Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

"Never think you're better than anyone because you've grown up privileged," she continued with a vehemence that told me her words were offspring of much pain and suffering. "The rich are often driven by the same base motives as are the very dirty and very poor. Maybe even more than the poor," she added, "because they have more idle time to drift into their private madness."

"You learned these things at Farthinggale?" I asked softly, hoping she had chosen my eighteenth birthday as the occasion to tell me all her darkest secrets.

"Yes," she murmured. I waited breathlessly for her to say more, ,but then something snapped and she pulled herself up and out of that stream of memories instantly. Her eyes widened and brightened as if she had just come out of a hypnotic state. "But let's not talk about anything unpleasant. Not today of all days, honey." She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and then placed the diamond necklace and earrings into my hands. "It's time to pass them on to you. Of course, I might come to you once in a while and ask to borrow them."

We both laughed as she hugged me.

"I'll just put them safely away and then go down," I told her as I rose from her embrace. I want to take Luke for a ride in my new car."

"And don't forget Drake. He's looking forward to it, too, Annie." Mother was always insisting on my being close to Drake.

"But there are only two seats!" I cried out in dismay. I would have to chose between them and risk hurting the feelings of one or the other.

"Drake came all the way from college for your birthday, Annie. He made such a special effort. Luke is always here, and anyway, you spend far too much time with him. I've noticed you haven't had a date for months now. Other boys in town are probably becoming discouraged."

"The boys in my class are silly and immature. All they care about is going somewhere and drinking themselves into a stupor to prove their manhood. At least I can have an intelligent conversation with Luke," I pleaded, aware that I was close to whining.

"Still, Annie," she said, lowering her eyes, "it's not healthy." Her words fell like heavy drops of rain because I knew what she was saying was right. I nodded and tried to find a voice that didn't quiver.

"I feel sorry for him."

"I know, but soon he'll be going off to college to start his own life and you'll be traveling through Europe and meeting different people. Besides, his mother has money for him and he is very intelligent, your class valedictorian. There's no reason to pity Luke now. Why," my mother said smiling, "I bet he would resent it if he knew."

"Oh please, never tell him I said that!"

"I would never do such a thing, Annie. Don't you think I care for Luke and realize what he has had to go through and live with all these years? It's why I admire him for what he has become," she concluded, stroking my hair. "Now, go on, put your diamonds away and take Drake for a ride and then take Luke. There will be no tears or sad words today. I absolutely forbid it. I might even have the mayor of Winnerrow pass an instant ordinance against it," she said, laughing. I smiled away my worries.

"Thank you for being so wonderful to me," I told her.

"I could be no other way, honey. I love you too much."

She kissed me again and then I hurried off to put the diamonds safely in my jewelry drawer. When I went downstairs, I found Drake, Luke and my father in a serious discussion about the economy. They were arguing about the trade deficit and the need for protective legislation. I listened for a moment, admiring the way Luke held his own against the two of them. Then I burst into the study to announce rides in my Mercedes would begin.

"We'll do it by age," I said diplomatically. "First Daddy, then Drake, and then Luke. Three times down Main Street and back."

Daddy laughed.

"Can you imagine what the residents are going to be saying?" he_ asked. "They'll think we're just parading our wealth."

"If you've got it, flaunt it," Drake boasted. "I don't see the point in being ashamed of wealth. It's a phony, liberal attitude."

"I'm just talking about a ride," I protested. They all turned to me and then suddenly, the three of them broke out into laughter because of the expression o

n my face and the way I was holding my hands on my hips. "Men," I said, and started to turn away.

"Oh Annie," Daddy quickly said, and rushed to put his arms around me. "It's just that you're so cute when you're angry. Come on, let's see if that car is worth all the hullabaloo."

I took them each for a ride. Drake insisted I stop at the luncheonette so he could visit with some old friends for a few minutes, but what he really wanted to do was show off the car. Luke was reading a magazine on the gazebo when Drake and I returned. Drake decided to complete one of his college assignments so he could have the rest of the day off and go out to dinner with all of us later.

"I'll be right there," I called to Luke and ran into the house and up the stairs to my room to get his gift. Mommy and Daddy looked up surprised as I rushed by the sitting room.

"Slow down!" my father called. "Or you'll be eighty before you're fifty." I heard him laughing at his own joke as I closed the front door behind me and flew around to the gazebo, my heart pounding. Flushed with excitement, I bounced up the steps and plopped down beside Luke.

"Happy birthday," I said, and thrust out my hand. He studied the small package a moment and then plucked it out of my palm.

"Might be keys to another Mercedes," he jested. He opened the package and then lifted the cover of the small box to display the black onyx, solid gold pinky ring. "Wow!"

"Look inside the band."