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before Amanda could say a word to her daughter. Paul's right. I have two cars right outside. Whenever your mother wants to go home, I'll have one of them drive her. How does that sound to you? he asked, turning to Amanda, who still looked startled to be deserted by Jan, but she also didn't want to be a burden to her.
    I ' that's fine ' actually, you don't have to do that, Jack. I can take a cab. I'm just a short hop away in Bel Air. I'll call a taxi.
    No, he said quietly but firmly, you'll take the limo. You shouldn't be riding around at this hour in a taxi. Amanda laughed at his firmness and the attention, and agreed to take the limo. In fact, she began to make noises about leaving, but he looked so disappointed that she was embarrassed, and agreed to stay a little longer. She was actually having a great time. Matthew had always hated parties, and they hardly ever went to any.
    Jan kissed her good-bye and went to retrieve her car, and pick up Paul, and Jack kept a paternal eye on Amanda, making sure she had something to drink, a plate of hors d'oeuvres, met his friends, and felt entirely at ease at the party. She was shocked to realize finally that she was one of the last to leave, and it was already eight-thirty.
    How embarrassing ' you're going to have to kick me out the door to get rid of me, she said apologetically, and extended a hand to shake his, but he insisted on taking her home himself in the limo.
    Don't be silly, Amanda. It's no trouble for me. We're family, besides it's nice to have a chance to chat after all these years. I'm happy to do it. There was no getting him to agree to let her go home alone, and he left Gladdie with all the instructions she needed when he left. The party was over, and the friends he had planned to have dinner with had already left without him. He had told them he might join them later, or not, but not to count on it in case something came up. And he had no other obligations. And once they were in the car, and driving up Rodeo Drive, he asked her casually if she'd like to stop somewhere for a bite to eat, just a hamburger or a salad, it was such a good chance to talk about their children. She hesitated, thinking she really should go home, but she had no one to account to. And she was a little hungry. He made a good point. She had been worried about Jan and Paul lately, and she wondered if he had also noticed something strained between them. Maybe that was why he wanted to have dinner with her. She assumed so, and decided it was a good idea, and gratefully accepted his offer.
    He had the driver take them to the Ivy on North Robertson, and knowing him as well as they did, they gave him a quiet corner table. George Christy was there too, with a group of friends, and he waved when he saw Jack, and then his eyes grew wide when he saw that he was with Amanda Robbins.
    They ordered pasta and salads, and Jack moved comfortably into the gap in the conversation. As he had at the store, he talked about a wide variety of things, painting, art, travel, literature, the theater. He was amazingly well informed and pleasant to talk to, and she realized very quickly that he was not the masher she had thought him. And then finally, when the food came, he brought up the subject of their children.
    Do you think they're okay? He looked concerned, but he seemed perfectly at ease with her. They seemed able to talk about any topic.
    I don't know, she said honestly. I've been worried about them for a while, but I guess I haven't been much help to Jan. I've been so wrapped up in myself for the past year, I feel as though I've failed her as a mother.
    That's nonsense, he said kindly, this was the time you needed for you. You can't always be there for everyone else. I'm sure she understood that. She's a terrific girl' . I just hope Paul is treating her well. She doesn't look happy.
    Amanda sighed then, not wanting to break a confidence, but anxious to share what information she had with Paul's father. This was a