Part 234 (1/2)

get her pride back. Involving the police, the press, the public, would

only heap humiliation on top of humiliation.

”All right, not yet,” Marianne said, though she had no intention of

seeing Drew waltz away unscathed. ”You're sure the accountant will keep

his mouth shut, about where you are?”

”Yes. He's my accountant after all. When I told him I was getting

divorced, he went into action.” It was almost funny, if such things

could be funny. ”I suppose after dealing with boring trusts and such

all these years, he was excited by a fat, complicated divorce.”

Divorce, she thought. It was such a huge word. Such a final one.

Marianne kept silent a moment while they walked. ”He's going to find

out where you are sooner or later.”

”I know.” Instantly nerves replaced regret. ”I just want it to be

later, when I'm sure nothing he can say or do will make me go back with

him.”

”See the lawyer,” Marianne urged. ”Get it started.”

”As soon as your plane takes off.”

Marianne shuffled restlessly then popped a Lifesaver in her mouth. It

was getting so there was no place you could smoke in an airport.

”Listen, Emma, it's only been a couple weeks since-since we came out

here. Are you sure you don't want me to stay a few more days?”

”I want you to get back to your painting. I mean it,” she added before

her friend could object. ”When a Kennedy commissions your work, your

reputation's made. Go finish the painting before Caroline changes her

mind.”

”You'll call me.” Marianne heard the announcement for her Right. ”Every