Twisted Roots (DeBeers 3)

"Thanks," I said and watched him go back into the bedroom, closing the door softly and closing me out.

Even if my mother was a stick of dynamite. I thought, why would my presence set her off?

I went to my room and called my father's law offices. "It's Hannah," I said as soon as Mrs. Gouter answered.

One moment and I'll patch you through to his cell phone," she said. A few seconds later I heard him say hello and knew from the background noises that he was in his car.

"Hannah, how are you? How's life in the maternity ward?" he asked with laughter in hi

s voice,

"Not easy." I replied.

"I'll bet, Anyway. I would like you to come to dinner tomorrow night. Special occasion. It will just be the five of us." he added.

"What special occasion?"

"Don't tell me you forgot your brothers' birthday." he said. "Don't worry." he continued before I could admit that I had. "I asked Mrs. Gouter to get something that will be coming from you. I'll tell you what it is when I pick you up about six-thirty, okay? You can sign their birthday cards then. too."

"I can drive myself. Daddy. I can use Mommy's car."

"No, no," he insisted. "I'll come by to get you. I have a baby gift I'm bringing. too. Does he look Cuban?" he asked.

"He looks like a little baby, Daddy. He's cute and he has Miguel's dark hair."

"I thought he would. Better warn everyone I'm showing up an the grounds. I don't want them to sick any dogs an me."

"We don't have any dogs. Daddy." I said.

"I know. Hannah, but if you did, they would be trained to get Thatcher Eaton." he said and laughed, "Wouldn't be the first time." he added, "Okay, gotta go. I'm anxious to see you." he concluded, and then the line went dead.

At least you do, I thought to myself and hung up.

Just before dinner Mommy awoke and I was permitted entry to the bedroom, which to me now had the religious, sanctified atmosphere of a church. For some reason both Miguel and Mommy kept their voices to a volume barely above a whisper, even though little Claude was also awake and stirring. I thought

Mommy looked drawn and pale, still quite exhausted from last night's ordeal and crisis.

"-What did your father want?" she asked. Miguel had obviously told her he had called.

'Tomorrow night is the dinner celebrating the twins' birthday." I told her. "He's coming by about six-thirty for me, and he said he's bringing a baby gift as well."

"Something his secretary bought, no doubt."

"I forgot to buy the twins any gifts." I confessed, "He remembered for me."

"He doesn't remember those sort of things. Hannah. Mrs. Gouter has a detailed calendar she keeps for him. I once saw it. It had my birthday, your grandmother's birthday, even our wedding date written in it so she could remind him to get gifts."

"He even forgets his own birthday," I said, defending him. "But when he remembers, he always takes me out then. too."

"That's just a ruse, Hannah. The Eatons don't forget their own birthdays, believe me. Asher Eaton once hired a plane to drag a birthday greeting for Bunny Eaton around and around Palm Beach for nearly two hours, and that was followed by a party that rivaled a coronation."

"If you hate them so much, why did you get involved with them at all?" I asked with a petulance that raised Miguel's eyebrows. Mommy just shook her head.

"Might as well ask Eve why she ate the apple." she muttered, "Oh. I don't want to think about them. I have far more serious and important things to think about than the Eatons," she added and leaned over to gaze into the bassinet. Little Claude was swinging his arms and kicking his feet under the blanket.

Mommy's face brightened. "He's so precious," she said. "A marvel."

"When are we bringing Uncle Linden here to see him?" I asked. She looked up quickly.