Sex and Vanity

“Well, this is annoying. Where could she be?” Marian asked as she began texting Charlotte.

“Maybe her friend gave her a ride home?”

“She would have texted me if she had. You know, she probably walked over to Cissinghurst to say hi to Rosemary and poke around. You know what a busybody she is,” Marian surmised. “Let’s head over there.”

“No, no, I think we should stay right here. Maybe Charlotte is in the ladies’ room or something,” Lucie said nervously. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was run into Rosemary right now.

“Well, why don’t you go check the toilet and I’ll run over to Cissinghurst to see if she’s there?”

Trapped by her own suggestion, Lucie could say nothing. She got out of the car again as Marian drove down the block to Cissinghurst. A few minutes later, Marian returned with a frown on her face. “No Charlotte, but it’s the oddest thing, Lucie. There were movers at the house, packing up all of Rosemary’s belongings. They couldn’t tell me much, except that she was moving out.”

“Rosemary’s moving?” Lucie pretended to be surprised.

“Yes, but I thought she had taken a one-year lease on the house. It’s so strange. No sign of Charlotte?”

“Nope.”

“Then let’s go. I’m done waiting.”

As they drove past Cissinghurst for the second time, Marian said, “I hope nothing bad has happened. Why would Rosemary suddenly give up the house? She said nothing to me Saturday night at the gala. I hope she’s not having to leave New York for good. I would be so sad. She’s become a good friend, and for the first time in ages I feel like I’m reconnecting to my Chinese roots.”

Lucie pondered her mother’s words, feeling a piercing sense of guilt. Her mother’s phone let out two chirps.

“I’m sure that’s Charlotte. Will you check it?” Marian asked.

Lucie picked up her mother’s phone and read it in annoyance. “You’re not going to believe this. For some reason Charlotte found her way to Auden’s Preppie Guru Lounge in Amagansett, and she’s requested that we pick her up there.”

“Oh, for Chrissakes! Classic Charlotte Barclay!” Marian sighed.

* Even the New York Times had to concede in 2018 that Los Angeles had become “America’s best and most exciting food city.”

XIX

The Preppie Guru Lounge

AMAGANSETT, LONG ISLAND

Lucie wandered through the healing center, peeking into the various spaces. There was an afternoon Ashtanga class in the big lotus lounge, a five elements acupuncture session in the chakra lounge, and no sign of Charlotte in the juice bar. Where could she be? Lucie walked to the back where the staff offices were and heard some voices coming from Auden’s private lounge. She poked her head in and saw Charlotte relaxing on the Flag Halyard chair facing the door.

“Lucie! Come in,” Charlotte said with a little wave.

Lucie entered the room, expecting to see Auden seated at his usual place on the sofa against the wall, but in his place sat Rosemary.

“Oh! Hi,” Lucie said, recoiling a little.

“Rosemary is here seeking temporary refuge from her movers. I took an Uber here when I found out where she was.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting you two.”

“Not at all, Lucie. Not at all,” Charlotte said with a strange look on her face.

“Um…Mom’s outside waiting.”

“Yes, I’m sure she is.” Charlotte got up from her comfy perch reluctantly and said, “I shall go to your mother.”

Lucie attempted to make a quick break for the door, but Charlotte blocked her way. “No, no, you stay.”

“What?” Lucie said in shock.