Ira Levin by Son Of Rosemary (v0.9) (htm) Read Free Book Online Page A

white giving thanks!, the other with thanksgiving! "And you don't have to whisper," he said, nodding his head toward the front. "He listens to tapes or sports. He can't hear a thing from here,- believe me, I know." He Grbucho-Marxed his eyebrows.
        "What about the others?" she asked. "I don't know who knows what-Diane, William-was
        "Nobody knows anything!" he said.
        "They aren't involved in…?"
        "What? Witchcraft? Satanism?"
        She gave a nod.
        He laughed. "I promise you they're not," he said. "I had enough of that to last me a lifetime. Ten lifetimes. Everyone who works for GC'-THE key people, I mean- they were picked by me and hired by me after I decided to change things around. William was our ambassador to Finland under three presidents. Diane is like the queen of press people; she was with the Theatre Guild for thirty-five years. They have no idea GC was ever intended to be anything but what it is-an organization that's helping people in lots of different ways. They're proud to be part of it, and the same goes for all the others."
        She said, "But where do they think it came from?"
        "The same place everyone else does," he said. "It was founded and endowed years ago by an anonymous group of high-minded industrialists. It's all documented. And as far as who my father is"-he took her hands, leaned closer-"there are now exactly two people on earth- which reminds me, there's something else I have to tell you, don't let me forget-there are now only two people on earth who know who he is." He swung a finger back and forth between them. "U." He squeezed her hands, held her eyes with his. "That's why it's such-707 for me to be with you again. Not just because you're my mother. Because you know who I am, because I don't have to hide the truth from you! And don't you feel something like that toward me? How many people have you told about that night back then?"
        Shaking her head, she said, "No one. Who would believe me?"
        "I do, "he said.
        They looked at each other-hugged each other tight. "I love you so much!" he said in her ear, and she in his, "Oh Andy, I love you, darling!" They kissed each other's temples, kissed cheeks, the corners of their mouths-she pushed; they let each other go, turned.
        Sat apart.
        Breathing.
        He fingered-combed his hair back, turned to the window, looked out. Touched the armrest; the window tops on both sides dropped half an inch.
        She looked out her window at a shopping mall swinging past.
        Brown hills.
        "Stan Shand died November ninth."
        She turned.
        "At the same time you woke up," he said, "just after eleven. A cab hit him in front of the Beacon Theater."
        She winced, drew breath."
        "It can't possibly be a coincidence," he said. "He was the last one alive of the coven, the thirteenth. Roman said there were spells that went on forever and spells that stopped when the last caster died. He left me one of his engravings, Stan that's how I found out. He's the one who taught me art and music, and the right way to floss." He showed his teeth.
        She smiled, sighed. "I wish he had died a few years sooner," she said.
        "It wouldn't have helped you much. Leah Fountain only died a couple of months ago. She was over a hundred."
        The leather roomette took a wide right turn.
        "Andy, listen," Rosemary said. "Once I got going with the physical therapists, I conked out whenever I hit the pillow. Tuesday and yesterday werecrazy, and last night I was reading an almanac I got at the newsstand but I'm not up to date yet. Is Mike Van Buren the TV evangelist who's also the head of the Christian Consortium?"
        "No, no," Andy said. "That's Rob Patterson. Mike Van Buren is the former TV commentator who's bolted the Republicans and is running as a third-party candidate."
        "I hope I don't get them mixed up," Rosemary said.