Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

"Really? Can I have it to hang in my dormitory room?"

I wanted it for myself, but I thought that was too selfish a thing to say.

"Of course."

"I'll see it when I come to pick you up. Don't worry about anything. I'll handle all the travel arrangements."

"Thank you, Luke."

"Annie, it's so hard to deny what I feel for you." "I know. It's been the same for me."

"I'll see you soon." Both of us had to end the conversation for the same reason. Each word was like a sharp, heavy sword, stinging as it struck us, right through to our hearts.

Later in the afternoon Drake called. He was surprised I already knew about Tony's death, and even more surprised when I told him I would be at the funeral. He didn't even ask me how I had found out, so I didn't mention Troy at all. He put me off with his cold businessman's tone of voice.

"Well, if you thought you wanted to come, you should have called me. But it's not too late. I'll make arrangements for you."

"It's all being done. Luke's coming along, too." "I should have known."

"Please, Drake. For Tony's sake, for his memory, let's keep peace," I pleaded.

"You're right. Of course, I'll act dignified. Everyone who's anyone in the business world will be there, I assure you."

"I didn't mean--"

"Anyway, you can't imagine what's left to do now. I haven't got the time to waste on Luke. It's fortunate I began here before all this happened. I might as well have been Tony's son, the way people are turning to me. I was going to surprise you with the news, but I might as well tell you now. Before he died, Tony gave me a large percentage of the stock in his corporation." He paused, and then dryly added when I didn't congratulate him quickly enough, "I thought you would be happy to know."

"I know it's what you want, Drake. I know you're happy."

He was disappointed with my thoughtful and controlled reaction.

"Yes. Well, I'll see you at the funeral."

"Yes, Drake." He seemed more and more a stranger to me.

Luke was at the house very early the morning of Tony's funeral to take me to the airport. I was dressed and ready when he came to my room. I stood without the cane. For a long moment we stared at each other. Finally, he shifted his eyes to the painting I had done of him.

"Wow, that is really good."

"I was hoping you would like it."

"Like it? I love it. You're a wonderful artist, Annie. People will pay thousands for your paintings, I'm sure. I know I will."

We stared at each other again. It seemed that whenever one of us finished a sentence, there was sure to be a long pause during which our eyes did the talking. Right now mine were telling him how much I loved and needed him and how much I felt cheated by destiny. His said the same.

I thought Aunt Fanny would relent and join us, but she had as much of that Casteel stubbornness in her as she said Drake and Luke had. She broke our tormenting silences by coming to the doorway of my bedroom, her hands on her hips, her head thrown back in her characteristic manner.

"Can't believe ya traveled down here ta take her ta that place, Luke. Ya shouldn't have encouraged it."

"I would have gone with or without him, Aunt Fanny."

"Yer motha ran away from that place and that man, Annie."

"I know." I gazed at one of the pictures of her on my vanity table. It was one of my favorites because in it she was gazing off toward the Willies, one of her few good memories of that life brightening her cornflower-blue eyes. "But she had a way of seeing the rainbows after the rain. I think she would have gone to Tony's funeral, too, Aunt Fanny." I turned back to her, my gaze as sharp and as determined as Mommy's could be. Aunt Fanny saw that.

"I've got to go for both of us."

TWENTY-FOUR My Prince, at Last