and
stepped out. "C'mon, foHow me," he urged.
We walked ever the grassy area where there
benches and where some ol<ter people were si
around their portable folding tables and playing ca
"This is Santa Moaica," Spikeexplained. "It's a i
tittle beach <»mmunity, full of European tourists a»i
as locals. There's the Santa Monica Pier," he
pointing down the beach. "See th& Ferris wheel.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
round there, too. It's fun! People are just
, off the beach," he added, nodding toward the
s below us. Cars rushed by on the Pacific Coast
' and in the distance, the sun hovered between
ds and just over the horizon. "That's Malibu,"
; said, continuing his explanation. "Pretty, isn't it?
Tines, when I don't get anywhere in an audition, I
y and just gaze out at the sea. It gives tee a fresh
k, boosts my morale, know what I mean?"
t," I said. "I've been living in Cape Cod. I know
wer of the sea."
yeah, right. I forgot. For some reason, I keep
ig of you as small town. West Virginia. You can't
ay from that accent," he kidded. "Actually, it's
; and I bet some casting directors would love it."
|aodded and bit down on my lower lip, trying hard
> show my emotions.
y parents were a lot older than most when they had
Spike volunteered. "My mother was nearly forty
} my father was in his fifties."
When you were born?" I asked, thankful for the
nge of subject.
Yeah. I guess they woke up one morning and looked
| each other and said, 'You know what? We forgot to
gw children.'" He laughed. "Dad passed away last
Sf. He made it to seventy-nine."
^"Where are you from?"
"Phoenix. My mother still lives there with her sister in
e of those golden age communities. She's a golfer,
dieted. Whenever I do call her, all she talks about is
r handicap and the great putt she made. I told her
en she dies, I'll have people ride in golf carts behind
; hearse." He laughed again and then shook his head.
lie didn't think it was funny."
We both stood there, staring out at the sea. There were
"boats that looked like they were pasted against the
kening blue horizon, and farther out was what looked
; a cruise ship heading southwest.
one day, I'd be
w if I'll be here

midn't mind how
asntage."
antage of their hosp:
people waiting for me }

/a boyfriend?" he asked
impish gllm-.^^ s.
"Yes," I admitted
"What's he do?"
"He takes care of his father's lobster fishing boat^
now and in the fall, he'tt be harvestiag cranberries.^
"Sounds ... nice," Spike offered, but his heaA»f
turned in a way that kept me from reading his eyeikdf
he mean it? Did he really have a longing for somel
more substantial than acting or trying to be an actc
was he just humoring me?
"It is nice," I said defensively. He glanced at me ^
small smile on his lips.
"You're too young to cash in your chips and
down. Melody. Look out there. It's a big, wide w®
explore. There's so much to do and see."
Our eyes met. If he wasn't being sincere, he was a)
actor after all, I thought.
"So what convinced you the woman wasn^t
mother?" he asked finally.
"She comes from the Midwest, Ohio, and she's i
ently a lot younger than my mother," I said.
"But she looks like your mother in that catalogue?
"A lot like her. Different hair color, but that's a
ing," I said.
"Well, people lie about their age here. ft comes'
the territory. Hollywood is a young person's
especially for women, and triple especially for a i
who wants to be a model or in fiBaSi"
"Really?"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

utely," he said.
i woman claimed to have a younger sister though,
|j mother has no brothers or sisters," I said.
" People manufacture their pasts here. It's as if
epped out of a movie of their own making," he
led. "Before you give up, I'd try again. Why don't
rcalling her later?"
dn.'t get a phone number," I said.
fc'U be listed, especially if she wants to be an
l-or model. She wants to be easily contacted."
ided.
sss we should get back," I said. "Dorothy wasn't
py about my shooting off right away as it was."
I," he said. He flashed me oae of his warm smiles,
f hand and led me back to the limousine. When
ed the door for me, the people who were playing
oked up to see who I was and drivers slowed their
glance our way. Everyone here was so eager to
t celebrity, I thought. For the first time since we had
ed, I actually wished I was one. Was I starting to
^the disease?
a t returned to the Livingston's mansion,
y came rushing down the hallway to greet me.
at happened? I've been sitting on pins and nee- titing. I should have had Spike call me from the
ine. Wen?" she asked.
still don't know anything for sure," I said and
led what had happened and why I was filled with
wtets.
a poor thing. To come all this way and be so
jointed. Why couldn't that dreadful woman have
, there?" she said, bunching her lips together.
pike says I should try to call her now."
^ does? Well, I suppose you can do that, too. But
f going to have dinner in about a half hour. Philip's
'y home and getting dressed."
cased?"
it always dress for dinner. Don't worry. Just put on
(weest thing you have to wear," she said. "Tomorrow,
co to get yea ^

should excuse the (
you arrived all right, fj
chic, how come she <N
questions before she
themT^tooSs^^ / /d at her own joke. I sin
imagining HoBs^^ss^oB. <f! forgot all about the 1
gift you handed me at the airport, so I had fo p
had looked at it. I did a few minutes ago. Where <
expect me to wear these things?" she added sha)
head. "Anyway, I told her you would call her toi
She was off to do some sort of hoodoo, voodoo'
"Thank you," I said, heading for the stairway. **$
right down."
"Don't worry yourself about tile woman, <iear. Ifs
not your mother, you're still welcome to stay bete'"',
enjoy Los Angeles for as long as you Ite."
"Thank you," I called back and hurried up the i
to my plush room.
It wasn't until I plopped myself down on the bed 1
realized just how tired I was. Young, or not, I fi
realized the time difference. After all, for me it was t
hours later than it wag for weryene here. Ill just l
a few minutes, I thought and lay back, closing my<
sharp rap on my door woke me immediately. I
into a sitting position.
"What? Yes?"
The door opened and Alee gazed in at me.
"Mr. and Mrs. LiviagSton are waiting for you ia.t
dining room," he announced.
"Oh. Oh, I fell asleep!!'» be right there," I cried «
hopped off the bed. He grimaced and closed the door.
I splashed oold water on my face, practically twe'
my blouse and jeans, and puued on my dress. I raft)
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
gh my hair once and then hurried out of the
land down the stairs.
^ Livingstons were at the far end of the long table.
.jvingston sat at the end. He was dressed in a dark
»at and navy blue tie. His thinning dark brown
s parted on the right side and cut neatly around
.. He glanced up at me, his hazel eyes sweeping
; quickly before turning downward again to look
abridge of his narrow, bony nose, under which he
J a well-trimmed mustache. He had thin lips and a
pabnost round chin.
pllo dear. I'd like you to meet Philip. Philip, this is
*S little friend. Melody."
iUo," he said quickly and flashed a smile that swept
(his lips so fast, it was as if someone had turned a
i and off.
sit right there, dear," Dorothy said, nodding at
t across from her. She wore a black evening dress
ifly sleeves and a frilly, square collar, a pair of
p diamond earrings with a matching necklace
icelet, and at least two more ringythan she bad on
il had first met her.
ak my seat and Philip looked up instantly at Alee.
ved quickly to begin serving us.
dd Philip all about your little episode today,"
y continued, "and be made a wonderful sugges-
, Tell her, Philip," she said.
a'fe doing fine," he replied, glancing at me and
I his plate as he drummed his fingers on the table.
egan serving us bowls of what looked like clear
b broth with some nee and carrots.
Bip says this woman has to have a social security
sr. Everyone has a social security number. He will
b business manager at the catalogue company and
lAe number to see if it's under her name or your
r's name. Isn't that a wonderful suggestion?"
tded and looked at Philip. He began eating his

. common sense," he muttered between slurps.
65

:ill before hit
people have
ion and get a4
: added.
to spend any;
yst relax and
/
'his mouth so d
^pale pink day.
overnight," her i

meet this wor

"I didn't say dangerous. I said unpleasant."
"Well, that's practically the same thing," Dor
|<feted.
He put his spoon down and sat back. Alee me
instantly to remove his soup bowl, I had barely b!
half of my small portion and took two quick spooa
when I felt Alee hovering over my shoulder. Don
didn't dip her spoon into the wp more than twice,.!
that seemed to be enough.
A small dinner salad followed, accompanied by
thinnest slices of bread, paper-thin slices that era
in your fingers.
Our main course was veal medallions in a
sauce, accompanied by string beans and mashed
toes with a flavor I couldn't recognize. Everything
delicious, but as I ate, I noticed Dorothy watching?
and recalled her warning about eating too much. I coi
have eaten more, but I stopped.
Philip made little conversation but he was interest
in my description of the lobster fishing business and 1
Cape Cod tourist business. He said he had some die)
interested in investing in a hotel chain that serviced )
Cape and he was not keen about it.
Dinner was followed by coffee in a silvers
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
iCrt. It had been a wonderful meal and I said
ked them.
?n» should ask Selena to prepare lobster for us
night, Philip, in Melody's honor," Dorothy
i meal came to an end.
i overpriced these days," he grumbled.
i anyone with this much money worry about
; of lobster? I wondered.
sense," Dorothy said.
enjoy eating things that I know are over- "he insisted.
don't need to have lobster, Dorothy."
rse she doesn't," Philip said, nodding. "She
jilrt cheap back on the Cape and it won't be as
Ure. Think of something else," he said. "I've got
'^prk to finish in my office," he explained as he
Lrealized he was not quite as tall as Dorothy. "It
ice meeting you," he added, nodding as he walked

%»'s the most efficient man I've ever known,"
ly said shaking her head. "He reviews the house-
counts once a month and makes brilliant suggesFlo
save money. He says he does it for his clients,
can't he do it for himself? I suppose that's true.
i do you want to find something to read? You can
; in our library. I try to keep up with everything. I
|t0 three book dubs."
?t, I'd like to try to call Gina Simon," I explained.
, Well then, why don't you use the phone in the
Of. You'll have some privacy there," she suggested.
tank you," I said, trying to remember where the
was in this big house. She must have read that in
ce.
st go down the corridor to the third doorway on the
, dear. There's a phone book on the shelf of the small

ank you."
»'re welcome. I'll be in after a white and then we

television if you <
<you watch it? Ph
pera, but ft's so mii
" she said.
' I /said.
^ Well, maybe you'll;
yparlor. I found the ph<
oa Simons, but the addr
with my fingers trembi
/twas an antique brass a
dated the first time and goU
sconnected.
xt time, but after only thr
ttine came on.
f dialed
rings, an answering
"TThis is Gina Simon. I'm sorry I'm not able to ta
<h»s call. Please leave your name, the time of your c
and a brief message at the sound of the beep," the voifi
directed. I listened closely. It did sound like Mommyj
but there was an affectation, an attention to diction
didn't recognize. I waited and called again just to he
the voice. It sounds like her, I told myself. It must
Mommy.
Dorothy entered the parlor, a small white angora catj
in her aims.
'"This is Fluffy," she said. "Isn't she beautiful?"
"Yes, she is."
"Philip won't let me keep her in the house proper. _
stays with Selena. He says whenever she's permitted ^,
run through the house, she leaves hairs everywhere. He's
so finicky about the house. If a piece of dust is out of
place, Philip knows it."
She sighed and sat in the soft cushioned chair across
from me, the cat purring in her lap.
'So, did you try calling that woman?"
'I got an answering machine," I said. "It sounds lil
my mother."
'Did you leave a message?"
'No. I wasn't sure what to say.'
'She might have been there, listening," Dorothy said,
t/MFIWSHSff SyMfHOffy
"People often do that here. They wait to see if
omeone important and men they answer. zrS'snot
<»cme important enough, they let the machine take
CalL It's a power thing, Philip says,"
^wer thing?"
yes, you just don't speak to anyone. It diminishes
bp importance."
leant imagine my mother thinking that way."
Well, if this woman wants to be someone in the
BB&y, she behaves that way, believe me. I've met
ugh of them."
thought about it. What was it Billy Maxwell had told
lust before I had left New York ... be prepared to
la very different woman, even if she was my mother.
bans that was very true.
5 wish the world we lived in wasn't so conscious of
9fy little thing," Dorothy said, dreamy-eyed as she
led the purring cat in her lap. "Philip wants me to be
"feet, to remain perfect. If I have a hair out of place, he
as why I didn't go to the beauty salon this week," she
Hi bit more mournfully than I would have expected.
He doesn't seem like that," I told her. She snapped
6 of her reverie and raised her eyebrows.
ffWs a man, isn't he? They're all the same, waving a
HftSying glass over you, checking for wrinkles, for age
oils, measuring your bosom, yonr waist, your hips,
?king for an ounce of ugly fat.
pi have a personal trainer," she continued, "who
mes to the house three times a week. It's such a bore,
ft Fbear it for Philip's sake. And my own, I suppose,"
e said with a sigh. "Well, awoman>has to do all she
ft,--doesn't she?" she added.
^fta not sure. I've never really thought about it I
less," I said.
iSOf course you haven't. You're still young and beauti-
|§ia» have a way to go, but believe me, one day you'll
i&e up and look in the mirror and notice a little
Tinkle here, a little more puf&ness there and you'll
ialize it's going to take some work to look beautiful.

69

//^u're bright i
la you'll marry '/provide you witltl
/metic surgery.'

/ /er me and tell me
/ ocks are for a woman <
omething done," she »

/.." An operation on i

^ed than a tummy tuck.
; tell yoir5&^^// Acs I've had that done. f
Wsf wy eyes of courser-^Some people are so luc
They're born with genes that help them to remain you
tooking longer. Philip's mother, for example, hardly 1
awrinkle in her late seventies and look at Philip. W
it's always different for men anyway. They can to
wrinkles. It makes them distinguished-looking, but
girls...
"Well," she said with a little more animation in hell
face, "do you think our sexual relationship would be as1
strong as it is if I didn't keep myself attractive? There'*!
an article about it in my latest issue of Venus. According i
to scientific studies, a successful relationship means a.
husband and wife make love on the average of five times: j
a month, even at our ages. I told Philip about it and he I
said his own research indicated between four and six '
times. We mark the calendar. You probably noticed it on'
the wall by our bed. Philip appreciates order in his life.
"Oh, I know what men do when they have ugly wives,"
she continued, ignoring my gaping mouth, "especially ia
this town," she said, nodding. "A woman has to work on
her relationship. That's her job. And I don't mind telling
you Fm very successful at it
"You saw bow the young male waiters were gazing at
me at The Vine," she said, batting her eyelashes and
smiling. "They have ae idea how old I am, and they'll
never know," she said firmly. "Yott guard your age like
guard your We. Never tell & man your true age.
" "i subtract five to seven years at the least," she
d.
no," she said suddenly, rising to her feet. "Des-
tte Lives has started. Quickly," she ordered and
ched out of the parior.
E sat there for a moment, trying to digest the things she
fl told me the way you would try to digest food that
s far too spicy. The words kept repeating themselves.
^"Come along, dear!" she shouted.
I rose and joined her in the hallway. She turned in to
den and flipped on (he television set. Then she
pped herself into her overstuffed chair, curling her
; under her lap, and gazed at the television screen liice
senager about to see her teen idol. I sat on the sofa
ide her and listened to her little moans and sighs as
; handsome young man after another paraded before
, on the large television screen.
But fatigue began to rise in my body like mercury in a
iermometer. 1 felt my eyelids getting heavier and heavir
and drifted off a few times, only to be wakened by her
jshouts at the television set, complaining about some|thing
a character said or did, as if she thought they could
J actually hear her.
| "Doesn't that just get you infuriated," she railed,
Itaroing my way. I nodded, even though I had no idea
| why she was so upset. "And I hate it when they leave you
| hanging like that. But," she said, smiling suddenly, her
^ mood swinging radically in the opposite direction, "as
'. Philip says, that's how they get you to tune in night after
; night and how they get to sell all those products. 'You
»took tired, dear. Perhaps you should go to bed. I know
^ ft's late for you."
?^ "Yes, I guess it's all finally caught up with me," I said,
, rising. "Thank you so much for everything."
^ "Nonsense. Tomorrow, right after breakfast, we'll go . to Rodeo Drive and get you something proper to wear.
Don't," she said, raising her hand to stop any protest,
"say anything that will make me deaf. Philip and I have
A Bitter Pill

t again it was a gentle knock on my door that woke
, but this time a pleasant-looking woman with strands
11 gray running through her dark brown hay entered.
tl breakfast tray she carried was laden with a silver
? pot, cup and saucer, a plate, silverware, eggs in a
t,"a croissant, jelly and butter and a tall glass of
My squeezed orange juice. Alongside everything was
i small vase with a single fresh red rose.
fr**Good morning," the woman said. She had a pretty
' "e brightened with the warmest blue eyes I had ever
L She was about five feet two with a small bosom and
definitely too wide for Dorothy's taste. Her fore- s were strong, but she had small hands. "I'm ChristtMrs.
Livingstotfs maid. She asked me to bring up
IISoar breakfast this morning."
s^ "Oh, you didn't have to do that," I said, sitting up and
tegglifig to get my eyelids to stay open. "What tiaae is
iS**'! gazed at the clock in the belly of a light blue
eraimc seagull. "I've never slept this late." - P-lys all right, dear. Mrs. Livingston insisted," Qmsti-
'/ "/1
i , /// / te she'd retrie

ed eggs," she i
'ou want anythir
/ve freshly sque


' at the moment,"
come downstairs,"'!
ssing.
)wn for breakfast as i
.smile. "He reads tt
fad eating alone. Mi
Akfast in bed. Do yc
/asked, walking into tt
W
'said, drinking my juice. ^



1 at me and watched me take a few bites of 1
j
Itear you're from the East and this is your first trip
QaNfonua," she said. . ,
Sfe."
--yiffs.* ir'^-V
^f^yejapver been to New York, but I hope to go one of
^;' ^bcse days. I have a daughter who can't be much younger
^ thap you," she added. "Her name's Stacy. She's starting
> .community college this year, working at a department
store and taking some courses. She wants to be a grade
school teacher."
/-"That's great," I said. "I guess she likes working with
^hfldren."
«. "Yes, she's a great help with my others. I wish we could
afford to send her full-time^ but... we just can't at the
moBient."
. "How many children do you have?"
"I'm raising four," she added.
"Pour?"
How did she manage raising four children while
working as someone's maid, and have such a pleasant
personality? I wondered,
"The youngest is six, a boy." She paused at the
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

"fest leave everything beside the bed. I'll be up
ttold me. "Let me know if you need anything,"
} as she left.
a't help feeling quilty about being pampered so
fe I had yet to make contact with Mommy, so I
-delicious breakfast quickly, then showered and
, taking more time than usual with my hair.
f had made me so self-conscious about my looks
raid she would rush me off to the beauty parlor if
flock pretty enough to greet the California

Kingston was just leaving the house when I came
^6e stairs. He wore a pin-striped suit and maroon
lirite tie. He stopped at the front door to look up at
. I descended.
»d morning," he said.
»d morning."
pe you had a good night's rest," he said without a

, thank you."
yell, enjoy your day," he added. He looked uncompBe
speaking to me alone. He fumbled with his
Base and then hurried out the door.
bought about dialing Gina Simon's number again,
.imagined I would only get the answering machine. It
t"better to go over there in person. I had to wonder if
idy Glee had told her she had a visitor and then
(Bribed me to her.
^ excuse me, miss," Alee said, seemingly appearing
itrt'of nowhere. "'You have a phone call."
%^ phone can? I dor
- ""Your name is Melody, is it not?" he asked sharply, as
Roe thought I was being critical.
"Yes."
V^"Then, you have a phone calL You can tak& it m the
^gartor," he said nodding in that direction.
?fiT"Thank you."
? I hurried in and lifted the receiver.
[^."HeUo."
it was over. It

meet the woman 1
this me

Itok
yoaiioped}
MT^
"Good. How's my sister treating you?"
"Like royalty," I said. I told her about my room
breakfast in bed.
Eolly laughed.
[hear you. She's a character, huh? And Philip, did 1
e than two words?"
lit seven or eight," I said, laughing. It was so g
Holly's voice, hearing the sincerity and
"» Holly. It's nice of you l

I 4f roles were fever fhfe regards, too."
I'll call you guys as soon as-l
'Esaid.d
don't let Dorothy talk you into)
i fliere," she warned before hanging^
i
bad even set the phone down, Dorothy
appeared. J
"Good» you1?® up," she said as she entered the reonM
"The stores are jwst opening." I;
"I'm sorry I overslept. I'm usually up a lot eariierthaa I
this." I
"Overslept? Nonsense. A woman needs her sleep. |
76
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
lioncd idea about beauty rest happens to be
lon't rest your skin, it gets old faster. I never
h earlier than this unless I have a very
Ht season. Anyway, I've called for the car. I just
I Selena what Philip wants her to make for
light and then we'll be off to the shops."
y, really, I just want to go back to the apart- dex, see Gina Simon and--"
i something decent to wear first. Then youll

, soaking her head with her hands
, "Meet me outside. Spike's bringing the car

i teft for the kitchen. There was nothing to do but
rbe generous, I thought, and then pay another visit
[©^Egyptian Gardens.
;way, I couldn't help but be impressed with the
i on Rodeo Drive. Papa George and Mama Arlene,
sited lived next to to us in Sewell, West Virginia, used
i say their grandparents came to America thinking the
s were paved with gold. This was the closest any-
came to that, I thought. The designer clothing
i with their richly draped mannequins in the win,
the grand art and antique galleries, the beautiful
irants and expensive jewelry stores all made it look
; shopping for the rich and privileged. Everywhere I
ted, I saw Rolls Royces, Mercedes, and other expen-
automobiles, as well as limousines like ours with
Teurs in uniforms opening doors for people who
;d like they were all in a contest to outdress each

"Right here. Spike," Dorothy ordered and turned to
e to say, "I know this boutique well. They have the sort
' clothing young girls like these days. 'Vbu'11 see," she
^sfsaise<L
i * When we entered the store, I thought it was going out
prf business. There were so few things on display, each
V. C. ANDREWS

item was treated like a special work of art. Toward 1
rear of the store was a bar where a bartender prep
cappuccinos, lattes and espresso-tor the customers.
saleslady recognized Dorothy immediatety and hu
over, her high heels clicking on the Spanish tile.
"Enchanted, ^Mrs. Livingston. How have you b<
she asked, her hand out limply. A gold bracelet
with diamonds dangled from her small wrist. She Ic
like she had spent a half a day preparing her makeup!
hair. Not a hair was out of place and she had the m
even pancake complexion I had ever seen, which m<
|i her look tan down to the base of her neck, after wfe
there, was a milk-white line. Dorothy just squeezed I
fingers quickly.
"Very well, thank you, Farma. This is my sist
friend from the East Coast. She had to rush here
wasn't able to pack her better things. So I thought1
would just pick up something nice for her to wear dm
the day and something for the evening."
"Oh, bow nice," Farma replied and gleamed at with dollar signs in her eyes. "We just received ti
Italian pants suit in a perfect color for ..."
"Melody," Dorothy said. "I knew you would
something appropriate."
"Come dear," she said,, drinking me in to measure i
size. "What a delicious little figure you have."
"Doesn't she?" Dorothy said.
I never felt anything as soft as the material out i
which the pants suit had been made, It was a crean
white color with swirls of pink through it and it did 1
perfectly. When I gazed at myself in the mirror, I felt a
ego swell. Then I glanced at the tag dangling from the Ie
sleeve and I almost fainted. It was fourteen hv
dollars1
"She looks fantastic," Dorothy aid. "What a^
M^BRMCfctet^Sj^ctt" AfcsaS&,wflan®aa.tsw&^
^^^"^^V^&tbM^AWftSQB "
evening. 1 plan to take'W to Chaseas/
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

1^1 have a darling black dress, just in from Paris."
fhurried off to get it and I spun on Dorothy.
ffothy, look at the price of this!" I exclaimed. She
i indifferently at the tag.
Taat of it, dear? Decent things are going to be
Have these days."
trt this--"
_ tease," she said widening her eyes, "don't embarisoe. I know all the salespeople in these stores and
tow me. Oh, that does look sweet," she said when
brought out the thin-strapped evening dress.
u»tly, I tried it on and it also fit perfectly, flatter/
figure, but it was eighteen hundred dollars! I
a*t swallow after Dorothy told her to wrap up the
ig dress.
te*tt wear the pants outfit now," she declared,
fffy good," Farma said. I
>brothy ..." I stood, astounded.
e stepped up to me so she could lower her voice.
if. don't spend my money, Philip will only invest it
; of those dreary annuity funds and tie up the
r for years. As it is, I never get to spend all of my
ily allowance."
You have an allowance?" I asked, amazed at the idea
("grown woman being given an allowance.
r "Of course I do. And if I don^t use it, I can't get him to
|e it, can I? He^s too smart. He'll simply say I don't
aid what I get now, so why raise it? All of my friends
^allowances and I happen to be at the top. I don't
lend to lose that position," she added.
^Besides," she continued, "I don't enjoy giving my
aoney to charity as much as I do buying something for
t pretty young girl. It makes me feel..." She smiled.
t». feel younger myself. I used to have'a figure like
... naturally. Now go put on that suit. We're go- »someplace special for lunch and many of my
-"} be there."
BHaphantty.
takes you back to the apartment comV. C. ANDREWS

item was treated like a special work of art.
rear of the store was a bar where a bartender ^
cappuccinos, lattes and espresso-for the customers?]
saleslady recognized Dorothy immediately and hit
over, her high heels clicking on the Spanish tile.
"Enchanted, ^Mrs. JLivingston. How have you t»
1; she asked, her hand out limply. A gold bracelet
with diamonds dangled from her small wrist. She to
like she had spent a half a day preparing her makeu
hair. Not a hair was out of place and she had the t
even pancake complexion I bad ever seen, which',
her look tan down to the base of her neck, afters
there: was a milk-white tine. Dorothy just squee:
fingers quickly.
"Very well, thank you, Parma. This is my
friend from the Bast Coast. She had to rush h<
wasn't able to pack her better things. So I thorn
would just pick up something nice for her to wear <
the day and something for the evening."
"Oh, how nice," Farma replied and gleamed
with dollar signs in her eyes. "We just received,,
Italian pants suit in a perfect color for ..." . ^
"Melody," Dorothy said. "I knew you woul<f,
something appropriate."
"Come dear," she said, drinking me in to roei
size. "What a delicious little figure you have."
"Doesn't she?" Dorothy said.
I never felt anything as soft as the material
which the pants suit had been made. It was a <
white color with swirls of pink through it and it i
perfectly. When I gazed at myself in the mirror. It
ego swell. Then I glanced at the tag dangling 'from C
sleeve and I almost fainted. It was fourteen t
dollars!
"She looks fantastic," Dorothy said. "What a i
ful choice for day wear," she said, without even c
the price. "Now, let's think about something
evening. I plan to take" her to Chasens tomorrow i
and you never know who might walk in."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
[ have a darling black dress, just in from Paris."
(rried off to get it and I spun on Dorothy.
ifcy, look at the price of this!" I exclaimed. She
liffereaitly at the tag.
of it, dear? Decent things are going to be
W these days."
;fais_"
ne," she said widening her eyes, "don't embar-
1 know all the salespeople in these stores and
ys» me. Oh, that does look sweet,*' she said when
EAought out the thin-strapped evening dress.
iltly, I tried it on and it also fit perfectly, flatter-
figure, but it was eighteen hundred dollars! I
; swallow after Dorothy told her to wrap up the
iress.
[wear the pants outfit now," she declared,
jood," Farma said.
hy ..." I stood, astounded.
»ped up to me so she could lower her voice.
n*t spend my money, Philip will only invest it
those dreary annuity funds and tie up the
%r tears. As it is, I never get to spend all of my
fcr allowance."
»ve an allowance?" I asked, amazed at the idea
n woman being given an allowance.
irse I do. And if I dotft use it, I can't get him to
Sl^ean I? He^s too smart. He'll simply say I don't
h»hat I get now, so why raise it? All of my friends
ewanees and I happen to be at the (op. I don't
ftcrlose that position," she added.
tides," she continued, "I don't enjoy giving my
f to charity as much as I do buying something for
fey young girl. It makes me feel..." She smiled.
feel younger myself. I used to iiave-a figure like
... naturally. Now go put on that suit. We're go- ("g& someplace special for lunch and many of my
fciwm be there."
t smiled triumphantly.
Spike takes you back $o the apartment comV. C. ANDREWS

plex, people will pay more attention to you and be i
impressed with you. They'll take you more sens
'You'll see. Here everyone*s impressed by clothes
cars first, and then they consider the person weai-in
clothes and driving the car. You'll learn."
"I feel like they should have given me a passport i
I left the East Coast," I remarked and she laugh*
hard she had to tell Fanna what I had said. Then;
both laughed again.
White I changed into the Italian pants suit, Don
bought herself three blouses and two skirts. The biE
the end of our visit was enough to keep a family off
in food and shelter for months back in Sewetl, I thou;
but I dared not utter another complaint.
Before Dorothy had Spike take us to much,
insisted on buying me a pair of shoes to match the ]
suit and a pair for the evening dress. Then we had 1
at a little caff off Rodeo Drive where a sandwich a
much as an entire meal anywhere else in Ame
Dorothy seemed to know everyone there, introdu
me as her sister's close friend. I listened to them ch
about clothes and jewelry, and all the things they
bought that morning. Everyone managed to get in ]
much they bad paid, as if the higher the cost, the u.
justified they were in buying it.
My head was spinning from this spending whiriv
by the time Dorothy had Spike drive her home. Alee i
brought out to carry my packages up to my room, -s
then I was finally excused to pay another visit to
apartment complex.
"You took great," Spike said. "You belong in exp
sive clothes."
"Nobody belongs in things that cost this much. It
outrageous," I said. He laughed.
"It's supposedto be. This isHottywood. Later, I'll te
you up to Orauman's Chinese Theater and you can to
at the footprints and handprints of the stars."
"I'd rather find the footprints of my mother,''
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

and sat back, hoping this time I would have

' that I knew the buzzer on the directory at the
of the complex didn't work, I simply entered
gb the main gate and followed the path past the
i There were a half dozen young men and women
* ig themselves on the lounges, some holding reflecader
their chins. Unlike the first time, no one paid
rtice to me. I didn't see Sandy Glee anywhere. As I
ached the building in which I knew Gina Simon's
nent was located, I heard a loud, familiar laugh. A
n I was sure was Mommy came out of the entrance
apanied by a short, stout man with thinning gray
' and a bulbous nose. He had thick lips and was
ring a pair of thick-lensed eyeglasses that made his
f look like the eyes of a dead fish.
fe»ew it was Mommy because when she saw me, she
»d, brought her hand to the base of her throat, and
sed. Her escort looked at her curiously and then at
; Mommy regained her composure with a deep breath
| smiled at the man.
Inything wrong?" he asked. I stood waiting, my
i thumping like a parade drum. "You forget some- g?" he followed when she didn't reply.
<o," she said quickly. "It's an right."
yell, we had better move along. Gerry Spindler is the
t of producer who likes to be the one who's late for a
sting, not the person he's interviewing. Not that I
»k there's a doubt about you, sweetheart. He'd have
^be made of stone to pass on you," the stout man said
1 laughed grotesquely, his jowls shaking and his lips
ling. Mommy fixed her eyes on me as they continued
'ard me.
"Mommy!" I exclaimed when she was only a few feet

W
k."Pardon me?" she said.
; The stout man brought his head back.
81
V.C. ANDREWS
"WMBStq^fta^VOfi^o^ MBwi.'foBBaAylwif
m a catalogue and sent it to me in Provincctow
Kenneth found out who you were and where you'
I said quickly. "Grandma Olivia gave me the mos
come out here. Mommy, don't you recognize me?
"What?" she said laughing.
"Who is this?" the stout man asked.
jj 'I have no idea," Mommy said. Her eyes tt
cold as two small stones in a West Virginia mot
brook.
"It's me. Mommy. Melody. Don't you recognize
ReaBy?"
"First, honey," she said in a sharp, hard voice I di
recall, "I could never be your Mommy. I'd have to;
been six when I had you."
The stout man roared with laughter.
"And second, I never saw you before in my life. I'
Aey would fix that damn security system here," sben
the stout man, "Any riffraff can walk in off the street you
know what we have walking the streets around'.
these days."
"Yeah," he said nodding and gazing at me.
"Mommy..." Tears burned under my eyelids. I
to swallow so I could continue, but the lump inj
throat felt like a chunk of coal.
"Maybe it's someone's idea of a joke." the stout i
offered. "Anyway, don't worry about the security
tern. You get this job and you'll be able to move in
classy place, honey. And so will Mr. Martin."
"Please, listen," I finally uttered. Mommy glance
me and then quickly threw her head back to brush
hair from her eyes. I was shocked by how empty!
could make her eyes, as if she knew how to turn all I
emotions off. She tightened her hand around the arnn
her fat escort and continued down the walkway as "
didn't exist.
I stood there, gaping after them, watching her dis
pear around a turn. She laughed at something the a.
said and then threw me one Anal disdainful took befo
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
-^-^ -sred. I sank to the stone beach at the side of
ilkway, stunned, feeling cold, actually shivering in
'* California sun. Despite her coldness, there was
ting in Mommy's eyes that told me she had
,^-Jzed me, that she wasn't suffering from amnesia,
I at the same time, there was something that said, "Be
~ > don't you dare come back into my life, especially
»
vw could she pretend to be a woman in her twenties?
i looked it, but she knew she wasn't, and how could
4eave me standing here, amazed and in shock after I
pcome so far? I buried my face in my hands and
led to sob. I had come all this way to be ignored and
led by my own mother, who I had hoped would be
ippy to see me it would even cure amnesia. I took a
breath and sat back. I remained there, staring,
ing my head, feeling nauseated and sick. Tears
med down my cheeks, dripping off my chin, but I
s no attempt to wipe them away.
handsome dark-haired, young man and a very
blond-haired woman came hurrying down the
wy. They both glanced at me and smiled as if
; someone bawling on a bench was just part of the
7 around here. They hurried into the building,
t- laughter tinkling behind them. Above me, a win- was open and Latin rhythms came pouring out.
(was not a place to be mournful, I thought and rose
yay feet. I actually wobbled for a moment, the world
round me taking a spin. I held on to the back of the
eneh and waited for the vertigo to pass, but it lingered
He cramps that wouldn't dissolve.
Wsy, what are you doing?" I heard and turned to see
pike standing there. "You all right?"
|1« .-No," l wailed.
I **What happened? I've been waiting and waiting. I
ht I had better come in and see if I could find you.
* he said and lunged at me to prevent me from
sling to the cement walkway.
Only minutes later I woke in his arms. He was sitting
V. C. ANDREWS
on the bench with me in his lap, gently slapping
cheek.
"Melody... Melody..."
"What happened?"
My eyes fluttered open again and the world came t
into focus.
"You fainted," he explained.
"Oh. I'm sorry," I said, feeling horribly embarras
Fortunately^ no one else had come by to gawk. We ^
still alone. Spike helped me sit up.
"You all right? Take a deep breath. Go on. That's it^|
What happened?" he asked when the cote returned to, i
my face. .,
"I met her," I said. "Right here. She came out of thjfcj
building with some man and I was no more than a foot
away from her." ;
"So?" "It
was my mother, but she pretended she didn't know^
me. She said she couldn't be old enough to have had a,
daughter my age and she laughed at me." I started to sob
again. "She told the man I was some sort of riffraff
coming off the street. She wished they had fixed the
security system so I would be kept out."
"Take it easy," Spike said and put his arm around my
shoulders. "She was probably putting on an act for that
guy."
"But why? Why was that more important than me? I
came across the whole country to-find her and she hasn't
seen me for so long. Why?"
He shrugged.
"She probably had an audition or something and
maybe the guy was a producer she was stringing along. I
don't know. This is Hollywood."
"You keep saying that as if it justifies everything that goes on around here," I snapped back at him, "I don't
care if it's Hollywood. People should still be decent to
each other, especially mothers to their daughters."
He smiled at me as if I had said the silliest thing.
"You know something," he remarked, nodding as he
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

at my disdain, "you could be quite an actress.
e got integrity. You can reach down into the
on well and draw up the right responses."
; don't want to be an actress! I don't want to be in
tywood! I'B^ not pretending to fed bad. I do feel bad!
int my mother to acknowledge me and explain why
fbbs done these terrible things," I cried.
'"Maybe she will, one of these days," he said calmly.
tot now's obviously not the right time. Come on. Let's
E-out of here. I hate complexes like this, filled with
pie trying to make it in the business. You can cut the
peration in the air. It's depressing," he said as he
>d. "Come on." He held outhis hand for me. I took it
; stood up. "You okay? You think you can walk?"
^Yes," I said. .
^Great." He kept his arm around me and we started
wn the walkway. The sight of a chauffeur walking with
i arm around a young woman in an expensive Italian
ets suit drew some eyes as we passed the pool again. It
nost made me laugh, but my heart was too heavy for
y sort of joviality. All I could think of was Mommy's
t cold, indifferent eyes and her voice cutting through me
tUteaband-saw.
|t^ got into the limousine and Spike drove us away. He
continued to make excuses for Mommy as we went
^<Iong.
? ? "If she is your mother, when you confront her alone,
^"jtoell be different," he assured me. ""teu caught her toy
: surprise, that's all."
"She's definitely my mother," I said. "The instant I set
eyes on her in person, I knew and she knew me. She
jvat.., made herself so different."
.* ^That's--"
"Don't say it," I warned. He toughed.
"Hey, you've got to step back, catch your breath and
try again. 'Vbvll yi to the bottom of it all, I'm sure."
--liiidaft reply, I gazed with empty eyes at the^sceaery
that flew by, no longer seeing the beautiful flowers and
plush lawns, the glitzy stores and exciting billboards.
V. C. ANDKEWS

This was a place I'd rather not be in, I thought. 1
my eyes and wished I was walking oh the be
concentrated as hard as I could until I could hear
waves lapping at the shore and could see the whitec
sparkling in the New England sunshine. It put a smile <
my face. »
"You okay?" Spike asked, watching me in the rearva
mirror.
"Yes."
"Good. Hey, did I tell you I have a chance for a i
great part tomorrow?"
"No."
"It's a recurring role. Know what that means?"
"No."
"Well, if I get the part, I'll be in this episode and
the writers will write me into others, so I'H work on
regular basis and really get some exposure. From thei
the sky's the limit," he said. "It's not a very big role
start, about thirty lines, but it's the impact on the sh
that counts. You want to see the script, maybe help
rehearse?"
"Help you rehearse? How can I do that?"
"I'll do my lines and you'll read the others. I'd like:
have you hear me recite. You've got a fresh ear
would probably hear my mistakes."
"I don't know anything about acting. Spike."
'That makes you an expert around here," he said and|
laughed. "Come on. You don't want to just bang out withi|
Dorothy, do you?" . |
"Not really," I said. It was probably unkind to say that |
about someone who had been so generous and hospita- j
ble to me, but I really wasn't in the mood to bear about ,
expensive clothing or beauty tips. How I wished I could
drop in on Holly and Billy. If only they weren't so far
away. I longed to run up the stairway to Gary's private
workroom and throw myself into his arms, too.
But I was here, amongstrangers, with my own mother
being the biggest stranger of all.
"Will you? Please," he said.
UNFlNSSSSeV SYMPHONY
y," I replied.
at," Spike said. "I appreciate it."
ten we arrived at the i-ivingston tesidence, Spike
d the limousine around to Use garage-instead of to
Font of the house. He opened ray door and directed
> a Side door teat took as upstairs to his apartment.
|"Don't mind any of the mess in here," fafr said,
swing some'clothing into a'pile behmd the sofa.
etween driving for Mrs. Livingston and preparing for
litions, i don't get much time to be a housekeeper. Is
iteflsy in here?" he asked, throwing open a window.
<t*saU right," I said. There was a pile of scripts on the
a* He hurriedly cleared them away to make a space for
s. "How about something to drink? Beer, juice,
-jerr1
|-*TU just have some water, thank you," I said.
""Sure." H« rushed into the kitchen. I gazed around the
d apartment. There was nothing on die waits and
pt for the scripts piled here and there and the
ring and dishes scattered about, there was no person,'
to the place. It reminded me of the thrifty motels
Aommy, Archie Martin and I stayed at during our trip
^to Proviacetown. Now that seemed ages and ages ago.
t was hard to believe the woman I had just confronted
las- the same woman, but she was. I was positive about
to and right now, it started to make me angry.
^Wsw, what a took on your face!" Spike said returning
| with a glass of ice water. He handed it to me and I drank.
| "She had no right to treat me like that. I don't care
|»»to was with her," I said.
It-He nodded.
I "You'll tell her, I'm sure," he said. "I'll tell you
I something," he said, stepping back and scrutinizing me
k Irora bead totoe as he nodded, "when yo® get angry and
^ ^®ur face gets alt flushed and your eyes look like they
have candles burning behind (hcio, it's rather exciting."
& He put his hands together, thumb to thumb like a film
director and gazed at me through the opening, moving
V. C ANDREWS

about as would a camera director searching for the I
perspective. I shook my head and laughed.
"You're always in a movie»" I said.
"That's life, a movie. I'm trying to get good revie
that's all," he said, laughing at his own joke. He poi
himself a glass of beer and then handed me a script'
the pages marked.
"Desperate Lives?" I said, looking at the title
"This is Dorothy's favorite show."
"I know. I haven't told her I'm going for a part itt
yet She would make me too nervous. Okay, here's th
setup. I'm Trent Windfield, who has discovered he'»
more in love with his girlfriend's sister than with his
girlfriend. Her name's Arizona," -»
"Arizona? That's a state," I said, finding the name eft^
the page. |
"That's what her parents named her because they have3
this multimillion-dollar ranch there. In this scene, Trent'
decides to tell Arizona how he really feels about her- The;
problem is he's a graduate student and she's only a high
school junior. Her father, a man with a fiery temper,
would have him shot."
"How does Arizona feel about Trent?" I asked, gazing
at the lines.
"She's always had a crush on Trent, but she never
dreamed it would turn into anything. She's over'
whelmed, but excited, titillated. It's a dream come true.
Ready?" he asked, standing before me.
"Okay, I guess."
"Top of the page," he said, I watched him lower his
head and then raise it slowly, his face changing, his eyes
filling with emotion.
"No one knows I'm home," he said. "I drove right to
your house." He fell to his knees at my feet. It took me
by surprise and I gaped at him. "Read your lines," he
coached out of the side of his mouth.
"Oh." I looked at the pages. "Why? Why did you come
here first, Trent?"
He took my hand.
gu "Because the things 1 said to you just beforeJ left ...
Ehe things I told you I was feeling haunted me. I couldn't
ftudy. I couldn't talk to anyone. All I've been doing is
thinking about you. Every time I took at another girl, she
lias your face, Arizona." He leaned on my knees and
Srew closer.
I gazed at the pages again.
"If you're teasing me, this is cruel," I said.
"It would be like teasing myself, like being cruel to
"myself," he said. "I know this is biting into forbidden
''fruit, but 1 would chance being thrown out of Paradise
i just for one of your kisses," he said.
I I started to look at the pages' again when his fingers
| slipped under my chin and gently lifted my face so he
" could lean over and kiss me softly on the lips. My eyes
; went wide.
" "Arizona," he said. ""Your name is branded on the
front of my brain."
He kissed me again, this time putting his hands on my
shoulders to hold me and draw me closer, making his
kiss harder, his tongue moving through his lips and
slipping in between mine. Surprised, I sat back.
"I knew you loved me just as much. I knew it," he said
and flooded my face with kisses, running his lips down to
my neck. His hands went to my waist.
"Spike," I said.
"Trent," he replied, and covered my naouth with his
again, his kiss forcing me back oh the sofa. His Tight
hand mowed off my waist and up over my ribs until he
reached my breast,
"Wait," I cried.
"There is no time to wait," he said, still acting as if we
were in his scene. But my words were my own. lwasn't
reading off a page. In fact, the script had fallen from my
tends. Spike pushed me down on the sofa, ibis lips
moving to my chin, my neck and Ihen his angers
separating the jacket of the pants suit so he could lift it
V. C. ANDREWS

and slide his hands under my silk blouse. When
fingers reached my bra, I twisted and turned to br
free. -s 2
"Don't be afraid," he whispered in my ear. "ThisK
the way grown-ups make love." .
"Spike, stop!" I cried. His lifted my bra and soon the
tips of his fingers were sliding over the top of my breast,
strumming my nipple as his lips continued searching my|
neck, my face, his left hand against my bead, trying to]
get me to return his kisses. ;
I brought my knees up higher and then, with all my
strength, pushed into his stomach. He lost his balance
and fell off the sofa. I didn't wait to give him a chance to>
recuperate. I shot up and turned away from the sof
straightening my clothing quickly.
"Are you crazy?" I demanded.
He sat back, a wide, silly grin on his face.
"I'm just getting into my scene. What are you;
so excited about?"
"That's not in your scene," I accused.
"It's what we call improvisation. It helps you to bi
your part. You get into tike character. That's all. Come
on," he said, patting the sofa again. "Lets try again and
when you get into it--"
'Ym not getting into anything," I said, backing away. ^
"If this is acting, I'd rather do someone's laundry,**'!1
r added.
He laughed.
"Melody, really--"
"Thanks for the introduction to dramatics," I said,
heading for the door. "You should do real well. Good
hick," I said and charged out of his apartment, down the
stairs, bursting into the sunshine.
Maybe everyone was crazy here. Maybe like Spike
said, everyone was moving in his or her own movie.'
Mommy certainly seemed to be.
Instead of heading back into the house, I walked down
the tiled driveway and out to the street. The sky was hazy
now and there was a nice cool breeze even though the
UNFINJSHBD SYMPHONY

: was still strong. Traffic went by at a leisurely pace,
glancing at me curiously. Gardeners trimmed
and swept leaves and debris from the fronts of
til homes. I walked with my arms folded under
breasts, my heart still pounding from my episode
b Spike.
| And then I paused to watch a little girl with long
ten pigtails being lifted out of a car by a woman who
to be her mother. She clung to her with loving
ieration and gazed over her mother's shoulders at
Happy, secure, she flashed me a sweet smile and
i waved as if we knew each other. I waved back and
' a moment I felt as if I were waving at myself, years
1 years ago, when I was about her age and my
>daddy was alive. Of course, I didn't know then he
i my stepdaddy. I thought he was my real daddy. He
;d me just as much as any real daddy could.
' "She woman carried her little girl into the big, beautiful
ise where she would be secure and safe and where
tt the thought of something unpleasant was left at the
wstep. I stood there, smiling and thinking about her. I
I't know how long I was standing there, but suddenly
salized there was an automobile stopped nearby and
aeone kicking at me.
'A was Mr. Livingston.
KVSs waved.
Ist**^ att rigatr he asked.
te^n&g,**- I said. "Thank you. I was just taking a little
aflfc"
^"In Beweriy Hills, that's considered strange," he re- (ked. "Don't go too far," he said, raised ha window
1 drove on. I watched him turn into the driveway and
& I headed -back myself. Maybe it was strange to be
Be here and think.
I would do what Spike bad suggested. I would Confront
lonuny again, hopefully when she was alone, and if I
ad the same result, I would get myself backon the plane
|as quickly as i could and I would fly away, leaving
r Mommy and my past behind me.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
> sat staring at me, his fingers pressed together in
al fashion, his beady dark eyes looking quite
oving. I walked in slowly and sat. Then I took a
eath and began.
; met her," I said in a voice that even sounded like
voice of doom to me, "and she pretended not to
l? me."
iilip nodded and glanced sternly at Dorothy.
it-was what I anticipated," he said, "even from the
^1 knew about this bizarre situation. Dorothy--"
Sow hush, Philip. We will solve the matter our-
l-s," she said, but he didn't look relieved.
Fhis is not one of your social games, Dorothy. I told
f what I thought when I first heard about this. We
;>athize with your situation. Melody," he said, ding
himself to me, "but we're certainly not equipped
tve the problem as Dorothy implies. This sounds to
»ore like a police matter. Someone is surely dcfraudimeone
here," he continued. "Perhaps an insurance
my. I simply can't have myself attached to the
in any way. I have a major responsibility to my
ts, who are all high-profile, and I can't afford to have
^negative publicity. You seem like an intelligent
" ^» young woman to appreciate that."
(sir. I'm sorry. I'll leave tomorrow."
i don't have to leave so quickly," Dorothy said,
f not with tee same firmness she said most everything
I to me.
SEifonI want you to feel we're throwing you out. 'rou're
|ead of my sister-in-law and Dorothy made her sister
Be- promises," he added, eyeing her disapprovingly.
310 can stay for a while as long as you don't bring any of
i mess to our doorstep, but from what it sounds like to
if my best advice to you is to return to where you call
~ i and the people who care for you," Philip said.
ss sir," I replied in a small voice that started to crack.
W can report what you know to the proper authori-
nd let them take the necessary action," he contin- . "Ill assist you in doing that, if you wish."
dont^ai&about i
really had happci
she needed me."
as Ispoke, but they i
-under say fids.
iws that if you require:
»»
i. Thank you," I said.
your trouble. Tffeu're a very
e youTI regain your compo
hing worthwhile with your life."
i do a lot more than that," Dorof'"
said. "She's an exceptional young lady."
"Yes, weH, 1*11 just go up and get ready ibr dinner."'
shot another, even sterner look at Dorothy. "Dont^
yourself in a position where you're giving advice
shouldnl be giving, Dorothy."
"t think'I know what I can and cant ^ell somcf
Philip."
"I certainly hope so," he said with his eyes fuB (
warning. He glanced at me and then rose and left it
room.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I don't want to make a&y trouhti
for you. Maybe I should leave right away. I can stay in i
motel until I make travel arrangements."
"Of course you won't do something like that. Don't you
listen to him. He's just being... just being Philip Livings
ston," sSac said, as if that explained or justified it. "Now I
want to hear all the details. Go on. Tell me everything
from start to finish," she begged, leaning toward me, her
eyes wide. For a moment I had the feeling she was treating
me and my problem as if <t were all another episode of her
favorite soap opera. Nevertheless, I related the events as
they occurred^leaviing out my scene with Spike. When J
was finished, she sighed deeply.
"Maybe PhiHp is right, dear. Maybe you should get on
wtAyow own-life Notthat I-nant to chase you away,
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
' mother is part of nay life," I said.
othy smiled and shook her head at me as if I had
I something ridiculous.
Family can be such a burden. Look at what I have
t Holly."
Holly is a very happy person and she has a lot of
ads and knows a lot of wonderful people," I shot
IL "I can't think of anyone who's beea nicer to me."
|'"0h she has a heart of gold, especially when it comes
elping other people, but will she ever help heiself?
Holly, She was always like that, always off on a
d. I tried to get her to be more substantial and do
e with her life, but there's just so much you can do
I then, then you've got to do what Philip said, go on
h your own life. Philip does give the best advice. He
ays has. Sometimes, I feel he's more like a father to
than a husband." She smiled. "Are you all right,
a? Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
"I'm tired," I said. Dorothy was so wrapped up in
erself, she would never hear anything she didn't want to
lear anyway, 1 thought. "I'll just go up and rest for a
ENIe,"
"Of course. Take a whirlpool bubble bath and sudealy
the worid win look much better to you. Believe me,
fit will. If I'm depressed, I just go to the spa and get a
t facial and take a mud bath and a massage. What good is
I money if you don't use it to make yourself happy and
[ drive away the gloomies?" she added with a thin tittle
laugh. What she said reminded me of our shopping spree
aad all she had spent on me. I was sure now that Philip
would be very upset once be found out, despite what she
had told me.
"I'd like you to bring that evening dress back to the
store, Dorothy. I won't be needing it now and--"
""Yba certainly will. Wont you go^to some nice affair
back East? And just think how envious all the other young
women will be when they see you in a designer dress."
I stared at her, too tired to argue.
V.C.ANOREWS
She rang a bell and a few seconds later,
appeared in the doorway.
"Christina, will you please draw a bubble bath
Melody?"
"I can do that myself," I said.
"Please, just do it, Christina," Dorothy em;
firmly. ^
"Yes, Mrs. Livingston," Christina said and left to i
immediately.
"Really, dear. You have to let the servants do t
work otherwise..." She laughed. "Otherwise we «
need servants and they would be without jobs,
Christina is someone who can't afford to be without <,
job. She has a flockof children to feed* En^oy your br^
Atec will call you to dinner.**
She rose and stood there for a moment gazing at
"I wish you were able to stay for a while longer. It
so much to teach you," she said and then shook her head|
with a twist of pity on her lips and left. |
You have so much to teach me? I thought and gazeda
around at this palace in which two people shared wealthy
beyond my imagination, but seemed to be like strangers
to each other, I don't want to learn about getting the best .
table, ia a restaurant or how to keep a wrinkle off my
faoe.,No, I wanted^ to team something much deeper. I
wasted to learn where I truly belonged. If I stayed here
tea years more, I didn't think I could get Dorothy
Livingston to understand that.
My legs felt like they had tamed to stone beneath me
when I rose and started for the stairs. It was another
bright 'day outside, but inside my heart 'the sky was
overcast with long, thick clouds of despair. As i ap
proached say mom, I beard Christina singing by the
whirlpool tub. (-
"I've put in some scented bubble bath for you," she
said when she heard me enter. ;• '
"Thank you.1' ^ . ^
She looked at me closely.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
[ you have a bad day?" she asked.
ted to shake my head, but my lips trembled and
a qirivered. I had to Nte down to keep from
tgasob.
poor girl," she said, coming to me. I couldn't
t aayself. I started to cry. She wrapped her arms
I me quickly and held me to her, stroking my hair.
i, there, now, nothing is as bad as all that."
i it is," I wailed. "My own mother refused to
ize me today. She ran off and left me with relatives
l East and then I think she pretended to die so she
' be rid of me forever," I blurted.
rtina looked shocked for a moment asad then she
I slowly, her lips firm.
' woman who denies her own child must be in
I," she declared. "It's not natural and it has to be
I for her."
i you think so?" I asked^ wiping my eyes.
rfOh yes. When you become a mother, you'll under- md," she said with a smile. "Your child is part of you,
ways your baby. It hurts to see them grow up because
a know they're growing away from you, but that's a
EFerent and healthy kind of letting go.
"I'm sure your mother will contact you," she said and
queezed my hand softly,
"She doesn't know where I'm staying."
^Then she expects you'll be back," Christina assured
me.
"I don't know," I said, thinking about it. I wanted to
share her optimism, to make everything terrible look
small and insignificant, to believe that after a storm
there was always a rainbow, but I had been disappointed
so many times already.
"Have more faith, dear," she said. "Relax, eat a good
dinner, get a good night's rest and tomorrow, tomorrow
will look a lot more promising."
Her smile was like he sunshine after the nun. I
couldn't help but smile back.
V. C. ANDREWS

you," I said. "Your children are hieky to^ f%ood mother.**
)h, J tell them that all the time," she joked. She 1
me laughing again and for an instant I felt like my'
self, full of sunshine and laughter.
I enjoyed my whirlpool bath, soaked and .relaxed t
practiced meditating. I thought about Billy Maxv
overcoming his personal disaster aad I grew stronger.1
was even hungry and looking forward to dinner.
Right after I got dressed, there was a knock on
door and Christina poked her bead in.
"Everything all right?"
"Yes, thank you» Christina."
"You have a call," she said. "Just leave the;
as it is. I'll come-back before I leave and take ease off
all," she added, closing the door so I would have privacy
I imagined it was Holly calling again. Maybe Dorot&i
had called tier and. told her what Philip had said. Holly
would want me to fly back to New York and stay with her ;
for a while. I had to admit it looked like the best idea.<"
"Hello."
"Melody," Cary said. What a surprise it was to heat,
from him.
"Caryt"
"I called Holly and got her sister's number. Are you afi
right? How was the trip?*'
- I spoke quickly, is minutes summarizing everything
that had happened, beginning with the near disaster at
the airport. He listened silently until I was finished. I
realized it was already late in the evening back East.
"Sounds Uke you've had a terrible time from the day
you left New York," he said.
"But how are you?" I asked.
"Things are not too good here. Melody, I'm actually
calling you from the hospital."
"The hospital! What happened to you?"
"It's not me. Dad's back in the cardiac care unit- He
had another heart attack. I drink be brought it on himself
UNFINISUSD SYMPHONY
f time, <^mplan»n|r«bout being restricted, insisting
doing more than he should."
pi Cary, Pal so sorry. How's Aunt Sara?"
"kbu know Ma. She just keeps herself working so she
at think about it."
tod May?"
f0t so good. She misses you a lot," he said. "Which
out half as much as I do. But I understand why you
s to be away," he added quickly.
rdo miss you very much, too, Cary."
jfWhat are you going Co do now?"
l&Tta not sure yet. I'll call you as soon as I know," I
Iftmised. "If you can, tell Uncle Jacob I hope he feels
|ter."
Itwul"
i^And take care of yourself, Cary. You can't do every-
ag for everyone," I said, knowing him.
He laughed.
"Look who's talking. Guess who I saw this morning at
hospital?" he said. "Grandma Olivia. She couldn't
p herself. She had to ask me if I had heard from you. I
3 her I was calling you tonight and she made me
amise to give her the latest news."
"She's just hoping her investment pays off and I stay
Vtay forever," I said dryly.
""But you're going to fool her," he said and then
tughed nervously.
' "Rightnowl think the only person I've been fooling is
^Btyself," I moaned.
" "I saw Kenneth in town this afternoon. I didn't speak
to him. I saw him just as he was driving away. He
looked... more straggly, if that's possible. I guess he's
1 not taking very good care of himself."
'That's too bad. I was afraid something like that
might happen."
"We're all just falling apart without you around here,"
Cary said.
"Oh, Cary."
could hold <
iof hire ton)
». I found

.ring ahead
.led to auUee i
_ she had discos
and a skinTcream that made her feel as soft as a baby,'
The food was a treat, a Mexican dish called a fajift
Dorothy told me Mexican food was very popular in Los j
Angeles.
"Because there are so many of them here and most'
them are good cooks," she explained.
After dinner she wanted me to watch television withij
her, it seemed Philip rarely did anything with her at I
night. He usually had work to do in his office, or if he ;
wasn't working, he was reading. Dorothy had said he
hated television unless he was watching the financial
reports, which she thought were abominably boring. I
wondered what had brought these two people together at
an altar to pledge undying love and devotion until death
did them part. It seemed Jthe only romance in Dorothy's
life was the romance she watched with religious devotion
on her soap operas.
I thought about the things Christina had said and I
thought about Cary and May and Kenneth, and all the- people who needed me back in Provincetown. Wasting
any more time seemed sinful. I would do no more of it, I
pledged.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i going bade to The Egyptian Gardens one more
' I declared after dinner. That brought animation
tulip's face. "And I'm not going to leave until I get
uthful answers."
^ar' Dorothy asked.
,Ti^fc«ii«i^&.
^,U^^^^^i6ffl^^^^^«aQtK(^
&}a!Be;tjlTafl$aCr Xiais^tq »teA-'3Bfc.^xtoA^
i^KK'«E^yK
1-wwddri't suggest Noa Aotiaal," hesaiA.'^t'swAver
Bigentin light of what you have already experienced."
&ometiiae&, we have to do what our hearts command
|t ^wv ^!A 0 tows& temax^' I reared,
^CTitebly that leads to disaster," he retorted.
r»aid nothing more. but they both understood I wa&
^iag.
*Td rather not have oitr limousine involved," Pbitip
iad as he rose from the table.
i-*Tllustcattaeab."
"Philip," Dorothy said.
"I'm afraid I have to be firm on this," he told me. '
"I understand. You've both been vry kind and I'm
grateful for your hospitality."
"It's not the first time my sister-in-law has put me into
a difficult situation," Philip remarked.
"Why Am't yo» -watt until morning. Melody? Maybe
then things--"
"Regardless of whether it's day or night, I don't want
our Car involved," Philip repeated, raising his voice.
Dorothy sat hack as if she had been slapped.
"I'll just go catch a cab," I said rising.
"You don't catcba cab in Los Angeles. You call tos one
to pick you up," Philip said. "I'll see that Alee doei that
for you."
He marched out of the dining room.
"Please be careful, dear," Dorothy said.
"I will." My heart racing ahead of me, I hurried
upstairs to get my purse. Actually, I was happy Spike
something from tall glassesTTfieyturoea my way
continued past them. Just as I reached the far corner <
started toward Mommy's building, I saw a man step<
of the doorway and pause to light a cigarette. The fl
of his match danced on his face and hair for a mon
and I gasped and retreated into the shadows, it
Archie Martin. I'd recognilse him anywhere.
He still had short orange-red hair and skin the st
of milkweed, with freckles on his caia and foreh
Everyone back in SeweM always said he looked ten y
younger than he really was, although no one knew
exact age. No one knew very much about Archie Marim""11

aLTI^S? ^T a strai^ answer to ^^
wont JUDHetf: He always joked or shrugged and saitf
something silly. But he had filled Mommy with enough
promises to sweep her off her feet and have her go off
with him.
I held my breath as he waUoed past me, a slicM
smile on his oran^; vbp&. tie strofted down theiiial
and went alOttDdr the coraer. 1 let oat my Buefrf
heart pounding. J dtdat wart to face boa jvsl yet,'
ever, bat seeing Amt was tte last aod 6oal asswasce that
102
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i upstairs m that building was beyond a- doubt
'mother.
'legs felt as thin and weak as a scarewm's ley of
»I entered the building and went to the elevator.
the doors opened, I stepped in quickly and
} Mommy's floor. My heart seemed to have risen
"pfease of say t&roat. How horribte, I thought, how
e that I should have all this trepidation about
1 thrown mother. In moments f was standing in
af'lwr doorway, Hesitating, my fingers lingering
ielmzzer. Finally, I stabbed at it and waited.
.r^lbor was thrust open and Mommy was standing
lln-a bathrobe, her hair unbrushed, no makeup on,
«s glassy. She wobbled and spoke before she saw
;was.
did you forget now, Richard?" she asked and
ased on me. Her expression froze, first with a
of delight and then quickly with a look of
oh. "You again?" she said.
.ommy..."
? started, then she leaned out farther to took up and
_ the hallway.
l^ee I won't get rid of you so easily. Get in here," she
ased as she ^dragged me into the apartment.
fonony closed &e door quickly behind me, gazed at
i sourly and then walked into the living room. She kept
I back to me.
"Why are you pretending, not to know me. Mommy?"
I asked and wiped one of my teats away quickly.
, "Because I don't know you," she said, "I don't know
anyone from that life. I can't, I just can't," she said,
slamming her fists against her thighs and spinning on
J".Why did you come here? How did you find me?"
^ed^r^jwu- picture in a catalogue aad seat it to
MlHBn^UtoHefaaetha&dhestudieditsiftdcaidhe
Mffie it wa» yoa. Then he called a friend- in Boston
' helped track you down tor me." /*
"Kenneth?" She relaxed her lips into a tiny smite, and
i angry,
yone na
w got to|
'to not
V.CAA^WWBI^'

rig s
1^!
j», a;


he said,
stiffened
lining up ,1
started to)
pu see? Yeal
jt when I wa'
good part in |
f I'm meetu
; pppening, y<
,foat,"
-a deep treat
"How did you do this? You had everyone back hoq
believing you died. There was a body. You're buried,:
the family plot back in Provincetown."
She laughed, went to an imitation ivory cigarette box ^
on the yellowish brown coffee table and took out a |
cigarette. " '''i
^Yovi mean Olivia Logan permitted the poor corpse t^|
be deposited in her precious family ground even though I
she believed it was me?" She laughed again, found a.|
match and lit her cigarette. Then she fell back into th<r
worn, cotton print easy chair and stared at me as she
puffed away. "You look good," she said. "You fiBed out'
nicely. Jacob didn't throw you out on the street, I guess.^,
"He's very sick. Mommy. He had a heart attack and <
nearly died. Now he's back in the hospital."
"Doesn't surprise me. He's too much like his mother
to enjoy life or let anyone else enjoy it. Probably finally
soured his own heart." She took a deep breath, shook her
head and gazed through the sliding glass doors of the
balcony. "I cant have a daughter yoar age," she^aid. *3
wouldn't get a decent Job in this town."
"Why sot?""
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

S-It^ just the way ft is. Young people get everything
tee, especially women. Look, you don't belong with me,
Boey. I'm not a good mother. I sever was and 1 never
nH be. It's just not in my nature."
(."Why sot?" I asked.
-"Because.. .because Fm too self-centered. Chester
is right about that Don't you remember? U wa^always
Hester who did the important things for you, not me.
id you spent most of your childhood next door with
lene and George."
,4-papa George died. Mommy," I said sadly.
Sr<"Did he?" She nodded- "He was pretty sickwhen I Nt
I didn't think it would be too much longer. You see," she
id, snapping her head up and firing a look of fear my
ay, "you see how short life is, how quickly your chance
i do something fades? 1 won't get a second chance out
are. Melody. This is it for me. That's why I did what
rchie suggested when the accident happened.""
p"l don't understand. Mommy. What happened?"
'"Archie was really in an accident," she said, waving
liter cigarette. "He, was returning from a party at a bar
: where there was supposed to be a gathering of producers
r ffad agents: He had one of his younger clients wuh him.
s "Tie girt was really very young, but had everyone fooled,
sept Archie of course. Anyway, he had me lend her my
irttficatioh forthe night. Off Ac way back, Iftlchard, as
i know he's called now, tost control of the car and as
m as it crashed, it caught fire. He was thrown, but the
t was trappeB and kilted.
^^Waffs (he'poHee found flu? ^ody and my identifica-
„ Bn, Arefiie and I-discttsseff it ana dfedded it wotfld be
| llBtter if I-foofc^vantage eT it to cut myself off from
''ABafly. Sfr^ toot on a new identity. Tm Giaa Simon, Gina Siaaoa, do you hear? Everyone here thinks I'm
years younger thas I am<" she added in defense. "I can't
^ yst anywhere unless I'm this young, so I did it. Don't
took at me like that," she fired. "I knew you were doing
.%-'teett and you aoewwith family. It wasn't as if I left you
1^ stranded somewhere."
V.C.ANDSEUIS^
^ou," I said. "Youis^m §I

lafwl
teob.w|
W it'»3

4iy&^^^

^^^^k^
^^^S^^^

.:<««n«l4"ae^

?-%S&^"^
106
UNPZNSSStED SYMPHONY

know how handsome he was and bright. All
ends were crazy about him. He was always
always exciting to be with." Her smile faded.
hi I teamed the truth and brought it to him, it
r if I had hit him with a sledgehammer.
''re all so prim and proper on the outside, the
ods who made me feel inferior. I was the poor,
d little girl, the waif living on" of Olivia's kind1
generosity. How she continually reminded me
l-'She took me in just to reduce the embarrassment,
'the hated every moment I was there and she brought
boys up to think of me as contaminated. Only I
?d her, didn't I? I won Chester away from her and for
Fahe hated me forever.
fas she smiling at my funeral? I wish I had been
tjust to watch Ac hypocrites," Mommy said and
d her cigarette violently.
Eb, she wasn't smiling. She was dignified. It was a
nice funeral. Kenneth was there, too."
*ow Kenneth. Was he very upset?"
aa."
ie sat back, pleased.
"It's not so bad to bury yourself once, especially when
^'re burying the ugly past too." She stared blankly at
I. "But that's all gone, so. feet under. Melody. You can't
; me up. It's not fair. I've finally thrown off the chains,
> weight of my past, and I have opportunities now, new
aids..." She gazed around. "This is just temporary.
ter my next few jobs, I'll be living in a plush condo,
, ybe in Brentwood. Archie assures me," she said.
^l looked down, my heart so heavy I thought it might
|»| out of my chest.
^?*Whyjdoes Olivia want you to move in with her now?"
"Because Uncle Jacob's so sick and because she wants
I to keep the lid on any scandal. I told her I wanted to live
with Kenneth since he's really my uncle, but she says
. ^hat will only stir gossip."
a *^0b, she's right about that. Olivia knows her territory.
dBh^
jb<?»hio».<
,^e with l»«sr, ft'
. she made your?.?
. I brought a lot of ,(
. "I was angry at them, i
'. to pay for my unhappine
i see you when they look at me," L
does, no matter what she tells me, ami L
Jacob certainly does. JByen Kenneth," I addled sod i
perked up.
"Oh?"
"He had me model for him just the way he had ?
model," I said.
She widened her eyes.
"Really? And you did iff"
"Ties. He's created a wonderful new piece off
He says it'sr his greatest work, Neptune's Daughter.
the face on the sculpture Is more your face ""^
mine," I told her. I saw she liked that.
'Stand up," she asked suddenly. ^dBd so. w
did Sll offt. Vfffre a very attractive youngISM
doesnl mis^much." Shethoiight again fiwW
"Didn't you like ft at all back there, meet say"
"day's wee, very mce. I miss aim ami Ibsv
I've missed you. Mommy. I feaSy 'have. I-'
being... atone. lt*s aot fair." ' "f
She nodded and crushed1 her cigarette. ' v
^lt did bother me to leave you, to lie to ysw^tiiei
"Maybe not as much as you would have liked it to I
bothered me, but if did. I didn't like leaving you } "
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
was just no other way to do all this. You
ad?"
ed, even thought I really didn't.
had to listen to Archie. He's had much more
ce with all this," she said in defense. "What are
; to do?" she asked herself.
ie, let me stay with you. Mommy."
,jzed at me and smiled.
.1 were always a sobering influence on me, weren't
Utodyf When 1 stayed at Frankie's bar and gnu
ig in Sewell and came home, I would take one look
r face and feel so damn guilty I lost my buzz in an
1.1 hated you for that, too," she admitted, "but
I, I would love you for it, as much as I could love any
^1 suppose."
w straightened up.
I doa't have very much here, yet," she said. "It's not
l a drop in the bucket compared to what Olivia has
I what she can offer you."
don't care about that. Mommy. I should be with

i can't be with me," she whined. "I just can't have
fctter your age."
light quickly, remembering what her friend Sandy
(thought.
f could be your younger sister. You told people you
V* I suggested quickly.
' sa towfr that?"
ewomaa here the fast time I came. Her
ady and she thought I was your younger
ag you," I said.
> wauld." She smiled and looked at me. "We do
;e sisters. I mean, J ioolc young enough to be your
h»yir
t Mommy, you do."
S," sac pounced jabbing her forefinger at me.
t's just the problem. You can't call me Mommy. A
"rsister doesn't call her older sister Mommy, does
V. C. ANDREWS

"I won't."
"You'll forget"
"I won't," J insisted.
She relaxed as she thought about my suggestion.
"If I had a younger sister here, it would certainly a
everyone believe me even more," she thought alow
That's right, it would," I said nodding.
"You can only call me Sis or Gina. You ew'tii
forget and call me Haille."
"I never did, Mommy."
"Mommyf"
"WeB, there's no one here right now," I said«.
"Archte's not going to like this. He'U be furioi
me," she said with a shake of her head.
"He has no right to be furious with you. Yw'v
everything he wanted, haven't you?"
"Yes, yes I have." she said. She stared at me and f
she smiled. "He won't be unhappy when I tell him ii«
another prime client anyway," she said. w]
"Another prime client?"
"You, silly. You're beautiful. You can become aj
afld an actress, too. We'll tell everyone I called y
here to develop your career. Just like me. Theawel
will-be sisters" she? exclaimed. "Maybe we'll eWtfj
do something together." '-"s
I shook my head. '*$»:
"I could never--"
"Sure you could. It's so easy. You smile w
want you to smile and you bat your eyelashes' have to and before you know it, you have as ass
and they're paying you hundreds of dollars as
to pose."
"I don't know if I can do that," I said, recaMil
had learned from Spike already about the bust
"Believe me, you can do it," sh& said. "Okay, ^
have the second bedroom and we'll try it. S if"
woric out» you have to'promise youll return tof
aad go back to school. Well? You wanted to bev
this is how you can be with me. Make up your
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

I there, speechless for a moment. Could I really
Ktown a chance to be with Mommy again? To wait
^ perfect opportunity to find out who my father
Before I had a chance to really think about her
estion, we heard the doorbell.
&& the hell is that so eariy?" she muttered and rose
|Flo the door. It was Sandy Glee.
" aw you," she sang looking past Mommy at me. "I
m from my patio coming up the walkway. So, Gina.
t^yoa going to introduce me to your surprise?"
dy," Mommy said turning to me, "you see why
t keep any secrets here. Everyone's a snoop. This
1 sister," she said, eyeing me warily.
»it," Sandy remarked with a clap other slender

tcoming to stay with me for a while and try her
»llywood like the rest of us nitwits."
d's going to represent her, too?"

Welcome to the fight," Sandy said. "I'm
f people over tomorrow night for a pot luck
f want to introduce her around," Sandy said.
a."
s there." Mommy promised.
i later, Sis," Sandy said waving. She left the
ad Mommy spun around to me with a wide
face.
, I knew it I do look young enough to be
Hhxs town everyone believes everyone cise's
feet place for people who hate the truth,
»home. Melody," she said sincerely. "I can
rjay arms around you."
he hugged me, giving me the affection I so
f- needed, I had to wonder: What had I gotten
1't see how deeply I had been hurt. Kenneth had
old me I might as well have had translucent skin. It
yast easy to see my thoughts and feelings. However,
; was no sense being dishonest and lying to my
mow that I had found her, I thought.
Bed to hate you for it» Mommy," I admitted. "I
> sit there in Laura's room and listen hard through
Is. for the phone to ring and hate you for not
hate you for making promises you wouldn't

ow. And that bothered me, too, but Richard kept
, *If you call her and can't send for her, it will be
ore cruel, won't it?' He was right"
^®»n't right. I needed to hear your voice,
y," I insisted.
onmed down her coffee cup so hard it nearly
lob the table.
s got to stop blaming me for things. I can't have
s," she whined. "Stress brings on age and
sad makes you look terrible and then you can't
.^The- camera picks up every little detail, you
y don't want you if they can't use you for
E won't get any work. Is that what you want to
bard won't stand for it anyway. He won't let
e»" she warned.
ound the apartment, just realizing what she

feUve here, too?"
hat do you think? You have no idea how
it is to live and work in Los Angeles. Apart-
i tlus are bard to come by. What would be the
Oth of us having our own apartment and
^twts?"
Maarried?" I asked, holding my breath.
tjaevet got married. I don't want to get
§or a long, long time; but Richard is . .. well,
i than my agent; he's my financial manager. He
I our money needs. He does that for all his
V. C. AAOMlfWS

"How many clients <loes he have?" I asked.
"A half dozen, but done ears as much as I
now, so you see why^t's so important everythtegl
mains smooth for us," she repeated. ""No mo»
about the terrible past," she said, waving her hands i
the table, "i don't want to hear about how you suff
and I don't want to be reminded about what I did wfc
lived there. Don't ask me any questions about any«'
them, aad don't even btittg -their names up in froare"
me," she ordered. "That's the rule if you want to 1
here, understand? I mean it. Melody." She glared at:
her eyes colder than I ever recalled them.
"Even Kennetfi?" I asked.
"Yes, yes, yes, even Kenneth. Nobody. I forbid
didn't have a life before this. That's the way 1 watfN
think now. It's what Richard says I should do. Thea
changes we had to make for our own well-being. I
being selfish, but it's a good selfishness because it f
us find success."
"Why did he have to change his name, Momr
never believed that story about Archie being his
name."
"Itbu're right. Archie was never his same. It was-)
older brother's name and he took it so he could
thought of as older when he first left home. That's A I
difference between men and women. Men like to^
|^" thought of as older. They don't get punished forl
older and turning gray with wrinkles, but we do.
"Anyway,'* she continued, "his brother got hi
into big trouble with loan sharks and the ike aad as i
as Richard found out, he dropped that name lita? a !
coal so they wouldn't mistakenly come after him. T6a
why he never liked to talk about his family. H®~<
ashamed of them. His father wasn't any better. Nc
don't mention any of this in front of him. Understac
He would be forious with me. He's very sensitive abt
it.11
"I won't say a thing," I said, not really believing 1
story anyway.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

As long as you do what you're told, we'll be
i I think," she said, still not sure.
K looked at me teed again and then tilted her head,
tingE
Hfce that outfit you're wearing."
^terothy Uvingston bought it for me."
Hd die? You and I are almost the same size. We can
t things, but you've got to take good care of whatevve you to wear, okay? Some of my things are very
land designed for auditions. Did you bring a lot of
w stuff to California?"
it a lot, no."
aere are your things?"
ifcthe Uvingstons'."
" guess you'U have to go get your stuff. Don't
too much when you go back." She thought a
t. "I know what you should say," she added with
ient. 'Tell her you're going back to Province.
"You probably won't see her again anyway, and that
^she'll tell everyone else who asks about you that you

don't I just tell her the truth?" I asked- She

i never teH anyone the truth if you dont have to,
.That's something you keep in your back pocket as
Tesort. Take it from someone who's had to make
f-vsy on the road of life the hard way. I know from
ph r speak. The less you tell people about yourself,
tter off you'll be later. There's^ always a jam to get
'and the truth can reduce your options. Richard
r me that lesson real well," she said, nodding.
y," she continued, "let's look at where youll
She rose to go to the doorway of the second
a~.
>wed her and she snapped on the light. A dull
1 from the ceiling because the fixture was full of

is going to be your room. We have only one
-", as you see, so don't bog it. You can help me

115

V.C.ANDREWS

keep the whole place clean. It's too much for a'
girl to do that and stay pretty enough for an audition i
moment's notice anyway. That's why it looks a U
disorganized right now," she said, but I remembe
that Mommy was never a very good housekeeper..'
stepfather Chester and I did most of the heavy clean
in our trailer back in Sewelt. ..
I studied the small bedroom. The walls were a fm
pink, scratched, scuffed and chipped. Even the g$
room at Holly's in New "York with its one window 1
more comfortable and cozier-looking than this
walled, dusty room with a bed now covered with <
ing, cartons of files, old issues of movie magazine
I trade papers. The thin rug was badly worn in ptee»
thin threads frayed and unraveling. The curtains o
1 two windows were limp from dust and bleached"
the sunlight. Large cobwebs dangled in the come
the ceiling. I noticed a pile of what looked like
briefcases in the right corner.
"'tou'11 have to clean up a bit in here, but donK
anything."
"What's that in the corner?" I asked.
"Oh, that you can't touch. Those are
watches, antique watches. He sells them on. the;
friend of his got him into it here and he's made j
bundle of pocket money doing it."
"He sells antique watches? I thought he was aa 5
with a half dozen clients." ^|
"Everyone trying to break into the business||J
something else in the meanwhile. Melody. Most<'
people living here work as waiters or waitre
restaurants, some valet park cars, some even ps
ceries. Anything to keep food on the table and _
rent until you hit it big."
"I know. Dorothy's chauffeur is an actor. He i
he was in a few movies."
"What's his name?" she asked quickly,
"Spike. 1 don't remember his last nsaae."
I know ten Spikes if I know one," Mommy
i a laugh.
:h turned as the door opened and Archie Mariin
. The moment he set eyes on me, his face became
I with surprise and then anger.
at (he hell? How did she get here?" he demanded.
sed the door sharply and stood facing us with his
Ion his hips, a cigarette dangling from the corner of
iBth. He pulled it oat. "Huh?" he said pointing the
Sc at me. "Did you send for her behind my back?"
i^lUehard. A friend of hers from Sewell saw my
in the En Vogue catalogue. She sent her the
f and Melody brought it to someone who knew
ng. He tracked me down for her and she came
A. to find me."
^, s just great," he said throwing up his arms.
gjust what we need right now. Your daughter,** he
ft disgust.
y no one knows she actually found me, do they,
"[she asked me.
tmy head.
ial. What are we going to do with her now?" he
if 1 were some puppy left on their doorstep.
t when I had everyone believing you were young
a play their parts."
JptjBot going to be a problem. We worked it out,"
^.toldhim.
W How?" he said. He dropped himself into the
chair, ashes from his cigarette raining down
sts and the chair. He didn't seem to notice or

f. thought she was my younger sister. Remember
>u told me to tell? That I have a younger sister
in the Midwest?" she said, nodding to get
r. I imagined he had trouble keeping
i they had spread from West Virginia to

V. C. ANDREWS

"So don't you seel" She turned to me. "Melody
after me, following me, looking for a career ten
Mommy said. He turned from her aad gazed at me i
sudden interest, i
"Younger sister? Looking for a career Aerself, h»
He sat forward. "Come a little closer," be ordered.!
"Go on, honey. Richard doesn't -bite," Mommy |
with a smile. ;'
I took a few steps toward him and he raised hisht
green eyes to look at me, lingering over my body is a,
that made me feel naked beneath his gaze. His^
curled. ^
"Yeah, she's a looker now, ain't she? How old ani;
again? Never mind. Prom now on, you're twenty^
see?" ^
'"Twenty-one?" I looked at Mommy, but sB^
smiled and nodded. I turned back to Richard. "No
will believe that," I told him. , ^
"Of course they will. They won't care if you're ly|xj
not anyway, which is more important, Yeah," Bel
nodding and smiling as his eyes burned through
clothes, "I can find her some work." f
"I'd rather find my own," I said and he stiffeneS;
"You got any money?" ^
"Yes. Grandma Olivia gave me traveling money.*
"Well, thafs not much. The rent here's higBT;
groceries and everything else costs a lot If you're^'
to stay with us, you're going to have to pull yo'
share, right Gina?" he said.
For a moment I had forgotten that was the
name Mommy had taken for herself. I squinte<
confusion and then remembered and looked at her.
"He's right. Melody. Yw're b% enough
enough to make your' own way now. And
Richard might just make you a star too."
"I might," he said nodding. "I always thought she j
a pretty girl, being she's your daughter," he said, sn»'
at Mommy. She beamed. "So," be said sitting S
"you saw your mother in the £'/» Vogue catalogue. 1
UNfimSHSD SYMPHONY
fr," he bragged, "and we made some money on
rtjwe, Gina?"
,iW did, Richard."
e, we spent it all, but I got her another job
to®. I just. wapped up the deal, honey," he

'squealed.
at'ft wonderful. See, honey? I am making it
t's the job?"
a're going to demonstrate some new perfume over
- sverly Center and then be a model for makeup
rations," he declared.
ay held her smile, hut it lost most of its bright

. what about that role in the movie, Richard?**
softly.
ee. They're still thinking about you," he said.
irt get a call back tomorrow in fact."
ile warmed again.
Well, Melody has to return to where she was
; and get her clothes and things, Richard."
'eah? Where were you staying?" he asked me.
i the sister of a friend in Beveriy Hills," I replied.
tty Hills? Well, well, well, ain't we coming up in
Id?" He laughed. "Tfou sure you want to tower
f-and come live here with us^ common folk?"
N»aa leaving their house tomorrow morning any- ^Tteid. "Mrs. Lmngston was just doing her sister a
^ helping me."
right. I'll take-her to go fetch her things. I like
llBOund Beverty Hills, gives me a chance to pick
chouse I'm going to buy teal-soon," he said with a
fleok in his eyes.
, that's so nice of you, Richard. 1&>u see, honey?
I work it all out as long as you listen. Isn't that right,
- --»»,
tright," he said sternly gazing at me. "As long
low who's sunning things around here and do
irwhat I tell you to do."
V. C. ANDREWS

"He knows what's best for us, honey," Mommy.'
looked from her to him, his glaring eyes fvdl el
satisfaction and I nodded to myself, recalling Chris
words and thoughts. Mommy did need me nowM
than ever. Somehow, someway, I would free her <
hold this slimy man had over her, I pledged.
He seemed to sense the challenge I threw back i
He pulled his shoulders up, curled his lips and)
the door.
^Lefs go. I have important things to do."
"Thank you, Richard," Mommy told him. "B?l
nice of you." He shrugged.
"As long as she does her fair share, it's no skin i
teeth," he said. "And," he added firmly, threat
"as long as she remembers she's your sister and i
daughter."
"She won't forg/et. See you soon, SSs," Moa
with a laugh. Richard gazed at me, his head tilt
smile on his lips now.
"Well, what do you say?"
I looked back at Mommy, whose face coaxed i
what was expected.
"See you soon ... Gina," I managed, even <
word wanted to choke my throat.
Richard Marlin roared with satisfaction
the door.
"Miss Simon," he said stepping back- withy
p gerated bow, "shall we fetch your things at
ingstons'?" '^^
1 walked out, my heart pounding, but my«
straight as Grandma Olivia's could be when
faced with a challenge. Maybe she was right, I?
Maybe I was more like her than I wanted to ad
F5:
"So, tell me how you've been since we left ye
the Cape," Richard said as we drove out oftb
lot. He had a different car, an older car with <
dents and scratches and a crack in one of-i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
, The passenger seat in front had a deep tear in
c glanced at me. "You don't look the worse for
< they fed you well, didn't work you too hard."
iaged to get along," I said and he laughed.
: you did fine living with those dam diggers."
I're not dam diggers. They're lobster fishermen
harvest cranberries. It's hard work and you've
w the sea and--"
right. It's great if you want to get up with the
d break your bade every day. That's not for me,
Sehard Martin," he boasted. "I'm going to have
life and soon, too. I've already started doing
an most out here."
i what I saw, I thought he had been living better
e-was a bartender bade in Sewell.
. happened to your other car?" I asked. "It was
BT."
? Oh. It don't pay to have ^ nice car in the city.
t always knocking into it, and if you have a nice
one's bound to steal it for parts anyway. Lots of
i and producers have old, beat-up-looking cars
l^oae," he assured me. "So they wont be noticed
see? Once people find out you're an agent and a
&ey hound you to death hoping youTI take
Hi events."
I're afraid of having too many dients?" I asked,
8.
tmore than I can handle now. We're going to
, ysw mother and me. You'll see." He looked
sly and then turned back to the road, "You
^ »»t to stay with us?" he asked. "We won't have
t-do any baby-sitting."
^tieed baby-sitting."
is a place for grown-ups, people who can 4eal
realities," he bragged.
~' Ftoaa whaU've seen, it looks like a land of
I, a big sandbox," I replied. He turned to me,
f raised and then he laughed.
121
V. C. ANDKEWS
"Maybe you will get along here after all.^
When he saw the Livingstons' home, he
through his teeth.
"Why the bell do you want to leave this?" 1
"Why don't you just stay on until they throw y
"That's about what Mr. Livingston's doing,*1
marked as we pulled into the driveway.
"You better wait in the car," I suggested when 3
to get out.
"What's that supposed to mean? You too 1
now? Think I'm an embarrassment? Think these |
are better than me?" he asked angrily.
"No, but if Dorothy Livingston sees you, she
describe you to her sister, who will tell people I
Provincetown, who might be angry enough to
police about what you and Mommy have done. T
stranger buried in the Logan family plot and
Logan is not the sort of woman who would look •;
on that," I said. "She's a powerful woman, too,<
friends in high places. She might even get the FBI i
you," I added.
He thought a moment, looked at the house, and
nodded as he sat back.
"Yeah, right. Good thinking. You do have a head|
your shoulders. That's good. I'm tired of doing aHJ
thinking for everyone," he said. "Go on. Make it fas
got things to do," he ordered and I got Out of the;
quickly and went to the front door.
Alee came to the door almost immediately after I ]
pressed the buzzer. He looked out at the car in
driveway and then stepped back with that habito
disapproving grimace on his face. Dorothy and PI
appeared in the hallway, both coming from the den. i
closed the door and walked away without a word as \softline approached me.
"What happened?" Dorothy asked. "I've been
worried since you left and so has Philip," she s;
glanced at him, but he still looked more concerned i
his own reputation than anything else.
UNTIN1SHED SYMPHONY
L about Mommy's advice concerning the truth I she wasn't right. I wasn't going to get caught
td Richard's web of lies.
and I'm going to stay with her," 1 said
; needs me."
she owned up to who she was?" Philip

did she do such a terrible thing before?
s deny knowing her own daughter?" Dorothy

tlier reasons," I said, "but it's all cleared up
1st go get my things."
i for the stairs.
'. will you really be all right?" Dorothy asked.
fe she knows if she'll be all right, Dorothy,"
8, obviously happy to be rid of me. "She's old

jSae's not. She's--"
8tty," be snapped.
It down on her lower lip and watched me climb
es. I hurried into the room and threw my things
F quickly. I gazed at the black evening dress in its
iking that if I just left it there, Dorothy would
take it back.
»*t take it back," I heard Dorothy say as if she
i reading my mind. 1 turned to see her standing
Ijdoorway. "You might as well take it with you,
Igr. Otherwise, it will just collect dust."
|aaa*t mean to be ungrateful, Dorothy. You've been
terful and kind and generous, but--"
|t.buts, its, or maybes. I just want you to know I
'fee best for you. Melody. You're a sweet young
«he said, coming into the room and sitting on the
(actually," she said, looking down at her hands, "I
iwuld do something as significant for my own
tt she and I... we never saw the world the same
, we love each other, I suppose, as much as two
, but I know Holly thinks I have no purpose to
V. C. ANDREWS
my life other than satisfying myself She
who 1 am," die said-with tears in her eye$.
mountains to climb, too."
I smiled at her.
"I'm sure she knows that, Dorothy. She
about you and she thinks a lot of you. She told i
would be wonderful to me and she was right. The
very much." I took the box with the dress in St^
smiled.
"Good luck to you and please, please don't 3
call me if you need someone. Don't worry ab<
He'll growl, but he'll do the right thing in th^<
I nodded and she hugged me.
"I do wish I had had a daughter fike you,".'
wish I had someone else, someone who r
Philip's about as self-sufficient as anyone c
good to be needed and wonderful to be able
someone in need."
"I know. That's why I want to be with my:
said.
She nodded.
"She's very lucky. I'm sure she doesn't des
Dorothy followed me out and down the stf
doorway we hugged again. Philip was nowhere i
He wasn't the sort who cared to say good-bye w
thought Tomorrow, he would foiget my face. s
I hurried out and to the car, turning once T
Dorothy lifted her hand and held it for a roornei
she closed the door softly. Loneliness, I thoilj
nothing to do with money or wealth; loneliness A
with the heart. If it beat onl)rfor one, it was <
used.
"What ^id you get, a good-bye present?"
asked, eyeing -the box when I got into the car.
"Mrs. Lmngston was very generous. She b
some clothes."
He glanced at the box and saw the name in
the cover. ^ri
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
|ajM"etty expensive boutique in Beverly Hills,"
, be started the engine. "What is it?"
: evening dress."
h? Well, what do you need with something
ive now?"
ted me to have it," I said dryly.
d out of the driveway and looked at me. "I
aintance who can turn a new dress like that
eh, which we could use. Especially since you
|3t yet and I bet it still has the tags on it, right?"

tjwant to sell this," I said. "It was a present. It
"t to her to give it to me."
0? What are you, a millionaire? You going to
ft six months rent for us? You going to buy
i-groceries, pay the electric and gas bills? Pay
"nsurance? I gotta cart you girls around town
tions, to the jobs. That takes gas money,
are's expenses here," he whined. "If you want
fthis, you gotta put in your share. How much
I the old lady back in Provineetown give you
S?" he demanded. "Huh?"
ght my tickets and gave me ... five hundred
aid. She had given me two thousand, but I
; Richard's questions were heading.
ware's the money?"
linearly all of it coming out here," I said.
MT
&ed dollars."
t-^SS All right. Give me seventy-five and keep
tfor pocket money so I don't have to give you
Tule. Go on, give it to me." he said. "I'll need
ae seed money to find you a job now, too."
,aay purse and counted out the seventy-five
^seeing how much was really there. When I
' to him he shoved it into his pocket without
fd.
V. C. ANDREWS

"Good. That makes sense. FU find you
promised.
I curled up in the corner of the seat and gazed i
window as Beveriy Hilts fell behind us.
"There's my house," Richard claimed, noddi
large home with Grecian columns in the front. "I
a matter of time,'1 he said with a confident lay "
Matter of time? Matter of centuries, I them
kept it to myself. My eyes filled with tears ofde
tion. Somehow, somehow soon, I had to get
away from him and away from all this.
As soon as we returned to the apartment. Rid
Mommy about my evening dress, but when Moi
it and then tried it on, she moaned and pleaded'
to let us keep it. She did look absolutely be ^
"I'll get a job where I'll need to wear sox
like this, Richard. Wont I?" she asked, spin;
of the mirror. "And then, instead of has
something,- 111 have it. And how about the
important parties you told me we would be
soon? I'll need to look good for you, wont W
let us keep it."
"People will be impressed Mommy has soi
expensive," I added, "and clothing is is
people in the business, isnt it?'11 offered to i
Richard glared at me.
"How do you know what's important to p
business?"
"I met an actor who told me all about it,"'
"Oh, you met an actor. Big deaf."
"She's right though, isn't she, Richard? Yotfi
that. That's why you needed the money fof
jackets and suits," Mommy added.
He squirmed in his seat.
"We could get a nice piece of change for i
"Mommy*s got work and you said you were7!
could get me work soon anyway," 1 chimed*
He reddened with fury.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
fs right, Richard," Mommy said, checking her
a in the minor.
te going to keep calling her Mommy," he
E'at me. "You're bound to make a mistake in
trangers."
I insisted.
etter call me Sis or Gina even when we're alone,
^ Mommy advised. "Get into the habit."
int. I will. You look beautiful in that dress,
hidded, enjoying the way Richard twisted in his
a" s prospect of losing the money for the dress
eper.
t,** she whined. "I've waited so long for sbmetet»
all right. Just this once, I'll change my
Ijnext time when I decide something--"
in. We promise," Mommy jsaid.
d, fumed a suspicious eye at me and then
television white Mommy and I got my
d.
stons must be so rich. Melody," Mommy
I expensive gifts. But soon, I'll be able to buy
l like this. I'll be driven in my Rolls to
and stroll into the most expensive stores,
1 and pretended that my dingy room-was a
utique. "The salespeople will<ome rushing
i eager to help me, to show me the latest
Mommy continued. 1 sat on the bed and
er pose as if she were gazing at a dress. "Yes,
^worie. What's that? Only five thousand dol- i;is it on sale?"
led and then spun around to look at herself in
(dress once more. I laughed, too.
itiful," she said and sighed. Then she looked
t it's really yours."
Stt't Mommy, it's yours. I want you to have it,
s&ardoset."
Thank you, dear. But please," she said,
V. C. ANDREWS

whispering, "try, try to call me Sis or Gina.",
at the doorway. "Especially when he'? here."1
nodded. She gave me a quick hug and t
with Richard.
It felt strange going to sleep in their ac
first night because it reminded me of the trip i
up to the Cape. I recalled the nights on the to.
in motel rooms with them sleeping together j
as they were tonight.
Back then I could only think of my st(
wonder bow Mommy could hold and kiss ;
so quickly after my stepdaddy's death. Ms
afraid of being alone, so afraid she would'
someone like Archie Marlin. He took advs
vulnerability and replaced her fears with j
Was Mommy just too grief-stricken to noti
about now? What was her excuse for letting I
life now?
I felt so small and alone myself, sleeping in (
little room. If Mommy hadnt realized what"
man Archie Richard Martin was by now, i
hope to open her eyes? He held up the
glamour and fame, riches and respect. What i
in its place except the truth? And for Momaay^l
might be too painful a pill to swallow.
Like so many other people in Los Angeles, di
matter how false or impossible, were some
would much rather have. At least, I thought, I i
her, and at least now, there was a chance.
I was up before either of them the next x
made coffee and toasted some nearly stale or
didn't have much more to eat for breakfast, no*
eggs and very little jam or butter. Nevertb
aroma of freshly brewed coffee brought them <
bedroom*
"Now this is more like it," Richard said. *
have to go out for some coffee. Yow sister can!
eyes open fast or wide enough to boil water f
the morning." . ^
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

N."
I idling her something die didn't know
"t he said and laughed.
d some groceries," I said.
f'ai^ eyebrows.
e stffll got a few bucks. While we're off to the
ar sister's job, you go buy what you want," he

(gr my mind that was just what I would do.
up our room, too, while we're gone,'* ne
t tired of living in a pigsty and until you
and bringing in money, you'll earn your
'.'"
^you money," I reminded him. He reddened.
Haioaey?" Mommy asked.
IStneofher pocket money, hardly anything, but
|||e go riding up and down the valley seeing
;te get her a job, don't I?Well, don't I?"

e so," Mommy agreed. It seemed there
j he couldn't make her think or say.
C'ffieir coffee, nibbled on some of the toast
t to get dressed. I waited until they left and
MBoUy and told her where I was and what
appened.
Nodded to stay?"
Hid. Although I didn't tell her how Philip
to leave, I did tell her how sad I thought
tywas.
; buy enough things to keep the darkness
»," I told Holly.
Pfra conversation she and I have had before.
old make another trip out there soon."
? would. She does miss you," I said.
p|oo, giving other people advice and trying
i while your future is still uncertain. Don't
i6 than you can handle, sweetheart, and call
^»e."
; you. Holly."
V,C.ANQRSWS
A I hung up, I called Cary, hopia
>me. fie wasn't, but Aunt Sara was ea
o's very sick," she told ate. "It was '
yAnd now Gary's got me worried, too..
gfrtsany rest between going on the boat, looiki^
business and" running up to the hospital. I'm o .
up there aew." ^
"I'm sorry. Aunt Sara. I wish I were there to he
"Are you all light, dear? I haven't even asked]
your search is going. J'm sorry." i?
"That's all right. You have enough on yoan
give Cary ay phone waaber, please, but tell t
call until he really has a free moment. It's not a
emeegeacy."
"I'm afraid it is here," she said in a tiny vote
try to be strong for Jacob, but it gets so hard to
spirits up."

I heard her start to sob and then she quickly
herself and hung up. I felt awful about being av
Aunt Sara and the family when things were;
poorly. I felt myself pulled in every direetfoitaa
also needed me, bet she seemed to have «jh
5| predicament. Cary and Aunt Sara md
jy. choice.
r Where did I really belong?
It seemed like I had been searching for 1
Just when I thought I'd found it*...
pounds A Star Shines

'. dressed, I went downstairs and asked a man
i the grounds where the closest grocery store
;poke broken English mixed with Spanish
11 remembered enough from my high school
iss to communicate with him; The supermarttle
more than three long blocks away. When I
ad saw all the delicious produce, I wanted to
l but thinking about the long walk home kept
:>iag wild. It was already hot and sticky, with
puffs of clouds lazily sliding toward the
rA nice day for a stroll but not for lugging
und.
ae young man with dark brown hair was just
s apron at the next counter when I checked
aj|Bt him looking my way as I was paying the
[walked from the store, struggling not tospill
; of my two bags and hoping the bottoms
rst, I heard someone behind me say, "You
l could use a third arm."
see the handsome young man from the
S.ANDREWS
5ung up, I called Gary, hoping l^j
. He wasn't, but Aunt Sara was eaged
ps very sick," she told vse. "It was wag
^And now Gary's got me worried, too. He
^s any rest between going on the boat, looking all
business and running tip to the hospital. Fm on a
Bp there jnow."
"I'm sorry. Aunt Sara. I wish I were there to help
"Are you all right, dear? I haven't even asked yo
your search is going. I'm sorry."
"That's all right. You have enough on your raia
give Cary my phone number, please, but tell him '
call until he really has a free moment. It's not anyi
eaieEgeacy,"
"I'm afraid it is here," she said in a tiny voice.
try to be strong for Jacob, but it gets so hard to k
spirits up."
I beard her start to sob and then she quickly ea
herself and hung up. I felt awful about being away,
Aunt Sara and the family whea things were goix
poorly. I felt myself pulled in every direetiofl. moj
also needed me, but she seemed to have chosen 1
predicament. Cary and Aunt Sara and May had'
choice.
Where did I really belong?
It seemed lflc& I had been searching for home fo
Just when! thought I'd found it....
A Star Shines

I got dressed, I went downstairs and asked a man
orking on the grounds where the closest grocery store
is. He spoke broken English mixed with Spanish
ards, but I remembered enough from my high school
»anish class to communicate with him. The supennart
was a little more than three long blocks away. When I
't there and saw all the delicious produce, I wanted to
I my cart, but thinking about the long walk home kept
I'me from going wild. It was already hot and sticky, with
|oaly little puffs of clouds lazily sliding toward the
Phorizon. A nice day for a stroll but not for lugging
| groceries around.
i A handsome young man with dark brown hair was just
turning in his apron at the next counter when I checked
out, and I caught him looking my way as I was paying the
cashier. As I walked from the store, struggling not to spill
anything out of my two bags and hoping the bottoms
wouldn't burst, I heard someone behind me say, "Yos
took like you could use a third arm."
J turned to see the handsome young man from the
held hints of copper.
nth long eyelashes. Alth»
/d call muscular, he was
''sleek, his face very rnaa
/mouth.
; of those for you," he oflei
j," he added with a soft smile'
hesil&^ /
"Howt^ /know where I'm going?" I asked.
"The Egyptian Gardens, right? I saw you there
day. I was at the pool when you went by. I live
too," he said. "I'm walking that way anyway," he a
"going home." He shrugged when I didn't reply. "I
changing."
"What?"
"We can cross now," he said, indicating the i
stopped.
"Oh."
He reached out and took one of my bags.
"Better hurry up," he said. "This is one of the i
lights in LA."
He grabbed my elbow and gently directed met
the street We walked quickly and didn't speak
until we were oh the sidewalk.
"I don't blame your hesitating to accept my
don't trust my groceries with strangers either,"
with that silly, impish grin again. "Strange v
always approaching me and offering to carry
bags."
"Very funny."
"My name's Met Jensen."
"Melody ... Simon," I said.
"There. Now we're no longer strangers," he <
"I can carry your groceries all the time."
"Just because we exchanged names doesn't i
we're not still strangers," I replied and he to
serious.
"You're right. Besides, around here, you're;
the person is giving you his or her real name i

132
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
(.wth a tiny turn in the corner of his mouth, and I fete
F turn a bright crimson. He was looking straight
, so he didn't notice. "But that's my real name and
id to make it a household word," he bragged, now
g to see my reaction.
tiat are you selling?" I asked and he laughed, the
|.» hi&eyes getting even brighter. He paused when he
3 wasn't kidding. "You're serious? You think I'm a
(man?"
Ifell, you said household, so I thought..."
IBiat are you doing in L.A.?" he asked, suddenly
| curious and suspicious. I looked away before re"

; visiting my sister," I said.
Eer? Simon," he thought aloud. "Oh, you're Gina
as's sister?"
i»" I said. I never thought of myself as a good liar
iad doubts that I would be able to fool people the
tommy and Richard Martin wanted. I was posiopte
would see through me or hear the hesitation
voice and know immediately 1 wasn't telling tile
i but if Met Jensen saw my deceit, he ignored it.
pcourse," he said nodding, "you two do look a lot
; suppose you want to be an actress and a model,

f
I raally, but my sister's agent thinks 1 can be. He
S going to try to get me a job while I'm here," I

things have happened. The doorman at the
os got offered a small part in a television
s pilot was picked up and he got a recurring tole
>w he's an actor who drives up to the Four
i in his own Mercedes and has doors opened for
E '
3(oa an actor, too?"
|_"l*m a dancer, jazz, interpretive, that sort of
ever, if they made musicals the way they did
Kelly and Fred Astaire were alive, I'd be in
133
fs bi
fien we've all g<
ffone rings. It's a mad dash.
^us have been disappointed, but my
ging, I can feel it."
"I hope so," I said.
"Thanks. See, we can't be strangers any longer.
already wishing me luck."
He stepped into the elevator with me and can"
bag of groceries to the door of Mommy's apartm
"Thank you/' I said as he put the bag into my ^
"Just an added service we provide at the Bay Mi
he replied with a soft, beguiling smile on his lips.'
are you doing with the rest of your day?"
"I'm ... cleaning," I said.
"It's so hot today."
"I have to do it," I said.
"When you take a break, come on down to the
and I'll introduce you to some of the other tenai
"I'd like that," I said hesitantly.
"Sec you later then," he replied and started
elevator.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i*t knew why I said I might go to the pool, I
1.1 don't even have a bathing suit. I put away the
es and began to clean the apartment. From the
Fdust and'the cobwebs I found, I realized neither
ly nor Richard had ever done much cleaning since
td moved into this place. The pafl of water turned
Krom my dipping the mop in it after two or three
» of the kitchen floor. The windows were so crusted
grime, they made the outsidfe world look gray even
icautiful day.
•f bathroom was even dirtier. Stubborn mildew had
d in every crack and space, and when I moved a
t;rog near the tub, I jumped back a foot because of
', of the bugs that came crawling out.
Sly,, I turned my attention to the bedrooms. The
ills of dust under the beds were like tumbleweeds.
.wasn't any vacuum cleaner either, so I had to
> under the beds and wash by hand the places the
wouldn't reach. I didn't know whether Mommy
fe.want me to go into her and Richard's dresser
<acs, but I saw she wasn't folding her clothes any
| than she used to fold them back in Sewell. I did
'/our washing and ironing back then, too.
ies were draped over chairs and there wa& a pair
s and a blouse crumpled on the floor. While
ing one of her dresser drawers, I found a light
lo-piece bathing suit and I thought about Mel
sAvitation. It was still very sunny and warm
aad 1 was about due for a break.
tritried on the bathing suit however, I realized it
ry revealing. I was going to take it off and look for
r, more modest suit, but all I found was another
,&is one even skimpier.
od up and gazed at myself in the mirror again.
|f fit well. I was a little bigger in the bosom than
&t so the top was snug. My hips were more
,'jbttt (he suit was like new and not Wretched. I
^tBOund, gazing at myself from different angles,
^.aflge^voman's body to S
we it. That's against the law,
"I suppose so," I said.
"What about the woman who's in the gw
anyone looking forAer?"
"I don't know all the details, but there are j
people here who have left their families behind:
Besides, I think it was mostly Richard Marlin's <l
added. "Mommy seems ... under his control, 4
going to get her out of here," I said and explainer
wanted to stay in Los Angeles and try to save ht
Richard's evil grip. "Maybe
she doesn't want to be saved. Melody,
said.
"I've got to try." ,
"Why? She didn't care about you. Look at «|
did. If your friend back in West Virginia hadn't
that picture in the catalogue, do you think youri
would have ever called again?" ne argued, "She vt
i »^
other people you mentioned, people who
S-their families."
'» he just wanted me to go home to him, although
e was saying was not untrue.
it's just it, Cary. I did see the picture and 1 did
r and I know she needs me. One day she's going to
self all alone here. Once Richard decides he can't
thing more out of her, hell leave her stranded." ^|
should have thought of that herself. You don't
ere,'' he insisted. "They're criminals, sending a
l^ody to be buried as if it were your mother's.
^ Olivia's going to be furious." ~
e you shouldn't tell her anything just yet."
t <lo I do when she asks, lie? Is that what you're
.how to do out in LA.?"

? mother's a good teacher," he muttered. "We
that."
toy* no matter what she's done, she's still my
SB'4 feel the same way."
fouldn't," he said quietly and I could hear the
this voice.
l^our father doing?" I asked.
ft'» been no change. He's still in the cardiac care
hospital. It was raining here this morning, a
&, so we didn't go out in the boat. I'm
s» the cranberry crop to get us through the
ji," he added. "There's going to be a lot of
^tseon."
^ I Aan come back to help," I suggested.
i what, return to LA.?"
i't know, Cary."
aNy Iflce it out there. Hollywood," he spat.
re glamorous than living in an old house
t cranberries. I don't blame you," be said
vsaes. "I wish t could run away from my
s^too.^*
; away from my responsibilities, Cary
S toward them. Fm trying to help my
were two of me. I wolrid-i
' self back to Provincetown. I should have 1
one to have a twin, not Cary, I thought.
A rich peal of laughter came flowing up from i
patio. I went out and listened. Two young we;
walking down the path toward the pool. They'
in bikinis, even skimpier than the one I was v
I do need a break, I thought, just a small int
from all these troublesome thoughts. Just for
while, I'll pretend to be one of them. My only f
that whatever madness drove them would be o
and what Cary suggested would come true. I*d f
easier to just run away into my dreams and
and like everyone else here, not worry if they
reasonable relationship to the truth.
Despite that fear, I searched for and found Cj
towel at the bottom of the closet and a pair ofs
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
up Mommy's coffee-stained and cigarette- erry cloth robe and slipped it over myself. Then
1 down to the pool, telling myself it was just for a
lile. No harm done. Right?

; is Melody Simon," Mel Jensen told the stout,
" m-haired man on the lounge beside him. "Mel-
; Bobby Dee," Mel said.
ngs," Bobby Dee muttered. He held the sun
mder his chin and glanced at me quickly.
''S the drummer for the Gross Me Outs, a rock
kcut their first single last week."
IICongratulations," I said. Bobby Dee grunted.
"led up a lounge chair so I could be beside him.
Ibe pool Sandy and two of her friends were
themselves, surrounded by two other young
yone looked at me when I took off Mommy's
laid it neatly on the lounge. Mel's smile

tter put on some suntan lotion," he suggested.
l bit pale in places that have obviously not seen
I'a -while." He handed me his bottle of lotion.
l you," I said and rubbed some lotion over my
inns.
yet your back for you," he volunteered.
, out. That's how he starts," Bobby Dee mum-
rst it's the back and then it's the arms and

mind, big mouth," Mel said. He took the
istood behind me. His hands felt warm on my
; the lotion was cold and I jumped.
the guy with the magic touch." Bobby lowered
|or and really looked at me. "You don't sing, do
"^e looking for a new lead singer."
Ifwaen I play the fiddle," I said. "But I'm not
||!t to be in anyone's band."
. You mean as in hoedown music?"
f so," I said. Mel robbed the lotion into my

139

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

one eye and glanced at him. He was on his
1 toward me.
tft you bring your fiddle to Sandy's tonight,"
d.
: bring it to California," I said.
i»'t? Why not?"

; Jerry have a fiddle?" Mel asked Bobby.
fe'll dig it out for you. I'll bring it tonight."
[ rather not. I'm really not that good," I said.
is one place in the world modesty doesn't
LA.," Mel said. "Here, you're considered
i don't blow your own horn."
be considered weird," I said firmly, "be3
the fiddle, stupid," he said, "not the horn.^
yfie good," Mel insisted. I didn't reply
'he said poking me, "let's get wet."
Land dove into the water, a smooth, graceful
irely made a splash.
»in," he said when he surfaced. "It's great."
it Bobby, who shrugged and said, "I took one
I this week."
;d water and Sandy and the other girls began
ik He splashed back. It looked like they were
> I got up and sat at the edge of the pool. Mel
nd seized my ankles.
Jteu won't drown. It's only five feet deep."
Ill I went forward, falling into his arms and
. The girls came to my rescue, splashing him
id to dive under. I joined in, but when they
, their eyes widened with shock. I paused,

tag?" I asked.
i forward.
' she said and I looked down at the top of
141
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

avea't been down at that pool ever," she said.
ts are for modeling jobs. Tfou don't want to get
raan when you're my age. It brings out wrin-
', explained.
very embarrassing," I said and she just

?made you instantly popular with the young
^ here," she said, with a tinge of jealousy in

not be that popular."
; you would. The more men looking at you,
hportant you are," she told me. "Take your
r'any one of them your individual attention.
[^ears and years to go before you do what I
mrself to one man."
hat it was like for you. Mommy? You felt
be timeT*
confessed easily. "Andjriease, remember,
B^ Mommy," she whispered.
ie out of the kitchen.
L quite a bit," he said. "There's actually
; in this house for once."
ai't have to worry about it tonight. We're
's party," Mommy reminded him.
Sis. Not after what happened this after-

k.Nelody."
ied this afternoon?" Richard asked.
i and he laughed. Then he looked at me

you a job. I described you to this
i wants to see you tomorrow. After I drop
if mall, I'll take you to the studio."
' ^that's terrific, and so fast, too. Now the
r will really be dying with jealousy."
monster," I said nodding, recalling

fine
"put on hw'i,
1 to wear her hafr^
',-«rf(f me, "in Hollywood, I
''weakness. Always be fashionab
^helped Sandy with the foody bray
were ready-made at the supennaria
'waited with recorded music, but Bobby Dee
band began to play as more guests arrived. The-1
ment wasn't much bigger than ours and it seemed
everyone who lived re the complex was thcr^q
wasn't long before everyone was dancing. Eveaf^
standing and talking were moving to the rhythm ti|
music as they spoke. If ever fun was infectious, iti
infectious here, I thought, unable to keep mysetll
swinging and moving to the music and laughter a^|
me.
Almost all the conversations I heard were ab<
tions, parts, agents and producers. What amaze
most was how easily everyone accepted Me
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

age. to her micro mini and her black tank top
ir pulled bade into a ponytail, she did took
I my sister than my mother. I understood why
s so easily accepted.
ghts were interrupted when Mel asked me to
i him. As we spun around the room I noticed
ad moved oS to talk to two pretty women
uny danced with someone who called himself
f had hair as long as mine and wore two silver
Mommy's laughter was soon heard over the
very once in a while, she glanced my way and
la smite. She looked happy, like someone who
9 rejuvenated. Was it possible to really turn back
the young again?
ealy, Bobby's band stopped playing and he anl
to the crowd that there was a new talent in their
i fresh, innocent voice. I had no idea who he was
[bout until he produced the fiddle and called out
e. Mommy looked as surprised as I was.
11 said shaking. "I told you I wasn't that good.*'
I be the judge of that," Bobby declared. "Come
e all bitter friends here," he added with a smile.
Bhead," Mel urged.
tft. I--"
da it or he'll keep bugging you. That's Bobby."
Santly, I stepped forward and everyone cheered.
' and Richard stood beside each other watching
west and surprise. Although Richard looked
t's, strange look came over Mommy's face. If I
sow better Fd have thought she was jealous.
f is a song an old friend taught me," I began as I
t fiddle. The crowd grew still, but I tried not to
fthem and instead thought of Papa George and
(sure whenever I played for him. "It's an old
in folks song about a woman whose lover dies in
She mourns him so much that her heart turns
; and flies away, up to join his soul."
laughed and someone else said, "Shut up,
"io make me &.
~ now. I didn't coaie.l

.^.^iiflnaybe you did," she said with a wink. W|
(^(HDther word, she grabbed the arm of a fall, dai^a
man and went off to dance again. " "^ 4
As I walked through the room everyone congratu|
me on my performance and Sandy gave me a big ^

"You're great," she declared. "You're going to||
it."
"Make it? Make what?"

"Success, silly," she said before rushing off to <
Mel stepped up beside me.
"You're a hit. No one has moved into this cos
and won everyone's attention so quickly," he deei
"I'm not looking to do that."
"What are you looking for then? A job in the I
146
UNVmiSWff. SYMPHONY
t? I can help yowget that>" he teased. "Somehow^ I
u want more, just like the rest of us.".
I insisted.
ed around at the gathering of young hopefuls,
s believing something wonderful would happen
ffjwy tried hard enough. They came from all ever,
®t, the Midwest, fterthern California, each of them
^ to get their big'break. It wasn't wrong to have
ion, but there was a line, a difference between
ion and false dreams, dreams that would only
j pain and disappointment. I had no idea where the
'f-yas or who was crossing it, but I wasn't going to be
|..t© do so, I vowed. "Yet I could see how easily
seone could be tempted to believe in fairy tales. 1
lldn't deny the compliments and encouragement had
^daydreaming about being a famous musician.
pary's words came thundering through my memory.
StWire glamorous than living in an old house and
tWfting cranberries. I don't blame you.
|?rm tired," I told Mel as my thoughts came back
ffm to earth. "I've had a big day." I Sashed a smite at
ft and grabbed Mommy's arm as soon as she danced
w me. "I'm going back to our place. I'm tired, Sis."
" "Whatever," she said, barely hearing me. She was too
javolved in her dancing.
|i"Hey, it's so early," Mel said as I headed for the door.
^Jet.lag, I guess." I replied shortly.
g,'-M'¥bu're going to miss a good time. Things haven't
^en begun yet," he coaxed, still holding onto my hand.
sit pulled it away gently,
"There'll be other good times," I said. "Thanks,"
His disappointment was written across his face.
"Veah, you're welcome. Anytime," he said turning
fywy.
Sr I slipped out of the party quickly and went across the
I hall to our apartment. Once I closed the door behind me,
? I let out my long-held breath. My face was flushed. The
breeze coming through the window was too warm to
V. C. ANDREWS
bring any relief so I went out onto the patio and
there, looking over the tops of the buildings at
brilliantly shining constellations.
I wondered if Gary thousands of miles sway
looking at the same stars. I missed seeing the way
sparkled over the ocean, making wishes on shoe
stars as I walked along the beach. Was the ocean c
tonight? Were the waves gently lapping at the shore? 'i
much as I wanted to hear Gary's voice, I knew it was te
late toeaB him. Everyone was probably asleep anyway,'
thought.
I heard a car alarm go off on the street in front off
complex. It sounded like a wounded animal, an injur
stray dog, its high-pitched scream lasting a good t
minutes before it stopped. Then, it was relatively qi
again. My eyelids drooped. I got up and got ready
bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was aste
But a few hours later, I was woken by the sounds
Mommy and Richard's laughter. They came by
into the apartment, both sounding drunk and not i
bow much noise they made. Mommy shouted.
"Where's my talented little sister?" She laughed
came to Ay doorway. "The hit of the party. How'dya i
that, Richard?"
"I love it," he called to her and she laughed again: 1
pretended to be dead asleep, but I opened my eyes aad.
t saw her wavering in the doorway. "Everyone thinks that|
was very cool. Melody ... being a hit and then walks' '
out of the party. Very coot Looks like I taught you oh
than I thought," she said, "but »ust don't forget who's l
teacher."
"Come on to bed, Gina "
"I'm coming."
She stood in the doorway glaring in at me. I didn't |
move. j
"Sleep t^ht, Sis," she said. Then she laughed, wipedti
her forehead and stumbled away. I heard something faiN
on the floor with a crash and I heard her curse.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

|**0et to bed before you destroy the place and ruin all
he good work your sister done," Richard teased.
JMommy cursed again and then she went into their
room and slammed the door. The whole apartment
A.
heard their muffled voices through the walls,
imy raising hers and then Richard yelling some;.
After that, I heard Mommy's sobs and wails.
tly, it grew quiet.
e can't be happy here, I thought She just can't.
arrow, tomorrow I'll start talking to her about going
, I'll remind her about my inheritance and how we'll
; money and how she could do whatever she wants if
'. would only stop trying to be someone she isn't.
tit was like I was in the land of ghosts, everyone trying
L be another person and their true selves floating
sund them, waiting to return to their lost bodies.
mically, that's what Mommy had to do ... return to
r body, to her name, to the identity she had buried in a
(we back in Provincetown.
.Would she ever want to be Haille Logan again?
rl- hoped so, because Haille Logan was my mother.
Take One

I woke to the same sound of shouting and mi
had heard before falling asleep. By the time I
dressed and went out to put on a pot of coffee, I
it was quiet again. Richard emerged first, lookin
ous. He poured himself some coffee and began:
bling aloud.
"It's like pulling teeth sometimes. Why do 1^1
it put up with this?" he muttered. "She acts lifc
doing me a favor. LETS GET IT STRAIGHTS
DOING WHO A FAVOR HERE," he shouted- the bedroom.
"What's wrong?" I asked and he spun on me.
"What's wrong? Everything's wrong. She dm
much, as usual, thanks to you, and then she we
one of her crying jags and kept me up all night..'
she passed out and now she's miserable and hunj
"Because of me?" I asked, confused, but he;
my question.
"She moans and fights me. She knows she has l
and look good. MY REPUTATION IS AT
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

]" he added, again shouting in Mommy's direc- : She finally emerged wearing sunglasses and walking
((Email, careful steps like someone who was walking
Eggshells. She went directly to the coffee pot.
t§» can't wear those sunglasses all day, Gina. I told
feto- stop drinking ten times last night if I told you
"didn't I? Didn't I?" he asked furiously.
t be fine," she said.
are. You'll be fine. You'll look and act half dead and
I fire you and once again, they'll blame me. Anothket
will be lost to me and my other clients!"
d exclaimed.
k other clients?" She tried to smile, but that
I to make her head ache, because she immediately
T-her forehead.
i anyone want anything to eat?" I asked.
f didn't reply, but Richard turned away from
jand looked at me.
pAttd get dressed," he snapped. "You have to go
Ifeyat not coming all the way back here to pick you
^appointment is in West LA."
^- sd? I am dressed."
i something ... sexier. Don't you have a mini-
imething?"
9S

ak in Gina's closet," he ordered. Mommy

ir-do that. Melody. Only, don't wear my other
|w»t."
bed.
efre so funny," Richard said. "I have all the
Sty here. I'm the one putting his neck out. It's
sl was appreciated. I mean it," he said sternly.
s^d her sunglasses off her nose. Her eyes were
Mad very tired looking.
te you, Richard. You have no right to say I

a"re not in tiptop shape when I deliver you,
', in a bad light," he said. He turned to me.

151

V.C. ANDREWS
"Didn't I tell you to pick something out? We're
schedule because it took so long for me to get her <
bed."
I gazed at Mommy. She lowered her glasses agai
sipped her coffee. She hadn't even said good mom
me. I went into their bedroom. It looked like wail
been fought in their bed: the blanket twisted, the ^
pulled up, one of the pillows on the floor. Mom:
clothes from last night were piled over her shoes Ag
the bed. I found a miniskirt and matching blouse a
closet and put them on.
"That's more like it," Richard said. "You womeal
got to understand how to put your best foot
when I bring you someplace," he lectured.
"It's not our feet they're interested in,"
quipped and then laughed.
"Very funny. Let's get moving," he ordered.
He didn't give me time to clean anything up. 11
had time to turn off the coffee pot before he maft
out of the apartment, mumbling angrily behind '
we put pressure on him by taking so long to getj
"He's a slave driver," Mommy said loud e
him to hear. "But he's right. I'm lucky I
looking after me."
"If he was looking after you, why did he let,;
so much?" I asked her.
She glanced at me and then stiffened.
"He didn't let me. You heard what he saifilj
kitchen. He tried to get me to stop."
"Why did you do it?" I pursued.
"Because I'm not the hit of the party like you, 1
I'm not perfect, but there's a lot worse than mej
here," she added in a louder voice, mostly for ] "
benefit.
"I'm not perfect. Mom ... Sis, and I didn't j
be the hit of the party. Honest."
"It doesn't matter. Who cares what these 1
around here anyway? Most of them will be
months. ''Sfcu'll see," she said.
UNFlNfSHED SYMPHONY

: into the rear of the car and Mommy got into the
None of us spoke as Richard made his way
jh ^he city streets, cursing at drivers, mumbling
. why he should be living in a nicer neighborhood

I would be, too, if Fd only got the sort of
fion 1 need."
sorry, Richard," Mommy said when we pulled
C mau parking lot.t<! know I was a bad girl."
t try to do a good job in there. Important people
e this plaza and someone could easily spot you.
»ber what I told you... exposure, exposure,
i... that's the name of the ^ame."
t. I'm sorry," she said and leaned over to kiss
p didn't soften much, keeping his back straight,
i forward.
9e back to check on you later," be said. It came
»threat. Mommy turned to me before getting out.
&d luck, honey," she said, "and listen to whatever
IteUs you."
|B*t know what Fm doing or--"
( you get going, Gina," Richard ordered. "You're
Fa lew minutes late."
. Right away," she said and left the car. Before I
gel into the front seat, Richard started away.
jtfte exactly are we going?" I asked.
IrWre Studios," he said. "A friend of mine is
F» favor, giving you a chance."
Pdon't understand. How do I start acting with-
«le lesson?"
-- director teaches you everything you have to
ht on the spot. It pays real well. We could make
year's rent on this one assignment if you do it
l said.
Ca year's rent?" So much money, I thought, and
tton me.
» right and that's only the beginning. I've been
"toother how good it could get, but she goes
like this and nearly ruins things from
y.C. ANDREWS

time to time," be said. "It hasn't been easy for i
matter what you think."
"Maybe she's not really happy here then," I
He was silent. "Why did you say it was my far
happened last night?"
"You upstaged her," he said, "and Gina hat
upstaged, especially by someone who's suppo
her younger sister."
"Upstaged? But... I didn't mean to do any
that."
"Sure," he said with a smile. "None ofyouji
mean anything."
"It happens to be the truth," I snapped. ^
I glared at the scenery. The buildings and the j
borhood began to look more seedy and rwifi
Where were we going? ^
Finally, he made a turn into a driveway. I|
building with something called an Adult Rea
in front of it. The driveway wrappedaround b
another building that looked like an attached |
above the doorway was a sign that read
studios.
"Here we are," Richard said.
"This is a studio?"
"Most of the studios look like this," he
"People who don't know Hollywood have this ]
this glamorous view of it. It's just another was
just another factory churning out fantasy ins- shoes or chairs. That's all. Now remember," h&i
"you're twenty-one years old. Oh, I told them ys
in a small film back in West Virginia."
"What?" ft
"It's nothing. Everyone makes up his or her,*'
here. The film was called Cherry Blossom. Yoif
Cherry."
"What?"
"Stop saying 'what,'" he ordered» turning
"Now don't tell them any more than they need J
about you. And do what the director wants .
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

; questions, understand? You'll be here most of
If,. I'll pick you up at five."
Sft?e not coming in with me?"
ve other clients, other meetings," he said testily.
^ be baby-sitting you. You want to be a movie star,
gllpw you start."
"»'t want to be a movie star," I said gazing at the
t>king doorway to the dull brown stucco building.
Ellbere were no windows.
You'll grin and bear it, fame and fortune. I
I so unlucky." He opened my door. "Come on,
, 1*11 be right here at five," he said and stepped

I out slowly, too slowly for him. He reached in and
t®e by the arm.
in get going," he said. "Everyone has to do his
p this operation going. You want to be with us,
keep or go home?" he threatened. "Now
agoing to be?"
ust going to make a fool of myself," I said.
|tat? Besides," he said with a sly smile on his
anething tells me you won't make a fool of
, In fact, you might just be a bigger star than
her will ever be. And then you'll only have me
u
into the car again and nodded at the studio

stor's name is Parker, Lewis Parker."
I the car around and drove out of the yard,
L standing in front of the studio. I took a deep
sillowed back my confusion and fear, and went
r. It opened to a dim, shallow hallway. There
Etiay office on the right with paper piled on the
k and stacks of what looked like scripts, scat-
|t ^the floor. A poster of a woman dad in a see""
itgown, hovering over a man wearing hand- the wall above the desk. The poster read
.SHE WAS SOS VEST NIGHTMARE.
I down the hallway to another door above
V.C.ANDSEWS

which was an anfit red light bvSb with the words 1
enter when ut beneath it. I knocked on- the
waited and then knocked again. Maybe there'
here, I thought. It looked deserted.
Suddenly, the door was opened and a cu
young black man in dungarees and a loose fitting"
greeted me.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm Melody Simon," I said, my voice i
"Oh, yeah. Good. Parker, the other girf is
called over his shoulder. "I'm Harris, fbllow
said, turning back to me.
"Get her in here," someone shouted from 1
and Harris stepped back, smiling.
"Come on," he said.
I entered slowly. There were wires
Bghts on poles. I saw the cameras, three of'
pointing toward what looked like a bedroom,
cameraman was adjusting some lights. A ver^
platinum blond-haired girl who didn't look mud
than I was sat on the edge of the bed, her arms t
her as she leaned back, her breasts bare. She had a i
of what looked like a snake coming up and out^
cleavage. She wore nothing but a pair of flimsy j
and she chewed bubble gum, blowing a bubl
snapping it before wiping it back in with her 1C
must have gasped aloud.
A plump bald-headed man spun around in < i
"Over here," he called. "I'm Lewis Paricer. Wt
Mariin sent? What's your name again?" he asked
I -was still too stunned to speak. I shook a;
instead. ~Q
"Hey," he said. "We haven't got time to watte
to do four scenes and two setups today." ' 3
When he rose from his chair, I could see he K
fat and I wondered how he'd fit in the chair. He <
rather than walked toward me and stopped, i
in from head to foot, a pleased smile sp)
melted butter over his jowls and thick,
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
I he was so heavy, his eyes looked small, sunken
l large head.
Un was right," he said. "A looker. Great.
»," he cried and a woman who looked Uke she was
fties, but who also had bleached blond hair and
ts of makeup, came out from behind a rack of
ss. "Get her dressed and on the set, will ya? Make
t looks ... innocent. I like that. Good."
, Lewis."
ehed toward me.
she said. "Step over there. We don't have a
S,room."
sing room? Why would we need a dressing
tLewis Parker said and Harris and the camera-
ghed. "We're all friends here."
n't understand," I said, shaking my head and
(back. The half-naked young woman sat up and
'' took interest in me. "What is this? What kind
s are you making?" I asked.
i she talking about?" the woman asked, look- ts Parker.
i is this? What kind of a movie are we making?
W Wire Studios," Lewis Parker said. "You're
.. somebody, right? You were in a blue film
miething called ... what's it called, Harris?"
V Blossom. She was the lead," Harris said.
pita. You know what to do. We're on a tight
»
fea.
irker started back toward his chair. The cam'
|ked my way and stopped fiddling with the
, I shook my head again and took another step

an*t do things like this," I said. "I never did."
' Mr. Parker spun around as quickly as his
allowed. "What do you mean, you don't do
®?"
coow what Richard told you but... but I
te" I cried.
V. C. ANDREWS

I turned and ran out the door, down the short <
and burst out to the parking lot. For a momee
there, confused, undecided as to which directio
Then I hurried down the driveway to the busyv;
my heart thumping. When I reached the r'"
started in one direction and then another, w
surroundings. I took a step off the sidewi
whizzed by, and one driver blared his horn,.'
f flying back, my stomach almost in my th
s streaked down my cheeks. I took a deep I
closed my eyes. Richard must not have known1
of assignment he'd gotten me. He just < '
expected me to actually take the job....
"Get hold of yourself," I ordered my
When I opened my eyes again, I saw a phoae:!
the gas station across the street. I thought I ffl
Dorothy and ask her to have Spike pick me wp. %|
I waited until the light changed and then I hurr '
to the booth and dug into my purse to find sasi
It wasn't unttf I took off the receiver and startei
the coins that I realized I couldn't caH Holfy*»j
husband would be furious with her, especially, i
involved in something like this. It wasn't* fate'l
do this to her after all she had done for me, I i
But I" didn't know where I was and I had ao<
back to the apartment. I thought a moment'
dialed information and asked for Mel Jens'
number. There were three Mel Jensens, but I
the right one when I mentioned The Egy
got the number and dialed. Someone
only one ring.
_ "Hello."
*Tm looking for Mel Jensen,'^ I said.
"Oh" the voice said, dripping with dis_,
"Just a minute. Someone for you," I heardi
Mel got oh. '
"Hello."
"I'm sorry to call you, but I didtft know I
call. My sister is working at a mall and--"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
>»*
y* I said.
re are you? I hear a lot of traffic."
ate a street corner. Fin lost and ... I don't know
|et back and I thought--"
it's the address? Where are you?"
Ijsddress?" I looked at the street sign and then
Tann.
, I know where that is. Wait right there," he
tt be a good twenty minutes."
i'you."
I hung up, I looked for a place to sit and wait, but
|%tt*t any benches around so I went into the
Op on the opposite corner and sat at the counter.
1.& cup of coffee, but barely sipped it, watching
x When fifteen minutes had passed, I went out
latood on the corner. While I was waiting I saw
Elought might have been Harris come out of the
id disappear into an alley. Almost ten minutes
Fwhen I was starting to get nervous, I beard a
uid saw Mel. I was never so happy to see
e pulled over and I got in quickly.
he hell are you doing down here?" he asked.
I to cry, sucked in my breath, and told him.
tnted you to be in an X-rated film? Some
id. "They can make good money* I'm not
S about that. Does your sister know?"
u think Richard knew it was that kind of

kidding? Those jobs are right up Marlin's
ou did the right thing walking out like mat.
i can come back to haunt you when you do
ie and become a star."
ing to become a star, any kind of star.
of I came here," I protested. Wouldn't
tl»e?
Nt come here?"
t^ I said. After a moment I added, "But
V. ^ANDREWS
now that I'm here, I hope I can talk my sister h
back home with me."
Mel laughed.
"I don't know your sister that well, but she!
she's been bitten, just like the rest of us. Don't;
hopes up."
Now that I was in his car and we were drivi
from Live Wire Studios, I swallowed back my pi
felt my heart stop pounding,
"Thank you so much for coming to get me,"
"You sounded terrified. I borrowed my to
car. I don't have a car myself."
"Oh. It was nice of him to lend it to you."
"Yeah. So why did you leave the party so qi
nightT'
"I was feeling exhausted. You didn't see how <
sister's apartment was and how much work I "
He laughed.
"I bet. She's no Suzy Homemaker, huh?"
"No. She never was."
"What, did your parents spoiled her?"
"My father did," I said. ft wasn't such a lie, I;
"He and I ended up doing most of the work,3
cooking."
"What about your mother?"
"She died when we were very young," I said.
"Oh, sorry."
"I cant believe what Richard wanted me
muttered, still half in shock.
"It doesn't surprise me. To a manager or an <
easy money."
"I have to find some other way to earn
I'm here," I moaned.
"I can always get you a job at the
said, half kidding.
"Could you?" a I
"You'd like that?" --'
"I'd do anything, anything but what
trying to get me to do," I replied.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

, III see about it. I'd take you somewhere for ig to eat, but I haw to get to work. I have the
& shift today "
fc-all light. You've done a lot for me already."
i about paying me back by going to dinner with
y*
Ps that paying you back?" I asked, laughing.
fryour company," he said and smiled. **Wefl? I'll 1. six-thirty. We ean go around seven. You VSas
llmow a great little place only two blocks south

y," I said. "But I should betaking you out. I wish
iffbrd to."
ft worry about. It's my treat."
Eked him again when we arrived at The Egyptian
i. After he dropped me off I hurried up to the
ttt and quickly changed out of Mommy's mini*
Q. House, putting my own clothes back on. 1'was
icugh to make myself some lunch and settle
I did some more cleaning to keep my mind off
lappened and spent the remainder of the
eading Mommy's movie magazines on thfir
e after five I heard her and Richard come in.
; lounge and entered the apartment to meet
l-the living room.
I stood there with his hands on his hips, glaring
ibusly. Mommy looked almost as angry, her
ached in fists at her side.
tfid you do. Melody?" Mommy asked softly.
tyw do to Richard?"
; did she do to me? I'll tell you what she did,^
aid, stepping toward me before I could offer
ase.^'She put a nail in my coffin here. She hurt
ation and completely destroyed a lucrative
F me. I had three other girls set to get jobs with
r Studios and they canceled all of them. You
|iris a lot of money and they needed it badly,"
Piaa not even counting my lost commissions^
|» bow could you do this?"
V.C. ANDREWS

"Moaamy< you don'twigterstaad," I cried.,
"Thwe," he screamed, his forefinger jabbed;
"She keeps forgetting. She'll call you Mommy ir
these people here and you might as well kiss.yo,
goodbye."
"Melody, I've pleaded with you not to"
Mommy."
"I know. I'm sorry,", I said. 'Taa just upsets
forget anymore." I took a deep breath. "I (Bd*l
told me todo. I weot-into the studio and thee®'
naked woman sitting on a bed and they '
to... to be in, this movie."
"So?" Mommy said. "Richard told you
money you were going to make. I bet it was 3
three times what Kenneth paid you to model i
him," she added.
I felt my heart stop and then start racing. 1
seemed to drain from my face. I tried, but I.
speak for a moment. The lump in my threat wai
as a rock, immovable.
"What? You get undressed only for certain ca
you feel like it?" Aicbard quipped. "When Iget|
where you can help us, you4ecide to be Mmf
Proper? You run out of the studio, mate me kx
fool of the year?"
"Sis, that was different. What Kenneth was <
art. You know that," I finally said, unable to t
didn't see the difference.
"A lot of people think of this as art too, Mil
have to be understanding and you can't be a i
said.
"A snob? But Sis, they wanted me to get,,
and be in bed with this other woman and--^
"What of it? I've done it," she said.
"You have?" I asked, not wanting to believi
"Of course. How do you think we got the se<
first and last month's rent. for this place? YoaJ
much money that is? And I got it with just^
work," she said proudly.
UNHNSSSSfD SYMPHONY

- shook my head in disbelief.
, can't stay here without earning your keep,"
rd insisted. "We're not running a shelter for (be
IpSS^
I earn something. Mel Jensen thinks I can get a job
i supermarket," I spat back at him.
; supermarket? That's what you want to do?"
.I'd rather sweep floors and stack groceries forev-
. do what that fat man wanted me to do back in
called movie studio."
, you raised e pretty smart girl," Richard said to
r. "Supermarket Wander. Great. In the mean- i can keep this apartment spotless and see to our
f. If you won't be a movie star, then be « servant.
tiat's all you're capable of being."
id at Mommy for support, but she just nodded.
surd's right, honey. With the three of us now, we
t able to afford a housekeeper or dry cleaners if
at work where Richard wants you to work.",
n't mind doing the cleaning and looking after the
r," I said. Surely Mommy didn't fully understand
ichard was doing to her and what he would have
» me if I had let him. We're the ones exposing
es, embarrassing ourselves, lowering our self;
and he was the one collecting the money for it. I
t make her understand and if it took my having to
sone's little slave for a while in order to do so, I
t So be it.
d," Richard said, marching out of the living
-the bedroom.
^you don't know how terrible this place was. 'Yon.
'(have done something like that."
s*t be stupid. Melody. You can't be a child any'- u're here, make the most of it, take advantage.
a built-in manager and agent. Do you know
S it is for new talent to get representation?"
"" What kind of talent does it take to strip off
bs and do X-rated things in front of a leering
&?"
V. €. ANDREWS
"You'd be surprised," Mommy said. "The
doesn't Me. Ifyou^e'aot sincere wneir you pett<
camera will expose you."
"Oh, you're exposed all right, and then sofa
listen," I said, hut Richard came marching back is
living room. His arms full of shirts and pants and
pairs of shoes oa top.

"See that these things are washed and ironed. V
afford the laundry. And I want these shoes polish
can see my face in them. I've got to look twice a
affb ._ ^..wa yuasaeen
can see wy wee in them. I've got to look twice aT|
new that you have screwed things up," he claimed it
dumped everything at my feet.
I loft^ <--- "- "
new that you have screwed things up," he claime<
dumped everything at my feet.
I looked from the pile to Mommy, but she Just i
and walked into the bedroom.
"Of course," Richard said softly after she was
"if you want to (urn around and go back to
Cod..."

I glared at him with hot tears in my eyes and
started to scoop up his clothes.

**Not yet," I said. "I haven't finished what I cs
do."

He saw the firmness in my face and his smile
rated.

"Just watch yourself," he said. "Tfou're playing
your league and you're playing on my turf."
"I'm not playing," I replied and began to take
thing into my room.

An hour later while I was ironing Richard's !sa
Mommy poked her head into my room to tell me ''
were going out to dinner.

"We can't afford to take you, honey," she said.'
sure youll find something for yourself here."

"Someone's taking me to dinner," I said softly,
looking up at her.
"Oh? Who?" 4

"Md Jensen," I said. When I looked up at her I sasN
took of surprise on her face.
"Really? Well, you be careful," she said. "Watcln
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

what you tell him. Men can get you to trust
l&oo much too fast," she warned.
mppose you'd know," I said. Her back straightened
t,?harp look came into her eyes.
B't be disrespectful. Melody."
s,,aot. I'm Just... Sis, when can you and I sit
ad have a real conversation? When can we be like
I to be, just for a little while?"
a't know," she said, a little sadly. "I don't know
[ever can. That's why ... that's why it might have
better if you-never came looking for me. Melody.
my," she said. "I just don't know."
stared at each other a moment and then she
led to the living room and left with Richard. My
; felt as if it had sunk like a chunk of coal into my
ach, I sat oa die bed and buried my face in my
^1, choking on dry sobs. Billy Maxwell was so right
9 he said people changed because of where they were
hat they were doing. He warned me to expect
ay might be a very different person. But was she
nt? Perhaps she was the same woman she had
been, but the woman I had refused to permit
f to see. I took a deep breath and sat straight,
ring what I should do. Should I just leavfrher, try
jet I had a mother, or should I remain and do
with her fantasies and her phony knight in shining
' How would I ever get her to listen to anything I
„ Hay?
Iwais in such a confused and troubled state of mind I
'(, all about Met until he came knocking w the
ment door.
iwdy?" he asked when I opened the door.
h Met. I forgot. I'm sorry." I looked down at myself
Ig an apron over dungarees. "I'll just be a minute,"
.."Come on in." ;
ied into the bedroom to pick out something to
d then I hurried into the bathroom to brush my
% put on some lipstick. Met sat oa the soft
', as I paraded back and forth.
V.C. ANDREWS

"It*s all right. Take your time," he called.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyesand tried <
my nerves tefore appearing before him again.
"Voilit, "he said, standing. "Remarkable meta
sis. You look great."
"I don't feel great,'* I moaned. He opened
and stepped back so I could pass.
"So, tell me, how did Mariin take your not-3
through with the assignment?" he asked as we desce
in the elevator. ^
"He was furious. He said I hurt his reputation.^
"I bet. Not to mention his pocketbook. I was i
those kinds of films, too."
"Ycm were?"
"Sure. A lot of would he's think that's the way'
into the business, and unfortunately they get <
advantage of. This is a tough place, a city with ]
teeth that devours the pure of heart," he remar
i< "Then why do you stay?" I asked.
"It's where it's at," he replied with a shrug. "t
not so pure at heart." He put his arm though n
led me out of the complex.
The restaurant was small and cozy, just as W-:
described and the food was delicious. Mel talked a
himself, telling me all about his home and his tea
Every time he asked me questions, I bad to check nt
to be sure I wasn't saying anything that would give's
all of Mommy and Richard's lies. I tried to say as^litt
I could. Finally, he sat back and narrowed his eyes.'11
"Getting you to talk about yourself is like ""
teeth. Why is that?"
"I don't know," I said shifting my eyes down <
He continued to stare.
"Are you really just visiting or did you run awsyi
home?" he pursued. I raised my eyes and smiled.''
"Ran away from home? What makes you thiafeU
"I've 'met a number of runaways and they act a 16
you, evading, giving only the bare minimum wheat
a question."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
, I*m sorry to disappoint you. I'm just visiting," I
I he laughed.
w

|W"
Sywas it every man I met could be so infuriating,
(fag they knew me better than I knew myself?
fcey've got great spumoni," he said and ordered
t for us.
Aate to see you spend your money on me," I told
t calming down slowly. "I know how hard it is for
«jk

at's okay. Actually, I asked you out both to be with
}d to have you celebrate with me. I got a part in a
rical production that will open in two months. I bad
ioned for them so long ago, I forgot all about it and
t it off, but out of the blue, my agent received a call
%lled me just before I left to pick you up tonight"
engratulations. That's wonderful, Mel."
I expect you to be in the front row opening night," he
^"Now," he continued, turning more serious, "what
.means, I realized, was I have to give up my job at the
ermarket. I spoke to the manager this afternoon and
thim I had someone responsible to take my place. He
E it was fine. So, congratulations to you. You'll get
b in about three more days, if you really want it."
»d," I said. "Now Richard won't be able to
in about me. Thank you."
F course, I think you should aim higher. You have
. and you look great," he said. "But you've got to
eit, be hungry for it."
tut I don't want it," I said and he stared at me with
curious smile on his face.
l*Maybe that's what intrigues me the most about you,"
laid.
Wat?"
Ifour ability to resist the temptation, your tack of ego.
fse jvst, the type who succeeds," he added.
- looked at him, at that impish grin on his face. It
167
V. C. ANDREWS
amazed me how other people saw things in me I
saw in myself.
After we walked home, Mel asked me if I
come up to his apartment.
"We could listen to some music. My roommat
out for the night."
"I don't know," I said. "I promised my
wouldn't stay out late."
"It's not late," he insisted. "I'd like to dance for
too."
"Dance?"
"Sure. I'll show you what I did at the audition foil
show. Okay?"
It sounded interesting so I agreed and we went
his apartment.
"T(bu*ll have to excuse the mess," he warned me)
door. "Remember, three guys live here."
It didn't look anywhere near as cluttered and di
Mommy's apartment had been before I had star
clean it. I told Mel and he laughed.
"Want something to drink? More wine, perhapsT^J
"I suppose wine's all right," I said and he poured i "*
glass. After he did, he went in to his bedroom to pt
his dancing clothes. I heard the music first and
suddenly, be leaped into the room, wearing the tigl
top and pants I had ever seen, so tight they left not
about him to the imagination. He spun on his toes.'
lifted his legs so high, I lost my breath, especially
he did it right in front of me.
The music became faster, the beat harder. He r
ballet steps with slides and turns that were daz
Finally, he stopped and stood before me, breathing i
his face flushed with excitement. I felt flushed m
from the wine and his performance.
"Well?"
"You're wonderful," I said. "I can't imagine you,
succeeding."
He laughed and stepped closer. The music coat
softer, slower. He reached out to take my hand.
UNFINfSWED SYMPHONY

ted to shake toy head, but he pulled harder until I
I and we were dancing cheek to cheek, his hard, fast
'dng on nay neck. When I caught sight of us re1
in the -window, it looked like I was dancing with a
man. My own breathing quickened as his slowed
1 then he smiled at nae and kissed me softly. I felt him
h against my thighs.
tea're so sweet," he said. "I really like you." He
ed me again, but I didn't let his lips linger on mine. I
iped back, bowing my head and, when I looked down
un and saw how excited he was, I felt my heart flutter
("my breath grow short.
"?ve got to get home," I said.
«elody..."
e stepped toward me.
»i really do, Mel. Please."
"Nary," he said. "I don^t force myself on anyone, but I
s you like me."
do, but not that way. I'm sorry," I said. ^Tm sure
; are a lot of girls who would love to be up here with
»1 added.
i smirked.
fery few like you. Okay, 111 give it time," he said.
isider this my first audition. Maybe, youll give me a
t^ack.okayT'
I laughed and tried to shift my eyes from his very
tod body. I found my purse and headed toward the

' you wait for me to change again, I'll walk you
M

>, that's all right. Thanks for dinner."
call you about the supermarket job," he said.
anks."
t hurried out the door and when I looked back, I saw
standing there, smiling after me. I waved and
ended the stairs, feeling as if I were fleeing.
it was I fleeing from him or from myself? Par the
t time, I thought I was really more afraid of my own
and desire. This was a place filled with many
169
V.C. ANDREWS
different kinds of temptations. The Egyptian
might as well be the Garden of Eden, I conclu
half expected a snake to come up and whisper in i
as I crossed the courtyard to our building and ms
way up to our apartment.
The phone was ringing as I entered. I hurried to)
after my first hello, I heard nothing.
"Hello?" I said again. I heard a deep
then...
"Where were you?" Cary asked.
"I was out to dinner, Cary. What's wrong?"
"Dad's dead," he said. "He had another hex
in the CCU and he died." He laughed steal
couldn't think of anyone else to call but you
were out to dinner."
"Cary, I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, welly it won't be the wrong person in 1

"I'm tired. It's very late here. I ran down to <
when I came home and I just stood there look)
the ocean and thinking about all the trips be ae
together. Funny," he said huskily, "now yo»u
both without fathers."
"I'll be back as soon as I can, Cary. I pr
"Okay," he said in a small voice.

Revelations

^ up the phone, I sat on the sofa in the dark
t and cried softly, thinking about Cary, little
Aunt Sara and what they all must be going
I wondered how Grandma Olivia and Grandpa
sra taking the news of their son's death.
uld be worse than losing a child, I thought, no
/ old the child was at the time, or how aloof
I heart you were.
sob had resented my coming and living with
l family, but most of the time I thought that
s lay presence made the loss of his Laura that
er to bear. Right from the beginning. Aunt
ft me as if I had been sent to replace Laura,
as far as Uncle Jacob was concerned, no one
replace his daughter. He had been hard,
wnright cruel to me, but I also recalled
& he gazed at me with softer, kinder eyes*
he had heard me sing and play the fiddle,
i he. didn't think I was aware of his gaze.
ting man who wanted to provide for
V. C. ANDREWS

his family as best he could. His religious zeal <
him cold and unpleasant to me, but on more
occasion, Gary hinted that his father had beco
? devout and sterner after Laura died, somehow!
C himself for her death. When he was in the hosf
I first time, be had asked to see me at his bedsi
| because he thought he was dying, he confessed to j
} he and my mother had done something sinful 1
when they were young. At the time he made it se
he blamed himself for my mother's wild ways;
when she was older. Afterward, be denied say;
things. Ashamed of what he bad told me, be fi
presence even harder to bear. I'm sure he m
when I decided to leave to find my mother, as I
Grandma Olivia was to see me go.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Mine
I fell asleep and didn't waken until I heard
open, followed by loud laughter.
"Why is it so dark in here?" I heard Richards
snapping on a lamp. The shock of light made;
and rub my eyes as I sat up quickly.
"Well, well, look who's waiting up sqi us," 1
"Why are you still up and dressed? How
dinner. Melody?" Mommy asked, "lou didn't, ,,
much wine or anything, did you? Did you bring 1
here?" she scanned the room as if to took for evi
his having been in the apartment She wobbled i
took a step closer and focused on me with soie
finally noticing how red my eyes were and the
tears had made down my cheeks. "What's^
now?" she demanded.
"Uncle Jacob," I said and swallowed, taking t
for her. ""
"What about him? f can't imagine anything abi
that would interest me," she told Richard, who!
"Well what did he dor
**He died," I said. "His heart gave out at tte&I
She stared, the news having a sobering i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

t move through a myriad of emotions, from
sadness, to anger and then indifference. She
first at Richard before turning back to me.
art, as you call it, gave out a long time ago. I
i anything bad on anyone, but I can't pretend
biy upset about it," she said, the mirth all gone
'.eyes and lips.
[you grew up with him and Daddy. You can't be
|ring," I replied.
lyten't know anything about what my life was like
[ap with Jacob as a so-called brother. Melody,"
'flared back at me, "and I can't forget how he
> afterward when all the trouble began for me
»«

in her eyes stunned me so much I was

I't like anyone bringing bad news to Gina,"
Isaid, suddenly pretending to be very protective.
lly news about her past, and especially the night
w has an audition."
Mommy said, smiling with a proud gleam in
i. "I have something exciting to try out for
?» a part in a television sitcom, I've got to get
d. That's why we came home so early," die

at the clock. Eariy? It was a little past one
bat was late supposed to mean?
mid go to sleep yourself," Richard said. ^You
. of work ahead of you, too." He laughed sand
s the bedroom.
tjeel sorry for Sara and the children," Mommy
|voice somewhat softer. "Sara was always nice
^Sbe sighed and pulled her head back a little as if
ow back some errant tears. Then she looked at
3t;a small smile on her lips. "If you think you
|p back for the funeral, it s all right. I... can't
ything more to do with them. Whatever tears I
pill would be one more tear than his mother will
..Believe me," she said.
V. C. ANDREWS

"You hate her very much, don't you?" if;
The corners other mouth whitened with
"Yes. I won^t deny it. I do, and she has no!
either. Melody." Her eyes glared hotly aa
expression returned to one of self-pity. She^
hate going to sleep feeling upset," she said asi.
toward the bedroom. "I wish you hadn't toffif
it."
I watched her go in and close the door andl
and went to bed myself. Maybe I should retj
Cape, I thought. Maybe the mother I had hog
did die and was buried back in ProvxncetowB?^
happened to Mommy to make her so selfc
been too blind to realize that that was her
Mommy was right about going to sleep '
like a rock on your chest, however, I tossed
sobbed and sighed through most of the nigntfi
get Gary's sad eyes out of my mind.
I finally fell asleep just before morning s
soundly, I didn't hear Richard and Mommy 3
wake when I heard him shout my way.
"WeH, this is a fine thing. We don't have'
What sort of a maid drd you hire, Gina? To
lazier than you."
I got up quickly, throwing on one of Me
cotton robes, and stepped out into the 1
Richard was already dressed and Mommy, i
er nicely, I thought, came out ofherbedroot
"I'll make some coffee," I said. "It won't ta
started toward the kitchen.
"We can't wait," Richard said, his eyes fee
me. I realized I wasn't wearing much and he
be able to look right through my flimsy nig)
"We'll get something at the studio. Clean u(
room while we're gone. I left some more of say
you to iron," he added and started towatft
door.
Mommy looked at me, her face somber.
"Wish me luck," she finally said.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
ek."
you," she said, Sashing a smile. Then she
Richard out of the apartment. I listened to their
disappearing down the hallway toward the
t_and then I went into the kitchen and put on
"~ I for myself. I sat there, more or less in a daze,
ffee and nibbling on some toast and jam.
?, my mind wandered back to memories of } Cary on the beach. I thought about Kenneth
OS, Ulysses, and remembered first meeting
Hhe fun we had talking like sisters.
rid Mommy want this kind of a life? I thought.
erself and the mean things she had said to me
f after I had told her about Uncle Jacob, her eyes
^occasionally. Deep in her heart, I told myself,
l^o go home. I've just got to get her to realize it.
aring my nighty and Mommy's robe, I cleaned
sdroom and began ironing Richard's pants and
piked without thought, moving like some kind
, dazed by the tragic events. A little after noon,
at the work aside and went into the bathroom
^ower, I stood there letting the warm water
; top of my head, my eyes closed, the stream
ff my face. Finally, I shut off the shower and
Lfrom behind the curtain.
ment, I was confused. I knew I had brought in
t my clothes, but there was just a hand towet
^ and none of my clothes were in sight. Not
' Own memory, I figured I had intended to do
s, but because of being in such deep thought,
ripping wet, I ran out of the bathroom to nay
^As soon as I entered, the door closed behind
Thadn't been the one to close it.
I stood there, leering at me, and he was stalk
iselfl
^areams stuck in my throat.
^we you doing? Where's Mommy?" I finally
and rushed to the bed to pull tee top sheet off
tit around me. Brittle as thin glass, his laughter
V. C. ANDREWS
crackled across the room. He stepped
making any attempt to We his manliness I
"I told you to stop calling her Mommy," he s
smiling.
"Where is she? What are you doing?"
"She's at her audition. She'll be there most of<
There are a lot of actresses trying out for the,
thought, why hang around? I decided, while-
might as well make myself useful. I've been
why you would run out on such an easy job i
money yesterday, and I figured out it's simp
you're too innocent. Y&a need to grow up, «
you'll sever amount to anything. Consider this a
service. Call it my generosity," he continued,!
closer and closer until he was only inches aw
I turned and looked down rather than infe
His breath stank from alcohol and began
stomach. I felt it do flip-flops.
"Come on," he said, "I know you're
to this."
"Get away from mef" I cried.
He put his right hand on my shoulderand 1
my "waist, forcing me to turn to him.
"Relax and enjoy," he said bringing his f^
mine. I swung my head and tried to pivot <
grasp, but he tightened his hold and presses
against my mouth. I gagged andkicked out, c^J
between his legs with my knee. His face expio
balloon bursting and he crumbled, clutching 1
stomach.
I didn't wait. I pushed past him and sb
from the room, holding onto the sheet. §
managed to reach out, clutching the end of t
holding on. It tugged me back until I let go;
room, totally naked. I returned to the ba
slammed the door shut, locking it after me.'
there for a moment gasping, sobbing, listen;
was pounding so, I had to lean against the i
UNFimSHSD SYMPHONY
memory of the stench coining from his
? me dry-heave.
i bitch," I heard him shout. He came up to
pand tried the handle. "Open up. How dare you
The ^ha(? I'm letting you stay here, aren't IT'
nded the door with his fist and I screamed.
lopped and all was quiet for a long moment. I
aid my breath sb I could listen, but my lungs
Aed to bursting and the thump, thump, thump
tt was echoing in my eardrums.
''be sorry," he finally said in a loud whisper
lie door and the dooriamb. "I could nave
t something, made you grow up overnight You
It been sophisticated enough for anything, bttt
tarUn doesn't allow himself to get turned down
tonce. It's your loss," he added. "You heaiT^
;d the door again. 1 cried out and backed
he would break the door down. After a
I only silence and then, when I drew closer
island put my ear against it, I heard him walk
a*t come out. I sat on the tub and waited, cay
I tightly under my breasts, my sobbing slow'.
breathing returning to normal. I heard the
l and dose. All was quiet Was it a trick to
i the bathroom door?
waited, listening, hoping he would grow
lAe were still out there, but I heard nothing,
ie phone rang. It rang and rang and I imagine
were still there, he would be too coa»
I was for him and he would have answered
lent that he was gone, I unlocked the door
das quietly as I could. I hesitated and then
"an inch at a time, opened it until 1 could

i anywhere. I looked across the dining
am. The door was wide open. Wa&ttt
Sthe room again? I tried to swallow, to stop
fits racing again, but I couldn't His attack

V.C.WDSBWS^
had made my legs weak and my whole body;
I opened the bathroom door wider and w
stepped out, and then waited, terrified be
dewy appear and lunge at me. He didn't. ,;
My courage growing, I practically txptoedg
floor to the doorway of my bedroom, The» tj
listen. I heard nothing. I took a deep breath,
into my bedroom,, gazing around quickly, df
bands into little fists with which to pummel ]
he pop out at me. He wasn't .anywhere in stgL
the door quickly and then, my heart fell. What 3
hiding in my closet? ^
I waited, listening again for a moment. He?""
ing, I went to the closet door and pulled Jf
wind from my jerking open the door shook J[^
on the hangers, but thankfully, there was oo^
Marlin hiding and waiting to pounce out at m|
I got dressed as quickly as I could and then;
apartment, feeling trapped and in danger of a
repeat performance if I remained there. I dk^
anyone when I hurried down the walkway, li1'
in a race, I shot through the main gate and ch
the sidewalk. I walked as quickly as I could,
back, crossing streets, fighting traffic, hurryingi
I knew where I wanted to go. It felt goodH
quickly. It stopped my body from trembH
farther away from The Egyptian Gardens I
safer I felt. Finally, tired, my body in a bef
paused at a corner, undecided in which
should continue. I gazed at the street sign
Melrose Avenue, and then I looked around'
people.
Up until this moment, I hadn't noticed
anything. I had walked with blind eyes, focus
Seeing Richard's awful grasp. Now I found i
very curious area of the city. Young people"
green and pink hair, dressed in leather jackets
walked past and in front of me. Many ha
covering their arms and chests. Two girls eveapi
UNFINISHED SYMWONY
noses! I felt like I had stepped onto another

:ed ,up> turned.and started walking in the oppoction.
Everyone in this city really did seem to be
or her own movie, I thought, feeling as if I had
ared onto a movie set. I didn't know whether I
i laugh or cry. After I walked a few minutes, the
borhood changed again and I slowed my pace,
ly realizing that I was lost. I stopped again and
1 around, this time seeing a small store window on
eft that read madam marlene, readings. I saw the
ySs and the tarot cards and thought about Holly and
i. ft brought a smile back to my lips. Impulsively,
aps searching for good memories at a very troubled
, I stepped into the small shop.
a was a dark cherry wood table and two chairs at
iterofthe little room. The crystals were in a small
»se on the light and at the rear of the shop the was
way like tile one at Holly's shop, curtained with
of beads. When I entered, a small buzzer had
ff. A short, dark-haired elderly lady came through
arway of beads. She wore a shimmery white shawl
If dark blue dress and had silver earrings with
us that glittered like diamonds in between the long
ijsof hair falling over her shoulders. Her dark eyes
large but she made them appear even larger with
gy kohl eyeliner.
ello," she said. "I'm Madam Mariene. Would you
Heading?"
look my head.
m,.. l^.. I just..."
in look upset," she said. "Please," she added poiat-
) the seat by the table. "Rest a moment and tell me
t troubles you."
t lost," I said. "I'm new here and I don't remember
> get back to my apartment complex."
. complex, my dear?" she asked, her smile soft
ly. She looked to be about fifty and not much
five feet talL
V; ۥ. APOXREWS
"The Egyptian Gardens," I said.
'"kbu're not very lost. Just go down two streets,;
left and you'll run into it after about ten minutes, tl
there's more troubling you though, isnt ^beteT*
I nodded and gazed around her shop.
"I have a friend in New York City who has a
shop and who does astrological readings for peop)
name's Holly."
"That's interesting,'1 Madam Mariene said,
jt knowing twinkle came into her eyes. "^bu really e
here because you wanted to know something, ye
pursued, her head tilted slightly and her eyes eveaa
luminous as the dim overhead light caught them '
warm glow.
I thought a moment and then nodded.
"I wanted to know if someone I loved wouW
return to me," I said.
She nodded as if she had always known I would.'
up on her doorstep.
"Sit down. Please," she said.
"I just left my apartment quickly," I said. "I
have any money on me." ^l
"Oh, thafs all right," she said. "You can sei *^
something later." She sat at her table, motioning 1
to sit down across from her. She reached out in
ately and took my right hand into her hands and 1
closing her eyes. Then she nodded to herself and I
down at my open palm.
"You have already been on quite a rugged road,'1!
said, "with many twists and turns. 'K»ur life has • ""'
valleys than most, but I see some very high places i
see you have lost loved ones, yes?"
"Yes."
"Yet you have strong energy. What is your name?
"Melody."
"I see music in you, yes. This person, this loved 1
who is lost has been lost for a while."
"Yes," I said.
She looked at my hand again and then she:
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

the locket Billy Maxwell had given me. She
. it in her fingers a moment.
ais lazuli. Someone you like very much and some-
^cbo likes you very much gave it to you."
it's right," I said.
i are like a comet, something beautiful and full of
floating through space, searching... searching
a home, your real home."
1^ am," I said, excited that she seemed to know so
i about me.
aeone you're searching for is coming," she said,
> her eyes again. Seconds later she opened them,
a time there was no smile on her lips. "Where you
iking for love, there is no love. You will have to
direction. But don't worry. Your energy is too
,to be defeated. Do not be afraid to turn toward
u-kness, for often what we think is sunlight is
if the reflection coming from our own glow. Do not
or love in the usual places," she concluded and sat
as if reading my palm, feeling my energy and
g my life had exhausted her.
k you," I said standing, uncertain if I'd be able
her advice.
, it's my pleasure. It's always a pleasure to read a
s big as yours. Here," she said opening a drawer in
'c to pluck out a business card. "This has my
I usually get twenty dollars, but you can send
w
..
you," I said, taking the card from her wrin«L

locket will bring you much luck on your your-
p it with you always," she called as I went to the

Bye."
jed out, feeling revived, calmer. It would take
; to understand all she had said, but I would think
;.it. Since I had been with Holly and Billy I paid
attention to these things and I wasn't so quick to
an anyone or anything that seemed new and

181

v. c. Moysews
different to me. I was leaving myself open to ne
and experiences. But there were stiH somethings.'
definitely do without.
Dreading facing Richard again, I headed back i
apartment, following the directions Madam 'W'
had given me. A little over half an hour later, I
into the main gate and with great trepidation, m"
way to our building and then to the elevator. ^
Stepped out and walked to the apartment door, I-j
I had to tell Mommy what he had tried to do, I J
Maybe now, maybe finally, she would see him he
truly was.
I opened the door and entered, surprised to find5
both sitting in the living room. Mommy looked .''"'"
had been crying all afternoon. Her eyes were blo
her face streaked with makeup that had run. Rid
there looking calm, his legs crossed, a drink in one!
and a cigarette in the other. He gazed up at me ' "
confident smirk that put a chill in my heart.
"So you decided to come back," Richard said.
"What did you do. Melody? Run away afterwar
"Yes," I said defiantly gazing back at Richan
spoke. "I did. I was too scared to stay here. I was;
he would come back and try again."
"Ha!" Richard said and crashed his cigarette
ashtray. "Listen to that."
"Melody, how could you?" Mommy asked.
"How could I what?" I looked from her to
then back to her, realizing he had told her some:
was him. Mommy. And I don't care if I called ^
Mommy," I added quickly for his benefit. *'He al "
me in the bedroom. He came into the bathroom
was taking a shower and he--"
"Liar. She's just like I said," Richard inten
"Conniving, sly. TeB the truth for once, wfllyoo.^
"The truthr*
"I wag sitting here, right where I am now, re
planning on making some important calls, when:
sudden, she comes oat of the bathroom after
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
if and parades naked right in front of me," he told
ny. ^*She walked right up to me as if she were fully
sfl and smiled. Go on, tett her," he challenged me.
a," I said, shaking my head. "That's not what
sned, Mommy. He took all my clothes out of the
afem and when I came out and went to the bed,
ac was wailing for me and he was naked!"
d you ever hear such a story, Gina? Look, Melody,
s been trying to compete with Gina ever since you
d. You made a spectacle of yourself down at thfc
aid then you tried to steal the limelight at the party.
fou a job, but it's not good enough for you. Oh no.
i rather we support you, too."
(ommy, listen... he was there, in the bedroom,
ng for me. He told me he was going to educate me.
<M

ducate you? This story gets more and more stupid
time she opens her mouth. Listen, sweetheart,
e going to have to do better than that if you want to
i it in Hollywood."
Idon't want to make it in Hollywood! And neither do
I, Mommy. You have to come home. You have to
p'this place," I cried.
pee?" Richard Marlin said jabbing his anger at me.
jit's been her plan all along ... to mess things up for
ge-you would leave. She's jealous other own mother.
|seen it a hundred times, and especially out here.
tithe says she doestft care if she calls you Mom- "ae'll do it delibetately in front of people and make
be laughingstock of the whole industry. She's al-
roade us a mountain of trouble because of what
idatUveWire."
oromy ..." I said, turning to her. She shook her
; at me.
'at very disappointed in you. Melody. I realty don't
ywhat to say."
ay you believe me. Say you know he's tying and that
k phony who can't do anything for you out here, that
V. C. ANDSEWS
all he's doing is getting you silly little jobs or sel;
to sex merchants," I begged.
Richard sat back looking very satisfied. Me
down on her lower lip and looked away.
"Mommy—"
"Keep it up; keep it up. Keep calling her
Richard chanted like a cheerleader at a football)
"Maybe Richard's right. Melody. Maybe it's bes
all of us if you go back. This isn't working out."
"You believe him. Mommy?" I choked, barely a
whisper the words.
She didn't reply. I saw the grin on Richard's fa<
glared back at him hatefully. He looked so confid
Mommy looked so weak and under his conti
frustration and pride overflowed.
"Maybe you deserve him then," I said and flft
bedroom to pack my bags.
Twenty minutes later, after the phone had"
beard Richard yelling, blaming Mommy for not;
yet another part. Then I heard him leave the aj;
Minutes later. Mommy came to my bedroom, i
her sungtasses again and she looked very )
unhappy.
"I guess you heard," she said. "I didn't get a i
from today's audition. Richard says it's because J
distracted these days." "'»]
"Maybe it's because you're not meant to be an i
Mommy," I said and closed my bag.
"No, I can do it. 1 know I can. It's just •
longer than we expected, that's all."
"I didn't do what he said I did. Mommy. It i
other way around. I swear it"
"It doesn't matter. Melody. Richard's right.'
belong here. I don't know what I was thinkin
agreed to let you stay."
"vm were thinking like my mother," I toid 1
were thinking about doing the right thing."
She smiled.
"You were always the <lreamer."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
' I started to laugh. "Look around you. Mommy.
rwhere you are. This place grows dreams like...
i grew weeds back in Sewelt."
ant you were a dreamer because you saw more in
i there is. F» sorry, honey. I'm not the mother
it me to be."
led. Maybe, finally, she was speaking the truth.
; on the bed and stared into my lap.
at are you going to do? Do you have any money?"
y asked.
r t have most of my money. I didn't tell Richard
ft. He would have taken it all. I have my return
&'too. I'll go to the airport and get myself on the first
dm," i added.
t go back to Provincetown?"
•*
A FH be happier knowing you're safe, and you'll
g^feere," she said.
^ffiean then your conscience won't bother you,
6u, Mommy?" I shot back at her.
tarted to get angry and then her shoulders sank
fBodded.
' she admitted. "I guess it's time for the lies
68 to stop."
dat her, trying to blink away ray disbelief.
tor was always a better father to you than I was a
^ibe said and then she laughed. "And the fanny
ie wasn't your real father. Though that didn't
i at all."
y," I said sucking in my breath, "when you
•rovincctown and I discovered the truth about
f stepdaddy, I started to think that Kenneth
1 father. I just knew you had to be lying about
nael. Please, please, tell me the truth."
t at me for a long moment and I thought she
1; to shake her head and walk away, but she
' into the room instead.
Ida," she said, "as you know. When Judge
I me he was my real father and therefore
v. c. Awsews
Kenneth and I were half-brother and half-sister;
if he had reached his hand into my chest and rip
my heart. I felt so betrayed. Melody. You can't i
Here were all these high and mighty people
making me feel like someone inferior because m
er had me out of wedlock and Olivia had to tali
like some wayward orphan:. They never stopped „
ing me how grateful I should be, how Jucky I'
"And all the while .., the lot of them were:
and in fact, much worse. They were deceitf
people, liars and charlatans, so I decided I
back at them. When they realized I was pregnf
was ready to pounce, to point her finger at me i
'See, see, this proves how low-down and no g<
how she's nothing more than a tramp.'
"But I fooled her, I fooled the whole lot oft
I turned the tide and accused Samuel of being i
of my unborn baby. Olivia," Mommy smiled-;
memory, "almost died of embarrassment. Sne^
and in her room for days. I told her I would e
whole sinful lot of them. I would shout it in tl
"Chester... Chester always loved me. Hei
to take my side, especially when I went to hims
on his shoulder. He promised to look after me,]
what I played them all against each other. Cfa
Jacob fought. Olivia pulled her tail between her!
crawled into a hole. I felt sorry for Samuel, but,!
someone to pity anyway, letting her bulldoze him
time, pretending he didn't know she was really,)
with Nelson Childs, who had an affair with her!
mother. They vwre hideously cruel to her.
away in that institution and made me as]
own mother.
"Nothing I did to them equaled what they ]
me, Melody. I regret nothing except... ex<
had to do to you. I'm sorry, but I know you're
aU right."
"Not until I know the whole truth. Mommy. In
know who my real father is. You've got to tell]
UNfINlSHEB SYMPHONY
jed and turned her back to me as she turned
) to the window.
»wild. I wanted so much to hurt them all, to keep
them, embarrassing them. I drank, hung out
lier friends, flirted with everyone. And then one
ifter I had been out drinking, I decided to walk
It was a warm night, full of stars. I remember
| dizzy every time I looked up at the sky.
ddenly, he was there in his car beside me. I turned
^ rolled down his window and asked me why I was
g alone so bite at night. He sounded so protective,
gamed. He said he would drive me home so I got
tear, only he didn't drive me home. He drove me
ach road and he talked about his unhappy life,
; was married to a beautiful woman and making a
iney, but how he was still dissatisfied. His life
ing something, some excitement, and be said
he saw me, no matter where I was or what I
ig, he was filled with that once-ina-lifetime
at."
ay turned to me.
lave to understand hew it was for me. Melody.
I had ever spoken to me like that. I was swept off
ad this man .,. he was successful and well-to-
: was telling me 1 was more important to him.
11 resist?
love with him and it was special. We met
stiy and then I became pregnant with you and
Lout of control. It wouldn't have done me any
reveal his identity. He wouldn't leave his family
^ and when Olivia attacked me, I made my
a to get my revenge. I never told anyone the truth,
ster, not Kenneth, no one."
t my breath until I could hold it no more.
kwas he. Mommy? Is he still in Provincelown?**
toney, he is," she said. "His name is Teddy
sVasy call him TJ.," she said.
f my heart stopped beating for a moment I
r blood drained from my face. I felt the room
V. C. ANDREWS
- spin. Mommy grasped my hand. I dosed my
battled for a breath.
^Arfryoa alt right?"
I didn't reply. I waited until my heart
again, swallowed and nodded.
"His son," I said, "A4a» Jackson, tried
boyfriend when I first, arrived."
"Oh no. Did you want to be his girlfriend?"
"No, I hated him; He's arrogant."
^'Good," she Said. "For a moment I thought^
.you what Judge Childs had done to Kenneth
"I think I had a feeling about Mr. Jackson, I
"He's spoken to you?"
"From time Jo time, and whenever he has,
very nice."
"He'll never come forward and admit it,
has a family, & position in the community—
"I don't care. I just wanted to know who
said, "Thank youJfor that. Mommy."
I stood up. Madam Marlene had been right ^
read my palm. I was looking for love in the ^
"Maybe^ you shouldn't go yet. Melody.
should stay another day."
"No. I don't belong here. Mommy, and
me. He-needs me far more than you do," I said
My mother stared at me as if I was a stranger (
she nodded.
The ties would end between us and like tw,
who had anally lifted the masks from their
finally saw each other fbf who we truly were.
And we both knew we would have to live '
forever. For better or worse.
ie Again, Home Again

to leave without any other good-byes. I felt
I. that Mommy would make up a story to tell to
en and the others. Lying came as naturally as
; to her now. Maybe it always had. I took a cab
^airport and arranged to fly what they called the
"Vfrom Los Angeles to Boston. For a while I flirted
idea of returning to New York to visit with
1 Billy, but the summer was drawing to a rapid
1 had my last year of high school to complete,
»tired of throwing myself into other people's

i time to grow zip anyway I told myself, to put my
od beliefs back into my box of fantasies and close
||teever on my past, on my hope of having a coal
" md a real father. I was truly an orphan. The only
5 had wanted to be my father was dead, and the
o.really was my father had kept it a secret and
py that he had escaped responsibility.
»1 sense, my mother had died twice: first, when
; Richard Martin had invented their deception
V. C. ANDREWS

and sent a dead stranger back in my mother's <
now, when I had found her and had failed to
real mother-daughter feelings in her. She waan
stranger to me. I shed no tears walking away ft?
and I could hear her sigh of relief as she closed A
behind me. Her ordeal was. over. She could go I
living the life, and the lie, she always wanted.
On the flight back to Boston, there wasn't sasj
the seat beside me on the plane, and for that;
grateful. I was in no mood to make conversatK '
after my near tragic experience with that man I
York who -had tricked me sate taking his diu
briefcase, I was wary of strangers anyway. I
closed my eyes and welcomed the drowsiness. I &
most of the trip.
When I arrived in Boston, I made my way to:
stop and bought a ticket to Provmcetown. It
morning by the time the bus headed out on the I
I didn't leave enough time to get breakfast, bi
little appetite anyway. I felt numb, beaten, dri
any resistance and energy. The monsters in the;
were too his and too powerful and there wesM
many. It was better to retreat and to accept and 1
fate seemed determined to have me be.
With that darkness well entrenched in my I
thought it-was best to take a taxi to Grandma^
and Grandpa Samuel's as soon as I arrived in Pr
j^ town. Grandma Olivia was the true monarch
family. .She seemed to be the only one cap
determining destiny. She was the one who had i
bow my grandmother Belinda would live and wi
would live. She-was the one who ruled Uncle to
Aunt Sara's family. She even dominated Judge2
Certainly, sfee wasthe one who rated her own 1
despite what say mother believed. Grandma <
the one who bad banished Mommy to a pool
life in the coal mining town of West Virginia.
ft was tiroe'to recognize that power and bead-J
had no more defiance in me. I felt like a Sag at * "
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

taxi pulled up the driveway of Grandma
house, my sense of defeat thickened. I moved
By, exhausted, my head down, up the walkway
at of the house and pressed the buzzer, resemeone
who had come to offer her surrender.
; roe, the late afternoon sky had turned a deep,
ie. The air smelled fresh, cnsp, but 1 was much
vous to enjoy the beautiful day. Grandma
maid, Loretta, opened the door and stood
I at me, her face wearing a mask of indifference. I
I working for Grandma Olivia had toughened
moved through her day like some cog in a
, reliable, consistent, but uncaring. She revealed
ion to my appearance. I could have been a
^salesman, for all she cared.
1 you please tell my grandmother that I am here,
^ I said in a tired voice and stepped into the
ISbe lifted her eyebrows and gazed at my suitcases.
(doesn't have to tell me," I heard and turned to
&dma OUvia at the top of the stairway, gazing
^u$ with her regal posture. She wore, clothes of
' , a black blouse and a black ankle-length skirt,
aehow made her look taller than she was. Her
r was brushed and pinned back as usual, and
EA the trace of any makeup on her pallid face.
|wiB-be all, Loretta," she continued as she took a
"Vsa can return to your dinner prepara-

!i," Loretta said with a slight curtsey. She

vietumed, as I knew you would. Giving you
ig money was a waste, but it's your waste, not
e added. "I will keep the document you signed
^ from your trust fund."
Iteued her descent, sliding her hand along tee
t balustrade as she walked, her head high, her
i back perfectly straight.
: to ask you what happened. I can see it on
' fttment, disillusionment Or should I

V.C ANDREWS
say a final awakening? At last you see t
is?" she asked, not hiding her pleasure.
"It*« because of the man she's with--" I beg
^'Oh, don't blame it on someone else," she int
with a. wave of hear hand. "It-was always that us
Haille. Someone was eternally making excuses 1
finding someone or somewhere else to place ti
and t&e responsibility for her selfish, cruel a&
paused and smirked. "I assume she faked her
order to end even a semblance of responsibility!
she said smugly. Her eyes were unflinching. Sin
confidence of a predator who knew she had
trapped.

"Yes" I murmured, my own eyes down. ]
even after all I had been through, I still con
being ashamed of Mommy.
"Humph." Grandma Olivia said. I looked
tears burning under my eyelids, but kept trap;
die last vestige of ay pride^ She shifted her <
from me, but when her gaze returned to n
thought I detected a hint of sympathy. "^
continued, "I suppose it was something you h
something you had to see for yourself. You cai
the details at some later time, if you like. I certa
no burning desire to hear them.
"But," she continued with that characteristic i
I hated, respected, and envied all at the same tic»
part of your life is over and we must go on. Thi
must continue to strive to maintain its poa
respect in the community. It would be best, obvi
no one hears of this scandal As farasTro concel
buried your mother. I'm not going to go and dig <
unfortunate soul. Haille's as much dead to na
and from the looks of you, you feeUhe same.
you told about all this?"

"Just Gary," I said. "Kenneth Childs will ta
She thought a moment.
"Kenneth will keep it to himself. I'll have a
UNFINISHEB SYMPHONY
> ensure he does the same," she said with a curt
)d of her head.
r dont have to worry. Cary doesn't gossip, espe- >ut our family," I said and she smiled, but a
I smile that turned her stone eyes into glittering

^family^ is it? That's good. That's what I want to
"'She nodded, her smile softening just a bit, '"You
ght coming here," she said. "You haw good sense.
^discussed before you went on this futile journey,
"Sti live here from now on." She paused, her face
Britog again. "You know, I am sure, about my son's
g^yhile you were away?"
sj" I said. "I'm sorry."
"am I, but we bury the dead so the Hving can
iUe to strive. Jacob was a good man, but he was a
X. He took things too much to heart and his heart
^weighed down, it collapsed. There's a lesson to
*;Ae said widening her eyes at me. "You have to
leasing around your heart to protect it. You don't
E^your anectionsyyour sympathies, your feelings
, because every time you do, it costs you.
s-are many lessons you wiU learn here," she said,
sg to fix her gaze on me so intently, I dared not
^y'
[told you before you left, you have, I have noted,
ated some qualities of character that, although
est form now, can be cultivated so that you will
< a stronger person, a capable person. But this
hi only if you listen and obey. I don't intend to
s painful past I endured with your mother," she
ffVcm will behave while you are under this roof
t will do nothing that will bring discredit to this

6 this isn't such a good idea," I suggested.
[should go back to live with Aunt Sara."
earn what? Self-pity? Ha. Besides, she has
»do caring for her handicapped child."

193

/ - V.C. ANDREWS

. ^ help her. J can---" ' .>*
-} /<yaste your life," she concluded. Her asldfi
} -itwd a4»it» "Everyonfrestpects J will look after $
that your mother is supposedly dead anywayr;
you itiuak it wiU look if I permit Saratov
burden immediately after losing Jacob?*'
"So you'jBe,wCTErieA)»b®Bt your owe repuj
and she stiffened so quickly it was as if an'
had passed through her.
"I was hoping you would see thai what I ami
you is an opportunity other girls your age woulf
have. Yes, I have selfish motives, but they're noti
for myself. They're for this. family. Family name»
reputation, these are the really important things
dy. You will learn that and understand it after a j
"People without family pride are weak, am
weakness and lack of control affects their entire-
Look at that woman you insist on calling Mot
she have any pride in herself? Well, does
demanded.
"No," I admitted hesitantly.
' "Do you want to be like her?" she pursued. I)
eyes and she smiled after one glance at the fire:
Then she nodded. "There's more of my famir
you than you care to recognize," she said. *
}bu'll take the room that once belonged to I
had it prepared for you, anticipating this
though you have come to live here, you are to yourself and your own things. Loretta is my-i
wfli not have time to wait on you hand and foot.
that's how we went wrong with Haille: we gave i
much, spoiled her. Actually, Samuel was the <'
indulged her, and you know the thanks he got
"I expect you to continue to do well in scnoi
expect, no demand, that you conduct your sc
personal affairs only on the highest levels. Ne
want toAear even a hint that you've been doing i
the terrible things young people your age do)
No drinking, so drugs, no promiscuity and
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

around in any of those silly, risque clothes
j people today think are fashionable.
; will arrange fas your preparatory schooling after
^school graduation so that there will be a smooth
lition after you complete this tost year," she said in a
i^r tone. "However, as I said, there are things you
Aeam from me just by living here and observing,
y you can't learn in any school. You-can go up and
wow. You. look tired. If you want some supper, come
orw two bourse'
here's Grandpa Samuel?" I asked.
s's asleep on a lounge in the back. That's how he
s most of his time these days..." Her voice was so
fit.was as if she forgot I was in the room. Then
^enly she noticed me staring at her. "Well? Is soroeH
wrong?"
loin not sure which room was my mother's," I said
"gay, gazing up the stairway.
prst door on the left," she said. "It's been cleaned
t so has the bathroom. Make sure it all remains that
| You'll find some clothes in the closet and the
for drawers to wear. I had them bought for you the
ffhes you left, anticipating this day," she added
laphantly,
E wish I had the same crystal ball," I replied dryly.
B» will," she said with confidence. Then she looked
W as if she was deciding whether or not to say,
sicorne home." She remained silent, nodded, and
t turned to go down the hallway to her parior.
seHng like someone who had been given the key to a
el room and told to find her way herself, I started up
litairs. When I reached the first door on the left I
fsed, took a deep breath, and opened it. My sew
ae, I thought as I gazed inside the room.
f there had been any trace of femininity in this room
' e, Grandma Olivia had erased it. It looked almost
Dartan as a room in a nunnery. The walls were
red dark brown with no pattern -and there were
; white curtains on. the windows. The bed was a
V.C. ANDREWS
simple one without a headboard and was cove
beige blanket and pillow case. There waff a so
the ooraer, aad it was equipped with a fewq
pencils and a sharpener. The only other furs
plain dark pine wood dresser with six drai
nightstand of matching dark pine next to the I
There was no vanity lable and no miner o
the minor above the sink in the bathroom. 4SfSH
there was no phone in the room and no televi
radio. When I opened the closet, I found a '
simple dresses, two ankle-length skirts and si
coordinated blouses. In the dresser drawers 1 <
underthings, socks, and a few wool sweaters, J
would be grateful when the weather turned o
I opened my suitcase and took out the; two exf
outfits Holly's sister had bought me and I hungf
the closet. They almost looked comical next
simple, inexpensive and practical clothing. I
matching shoes on the closet floor and compli
unpacking, finding a place on the nightstand 1
Chinese fan Billy Maxwell had bought me. I pr<
myself I wouldn't let too much time go by befool]
him and Holly and thanking them both again for s
bad done.
My unpacking completed, I sat on the bedy
moment and stared through the opening in thee
at the ocean in the distance. The blue sea,
inviting, peaceful, soothing. At least J had thi
whenever I felt trouble, which I imagined would I
in this house.
Gazing around, I wondered what this room ]
like when my mother lived here. Grandma OH
have gone through it with the fury of a hurrif
torn away anything that suggested my mother 1
here. It was a good-size room. I could make o
some shelves had once been hung on the far
them my mother probably had her dolls and
animals. From the little Cary bad told me, I •
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
idpa Samuel had spoiled her and bought her
her little heart desired. I wondered if it had all
t consigned to the basement along with those pic- Gary had once showed me, or if it all had been
'-away, even burned. Grandma Olivia was not
ble of doing something like that.
efeack oh the bed. The trip had been exhausting
hough 1 slept on the plane and on the bus. I <t what I was feeling was a deep emotional fatigue.
ad of weariness that gripped my very bones. Just
; on a plane or bus wasn't enough to quench it. I
gry, though. I thought I would just close my eyes
f a short rest, and then, as Grandma Olivia said,
i to dinner.
when I opened my eyes again, ft was so dark I
6ft see die door. The sky had becomer overcast,
ag out the stars. I blinked, sat up, and listened. The
|Twas quiet, barely creaking. I fumbled for the light
L; on the small lamp by the bed and squinted when
"fQn. Then I looked at the clock. It read two a.m. I
; only slept through dinner, I had slept right into

Ehg of panic like a little trickle of ice water ran
; my spine. I had intended to phone Cacy right
" or after dinner .and let him know I was back. He
be upset that he wasn't the first one I had called or
'aw it would be hours before I would be able to
]l was back. And I wanted to get over to see
i as soonas possible, too. There was so much to
Sere I was sleeping the valuable time away.
r yaking to such alarm, of course I couldn't fall
»»leegt That famous jet lag everyone warned me
(taking its toll. My body didn't know what
aad my stomach, angry at being forgotten,
i churned. I rose, went to the door and peered
i-gee a faint light inthe hallway and over the
f The door creaked as I opened itfarther. Then I
f tiptoed out and down thestairs, each step on
to as I
simple cose without aafaeadfe,
beige blanket aridpiitow^ '§
th& o(OT»er,-aaaNt?wa^ ^ 5"'
pencils and a-ttauw g.f ~ «
plain darit pia<* 2 ^e» s a S?
«^MetaB4«i^T. « '-'<'0 6-- S
tt J needed
ead, anytl
yard the
he partor.
id gazed in
chair, his)
slept. On
f sad apai
hen wfaetip
^-y atequicUyy,
taemuTo,
-t»e»<E-g'
radip
s^
9'S s
Aed t9 thfrj
pdiagtheE&J
as if all the blood had drained from his face.
"My God," be said, stumbling forward and s(
his eyes wide. "HaiHe?"
"No, Grandpa. It's Melody," I said. "I'm i
you but--"
"Melody?" He scrubbed his face hard with
and then looked at me again, a dazed look in
"Melody?"
^'Yes, Grandpa. I was hungry. I fell asleep aw
dinner and--" s
"Oh. Oh, yes, Olivia told me. She had Loret»|
on you." He shook his head. "For a moment f^
your mother used to come home late like this a
the kitchen to gobble something. Lots of times s
too much to drink," he added in a whf
wouldn't teff Olivia. I'd make sure she got;
her and then I'd send her up to bed.
"Well now," he continued, stiff sounding
fused, "well, I guess it's late. I should g& Bpk<
probably givea up on me again," He foo' ""
askance, it was as if he still didn't trust me, ft
"I didn't hear you come in, Haifle," hesaids
moment. He shook his head. "I'd better go f
lock the front door again. Olivia locked ?'
didn't come home on time and said to let'
UNFWISHED SYMPHONY
e streets, but as usual, I unlocked it when she went
_atairs*"
IpWhat? Grandpa ... it's me. Melody," I said softfy,
|ffded by: his behavior. Maybe he was sleepwalking.
|||d; talking.
pfe smiled.
|"Let it be another one of our little secrets, okay? Now
It-Tea oversleep tomorrow morning." he warned,
(ing hisright forefinger at roe. Then he smiled. "Good
^t."
Situmed, and slowly made his way toward the stairs,
ing more like an old man than ever, as he snuffled
hi cleaned my dishes and wiped up the table, careful
ase all traces of my midnight snack. When I got to
tairway, however. Grandpa Samuel was just pulling
self up the final steps and groaning as he made his
C to his and Grandma Olivia's bedroom.
went up to my room quickly and closed the door.
a I got undressed, put on one of the new nightgowns
ess is the. dresser drawer and crawled into bed.
r my stomach was settled, but now ray mind raced
t to figure out Grandpa SamueFs strange behavdn't
.took that much like my mother, did I? I
d. And after I had told him who Lwas. and he
ioremember, why did he forget again and talk to
tin wens liaille^Bs^fhe was twing-twenty yeaxsin

, you see. It's Melody, our grandaughter. Melotaie,"
Grandma Olivia insisted when centered
^room to have breakfast the next morning.
ingmg'in bed when I heard the two of them
r;room earlier that morning, and I scrambled
aad dress as quickly as 1 couid^ Grandpa
zed up from his bowi of oatmeal and nodded,
: me as 1 took my seat at the table. . .
i dressed in a sports jacket and wore a tie, but he
ieor job shaving his face. There were patches
lie on his chin and along his jaw.
"You hear that? He can find the time in hist
schedule today." sal
I gazed at him. He was so different and-t
happened so quickly, I thought. I turned again to-Ci
ma Olivia, who saw the confusion in my face.' ^
"He's been Wee this ever since Jacob's deafly
explained. "It hit him like a sledgehammer anda
years in minutes."
Grandpa Samuel blew on his spoonful of oat
gazed absently ahead, looking through me.
"Oh, how sad," I said.
"As is much of life," Grandma Olivia ia
"That's why it's important to learn hew to dei
unpleasantness, how to accept what you can't i
and move on to what you can. Don't ever wasi
time again on lost causes. Time is too precious.
young now, so you think you'll be young forever, I
day you'll wake up and find yourself unable toecu
wrinkles and the gray hairs and you'll have ad)
pains where you never had them before." .
She turned back to Grandpa SamueL
"If you keep blowing oh that same spoonfu
it will turn to ice; Eat it already,"
UNFINISHED-SYMPHONY
it's that? Oh, yes. I&ave time today. liiawtntte;"
teredo
fedaB'Uuawrwhy 1 bother," Grandma Olivia said.
sll soon be in the room next to my sister, 'ifou'tt see."
Maybe with time"?-*' I^aid.
With time he'll (row worse. There's no sense wasting
e& over it. W^at we your f^sas for today? Do^you have
rything you need for the start of school? I believe
t s next'week if I'm not mistaken."
iYes, & is, I've got everything I need. I was hoping to
Rsit Cary and Aunt Sara and May," I said.
That pathetic woman. All she does, day and night, is
.Her eyes are so bloodshot, it's a wonder she can still
(out of them."
*m sure it's been very hard for all of them," I said,
embering how awful I felt after my stepdaddyChes^d.

tacob had a good insurance policy. There's adequate
ii|yfor the way they Have, and I made sure they had a
^jEnore. They won't starve or go without necessities,"
[&sud tersely.
Cm talking about more than money," I said, amazed
: she showed no emotion when she talked about the
h other son.
re laughed as if I had said something hilarious.
&s, 'when you find out what that is, let me know."
already know. It's love, concern, friendship..."
lehone teves anyone "more than he or she toves'him
eaself. You'll discover that."
E hope not," I said.
'job already have," she replied. "Whateouldbe more
^ than a mother's love for her own child? And yet,
''another loves herself more. Don't think- romantic
» any different. Men and women crave each other,
16 id! sorts of things to each other when they're
fsadm iove, and then, time goes by and they begin
ipart. Their own interests become most impor-
in. .Before you know it," she said gazing at
i Samuel, who was blowing on another spoonful
•WSsfTOET
"It was time to go a long time ago," she said;i
The sadness in her voice caught my ear aa8J
her for a moment. She quickly realized I wa
her and fose from the table. "Finish you
Melody. I'll have Raymond wait for you in
As soon as I had finished breakfast, Ijoini
Samuel in the car. When Raymond brought,;
Sara's, I expected Cary would have already li
the lobster boat, but when I got out of the
knocked on the door, it was he who opened it)
out at me, his eyes first full of surprise and i
joy.
"Melody! You're back!'*
"Hello, Cary," I said smiling.
He started toward me to embrace me
Grandma Olivia's car pulling away.
"What was Raymond doing here? W
suitcases? How long have you been bade.
town?" he asked, rapidly firing his questiol
"I got in yesterday, but I was so tired fron:
I fell asleep as soon as I put my head on the|
slept into the night," I said. ^1
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

'Slept where? You wait to Grandma Olivia's
A? Why?"
6 are Aunt Sara and May?" I asked instead of

fc^Vhat's going on? Way did you go to Grand-
»'s first? You're going to stay with her after all,
a?" he demanded.

t '
| remember we had this discussion before I left,
^ ~} learned Judge Childs was my real grandfaenneth
was my 'uncle."
._»»
jleff that's changed, Cary, and with my mother
TEdead and buried--"
Kl'one knows it and with Dad gone--"
|Qust it. I... just think it's best for now. Your
laS enough to do and, well, now, especially with
^believing my mother's dead and buried,
»Olivia thinks this is better for all concerned.
I promised before I left, I'll see you every
sd quickly.
eyes seemed to pierce right through me as
'ed up in a disdainful smile.
t't think you'd go through with it after your trip
ia, but I guess now that you've tasted wealth
ar, you'd rather live in the mansion, right?"
t's not it," I protested, shaking my head.
|'s no question she can do far more for you than
; continued, folding his arms across his chest
I his shoulders back, "I don't blame you."
;to me like that, Cary. You don't under"

'stand. That's my trouble. I understand
t^ be said.
ie 2 permitted the burning tears to course
tee.
my mother was a disaster. First, her boy2^3
eyes as I did so, "your mother will want i
I'm sorry," I said. I wiped away mow,
silent * <
Tknow what you mean but... Xjuat,
"You think I want to live with Grand) *
cruel in ways I don't even understand, 1
Cary, and if ever there was a time f i
strong, ft's now."
"I'm strong," he proclaimed. •
"You are, but you nave to be strong fbr'|
'and your sister first, especially tight now,*1"
whenthe^hne is right, I want you tabei
too."
That brought a warm smile to his faee;^
•moment saS then he nodded and sfeppi
embrace me. I loved the feel of his strong 1
my body. I wished f could sinfc into hinrai^
secure behind the walls of his love forever i
He kissed away a lingering tear and Ml
hair.
. "I thought i had lost you forever," he 88
you would fall in love with Hollywood.'*
"I hated it, Cary, at least AeLpart I saw.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
is or for my mother, but she just hasn't
I "yet I'm afraid that when she finally under-
Hdestroy her."
i Olivia is right, Melody. You need to forget
. You've come home to us. You need to start
, the future." He looked up at me sheep
thought I'd ever agree with her about

> I hate to say this, but 1 think we both have a
fc from her."
ed and then grew serious.
r how bad Grandpa Samuel is, 1 suppose."
. if something snapped in his head when
a."
and tears glistened in his eyes, too. He
f and then smiled again.
1 be very happy to see you, and so will
" he added, stepping aside. He kissed
and we entered the house.
unt Sara's feet reading and Aunt Sara was
needlework, her hands working mechani- 1 obviously elsewhere. Aunt Sara lifted her
d when she saw me, her face softened into
3g and wonderful smile, the smile I had
oa my own mother's face but didn't.
"She put her needlework down and the
& May's attention. The moment May saw
xploded with happiness and she jumped up
: my arms. I held her tightly and then she
«nd began signing with such speed, I
P-
* Gary signed. "She's so full of questions
st you much quicker than any cross.
stepped forward to embrace Aunt Sara.
y. Aunt Sara."
t dear. He fought hard. The doctors said he
; end. He did not go 'gentle into that good
simple one without aiaiidfe & I |He.i
beige blanket a^^Bfe^ »
the ooraer^,a»dy^BllB „ g-' sS
^-^.--I- -----*5 . «-*. ...--I- Bi ^, 0« S
^

at Cary, whose eyes told me be4
word to her.
"No, Aant i&ra, the worBan I found
mother I was hoping to find." :
"Oh, how sad." She noaded witfcasBiaJ
at least you're back here, hoinewithiis,witbfy
again. You wast tell us all about California.;
bee& there." . ' ~ ^
, I sat beside her on the sofa and told the
trip. May .sat at my feet, watching my harii
' sat in what had always been his-father's <du
itis eyes fixed on me.- n aa
i WBhadlunckandtheHCaryandItoolcM^
along the beach, just as we used to do. 'a»',.
"While you were away. May and I came oiri
¥& pretend you ww with -as. ft wasvssyi
can't hear, so I could talk aloud to you. I dtt
many times t told you Ltoved yea," ;
"I heard you each time," i said.- He tighc
on my hand. ' .
"Caaryoagtay for dinner?'* - . , ,im
"I think I'd better go back for dinner, but I'
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

i this afternoon and I was hoping you'd drive pie
e," I said.
rned away quickly.
t's wrong?"
s out there yesterday," he said. "Kenneth's ...
L I think all of it, finishing his big work, your
[ discovery ofHaille, your leaving ... all brought
linful memories, memories he was able to bury in
hl"
pAt's wrong with him?"
lygas drinking a lot. Actually, I found him steeping
Bt"Bach, Ulysses-whining beside him. I helped him
house. He had obviously been out there all

Uto, Cary."
Jpn't know if you should go there."
Ice than ever, Cary. I should go there more than
ttsaid.
? it with such determination and strength, I even
»t myself.
t all your unhappiness and all your own prob- . think you can go and help someone else?" he
d»
seofall that,'* I replied, thinking about some of
, Grandma Olivia had said. "It's important to
r to deal with unpleasantness, how to accept
i can't change and move on to what you can."
jfou think you can change Kenneth's unhappi- I asked with skepticism and amazement.
* Isaid gazing out over the blue waves that rolled
"Yes, I do.'*
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
^ but it, too, was partially open. The house was
rse mess than it had been before I had begun
ir Kenneth. It looked like he hadn't washed a
? kitchen since I had left. Food was caked on
isses, some still with wine, whiskey, beer and
i- in them, were scattered everywhere, even on
sills.
I on the bedroom doorjamb before gazing in,
h wasn't there. I didn't know how he could
i bedroom anyway. The blankets were half off
l^ were the sheets. There was a pillow on the
bhg with clothing and shoes he had discarded. I
hrough the mess and then stopped and stooped
Ijpiek up the picture of Mommy and me I had
Sad wader the bed.
ifK smells in here, doesn't it?" Cary said. I saw
ted food and what looked like a pile of vomit in
a". "Disgusting. What's that?"
tKre of myself and Mommy. Did you check the
it'
j'He*s probably in the studio," Cary said. He
as head as he gazed around the room. "I told you
|ffe bad, but I didn't know how bad they were."
f" Let's go find him," I said and we walked
| the house, both grateful for the fresh air. I gazed
. the small pool where Kenneth kept Shell the
I some fish. Two dead fish floated on top of the
I Shell was nowhere in sight.
or to the studio was wide open. I stood in the
^sweeping my eyes over the bottles, the plates,
md cans. A chair was overturned and the small
? as if it were missing some of its stuffing.
t was sprawled at the foot of Neptune's Dough-
l folded in the fetal position, one hand holding
ity bottle of whiskey. His cheeks were unshav-
1 very straggly, his hair long and untrimmed.
ned pair of dungarees, no shoes and a faded
ripped down the right side. His eyes were
simple one without <
beige bli *
the

aufTuseyes remained (
iim again, harder.
Kenneth. Kenneth, wake up. It's Melody. Fat
Kenneth. Kenneth!" I jerked his am and nii
snapped opened with a start as he groaned. He <steol||
quickly, I nearly fell backward to avoid being sto ""
his swinging left arm. Then he fixed his eyes oft i
nibbed them into focus.
"What?"
Tin back, Kenneth. It's Metody."
"You're back?" He scrubbed his face with h» .
dropped his head as if he were going to fay asleep'i
aad then lifted it slowly, gazing at me harder. "Y<w'ti
a vision, a dream? You're really here," he said i
"Yes, Kenneth. I'm really here. What's
What have you done to yourself?"
He smiled.
"Done to myself? Nothing. What you see
been 4one to me, not by me," he replied. "So ...
finally noticed Cary standing to the side. "Oh, the I
rescue service has arrived^ huh?"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

|?:?iHi, Kenneth. I think you drained your battery in the
liep. You must have left the lights on test night."
r "Most likely," he said nodding.
il€*|: have »une jumper cables in the truck. I'll give it a
'leost and get it running for you."
r Kenneth brought his band to his temple, to his mouth
sad then bowed- "My family thanks you."
; Cary laughed and then looked at me and saw I didn't
link any of this was funny.
^ "I'll just go charge the jeep while you two talk," he
aid and hurried away, Ulysses at his heels.
"Talk? We're going to talk?"
"What's happened to you, Kenneth? You weren't tike
Bbis when I left."
I- "I don't know," he said quickly and struggled to get to
|his feet. I moved to help him, but he pushed me away. "I
Jean do it myself," he said, but he wobbled when he stood
j.and had to put his left hand against the statue. He opened
pus eyes and smiled. "I knew I created this for a reason."
"It has a lot more reason to be than that, Kenneth. It's
pectacular," I said, glancing at Neptune's Daughter again.
"here was no question (he face was my mother's face.
"Right. Art for art's sake, to bring out the beauty that
?is otherwise unseen, unheard, untouched around us. I
am a prophet, a singer of songs, a ..." He groaned."...
; ji man with a terrific hangover."
|f He staggered over to the sofa, grabbed a pillow and
l^^^tepped down, nearly turning the sofa over at the same
t^ime.
"Why are you drinking like this? You're killing yourelf,"
I said.
"No, it just looks that way. I can go on like this
indefinitely. So," he said coming more to his senses, "I
did hear from Holly a few times. Apparently, our Miss
Cape Cod did pull a fast one, huh? She performed a
death and resurrection, just as we all suspected?"
"Yes, she and her so-called agent took advantage of a
situation to fake her death. The woman in the car with
sing to let this I
----lasrworkTyou're too young to retire."
"Retire?" He laughed. "Yes, retire is a good w
it. Kenneth Childs, renowned New England sculpt
declared his retirement I like the sound of that." "I
"I hate it because it's full of self-pity," I said.:
widened.
"Whoa. Et to. Melody? Thea fall Kenneth 0
"I understand, Kenneth, because I've been w
in it as well." I put another pillow back on toe j
sat beside him. Then I told him what had napf
California and why I had left. He listened, :
regaining some of their spirit and light as I
especially when I described my mother and how ^
she looked.
"Then she's still very beautiful?"
"Yes, but there are many beautiful women in
wood, most with more talent, and all probah
more reputable and reliable agents. Richard M
just some lowlife that has her beguiled," I said.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
^nodded.
I feel sorry for her. She was just as much a victim as I
t-1 feel sorry for you, too," he added quickly.
don't want you to. I'm not going to think about it
lore and I'm not going to try to make something
en that can never happen."
I looked at me with new interest.
"I see. You're learning to grin and bear it, huh?"
Tes, and I want you to learn as well." I paused and
l added, "You were actually lucky you didn't end up
; my mother. Grandma Olivia is right about people
ng excuses for her. She is what she is not because of
happened between you two, not because she dis- red your father is her father, but because it's in her
s who she is. She was always selfish, Kenneth. You
f that's true."
|He laughed.
There did you find all this wisdom and knowledge?"
was a long journey," I said dryly, "through a rain t of tears. Just because she lost you as a lover
a't mean she had to turn me away, to deny me as her
hter, does it? When do you stop blaming your father
revery mistake you make and start blaming yourself?"
pis eyes widened.
I^Vou don't understand," he said in a hoarse whisper,
i head shaking.
"I understand. Don't you think I wanted to love her,
? Don't you think I wanted to have a mother? When I
growing up and I had so many questions, girl-talk
stions, don't you think I longed to have her spend
xs and hours with me and not talk about herself and
r pimples or her new ounce of fat? Do you think if you
i been able to marry bet, you would have changed
rr'
"I don't know," he admitted. "AH I do know is I
Id have liked the opportunity." He sighed deeply.
ay. Melody, okay," he said. "I'll stop wallowing in
?ity, but I don't know about my work." He looked at

213

simple one without aiMK^ 0
beige blanket and-piffiiw^'g % the corner, and-it-Wi ;- $
pencils and a-thwpK; & | °- %

5»-sl§ 2
a:&||l <
-^"Sif
'»-j

Fyou take a shower or a bath soon?"
He roared with laughter and pulled his tand
from my hair.
"Okay, I deserve that."
"In the meantime, I'll clean up some of this mes^*
He shook his head and sighed.
"You're a bad influence on someone who want*
wallow in self-pity. Melody."
"Good," I said, which brought another smae to
face. I toad the feeling there hadnl been too many <'
had left.

"You did wonders with him," Cary said as we i
away some two aad a half hours later. We left Kei
eating some warm food and promising to rest and
off the whiskey for a while.
"I don*t know bow long it win last though," I
sadly. "He's come to (he point where his art
enough. He needs someone real to Jove and to love 1
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
Ste**! can understand that," Cary said, reaching to
lueeze my hand softly.
"Yes, me too."
As we bounced over the beach road, I gazed back at
nneth's house, Ulysses had come to the gate, but be
In't, as usual, follow the truck most of the way down
beach road barking after us. Cary gazed in his side
nor.
"Ulysses is showing his age, huh?"
e^ "Yes," I sa»d sadly. "And he's the only companion
Kenneth has."
1 During the drive back to Grandma Olivia's we
E watched the clouds blow in from the north, creeping
over most of the sky. By the time we turned into the
driveway, it had begun to rain.
"What are you doing about the lobster business?" I
Husked Cary as we came to a stop in front of the house.
^ "Boy's been running it. Theresa's been helping him,
|too. She asks about you often."
«""She turned out to be the nicest girl at school, as far as
twas concerned. I don't care what the snobs think of the
aavas."
Cary laughed> The Bravas, as the half black and half
tetuguese residents of Provincetown were called,
teren't easily accepted by the girls Grandma Olivia
onsidered of respectable lineage.
"I've got the cranberry crop to worry about now
wywsy. Because of the warmer weather this year, they're
"a little ahead of schedule," Cary said. "Most of the
Utenies are already a bright red. Usually, we don't begin
: tarvesting until October, but I think we'll be at it by the
lird week in September this year."
"This will be my first cranberry harvest. What do I
eed to know so that I can help you?"
"Well, these cranberries will all be for juices and
"' sauces so we do what's called a *wet harvesting.' First, we
flood the bog until the cranberries are completely covNied
with water. Then we bring in fat-tired trucks called
^water reels' or 'eggbeaters.' They're driven through the
V.C ANDREWS

bog and the spinning reels on the machines
berries from the plants and they float to the su
That's when the hard work begins."
"What do you mean?"
"We assemble a corral using boards and canvas h and encircle the cranberries, drawing them to one <
the bog. A pipe is placed just beneath the surface of
water, and this pipe leads to a pump on shore wl
sucks the berries into a metal box called a hopper.'
hopper separates everything and then the berries i
loaded into trucks."
"Ibu sound like you know exactly what to do," I s
"Maybe, bat I've never done this without Dad."
"You'll do fine, Cary, and I'll be there beside you."
He laughed.
"Ifou'U be in school," he said.
"I'll take some days off," I promised.
"Play hooky? Yoa have a chance to be class'
ian, don't you?"
"It's not as important to me," I said, "as helping you,*
He smiled and leaned over to kiss me. It was a she
sweet kiss, and when he pulled back, I looked so dee
into his green eyes that I felt I was really connecting w
him, with his soul, with who he was. His eyes were I
magnets. I moved my lips toward his again and
kissed, only this time longer, harder, embracing ssf
other tightly.
"I'm glad you're back," he whispered. "I had night*!
mares that I would never see you again." &
"Fill your head with only good dreams, Cary. I'm bs
and I won't ever leave you again," I promised.
He was so happy it brought tears to his eyes. We star)
to kiss again, when I looked out over his shoulder at i
house and saw a window curtain move on the secc
floor. I was sure it was Grandma Olivia gazing down at i
"I better go in, Cary, before it really starts pouring"
"Right When should I come by tomorrow?"
"Wait for me to call you. I'd like to visit
Belinda, if I could."
1^'Swe, I'll take yon." be said.
"'You should be spending all your time with your
Bother, Cary. She must be so sad. And lonely."
&"I can't sit there all day and wateh her cry. Melody. It
Bakes me crazy to see how sad she is. The best I can do
(work hard and show her that everything will be all
tght. m take care of things."
"I know you will," I said, nodding. "I'll call you
Mnorrow."
1 gave him a quick kiss and hopped out of the truck.
Ie watched me cross in front of it and smiled at me as I
walked to the front door. He didn't start the engine until
topened the door to go in. I waved and he started away.
With the sky so overcast and the lights either off or
umed low, it was dismal and dark in the house. I felt a
hill run through my body and folded my arms across
ay chest as I hurried up the stairs. When I reached the
scond floor and turned toward my room, I found
irandma Olivia waiting at my door. Without a greeting,
ae opened the door for me and stood back.
"Lets talk," she said, grimly.
Keeping my head down and my arms still folded, I
walked by her and into the room. She closed the door
|ftly behind her.
"Where were you all day?"
**1 went to Aunt Sara's and spent time with her and
flMtey, and then Cary took me to see Kenneth," I replied.
"It would probably be better if you stopped going out
2 that beach house so much now," she declared.
"Why?"
"There's enough suspicious gossip going on. It wfll
fwaSy add to it."
^ "I can't hide from every whisper in Provincetown," I
lafid.
»*" She stiffened.
I, "^>H will lead an exemplary life here. No one will
^Iteve any reason to utter the smallest suspicion or tale of
indiscretion," she demanded as if she could order the
s at will.
V.C.MSDKEWS
"I'm not going to stop seeing Kenneth. He's ay i
my real uncle."
"Don't ever say that to anyone, do you understf
she snapped, moving to stand over me. Her eyes 1(
more haunted by her own fears than rage at me. Nc
appeared to terrify her more than the community i
ing Judge Childs was my grandfather and had been-1
sister's lover.
"I have no intention of rattling any of the skeletoat
our family closet. Grandma Olivia. It wouldn't serve <
purpose except to hurt people who have already)
too much because of them."
She smiled, relieved, and nodded.
"That's right That's good thinking."
"How is my grandmother?" I asked firmly.
"Belinda is ... Belinda. She was taken off the me
tfon that turned her into a vegetable^ if that's what y|
mean." -J
"Good. I'm going to see her tomorrow. Don't WttQ
you won't have to waste any gas. Gary's taking me,*"
said quickly.
"That's the main reason I wanted to talk to you,",'
said. "You've grown too close to Cary. I underst
why," she continued, crossing to the window. The
had become harder and the wind was flinging the ht
drops at the house, drumming a wild beat upon the r
"You were alone; you were in strange surroundings ba|
you had a contemporary to talk to and befriend
However, now that you are here, you've got to ci
some distance between the two of you."
"Whatever for?" I asked and she pivoted quickly.
"Cary is a good, responsible young man, but t
limited for you now. You can't make the mistakes
made," she warned. "There would be no purpose fort
taking you in if I didn't teach you that," she added, j
"Being with someone you love can never be a mistake," I replied.
She shook her head.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

yoe've grown out of these foolish romantic
you will be strong enough to lake on the
abilities I have in mind for you. Besides, you're
linking of your immediate future. You will finish
; school year, go to a prestigious prep school which
prepare you for the best colleges, where I am sase
mS meet someone from a distinguished family and
ta meaningful relationship."
fou talk like you have my whole life planned out for
>»

': will do die best I can, but you must be cooperative
t obedient," she continued, obviously not at all eon- ssd with my feelings. "I've been thinking about you
day and I've concluded that you can begin your
ig immediately. For that purpose, I have con1
with an excellent tutor, a Miss Louise May
4 who happens to be a retired charm school
r. You will begin your lessons the day after tomorr, so don't make any silly plans to wander the beaches,
q sailing or visit anyone."
wessons? In what?"
Stiquette, manners, behavior. You are going to at1
schools populated by the daughters of only the best
ilies, people of stature, good breeding, pure blood."
rhere's nothing wrong with my manners," I com- ned.
»e laughed.
Sow would you know, my dear? Have you ever been
i people who recognized the difference?"
E stared at her a moment, my anger simmering my
d into a rolling boil. Yes, my mother was a great
apointment, but there were many people in my life
were warm and decent. Why, Papa George and
i Arlene would make any of Grandma Olivia's blue
s look like savages when it came to true and good
gs and decency, I thought.
Papa George was dead and Mama Arlene had
t away, a small voice reminded me.
V.C. ANDREWS
"That's settled then," Grandma Olma
"Ifou will Mmit your contact with Kenneth Childs.
with Cary and you will be a good student of manne
"I wont limit my contact with Cary," I challenge
"If you w&nt on your own accord, 1*11 Dave to sp
with Sara. And," she said smiling, "you know what I
of influence I have with Sara. They are, despite
dribbles in from that dying lobster boat business
their silly cranberries, dependent upon my charity^
extent you don't fathom. Why even that patheticr'
really belongs to are," she revealed* "My soa i
borrow the money for the mortgage.*'
"'Yfou wouldn't dare do anything to hurt
countered.
She fixed her eyes on me with a firmness that:
into my veins.
"Not unless you force me too," she said. T
smiled. "I suppose you could always run away
like your dead mother. Think it all over and I'm
you'll conclude that your best chances for a decen
are here with me and with what I will do -for you.'
"Why are you really doing all this for me?" I
her, suddenly more curious than angry.
"I told you, for the family's sake," she said.
I shook my head.
"There's another reason."
"There is no other reason ... for anything,"
clared and then turned to leave my room.
The rain grew heavier, its drum beat pounding*
heart as welt as on the house. I saw Gary's loving s
his deep green eyes revealing his great need for i
great trust How could I disappoint him? Gi
Olivia's threats scared me. I thought about the
her face.
Some time ago, she had trusted her heart to sc
who had betrayed her and from that betrayal my:
was born, a woman she couldn't control or moldJ
her last chance for revenge.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

: revenge against whom? Against what?
s it someone or was it merely a worid she had come
e? Maybe it was both, I thought.
ore that in the days to follow I would find all the
only I was just as terrified of making the
es as I was of not.
i floundering in a world of adult quicksand. Who
t throw me a line to pull me out? Kenneth? Judge
' My Grandmother Belinda? Cary? Everyone
I to be floundering just as much.
Grandma Olivia, only she seemed to walk on
Mind. I had to admire her for that, and suddenly, I
Bed with a new fear.
at if she got her way and I became the woman she
I me to become?
ild I become her?
t surely, she would have her revenge.

tdpa Samuel did not join us for dinner. When
t began serving, I inquired after him.
ggiel's not up to coming down to dinner tonight,"
a& Olivia said and began to eat her soup.
| he.hungry?"
doesn't remember when he ate and when he
'she remarked acidly.
, teat's terrible, istft it?" I pursued.
'she said and paused. "I'm debating whether to
; move in to help take care of him or--"
"
a placed in the home Belinda is in. The
t be examining him again in a few days and
; what he thinks we should do."
6;he'U get better. He's just overcome with
I.
d her mouth daintily and signaled for Lorets
her bowl.
dody, I don't know if we have room on our
(it," she said.
V, C. ANDREWS
"Hang it? HaBg what?" |j
"Your medical degree. I didn't know you had a'
she said humoriessly.
"I'm just saying that it's possible, isn't it? He
needs some tender love and care- It's very painful to
someone you love," I shot back. Sarcasm dripped f
those thin, smug lips of hers.
"Of course it's painful, tout tragedy and sadness]
be subdued if_you are to be of any value to anjj
including yourself. If all you are going to do is wallo
tears, you might as well throw yourself into the j
with your loved one. i may sound insensitive to
Melody, but I am a realist, pragmatic. All the succei
that we have, is a result of that strength.
"And the irony is," she continued, "the weaker, j
sensitive members of my immediate family are St
dependent upon my strength. Where would thev|
without me? Where do you think Samuel would ev
ally end up, and Belinda and Sara? All of them.
you," she added.
She nodded at Loretta, who began serving the <
but who looked terrified of doing anything that
interrupt. Grandma Olivia continued.
"I don't expect gratitude. I don't need to be co
ally stroked with thank-yous, but I won't be despised!
my actions either. Is that dear?" she demanded.
I glanced at Loretta, who looked like she was
for myTeply before she would serve me, too.
"Yes, ma'am,** I said.
"Good." She began to eat while I poked at my
"You may go visit Belinda tomorrow. You should,-)
that I think about it Tell her about Haille. Give he
the details about her daughter. A good dose of rei
might be beneficial," she-said, nodding and smiling.'
We stared at each other a moment and then we i
quietly, neither of us saying another word until we-1
finished. Loretta was there to remove the dishes '
instant and quietly announced that she'd be 1
dessert momentarily.
UNFimSSEB SYMPHONY

riTm tired and I've had enough to eat. Ym should take
artime. Try the creme brulee. It's very good," Graadt
Olivia said and retreated to the parlor.
I had no more appetite and left the dining room soon
r her. When I passed the parlor, I saw her sitting in
grand cushioned chair, suddenly looking very small,
lasted and alone. She had a book in her lap, but she
at reading anymore. She was staring out the window
e stow downpour, watching as the sky poured out
ears she'd never allow herself to shed.
vent upstairs to my room, but when I reached the
id floor, I heard a door open and dose and saw
idpa Samuel coming down the hallway. He spotted
t and hurried toward me. He wore a pair of pajamas
bA dark blue velvet robe, but he -was barefoot. His
Ewas disheveled. It looked like he had been running
era through it for hours.
Be," he whispered. "I'm glad you're back."
., Grandpa. I'm Melody," I said softly with a
."Melody."
I shook his head and looked back as if he was afraid
Bg overheard.
6's gone and done it. I told her it wasn't right, but
rbade me to utter a word. She said it was a family
ce and if I should so much as drop a hint in public
Eacbb and Sara, she would have me thrown out. She
[teil everyone I was responsible for your pregnancy
il. Can you imagine? I think she meant it."
andpa."
l not saying she's not right. Maybe she is better off
he-is, but Haille, you--"
idpa, it's me. Melody," I said. 1 reached out and
; hand. He turned and looked into my face.
ft?"
c-st me closely. I'm not my mother."
r mustn't tell her I told you," he said. He looked
ened.
what? Who are you talking about? Belinda?"
: his head.
V. €. ANDREWS

"I'm not responsible," he said, pulling his i
mine and backing away. "You cant blame me." s-*
"Grandpa." "N
"I'm going to bed. Things will took different
morning. They always look different in the moroil
if you don't believe me, you go into the baseme
you look. You'll find the papers. Shh," he said bi
his finger to his Hps. "Don't say a word. IDoat^
know I told you," be warned me. "Just pret
found the papers yourself," be added and hum
looking bade only once before going into his
and closing the door.
What papers?
Was it all part of his madness? Like 0]
Hamlet, had he been driven insane by the
someone he loved? If he didn't come out of his i
state of confusion he would end up in a rest
sadly thought
Or were there more skeletons dangling in a closet I
yet to discover? Was it not just madness but
memories that did this to him?
I heard footsteps below. Grandma Olivia was i
up the stairs, and for bow, I thought, I won
Grandpa Samuel's words to myself.
In my room I lay on the bed, my thoughts t
through my mind, making it impossible to sleep, t
Samuel's words echoed in my ears and when I did J
drift off to sleep, it was of secrets and lies sad w
from beyond the grave that I dreamt. I tossed sad
for most of tiae night before I finally gave up 00.4
I lay there with my eyes wide open for the longc
The rain had stepped but the wind continued to
and blow over the big house, scratching at* the
and whispering a name. My nightmares had" I
voice. I could not make it out, but I knew itwas
deeper than I had ever fathomed. a'
How Sweet It Is

L the next day, Cary came by to take me to
i Belinda. 1 waited at the parlor window so I
(rush out to meet him as soon as he pulled into the
ay. I didn't want him to have to see the look of
Oval on Grandma Olivia's face. He would sorely
s about it and I would have to tell him her feelings
ning us. If there was anything I wanted to avoid at
Mnent, it was family turmoil, especially when it
^ be traced back to me.
erday'a storm had passed and the small vanilla
t ef clouds looked like they were melting over the
t blue sky. The instant I saw Gary's truck, I ran
i greet him. As we drove away from Grandma
t dreary home, Cary and I remarked on how
te sun seemed, how clean and clear the air, how
il the grass and flowers. It filled me with a
1 sense of hope and reminded me of when 1 was
-and I believed life would be like one long and
summer day, a day just like this one.
about to see my closest relative again. I hoped
V. C. ANDREWS

that taking her off her medication had cleared her 1
couldn't wait to hug her and talk to her about ever]
especially all my dreams and plans for the future.
least Belinda had time to listen, I thought. At least It
someone neither Mommy nor Grandma Olivia
take from me.
As we drove up to the rest home, Cary talked abo
times his twin sister Laura had gone'to see my
mother before Uncle Jacob had forbidden any f)
visits. Cary hadn't talked about Laura for quite a
When I had first come to Provincetown, just proa
ing her name seemed to being pain to his lips.
"Why did Laura visit her so often, Cary?" I asked. I
thought for a moment, his memories brightening his 9
green eyes.
"Belinda took to Laura the first time she met her.
was as if they recognized something soft and loving |
each other, some secret the two of them shared. ""
matter who else was present, Belinda directed I
only to Laura. No one knew about the first time
visited her up here. In fact, if I recall, my father <
discover it was going on until the third or fourth
and only then because some spy of Grandma Oin
told her about the visits. She called Dad and he chc '
Laura for going; after all, Belinda was the black sh
the family. We weren't supposed to mention her
much less visit her.
"But Dad always had trouble forbidding Laura to.
things," Cary continued. "Whenever Laura and I s
something he didn't approve of. Dad would din
himself mainly to me, barely looking at Laura, as if I
hadn't been involved at all. He never thought he let 1
soft spot show, but it was obvious he always thou^
things were my fault anyway, as if I was the one wl
should have known better or should have been ma
responsible. Laura would fly to my defense, of cows
taking as much blame as she could, but Dad wouldt
hear of it. He would accuse her of trying to protect me."
Cary laughed, as he continued remembering.
Dad,' she would exclaim, 'Gary wasn't even

» matter,' Dad would growl back. 'He should have
tthere to stop you or warn you.'"
"Biee," he said turning to me as we drove up the side
toward the rest home, "I took quite a beating for
athofus.He whipped me with a thick leather strap
i had so many welts on my rear end I couldn't sit
ays. I had to lie on my stomach. Laura came into
oom and sat beside the bed, crying as if she felt
lain as much as I did. I tell you, I stopped feeling
'<&» myself and didn't feel as much pain. Oae of
ars would draw ten of hers, so I had to stop crying
f would drown the two of us," he explained with a

way, she would bike all the way up here to visit
, and Belinda really looked forward to her visits,
iat 1 heard. I think Grandma Olivia was jealous.
mever hiked over to visit her.'1 He smiled, turning
, "Like you, Laura cared more about other people
1»e cared about herself, especially those who were
rtunate, whether it was because of lack of money
; ofiove."
wiled into a parking space and got out of the truck
ade our way to the entrance of the home. A pretty
jrpeeted us just inside the lobby. Her name tag read
. williams. I hadn't seen her before. She didn't look
'l older than her late twenties.
weren't as many residents sitting there as the
a I had visited, but once again, my appearance,
,«ciaUy Gary's, too, drew all their attention,
their conversations, interrupted their checkers
* fames.
ned who we were and whom we had come to
before Mrs. Williams could respond, Mrs.
; stepped out of her office and drew our attention
& came toward us, her high heels clicking over the

it's been some time since your last visit," she
227

V.C. ANDREWS

said. "You led me to believe yen would. ~l
quently," she added as if she had caught me
"I've been away," I explained. She smifked i
to the nurse. "I'll see to them, Mrs. WiHiaaas.^
^Yes, ma'am," the nurse said and returned to 1
residents.
"Yow grandniother is in the garden," she i
ing quickly at Cary. "This is a family
sumer
"Yes, he is. How is she doing?"
"Quite well, actually. I should warn you
you've Aeea here, Miss Gordon's formed a frit
with one of our other residents, Mr. Mandel, and t
of them spend most of their time together."
Cary smiled but Mrs. Greene didn't even ac
him.
"It's just a companionship, of course," she cent
speaking through her tight jaw as she led us throu
lobby and down a corridor to a side door that opei
the gardens and walkways, "but we encourage
dungs. We find it's good for their mental heaK
develop relationships with other residents."
"You talk about them as if they're some otheM
des," I remarked. Gary's eyes widened, surprised atJ
tone of voice and confrontational demeanor, buj
recalled this woman's attitude about me the other tia
we had met, and I was sure she was somehow i
Grandma Olivia's payroll.
"The elderly practically are some other species,"^
replied, not skipping a beat "However, only soi
who has to work with them day in and day out
understand, I'm afraid."
She flashed as artificial a smile at us as I had ever i
and then nodded toward Grandma Belinda and a sl
bald man sitting on a bench. He had a dark wood
and leaned on it as he sat. His glasses had slipped d
the bridge of his nose until they tottered at the very <
of his narrow nostrils. He wore a blue suit jacket,
pants of a lighter shade, almost gray actually. His tie'
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

^knotted with one half far longer than the
t his socks sagged around his ankles.
approached I was hoping Grandma Belinda
nember me. When her face brightened, 1
tehad.
rok who's here, Thomas, my grandnephew and
»," she said and I realized that because I had
i Gary, she assumed I was Laura.
randma," I said. "It's Melody, not Laara."
yT' She looked at Cary.
. right. Aunt Belinda. It's your granddaughter,
ptHow are you?"
ed from him to me and blinked rapidly. Even
i appeared to be struggling with her memory,
from as pale and drained as she bad been the
I had visited. She looked bright, her cheeks a
f. She had taken cafe to brush her hair neatly,
s. wore a little lipstick. I saw she was holding
Mandel's left hand. He smiled up at us,

Grandma Belinda said. "I want you two to
r. Mandel. He used to be an accountant and can
I tote of numbers in his head, big numbers?"
;'t exaggerate, Belinda. I'm not anything like 1
e said jovially. "Pleased to meet you. I guess I'll
i visit with your family, Belinda," he said, rising
tting her softly on the back of her hand.
i don't have to leave, Mr. Mandel," I said, seeing
appointment on Grandma Belinda's face.
, go, I have to talk to Mrs. Landeau about her tax
investments. I promised her. You go on. Here,
y seat," he said to me.
idma Belinda looked sadly after him as he woblaway
on his cane. Then her eyes shadowed, growing
p, dark, her face turning angry and resembling
mdma Olivia's face.
I know what she's up to, asking him for advice," she
ered. "She had her eyes on him the moment he
iEOverto sit with me in the dining room. Green with
V. C.ANOHEWS

envy, that one. I bet she hasn^t a cent im
anything anymore. She's just lying to get him
attention to her. I know that type. They can't st
see someone else happy."
Cary laughed. I shook my head at him so he-'
stop; I didn't want Grandma Belinda to think h
laughing at her. Then I sat beside her, taking hex
into mine.
"Grandma, don't you remember my coming '
you before?" I asked. "Don't you remember our t
She glanced up at Cary and then smiled at me.-.
"Of course, I remember. How are your parent "
Cary and I exchanged looks of disappc'
Should we confront Grandma Belinda with
reality or was it better to assume the roles her
mind assigned us?
"Look at me. Grandma Belinda. I'm Melody,:
daughter, your granddaughter. I'm not Laura. l'- to tell you about Haille. I went to see her in Calij
p She stared at me, pressing her lips together. T
face turned harder, her eyes colder.
"I don't have a daughter," she said. "Everyone stop saying that." She turned to took after Mr. M
her voice full of rage. "Now you've gone and chasi
Masdel away and that Corina Landeau is going to ]
claws into him. Every time I find someone, a
tries to steal him away. My sister's no exception i
She turned back to us and her face suddenly s
again with a sweet smile. "How's your mother?'
her I enjoyed the cookies and if she wants to r
some more, I wont object."
"Grandma," I said with more desperation,
try to remember my other visits. I'm Melody,
Haille's daughter."
She continued to look after Mr. Mandel and i
faraway look on her face, I could tell she wasn't lib
to me. 1 sighed deeply and Gary put his hand '
shoulder.
"Grandma Olivia wanted me to come up here i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

of reality. I think she knew what I would
riA bitterly.
as here," Grandma Belinda said, her gaze still
y from us. "She paid me a visit. I suppose I'm
lored."
i was here. Grandma?" I asked.
raaajesty, who else?" she said, turning back to us.
I me Haille was dead, killed in a car accident
So you see, I can't have a granddaughter. I
ie anyone. I had Mr. Mandel, but now--"
i. not true. Grandma. She lied. You have me,
i,'* I said. "Please, look at me, remember me. I
you before. Don't you remember?" r cried,
Y pleading with her. She stared at me, her eyes

1 to Cary and so did Grandma Belinda.
ywa mother, Cary?" she asked. "Does she
'; beautihu needlework?"
; does. Aunt Belinda." He smiled and she

to do needlework, but my fingers are too
k. That's what happens. You get older and
i get clumsy." She shook her head sadly and
t back toward Mr. Mandel and pressed her
r so hard little white lines of rage formed.
Ic at her beaming over there," she muttered
>reath. "He's talking and she's beaming. She
e a penny invested. I told him, but men don't
Bother woman bats her eyelashes at them and
ng after them. You understand, don't you?"
ning back to me as if she just realized I was
I her. She smiled. "Just look at you. Look at
k So grown up, Laura. So grown up. Don't
i too fast," she warned as she turned back to
.Mandel. "Why don't we just walk over there
;tend tOTieed him to help me with my money,
? she said, pleased that she'd come "up with a
i Ac problem.

V. C. ANDREWS

wtmued to stare after Mr. Mandel.
f's no use. Melody," Cary said. "She's not gon
ember. You're just wasting time and facing
disappointment."
"But she is all I have left, Cary. I have no
family," I moaned.
"You've got me," he said emphatically.
"I thought she'd remember," I said, gazing at
wistfully. "I thought we'd have some time together,
obviously Grandma Olivia made sure we wouldn't,",
added. "She came up here and confused her. She did &
deliberately."
"Let's go. Melody."
"She's jealous of everything, even the fragile relatk
ship I was building with my grandmother. She just r
bursting in here and swept it all away."
"Melody, you're getting yourself all worked up.
on," he urged.
"Do me a favor," Grandma Belinda said when I!
up. "Just go over there and ask Mr. Mandel to
back. Tell him I need him right away."
"He'll come back to you. Grandma," I said. "YoB3|
much prettier than she is."
"I am?" She brightened again and nodded. "Yes, I,i
much prettier, aren't I?" she agreed, brushing the sin
of her hair with her palms. "He'll see that. She's got ti
mole on her chin with tiny hairs. I don't even have na
wrinkles, do I?" She turned to us, raising her face to l
sunlight, her eyes closed, her lips pursed like a yol
flirt.
"No, Grandma, you don't," I said and touched heel
cheek. She opened her eyes and gazed up at me.
"You look like an angel now," she said, "Your mother
must be very proud of you."
"She is," Cary said quickly. "Very proud."
"That's nice. That's the way it should be."
She turned back to glare in Mr. Mandel's direction,
Cary tugged my hand and I stood up beside him.
"She'll be all nght," he said.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
a're right," I said. I leaned over and gave her a kiss
Aer cheek, but she didn't notice. Her gaze was locked
''Nrr Mandd. "Bye Grandma. I'll come back. I
»ise."
0@n't forget the cookies," she called as we started
y. I looked back at her once before we left the garden.
r» Mandel had left the other woman and was hobbling
wn the path toward her and she looked very con-
Bted, very happy.
i^Maybe it's time you started thinking more about
ourself, about us," Gary said as we left the rest home.
"Maybe it's time we both looked to the future and not to
ti&past, huh?"
' "Maybe," I agreed, but I wasn't as confident as he was
it tiie past would let us do that.

I ^aid nothing to Grandma Olivia about her visit to the
"'. home. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of
wing that she had once again gotten her way. When
asked about my visit, I said it was fine and left it at
. If I was to survive in her world, I had to learn to
the game her way. For the time being, I would
id to be the young woman she wanted me to be.
s aext day, as Grandma Olivia had promised. Miss
n arrived at the house to begin my education m
Ate, making me feel from the start that I wasn't
better than some hick who had just arrived oh
precious Cape Cod shores. I was sure it was how
Ima Olivia had described me to her.
t called me down to the parlor and introduced me.
iss Burton, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter,,
iy," Grandma Olivia said, and I looked at the taB.,
i woman who stood so straight, I thought she hadai
i rod for a spine. She had very small shoulders, the
es of which pressed up sharply against the; dark blue
W dress that hung over her body in a straight line. Itfi
i reached her ankles and it was buttoned at thecouac
iss Burton said nothing but held out her hand.
it," I offered, shook her hand quickly, backed axag
V. C. ANDREWS
and looked at Grandma Olivia, whose bead bobt
slightly in approval.
"Until school begins. Miss Barton will meet with:
promptly at nine a.m. each weekday morning.
school begins, you will arrange your schedules
ingly."
"For how long?" I asked.
"For as long as it takes to turn you into a lady»|
Grandma Olivia replied curtly. ^
"I think I am a lady," I returned. Grandma Olivui
grinned coldly and looked at Miss Burton. j
"As you see, you have a real challenge here, Louise."!
"I'm sure we'll do what we can," Miss Burton sa '
still scrutinizing me intently.
"Then I'll leave you to begin. I know you need all f
time allotted for your lesson. And then some," Grandr
added and walked out of the parlor. For a moment ^
Burton and I just looked at each other, sizing each of
up like two combatants. Then she cleared her throat t
took a step toward me as if someone had given her
shove from behind.
"I can help you only if you want to be helped," sb
said grimly.
"I don't think I need to be helped," I replied honestly,|
since she wanted to be frank. "I
"Oh, my dear," she said smiling and shaking her head, 3
"you most definitely need to be helped." I
"Really?" I said dryly. "And how can you tell so^
quickly, or are you basing everything on what my
grandmother has told you about me?"
"I make my own evaluations of people. Let's simply
begin with your entrance this morning. Mrs. Logan
introduced you properly to me. A young person is always
introduced to an older person, but you don't say 'Hi.'
The very least you say, is simply 'Hello.' This is acceptable
in any situation except, of course, after a very formal
introduction. We had a somewhat formal introduction.
You should have said, 'Hello, Miss Burton, I'm glad to
meet you,' or 'How do you do. Miss Burton.' FurtherUNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i formal verbal greeting should be accompanied
ct eye contact, which indicates that you are
ITpaying attention to the person you are acknowls You let your eyes wander to Mrs. Logan, the
Ims, Mrs. Logan, back to me again," she lectured.
- ~i I continue?" she asked.
ess," I said, feeling a tight knot form in my
. k.
older person extends his or her hand first to a
ar ose, as I just did. but you don't take someone's
hfimply as if yours is boneless or as if you're
' igan empty glove. Of course, you don't squeeze
»!, but you should be firm and you should look the
; directly in the eyes when you shake.
t," she continued without skipping a beat, "is
adful posture. A person who stands erect and
; looks best, looks confident, looks like someone
i. Rounded shoulders, slouching, folding your
oss your body as you are now doing... all this
, your sloppiness and lack of refinement immedi-
Your shoulders should be back, chin in and slightly
omen and stomach in, back straight and knees
, You may keep your arms at your sides, relaxed,
Now, let me see you take that seat," she said
S toward the overstufied chair to my left.
1 it like a challenge of great proportions, positive
; whatever I did would be wrong. Nevertheless, I
I up to the chair, turned, looked directly at her
. She laughed.
at's so funny?"
don't really sit like that. You would never be so
ir do you flop into a chair. Sit softly and keep yws
together," she added, nodding at my legs. "The
'people who want a view of your undergarments are
tes. You should sit a bit sideways to keep from
into the chair."
s pillows are so soft that I--"
reason to be aware of your posture and how
to others in the room.'*
V. C. ANDREWS

"I dont think I look especially steppy," r i
^You dorft look sloppy, tart you dont look lifce|
young woman of refinement, a woman of quality,
lire, a woman who would attract someone of like
she insisted. "You ace part of & very distinguished fa
now. 'You have a responsibility to be distingui
yourself, and sitting in a chair with your knees '
enough apart to drive a truck between them, slouc
when you stand, moving in jerky motions, gawking,
of that makes you took more like someone brought upl
uneducated, unsophisticated people of low quality." B
"That's not true. I was brought up by good peopi
decent people who cared about other people and--"^
"Then why don't you try to make them proud of 5
proud of what you can become and proud of who :
now are?" she retorted before I could continue
protest.
I swallowed back my pride and indignation.
"I will be only as good a teacher as you permit me 1
be and you will be only as good a student as you alto
yourself to be. Shall we begin or for the next hour wou'
you rather we debate whether you need my help or not"
she asked firmly, never relaxing her proper posture i
letting any warmth into her cold brown eyes.
"I'll try," I finally said, breathing deeply, dete
not to cry.
"Good. Then let's begin. Walk out and walk in i
pretending we are meeting for the first time. He
thinking about your posture as you enter the room."
I rose and left the parlor. For a moment 1 was temp
to rush out the front door. Then I gazed down
corridor and saw Grandma Olivia watching me. I ki
the satisfaction she would get from seeing me flee.!
would just nod and say she knew I didn't have it in me 1
rise to her level. Furious at the thought of her ridicule,'.
pulled back my shoulders, held my head high, i
returned to the parlor.
Miss Burton offered her hand and I shook it firmly;
said, "Hello, Miss Burton. I'm pleased to meet you."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

i smiled and nodded toward the chair. I sat as she
Lructed and placed my hands in my lap.
r good," she said. "We'll make a lady of you yet."
nk being a lady comes from more than knowing
i say hello," I told her.
I. course it does my dear. The guiding principle of
stte is thoughtfulness. There are ten command- lof everyday behavior. Never," she began, wagging
mg, thin and bony forefinger at me, "talk only
. yourself, never gossip, never ask personal ques-
or pry, never intentionally embarrass anyone,
tsr stare or point at someone, never chew gum with an
B mouth or snap it, or make bubbles, never display
etion in public," she said, pausing for breath. "From
& I understand, that's a commandment you young
pie today violate often."
tden't," I protested.
|e shook her head.
i^bu must become your own best critic and to do that,
fwasH not lie, especially to yourself. That's what
when you lie to others; you end up lying to

a't you kiss someone right out here in this
-jy recently?" she asked.
, my mouth agape. Grandma Olivia told her about
siagCary?
n't faeep your mouth open like that. It's not only
I®, it's unbecoming."
f9

sing in public is showing affection, wouldn't you
e? iLet*s move on," she said standing. "Today we
sto concentrate on eating."
Sating?"
lealtime manners, my dear. Please, follow me to the
^room."
jfose and started toward the door.
ys permit the older person to leave first," she
Embarassed, I stopped and allowed her to

237

V. C. ANDSEWS

walk out first. "Please, come along," she said.
no need to wait that long behind me."
I shook my head and followed her to the dining i
feeling like a puppy being housebroken. As we pass*
stairway, I noticed Loretta standing in the sha>
gazing down at me. Her face was shrouded in the glo
and I could only wonder whether Loretta would tui
to be my only friend in this cold and heartless hon
would she, too, prove to be another of GrandmaO
minions, too frightened to do anything but her bic
If only I knew I could trust Loretta,' I would rea<
to her and tell her to watch closely, I was about to4
Grandma Olivia at her own game.

My first opportunity came at dinner that night',
headed toward the dining room, I heard voices a
parlor and paused by the doorway in time to
Grandma Olivia say, "He's become impossible, a t
ering idiot. I can't permit him to be seen in p
anymore. I want you to call in some favors and put 3
at the head of the list. Nelson."
"But I thought the doctor said that might only i
bate his condition," Judge Childs replied.
"What about my condition? Don't you think it's 1
more than exacerbating for me?"
I stepped forward aad the Judge saw me. - i|
"Oh, Melody!" he exclaimed getting up to greet ok
I held out my hand the way Miss Burton had
structed, standing erect and holding out my arm fai
stiffly to prevent him from embracing me. I was ufloff
fortable with him showing me aay affection in feoafj
Grandma Olivia. I knew that if she suspected the re
tionship I was developing with my grandfather s
would destroy it as quickly as she had my fragile &e
with Grandma Belinda.
"Good evening. Judge Childs," I said. "It's nicetol
you again."
He paused as if struck dumb- for a moment and i
smiled and took my hand for a very quick
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

; at Grandma Olivia as he did so. She nodded
agly.
l happy to see you've come back."
ink you," I said with a tight smile, hoping he
Id go along with my ploy.
- ... we were just... relaxing before dinner," he
ined with some awkwardness.
looked as dapper as ever, albeit a little older,
r, his face a bit thinner. He wore a navy sports
; and khaki pants, a striped cravat tied loosely
ad his neck.
m't Grandpa Samuel coming to dinner?" I asked. "I
a't seen him all day."
to," Grandma Olivia said sharply. "His condition is
te. The doctor will be seeing him in the morning."
s,there anything I can do to help?" I asked, wishing I
d will Grandpa Samuel well again.
["here is nothing any of us can do," she replied dryly.
$ then, Loretta came to the doorway, and with a small
tsey announced dinner was ready.
'Finally," Grandma said, rising. Judge Childs held
I his arm to her and she took it quickly, the both of
m heading for the doorway. I stepped aside to let
tp leave first and then quickly followed them down
'corridor.
You must ten me about your trip West," the Judge
t when we were all sitting at the table. "Perhaps you
i come by one day to visit," he added, after throwing a
tous glance at Grandma Olivia.
'^Fd like that. Judge Childs," I said, unfolding my
apkin and placing it in my lap. Grandma Olivia studied
ly posture as I sat straight, my spine pressed firmly
gainst die back of my chair.
As soon as the soup was served and Grandma Olivia
' i up her spoon, the Judge and I began to eat.
rt for Grandma Olivia's house, I had never eaten
here where there were so many pieces of silverware
to the plate. Miss Burton had explained that we
start with the implement of each type that is
v^r sews
walkaartiist,*^' ^ /ate quietly for a - wsveedttov',^ j? fig each other. When'
^ fcgh»o'' ^, y /low for the spoon, <3
e 'W <s mot her soup dish, loud i
T A« /

; the near edge and point

I proper way to do it, Granc
said,-^ /see her face redden. The Judge!
to laugh,"-^ ^ped the moment he saw the i
Grandma (Mrwa's eyes.
"I know the way to do it. I wasn^t ready yet,*
replied.
"lour spoon sounded as if you were," I said. Alt1
I was determined to see my plan through, I was I
ning to think I might have to take things a bit slo
She pressed her lips together and tilted her
property, but she only took one more spoonful WEa
had both finished, we left our spoons in the soup
moving almost simultaneously and looking like
competitors vying for a prize in mealtime etiquett
saw the question marks in the Judge's eyes.
Trying not to grin, Loretta removed the dishes]
returned with our appetizers, dams on the halfsht
"I assume you've visited with Sara and the chfl
since your return," the Judge said. "How are
doingr
"As best as can be expected, Cary and May really s
their Dad. And, of course. Aunt Sara is just so sac
replied.
"Please give Sara my best when you see her again," 3
said. "I will have to do something to help that p
family," he added, shaking his bead sadly.
When Grandma Olivia began to eat her dams,
Judge and I dug into ours. The dams were served.
cracked ice arranged around containers of cockt
sauce. We speared the dams with our shellfish forks a
dipped them into the sauce and ate them in one bite.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
:," the Judge said, patting his belly contentedly.
e salads followed and then our entree, which to*
was lambchops. I almost choked on my meal when
dge took one by the bone and gnawed at the meat. I
I oaly imagine what Miss Burton would say to that!
tola and I cut ours daintily and ate in small bites.
II was finished, I put my knife and fork on the plate
i back. Loretta took say dishes and silverware, and
>llected Grandma Olivia's. The Judge didn't isetin-
lis until every morsel was gone. Then he smacked
i and remarked about the flavor of the meat.
i is one of the best restaurants in Provincetown,"
ped.
the price is right,"" Grandma Olivia muttered.
[ge roared with laughter and then sat forward, his
l on the table as he clasped his hands.
ff Melody, you're about to start your senior year,
'he said. "I bet you're excited about that."
s, I am," I replied honestly.
il thinking of Rosewood for her as a prep school,"
tea Olivia said, always anxious to put in her two
'worth.
;ycs, a fine place. I think Congressman Dunlap's
ter is there this year, if I'm not mistaken."
B're not," Grandma Olivia said.
to brought in our coffee and a lemon cake, which
ge eyed covetously. When Grandma Olivia lifted
, she spilled some of her coffee into the saucer. It
bit a solo performer at a concert had hit a sour
She froze for a moment and then continued,
her coffee and then putting the cup back, her
i shifting to the lemon cake.
tta't you replace that saucer. Grandma?" I
r. She fired a look at me and sat back.
ta," she called. Loretta appeared. "I'd like a
ser, please."
tit away, Mrs. Logan," Loretta said and hurried
> the kitchen. The Judge's smile widened. Grand'
br the lemon cake.
ie cake plate to the,
; is to be passed count)
it correct?" I asked, *
could manage, consido
ler face turned so purple, lie might do some actual
i cake plate back so quickly, I
the cake slipped to the edg
it again, die overcompensated <
ing in front of the JudgCr who'
back to avoid being hit by the icing.
"Whoops," he said with a laugh. Loretta came
ing toward the table.
Grandma Olivia, as red as a sunburnt tourist, j
her chair away from the table to permit Lore
access to the mess.
"No harm done," the Judge said. "I'll eat that<
it looks, Loretta."
She smiled at him but shifted her eyes toward <
ma Olivia as if she felt she would somehow
responsible.
"Nonsense," Grandma Olivia said. "Loretta,)
back into the kitchen and make it look pa
again."
"Yes, ma'am," she said, hurrying away
smashed cake.
"I would have eaten it off the table," the Judge)
lighten the moment, but Grandma Olivia glared d
at him until he sat back like an obedient little boy.
she turned slowly to me.
"If you hadn't interrupted like that--"
"I was trying to practice what I've been taught, <
ma. I'm sorry, but Miss Burton says we shoulc
our best manners for the outside world. She
people with whom we live deserve our best rnann
more."
"Miss Burton?" the Judge asked. »i3
UWFWfSHEO SYMPHONY
b I hired to teach her the finer ways," Grand- l quickly.
returned with the cake somewhat repaired,
> time she went around the table and served us
i our piece.
(looks scrumptious, doesn't it?" the Judge said.
Yes, it does," I said and cat my piece with my fork.
ittdma Olivia only nibbled at hers and left more than
? on the plate.
I as Loretta returned to take away the dishes, we
t ^e doorbell She paused for orders.
; to that first, Loretta," Grandma said.
ecting someone?** the Judge asked.
at all," she said, obviously annoyed to be dis- A moment later, Loretta returned with Cary
P»er. He was carrying a covered pie dish.
sorry I got here too late. Grandma," he said,
i. sent over a homemade cranberry pie. I picked
'y berries and she made it just this afternoon."
_., I've never cared much for cranberry pie,"
, Olivia said, sniffing haughtily.
Lit,'* the Judge said, winking at me.
i you take it," she said with a wave of her hand.
>k you. And Cary, you thank your mother for
j^aid as Cary stepped forward with the pie.
titthat in a box for Judge Childs, Loretta," Grand- "da commanded. "You should have brought it
(yast expected us to eat it tonight," she told

1 some things to do at the dock and..."
,don't worry about it," the Judge said. "It won't
ute, that's for sure."
stood there awkwardly, waiting for an invitation
; the table, but Grandma Olivia wasn't offering
glanced at me and then smiled at the Judge.
E be excused?" I asked. "I'd tike to go for a walk
l."
. icily at me.

243

V.C. ANDREWS
"It's getting late,*' rite said sternly^
"Late?" the Judge asked and looked at his'
he were the one who somehow mistook the ti
"For watts on the beach," she explained. "U
you had problems at the dock, Cary." - ^
"It's all been fixed. Grandma. I can stay for,;
visit," he said, practically pleading. Rein
nodded.
I rose.
"Thank you. Grandma. Judge Cnilds, I enjoyed^
with you tonight. I hope 111 see you soon." ^]
"Anytime you want, my dear. Just come right i
he said, smiling happily. Thankfully Grandm
was too wrapped up in her own steam to t
Judge's invitation odd. ,
1 left the table and accompanied Cary to,
door. When we stepped outside, I felt as if Ir
off shackles. The night air never felt so refre
"What's going on in there?" Cary asked.
cut the tension with a knife."
"Grandma and I are practicing good table i
said and laughed. "It appears she is not as pe
thinks she is. I think I'm going to have some fun'<
this proper this and proper that."
Cary took my hand and we walked down to the 1
The ocean was calm, the tide lapping softly at the i
In the distance I saw the tiny lights of a -tanka^l
glittered just above the water, some looking like i
of sparkling diamonds. There was no moonlight^
evening was clear enough so that the heavens;
down over us.
"'Ybu sure you want to live with her?" Cary <
"She looked meaner than ever tonight. Wheren
Grandpa? After the whole pie thing, I was afraid 1
he explained.
"She has him shut up in his room. I overhe;
talking to the Judge. I think she's getting G
Samuel placed in the same home my grandmother i
in," I said.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

that bad?" Cary asked, unable to keep the
t'ftora his voice.
s's babbling, confusing things I don't understand
?s not looking after himself, Cary. Unfortunately,
I »be might be right. He needs help."
i like everything's falling apart around us," Cary
tdly. "Ma wont break out of her depression. And
if to unhappy.*'
unc fay tomorrow," I promised, "and spend
t them."
I know they both miss you terribly."
sd, both gazing out at the water. He slipped
nind my waist and I leaned my head on his
r. 1 felt his lips on my hair, my forehead and then
temples. I lifted ray head toward him and we
, a long, soft kiss. Then he embraced me and
me around toward him so he could kiss me again.
I his breathing quicken.
vyou, Melody. I don't think an hour goes by that
think of you, even when I'm asleep," he said.
p» 'We have a problem," I said pulling away and
i few steps down the beach.
'' he asked, following me slowly.
i Olivia doesn't want us to spend «o much
r. She's practically forbidden it."
W
nnmg out my life, designing it, and in her
i is no place set aside for you," 1 told him,
r to soften the blow. *
?--" . ,r
it would be best if we don't let her knew
we spend together. The less she knows
ttcr. She'll only make trouble for us, fof

? do that?" he asked worriedly.
i wants. And every way you don t want?' I
^ cause problems anyway, if we don't have to)
ee of the adult world, the more I realize it's
millions of white lies that get strung into
245
V.C.JWDKEWS
chains of illusion and deception anyway. I'm
fighting it, Cary. If we have to steal our.'
steal it," I said firmly.
He smiled.
"As long as I'm with you, I don't care how we
he said.
"For the time being, I'm going to let her bei
doing everything she wants. It will make things*
all of us. Your mother doesn't need any more ft
her life at the moment. None of us do," i ,
nodded.
""ifou're getting to be a pretty strong person, I
"Whether I want to or not," I replied. He laia
then embraced me again for another long kiss. 1
his hands moved over my arms and my waist,
to my breasts. I moaned and sank against hirn^.i
weakening.
"Gary."
"I missed you so much," he said. "When
toge&er like we were?" '
"Soon," I promised. "Soon. We better geT
though." "He
nodded reluctantly. As we approached
the house, I gazed toward the basement state
when Cary had first shown me pictures of i
and revealed she had been living with Gran "
and Grandma Olivia, growing up with my ste
Uncle Jacob as if she were their sister.
"Grandpa Samuel mumbled about some <
hidden in the basement, Cary. Do you think
just his delusions talking?" ^'^l
Tin sure that's all it was," Cary said, tnfef ~"
the stairway, I felt the shadows drawing me,
promising revelations that would chill me ti
Someday I would have the courage to sec
But for now, I needed my courage just ^
through the day. . *<ri
'f Sacred Moments

SSft
: for Theresa Patterson, whose father had worked
i father and now Cary, 1 had made few friends
> school. After I had played my fiddle and sang
ety show at the end of the school year, people
i. notice of me, but since I was in California I
at time with any of the other fids during the
i few were curious about where I had been,
E told them I had been to. Hollywood visiting
' were more than interested. Since I couldn't
;the details of my trip they soon grew bored
I finding excuses to drop by ray locker and

every week after school, I spent an hour
e Barton. Since our initial first meeting, f
vase and even. began to like her. Her
-died five years ago, and both her children
la. In many ways she was just as lonely as I

_' she explained during our second session,
I nothing more than the Golden Rule put to

V. C. ANDREWS

work. You are simply developing ways, j
for to treat people as considerately as you
them to treat you. You show them respect and <
them to show you respect. You treat older pec
veneration and hope that when you are older, tt
you will be treated. You practice etiquette at
you don't do anything unappetizing. You w
it done to you. And there are always the p
come from wondering how to behave at
sions, how to behave with royalty, with high j
officials, et cetera. Etiquette gives us the gui
make us comfortable in these settings.
"Isn't it nice to know how to introduce I
somebody whose name you've forgotten? Why!
rass that person or make him or her fed badT '
comforting to know how to properly thank peop
people, console people, what to do at weddings;,
and birthdays? All of this will certainly come i
when you're in the business worid or looldu
career," she explained. *<
I stopped resisting, and listened and learned. .1
er I could, I pointed out Grandma Olivia's faili
mistakes, although now I usually chose them i
time. I especially liked to do it in front of aw
distinguished guests. ;?d
Finally, one day she paused at the dining i
when we were eating alone and said, "I I
you're criticizing ray table manners or my di
tations, but I want you to know it no longer I
as much as you hope it will. Furthermore, "
you are learning these things and despite i
becoming refined. In the end when you
being a brat, you will come to me and tha
predicted. Deep down I couldn't help but«
was fight and from that day forward I stop
ing her. " 4SI
I really did have to try and keep some peaf
was just the two of us in the house now.At tbca
first week of school, I had returned home^to i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i.Samuel bad been taken to the rest home. I
I it until Grandma Olivia and I sat at the
-table that night. After Loretta served us
!t, Grandma Olivia announced Grandpa
; without a crack to, her voice or a tear in her

to have Samuel taken to the home," she aid.
oome impossible."
r be there forever then?" I asked.
; as forever is, yes," she replied.
Er
B him whenever I visit Grandma Belinda," I

the surprised if he forgets who you are entirely.
g to the doctor, he's only going to get worse,"

> sorry. I wish there was something we could do
item."
lage. The wei^it of grief, disappointment, a
ggling take their toil sooner on some than
xs. It will be your fete as well as mine. It's
I for it rather than try to deny it Only the
l a illusion. I don't expect you to like me, but
ig you will come to respect what I'm trying to
nad for you," she continued.
lay sons are gone. My daughter-in-law remains
' rid creature. I have a deaf mute for a grand- ad a grandson who keeps hoping his pipe
I come true. Yes," she said with a smile, "160
rOary's foolish dreams of building boats."
not foolish."
b from a business standpoint Hell always
r, not much of a student, not much of a
and certainly not capable of supervising
; fortune. You, on the other hand, will be. It's a
bility ... family. Each great family is like
to itself. Whether this one survives or not
l«a your shoulders some day. That means
have to make decisions that won't be
V. C. ANDREWS

popular, but will be best for everyone. -Ether you?
have the strength and will to do it or you wont.
"Every decision you make now, every choice hai
impact on the fate of this family. Remember that i
you will do well," she advised. "R wasn't easy pu1
my husband into a home, but it had to be done ax
was. Moaning about it won't help him or me," she 4
sounding like she needed to convince herself morel
me.
"I'll stop in to see him," I repeated.
"Do that, but don't come begging me to
home if that's what he asks you," she warned. 'Ti
allow it."
She looked like an alabaster statue set in th<
room chair. Her decision was unquestionable. 11
ate my supper in silence and eagerly retreated i
room to do my homework and leave the long, iobi
shadows she cast through the house. The
days and weeks went by. I devoted most <
time to my schoolwork, not only because that waf
Grandma Olivia wanted, but because I truly enjo:
The dramatics teacher tried to talk me into trying <
the fall production, but I resisted. I wanted to give a
and May all my free time. I was there when Cay!
the cranberry harvest, and although I didn't pla)
I was beside him right after school, sometimes 1 May home so he could be free to supervise the
Aunt Sara snapped out of her sorrow as best she (
She had spent so much of her adult life caring ft
Jacob, anticipating his needs and wants, it was]
her to stop the routine, stop wondering what
food of his she would prepare each night. Fora^
continued to wash and iron his clothes, under 1
that Gary might use them. Gary did try to wear
his father's things* but he had trouble doing it. 5
for himself Jacob's possessions, however few,
admit, each time, that his father was truly,!
When I came home from Aunt Sara's I
time by writing letters to Alice Morgan in i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

t<U about my mother. I thought Alice deserved to
"f5f 'since she was the one who had discovered
mmy's picture. Alice called after she had read my
E letter. She consoled me and promised to come to
incetown the first opportunity she had. I never
tfsom Mommy, of course, but I did call and speak
rfty and Billy a few times. Holly was very concerned
t Kenneth and I promised to visit him as often as I
I and give her a report.
seth was much better than he had been when I
st returned from California, but he still hadn't
working on anything new. He spent more time
sual at his favorite local pub, and some days he
hw visited a friend in Boston. I felt like a spy, but a
py since I was making my reports to Holly.
Bier sore point around my new home was that
ma Olivia refused to permit me to get my driver's
or take driver's education. She said the car was
vnfall of young people today, and I, a budding
ate, should have men driving me around or use
(uffeur. She did allow me to have a bicycle and I
m a regular sight along the sides of the Province- areets. Although it was quite a ride, I peddled my
at to Kenneth's occasionally on weekends.
i Saturday, 1 found him walking alone on the
> He was dressed in his ragged jeans and a T-shirt
barefoot. I caught up with him, but he didn't
edge my presence for quite a while. Instead, he
ed at the water, and when he finally did turn, I
yes were bloodshot, as if had been crying. Or on
r drinking binge.
t's wrong, Kenneth?" I asked, holding my

a't you noticed anything different?" he asked,
S his arms wide and gesturing across tile beach,
ard his house.
?ent?" 1 gazed around and then it hit me.
."Isaid.
ried him this morning."
251
V. C. ANDKEWS

"Oh Kenneth, no,"
"I woke up this morning, but he didn't. It was 1
to die quietly. That dog was never a probteaa, i
puppy. He was patient, undemanding, sensit
moods." He smiled. "Better than any we
known. No wonder they call them man's best i
were a team," be said, his voice catching,
bin."
"I'm sorry, Kenneth. I'll miss him, too."
"I know you wilt He took-right to you, as 11
said trying valiantly to smile. He took a deep br
we walked along the beach together, the deep s
sadness linking us during our somber thoughts. Fie
he paused and turned to me with a genuine smile.
"So, you're burning up the academic playing f
hear, and look like a shoe-in for class valedic
"Who told you that?"
"Cary," he replied slyly.
"He's been here?"
"Often, lately. I've decided to hire him to by
that sailboat," he said.
"Really, Kenneth?"
"Really."
"That's wonderful. He must be so excited!"
"He's got some good ideas. In his own way, he*si
creative young man, and, he's crazy about you»*^,
"I know," I said blushing.
"What's Her Highness think of it?" sa
"Forbids the thought," I said.
"Hmm. What are you going to do? She cutest
iron hand," he warned. "And when she brings »fra
she usually smothers the victim like an .ant."
"She's bard, but we've come to a bit ofatr
days. She hasn't had much to complain about. ]
well in school. I'm Miss Burton*s favorite pe^
listen attentively to Grandma OHvsi's nightly
about people, responsibility, the importance flf
family, family," I added in a pretend deep
Kenneth laughed. - ^UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

iMttle devil. You're humoring her to death, aren't
Masked.
» being... diplomatic," I said and he laughed
|Ws heard a horn and turned to see Cary boune»m
the beach road in his truck.
are comes my sailboat engineer," Kenneth said. "I
sr if he's come to see me about it or if there's been
^ diplomatic maneuvering here for a rendezvous,"
ised. My cheeks turned crimson. He laughed and
Srted toward the house.
a?y Logan," I cried as we approached him, "why
'.you tell me about the sailboat you're building for
eth?" I stood with my hands on my hips. Cary
d at Kenneth, who wore a wide grin.
: wanted it to be a surprise," he said, shifting the
i up papers he carried under his arm. "I've got the
t completed, Kenneth," he said.
it right. Let's spread them out on the table in the
o and study them. I bought some Portuguese bread
norning and your favorite cheese. Melody," he told

8 that a hint to make everyone a sandwich?" I asked
gioasly.
pa? I see," Kenneth said to Cary, "that she is just as
(Has you said she was."
ty roared as the two of (hem went in to the studio. I
d them fifteen minutes later with our sandwiches
lome lemonade. Gary's sailboat plans were on the
.tad I thought they looked very impressive and
sional.
oaks huge," I remarked.
^thousand eight hundred thirty-four pounds with
(ty-sine-and-a-half-foot deck. The cabin will hold
vs. people comfortably," Cary said. "You see it has
ively long wateriine, which gives us optimal vol-
nd at the same time favors speed. This double-
i hull with a flat-bottom plate gets us quick immer-
" ftae upper-""
f, you're losing her," Kenneth gently pointed out.
V. C. ANDKEWS

"What? Oh. Sorry," he said. -4'l
"I think you might safely say he's got a passi
this," Kenneth remariced. -" ^a
"It looks ... beautiful," I said lamely. 'ft^
"Well Pm sure you can understand this," G»
refusing to give up on me. "It's very roomy and i
of storage space. Starting at the bow here, thesei
locker followed by a double berth. There's a I
gallon fresh water tank, storage under the
behind the seats there are lockers aad a bookc.
the folding table hinged on the center board a
hull is built upside down on a framework made!
bulkheads. No temporary molds means lari
"Sold," Kenneth said. "Now, can we pl«
Cary looked up from the plans, first at
then at me and then he smiled.
"Sure," he said. "Fm starving."
- Later, when we were atone oh the beach, 1]
to be still upset that he had kept all this a sec
"I just wanted to surprise you," he protd
sides," he added sotto voce, "I couldn't be sure I
was serious. You know how erratic he's been thi
know he's serious now though. He's put th<N
for the plans and given me the green light to'.
building the boat here," he said.
"What about the lobster business?"
"I'm making a 4eal with Roy Patterson,
more responsibility and more of the income. 1
over with' Ma, but she doesn't really understi
I'm trying to do and naturally she's afraid fori
I'm doing the right thing," he added. "ljus^fi
is my chance. Once I build one boat and
it..."
"'Vbu'U do well, Cary. I'm sure you wflL"
He nodded with a weak smile. - "I
liope so. I know if Dad were alive, he'd about
it." vj
"He never wanted to do anything differeat^i
wasnt in him to change, but you're creative
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

I Kenneth say you have a passion for it. If anyone
® about being passionate over something creative,
ineth. In the end you'll make us all proud of you."
>pe. but for the time being, maybe it would be
fyou didn't mention anything about it to Grand- "ia," he said.
at mention anything about you in front of her
never asks me anything. It's part of the truce
Ben between us these days," I said.
^smiled, grateful for that.
'" 'V since I'll be here most of the time now, maybe
11 ean see more of each other and--"
atop by as often as I can and bring May, too."
fieth's going to Boston this weekend," Cary said
»"He told me it would be all right for me to use
is, if I want."
ared at each other a moment.
B't get away overnight, Cary. She would have the
Ise^rheels," I said.
joesn't have to be overnight, but we could have
.here and Just for one day maybe, feel like we
'»} you know... together."
;at about it. Somehow, lying to Grandma Olivia
im to be such a bad thing.
>? idea. I'll talk to Theresa tomorrow. She'll
me," I promised. Cary brightened with hope
v&. The wind swept through our hair and the
' sprinkled our faces. It made me feel fresh

ted I put my bike in the back of his truck so
we me most of the way home. I rode the last
Isa naif on my bike. When I arrived. I saw that
ds was visiting with Grandma Olivia. He had
og over more often since Grandpa Samuel had
i to the home. The two of them usually spent
;sipping sherry in the gazebo. Often, the Judge
f dinner.
t't yet paid him the visit he expected. I didn't
> talk about Mommy. It was too painful to think

255
y. C. ANDREWS

about her. Since I had returned from California,
hadn't phoned or written. It was still difficult to ace
the fact that she wanted to be out of my life fosw
Sometimes I would walk past the cemetery and see?
stone with her name on it. Once, I even stopped to |
my respects to the poor anonymous soul who had'
made to take Mommy's coffin and grave. In my
put-away heart, I mourned for her the way I moun
myself, imagining her wishing to be with her own f
whoever and wherever they might be.
Maybe she was, I thought. Maybe being next to bones
of your loved ones wasn't what mattered. Pert;
there was something stronger that bound us after de|
some linking of the soul that would someday find- greeting Papa George, my stepdaddy and whoever<
loved and who loved me.
The week after I met Cary at Kenneth's I tall
Theresa in the cafeteria during lunch, planning a »
me to spend most of the following Saturday and.
day night with Cary at Kenneth's house. With m
coming up, it was easy to claim we would be i together. What I wasn't prepared for was G
Olivia's reaction to my choice of friends. The wg^
glared at me when I told my story made me feel shel
seen right through the subterfuge, but her irritationi
drawn from a more polluted well.
"Patterson? Is that the same Patterson who works i
Cary? The Brava?"
"Yes, her father is Roy Patterson."
"That's the best you can do? The best friendship^
can form at school? What about the Rudolph's dai
or Mark and Carol Parker's daughter? Isn't
Hargate, the accountant's daughter, in your class;
"I don't get along as well with those girls and th
nowhere near the student Theresa is, despite her i
what you call a Brava. t not ashamed of my
with her; I'm proud of it."
"I see I'm not getting you out of this
enough," she replied. ^
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

not moving in with the Pattersons, Grandma
, I'm merely preparing study sheets. You want me
SAe valedictorian, don't you?*'
; raised her eyebrows, considering.
tee's no mother in that house."
r father will be home and you know he's a nice
k hardworking man."
u intend to eat dinner with them?" she asked, as if
going to eat with Aborigines.
te there often last year," I said, "before I realized I
t important"
Mft be impudent. Very well," she said after anothaghtful
pause, "Raymond will take you and pick
g^promptly at nine p.m."
(Saturday night!" I protested.
ft then," she said relenting a bit.
^ one else in my class lives under such strict rules,"
plained.
rone else has your destiny and responsibility," she"
t dryly. "Let's not have these silly discussions."
treated, feeling I had won as much as I could from
"Ae moment. When I told Cary, he was ecstatic.
I bring some lobsters and clams for dinner," he
We'll have May with us for a while, but I'll take
me in the afternoon."
rs fine, Cary."
i wants to know if she can bike out to Kenneth's
m one day. I explained how dangerous it is for her
r on the road by herself. She can't hear cars and
^
Seome by and get her one day. We'll be all right."
ibe a real treat for her," he said. "I haven't been
lido much for her these days and with Ma the way
»
&
|H*o problem, Cary. I want to do it," I assured him.
Inext day Theresa and I made our final plans at
L The first time 1 met Theresa I thought she was a
(girl, pretty but dour to the point of being
; I was new in school, the principal asked her
V.C. ANDREWS

to show me around. We got off to a bad start 1
assumed I would look down on her the way
called blue bloods did.
I thought she was one of the prettiest girls ^
school, with her caramel complexion, black pea
and ebony hair. After she realized I wasn't til
others, she permitted me to get closer to her^i
quickly became good friends.
Theresa enjoyed the idea that we were coa
against my grandmother. She thought ofherjusta
others did. The Iron Lady, Queen of Snob IBB^s
"If she calls for you on the phone, I'll have aayl
say we went to the library. Don't worry about ®
He won't ask questions. Since my mother died, i
me like an adult. Are you going to spend the wh<
with Cary?" she asked, her eyes bright with iati
"No, I have to be back at your house before tei
when Grandma Olivia is sending Raymond to l
up."
"Bummer," she moaned for me. "But, at
have some time alone."
"Theresa Patterson, just hear you," I teas
laughed. Everyone in the cafeteria gazed at
jealousy, wondering what delicious secret we
Our sealed lips only stirred their cariosity more,
When Saturday came, I was so nervous I wa»]
Grandma Olivia would become suspicious, but l
preoccupied with a dinner party she was ha
Congressman Dunlap and two of his legal ai(
only thing she said that put butterflies in my
was that she was sorry I wasn't going to be at tin
"It's important for you to meet importaa)
now," she declared. I thought she would inssstj
the dinner, but she hesitated and added, **6itf5
named class valedictorian is important too. l&aS
first Logan to do so." . »
The tone other voice was explicit: Don't fasti
Shaking when I got into the limousine. If
breaths and tried to calm down all the way to'
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

, as Raymond dropped me off and left, Theresa
tSae her bike and I started for the beach. Cary and
t.wew already there, Cary working on the boat. He
I like Adonis, shiftless, his muscles glimmering in
alight.
'as afraid you weren't coming," he said as I walked
sa's bike over the sandy part of the road. May
i funning to me. We hugged and I looked at Cary.
rofus had to say much to each other; it was all in
!S.
at most of the afternoon with May, walking along
.ch, searching for shells, telling her about school.
ated to know more about boys. If any girl needed
^sister, it was May. Aunt Sara wasn't very comfort- explaining things to her. Sex, love and romance
assed her. I was the one who had explained what
trual cycle was, what changes would happen to
y, what her feelings would be like. Once.we had a
k about what it meant to fall in loveand ihe~toW~---
at a classmate she liked, a boy who had kissed
parently, since I had been away, she had learned
I more from her girlfriends at school, for when she
T at Cary and me and the way we spoke, touched
oked at each other, she smiled at us knowingly.
te Cary was bringing May home, I prepared our
and set the fable. Constantly aware of my curfew,
wed the hours and minutes we had. I waited in
laS the beach house, watching the twilight flood the
its rosy farewell to the day, flaming the clouds
i streaking violet shot through with saffron. Cary
i in the quickest time ever, his truck bouncing
if the beach ruts.
ything's almost ready," I said when he hopped
f his truck and followed me into the house.
»0ks great," he said, but his eyes never left my face.
f tiase I turned, every time I lifted my gaze from the
Hod dishes, I found him staring at me hungrily. My
filled with an ache, a hunger for his lips and his
^Perhaps it was because we were so far from
V. C. ANDREWS
anyone, alone, in a domestic setting, behaving
married people, whatever the reason, I never felt n
desire and passion for him than I did that night.
could barely eat, neither of us saying very much.
Cary leaped out of his seat at the end of the a
help me clean up. Everything we did seemed desigi
keep us under control It was as if we both undo
that the minute we were free of any other distractic
moment we turned to each other, we would be in c
of consuming each other. Finally, I dried the last
He stood back, gazing at me.
"Melody," he said softly and held out his hand, H
it and he led me out to the guest bedroom. Next 1
bed, we kissed and held each other tightly. "I love ^
he said.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and nodde^i
"I love you, too, Cary. Very much."
1 kept my eyes closed as his fingers undid the bu
ofmy blouse. In fact, I stood there, unmoving, waiti
he peeled my blouse down my arms, undid my skis
drew it below my knees, lifting my leg gently for't
step out of it. Then he kissed my shoulders, my ned
undid my bra, drawing it from me while at the
time, he brought his lips to my nipples and nudg<
breasts with his cheeks. My heart pounded hot
through my body. When his hands lifted from my 1
or my shoulders, I cried out for their return.
Gently, almost in inches, he slipped my panti
Naked, I stood before him, my eyes locked oa hte^
"Kenneth couldn't come close to portraying ,3
beauty," he said. "Even if he worked every day f
rest of hi& life."
I smiled and he undressed himself. Moments I
were in bed, embracing, moving our arms,
turning ourselves to each other, drawing ea
deeper «nd deeper into each other with every k
touch, fj
"Are you ready, Cary?" I asked, breathing my4
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
ation before my thundering heart closed down all
ies of thought and left me longing only for him
; me, making us feel like one.
fs," he said with a smite. "Protected."
E felt myself being drawn up higher and higher, clan-
above the earth, exquisitely tormented by the
|er and the sense of abandon. Our moans mingled
[each was indistinguishable from the other. I dug my
s into his shoulders to hold on and to keep him
; We came at each other like the love-starved people
ere; desperate for a loving touch, a longing word.
ien it was over, we collapsed in a delightful exhaus-
both gasping for breath, neither able to speak. I
; his hand and put it over my heart.
eel this pounding," I said, shakily. "It's scary, but
fertuL"
line's the same way."
f we died here together, Grandma-Olivia^roirid-be.,
gnapset," I said and he laughed.
"8ie*d have everyone involved sworn to secrecy and
t she'd have us buried at sea."
tat she wouldn't cancel her dinner party that night,"
IN.
; laughed and turned to embrace me. We lay there,
|og each other, whispering sweet promises, dream-
constructing our wonderful fantasies, weaving a
a of dreams tightly around ourselves. After a
, we stopped and dozed, which almost proved fatal,
my eyes snapped open, it was nearly nine-

t up, shaking him to wake him.
tea..."
ury, get dressed. Raymond will be at Theresa's
g^you get me bwdd"
"with leaped off of the bed and threw on our
. We got into the truck and for a few frantic beats
'a*t start. The engine groanedand groaned.
261
V. C. ANDREWS

"Gary!**
"It's okay. Just give me a second," he said. He 1
out and opened the hood, fidgeting.
"Hurry, Gary. She'll make so much trouble for^
and your mother if she finds out about us."
He jiggled wires near the battery and tried again,.
thankfully, this time the engine started with a spi
Then we shot off, bouncing so hard over the beach i
my head nearly hit the roof of the truck cab. Once <
street, he burned rubber until we arrived at The
just minutes before Raymond and the limousine. I <
even have a chance to kiss Cary good night, fast
jumped out and ran to the house, where Theresa
waiting anxiously.
"You're cutting it kind of close, aren't you?**
remarked with a smile.
"We feel asleep," I whispered.
"No calls, at least."
Moments later, we saw the limousine pun
thanked her and rushed out, promising to call her in i
morning.
Grandma Olivia's dinner party was still going wb
arrived. Her guests were in the parlor talking. I
afraid of what I looked like since I hadn't had timi
check my hair or straighten my clothes, but I knewl
didn't stop to say hello, she would be furious. I ]
the doorway.
"Good evening. Grandma," I said.
"Well, did you study hard?"
"Yes, Grandma."
"Good. My granddaughter is the prime vale
candidate this year."
Everyone nodded with appreciation.
"Melody, you have already met Congressman ]
and his wife."
"Yes, how do you do. Congressman, Mrs. Dm
said, stepping forward. They nodded, smiled aad i
ma Olivia looked pleased,
"This is Mr. and Mrs. Steiner and Me. and i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
," she added. I smiled and greeted the other
Then I quickly excused myself and hurried up
s.
led and got into bed, ray fatigue now settling into
Ely firmly. Despite that, I felt wonderful. When I
I my eyes, I saw Gary's loving face before me and
aed his lips on mine again and again. Across the
I he was most likely in his attic hideaway, thinking
t me, gazing out at the same ocean I saw through my
the water dazzling under the starlight, each
> looking like a string of pearls cast back at the

' me, the voices grew softer until they drifted out
iy; hearing and I was left with nothing but my own
||bts, whispering promises, counting dreams that
Mac softly into sleep.
r the next month, Cary and I were able to meet
f twice more, each time as wonderful as the time
, His progress with Kenneth's boat continued and
l began to take shape. Kenneth brought some
i out to see Gary's work and one of them seriously
ered hiring him to-do a custom sailboat for him as

t eariy spring afternoon after I picked up May and
l peddled out to Kenneth's, I heard a small bark
?the most beautiful golden retriever puppy poke
I out of the front door of the beach house. May
fsaaa to pick him up.
"i catling him Prometheus," Kenneth announced.
ike 1*11 stay with mythological names."
'*s beautiful, Kenneth."
ought you'd like him."
held him and he licked her face, making her

e's growing up, too," Kenneth said. "Starting to
l&e a young lady*
u^,»
need you around more," Kenneth warned.
staff."
Z6A
"eyes widened.
it she has you to i
for you," he de
the subject. "I'm
^finally. We're going to
"and a pretty big party afta

is the third surprise,'* he saidt?
hump. '"K>ur grandfather's house.^1
lid's house? Really? Kenneth that's "
derfulhy
"He volunteered our home when he heard aboi
opening at the gallery and I decided, why sol
couldn't even begin to pay me what he owes me.
don't take what I can, my brother and sister w"*^
way," he said.
I didn't like his cynicism and he saw it in my
"I don't have to love him to let him do things:
do I?"
"Yes, you do, Kenneth. You have to lover ten£|
your father, no matter what," I lectured.
"My father... died a long time ago in the
of a confession. This stranger with the same i
resemblance is just some old, rich man," he
"Anyway, I'm not doing it for myself. I'm doi
Neptune's Daughter. I think that has a certailM
irony, don't you? Sure you do," Ae said befopet
reply. "'You're one of the brightest young wq *
known. Melody. You understand much more.
pretend to understand."
"But Kenneth--"
"Let it be. Melody," he 5aid. "Just let if b&S§
He smiled at May cuddling Prometheus.
looked toward the boat and Gary. . ,
"We'll all take a maiden voyage in &
celebrate the birth of something very besea '
be asked me.
"Sure, Kenneth," I saiA "Maybe yonj
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

t to the opening," I suggested. I wanted him to have
--ie at his side.
tady did," he said.
I she's coming? That's wonderful. I can't wait to
again."
i not saying she's coming. She still has to check her
first and be sure it's safe," he teased, his eyes
ling with mischief.
^ watched May rush out to show Prometheus to
[and then Kenneth looked at me in the strangest
I tilted my head because of the way he was staring
way a fleeting shaft of sorrow crossed his face.
rt's wrong, Kenneth?"
for a second, with that soft smile on your face,
res caught in the sunlight, you reminded me of
(when she was not much older than you. It was as
,as if time had gone backwards, as if nothing
*! had happened yet.
} on to these moments. Melody. Hold on to them
;ely for as long as you can.
soon," he said, his eyes darkening, "too soon the
t^of jealousy come barreling down and sweep it all
sa.
x," he concluded gazing at Gary and May, "fate
sing you as she did me."
ned and went back inside, leaving me shivering
;iety. Kenneth had made it an awesomely fear-
ng to even think beyond tomorrow. I was filled
many emotions, I thought I would simply
and fly off in that wind he warned me might

r» reader terrified of turning the page, I stepped
""n the house and walked toward Caryto tell him
As the date of Kenneth's opening for.
ter drew closer, the excitement in Provinc
National art magazines sent writers and ph
Reporters from newspapers in New York Cit;
and even as far away as Washington, D.C., an<
arrived to do interviews and get pictures. Am
to the gala affair following the display at the-t
Gallery was highly prized. Kenneth told me th)
was now an expert in etiquette and formalities, a
have to help him with the design and wordi
invitations. The gallery owner provided vs w
list of people to invite, claiming these were 1
who had invested in art or who carried inflm
community. » .
Two days before the opening and party^,
called and asked me to accompany him to th
house, where we would meet with the cateeer"
"I'm not good at these things," hedainaedr'
feminine viewpoint."
I knew he was just nervous about going to!
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

e. Prom what I understood, he hadn't been there for
>. The Judge was nervous about it, too. That was
sthing Grandma Olivia revealed.
"Ms has the makings of a wonderful event," she told
i^bttt w& have to be sure there will be no unpleasant-
feaad certainly nothing that would feed the insatiable
' '" s of the gossipmongers. I know you've spent an
ite amount of time at Kenneth's house and
11 haven't seen it yet, I know and everyone else
w that you were the model for the work.
t depending on you to play a role in mitigating any
ft feelings. In other words," she said with a sharp
"make sure Kenneth behaves himself. See if you
t him to dress properly and do something with that
i his face he calls a beard and that mop he calls
.»»
its aren't exactly businesspeople. Grandma Olivs
public understands Kenneth."
this public," she assured me. "Actually," she
in a rather rare soft moment, "I'm more worait
the Judge. He hasn't slept a night since he
;red to host the gala celebration. I told him it was
i gesture, but he insisted."
ything will work out just fine," I said.
added, studying me.
i have grown and matured quite a bit since you've
sang here. I will tell you that I have heard only
lyngs about you from the school officials, and
. admire the way you look after my handicapped
hter. I feel validated for my faith in you and
ntial. Don't do anything to diminish that
added in her usual threatening tone.
;you, I think," I replied and she almost smiled.
have been to visit my sister and have seen
Us week?" she asked.
[I wondered if she also knew Cary had driven
»If she did, she didn't mention it. "They're both
; same. No improvement Grandpa Samuel
"There^~te^^/ Anething like'
waste. If someone'wa^-^^ jiough to spend i
of money, well... take aoVto^age of it. I'd like.
you in it first, of course," she added.
I nodded and ran upstairs to put it on. She;
me for a few moments and nodded.
"Suitable," she declared, "for such an occ
are someone with position in this community i
should look the part. There will be a number j
men from quality families attending, too. I I
make acquaintances with some of these pe
course, I'll see to it that you are introduced ]
What are you going to do with your hair?"
"My hair?"
"I can have my beautician come over and <
thing special for you, if you'd like."
"No, I think I'll just wear It down. Maybe ja8
bangs. I can do that myself."
"If you insist," she said. "I have a ruby and N
necklace that would go with that dress," she j
was my mother's."
"Really? Thank you," I said, truly hoao
would entrust me with such a gift, even
night.
I told Kenneth about Grandma Olivia's
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

I persona when he picked me up to go to Judge
6's. I thought he would laugh and make his quips
the Queea Lady or something, but he was very
;ted by his own thoughts and anxiety. I talked
r to keep from riding in dead silence.
in we turned up the road that led to the Judge's
Kenneth almost turned the car around.
s is a mistake," he muttered. "I shouldn't have
to it. All we needed was a reception at the
M

ise, Kenneth. You know everyone is looking for3 a big party. We'll make sure it's fun."
i," he said as if that were a dirty word.
f Judge's house came into view. I remembered the
me I had been here, how much more impressed
t i was than with Grandma Olivia's home. The
gthree-story Adam Colonial had been restored in
gwood blue cladding and had a semicircular entry
What made it even more unique was its targe
oal cupola. There was an elaborately decorated
h»bove all the front windows.
B driveway brought us to a circle where there was a
Of activity. An army ofgroundspeople were every-
I pruning and trimming, cleaning fountains and
rays, washing windows, planting new flowers ia the
gardens. When we entered the circular drive, I
see the huge party tent, in front of which the
i-were discussing their setup with Judge Childs.
^ was his butler, Morton. Everyone turned to

the jeep staring
f of the house.

-, it was," he said and stepped out of the jeep.
ipproached as quickly as he could to greet us.
Uo there, Mr. Kenneth. It's good to see you,
; you," he said reaching for Kenneth's hand
" lifted it. He shook it vigorously and

"Oh no, Miss Melody.
good."
"He was great."
"He's awful excited, the Judge," Morton s
his hands together. "You want me to get
something? Maybe a lemonade or coffee or—!
"No, nothing. Mortem. I want to make thi
Kenneth said. Morton nodded.
"Well, ril be around if you need something.'
"You always were," Kenneth said. "It's goo
you, Morton," Kenneth added, warming;
Morion's eyes watered.
"And good to see you. He talks about youaUN
Mr. Kenneth. There isn't a day that goes by." <
"Okay," Kenneth said, turning to me, "Ut's^
I followed and we crossed the lawn toward 1
and Judge Childs.
"Hello," the Judge said, his eyes on Kennea
barely acknowledged him with a small nod,
"I haven't got much time for this," he sai
"Oh. Well, let's get right to it, then. JameM
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
^ menu and how he wants to set up the serving tables.
; suggests we have tables inside and outside the tent,
I the food inside. Is that right, James?"
; short, neatly groomed man smiled.
s. Judge Childs. I think that would work. I will
; three tables for the entrees: lobster, shrimp, prune
t and duckling, flounder and bass. We will have two
; tables for the salads and vegetables and of course,
e- Viennese desert tables. I suggest we keep the bar
side the tent. It always makes it less complicated
-the liquid refreshment is away from the food," he
j. "We will, however, have staff bringing glasses of
ipagne to everyone."
.ow's that menu sound?" the Judge asked. Kenneth
i staring at the dock, a distracted expression on his

i^with me," he muttered.
f to the decorations," James resumed. "I thought
quet of our emperor tulips, jonquils and some
ils on every table. I would like to suggest a
ay of roses as an entrace to the tent and--"
is isn't a wedding," Kenneth snapped. He glanced
t for confirmation.
llhink just some flowers on the tables is enough," I
t tones nodded with disappointment.
I didn't know what to do about music," the Judge
;"James here suggested a trio. I thought we could set
small stage for them over there," he pointed just to
^htofthe tent. "I'll get one of those portable dance
paid--"
fe don't need people dancing," Kenneth said.
o? Okay. We'll just have some music. I just
"A... but if you think that's a bit much."
e whole thing's a bit much," Kenneth said and
t toward the dock.
,'yone watched him in silence.
^» just a little nervous about the showing," I
ned.
? course," the Judge said. "Well then, James can
271
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

to him, Kenneth. Just make a little peace
you. It will be good for you as well as him."
; grimaced skeptically.
fVsa said Neptune's Daughter was your greatest work,
1-work you're most proud of. Let it be a happy time
M, from beginning to end."
"Melody, Melody, what am I going to do with you?
itc everything, you keep pushing the gray skies
. searching for that rainbow."
elp me find it, Kenneth," I replied, my eyes meeting
ize firmly. He nodded, sighed, gazing at the water
fc then turned back toward the house. "Come on," he

me on?"
ti're his granddaughter. You belong in every family
non now. No more false pretenses among us.
^'» my only demand," he said. I trailed beside him as
calked toward the house, his home, a place he hadn't
g for years, but a place that held all his childhood
M>ries and the memories of his mother.
e entered and he gave me a tour.
kept it pretty much as I remembered it,"
said. He laughed. "My mother and her an-
omfr of these things are worth a lot of money

nt upstairs and he showed me what used to be
. He stood there for a long time, a sad smile on
When we descended again, the Judge was
j in the doorway of his office.
t," he said, looking from Kenneth to me. 'This
Ice it's going to be the event of the year, huh? I
seen your piece, Kenneth, but Laurence Baker
it's wonderful. -Anybody make a preliminary
'' U not, I'd like to make an oner."
it for sale," Kenneth said.
r
.thinking of donating it to the museum after the

e's mouth dropped open. "Why, that's a
273

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
i is," the Judge said nodding, ''and I must say
jsfher."
though it's a deep, dark secret?" Kenneth
toe Judge's eyes grew smaller. He blew some
ien his lips and towered himself slowly to the
(tee, gazing down at the floor like a man who
received some very bad news.
^s no sense in my apologizing to you, Kenneth.
t that a hundred times and you won't hear it
I don't expect you to forgive me for something I
five myself. But," he said raising his eyes to
. "none of it has stopped me from loving you,
^ proud of you and what you've done. All I hope
on can come to hate me a little less. That's all,"
luded with a deep sigh.
Bth turned away for a moment.
betrayed us, you know, all of us."
Idid," fte Judge confessed. "I was a weak man;
.a beautiful and very desirable woman. It's no
It's just an explanation," he followed quickly.
we spent most of your life sitting in judgment on
J^ho sat in judgment of you?"
[did, son, and the price I paid was too much. If I
ige things, I would."
t didn't look convinced.
I would. I would sooner die than take away
iness. I wanted only the best for you. None of
ad any meaning to me since your mother's
E... since all of you children left." He looked
's sort of a miracle that Melody has come back

ti glanced at me and then he nodded.
a«**
-'St.
t Just pleases me to all get out that she and you
o to each other."
lapest," Kenneth teased.
1 through my teary eyes.
ed, playing that fiddle, too. You're goingto play
S for us at the party, aren't you. Melody?"

275

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

? me to be a good influence on you, get you to
itike--"
nessman, I know. I might put on a clean pair of
i socks," he said and we both laughed.
I thought I couldn't wait to see her again.

r came laden with gifts for us: charms and crysHRdogical
charts, new earrings for me and a
t for Kenneth. After dinner she and I took a long
on the beach and talked about my trip to

s. Philip said it wasn't surprising," she said
I short laugh.
'': hope I didn't make any trouble for you," I said.
. isn't a new argument. My sister and her husunned
their opinions of me long ago. Anyway,
mted me to be sure to give you his best wishes
e. He was touched by you."
II by him. I thought about him aad the things he
i many times while 1 was in Hollywood."
mother didn't have the slightest--"
I like someone under a spell. Holly. If I had
as much before, I would never have gone. I
was stop at the graveyard and pretend it's her
[there. She might as well be," I added.
? smiled softly and paused to take a deep breath of
i ocean air.
is out my brain," she said. "Well. I see Cary has
ft Kenneth, building that boat." She nodded
the finished hull. "It looks like it's going to be
gwessive."
i got his whole heart in it," I said, my own heart
I with pride.
his whole heart. There's some big part of it
she said, pointing to my chest, i laughed.
**: me about Kenneth," she said after a moment.
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

," he declared, which was something Grand-
seconded heartedly.
you lose the ties that bind, you drift in the
ie said. She looked at me after most of her deep
cements these days, making sure I took note.
>Aunt Sara and May, all dressed up, were waiting
s the gallery when we drove into the adjoining
tot. Gary looked very handsome in his suit and
day^ growing like summer corn, was already over
.one. Even Aunt Sara had put on something
ad cheery and had dabbed on some makeup and

f're just about to open the doors," Gary said as I
[of the Judge's vehicle. "Those people over there
rters," he added, nodding toward a small crowd
1 on the sidewalk.
sre yet?" the Judge asked.
Haven't seen him."
; like him not to show up," Grandma Olivia
; under her breath. "Well, Sara, how are you?"
air to middling, Olivia. It seems like only
y," she said, her pale lips trembling.
t it's not only yesterday and we've all got to get on
s. This is a very happy, wonderful occasion
, You shouldn't be here if you're not up to

fine. And May's very excited about it," she
ling at Grandma Olivia's granddaughter,
> had yet to acknowledge.
she ordered and flashed a smile at
back and signed. Grandma Olivia
^. d out what she said. She stepped
I with the Judge at her side. The gallery doors
iened and the people began to stream in, most
i Grandma Olivia and the Judge before allowing
«ss through the crowd. Gary, Aunt Sara, May
awed.
?'s Daughter stood in the center of the room,

279

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

I car. Kenneth had put on a sports Jacket, but
: an old pair of dungarees and a pair of moccasins
; socks. His shirt was opened at the collar.
i- 'wore one of her long dresses, sandals and beads
iched her waist. She had crystal earrings and a
i made of crystals and other minerals.
asts," Grandma Olivia muttered.
aitc how Kenneth was dressed, he received an
when he entered the gallery. He smiled and
and escorted Holly to the foot of Neptune's

Laurence Baker said stepping up beside
"now that the artist is here, we can unveil his
As you all know, Mr. Childs has named his
^epfttne's Daughter. In your program he describes
i work as a view of Neptune's daughter emerging
i sea, metamorphosing into a beautiful woman.
e attempts to capture that metamorphosis at a
? point. Without further ado, let's allow Mr.
> unveil Neptune's Daughter."
& stood there a moment, his eyes searching the
ntfl they settled on me. He looked impishly
ttewryone held their breath as Kenneth jerked the
Ireveal Neptune's Daughter. The sheet fell away
e statue and the audience released a single gasp,
t^yleud applause.

. She knew I had been Kenneth's model, but she
xpect to see a bare-breasted young woman
} from the water. She fumed back to the statue.
... well... well," Judge Childs muttered. "I
i this was his best work. What do you think of it,
h
[think it's shocking," she declared. "I never expected
eh a realistically portrayed female." She stepped
and studied the face and then tooted at the
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
detention and came laughing and hurrying
line.
;'s get something to drink and quick," Kenneth
. I took my fiddle out of the Judge's car and stepped
ie jeep. We took off with Kenneth whooping up a
The wad played havoc with my hair, but my
lints went unheeded.
9 got me into this," Kenneth shouted. "Grin and
' it"
"e were lucky. It was one of the nicest spring days, the
i warm and gentle, the sky almost turquoise with
y' dabs of clouds. When we arrived the trio was
ig, valets were parking cars, balloons were bobbing
i wind. Kenneth and Holly headed straight for He
Ie bar. People converged around him, shaking his
patting him on the back. Holly and I helped
sives to some of the hors d'oeuvres, and wandered
t the grounds.
teat a beautiful place," she remarked. I showed her
s of flie house as well. When we emerged, the Judge
Grandma Olivia had arrived and were welt involved
oversations with the guests. I looked about but
t see Cary or May anywhere. When I spotted the
m family again, I felt myself shrivel inside.
; caterers began serving the full meal. I wanted to
rCary, but he still hadn't arrived. I eouldnt
^;what was keeping him. Finally, I joined
i and Holly and, despite my nervous stomach,
i little to eat. After we'd finished, Teddy Jackson and
® came to our table to congratulate Kenneth. He
; hte eyes to me, but I looked away. Behind him,
grinned, looking as arrogant, but as handsome as
ichelle, as usual, looked like she was bored out of
id.
yes weat to the tent entrance, hoping for sight of
; but he still hadn't arrived. I was about to go into
I and call him when the Judge stopped by and
1 something to Kenneth. Then they both looked
V. C. ANDREWS

"It's time I was able to step out of the Kenneth said gleefully. I groaned. They wanted
perform. An announcement was made to the crov
left to get on the small stage where I had earlier 1<
fiddle. Most of the people drifted out to hear me^j
Kenneth and Holly stood toward the back, both sr
from ear to ear. My eyes feU on Teddy Jackson, whe
a soft smile that made my heart pound so hard, I fe.
might faint in front of all these people. Finally, 11
the strength to lift the bow and begin.
It was a song about a coal miner's wife who refit!
accept the fact that he was dead in a mining accidei
sat vigil at the mine entrance for days and o
refusing to eat or drink anything. And then, one;
the miner emerged and there was a great cclebis
Once or twice I thought my voice would break, but 1
my eyes closed and envisioned Papa George teachi
the song. When it ended, I received a wonderful o
and there were shouts for another song. I playe
more tunes and then stepped down. Grandma
looked very pleased at the way some of the youn
were vying for my attention. Still, I didn't see Cai
orowd,so I excused myself and hurried into the 1
call him. He picked up after one ring.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm just out the <teor.
crying so hard and was so sad I just couldn'tr
She kept thinking about Dad. She finally fell;
you play yet?"
"Yes "
"Ob,'damn."
"But I'll play again and again for you, Cary.,
here as soon as you can."
"On my way," he promised and I cradled the ]
stood there thinking about poor Aunt Sara. I was
in thought I didn't hear Adam come up behind ]
he whispered in my ear and dared to kiss the ba
neck. I nearly jumped out of my shoes.
"Easy," he said as if I were a horse he wasi
gentle. "I saw you go into the house and
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

'. have a private conversation. "You're really getting
er and prettier, you know. I was hoping," he
ttued before I could speak, "that you might have
Ml how good we could be together. I'm a big deal at
allege fraternity already and they're are lots of
y girls to date, but ^caa't get you out of my mind,
/. How about giving ^isanother chance?" he asked
ig toward m».
;ked away, shaking my head.
:away from me, Adam. I don't know where you
.aerye»"I said. He wailed.
te-that. I like & girl who doesn't give in easily."
l sever give into you. Just stay away."
w why don't you just try and give us a chance.
I both a little older and--"
Id you to stay away from me. Stay away!" I
id at him when he reached for me again. He
his hand in mid-air and grimaced.
the hell's the matter with you? Who do you
l are, tee princess of Provincetown just because
toy the fiddle and sing? I'm not good enough for
r
'it's not a matter of who's good enough for

what? What?" he demanded. He looked angry
»hit me.
r father," I shouted at him. It came out of my
ileould Swallow it back. He shook his head

,ask Mm why you and I could never be,"
s pouring over my lids. I turned and ran
s, leaving him twisting and turning in a
Ftxmfesion.'
I&ftbad about what f had said, burthen I fete
"^aetMfltyTeliwed. ft was as if I had passed
I lifted the weight from my shoulders and
Our Last Goodbyes

Despite what Kenneth said about losing his enthv
for his art, he was busy creating something new only <
after the unveiling of Neptune's Daughter. The (
had given it wonderful reviews and he was fei
several magazines and newspapers. Neptune's.
was delivered to the museum as Keoneth had p
and later I discovered he had permitted Judge i
buy and donate it
Holly remained after the festivities. I joined 1
dinner twice over the following ten days, and from
May for ft bike ride out to the beach and we hi
with Holly. I saw that Cary was right, she and ]
had grown closer. They both seemed very happy, n^
Cary was working on the detailing of Kenneth*?
boat. The equipment had arrived and he was im
all himself. A projected maiden voyage was p
one that would take the four of us for a day's i
boat was in the water bow aad people from t<
had heard about it from Kenneth were coming arb)
see it. Mr. Longthorpe, a banker, was interested i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

is work to initiate a discussion about his building
; for him, too. Cary began to design another boat,
e were all very excited for him. I told Grandma
i, but she just said it was something only men who
aey and time to waste would find interesting.
; that involved recreation was important to her.
sidered entertainers, sports figures and the like
volous people who had just not grown up. When
further with her about it, I understood these
ndeas she had inherited from her rather Puritanical
, but ideas she clung to like a holy rod to help her
tu-ough the trials and tribulations that in her mind
the realities this life bestowed upon us. She be- NreKgiously that the Creator put us on this earth
l be tested, just to suffer and endure. That was the
: she came to any religious affiliations, although
tertained the minister and made contributions to
cal church. She never ended & lecture or an
Sation without referring to the importance ofprottne
family, guarding the reputation. That was the
nnor we had to ward off "the slings and arrows of
pous fortune,"
s beginning to think she might not be all wrong. A
1 respect and kind of truce had developed between
;ially as it looked almost certain now that I
; the class valedictorian. She had arranged for
w an interview with the head mistress of one of
England prep schools. In her mind I was
S her prescription for the perfect life and she was
g me to walk in her footsteps.
t school year moved into its final quarter, plans
fannual variety show were being developed and I
aoached by the show's director to perform again. i and we began rehearsals soon afterward. The
F<h® second rehearsal, I came out of the school,
;to and Raymond waiting as usual. He wasn't
at it wasn't because he was late. My part had
s than I had expected and I had decided to
I yst some fresh air while I waited.
V. C. ANDREWS

I noticed an automobile across the street)
sitting behind the steering wheel. For a ftan
stood gazing at the man and the car w
realizing who it was. When the realization ea
if I had stepped into a pool of ice water. My I
turned numb. He rolled his window down i
to me. I didn't move and he beckoned ffl
cally. There was no one else around, I hesit
crossed the street to the car and Teddy Jac
father, smiled at me and nodded.
"I've been looking for an opportunity
you," he said, "ever since you sent Adam tol
talk for a few minutes?"
I glanced at my watch. Raymond wouldn't 1
at least another fifteen minutes, I thought
I shrugged.
"Why?"
"We both know you know why," he^sa^l
smile. He stopped smiling when I didn't move
He leaned over and opened the passenger's <
went around the car and got in.
"Well," he began, both of us looking forwaf
at each other, "I think I rehearsed and repi
conversation in my mind a thousand times." 1
to me. "How did you finally find out?"
"What difference does it make?" I countci
"I was under the impression Haille never 6
It was a secret she took with her to ttef
someone else tell you?"
I looked at him, my eyes burning with tbel
heart. 4^^
"You're afraid someone else in this town ma^ 1
you? Is that it?" I shot back at him. <--? ""
He stared and then he looked through the
again.
"thave a family, a wife whoA>esa^ knew
a very successfuUcgat practice. I have some i
afraid," he admitted. "However, I deat^"*
that. f don't like continuing to be a
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

how well you've turned out, how beautiful
d you are. I'd like to stake claim to you."
; a piece of property, some acre of land or
; to possess," I said. "You don't stake a claim
Jtfer."
ft't mean for it to sound that way. What I meant
Uke to be proud, too. You didn't tell Adam
I, but he was quite upset. He didn't know what to

I did you tell him?"
B?t. The coward won out in me again," he said.
S just as confused. He's smart though. He didn't
lid one of these days, he and I are going to have a
(heart. I guess he won't think it's so wonderful to
;kson then," he added a bit mournfully.
I spoiled and arrogant," I said. "He needs to be
l down a few pegs, maybe a dozen."
Ite is something of a snob. I will definitely stake
»that. That's my fault." He paused, gazed at me
nodded. "I guess I owe you some sort of
»."
t want anything from you," I said.
e to tell you some of it. Please."
lOthing. I just sat there, half wanting to lunge
car, and half wanting to lunge at him and
why he was such a coward an these years. 1
to pound his chest and pummel his face and
and scream and scream about the lies, the
ins, the people who suffered while he built his
Iftw practice and wonderfully secure family.
' f nineteen years ago, I was a lot less mature than
. Not any less than other young men my age," he
»ut I was impulsive and full of myself. My career
a. I was successful rather quickly, which is not
.good thing; but in my case, I handled it well,
11, built more and more of a fortune, married a
Oman and had my first child.
other," he continued with a smile, "was the
tive young woman in this town then, and very
V. C. ANDREWS
seductive. She had a way of directing herself at ^
kind of melted your resistance, filled you with fi
She was," he said with a tough, "a terrific flirt "'
"I don't want to hear any more about her wild'
said. "Every man I've spoken to who has ka
talks about her as if she waved a magic wand ov
hypnotized them."
"That's not far from the truth."
"So you don't bear any blame, is that it?" 11
at him. "It was all her fault. She seduced you <
she seduced you, you felt no obligations?" Tea
my eyes and my heart thumped like a tiny
under my chest.
"No, I'm not going to say that, although i dhl|
lize it that way for a long, long time," be repli
"I let her blame someone else and cause probit
Logan family. It was an easy way out for me i
it."
"Why did she do that?" I asked. "Why diflal
expose you?" "I
"I pleaded with her not to, but I think sbe^
reasons for doing what she did. She didn't dbj
had more to do with her relationship with i
and the rest of that family. In short, I lucfce
it that way.
"I don't think you want to know the grit
continued. "Suffice it to say we had a few
rendezvous and, well, the rest you know."
"Yes, the rest I know," I said, reaching
handle.
"Wait. I didn't just come to see you te tell
I'd like to do something for you," he blurtt
"Oh? Uke what?" ^^
"I don't know. Isnt there something you l
thing I can buy you?"
"Buy me a real mother and father," 1^
real family with people who love and
other."
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
: his head.
y. It wouldn't do anyone any good, least of all
>ifl stepped forward and confessed, would it?"
Your confession has to be made to a higher
," I paused after opening the door and turned
here is one thing you can do for me."
5 ft," he said quickly.
»Adam away from me," I said.
e« And Melody, I really am sorry," he said.
9-1 _stepped out of the car, Raymond appeared
»limousine. I hurried across the street and got in
; looking back until we had turned around and
ling back to Grandma Olivia's.
ter was still there, parked, staring ahead at the
rfhis own making.

ie forever to fall asleep that night. I tossed and
' mind fuzzy, full of mists that rolled like the
? pathetic my real father had sounded to me.
L ts explanations, his promises and good intenIdn't
keep the ocean from washing over the
Ht all be swept out to sea where it belongs, I
; me be free of a past that wanted to chain me

austed the next day and moved through my
B a zombie. Theresa kept asking me if I was all
ight my wood might have something to do
cause she, herself, had just broken up with
. 1 kept telling her it was nothing like that,
sd to believe me.
B're ready to talk, call me," she said, actuloff.

e feeling I was caught in between those webs of
"r at-prevented you from doing or saying
;. It was better to just retreat into a cocoon
I wait for it to pass.
/ Cary that afternoon, he read my face as
i, for a new yacht.
V. C. ANDREWS

"More trouble with Grandma Olivia?" he "No.
We circle each other from a safe dial
days, like two wolves in silent agreement asj
other's territory."
He laughed.
"So?"
I pondered a moment. I had come oat
Kenneth's dock to keep him company white he i
the finishing touches on the cabin. It was really a
cent boat and as comfortable inside as he had p
He turned from the wiring he was doing oh the I
gazed at me with those green eyes fully focused;^
"What is it. Melody? Have you heard " ^
mother?"
"Hardly," I said with a laugh. "I'd expect t<
the Queen of England first"
Then what?" When I wouldn't answer, 1 putting his tools aside. "If you and I can't
other by now with our deepest secrets and ft '
never trust each other," he said and I ga
lovingly, appreciatively. I was lucky to navel
someone so devoted to me, I thought. W(
Grandma Olivia's so-called young men of d- families have half of Gary's love for me or
just see me as another part of the puzzle cos
make them look successful in the eyes oftt
and friends? As if he wuld read my tlioc
added, "I love you. Melody, and loving^
feeling pain when you feel it, being sad v'
and being happy when you*re happy.*1
I nodded. He waited as I took a deep 1
"Cary, I know who my real father is," i»i
lives here in Provincetown."
He stared at me and then slid down agai
to sit on the floor and face me.
"Who?" he asked, holding his bteafli.
"It's Teddy Jackson," I revealed. R»f»«
sat there stunned, blinking rapidly, his "
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
the realizations began to sink in and his mouth
xi slightly, his eyes darkening.
lu mean, that skunk, that shark, that ocean scum is
half-brother?" he said. I nodded. "How did you
tout?"
Mommy finally told me before I left Los Angeles," I

E6 rAnd
you kept it a secret all this time?"
'"T didn't want to believe it or face up to it. I did my
'to avoid him and my half-sister Michelle, who,
cally, despises me. 1 thought I could bury it with the
flies."
Hbat happened?'*
told him about my meeting my father the night
'''e. He listened, smirked and nodded.
t^cnaracter. I'm sorry, but I have to confess some-
("too," he said. "I have to confess I'm happy."
' ppy? Happy about Teddy Jackson being my teal
1 Adam and Michelle being my half-brother and"
err*
pked down,at Ac floor.
e were times... because of the things he said,
> he made, times because of the way he treated"
Lyour mother that I feared... suspected, ..,..""
- -1 up at me. "I was terrified my father was your

," I started to smile and stopped, realizing how,
it must have been for him to have lived with
(jxtea.
Emght that was what he really had confessed tot
» day in the hospital when he called you to whate
tt was his deathbed." -1
f^ knew that, Cary, do you think I would!
ouldhave permitted you and me to be lovers?11'
I not, but it was a nightmare of mine."
w thought about it too," I said. "We'rieilisfiuitt
isins so it doesn't matter," I stated firattly. .
r that sow, but Grandma Olivia has your life
V. C. ANDREWS
dotted like a chart for a sea voyage. Don't you
know why she wants you to be refined and attend t
sack schools?"
"It doesn't matter what she wants. I'm tired ofw
ing about what other people want or expect of me. 1
were right when you said we should start thinking a'
the present and ourselves and not drag up the
anymore," I told him.
He smiled, so warmly and lovingly I wanted
into his arms. Once again, he sensed my deepest I
and rose to come to me. We kissed, a long, sw
demanding kiss, drawing all the pain and darkness <
each other. He lifted me gently to the sofa and we'll
again and again, our lips moving over each other's
and necks. His hands were inside my blouse and oyi ^
breasts. I turned and moaned and he moved beside j
Somewhere, in the back of my mind, a tiny voWj
trying to warn me, begging me to think with my'
and not with my heart, but Gary's lips were glidinf
so gently over my breasts, drawing every tingle out <
body and then sending them back tenfold to travel
my stomach, to my legs. I felt myself drifting,
uncaring. I was tired of being reasonable and '
pounced at him, hungry for recklessness.
With not a concern in the world, Iput up nor
and in fact helped him take off my skirt. We made 1
each other on that sparkling new sofa, the m;
soothingbeneathmy naked back. We were both pi
ing our love for each other so passionately and so I _
that neither of us projected the slightest hesitation.1
was m me, holding me, rocking me, driving me ft
from the places of sadness in my heart as I could j
thought of nothing but the taste of his lips and (he <
of his fingers. We exploded against each other,®
our souls and bodies for an instant during which I'
much a part of him as he was of me.
We were both surprised by our exhaustion and;
had to laugh at our desperation to catch our breati
a long moment we just dung to each other, still
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

hearts pounding. Then be rose slowly and sat up,
log down at me.
E--»
[' lifted my hand to his lips to stop him.
SMo, doa't apologize. Don't say anything, Cary. I'm
| upset"
? smiled.
Pwoold have been a tie if I said I was sorry anyway,"
imitted and we laughed.
ien we heard the sound of a dog barking excitedly.
that's that?"
Oimds like Prometheus. We better get dressed, and
'he said. We scurried about, pulling on our clothes
heard Holly and Kenneth calling. I brushed back my
quickly and glanced in the wall minor, but there
t time to do much more. They were shouting now.
hat's going on?" Cary wondered as we climbed up
»ail stairway to the deck of the boat.
ly and Kenneth were standing on the dock and in
jf's arms was another chestnut-coated retriever pup- rometheus was circling and barking.
e*» going to be company for Prometheus," she
4. "We're calling him Neptune in honor of
this work."
i he's «o sweet," I said hurrying off the boat. She
1 him to me and he covered my face with his
isses.
ftbing, coming along all right down there?"
asked Cary, his eyes moving from him to me
i back again. Cary blushed.
time," he said.
l^»"stffl looking at next Saturday then?"
(problem I can see," Cary replied firmly.
y, then we should do it on Friday, right Holly?"
snot getting away that cheaply Kenneth Childs."
; away with what that cheaply?" I asked.
i for one moment we're going to consider
on--"
it" Cary and I exclaimed simultaneously.

295

V. C. ANDREWS
They both beamed at us.
"Oh, Holly, congratulations," I died and we he
Neptune squeezed between us. He barked his comf
which caused Prometheus to join in chorus. T
"It's just going to be a small wedding at ay :
house," Kenneth said.
"Really?"
"It was Holly's idea to let him marry us. I figured i
save money so..."
"That's wonderful, Kenneth," I said, my face i
with happiness for them both.
"I had a feeling you'd sec it that way," he said."
guess I'd better get back to work. It looks like this ]
going to be interrupted by something called a
moon," he declared, j.1
Cary and I watched the two of them walk back to<
house. ';'
"I hope that will be us someday," he said. I took I
hand.
"It will," I promised.
He put his arm around me.
Maybe it was changing, maybe the storms had;
passed over us at last, I thought. ' i;

two days later Cary drove me up to (
Belinda's rest home so I could make my weekly'
her. Cary liked to visit with Grandpa Samuel. He i
at least got him to talk about fishing. I was anxious 1
Grandma Belinda all the good news. It seemed the
baggage I ever brought with me when I visited her <
suitcases full of sadness and tragedy. She was
spending lots of time with Mr. Mandel, but this 1
found him first in the lobby, playing checf
another man. He recognized me and smiled.
"Good, you're here," he said. "She needs <
I've been trying to beat Mr. Braxton here at cti
week, but 1 never get the time. She doesn't let i
her sight," he explained with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Just bisexcuse for being afraid of losing to me,1?
UNHNISISSD SYMPHONY

|Braxton said. "Blaming that poor old lady. You should
^ashamed of yourself, MaadeL"
ell sooa see who's going to be ashamed," Mr.
lei replied and jumped one of Mr. Braxton's
ers.
_--y laughed.
"She's on the bench in the garden," Mr. Mandel told
K.
Cary and 1 split up in the hallway, he going down to
ndpa Samuel's room first. It was a very bright and
on afternoon. The flowers were in full bloom. Lilacs
i their dark purple spikes climbed over the walls and
is. Bees hovered over the honey locusts. The yellow
roses were especially brilliant and there were petus everywhere. I knew how much Grandma Belinda
ad being outside, how much she enjoyed soaking in
r sunshine and drinking in the wonderful rainbow
, all around her.
w her on her usual bench, a small smile on her lips,
ead back with her eyes dosed, basking in the
ht. Her hands were in her lap and she wore one of
ettier print dresses, with a pearl comb in her hair. I
a't help but wonder if that was the way I would
" sa 1 -was her age.
>, Grandma," I said as I approached. Lately, she
un to remember more and more about me,
i She still said very little about my mother and
^questions.
dn't reply so I sat beside her and took her hand
ie. The moment I did, a shudderof abject terror
1 like an electric current up through my arm aad
r heart, which stopped and then started to pound
ranticalty. Her hand was ice cold. - - "
adma?" -I shook her. Her body trembled and
I, fcttt her eyes .remained shut. Her lips parted just
we. "Grandma BeKadaF " ^ ^ ^ '
; her harder and then I tarsed aad shouted to
st attendant for help. '
4" I screamed. He ran over.
V. C. ANDSEWS
"What'»wrongr
"She won't wake up," I said and he knelt at her i
felt for a pulse, opened her eyes, and then shook his 1
"She's gone," he declared as if she had just go
and walked away.
"Gone? She cant be gone. She's smiling. She's ]
and happy."
"I'm sorry," he said shaking his head.
"No. Please. Call the doctor. Call someone!"
"Take ft easy. I'll get Mrs. Greene right away," hei
Then he leaned toward me. "She doesn't like us to n
too much of a deal of it when this happens," he saidi
load whisper. "It disturbs the others and makes it all t
much more difficult around here."
"I don't care what she thinks. Get a doctor!"
He stood up.
"I'll be right back," he promised and hurried.
"Oh, Grandma Belinda, please don't go. Not
Wre really just getting to know each other and ]
all I have. Please, wait," I begged her, babbling sti
at her side.
I took her cold hand in mine again and sat there!
her* the tears streaming down my cheeks, rockil
body gently back and forth as I muttered my
prayers and continued to beg her to stay just a little i
longer.
Moments later, Mrs. Greene came hurrying'
garden pathway accompanied by two other t
and a nurse. The nurse charged ahead and
Grandma Belinda, making the same pronoi
quickly.
"Get thergtretcber from the infirmary," Mrs.
ordered the attendants. "Bring it out that side d<
take her back in that way. TO call the mortuary."
"Noricried and buried wy face in my handa»-'|
^You can come to my office, if you wish," she told
curtly. "Ill have to call Mrs. Logan right away. Eh
worry. Arrangements have been made: We daj
immediately after we accept a patient."

298

UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
low convenient fix everyone," I replied as I brushed
ars off my cheeks.
i pursed her lips with annoyance and nodded at the
nts who rushed away.
r with her," she ordered the nurse. Then she
I and started to march back to the building.
tied to Grandma Belinda and brushed back her
I The nurse smiled at me.
the died happy, thinking of something nice," she
- "And she loved it so much out here," she added.
^ know," I moaned through my tears.
is is better than her getting sicker and sicker and
og in the infirmary," the nurse continued, more
sake than for Grandma Belinda's.
ave to tell Cary," I realized aloud and rose.
t'stay with her," the nurse promised.
laced down at her again. Her lips were turning
; sad her smile seemed to fade right before my
:reached down to touch her one more time and
rith my chest feeling as if it had turned to stone, I
^way.
'was sitting in Grandpa Samuel's room and
«t Samuel was still in bed, sitting up. He was in
; and was unshaven.
toot talking much," Cary began, but when his
led on me a moment longer, he knew something
tod happened. "What is it? You took terrible."
irandma Belinda, Cary," I waited. "She's dead.
t i& the garden just now, just before I arrived!"
E up quickly to embrace me as I sobbed. Grand- let seemed to finally notice us and slowly came
^daze.
l^" he said. Cary turned to him.
"Grandpa. It's Melody. She's just come from
I'm afraid it's bad news. Grandpa. Belinda's

He looked at me, at my tear-streaked face
hot eyes. "I told her not to do it. I told her it
.but she said it was (he best, for everyone's

V.C'/fNDREWS
best." He stared down at his hands and shook fai^l
"She always knew what was best^scwhat could I:
"He's just more confused than ever," Gary expfi
"What happens now?" . ; ;. „ ^a
- "They are taking her to the infirmary and then <;
Grandma Olivia. The arrangements are already.^
They were made five minutes after she was bt
here," I added bitterly. "GraadHaa OUv»a tb^
everything, plans, plots, aever ausses»at»eat fecfes^^
moment'sembarrassment for her precious family/';|
Cary nodded. -', .
, "Yet," he said, "you,apprec»t^aU that at tin
this."'., ". ... ,-.., ' ,.:. " .- , ,,
I hated to admit he was right, to give her any
"Please, take me bome^" I said.
"Okay. Grandpa, we've got to go now. I'll be.)
see you again."
Grandpa Samuel turned back to us, his face
seriousness, his eyes small and dark as he nodded
tight lips.
"She decided it was for the best," he said. "By
not so sure. Go down in the basement. You deck
added.
"He's just doing a lot of babbling today," Cs
plained. He squeezed Grandpa Samuel's hand
patted him on the shoulder and then guided me out
We didn't stop at Mrs. Greene's office nor di4 wea
at the checker table to tell Mr. Mandel. I thought 4*3
better for him to and put himself. I still felt like I was:
daze anyway, . -' .- . . . .-- -'^ .. . c'a]
''I'm sorry," <3arysaid as we drove oS'. "I kiMW|i||
much you wanted to get to know her and to get hat's
knowyou." --;- .....'„-.: .'/-./',. '.' -.-^M
"It was starting to happen, Cary. Each time I vts^
she seemed to remember more." - , , ; -»
'Til go right home and tell Ma," he said aftoE,
arrived at Grandma Olivia's. "Take it ea&y. I'll call ]
.late^": -- -' .'..:,-;. -„ ...- .;-- - ;„., "I'll bfeaU right»" I saldand kissed him.
UNfINlSHKD SYMPHONY
found Grandma Olivia in what was Grandpa
uel's office talking on the phone. She looked up
11 appeared, but continued her conversation with
aortuary.
fes," she said, **I want the service short, but I'll stay
Was deluxe flower arrangements. No," she added
y» "you can close the coffin immediately. Thank
?:.- ' '
e cradled the phone.
.dually, I thought she would live longer than I
4. She's younger, and nothing bothered her half as
a as it bothers me."
iaybe you just never saw how much things bothered
gYou hardly visited her up there," I attacked.
a't use that tone of voice with me. 1 won't be
I for trying to protect her and take care of her. One
u*U realize all that, especially when you see how
eople look after their sick relatives. The country is
discarded people," she continued. "At least I made
e died with some dignity and in some comfort with
ionals looking after her day and night."
f didn't belong there. She belonged at home," I
."She wasn't crazy. She was just confused.
pa Samuel doesn't belong there either. You have
i money to keep him taken care of right here in his
Mne, in his own surroundings."
do what? Sit around and dribble down his chin, be
tout and left in a chair on the town for everyone to
One of his so-called cronies would come see him.
rf them are worse off or dead. It would just be
r family embarrassment, prolonged; and even if 1
E a fortune and got him round the clock assistance, I
to't change his condition. At least he has good
1 care, good dietary care and some companion"
iicre he is.
a't be so quick to make judgments about things
<w very little about," she advised sharply.
; come late to this family. You have no real idea
; twists and the turns, the ridges and the valleys
V.C^AIWSEWS
that were crossed, the storms I've weathered.
was always difficult and always a problem in one^
another, and Samuel was no prize, but I did the h
everyone," she concluded firmly. "I bear no- gwltw^
daughter, that's who bears all the guilt." f^
She took a deep breath and for a moment looked v
pale herself. Then she gathered her resolve and stood
"There's much more to do, even though I tried urU
everything in order." She paused in the doorway^
turned to me. "Were you there when it. actually;
pened?" she asked almost in a softr concerned to
voice.
"No. She was already gone by the time I found I
the garden. She ... was smiling," I said.
Grandma Olivia nodded.
"She probably thought of the Grim Reaper a
another gentleman caller asking her for a date," she, s
wistfully. "She was a pretty tittle girl. Everyone sSy
remarked about her perfect features. It won't b^ji
before I'll be taking care of her again. You don't 1
your burdens just because you leave this wodo^l?
muttered and left the office.
I stood there for a while looking around,
feeling -such a smorgasbord of emotions: sad
grief, confusion and sympathy. I went t>ehind
and sat. i-
Mommy should know, I thought. She sboald.^31
her own mother had just died. I stared at the ph
hadn't attempted to contact her once since my
and-she hadn't contacted me, yet I hadn't forgott
phone number. I sucked in my breath, lifted the R
and dialed. It rang once and then there was an <
mated voice.
"I'm aorry, but this: number is no longer in servi^
was told. , . -w.
"What?"
I dialed again and again received the same i
message. Where was she? I wondered. She a
phasized how important the telephone was to :
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

to get auditions and parts and assignments. I
I information and asked the operator if there was a
ding number. She told me she had nothing listed.
trated, I thought about calling Mel Jensen, but
red how I would explain not knowing what had
led to the woman who was supposedly my sister.
;heless, I finally called and spoke to his roommate
e Mel was at an audition.
aa Simon?" he said. "I haven't seen her for a
.months. I don't know where she went. Matter of
J think Mel said something about her running out
tease and the landlord being after her," he added.
. Well thanks, anyway."
you want me to haw Mel call you? Where are

, it's all right," I said even more embarrassed.
fcsay I wish him luck."
&"
r«
ig up and sat there a while thinking about
y. She hadn't been much interested in her mother
s years that her mother was alive as far as I knew.
las it was, I didn't think she would be that upset
ling out when her mother had died.
»e Grandma Olivia was right: maybe Grandma
i was far better off at the home. At least Acre, no
tended to be more than he or she was. They took
'you because they were paid to take care of you,
r they liked you and did something extra, it was
and simple.
idma Belinda's funeral was well attended, but not
e so many people remembered her. In fact, some
thought she had died long ago. People came
e it was Grandma Olivia's sister and Grandma
a still commanded great respect in the community.
aliment officials attended, as did most of the influt
businesspeople and professionals. I saw my father
" i wife there, but I avoided looking at him as much
: and he said nothing to me.
i Olivia did not greet the mourners afterward.
V. C. AMMQBWS
We all went to the cemetery and then the mourners'
their separate ways, except for Judge Childs, Keni
Holly, Cary, May and Aunt Sara, who returned W
house "with us. Grandma Olivia said wakes and
large numbers of people only prolong the final,
and delayed getting on with life.
Nevertheless, we had something to eat and a
we all sat out in the back and talked. Holly took.
Sara for a walk with May along the beach. Holly,
Aunt Sara got along well these days. She was act
helping Aunt Sara shed her burden of mourning. 0:
ma Olivia fell asleep in her chair while Cary talked;
the boat with Judge Childs and Kenneth.
Finally, Cary and I wnt down to the doek'1
watched the approaching twilight with the gulls gti<3
gracefully over the silvery water.
"I wonder if Holly is right. I wonder if we all i
some spiritual body full of love and then start i
said.
Cary was silent for a moment and then he 1
me and smiled.
"I started again. I started when you came I
said. "So maybe it's true Maybe love is what
alive."
i leaned against his shoulder and be put his arm i
me, making me feel secure and safe. The sun contii
dip. Clouds drifted toward the horizon as if the
sinking, too. The gulls called out through the shac
And I said a soft good-bye to the iyandmother 1
hardly known, but whose soft eyes fit ed me with |
isestokeep.
An End to the Silence

' had promised, Kenneth's boat was ready for its
voyage the following weekend. Of course, Cary
: k out on some test runs-beforehand and spent the
: tuning and perfecting it until he was satisfied.
feerwise, luck was with us. When Cary came for me
on Saturday morning, it was a nearly perfect day
|ast a few dabs of clouds over the face of a pale blue
,and most important, the sea was calm, but withjost
»breeze to make for good sailing.
adma Olivia said nothing either negative or posi- wt it at all. She knew where 1 was going and why,
; ignored my preparations. There was a dramatic
in tier demeanor during the week after her sister's
. She was more withdrawn, said less at dinner and
time alone in Grandpa Samuel's office r&Childs
came around about as frequently as
,^ut ba visits were shorter and he had dinner with
e. Toward the end of the week, immediately

305

V. C. ANDREWS
We all went to the cemetery and then the mourners'
their separate ways, except for Judge Childs, Kern
Holly, Cary, May and Aunt Sara, who returned to '
house with us. Grandma Olivia said wakes and feed
large numbers of people only prolong the final good-i
and delayed getting on with life. 11
Nevertheless, we had something to eat and afterwi
we all sat out in the back and talked. Holly took ~A
Sara for a walk with May along the beach. Holly 3
Aunt Sara got along well these days. She was actu
helping Aunt Sara shed her burden of mourning. G:
ma Olivia fell asleep in her chair while Cary talked '<
the boat with Judge Childs and Kenneth.
Finally, Cary and I went down to the dock4
watched the approaching twilight with the gulls gli<
gracefully over the silvery water. -N|
"I wonder if Holly is right. I wonder if we all rttaiai
some spiritual body full of love and then start agaiei
said. -' €:.l
Cary was silent for a moment and then be tunsd
me and smiled. .<<m
"I started again. I started when you came '
said. "So maybe it's true: Maybe love is what
alive."
I leaned against his shoulder and he put his arm f
me, making me feel secure and safe. The sun conttf
dip. Clouds drifted toward the horizon as if they^
sinking, too. The gulls called out through the shade
And I said a soft good-bye to the grandmother
hardly known, but whose soft eyes fiBed me witter
ises to keep.
I An End to the Silence

_' had promised, Kenneth's boat was ready for its
voyage the following weekend. Of course, Cary
rout on some test runs-beforehand and spent the
: tuning and perfecting it until he was satisfied.
wise, luck was with us. When Cary came for me
t Saturday morning, it was a nearly perfect day
e« few dabs of clouds over the face of a pale blue
I most important, the sea was calm, but with just
t freeze to make for good sailing.
adma Olivia said nothing either negative or posiQut it at all. She knew where I was going and why,
e ignored my preparations. There was a dramatic
^ittfcer demeanor during the week after her sister's
e was more withdrawn, said less at dinner and
are time alone in Grandpa Samuel's office re-
id papers. She dozed a great deal and had fewer

; Childs came around about as frequently as
is visits were shorter and he had dinner with
e. Toward the end of the week, immediately

We all went to the ceitfeteipy <>their
separate Ways, ^ixc
HoHy^ Cary, ^iSay w
hoasfrwNi iis..^"
large Humbf"
aBd-del?N'


ning to feel
never do.
I didn't mention any of this to Cary,
morning of our maiden voyage. He talked
the way to Kenneth's beach house, giving
opportunity to get a word in anyway. I had
at his exuberance, but at the same time, I was l
by it.
Holly had prepared our cold lobster lunch witt
and Portuguese bread, wine, coffee and carrot ca
and Kenneth surprised us by buying new w
sailing outfits. It was the first time I had seen her (
in something reasonably fashionable and I
looked fresh and attractive.
"I've got to look the part now, don't IT' K
parading about in his captain's hat.
The aura of happiness that settled over all
infectious. We fed each other's laughter and joy,
Kenneth and Cary got us underway and we se£ <
sea, bouncing gently over the waves, the windj
our faces, making our hair dance over our fi»r®hj
of us bathing in the sunlight and the sea spray, 7
was as sleek and as fast as Cary had predicted. 1
gracefully through the water. Kenneth said
with such ease, it could make a novice f
seasoned sailor. He even let me steer to
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
with. pride, strutting over the desk, checking
f joint, every mechanical part, just daring some"
ytofeil
;r we set the anchor, Cary and Kenneth did some
I while Holly and I prepared our feast. After we ate
;d the fiddle and taught them some of the moun>ngs
Papa George bad taught me. I couldn't recall a
§in my life when I felt more contented. All of us
led out to rest and actually dozed off a bit before
,ing back into action and turning the boat toward
this time sailing faster. Holly and I shrieking at
ives that splashed over the sides of the boat to soak
had been one of the happiest days of my life and I
, to see it come to an end.
.eth and Holly had decided to have their wedding
t day at Judge Childs's. It wasn't going to be a
; affair. The Judge would marry them in front of a
mds and there was to be a small dinner party,
fwhich Kenneth and Holly would leave for their
' ~s' honeymoon in Montreal. Cary and I had prom-
sr look after the beach house and their puppies,
etheus and Neptune. Cary said he would take the
home with him every night.
ill knew he was going to be busy. Mr. Longthorpe
caded to go ahead and contract with him to build
s yacht. Kenneth offered his home for Cary to use,
^ffieant Cary could utilize the studio and shop.
tttere would be reason for him to be at Kenneth's
y. White he had been working there on Kenneth's
6 house had become our little paradise, our
f from the pryiag eyes of the world around us,
mly the terns and other birds as witnesses. Now
Id continue.
fc so as the school year was drawing toward its end,
paHy .permitted myself to believe there really was
lining as a rainbow after thejstorm. Mommy didn't
' i any thoughts anymore. 2 accepted that she was
dy saw.my father and never saw or heard from
chelle avoided me more than I avoided her. It
V:e:jWBSSVir- //

We all went to the ceroettaFy f
their separate wByl^aw"
Holly, Cary, May 10"
house-wait <Sb-<7
large mnabf
anddehN'

J^tok now^
y'sanda
iedfromi
[was eve
)Hvia.H(
4d discovered!
^Grandma (



11 brought <
i told me.""
;," she declared,
us, said it as a man '
and wte^-^ / oes.
All the"tlh>^} / ed at the house, I a
uncomfortable^^- a Grandma Olivia's
while she was in bed-Tnesitated to do it now. ^
had developed some level of respect for her, I s
fond of her. I didn't think she was the kind
who permitted anyone to care for her affe
anyway. Even the Judge rarely spoke to her te , ^
least not in front of me. It was as if he thought t&<!
did, she would either ridicule him or criticize I *
Nevertheless, I felt some concern and kn
door. There was no response so I knocked J
heard, "What is itr
I opened the door and gazed in at her. She I
a tiny child in the large bed, her hair loose,
diminished even more by the oversized pillows, j
"I just wondered how you were» Loretta fl
didn't come down to dinner and--'*
"I'm fine," she said firmly, bat then addsd^ Is
I can be."
"Is there anything you need?" J
She stared at me and then, as if I had asked tfi
question, she uttered a ridiculing groan.
"Need? Yes, I need a new body. I need youth.
family with a man as strong as my father was.
said, "I dent need anything you can giveUNFINISHSD. SYMPHONY
I aad nearly sailed at me. "You think you've come
sre you can start to do things for me?"
Fjust meant.,."
:-tired, very tired. 'He battles wear you down.
er, I don't want sympathy and I don't want
', to feel sorry for me. I'm just stating a fact you
ffn yourself one day. You live, you work hard and
&. Oon't expect anything more and you won't be
ointed. You can send Loretta up to take my tray.
s what you can do," she said, waving her hand to
fcmeaway.
rted to close the door.
^moment."
r'
ffi't believe I will be going to the wedding tomorfdon't
feel up to festivities and parties. It's not
»fa wedding anyway."
|»t the Judge be disappointed?"
(time instead of smiling disdainfully, she laughed
agly.
in't think of anything that means less to me than
i Childs's happiness," she said and then, as if her
ad suddenly turned to stone, she dropped it
' to the pillow.
4 at her. Despite her money and her power, I did
y for her. I had the urge to shout it at her "I pity
i and your concern for what's perfectly proper or
Igod^br the family. Look at what you've become!
^w&at you have at the end of your hard, angry

ards were teasing my lips, but I swallowed them
i, instead 1 closed the door and went to tell
} pick up her tray. Then I went to bed thinking
meth-and Holly's wedding and dreaming of my
ifal L wouldn't end up like this sad old woman.
oa Olivia remained in bed the following morn-
t d^dn'task for .me and I didn't stop by to say
i-^efore going to the wedding. Cary, May anA
3fl9
WeallwenttothfrCtaae(»yo-
their separate way8p€«?
HoHy,C^»^l^^
house-wW^i^-^*
large nute
fflB^^E^*
.;^' ,,.

aony^tOT
' the monita
^. Therewafte
xs d'oeuvres^
ered by the^
who had catered^fcto.^'' iBrty for Nepturu
ter. That was followedwiihj beautiful weddi
I met Kenneth's brother and sister and their i
but they were the first to leave. Kenneth and 3
before any of the other guests because they N
Boston to catch an airplane to Montreal. :"Watch
Neptune," Holly warned me as Ilw
her toward the jeep. "He likes to bury Kenn^&S
the sand and might just do the same to you a
We hugged. ^
"I guess your chart was correct after aU," I i
"Yes, yes it was, and if it wasn't, I wouhEh
right," she declared with a gleeful smile. T
into the jeep beside Kenneth. She reached I
and we joined hands.
"Be careful," she said. "Mercury is not in a |
Ous position this month." ?1
"I will,** I said and let goof ner hand jtt8C|
stepped beside ine. We turned to each ottaa'tB'
and thought about thedays ahead wheirw^T
die beach house, alone, on a sort of hone
own: ''- ""- :;"/ ' . ' ::1'~- :^ '':i
^However, tttuniedo^ttobeaBusyw®
us; Cary actually beganMs.^ Longatorpe'&l
UNFINISHEn SYMPHONY

(^preparing for final exams. Nevertheless, he was
fjset the end of every school day to pick me up and
"r ?ga get May. May had become more friendly with
if her friends and fortunately for Cary and me,
ttodo things with them after school. Aunt Sara let
i argirifriend over after school most of the time
her to go-to her girlfriend's home so she was

I sat on a blanket and studied while Cary
VwcHoe new project. Just before he stopped to
le-tidme, wewould go for a walk on the beach or
E aad took at the ocean. Toward the end of the
It grew unusually hot and on Thursday afternoon,
NIown'ais tools, turned to me and asked if I
i go swimming.
dng?"
dipping," he challenged.
sugh we were far from the nearest neighbor
(beach was almost always deserted, the very idea
iming nude in the daytime frightened me.
6a if someone comes?"
piaewill."
r might."
i^Tm not afraid," he said With that devilish grin
ried to take off his shirt. He sat on the sand and
Off his shoes and socks, looked back at me and
pped off his pants and underpants. For a moment
l^at there looking at the water. Then he turned
1 me, his eyes so deep, so inviting. "Well?"
s went to my blouse. He rose and walked out
to wait. Seconds later, naked, I joined him
E my hand.

'I^-Said. "It's going to be cold."
iing, but delightful," he promised and we ran
a»ater^ screaming at the tops of our voices, and
g until the water actually covered us in what felt
' 8.-1 turned: and rafr out'as fast as I had run in.
laughing hysterically at my shrieks. We
sn
V.C. ANDREWS

both collapsed on the warm sand and quickly
our arms around each other.
1 was shivering when his lips brushed mine. He i
my back vigorously and we kissed again. The a
warm enough to dry us quickly, but it was the heat^
own passion that drove the eoiU finom our bones. ^
love under a daylight sky, out in the open for
worid to see, heightened every tingle, every se
The wind was in my hair, there was sand on my i
my lips were salty from the sea and from his
nothing mattered but our great hunger for eac
Before it was over, Neptune came to us and ^
licking both of us, making us laugh.
"I feel like we're in our own private Eden," <
"Nothing can touch us here. We're blessed. Me
the luckiest guy in the world."
We pledged our love, wrote our promises m. i
lay beside each other and gazed up at the blue i
thinking about our nakedness.
**I don't know how I will get through each <
you when you go to that snobby prep school^
I sat up and braced myself on my elbow, g^
the water.
"I'm probably going to hate it," I said. "MaybeJ
go."
"What do you mean? I thought that was ac
"Grandma Olivia thinks it is, but I'm not i
"Really? Well, what will you <to?"
I gawd into his face and be smiled.
"Would you just stay here with me?"
"I might," I said and his eyes brightened .
were tiny candles behind them. Then, they dar;
he shook his head. .
"You're the class valedictorian. EveryoBe,'
you've wasted your life," ^
"I don't live to please everyone, just myse
but be sat up and began to dress. "Gary?" ,
"Let's not make plans and promises we; <
Melody. F4 better get you back to i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
tdacssed quickly and we left.
I had a wonderful afternoon with you, Cary," I said
r we pulled into Grandma Olivia's driveway. "I've
i working on our weekend, too. She thinks I'm
E>ing over at Theresa's."
t^know how much you hate to lie," he said.
it means being with you, it's not a lie. It's a
sity," I said and he smiled.
se you tomorrow," he promised and drove away. I
ied him go and then I turned and went into the big
e, a house that had somehow grown more empty
iarker every passing day. Almost as soon as I closed
feaor behind me, Loretta came hurrying down the
fsy to greet me.
[think you better go up and see about your grand-
(t," she said.
Sly? What's wrong?"
don't answer when I talk to her. I was about to
I doctor."
ssn't answer?"
rted up the stairs slowly. Loretta watched me a
it and then walked away as if she had washed her
t of the problem. I knocked gently on the bedroom
waited and then entered. Grandma Olivia was
sthere, her head sunk into her larga pillow. She
t turn to see who it was who had entered. I
lied the bed.
toaa Olivia?"
> down at her. Her eyes moved toward me^ but
h was twisted grotesquely in the right corner.
, her tongue jetted out like a small snake and
; a horrible guttural sound that made me step

t's wrong?"
A the corner of the blanket and looked at her
»dy. Her right arm was bent against her bosom,
aps of her hand frozen into a claw. I saw where
(scratched her chest and neck. __/^V. C ANDREWS

"I'll call the doctor!" 1 eried and hurried to
telephone. Afterward, I called Judge Childs, too* ;
Later, I waited downstairs in the living room while»
doctor examined her. He and Judge Cbilds finally i
peared. n
"Your grandmother has had a stroke," the do<
declared. "I wanted to send for an ambulance and'
her in the hospital, but she insists on remaining Ji
under nurse's care. Nearly shook her head off *No2' j
sent for someone, a Mrs. Grafton, who will be 'J|
shortly. She's a fine special duty nurse, but I think j
only a matter of days before we will just have to get^'
grandmother to the hospital. Her vitals are stable as
moment," he added and turned to the Judge to see^
wanted to add anything.
"1'H see to everything," he said. J",
"Will she get better?" I asked.
"At her age a complete recovery is unlikely. She ]
improve with therapy, but for all that, she is just gf
have to be in the hospital. For now, I'd rather ;
comfortable and happy."
"Happy?" How could anyone be happy like 1
wondered, and besides, I didn't think she was
before this had happened.
"Well, comfortable, anyway," the doctor said.
now, she is asleep. The nurse should be here m<!'"'
ily," he added and then the Judge escorted I
returned to me.
"It's no fun being old," he said with a smatt»
"However, she's an incredibly strong woman. S%»
make more of a recovery than the doctor thirito
way, aftera few days of this, I'msuresbe willbfrK
the hospital. At that time I'd like it if you came t
with me. At least until you're off to school," hi
eluded. 3?,fS
"Thank you," I said, really not sure what I w '
"Well," he said glancing up toward her rooau
at me, "you going to be aB right?"
"Oh yes. I'm fine."
UNFINISSEP SYMPHONY
^'CaU me if you need anything or anything changes,"
? said and left.
ty minutes later, Mrs. Grafton, a woman in her
ies, stout and very professional and businesslike,
I showed her Grandma Olivia's room and she
i to examine her. I had Loretta prepare the
from next to Grandma Olivia's for her as well. Then
; to the phone and called Gary to tell him and Aunt
.- what had happened.
Ill come right over," Cary said.
|^o» I'm fine. In fact, I'm tired and I want to go to
1.1 have a math exam tomorrow."
3kay, we'll check on her tomorrow," he said.
['d like to go up to see Grandpa Samuel in a day or
ry, to tell him."
won't even know you," Cary said, "much less
and what you're saying."
, we should tell him. No one else will."
y. ywl can't break old habits, can you. Melody?"
it do you mean?" I asked.
i now, you can't stop thinking about other people
e said and then he laughed. "It's all right. I'm Just
I can't imagine Grandma Olivia trapped by a

t^s human, Cary."
1 have fooled me," he said.
ard, before I fell asleep I thought how terrible it
[ woman to have ruled her family so firmly and
ttively that they felt no love, sympathy or sorhef
in her time of greatest need. Surely, no
lew vigorously she claimed it, she couldn't be
d with herself and what she had accomplished,
Elbe name of family.

bna Olivia did make some improvement over
I thirty-six hours. The doctor returned and de-
It she had regained some of her speech ability.
Istill be difficult to understand her, but there's
improvement than I expected," he said.
315
V. C. ANDSEWS

"She's even gotten more control of her hand. We'll see," ^
he added, not as ready to make dire pronouncements^!
now as he had been before. "The nurse will remain ^
another few days and rU stop by every day," he proaayri
ised.
Judge Childs was there most of the day as well. Lore
told me. She said it as if she were complaining he mi
move work for her. I imagined she thought she wct
have to do less with Grandma Olivia so incapacitat
When I returned from school the next afternoon, Mr*. 1
Grafton told me my grandmother was asking to see me. €|
went in immediately. I approached the bed slowly. M
Grafton had her sitting up and had her hair brushed.
mouth was still twisted and her arm lay awkwari
against her body, but when I drew closer, she fixed 1
eyes on me and reached out with her left hand to take i
hand and pull me closer.
"Naia," she uttered.
"Take it easy. Grandma Olivia," I said softly.
"Naaaa ... thinssssss chaaaa," she continued.
shook my head. I didn't understand. She tried again)
again, but the same confusing sounds emerged. Fina
Mrs. Grafton stepped over and took her hand fro® a
"Please try to relax, Mrs. Logan."
Grandma shook her head vigorously.
"She has the spirit," Mrs. Grafton said. "Full ofi
and vigor."
Grandma Olivia attempted her sounds again.
Grafton listened and then she smiled.
"What is she trying to say?*' I asked.
"She's said, 'Nothing's changed.' Whatever
means," Mrs. Grafton added. I nodded and looked at Grandma Olivia.
"I know what it means. It means that even now,
wants to run our lives" I muttered. "Fm sure she's |
to get better."
I shook my head in amazement and left.
The next day, Cary found the time to take me "
Grandpa Samuel. Since Grandma Belinda's '
UNFINtSSKff SYMPHONY

hadn't been there to "visit and neither had Cary. Now,
with Grandma Olivia's illness, I felt even more guilty
about neither of us going to see him. There was no one to
be sure he was being well looked after, no one except us,
I thought.
Returning to the rest home was sad for me. I had to
remind myself Grandma Belinda was gone. When we
entered the lobby, we saw Mr. Mandel sitting atone on a
sofa just gazing down at the floor. He looked up and
immediately smiled at the sight of us.
"How are you, Mr. Mandel?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm fine, dear. Fine. It's nice to see you again.
Vesy nice." His eyes seemed to go in and out of focus as
he tried to understand why we were there. Had Belinda
died or not? I could almost hear him wonder.
"We're here to see my grandfather," I explained.
"Oh. Oh yes, yes. What's his name?"
""Samuel Logan," I said.
"Oh yes. I don't thisk I know him," he said and
' nodded. Then he gazed down at the floor and grew silent.
| We said good-bye and went through the lobby to Grand-
|^a Samuel's room» where we found him sitting by the
| window, staring out, a blanket over his lap.
^^i. Grandpa,*1 Cary said first. He didn't turn from
Ehe window until Cary took ha hand. "How are you
toing. Grandpa?"
^Grandpa Sanroet stared at him and then his eyes went
tome.
i "Yes, Melody's here, too. Grandpa."
_tHe looked at Cary and then at me.
' ^You get her. Good, good," he said before looking: out
window again.
y shook his head and shrugged. I stepped forward
b Grandpa Samuel's hand from him.
andpa Samuel, we came to visit you to tell you
tma Olivia's sick. She has a nurse at the house," I
"The doctor didn't think ^he would get much
r, text she already has."
i looked at me.
V. C. AJWKEWS

"I told bet no, but she said it has to be. Tell your
mother I'm sorry," he said. "I told her no."
"It's no use," Gary said. "I told you. We're wasting our
time. He doesn't even know where he is anymore, fife
won't remember us being here afterward. Melody." T
"I guess you're right," I said.
Suddenly, Grandpa Samuel turned to us again, this
time his eyes more vibrant, ^l
"You go took and you'll see it wasn't me. I didn't sigasg
anything." ^g
"Look where?" I turned to Cary. "Why does he kee(M
saying these things?"
"You know he's confused. It probably doesn't
anything," Cary reminded me.
"I told her no," Grandpa Samuel repeated. "I told 1
it was a sin."
We spent another fifteen minutes or so trying to get |
Grandpa Samuel to understand who we were and
we were there, but he never seemed to grasp the pres
He was lost in his memories, drowning in them.
On the way out, I complained to Mrs. Greene al
Grandpa being stuck in his room on such a beautiful <
"For your information," she replied, "he was out
morning and was just recently brought in. Unless'
plan on being here twenty-four hours, I would advie
not to criticize," she snapped and walked off.
"I'd rather die in my bed than he brought here," I
"Grandma Olivia is not wrong in being stubborn.
it."
"It's just lucky she can afford to have a nurse a
the dock," Cary reminded me. "Otherwise, she '
be someplace like this by now."
He took roe home and went back to work on the 1
still had a slew of finals for which to prepare, but as j
in my room studying, my mind kept wandering of
Grandpa Samuel's eyes and his great fear of
blamed. Why was he so adamant now, at this time
life? Was it because he thought he was soon to me
Maker? '^
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
- How had they arranged for toy grandmother to he
stuffed away at so young an age? I wondered. What sort
of diagnosis bad the doctors made? What had Grandma
Olivia said about her? Curiosity drew me away from my
work and. I went downstairs and wit the back to go
around the house to the basement. It was ill there that I
bad found Mommy's pictures and teamed about the
secrets this family buried in its closets. I thought maybe
Grandpa Samuel was right. Maybe I should go back and
see what I could find again.
On the north side of the house there was a metal cellar
door. I didn't think anyone had been in it since Cary had
i,brought me last year.
|»J hesitated in the doorway. What did I really expect to
|f»d? Did I want to find it? Did I wast to read all the
Iliorrible things? I paused and thought about the twisted
sick old woman aow trapped in her own body
.airs. Perhaps justice had; been done. Perhaps it was
^tofoiget.
nd yet» I couldn't tarn away. Maybe it was morbid
sity; maybe it was a need to understand, I continn
the stairs and opened the next door, stepping
I a cord that turned on a swinging, naked bulb to
te the basement. I stood there for a moment,
, the boxes on the metal shelves where we had
I the photographs. I went back to them and began to
irough the cartons, their sides, tops and bottoms,
from the dampness. There were so many photo- is, old school papers, old bills, delivery slips, a trail
mchases and events that were unremarkable, the
I sort of trail every family left, I thought.
I the boxes were the same. Grandpa Samuel's de- ag mind was Ailed with corridors of distortions, I
got. It was all just part of his garbled imagination
i started to rise to leave when I saw what looked
1. metal box buried under some wooden boards on
iaer side of the basement. I went to it, lifted off the
3s and pulled out the box. It was locked and there
; no keys in sight.
V.C.ANDREWS

Why had this been left buried here and why was it the
only thing locked? I brushed it off and took it with me
when I left the basement. I didn't go bade into the house.
I went around to the garage where I knew there were
tools and found a screwdriver. It took a white, but I
worked one between the lid and the box and gradually;
after some effort, got the lode to snap open. Then I lifted
the lid and looked inside.
There was a small pile of documents in business
envelopes. I took one out, opened it and removed the
paper. Then I sat and read.
Of course, I always thought it was just an exaggeration
to say 'my heart turned to stone* or 'my blood ian eolAt
How could a human heart stop, shudder, crumble and
regain itself? How could your body freeze and return to warm?
^
Yet all of that happened to me and I thought 1 would :
never stand, never breathe, never be able to utter Ifcl
sound. My eyes wanted to sink from the words they regd^lj
However, there was no retreat, no denial, no shakings
of the head that would change the reality before me. >|
I caught my breath and sorted through the remaining^
papers in the box, reading, growing more and more ;
shocked. Finally, trembling so badly I was sure I wori^l
stumble before I stepped outside, I put all the papers
back, closed the box, and got to my feet. ;
No hurricane, no tornado, no earthquake would rod? j
this family as much as what I carried in my hands. - i|
At Long Last, Love

i^J^sBmbed the stairway slowly, each step more ponder- &ites, heavier than the one before. My body was trying
^'resist as if I were carrying myself toward fire. I did
yfiaet fike someone approaching the doorway to hell
l»8ie!HBd which I would surely find the devil herself.
L tetder my arm, the metal box and its horrible informaytSealBswaed.

l^aBie late afternoon sun had fallen behind dark clouds.
jfcSlrtdttws appeared to grow right before my eyes as I
l-Btarted down the second floor hallway toward Grandma
©nvia's bedroom. My heart thumped with each step. I
I fett drugged, dazed, moving through the corridors of a
nightmare. I wasn't even sure I could speak, i thought
that when I opened ray mouth, all I would do is "hiss.
Just before I reached the bedroom door, it opened and
. Grafton stepped out. At first she didn't see me in
aadows. Then.I stepped forward into tile dim hall
My appearance gave her a start and she gasped,
I her band to her heart.
,1 didn't see you standing there," she said. She
V. C. ANDREWS
paused, blinking rapidly as she studied me. "Are you att
rigbtr
"I have to talk to my grandmother," I said in a dreary,
dark tone.
"She's going in and out," she said.
'Nevertheless, I have to talk to her," I said. Mrs, ^
Grafton shrugged. 5
"Suit yourself. I'm going down to get something to eat ]|
and then I'll be bringing her dinner." ~ .H
I nodded and she walked away. I hesitated, my hand |
frozen in the air between the knob and myself. I was 3
hoping that at any moment this really would prove to be |
only a nightmare. Perhaps when I touched that door-g
knob, I would wake with a shudder and find myself in
bed. ~
I didn't.
I turned the knob and entered the bedroom. ;
Grandma Olivia was propped up somewhat on double
pillows. Her hair lay in loose strands around her cheeks, ^
Her mouth, twisted and puny, was slightly open and her <
eyes were dosed. Crippled, felled by this illness, she 3
would have resembled any one of thousands of elderiy^l
people stored in old age infirmaries waiting for the clock^
to make its final tide. However, her diamond rings and -g
bracelets, her rich satin sheets and her linen nightgown, |
loudly declared thai this was still a woman of power and i
prestige. She could issue orders from beyond the grave, I
stood by the bedside glaring down at her, watching-;
her small bosom rise and fall. Her nose twitched and her
lips trembled aad parted showing some gray teeth. Her^
forehead formed folds, as painful ugly thoughts traveled^
with lightning speed behind her eyes aad reverberated is ^|
that darkness closed up within her. |
I waited and then I put the metal box down on the bed^ |
beside her and opened it. Her eyelids fluttered, opened and
then dosed before opening again. She gazed up af a
me, her eyes gathering light as she became more anA|
moire aware of where she was and who I was. Her mouth |
UNfWISHED SYMPHONY
opened and she uttered some sound. Surely, I thought,
some command.
*Tv<?come to ask you some questions," I said, "and I
want you to know1 right from the start that your illness
wont stop me from demanding answers."
Her eyes widened, both with surprise and indignation.
She started to protest when I lifted the metal box and
held it up high enough for her to see. Her eyes shifted,
studied the box and then returned to my face, her face
grimacing with new anxiety.
"Yes, Grandma, I found it. Grandpa Samuel talked
I about it enough to catch my curiosity and I went down to
| taste basement where you had buried all your sins and I
I found it and what was inside," I said, plucking the first
l^iocument and holding it for a moment. Then I put the
^ box down and unfolded the document.
| ^^e started to shake her head, but I continued.
f .:^:"](know you are well aware of what is on. this and the
| other papers, but I want you to look at it again. I'm sure
| you buried everything downstairs so you wouldn't have
1^ look at ft again, but now you do."
1^,1 thrust the paper out, holding it in front of her. Her
^ eyes moved over it and then she tried to turn away, but I
| preached out quickly and put my .hand on her forehead,
^acasily bringing her head back so she had to look at me
land the paper.
|g"Who did you think you were? Did you think yoa were
ft? What gave you the right to do such a thing, to
itrol everyone else's pain and suffering, to determine
loose's whole life and the lives of those who loved her
(she loved? From where did you get this arrogance of
_»»S"' . ^. ... . . - --.,'
.She began to struggle with speech. ,
|^Ri...maunm..." -- :-- " . "< "..
"How did you get this?" I asked, pulling another
waaient from the box. **How did you get him to do it?
has something to do with all the rest of it, doesn't it?
or going to find out. Grandma. I'm going to learn every
V. C. ANDREWS

nitty-gritty detail and Vssa going to expose aH of it," I
declared.
Her eyes went as wide as they could and for the first
tune since I had known her, I saw real fear burning in
them. She shook her head vigorously.
"Naaaaa»"
« "Yes^Grandma, yes. The precious Logan name will bg»
dragged down into the gutter where it belongs. You faay
ham wealth and property, but you're no better than the
most common criminal and neither are those who assisted
you in this." £
FamrnTnnimm."
"Oh, you're trying to teU me you did this for the
family again, is that it?"
She nodded,
"You were just protecting all the otters?" I asked with
a cold smile. Once again, she nodded vigorously. My
smile evaporated. ^That's the biggest lie of all, Grandma
Olivia. Whatever you've done, you've done for yourself,
to keep your precious high and mighty position in the
community, or your precious reputation. Or you did
things to get revenge or hurt those who didn't give you
the love and respect you thought you deserved. Don't
throw the word 'family^ at me. Family is just your excuse
for evil. I know that now."
She stopped shaking her head and stared. I put the
documents back into the metal box.
*1 don't know the end of the story, of course, but t will
get to the end,** I promised.
1 closed tee box and put it under my arm again.
"As I look at you now, I realize you ase only just
beginning to get what you deserve. Grandma. I almost
pitied you. I almost did what you hate: I almost feltsorry
for you, but you dotftAave to worry about that anymore.
I cant find enough forgiveness to sympathize me iota
with you. You're home free there. Grandma," I said.
"When 1 finish this, I'mgoing to tell the doctortoput
you in the infirmary where you belong. You toNjxi^ not
U» hesitate when the time came, didn't you? You were so
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY

brave thai. Well, Aunt Sara, Cary and I will see to it and
even Judge Childs win not resist."
paused.
"I assume he knew about this too, didn't he?** I asked,
holding up the box. She stared a moment, dosed her eyes
and then opened them and shook her head. "He didn't?
Why not? You mean there was something he would have
denied you after all? Were you afraid of that?"
She nodded and then started to shake her head and
reach out for me, but I stepped back.
"There is nothing you could say, nothing, no words,
no thoughts, nothing that would justify what you have
done and the pain you have caused."
I turned and she cried out in her distorted way,
ottering a guttural scream that reverberated through my
body. With all her remaining strength, she propped
herself up and then cried out again, but I turned my back
on her and marched out of the room, the echo of her
I. horrible sound shut away behind me.
As soon as I left her, I went downstairs to the office
and called Cary.
"I want you to come and get me, Cary," I said. "I need
you to take me someplace."
"When?"
"Right now," I said.
"What's going on? You sound so strange," he said.
"Will you do it?" I replied.
"Sure, but--"
"Thank you. Just be patient with me and 111 explain
verything in time, okay? Please," I added.
^"Okay, Melody," lie said. "I'll come."
-. After 1 finished talking to him, I took a deep breath,
i went to the telephone book, looked up the number and
"t" I my father. His wife answered,
;ay I please speak with Mr. Jackson?" I said.
'horn may I say is calling?"
;eiody Logan," I said curtly.
"One moment please."
Seconds later, he was on the phone.
V. C. ANDREWS
"This is Teddy Jackson," he said formally. 4
"Meet me in your office in a half hour," I said.
"Pardon?" ,
"Meet me in your office. I have something to show you
and something to ask. Actually, a lot to ask." ;
"I'm not sure I understand," he said weakly. ».
"You wiU»" I promised. "Be there," I said and haafl
up, my heart pounding so hard, I had to pause to takfi^ J
deep breath and calm myself. . ,^
I saw Mrs. Grafton walk by with my grandmothei^a j
dinner tray. She glanced in at me, but continued toward j
the stairway. <?
Grandma Olivia won't have much of an appel''
tonight, I thought.
Twenty minutes later, Cary pulled up in front ofi
house and I ran out to get into his truck. <i|
"What's going on? Something more with Grai " "
Olivia? Did they take her to the hospital?"
"Not yet," I said. "Take me downtown, Cary."
"To where?"
"My father's office," I said.
"What?"
"Please." " . ^|
He stared at me a moment. - ' ,
"What's in that box?"
"I promise I'll explain everything as soon as i-GaBy*;
said. "Trust me."
"Sure." He shrugged, started the engine again
drove us away.
"Whatever it is, I hope you'll tell me about it soon.'y
said as headed toward Commercial Street. He glancedi
me. "I don't remember you ever acting this* streo;
Melody."
I took a deep breath but said nothing. He shook'1
head and drove faster. When we arrived in fron(j@(J
law offices of Teddy Jackson, we saw the lights were
inside and his car was in its reserved parking space.-Q
started to get out of the truck. , . ?^J
"Please wait for me in the truck, Cary," I said. 4
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
"Why?"
"This is something I have to do myself first. Please."
"I don't like this. Melody. You're in some kind of
I trouble. I should know more about it and I should be
te able to help you."
; "I'm not in trouble, Cary. It's not that. Please, be a
[ Alte more patient," I said.
l Reluctantly, he got back into the truck and closed the
r4eor.
'Thank you," I said and stepped out
My father's offices were plush, richly carpeted with
eal leather waiting room sofas, paneled walls and oil
paintings. There was a large legal library and his own
office was oversized with a set of back windows giving a
'all view of the harbor. He was standing by toe window
nth his hands in his pockets gazing out when I entered.
"What's this all about?" he asked, obviously a little
nnoyed at the way I had ordered his appearance.
soft's about all this," I said, putting the metal box on
lis large, dark mahogany desk. He stared at it a moment
Sad then walked over.
r^-What's this?" He opened the box and took out one of
"te documents. As he read it, his face took on more of a
rimson tint. He glanced at me, put the paper down and
ead another. "She gave you this?"
"No. She had it hidden in the basement," I said.
; He nodded, blew some air through his lips and then
« at his desk.
*^*Who else knows about it?"
"just me for now," I said. "Cary is waiting outside in
uck, but I haven't told him anything yet. 1 want to
'"everything first, every dirty detail."
tent know every dirty detail," he replied sharply. I
I down at him and he shifted his eyes guiltily away.
te't want to do it, but she blackmailed me," he
i and turned back to me.
Esat in front of the desk.
So on," I said.
i didn't think she knew the truth about Haille and
V.C. ANDREWS
me. I'm still not positive about how she found out. ri
suspect Hailie told her, taunted her with it maybe. |
dont know."
He pulled himself up ia his chair.
"She came in here that night, calling me to this off
almost the same way you did," he added with a small
smile, "and she told me'what bad-happened and wha^
she wanted and what I had to do. J
"I started to resist and she told me she would nofej
hesitate to expose me, to bring Hailie back, to destroy I
me just when I was getting a wonderful start.
"So I did what she wanted. I took care of all thel
issues," be confessed. "I wasn't happy about it
couldn't look Jacob and Sara in (be face anymore, 1
time she had me believing it was for the best"
"Oh, I'm sure you were concerned," I said
fuHy.
"Well, I... look, it was her decision," he pn
"She wasn't the mother she wasn't the fatheft*!
wasnt her decision. You let her play God!" I shoutcc
He seemed to shrivel in the chair. His eyes went don
"What happened to her?" I asked. I didn't wantfa
anything to Cary before I knew every possible<
before I knew her final fate.
He looked up.
"Olivia didn't tett you anythingT
"Grandma Olivia had. a stroke. I thought everyone;
Provincetown knew by now. She can't talk."
"Oh."
"Welir*
"I know only what I was told. Melody. Laura
Robert Royce went sailing. They got caught in a ;
and Robert drowned. Olivia, told me Kari Hansen f
her op ia his fishing trawler and brought Laura di
to Aer-.She was a ravingtunatic, suffering from trail
amnesia. She was naked when he found her at sea.
Olivia, well, Olivia thought the worst of that, of coa
Anyway, Kari had worked for Samuel and knew i
Laura was. Olivia took control after that. She made s
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
'. Kari told oo one and then she decided to have Laura
secretly institutionalized. I think the whole affair embar-
- rassed her. Legal guardianship was established and Lau- ^ a was left these where she remains to this day, as far as I
[laiow. I never..."
, "Never cared to find out?"
I. "It was out of my hands by then," he protested. "I just
assumed, as the years went by, that she never... that it
|wss for the best"
E "Which eased your own conscience," I accused. I
stood tip. "I expect you will give us any help we need
aow," I said. He nodded.
"After I had discovered that the man I believed was
y father was really my stepfather, I used to dream
xout the man who was my real father. I used to imagine
swas a wonderful person, someone who might-not even
tvc known he had me as a daughter, but once he found
it, he would come running to me, wanting to love me,
t do things for me. I used to dream we would finally
we a daughter-father relationship."
|&«Metody--"
' "Now," I quickly continued, "I am grateful that you
' veto be a coward, i don't want anyone ever to know
it you are my real father," I said. "I couldn't get over
shame."
ie stared at me, his face bright red, while I gathered
) the papers and put them back into the metal box.
"Sfoa're just lifce her, aetaaBy," I said. ^No woader
I brought you together."
" " dy..."
d and walked away from aim, hopefully forever.

' read the documents ravenously and then put the
i down and looked at me, his eyes wide, his mouth
l so tightly in the corners, his lips looked-like they-
snap.
don't understand," he said. He shook his bead,
ing to believe in such a betrayal and such deception.
; were sitting in the truck in front of his home. Dark
V.C.JWDREWS
clouds bad accompanied the twilight and now there i
a steady, hard rain. I told him alt that my father had 1
me.
"AH this time we've been thinking Grandpa
was babbling about what had been done to
Belinda," I concluded.
"How could this be? Why?"
Tears spilled over his lids and trickled down his (
as if they were tiny watery creatures escaping. He i
seem to realize it, even as they dripped from his chin. K
"Her own grandmother," he said. "My fath<
mother..."
"In her distorted way of thinking, she somehow
lieved she was protecting the family from disgrace ;
hardship. There is no way to justify what she did ax
condemn her for it as much as you will," I said, "
after living with her and learning who she is andie
other things she believes and has done, I understand t
this could have happened."
"I don't. I never will.'1 ^
He closed his eyes and held his head back. as if)
swallow down some pain.
"My father... my father suffered great guilt
Laura."*
"I know."
"And Grandma Olivia knew it, too. She must
known it," he said quickly.
"Maybe. Maybe she saw only her own guilt, her 1
pain, her own fears, Cary."
"She doesn't have an ounce of love in her,**e|
muttered through his teeth. "I hate her more than I-te
ever hated anyone. I'm glad she had a stroke. I hope j
dies tonight," he said.
"Don't become like her, Cary. You only end up s
of Bate you can*! love."
He stared a moment.
"What do we do? Do I tell Ma now?"
"No. Let's go there first," I said. "Perhaps...
bring her home."
UNFSNSSHBO SYMPHONY
.He nodded, smiling.
"Maybe so." He reached for the key in the ignition.
sTa"We'U go in the morning, Cary. It's too late wsw" I
said.
p* '*No. I dOB't want to think of her being there five
ninutes more," he saidy "We have to go now," he
ssisted. He looked at the papers. "I know where this is.
•t'&a four, four-and-a-half hour drive."
' "But it will be the middle of the night," I reminded
ti01-
(^Who cares about that?" he said and started the
ngine. "I can drop you on, if you want"
,1'Cary Logan, do you think I would let you do this
' self?"
i shook his head.
fcay, let's go," I said. "We probably couldn't sleep
'ay. Shouldn't you tell your mother something?"
<o, I don't want to utter one more lie, even a white
" he said.
|snuled.
'Qlkay, but we've got to be prepared for anything,
vy."
Tm prepared," he said. He started away. "As pre-
ed as I could ever be."
; was a long, hard ride. Cary talked more about Laura
grhe had ever talked, recalling things they had done
her, things she used to say. I sensed these were
;hts he had forbidden himself to have these past few
NHe was afraid tsf what reviving such memories
E <lo to him.
hw-times during the journey, he sat there silently,
g, tears streaming down his cheeks as he reHved the
ly and evetyone's sorrow.
w -ooutd Grandma Olivia attend those services
wg what she knew? I wondered. How could she be
afident she was doing the right thing for the family,
^ftive that she could bury her feelings, watch her
a&er and not say a word? Instead of a heart in that
, nshe surely had a cube of ice, I thought How
V.C.ANDKSWS
horrible her own parents must have been to her to shape
her into the woman she had become.
I shouldn't have been surprised. She put her sister
away without a single regret and did the same to her
husband. Individuals meant nothing in the face other
fanatical faith in the family name. Love was merely ft
minor inconvenience. Correct behavior, prestige, re*
spect, wealth and power were tee five points other star,
and that star was embedded on the face of her soul. :
I lay back and closed my eyes and dozed for a while;
When I woke, we were near a town. I saw the lights of an '
all-night restaurant.
"You want some hot coffee or something?"
asked.
"Yes, please," I said and we pulled in and or
coffee and doughnuts.
Gary drank and ate in a deadly silence, his eyes:
on his anger, brightening with the stream of ftu
thoughts behind them. I didn't speak. I reached fort
hand and smiled at him. He snapped out of his daze i
nodded.
"I'm all right," he said. "We*U be all right."
"Yes, we will, Cary. We will," I agreed.
We had another hour's ride before we found
entrance to the institution. It was a tall, gray st
building with a parking lot on its left ft was too dad
see dearly, but we could make out some nice grou
around it We saw the high fences and then woods,..
The outside lights in front of the building were b
We parked and after Cary shut off the engine, we ji
there, both trying to gather strength.
"Ready?" he asked me finally. I nodded and we g
and walked to the entrance. The door was locked,!
there was a buzzer beside it with a little sign that
use only after ten pm. Cary pushed the buzzer)
waited. Because of die reflection of the outside lij
the glass of the doorway, we couldn't see very b!
the inside. It looked like a small entryway before a i
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
double doors. No one came so Cary pushed the buzzer
again, holding it longer.
"It's pretty late, Cary."
"Soaaeone'sget to be here," he said undaunted.
Finally, the double doors were opened and a
redheaded-man a a pair of white pants and a light blue
shirt stepped o»t. He looked no more than thirty, tea
and slim-waisted, at least six feet tall with freckles over
his forehead and cheeks. He peered through the glass
before opening the door, scowled and then opened it
^quickly.
" * "What'dya want?" he demanded.
"We're here to get someone," Cary said firmly.
"Huh?"
"My sister," Cary said.
P^What the nell^re you talking about? It's almost three
»'ck>ck in the morning," the redheaded man said.
lTdont care^what time it is. She's not supposed to be
6fc' s," Cary said and stepped between the man and the
t. The redheaded man recoiled as if he thought Cary
adstrikehim.
You can't come in here now. Visiting hours begin at
e am.,," he said.
e'sre here and we're coming in. Get whoever is in
^ Cary ordered.
I redheaded man looked from him to me and then
^ toward the double doors. Cary put his hand out
p the double doors from closing.
(p're going to get into big trouble far this," the
'"" at man threatened.
^* Cary-said, "Now go get a supervisor, or
Do it!" Cary ordered, so fiercely,, the jnan
I. Cary and I followed and-entered the lobby.
> a counter with a glass window ahead of us. To
were sofas and chairs, small tables, magazine
i teleyisioa set. The door directly in front of us
'?ly led into the institution, thought.
1 and finally heard footsteps on the other side
V.C. ANDREWS

of the door. It was opened and a very heavy woman in a
nurse's uniform came charging out, her dark brown hair
chopped rather crudely at the nape of her neck and ear
lobes, her hips rubbing against the stiff material of the
uniform, producing a loud swish.
"What's this all about?" she demanded, directing her
beady black eyes at Cary. She folded her arms over her
heavy bosom like a battering ram and walked within
inches of him.
"My sister was illegally brought here," Cary said.
"We've come to take her home."
She stared at him a moment, grimaced with confusion
and then glanced at the redheaded man.
"Should I call the police?" he asked.
"Not quite yet," she said. Herxauaosity was-piqued.
"Who are you and who is this sister you are looking
for?" she asked.
"I'm Cary Logan. This is Melody Logan. My sister's
name is Laura. Show her," Cary said and I produced
some of the documents taken from the metal box. She
eyed me suspiciously and then took them and began to
read. When she was finished, I saw that her face sof
a bit
"You just found out about all this?" she asked.
"Yes, today," Cary said. "Those papers are inoo
My sister did have parents and not a legal guardian," ]
said,
"Where are your parents? Why didn't they come b
too, if this is so?"
"My father recently died and my mother...
mother is not able to make this journey. In feet,
doesnt know the truth yet," Cary explained.
The nurse handed the documents back to me.
"This is a legal matter," she said. "It has to be 1
in a proper way."
"Look--"
"But as far your coming for your sister," she i
ued, ^Tm afraid you're too tete."
"What?"
UNFINISHED SYMPHONY
My heart stopped. I stepped forward and took Gary's
hand quickly.
"This young lady unfortunately died a short time after
she was admitted," she said.
"Died? How?" I asked.
"She drowned. We informed the grandmother about
it. She was listed as next of kin."
"How could she drown?"
"It was deliberate, self-induced," the nurse confessed
after a moment. "I'm not permitted to discuss the
details. There are always legal issues when something
like this occurs. It wasn't our fault, however," she added
quickly. "I really don't understand who you are and why
you're here," she continued.
Cary just stared at her, refusing to believe her.
^1 want to see my sister now," he said.
The nurse looked at me to see if she had heard right.
"Don't you understand what I'm saying?" she said.
^Cary, come on," I said.
I-5* "No. I want to see her right now. I'm not leaving until
."Wo," he insisted.
jp-^Call the police," the nurse told the redheaded man.
-He spun around and disappeared inside.
H* "Cary, it's no use," I urged. He shook his head.
**1fou're lying," he told the nurse. "She got to you. You
Hire told to say this in case I ever arrived, weren't you?"
^Absolutely not I don't know anything about you,"
ffiurse said. "And I don't lie about my patients."
her attendant arrived, an older, bigger man.
t having some sort of trouble, Mrs. Kleckner?" he

i," she said. "The police have been called, Morris.
6 is permitted into the hospital," she said, her eyes
1-aitCary.
, tot's go," I pleaded, but he was as stiff and
Me as one of Kenneth's statues. It was like trying
; a tree.
r attendant took his position in the doorway.
-t turned to me.
V. C. ANDREWS

"I'm -sot lying about this. You have to go through
proper channels and you will learn I've told you the
truth. You're just making things harder for yourselves."
"I'm sorry," I said, "out you have to understand we
just learned about all this and it really was done illegally.
I'na «ic6 you can imagine the shock. That's why he's so
upset. He doesn't mean to make trouble for you. Please
understand," I begged.
She considered and then nodded.
"Wait here. I have something that might help you
accept what I'm saying," she declared and left us. The
attendant was joined by the redheaded man and they
both blocked the doorway.
"Cops are on their way," he said gleefully.
"Cary, we're only getting ourselves into deeper trouble,"
I whispered. He didn't bear me. He glared at the
two attendants. Moments later, the nurse reappeared,
carrying a small cloth bag.
"These were her personal things. Among them," she
said, "is this," she said, lifting a thick notebook out of
the bag. "It washer diary. Her doctors encouraged her to
keep it, hoping recollections, thoughts would help her i
revive her identity. Apparently, no one ever came for st(":
If she wasn't gone," the nurse added in a harder tone, "1^
wouldn't be giving it to you, now would I?" ;
I took the bag and the notebook and tugged on Gary's
hand.
"Please, Cary. She's right"
He wilted, accepting what he was told,
"Where is she buried?" he asked softly.
"I don't know. 'tou'11 have to contact Mr. Cr
tomorrow and ask him for whatever details he has. 3
the administrator here. He will be in his office at:- a.m. I'm asking you now to leave these premises.'
police are on their way and you win be placed
arrest if you don't go," she threatened.
"Cary--"
"We're too late," he said more to himself than uw
Tm sorry," Mrs. Kleckner said. "but I have tofe^
UKfFimSJiSD SYMPHONY

the truth. I've done more than I have to do and more
than Mr. Crowley will approve of, I'm sure."
"Thank you," I said, pulling Cary harder.
He stepped back with me.
"Laura," he said shaking his head. "I'm sorry we were
too late."
We readied the truck just as the police car arrived. The
officers spoke to Mrs. Kleckner and then questioned us.
When I promised we would leave, they let us go.
Cary drove back on the strength of his anger and hate.
We hardly said a word to each other. All that mattered to
him now was to find out where Laura had been buried. It
was mid-moming by the time we drove into Grandma
Olivia's driveway. Both of us were physically exhausted,
but our emotions gave us the strength to continue.
Loretta came rushing down the hallway when we
entered the house.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"What is it?"
"Your grandmother turned worse last night and was
ashed to the hospital," she said.
"She's not going to die," Cary said, shaking his head
t me. "She's not getting away that easily."
Loretta's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
"What?"
**Notaing. We're on our way to the hospital," I told her
nd we left.
We found Judge Cbilds in the lobby talking with the
letor when we arrived.
Jg^^Melody! Where have you two been?" he asked.
eryone's been worried sick."
E»(ever mind where we've been," Cary said. "How is
'Can she talk?"
i afraid not," the doctor said. "She's fallen into a
»
(t's shoulders sank. Then he brightened with a
it.
' you know about Laura?" he asked the Judge.
What about Laura?"
VL^MSWVy /
"He doesn't know, €e»" aether going over
that." <".,t- :< /
"Waat'sAet"" ^<and so intimidating,
We wer>* .^especially the men in her
wt ''''-„ ,/"l remember how afraid I
hunger and used to visit with
When she told us something,
st. I never thought of her as happy

it anyone else to be happy either,"
Cary} /.
Nonev^sspoke. It was better to let the thunder and
lightning play itself out and look forward to brighter
skies. }
The funeral was as large as expected. We decided J
not to have Grandpa Samuel brought along. He dido'l
understand what was happening and we all agn
it would be just more confusing and troublesome
him.
I don't know how I got through my final exams,'
did and my grades were as good as I had hoped. I sl
at Aunt Sara's and shut myself up in what had
Laura's room, spending almost two days writing
rewriting my valedictorian speech.
Since Grandma Olivia's hospitalization and i
had moved in with Cary, Aunt Sara and May
hated the thought of being in that grand empty i
full of darkness, shadows and family secrets.
The Judge began to go over all the estate dc
for us and one day, we all went to his home to ]
what would be. Grandma Olivia bad done what ?
promised... she had toft instructions foe my t
eventual control of most of the family fortune.
meantime it was held in a trust supervised^
bankers and brokers and the Judge was appoints
utor.
"You will have to decide about the house," 6
"You can put it up for sale or you can move into i

340
"Let's pat it up for sate," I said quickly. "I don't think
it holds enough happy memories for the family.'"
"I understand," the Judge said.
With such a fortune in our hands, Cary could be
confidant that his boat building business would be a
reality* He could build on his small beginnings and
establish his own company. Kenneth gave him advice
and the two of them went searching the area for a good
site to put up a factory.
The night before graduation, Cary and I took a walk
on the beach. I was too nervous to sleep anyway. So
much attention was on me and our family since Grandma
Olivia's passing. I was nervous and sure the audience
would hang on every word of my valedictorian
address.
"Have you given thought to what you want to do,
Melody?" Cary asked me. We stopped at the edge of the
water and stared out at the moonwalk that led to the
edge of the world.
t'Tm not going to the prep school, Cary. The kind of
Grandma Olivia was designing for me is not the life I
ifjfor myself," I said. "I don't want to strive to get my
te.in the society columns."
I know you're very smart and should probably go to
ilp,te»rt--"
E doa'twant to go to college just to say I'm in college,
. Maybe I'll go next year. But somewhere dose. I
rAliave a dear view of what I want now."
t's that?" he asked turning to me.
something simpler but more substantial. I
I never had, Cary. I want a real family, seal

tyou have it with me? Now?" he asked timidly.
Mbuild this new business together and we could
| ;eur own house and we--M
iay fingers on his lips.
t wondering when you would have the aerve to
' t and he laughed.

V. C. AJWJiEWS
We kissed and held each other. The ocean seemed to
glitter even more and the stars, the stars were never ever
as bright.
The next day was magnificent. Without a cloud in the
sky, with the wind warm and gentle, we were able to have
aa outdoor graduation ceremony. I began my speech
with the first lines of a mountain song Papa George had
taught me years and years ago.

"I have come a long way from home with just
a hope and a prayer,
But I got a suitcase full of memories to keep
me warm on lonely nights."

I turned to my fellow graduates and talked about
graduation as a kind of pulling up on the anchor and
setting sail--of being captains of our own destiny. We '
were leaving our parents, our friends and ourteacheair'
back on the shore and setting out on a course of our owa
making. 1 talked about courage and opportunity and
thanked our families and teachers for giving it to us.
ended by singing the first line of This Land Is Your i
and an amazing thing happened: the whole
joined me and sang the whole song.
I was overwhelmed by the applause and the <
lations afterward. People who didn't know me well i
me how proud Grandma Olivia would have been. i
eyes grew dark and angry, but he kept his rage<
when I gave him a look of reprimand.
Afterward, we had a party at Aunt Sara's.
Holly and Judge Childs were there, as well
Patterson and Theresa. Cary made a dam bake
played the fiddle. Judge Childs said he would take ai
of the graduation cake up to Grandpa Samuel the i
day.
Gary and I set a date for our wedding soon at
In the meantime, I spent my summer days with J
Aunt Sara while Cary worked oh the new boat)
UNFIN1SHBD SYMPHONY
to build the factory on the site he and Kenneth had
found.
One morning May came in with the mail and waved
something at me, all excited. It was a postcard. It had
been sent from Palm Springs, California. There wasn't
much written.

Hi.
I just thought I'd drop you a line to tell you I'm no
longer with Richard. I'm with a real agent this time.
He's even taken me to Palm Springs for a holiday
and he says I have a good chance of making it,
Wish me luck.
Gina Simon

"Who's Gina Simon?" May signed and then pronounced
as best she could.
"Just someone I once knew," I said. "No one, really."
I tossed the card into the garbage can, but later, I went
ack and retrieved it.
"I couldn't help it. I was like someone lost on the desert
'*' had been given a drop of water to cherish. What else
MI do?
went upstairs and put the letter with my other
icntos.
ad then I looked at Laura's bag of possessions, the
things left from her strange and tragic existence.
her Gary nor I could get ourselves to do anything
jtAem.
couldn't just ignore them anymore, however. I
Tied in and took out the thick notebook which had
J diary. Then I went downstairs and sat behind
in the big wooden chair that faced the ocean
m to read.
ime ago, I lived a fairy tale life, it began. My eyes
a the page as I took a deep breath.
i. the distance a sailboat looked caught in the calm
lained painted against the blue horizon while
, pufiy white clouds waited for the same wind.
The Phenomenal
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