If At First

Part 16 - Chapter 15

"Tabitha!" Nana glowered at me, "Will you relax! If your knee doesn't stop bouncing this table I swear I'll tie you to that chair!"

The evening was doomed. While exerting the greatest effort to keep my knee still, I would inadvertently start drumming my fingers, and receive the wickedest glare from my grandmother. All I could think about now was Andy.

"I hope, Rose," said Mrs. Landon, rolling her eyes from my face to my grandmothers, "you intend to bring Tabitha to this year's Black and White. It would be such a shame for her to miss it." She turned to me, hiding her cards in her neck "You just have to see the fabulous way they deck the place out! Always beautiful, no matter where they are! And I've heard they plan to have it here this year! The Castlereagh Country Club is sponsoring, you know, and you remember what happened the last time someone tried to hold an event at the C.C.C.! Though I daresay when Harlan and Darling Casey are in charge of something, they get what they want."

"Here?" Nana exclaimed, "I thought the plan was for the Plaza."

"No, no, I spoke with Darling last week. She wanted the name of that florist I used for my little Cara's wedding last year. She promised I wouldn't need to go far, that they decided they must stay here this year." She put up her chin, reveling in her superior knowledge.

Nana nodded, studying her cards. "Tabitha," she said, "We'll go to see Michelle. She did a lovely job with your other things, particularly that linen sundress. I would only trust her with your gown."

"My gown?" I asked, realizing I was a part of the conversation, "for what?"

"For the Casey's Black and White Gala, haven't you been listening? They hold a fundraiser every year, and Harlan is passing the whole thing on to his sons this year. I've been on the list for decades but I can never stir myself to go now that your grandfather is gone. This year, you will go with me." She turned her attention once again to her friends, bored with my ignorance. "You think Michelle will be available, don't you Laine?"

"Not a chance!" Mrs. Landon cackled. "I already know three people who have spoken to her and Darling herself is one of them. It would be a miracle if she accepted you alone, forget about the both of you."

"Still," Nana said meditatively, "I think I'll try."

"Mrs. Theodore, I hate to interrupt." Beverly's voice came from the doorway and she was taking pains to appear unaffected by the information she had to impart. "There's a visitor for Tabitha in the library."

"Tell them she's busy!" She growled without looking up from her cards.

"I believe it might be rather important?"

"I don't care if it's the President of the United States, she's busy!"

Nana cocked an eyebrow at me then, half-interested in who it could be, and decided my distracted presence was more of a frustration than it was worth. "Oh fine!" She relented, "She's all but useless here anyway. What do you say, ladies? Do we take a break?"

They rose from the card table so they could be more comfortable in the cushioned chairs circling a spread of desserts and homemade sangria, and I couldn't bring myself to feel even an ounce of remorse at the relief of leaving them, knowing they were far better off.

Before I'd completely closed the door behind me, I overheard Mrs. Landon say, "I don't argue, Rose, that it does her a lot of good to be seen with Haven, but don't you think she's aiming a little high?"

"What exactly do you think she's aiming to do?" Nana answered, "I suppose you'd prefer him always at your Mira's doorstep. Well, I don't think Tabitha has any idea of the stir she's created, and I don't mean to tell her. I've heard it from more than one mouth that it's her unknowing attitude opening all the doors, and I have no intention of letting her lose that." I stood there for a moment, absorbing what they said, and could only conclude that it was nothing more than a couple of old ladies trying to outdo one another by succumbing to a natural tendency to brag about their grandchildren. Mrs. Landon might want Mira to have anything her heart desired, even if that meant Haven Casey, but I couldn't imagine how I could be thrown in with his panting groupies.