LOVE, & A TOUCH OF MURDER

Green Olives in this Gin Joint?.....by Terri

Bethia woke up and came down the stairs to breakfast. She peeked in the living room. The afghan was folded neatly on the couch, the popcorn bowl was in the kitchen sink.
Eleanor was making coffee. She yawned. "Looks like they each made it to their respective bedrooms last night. I was dead to the world."
Bethia reached into her pocket. "Rosamond gave me the number of an OB that she got from her wardrobe mistress at the soap. Here it is...Dr. Roger Bidwell, Park Avenue."
Eleanor whistled. "Park Avenue. Must be big-time."
William came in. "What's this about a doctor?"
Bethia shoved the number back in her pocket. "Rose has a hard time shaking the flu. I'm going to see if he can give her a shot to get over it."
William got a cup of coffee. "See if he has anything to get rid of excess weight! Some diet pills or something!"
Eleanor smiled. "I think his system has you taking the weight off all at once but it takes quite a few months!"
Bethia frowned with a 'don't say anything more' look.
William put on his straw hat and gathered his pruning shears. He was smiling blissfully.
Eleanor looked at his retreating back. "What that man needs.."
Bethia said, "I'm calling before anyone else comes down. Rose will do what we say. Back me up!"
Bethia dialed the number. "Dr. Roger Bidwell's office." the receptionist said.
"Hello, l'd like to make an appointment for a friend of mine. I am told Dr. Bidwell is very discreet."
"What is this for?"
"A pregnancy test that came back positive. We need affirmation and prenatal care if is it really true. Speed and discretion are of the utmost importance."
There was a silent pause. "Well, this is a rarity! A cancellation and it is for this morning. Can you be here for an 11:00 AM appointment?"
"I'll have her there."
"Name, please."
"Rosamond Clifford"
"The actress?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'll be! See her then."
Click.

Rosamond came downstairs and headed for the green olives. Eleanor said, "Have a cozy night last night?"
"Yes, we started watching Casablanca and I just remember 'Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, I pick this one!' "
"I think it's 'she walks into mine.' "
"Whatever."
Bethia said, "You have an 11:00 AM appointment with Dr. Bidwell. There was a cancellation. I take it you don't have to go in this morning."
"No, not till 1:00 PM. Bethia--Eleanor--I-I'm scared. I'm so scared!"
"This way we will know for sure and then you can decide what to do."
"Remember, not a word to Daniel or John."

Celeste was in Rosamond's room changing the sheets. She emptied the waste basket in the bathroom. Out fell an EPT pregnancy kit stick and package. The stick had cat teethmarks on it. Celeste could see the double line. I didn't need an EPT test to tell me the results and what's going on!


Have Some Angst with Your Morning Newspaper.....by Coralynn

The beautiful gold statue of Venus is sitting on Marilyn's nightstand so that when she first opens her eyes, she sees it.
"This is almost as good as an Oscar. Nooo, who am I kidding? But still, it looks great."
She throws on a robe, slides her feet into slippers and goes out into the kitchen.
William is just then bringing in the morning papers.
"Why so many, William?" she inquires.
"I like to keep up on current events," he tells her as he unloads the 5 different newspapers onto the table.
He unfolds them and sees the photo on the front page of one of them. He rubs his eyes and looks again.
It isn't just the photo, it's the caption that has him befuddled.
"LOOK at this," he yells as Eleanor and Bethia and Rosamond enter the room.
"What is it now, William?" Eleanor says sleepily, "Did your horse lose the race?"
"You know I don't gamble," he says sharply, "And I also don't 'shack up'!"
"What? Who said you did, and what is it anyway?" Bethia is clueless.
He shoves the paper over so that the women can see it.
Marilyn gasps.
Eleanor gapes.
Bethia sighs.
Rosamond runs out of the room with her hand over her mouth.

Eleanor reads loudly, "Sally Reynolds, seen here, after winning the Celebrity Look-Alike Contest, is a medical clone of Marilyn Monroe, the first successful cloning of a human being, former husband and famed author, Arthur Miller claims. She and William the Conquering Chef inhabit a love nest in Westchester County, inside sources inform us." The group starts looking through the other newspapers. One of the other ones has a picture of Marilyn after her win, stating, "Marilyn Monroe look-alike in Westchester County love nest with William the Couquering Chef, reliable sources state."

"What insiders, what reliable sources?!" Eleanor is incensed.
Daniel ambles into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee pot.
"What's the big deal with the newspapers?" he asks.
"Shut up, Daniel!" is all he gets from Bethia, and complete silence from everyone else.
John enters the room and does his usual grab for a newspaper, which is his pattern.
"Leave that paper alone!" he is told by almost everyone.
He gets some coffee and sits at the table, "What's going on here? Why is everyone reading the morning papers? Usually it's just William and I who bother reading them. What's the deal?"

William, who has finished looking over all the papers, shoves a couple of them in front of John, who picks them up and whose eyes widen as he reads.
"What inside source? How ridiculous! I think I'll write a Letter to the Editor complaining about this yellow journalism. These aren't even tabloids! Where did this nonsense come from?"
Everyone is puzzled.
Then timidly Marilyn says to Eleanor, "Remember last night when that reporter asked you if we were friends?"
"Yes."
"You said we lived together,"
"Yes, I did." Eleanor still doesn't see the connection.
"Then he said he'd seen you on some TV show with William, and asked if he lived here too?"
"Yes."
"And then he asked if I was living with William, and you said......"
"Yes! Oh no! Talk about taking something out of context!"

"I didn't even go to that thing with you last night and I still get my good name slandered all over the press?!"
William is getting very, very hot under the collar indeed.
Daniel slaps him on the back and laughs, "Hey, stud, at least you got your name connected with a beautiful woman. It could be worse!"
Daniel walks away, but not fast enough. William smacks the back of his head.
"OWWW!"

William looks straight at Eleanor and commands, "I want you to clear this up today. This morning. Before noon. Get on the phone and raise hell with these people!"
Eleanor gives him a bored stare, which makes him even angrier.
Before he gets the chance to say more, Eleanor realizes what the real problem may be,
"They truly think that Sally Reynolds is a clone of Marilyn Monroe, William. The press will enlarge on this like crazy. They'll say that one of her blond hairs was found in a collection somewhere, and an Un-named millionaire had an entire woman cloned from it. They will, just mark my words!"
"That's ridiculous," William says, but this time not loudly.
"Never mind the 'love nest' garbage, William," Bethia backs Eleanor up, "El is right! They think Marilyn, or Sally, is like a Frankenstein monster."
Marilyn makes a sour face, "Euuuuuu, that sounds horrible!"

"There has never been a successful cloning of a human being," Eleanor has by now gone online and looked it up.
Marilyn isn't sure what this is all about, and Bethia is even more confused.
"Just because it's never been done doesn't mean that a lot of adle-brained people won't believe it HAS been, all in secret, and the result is....." and she gestures toward Marilyn.

Even William is now concerned about this.
"What does this mean to me, though?" Marilyn asks.
"My dear, it may well mean that if you appear in public again, anywhere in public, you are going to have to go heavily disguised, and if those reporter vultures descend upon this house, even that may be impossible." "This is ARTHUR'S fault!" Marilyn tears up, "It wasn't enough we got divorced, NO, he waited all these years to get back at me by saying this awful thing."
"I really don't think he meant to hurt you," Bethia tries to comfort her, "He just said the first thing that popped into his head. I mean, please Marilyn, you have to realize what a shock it must have been for him to see you again."
"But what do I DO?!" Marilyn is very upset now.
Rosamond suddenly swings into action, "I KNOW! You can move into the upstairs flat over at the blue house. There's no one living there right now is there, Bethia?"
"No. Nobody. I ended up buying the whole house, so I'm the landlady now. Tell you what, Marilyn, we'll find a way to smuggle you out and into the blue house. After a few days, when the reporters can't locate you in this house, they'll give up."
"I don't want to go there by myself!!" Marilyn is trembling.
"Who could stay with her for a few days till this is all over?" Bethia asks, "I really need to stay here. I have several dresses half finished. If I moved all my equipment over there, it would be too obvious and the press would find both me and you."
"I'LL go with ya!" Daniel sidles up to her.
She knees him in the groin, and walks away as he doubles over in pain.
Everyone sits and ponders in silence, except for Daniel who is still yowling in pain.
Suddently Bethia and Eleanor and Rosamond say in unison, "LUKE!"

William is aghast. "Luke can't live there. That would be improper."
"He's a perfect gentleman," Marilyn whispers, "I know he wouldn't make any advances on me!"
Bethia and Eleanor both remember the Grace Episodes, but then......Grace herself brought those on. Hmmmmmm. Maybe.
"Are there two bedrooms over there?" William asks.
"Yes, two large bedrooms, two baths, it's all furnished. In move-in condition," Bethia informs him.
They look to see what Marilyn's reaction to this idea might be.
"Let's do it, then," she stands up, wipes away her tears and places a phone call to Luke.
The others can hear her telling him to please come over soon, but she doesn't go any further than that over the phone.

Marilyn becomes jubilant, "HEY! Luke and I can watch videos and make popcorn and NOBODY will know where I am! This is like going away to Camp!" she bounces out of the room.


The Great Escape.......by Coralynn

William pulls his large car up as close to the back door as possible.
Down the street he can see some newspaper and TV station vehicles, so the vultures are circling, he thinks to himself.
Inside the house, Marilyn has packed up some clothing, which is passed out to William, who puts it in the trunk of his car.
Then, crouching very low, using the car as a shield from viewers, Marilyn gets down very low and slips into the back seat of the car.
"Stay very low on the floor," William instructs her.
"I'm about as low on the floor as a bedbug!" she tells him.
He slowly pulls his car away from the house and exits the driveway at a very slow speed, to make it look like a normal day.
They have but two miles to drive, but the project is still littered with landmines, so to speak.

As the car pulls forward down the street, a reporter bangs on the back window, gesturing.
William ignores him.
Two other reporters, with camera crew, are running laps alongside.

William stops the car, rolls down his window a couple inches, and yells,
"Get out of my way, you fools! I've got to get to work!" and with that he increases his speed.

He rolls up the window again.
"You okay back there?"
"Yes, but what if they follow us to the blue house?"
"We're going to drive around town to confuse them," William informs her.
"Oooooh, will I have to stay down all that time?"
"You sure will! Sorry about this, but you'll be glad when we finally get you away from those idiots."
"This is very uncomfortable, William."
"It won't be too long now. I see them fading back there. Now if I can just go down a few roads, then double back to the blue house, we may be homefree."

Marilyn is getting a cramp in one leg and tries to knead it out.
Will this ride never end?
Finally, after having ridden for what seemed like forever, but was probably only 20 minutes, they pull into the driveway of the blue house, and park as far back from the road as possible.
"I think I'll take the car into the back yard, and when I turn off the ignition, run to the back door. I have a key that'll open it. OK, the engine's off. Ready, set, go!!"
She runs to the back door, with William right behind her.
He unlocks the door and she dashes into a rear vestibule. Stairs go up from there. They make haste to get to the top, unlock the apartment door and then slam it shut and lock it again.

"Wheeeuuuu! Safe!" Marilyn exclaims.
"Is Luke here yet?" William asks.
"He's supposed to have come over about an hour ago. Luke? Are you...."
Luke comes out of his bedroom smiling, "Looks like you made it!"
He turns out the lamps, goes to the front window, and looks out.
"Don't see any media vehicles! You must have done well giving them the slip!"
"You better believe it!" Marilyn breaths out heavily and sinks onto the couch, "William went over every street and road in the county!"
She kicks off her shoes.
"I'd better go down and get your clothes out of the trunk," William realizes, "Be right back."

"Well, Luke, it looks like you and I are going to be camping out here for a few days. You used to live in this flat, though, right?"
"Yes."
"We probably won't be able to go to the movies or concerts or art galleries till this fuss dies down, but we can watch videos and eat popcorn! Won't that be a blast?"
"I'll enjoy watching videos with you, Marilyn. You can fill me in on what it was like in Hollywood all those years ago, and tell me what some of the actors were like. Yes, I guess you'd say this will be a blast."
"And you brought over a keyboard. Swell, now you can play it for me! How heavenly!"
"I hear someone, is it William?" Luke asks.
"Of course, who else would it be?!"
Luke listens at the door for William's step on the stairs.
The steps grow louder.
He flings open the door.
A flashbulb goes off. Marilyn ducks into a bedroom.
Luke grabs the man by the collar, shaking him so that his camera crashes to the floor.
"HEY, you just ruined an expensive camera, buster!" the man yells, but Luke still has him subdued.
William then comes up the stairs and sees what has happened.
"Tie him up and we'll decide what to do with him!" he tells Luke.
Between the two men, they tie up the cameraman. Marilyn is nowhere to be seen, William is glad to observe.
"All I got was a picture of is this guy anyway!" the cameraman yells, "What's the big deal? I thought that Sally Reynolds woman was here, but I guess I was wrong! Let me go!!"
"OK, then, we'll untie you and let you go, but," he shakes his finger in the man's face, "You must never tresspass on someone else's property. Next time someone could blow your head off thinking you're a burglar. Do you understand?"
"yeahhhh," the guy picks up the shattered camera and ambles back down the stairs.

Marilyn hears the back door shut again and peeps her head out of the bedroom just a little.
"Is he gone?" she whispers.
"Gone!" both men tell her, as they draw the curtains together on all the windows.

Marilyn looks in the cupboards, "Oh good! You have tons of popcorn!!" she laughs and hugs first one man, then the other.


Sorry, Missy---Your Rabbit Died and EPT Don't Lie...by Terri

Rosamond went upstairs to change for her appointment. Celeste was in her room vacuuming. "I'll be out of here, Celeste, in a jiffy. I just have to change my clothes."
She searched around for a skirt and blouse.
Celeste turned off the vacuum. "You'll be OK, Rosamond. You are a survivor. You do what you have to."
Rosamond gave her a surprised look. "What do you mean?"
"I don't have to be a psychic to tell me you are--what is the old archaic expression?--"with child"? Or, as my teenage grandson would say, 'knocked up' !"
Rosamond turned red. "I am no such thing! I just haven't been well. Some sort of virus that is going around."
Celeste handed her the EPT carton. "My psychic powers will not permit me to know who the father is, Rosamond. So don't even ask me."
Rosamond took the carton. She looked up at Celeste. "The only people that know are Bethia, Eleanor and Marilyn. I see a doctor this morning. You said you saw a life-altering change in my life. Is this it, Celeste?"
Celeste shrugged. "Could be, honey. You have to figure it out. I can't give you the answers."

Daniel woke up and looked in the mirror. His black eye from Marilyn was turning a nice shade of banana yellow but the chin showed a fresh black and blue mark courtesy of Billy Bob Montgomery. John passed through the bedroom. "What happened to you?"
"A disagreement with the boss. I told him what a nice smile his girlfriend had. He decked me."
"Deservedly, I am betting."
"Looks like William is on the receiving end of scandal now. Hey, if the reporters circle like last time, can we play Monopoly again?"

Bethia and Rosamond headed for Manhattan. Rosamond was quiet. Bethia pulled into the parking garage and they headed for the elevators.
"Let's see, Dr. Roger Bidwell, the card says 'Fifth floor' "
Bethia punches the button "5".
They get off and find suite 504. Bethia went to the desk and said, "I have your 11:00 AM appointment here.
The nurse takes all the vital information down for Rosamond. "They sure want to know alot!"
After about 20 minutes, Rosamond is called into the waiting room. An hour passes.
Bethia sat there trying to concentrate on an article, "How to have firm abs in 30 minutes."
"Ms. Adams, would you please come into my office?"
Bethia looked up and into the turquoise eyes of Dr. Roger Bidwell. He was about 38, dark brown wavy hair, strong chin. Tall and slender. The sounds of jazz were playing over his stereo system.
"I am asking you in because Ms. Clifford asked me to. We will talk in here."
He opened the door for her.
Rosamond sat there looking dejected.
"Well, I am going to speak frankly to you. Ms. Clifford is definitely pregnant. She is probably only six weeks along. Maybe eight weeks. We will know more later on in the pregnancy. I understand there, ah, is no Mr. Clifford. Well, it's the 21st century.
I have a prescription here to keep the nausea in check. She should get plenty of rest.
This is a crucial stage."
Dr. Bidwell smiled at Bethia. "I guess what I am trying to say is that you are your sister's keeper. Make sure she takes these prenatal vitamins. "
To Rosamond he said, "You told me you have a four year old son. Normal pregnancy and delivery? What hospital did you deliver at?"
Rosamond searched Bethia's face for the answer. Bethia shrugged her shoulders.
"Uh, he was a homebirth."
"That's pretty risky for a first pregnancy."
"He was born in England, at Windsor..Windsor Hospital. I had a midwife."
"Well, all in all, we expect you to deliver sometime in April. I'll see you next month.
Thank you for coming, Ms Adams. Your sister is really fortunate to have you."
Bethia looked at his eyes and couldn't get past the turquoise. "I'll bring her next month."
He shook Bethia's hand and held it a little longer. "If you can think of anything else I should know, please don't hesitate to call."
Rosamond gathered her things. "Please, Dr. Bidwell, in my particular circumstances, I can't have anyone know yet."
Dr. Bidwell smiled at Bethia in conspiracy. "Don't worry, Rosamond, patient-doctor confidentiality. I won't even tell the father. If you can figure out who he is."
Rosamond left with Bethia. "I hope he didn't think I was a trollop. How could I possibly tell him it may be a 13th Century castle rugrat or a 17th century anklebiter. He'd have me committed."
Bethia was deep in thought. Turquoise, my favorite color!
"Hmmm, Rosamond?"
"Still not a word to Daniel or John. Not till I figure out what to do or who I want!"
Bethia said to herself, A whole month before I look in those eyes again?
They climbed in the car and headed home, Rosamond sucking on green olives all the way and crying.


___________.....by Terri

Bethia and Rosamond walked into the kitchen. Eleanor took one look at them and knew the answer to her unspoken question.
Daniel breezed through with a crossword puzzle. He asked no one in particular, "What is a six letter word for 'despoiler of women', begins with the letter 'L' ?"
Bethia and Eleanor said in unison without thinking, "lecher".
He wrote it in, and said, "Thanks!"
Rosamond looked at him casually sitting there and screamed at him, "YOU RUINED MY LIFE!" and ran up the stairs to her room.
Daniel looked surprised. "I didn't do ANYTHING to her!"
Bethia said, "Maybe not lately."
He shrugged his shoulders and said, 'I have to get the oil changed in the Jeep. Be back later. John had some errands to do, said he won't be back till dinnertime. William is with Marilyn and Luke, getting them settled in. Henry is busy writing his music. I must admit, it sounds pretty awful, putting lyrics to Luke's sonatas.
Some things should just be left the way you found them."
"Amen!" Eleanor said under her breath.
Bethia watched as Daniel pulled out of the driveway.
"OK, the coast is clear. Yes, it is confirmed. We are going to be 'aunts', Eleanor!"
"What is William going to say?"
"Worse yet, what are John and Daniel going to say?"
"It's Rosamond's call, actually it is her business. What ever she decides we back her up 100%, OK?"
"I must tell you about Dr. Roger Bidwell. He called me in the office because Rosamond wanted me there. I have NEVER seen such a gorgeous doctor! It's a wonder he found time to go to med school, he could have been a male model! Shoulders out to here and a nice slim waist..."
"What about Rosamond?"
"Hmmm? OH! Oh, yes, Rosamond. Well, he said she needed prenatal vitamins and gave her a prescription for the morning sickness, which is also morning, noon and night! He said if I had any questions, I should call."
"Why you? Why not Rosamond? This IS her second pregnancy and she IS a big girl."
"I guess he wanted me to keep an eye on her. Guess he could tell she was totally distraught about this and knew she didn't know who the father was. Guess he is used to that, taking care of so many people in show business."
Rosamond called Marty on the phone. "Do I need to come in at 1:00 still, Marty?"
Marty said, "No, I already talked to John. Taping is delayed, someone spilled tomato juice in Camera #3 and the tech won't be out until Friday. So enjoy the next couple days off, Rose!"
She exhaled and laid on her bed. Before she knew it, her eyes were closed.


Bethia Gets Bold.......by Coralynn

Bethia is wracking her brain for a reason to contact Dr. Roger Bidwell again.
She can't forget his blue eyes that seem to look into your very soul and his warm smile.
"Get a grip on yourself!" she says mentally, "He's probably married anyway!"
But, still, she wants to contact him again.
She sits and ponders.
Eleanor sees her sitting by her sewing machine doing nothing but concentrating.
"Working out a new design?" she asks.
"No, I'm trying to think of a legitimate reason to phone that OB I took Rose to see."
"Why ever for?!" Eleanor asks.
Bethia looks up at Eleanor and smiles, "I have never seen such eyes, such a smile, such a....."
"NO, not again! The man is probably married if he's that handsome. Do you want to get involved with a married man?"
"NO! Certainly not. But maybe they're separated....maybe they're going through a divorce...."
"When pigs fly!" Eleanor persists.
"It won't hurt to just phone, though. He said I should if I had any questions at all. He said I was more or less in charge of Rose and called her my sister. I didn't correct that assumption, either."
Eleanor sits on a nearby chair and looks symphathetically at Bethia, "You won't get any sleep till you do this, will you?"
"Probably not."
"I hate to see someone else in this household driven to the breaking point by a man, but if you must, you must."

Bethia suddenly perks up, "I know! I'll ask him if I can get generic pregnancy vitamins instead of the brand name he wrote on the prescription pad!"
"That almost sounds like a legitimate reason to call," Eleanor concedes, "But please take it slow here, Beth. Don't get your hopes up."
"What do they say about nothing ventured, nothing gained?" Bethia quips as she reaches for the phone.
Eleanor gets up to leave so Bethia can have privacy, but Bethia motions her to please stay, so she sits again, and listens.

"Yes. Could I please speak to Dr. Bidwell if he has a moment? This is Bethia Adams."
She puts her hand over the receiver and whispers to Eleanor, "I think she's going to put me through!"
After another minute or two pass, Eleanor hears her say,
"Thank you for speaking with me, Dr. Bidwell. I'm about to fill the prescription for Rosamond's pregnancy vitamins. Would it be OK if I got the generic version?"
A minute passes.
"Good, then. I'll do that.."
Another minute passes; Eleanor is becoming curious.
"Yes, that would be very convenient for me........7 sounds perfect. See you then!"
She hangs up the phone and lets out a great whoop, "YES! He asked me out for coffee!! YES!"
"When?"
"Tonight! How can I manage to live till then?"
Eleanor shakes her head. The household is going to be turned upside down once again it appears.
"You'll manage somehow, you have no choice, unless you intend to find out where he lives and camp out on his doorstep!"
"I would never do that!" Bethia laughs and goes back to her sewing.
Eleanor grimmaces and goes outside to collect the mail.

_____________.....by Terri


William had made an exquisite Beef Wellington for dinner. Bethia, Eleanor, William and the Gwinnett twins were seated for dinner.
William sighed. "Rosamond is late for dinner AGAIN!"
This time John jumped up, beating Daniel by half a second. "I'll go get her."
John knocked on her door. No answer. He pushed the door open gently.
Rosamond was on the bed fast asleep. "Honey? Get up! You'd better eat something. You'll waste away to nothing!"
Rosamond said drowsily, "I should be so lucky!" She got up and headed for the bathroom. Closed the door and silently got sick.
John waited in her room for her. He saw a bottle on the nightstand. Vitamins. Prescription. Dr. Bidwell? Since when did Rose need prescription vitamins?
Rosamond splashed water over her face and took a morning sickness pill.
She came out, gave John a weak smile and said, "How did that movie end last night?"
"Darned if I know! I fell asleep, too, I guess. Just give me some time with you in my arms and it's better than any movie I'll ever see!"
When they entered the dining room, Daniel jumped up to pull the chair out for Rose.
John glared at Daniel and bumped him out of the way as he pushed the chair in for her.
William looked from one to another. "Don't replay last Sunday's brunch-and-punch!
Besides, I shut the pool down today. It's getting too chilly. You all will have to go somewhere else to swim or get your tans at a tanning salon!"
William then said, "So what does everyone have planned for tonight?"
Eleanor said, "Why don't we all go to a movie tonight?"
Bethia said, "Oh, I was going to stay home and design some more eveningwear for Marilyn."
John said, "I have to go shopping for some new fall clothes. Marty wants me to branch out, maybe do some modeling. That new soap magazine is featuring an article, 'Hottest Male Stars of 2002' in their December issue. They've asked me to be in it."
Daniel poured Italian dressing on his salad, "I have to work tonight at the Dew Drop Inn. Rose? What are you doing?"
"Probably go to bed early. OHHHHH!" She bent over.
Eleanor and Bethia jumped up. "Rose! Are you alright?"
"Yes, just a twinge. I'll be OK. OHHHHH! On second thought, I'm going to bed early tonight."
William said, "Well, Eleanor, I'll go to the movies with you."
Eleanor narrowed her eyes. "Just so you don't go around telling anyone we have a date. Strictly platonic!"
William was aghast. "If it makes you feel better, I'll buy the tickets and you get the popcorn. Date, indeed!"

William brought out strawberries dipped in white chocolate for dessert.
Eleanor groaned. "William, I'm going to be as big as a house if you don't back off on these desserts. What movie did you want to see?"
"Anything but a chick flick."
Rosamond pulled her chair back and moaned. She got up and bent over.
Daniel jumped up and grabbed her around the waist. "Are you OK, babe?"
Rosamond brushed him off. "I'm alright. And I am not your babe."
John glared at Daniel. He pulled Daniel's shirt tail back and forced him down in his seat.
Bethia kept watching the clock. An hour left. Would they all never leave? One by one they finally did. John to the mall, Daniel went to the Dew Drop Inn.
William and Eleanor went out the door, bickering about which movie they were going to see. Rosamond went upstairs. For the night.
She laid across her bed and the cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Rose, it's me-John. I didn't want to say anything in front of the others yet but I have a photo shoot in Lake George and I won't be there this weekend. Will you be alright?
With Daniel, I mean."
"I'll be fine, John. I can handle Daniel. Have a good time. I'll probably be asleep when you get home. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast."
"Ok, hon."
Five minutes later, the phone rang again.
"Hey, Sugah. You promised you were coming in tonight."
Rosamond buried her head in her pillow, wishing she could just stay home. But she promised.
"I'll be down in about an hour."
"See you then. I love you."
She popped another morning sickness pill.

"Hey, Tequila Sunrise! Been a few days!"
"Hi, Bobby Joe. OK, where is he?" she smiled. Thank goodness those pills kicked in.
Billy Bob slid up behind her, put his hands on her waist and kissed her on the neck.
If Billy Bob was anything, he was a great neck-kisser!
"Damn, I've missed you!"
She reached behind her and kissed him on the cheek. Her gaze met Daniel's. He was on stage. He started on a song, it was an old one but he "countried" it up.
Unfortunately it was Paul Anka's "You're Having My Baby."! He looked at Rosamond the entire time he sang it, smiling ever so slightly. She excused herself, went into the bathroom. The heck with the morning sickness pills, she threw up.
Verla came in as she was holding a cold cloth up to her face and trying not to cry.
"Anything wrong, Rose? You don't look like you feel too well."
"I'm fine, just worn out from working too much."
Verla said doubtfully, "Un, huh. Take it easy."
Rosamond went back and ordered gingerale from Bobby Joe and asked himi for the green olives. It's a bar, there are martinis, where there are martinis, there are olives!
Billy Bob got up for his set. He had Rose get up and do a few. She faked it but her heart wasn't in it.
As they were closing the Dew Drop for the night, Billy Bob grabbed Rosamond by the hand and walked her to her car.
"I have to go to New Orleans, there is an estate sale right out on the River, one of those old 'succession' sales. They are liquidating old Mr. LeJeune's livestock, he passed away last month. He was a neighbor of my grandparents and I know his stock well. Some fine horses, pampered all their lives. Then I have to pay a visit to someone while I am there. I'd really like you to meet him. He's really cool. And was a great influence on my life. We'll only be gone from Friday to Sunday night. I'd love to show you New Orleans. Fabulous food and music. The place hasn't changed in over 300 years. Except for the occasional fire."
Rosamond reached up and touched his face. "Oh, William, I'd love to go, but I don't think I can. I have scripts to go over, taping is first thing on Monday."
"Sure you can go, just take them with you."
"Now how much work can I get done with you there?"
Billy Bob sighed. "I love it when you call me William. In that accent, it's really classy. I leave tomorrow morning. I'll call you before I leave. If you change your mind...."
He kissed her long and closed the car door. Daniel drove by fast and threw up some dust as he burned out of the parking lot.
"Is he still giving you a hard time?"
"Nothing I can't handle. Talk to you tomorrow."

Billy Bob stood there and watched as the tail lights of the Miata faded down the highway. He turned to get into his pickup truck. Verla was getting into her car.
"Goodnight, Verla."
"Billy Bob, can I speak to you a minute?"
"Sure, honey."
"I know this is none of my business, but are you and Rosamond...close? I mean, REALLY close?"
"I love her, Verla. I asked her to marry me. She didn't say yes or no."
"I ran into her in the bathroom. I think she was sick. She said it was overwork. Does she have an eating disorder?"
"Heavens no!"
A question formed on Verla's lips. No, I can't ask him that. Probably IS overwork.
"Goodnight, Billy Bob."
"Bye, Verla. I head for New Orleans tomorrow so I'll see you on Monday."

Rosamond pulled into the carpark. Daniel's Jeep is crackling and popping from heat.
He must have ridden that car pretty hard. Quietly she slipped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She heard the click of a lighter and jumped a mile. Daniel sat there in the dark with a beer and a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Rosamond looked at him with disdain. "I really wish you would stop smoking. And drinking. And being a pain."
He grabbed her arm as she was walking by. "Sit! We are going to talk."
Rosamond had no choice but to sit down.


Bethia and Prince Charming........by Coralynn


Bethia arrives at the restaurant five minutes before 7 and stands there nervously, wondering what to do next.
Should she ask to be seated? Should she just stand there and hope Roger Bidwell comes in shortly after she does?
Her nerves are beginning to jangle.
She sees movement toward the back of the restaurant and, adjusting her vision, sees that Roger has already arrived.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she makes her way back to the booth in which he is sitting.
"Hi, Dr. Bidwell!" she says cheerfully, sitting down opposite him, smoothing out her skirt, trying not to show that she is developing flop-sweat.
"Please call me Roger," he says in a deep, sonorous voice that about sends Bethia into a swoon.
"Ok, Roger."
Then she's dumbstruck for what to say next. What should she say, something like "I think you're the most attractive man on the planet?" No, that would never do.
How about "just the sound of your voice, the sight of your blue eyes makes me crazy with lust." No, that's not good, either.
He solves the problem for her by saying, "Tell me about yourself. Where were you born, and what do you do, where do you live, is Rose really your sister, you know, things like that."
Since he has such an easy smile, it puts her a bit at ease, but just a bit.
What if she comes across as a dumb yokel? Sophistocated she is NOT.
"I was born on Long Island, I design a clothing line, though I still have to find a manufacturer, I live in Chappaqua, and Rose seems like a sister, though technically she isn't."
Whew, that was out in one long run-on sentence! He has to see how nervous I am, she thinks.
"Is Adams your maiden name?"
"I was married once, and divorced. My ex-husband, who is now deceased, was abusive."
"I see way too much of that, even in my practice," Roger leans over the table and takes her hand, which sends her whole body through the ceiling.
"You do?"
"Oh yes, some of the women who come to my office for their pregnancies have bruises they shouldn't have, but more often than not they pretend they fell against a table or a counter, but I can tell where the bruises came from."
"But you're an expensive doctor! Surely these wealthy women aren't abused?"
Hmmmmm, Bethia, not too swift, calling him an expensive doctor. How hayseed can you get?
"Spousal abuse knows no financial boundaries. It cuts straight across all lines, sad to say."
Then he picks up the menu and comments, "So much for that subject. I didn't mean to depress you."
She looks at her menu, still hoping she can somehow sound intelligent.
The waiter appears and they order.
"What's the name of your dress line, Beth?"
"I thought I'd call it the MM line, for Marilyn Monroe, and fashion the clothing after the designs of the 1950s."
"You'll have to show me!" he really sounds interested.
Hmmmm, she thinks, then he assumes they'll see each other again. She hopes.

Bethia takes the bull by the horns, "What's your wife's dress size; I can send some over!" and smiles perhaps too widely.
"My wife and I are estranged. She moved into her own place several months ago. But maybe you can model them for me!"
So are they getting divorced? she wonders. Oh well, at least they aren't living together.

"Where do you live in Chappaqua? I have an old college pal, Jerry Palmer, living there."
"I know Jerry!" Bethia is so glad they've found a common topic of conversation!!
"How do you know him?"
"He's a close friend of Eleanor's. She and I live in the same house. She's a great gal!"
"I think he mentioned an Eleanor the last time we talked. He sounded very enthusiastic about her. Said she had a lot of gumption and independence and was a beauty as well. What d'ya know? Small world!"
"Eleanor is all those things Jerry told you. You couldn't ask for a better friend."
"So there are several people living in the house, though not blood related, right?"
"Right. We also have William the Conquering Chef."
"Everyone knows about him by now. But, what about that horrible article in the newspaper about him sharing a lovenest with Marilyn Monroe? That is obviously nonsense. Some of these reporters should have a reality check now and again."
"He is not in a love relationship with anybody!" Bethia is very firm on this, "The reporters hound us on a regular basis!"
"Now....just a minute....didn't I also read that the woman who looks just like Marilyn is named Sally something?"
"Reynolds."
"You know her?"
"She lives with us, too, or did until the reporters made her go into hiding."
Roger laughs.
"What an interesting household you must have!"
"There's never a dull moment," she confides, "What with Rose not knowing who the father of her baby is, and William trying to boss everyone around, and Daniel being such a creep, and ...."
"Daniel?"
"One of our housemates is named Daniel, and nobody likes him."
"Why don't you simply ask him to move?"
"Well, it isn't that easy. His identical twin, John, lives with us, and we like him so we put up with Daniel, but just barely."
"John?"
"John and Rose are both on the soap opera "As The Planet Turns."
"How did he come to live with you?"
Bethia is stumped. How does she answer that one?
"Welllllll, he grew up on Long Island with me, and when he contacted me about available housing in the area, I told him we had plenty of room if he'd like to move in."
"Then his brother moved in as well, right?"
"About a year after. We didn't know how awful he was till he'd moved in and now we feel like we're stuck with him."
"Your place sounds like those Communes they used to have in the late 60s and early 70s. My parents lived on one for a month as an experiment and couldn't get away from there fast enough!" he laughs at the memory.
"Communes weren't good places?"
"Some may have been, but the one they visited was wall to wall marajuana smoking and working in the fields. There was no electricity and water had to be carried in from a well. But they said it was a good sociological experience."
"Our house isn't a commune, then. We all have jobs; we don't have a vegetable garden; we don't smoke that stuff you mentioned; and our electricity and water functions very well."

The next couple hours are spent in a more relaxed manner. Bethia is interested in what Roger says about his life and forgets her nerves.
"Your parents sound like great people!" she exclaims after he tells her of his happy childhood.
"They truly are. Wish they hadn't moved to Florida, though. Too far away. But they'll be back for Christmas this year. I'll buy the biggest tree I can fit into the house."
"How fun!!"
"You like decorating Christmas trees?"
"Love it!"
"Well, then, you can be the Official Tree Decorator, how does that sound?"
Oh boy, Bethia thinks, he wants me around at Christmas! This date must be going even better than I thought!

It's almost 9:30 by the time they leave the restaurant. He walks her to her car and gives her a little hug before she gets behind the wheel.
"Let me check my schedule. Maybe we can get together at your place next time!" he suggests.
"Speaking of sociological experiments!" she laughs, then slowly pulls the car away. She's tingling all over as she drives home.
WOW, what a hunk! What a Prince Charming!




Oh-oh!!!..........by Terri

Daniel leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the table.
Rosamond picked his feet up and threw them off. "William doesn't allow feet on the furniture."
Daniel did it again. "Too bad he's not around. Too bad no one is around. John left a message on the refrigerator, he had to leave for Lake George tonight. Won't be back until late Sunday night. Something about photography and someone wanting to catch first light. Guess the others are all snuggy bug in their beds."
Rosamond got up. "I have had the day from hell and my night isn't turning out too much better."
She was getting a little nervous with just her and Daniel in the room.
Daniel rose to his feet, too. "You know, you and Billy Bob are unevenly matched. I can't see what you possibly have in common. You like caviar, he likes sushi--probably southern fried! You shop Saks Fifth Avenue, and with other people's money, I might add, he probably shops Orvis sports stores. You..."
Rosamond interrupted him. "I get your drift, Daniel. Don't mess around in things you don't understand."
Daniel took a step closer. Rosamond took a step back, right up against the refridgerator. Daniel put his hands on either side of her. "I can sense you are shivering and trembling."
"That's because I am backed up against a cold refridgerator."
He leaned dangerously close to her. "You're made for hurting, that's what you do. I took my chances, but I wanted more. You ought to be a little more careful, baby.
You know I'm dangerous with my wild imagination. John is too sedate and boring and Mr. Montgomery with his "aw shucks pardon me ma'am" ways...well, the full moon is calling, the fever is high, the wicked wind whispers and moans..."
He drew her to him and kissed her. Rosamond felt herself kissing Daniel back.
Then she broke away and slapped him across the face. Hard.
Daniel laughed softly and said, "You are coming apart at the seams, doll."
Rosamond turned and ran up the stairs. She slammed the door to her room and locked it.
She grabbed the cellphone.
"Hello?"
"Billy Bob, it's me."
"Honey, are you OK? You sound out of breath!"
"Still want me to go with you to New Orleans?"
"Of course."
"What time is the flight?"
"Eight o'clock. LaGuardia. Southwest Airlines. Flight 758"
Rosamond was writing frantically on the back of an envelope. "Have a ticket ready for me. I'll meet you at the gate."
She hung up, threw all her clothes in a suitcase, and tossed it out her window--again.
She set her alarm for 5:00 AM. I need to get out of here before anyone wakes up. I'll call one of the girls when I am safely down in the Big Easy. But not before.



The alarm went off at 5:00. Rosamond popped another morning sickness pill. Thank goodness they are starting to work! She grabbed a quick shower, threw her makeup in a carryon bag and quietly crept down the stairs. Good! Not a sign of anyone!
She threw her luggage in the rear storage space and quietly started the engine up, heading towards LaGuardia. When she reached the airport, she parked in the longterm parking garage. She looked at her watch--6:30 AM. Perfect timing! She walked up to the Southwest Airlines counter, gave her name and the woman handed her the boarding pass. She breezed through security, only beeping off once. Turns out it was the underwires in her bra that set it off! Grabbing her purse, she hurried through the terminal. Sitting there in the waiting area was Billy Bob.
He looked incredibly handsome in his leather jacket, his beautiful blond hair not hidden under a Stetson today. He rushed over to her, hugged her and said, "I am SO glad you are coming! What changed your mind?"
"I went home and tied up a few loose ends. I can't wait to see New Orleans again!"
"Again? You've been there before?"
"Yes--quite a while ago. I guess it probably hasn't changed in the last 100 years."
Billy Bob grinned. "Not in the last 300 years. I have to take you to the Cafe duMonde. And we'll stay at the Cornstalk House."
Billy Bob was mentioning all the places that Rosamond had gone with William and Eleanor..and John. She got a lump in her throat but she ignored it.
"There' s also someone we will stop and see. He's very important. I want it to be a surrpise." They boarded the plane and landed in New Orleans two hours later.
Picking up their luggage and their rental car, they headed for the French Quarter. Valet parking took the car and Billy Bob carried their luggage in.
"Oh, yes, Monsieur Mont-gom-ery. I have your usual suite, a deux, this time."
Rosamond turned to him. "Do you come here often?"
"Several times a year. I do have family down here. My father still has ownership of Sundown Plantation on the River. He has an overseer run it. It's a sugar plantation."
Then Billy Bob said shyly, "I hope you don't think I am being presumptous in getting only one room, in light of what we feel for each other..."
Rosamond smiled brightly, "That's fine, Billy Bob. Does this side of your family call you Billy Bob or William?"
"Actually, my grandmere and grandpere call me 'Guillaume' which is French for William. Grandmere Marie married my Montgomery grandfather, to the dismay of my Creole great grandpere. He was really wild, in his day."
Rosamond absentmindedly said, "I know.'
"You know??"
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. I IMAGINE he was."
"Yes, he told me lots of stories. I'll tell them to you over dinner. He's got this one really wild story.."



Rosamond and Billy Bob changed their clothes into jeans and casual tops. It seemed so weird to Rosamond to be travelling and staying with Billy Bob. Almost as if they were married. She sneaked a peak at the hotel register. He signed in as "Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Montgomery, Sundown Plantation."
He said he signed in that way because Sundown Plantation was conducive to what he called "lagniappe". Little extras that came with being a native Creole. Even though he was from Texas, he explained, that strain of DuPre blood gave him a lifelong membership into Creole Society. He said his great grandpere always stayed here at Cornstalk House.
They drove outside of the city to the succession sale of Mr. Rene LeJeune.
"Just down the road and across the bayou is Sundown Plantation. We will stop there tomorrow and spend the day. You'll love it, four poster beds, the whole 'southern' decor."
Throughout the afternoon, Billy Bob continually bid on the horses that he wanted. Most of the time he got what he wanted. He was very competitive.
"I'll be right back. I need to check on this one horse. It is lot #382 and I want to check out his forelegs before I bid. Want to come with me?"
"No, I need to call Bethia, my friend. I left in such a hurry I didn't tell her where I was going. She worries so."
When Billy Bob turned the corner, Rosamond dialed the house. Oh, please, oh please, Bethia, be the one to answer!
Bethia answered! "Hello?" she said hopefully.
"Hi, Bethia!"
"Oh, hi!" Bethia sounded deflated.
Rose said, hurt, "Well, hello to you, too!"
Bethia sighed,."I thought you were someone else. Is there a break in rehearsal? How are you feeling?"
"Those pills are kicking in, but I don't dare miss anyone of them. They help but sometimes I want to just, well, blaaaaah! Anyways, why I am calling, is that I am not in town."
"You're not? I thought, we ALL thought, you left early for rehearsals. We know John is in Lake George. But we thought they were working around his schedule."
Rose bit her lip and said quietly, "I ran away again."
Bethia said, "WHAT? NOT AGAIN!"
William was heard in the background, "Is that Rose? I expect her home for dinner tonight. No excuses."
Rosamond's tried to control her temper. "Just tell 'Pops' there that all the college boys went back to college and I followed them! Honest! You'd think that I was a teenybopper the way he treats me!"
Bethia covered the mouthpiece. "Where ARE you and can you get back by dinner?"
"No can do. I am in New Orleans."
"NEW ORLEANS? "
William roared,. "She's WHERE?"
He grabbed the phone, "GET ON THE NEXT PLANE! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"
Rosamond yelled. "I can't! And I am not by myself. I am with a very responsible party. My co-worker Monique. She has a sick mother and didn't want to make the trip alone. So I volunteered to go with her. She called me last night and there was no time to let anyone know. Don't worry, I will be home Sunday night. Now let me talk to Beth or I won't be back until next week!"
William huffed and puffed but handed the phone back to Bethia.
Rosamond whispered, "Go where no one can hear you."
But by that time William had gone back out to his garden.
"William started a vegetable garden, it's taking up most of his time. So talk to me."
"Is everyone gone?"
"Yes, but I have some news too. Guess who I went out to coffee with last night."
"How should I know?"
"Dr. Roger Bidwell!"
"Dr. Bidwell? MY Dr. Bidwell? Dr. Bidwell with the blue eyes? Dr. Bidwell with the wavy brown hair? The Gregory Peck of the OB-GYN world?"
"The very one who is managing your pregnancy? Or have you forgotten about that now that the morning sickness is under control. Honestly, Ro', I can't believe you went flying out of here by yourself when you have been so sick. Are you suicidal?"
Rosamond said, "I'm not by myself. I am with Billy Bob Montgomery. John was out of town for the weekend...."
"And you got lonely? Rose, sometimes you are such a..."
"Wait a minute before you start calling me names I will regret! I--I have a problem and I had to get away. Daniel came on to me last night and I--I---"
"You what?" Bethia hissed.
"I kissed him back. Oh, Beth, I had to get away. I can't go back to that mess again and he's very--I don't know, I guess it's animal magnetism..he scares me. He's so---intense."
"Well, think how intense he will be when he finds out about the pregnancy."
"Well, then, he'd better not hear about it! I'll call you tonight, just make sure you have your cellphone on so I don't have to call the house. I don't want anyone but you or El to know the whole story. Gotta go! BB is coming!"
She turned off her cellphone. "How's the forelegs?"
"Looks great!"
The auctioneer said, "What am I bid for Lot #382...."

Bethia hung up the phone and said to herself, Well, dinner here will be real fun with Daniel.


Beware the Afternoon Newspapers!!.....by Coralynn

William came in the back door, peeling off his gardening gloves.
"The afternoon paper come yet?" he asked Bethia.
"I haven't seen it, oh, just a minute, maybe that's it lying out in the front driveway!"
"You just keep on cooking, Beth, I'll get it!" he walked through the house and out the front door, then returned a minute later carrying two newspapers.
Bethia laughed, "You take 5 morning papers and 2 afternoon ones, William. You are probably responsible for killing 100 acres of trees a week!"
"Just have to make sure nothing gets by me," he tells her as he unrolls them.

"The usual....a wealthy socialite found murdered in a questionable area of the City......hmmmm, Bidwell, wasn't that the doctor you called to get Rose a shot for the flu?
"Bidwell?!" Bethia rushes over to see whatever is in the newspaper.
Silently she reads:

Ruth Bidwell, estranged wife of Dr. Roger Bidwell, prominent physician, was found murdered last night in a run-down area of Newark. She had been shot several times. There were no witnesses. Near her body was found a brieface containing a handful of diamonds. The area is famous for gang-land killings, but the Police know of no connection between Ruth Bidwell and the Mafia. Her husband couldn't be reached for comment.