The Chelsea Girls(52)

“Your loss,” I said.

The roller coaster was the perfect antidote to Mr. Butterfield’s venom; I was sorry Hazel didn’t join us. The steady climb, the clicking of the wheels, up to the very top, where I grabbed Arthur’s arm hard and then we were flying down and around curves and back up and back down. I loved every minute of it, Arthur laughing and me screaming, and when we stepped off, we were giggling like kids, all cares forgotten.

A long roll of thunder cleared the boardwalk like a bulldozer. In the excitement, I hadn’t noticed the skies had gone black. A storm approached fast from the west, building to a crescendo of rain that poured down. We joined Hazel and Charlie under the awning of Hyman’s Bar & Grill. The two of them stopped whatever deep conversation they were having as we approached. Hazel explained that she’d offered Charlie a ride home with us.

“Of course,” said Arthur.

“I like the beach better now than before.” Hazel pointed out to the sea. The only person left was a young boy dragging a sack behind him, picking through the detritus of the beachgoers. I hoped he wouldn’t get struck by lightning, but he didn’t seem concerned and the storm did seem to be settling down. A steady rain drummed on the boardwalk, and the hollow sound of raindrops on the awning provided a watery symphony in stereo. The heat had dissipated and a cool, briny breeze lifted off the water. Arthur pulled me under his arm and I snuggled into his embrace.

“So are you nervous about your play, Hazel?” Arthur asked. His effort to make nice was pretty obvious, but I was glad he was trying.

“I’m as fine as I can be,” Hazel said. “I don’t think there’s anything that can calm my nerves at this point. We’re all in.”

“Hey, I’m jittery, and I’m not even a part of it.” Charlie laughed, watching Hazel for a response. When she smiled, he looked away, pleased. Something was going on between these two.

“I hear this guy’s been your secret weapon,” said Arthur, nodding to Charlie. “Maxine mentioned that he’d offered up some good advice.”

“Maxine!” Hazel poked me in the ribs with her elbow. “I can’t believe you.”

“What? I was just repeating what you’d told me.”

“Really, you think I helped?” Now Charlie was practically incandescent. On one hand, I was relieved that Hazel had him wrapped around her finger so tightly. That was where we wanted him. On the other, was it a good idea to be that close to your minder?

The rain was beginning to ease. I stuck my hand out and captured a couple of drops on my open palm.

“I’ve enjoyed watching the show come to life.” Charlie turned to Arthur. “And Miss Mead is terrific. You’ll love what she does onstage. There’s this moment in the second act—”

“No!” Hazel covered his mouth with her hand, then quickly withdrew it. “Have I taught you nothing?”

“Sorry.” He put his fingers on his lips, where her hand had just been.

“What? What’s going on?” asked Arthur, perplexed.

“If he says something,” explained Hazel, “it means that next time Maxine does the scene, she’ll be thinking about re-creating that exact moment, not discovering it fresh. That’s why it’s never a good idea to read reviews, good or bad. The words get stuck in your head and then you’re doomed.”

I pretended to pout. “But I want to hear it. You know how I feel about compliments.”

“Not a word,” warned Hazel.

“Not a word, maestra.” Charlie nodded. “I promise.”





CHAPTER FOURTEEN


    Hazel


July 1950

While Arthur and Maxine roared around on the Cyclone, Charlie again apologized for his father’s behavior.

“You should be angry at him, too,” answered Hazel. “I can’t believe he left you behind.”

“He doesn’t like to be crossed. Once, when I was eight years old, I complained about something and he made me walk four miles home from my grandmother’s house.”

Always the city kid, Hazel did the calculation: Four miles was eighty New York City blocks. Almost unimaginable. “That’s horrible.”

“He’s not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type.”

“My mother isn’t either. Although she’d never send me on a forced march like that.”

He stared out at the sea, avoiding her gaze. “You made up an excuse about the roller coaster for me, didn’t you? Because you knew I couldn’t ride it?”

“I just figured it’d be easier that way. You shouldn’t be embarrassed.”

“Thanks. It’s just, around a tough guy like Arthur . . .” He didn’t finish the sentence. “How long have he and Maxine been together?”

“A long time. Years, apparently. The more I get to know him, the more I can understand why Maxine is drawn to him, even though there are aspects of him that I don’t like. He’s complicated, but then so is Maxine, who no doubt can be difficult at times.”

He lifted a brow. “You don’t say.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “I know, she’s a diva. But she’s more insecure than she lets on.”

“She’s not like you, then.”