Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen Read Free Book Online

that you were one good dancer.”
    “Years of lessons,” said Norman. “No aptitude, but practice makes perfect.”
    “Well, I remember you had me out of breath that evening,” said Gloria, looking sideways at May, who instinctively took a step back. Norman, however, seemed intent on keeping May in the conversation.
    “I suppose you know our hostess, May Newman,” he said. “Gloria—”
    “Fine,” said the woman, glancing again at May without much interest. “I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure. Your daughter-in-law invited me. A lovely woman.”
    “Carol’s very friendly,” agreed May.
    “You’re at Broken Arrow,” said Gloria, turning back to Norman, as though telling him something that he might have forgotten.
    “Yes, for longer than I’d like to admit. We moved down almost ten years ago, and it’s two since my wife passed away.”
    “Time flies,” observed Gloria, scrutinizing Norman closely, as though trying to determine where she might fasten herself onto him. “I’m in Boca Lago,” she volunteered. “Down the road. You’ll have to come visit.”
    Before he could frame a response, Stan, who had been standing next to Flo without saying a word, suddenly interceded curtly, “Norman, we should get going.”
    “Ah,” Norman exclaimed, pleased to have his attention diverted, “I was wondering when that yank would come. This is my keeper, Stan Jacobs.” Norman presented Gloria, but looked over at May and winked. “He keeps me on a very short leash. Whenever I start to have a good time, he knows to butt in and spoil it for me.”
    “We have a court reserved at five,” said Stan without smiling, “and we promised Stephanie we’d call this afternoon to see how she’s feeling.”
    “Stephanie is Stan’s daughter and mother of our grandchild,” Norman explained to the women. “She’s expecting again, and Stan likes to check in to be sure she’s taking her vitamins anddrinking enough milk. He clips articles out of the paper for her on nutrition and has a whole file on up-to-date birthing techniques.”
    “That’s wonderful,” said May, looking respectfully over at Stan. “Most men don’t take an interest in such things.”
    “Stan takes an interest in everything,” Norman declared proudly, putting his arm around his friend, who winced slightly. “He’s unusual that way. A veritable fountain of knowledge. That’s why I let him boss me around.”
    “I’m his whipping boy,” said Stan, showing the trace of a smile. “He can blame me for anything he does that he doesn’t like. The devil made him do it, you see, only the devil is his
machuten.
”
    “You misinterpret. I do what you say because I respect your opinion.”
    May nodded. “It’s part of friendship, like marriage, to give in.”
    “A woman should try to please a man as much as possible,” offered Gloria, staring fixedly at Norman.
    “Nonsense,” interceded Flo, unable to restrain herself any longer. “A good friendship, like a good marriage, is based on speaking your mind and maintaining independence. I can’t see how anything good could come out of one member giving in to the other.”
    “It depends on how you’re brought up,” said Gloria with a supercilious look.
    “Giving in isn’t always bad,” said May gently. “Some things aren’t worth fighting about.”
    “But some are,” said Flo. “I say”—she addressed herself to Norman—”you should tell your friend to take care of number one and trust your own judgment.”
    “But I couldn’t do that,” said Norman. “Stan is always right, so I ignore him at my own peril. You see, we do have a court reserved at five, and we did tell Stephanie we’d call. What’smore, little Ben expects it, and one thing a grandparent can’t do is disappoint a grandchild.”
    “Now, there’s a point I won’t argue with,” acknowledged Flo.
    “Norman …” Stan looked at his watch again.
    “Well, it’s been a pleasure,” said Norman, smiling at them