Secrecy Read Online Free Page A

nice person, she argued now, and he probably was. It was indecent to dislike someone who had given you no reason. He was a friendly young man, very neat, and he had a beautiful convertible in which he drove them anywhere they wanted to go. Obviously, he liked Elena, andshe was jolly with him. But that was hardly any reason to mind his presence; Elena was always especially jolly with men. She was candid about liking men. She always said, even to Dad, that men were easier to get along with. Well, maybe they are, Charlotte thought now. I haven’t had experience, that’s for sure.
    “Look what’s happened to the sky,” Elena said, wrapping herself in a scarlet cover-up that matched the hat. “We’re in for rain. It happens down here with no more than ten seconds’ warning.”
    Clouds, massing and rolling, had turned the sky into a dull gray-brown ceiling. The day had gone sultry and heavy with heat.
    “Let’s go in. Judd’s going to pick us up for lunch.”
    “Does he have to come along?” asked Charlotte. She hadn’t intended to whine, yet the question came out that way.
    Elena tossed her paraphernalia—sunglasses, lotions, sandals, magazines, purse, and collapsible umbrella—into a beach bag. “No, he doesn’t have to,” she said a trifle sharply. “But what’s your objection?”
    Charlotte shrugged. “I don’t know.… Only, it might be fun not to have him along.”
    “That’s not very kind. He’s taking us out for real Maine lobster. Actually, it was his idea to do it for you because you said you liked real Maine lobster.”
    Rebuked, Charlotte gave no answer. They walked back across the road.
    “Please don’t let him see that he’s not welcome, Charlotte.”
    She gave no answer to that either. As if she would be so disgusting as to hurt the man’s feelings!
She’s
the one who needs to be reminded, Charlotte thought. They had even had a tiny argument the other day when Elena was having a manicure. Charlotte, who had trailed along, had heard her talking to the manicurist about ranch mink versus wild mink, and it had seemed mean and boastful to speak about things that the other woman could not afford. Afterward, very gently, Charlotte had said so.
    “Isn’t that a little nervy of you to tell me what I should talk about?” Elena had responded.
    “I don’t mean to be nervy. I only felt sorry for her. I heard her talking about her children and how much things cost.”
    “Okay, you’re like your father, and that’s not all bad,” Elena had said then, smiling to make up for her first irritation. “He takes note of every word a person says.”
    She thinks I’m odd, Charlotte thought suddenly. And perhaps I am, but at least Dad doesn’t think I am.
    “Let’s hurry,” Elena said. “I’m starved. Wear your white linen slacks. People dress a bit where we’re going.”
    The two bedrooms were separated by a square hall, small enough to allow conversation between them.
    “Judd’s practically the first friend I made when I got here. Some people introduced me to his sister, and that’s how I came to know him. They’re very nice, both of them. It’s a really nice crowd, veryfriendly. No airs. Lots of fun.” Elena’s voice rose. “But don’t get any silly ideas about him, Charlotte.”
    “Of course not. Why would I?” You didn’t get “ideas” about your own mother.
    “I don’t know. I just wanted to make everything clear. Judd’s a great tennis partner. I should be flattered. He’s not thirty yet, and goodness knows what he wants with me except that I play a good game too.” Elena laughed. “Maybe he likes my little foreign accent.”
    Judd was waiting in his car. It certainly was a cool car, the kind you could dream of driving when you were seventeen.
    “Hey, there, that’s a cool outfit you’re wearing,” he said.
    It took Charlotte an instant to realize that he meant her. “Thanks,” she answered. “I like yours too.”
    Like her he wore white slacks and shirt.