Midge Gette - The more the sexier

She tried to bring the couple to mind, but 28

realized with a pang that she had never had any conversation with either John Harrow or his wife Beth. John was the head gardener and his wife, Sharon thought, had something to do with linens or general cleaning of the big house. John was tall and thin-looking; Beth was of medium height and rather plump. Further than this, Sharon's mind could not go. Oh, botheration, she thought. I can't just go barging in! I wonder how Uncle Nate managed it?

She kicked at the grass at her feet and felt lonely. The move to Skyline Drive had alienated her from her old friends in a subtle way she could not pinpoint. No matter how they tried or she tried, the specter of wealth interceded, and of late Sharon had begun to stay away from Tiger Tail Road. She felt herself a little lost between two worlds, a misplaced person through no fault of her own.

Now standing forlorn and helpless, she was on the point of retreat when Beth Harrow spied her and came toward her, at first frowning and then smiling. "Hello," she said. "Are you looking for your Uncle Nate?"

"Yes-" Sharon bit down on her lower 29

lip, angry with herself for seizing upon this pretext for her presence. "No, I'm not," she added bluntly. "I guess I'm just snooping. I saw him go into your house and I got curious."

Beth Harrow laughed softly. "Well, why not?" she asked. "Most of the staff are eaten with curiosity, too, Sharon. You don't mind if I call you Sharon, do you? Your uncle talks so much about you I feel I know you."

"He does? No, I don't mind at all. He does?" Sharon stared at the pleasant-faced woman, measuring her in swift appraisal. "I can't imagine why," she said. "He hardly knows me."

"Perhaps he'd like to." Beth took the girl's arm, turned her toward the cottage. "Do come in for a while, Sharon. John and I love company and have very little here. Have you ever seen inside the cottage? It's surprisingly roomy, and so comfortable."

Sharon let herself be guided, her mind busy with the thought that here at last was one servant who accepted her as an equal. "It's a pretty place, I think," she said gesturing toward the cottage. "Reminds me a little of our old place on Tiger Tail Road."

Beth Harrow's eyes narrowed perceptibly, but she made no comment. "John and Nate are at their eternal chess," she said," "so let's go in the back way. They hate being disturbed."

"Chess?" Sharon's eyes widened. "Uncle Nate?" Immediately, she felt silly parroting questions. "Oh darn," she said, "I must sound like an idiot. I don't know the first thing about Uncle Nate, Mrs. Harrow, and you might as well know it."

The woman's smile was not unsympathetic, but her tone held a trace of reproach. "He's well worth knowing," she said. "John and I have grown very fond of him."

Sharon gave her a sharp look. Some people did find it easy to be fond of anybody with money to burn. She felt oddly on the edge of tears, for her nature was not suspicious, and she was hungry for understanding. "Do you like it here?" she asked wistfully.

"Oh, very much. The work is pleasant and the cottage-well, Sharon, we feel terribly lucky. My husband's health isn't what it should be so there are not too many jobs he can handle, but here in this beautiful place and not having much more than supervising to do, John is just in his glory. And I'm happy, too." She squeezed the girl's arm. "It's been a little lonesome without our son, Sharon, but things are picking up-first Nate and now you."

They were entering the cottage and Sharon glanced about the pleasant kitchen. "Mmm-nice," she said, then cocked her head at a sound from another room. "Is that Uncle Nate laughing?"

"Doesn't he have the most infectious laugh-more like a chuckle? He's a darling, Sharon, and"-Beth met the clear gray eyes and held them-"he's lonesome. He wouldn't admit it, but he is, and it does seem a shame."

"Mrs. Harrow"-a scowl darkened Sharon's face and she looked away from the friendly brown eyes watching her-"Maybe you don't understand him. He's the one who-I mean, all this belongs to him. And, I for one didn't ask for it-or want it."

Having now said what she had been longing to scream up and down Skyline Drive for too long, Sharon felt no relief, but instead felt herself lowered in the eyes of Beth Harrow. Mrs. Harrow had managed to wipe away the invisible line, but now it was back between them, or so Sharon thought, because it was plain that Beth Harrow was pretending not to have heard.

"We're expecting a visit from our son this corning week," she said blandly. "It's been over two months since we've seen him, so naturally we're excited. He's interning at the Alexander Fleming Memorial Hospital in Park City," she added in explanation.

"I've heard of it," Sharon said, not really listening.

"Yes, it's a fine hospital. We lived in Park City before we came here, to be near John, and that's why we're here-to be near him when he finishes at Fleming and starts to practice here in Brookings." Beth moved about, preparing lunch with a casual air. "I hated leaving him so soon, but we got the chance at this job. A medical education costs so much, Sharon, but it will be worth it all when our Johnny is finally launched."

Sharon's interest was stirred, and she began to think that Mrs. Harrow had been discreet and not censorious in ignoring her remark. "I think it's wonderful of you to help your son," she said, and stared down at her scuffed shoes. "Is the work-I mean, does old Uppity work you very hard, Mrs. Harrow? It doesn't seem right that you should have to-"

Beth Harrow laughed. "Oh dear, you sound just like young John. 'My mother a cleaning woman,' he wails! I try to tell him there's nothing wrong with being a cleaning woman and I'm glad to be able to help. You see, Sharon"-she smiled companionably at the girl-"neither Mr. Harrow nor I have had much education and have felt the lack of it. The idea of our son becoming a doctor-already being a doctor-is a dream come true for us. And he's worked like a Trojan all these years. Such a good boy! We've been more than happy to help all we could." She laughed again. "I guess you can tell our son is our pride and joy, Sharon. I hope he gets to meet you when he comes next week. I think you'll like him, and he-you."

Sharon's expression bordered on the sardonic. She could not work up much interest in this wonderful son of Beth's, but the idea that he would like her was rather farfetched. Men just didn't. She was too opinionated, too quick to argue and outwit them. "When is he arriving?" she asked, for something to say.

"Tuesday. Your Uncle Nate is coming to dinner to meet him, Sharon. I'd be pleased if you'd come, too. I've arranged with Mrs. Upstead for Tuesday and Wednesday off, which I appreciate. She's really a very nice woman once you get to know her."

Sharon grimaced. "She hates me," she said.

Beth tipped her head a little to one side, let her eyes run over the stubborn young face. "You're not very happy, are you, dear?" she asked. Then seeing Sharon's mouth grow vulnerable, she made a comical face and smiled. "You know, Sharon, you're really very like your Uncle Nate," she told the surprised girl.

Beth's tone had touched Sharon oddly and made her mind swing for a moment to her own mother, who was nothing like this gentle, humorous, and sensible woman. Now Sharon came to stand beside the woman and peer into her face. "I like you, Mrs. Harrow." she said earnestly. "I don't blame Uncle Nate for coming down here every chance he gets. Do you really think I'm like him? In what way? I don't really know him, you know."

Sharon sighed briefly. "Can I help?" she asked.

"Why, yes, you can set the table. We eat here in the kitchen."

"We always did, too, at home." Sharon smiled as she moved to obey. "I mean back on Tiger Tail Road, of course. I can't get used to the idea that that big old mausoleum is home."