Big Bangs, Prohibition, and a Sugar Daddy

The Pool Incident

Phillip was discharged from the hospital today. Carol and Phillip had stopped by the mansion. Luke and I arranged a celebration. Mother was there as well. Mother had been thrilled to ride with Luke and I in the 'Silver Ghost'. Henry drove, Mother sat in back with myself. The roof was up, due to the cool October weather. Mother chatted away with Henry, Luke and I as we drove to the mansion. I think that she was shocked by the size of the Brownstone mansion.

Henry parked the Silver Ghost in front of the grand front stairs that led to the mansion's front door. Luke took Mother's arm and escorted her up the stairway and through the door.

"My, this is quite grand." Mother said as she entered the foyer, I forgot how 'grand' it was, having seen it every day. "It's well kept. I suppose that you have a large staff that Ellen manages."

"Large enough, although I am thinking of adding two more people." I had thought that the two maids could handle it all, but I was realizing that I still needed at least one person for the upstairs, and possibly two.

"That would make eight people total." Luke added.

"It seems like you should have much more." Mother was escorted to the downstairs living room. Much nicer than the upstairs room where I was told Luke had his parties for less intimate guests.

"Ohh, this is beautiful. I might change my mind and take up your offer to let me live here, Luke." Mother smiled at Luke. I didn't recall Luke making that offer, but no doubt he did.

"It would be a pleasure." Luke smiled back. Sounding sincere. "I would like to install a phone in your apartment, which I'll pay the bills for."

"Absolutely not." Mother replied. "Why would you want to spend so much money, besides. Who would I call? Carol is with me, I'm safe enough. When Carol marries she will still live in the apartment with Luke. It's all arranged. I simply don't need a silly phone."

I looked at Luke. "A phone?"

"I mention it to your Mother, so you wouldn't worry so much about her." Luke put his arm around my shoulder. "I know you didn't express it, but I was sure you worried about your Mother."

I was worried. I didn't express it. Didn't mention it to anyone, yet Luke knew. "Thank you."

"Your Mother doesn't think it's necessary." Luke smiled at me. "But, I think it would give you peace of mind. I've made arrangements, if you wish."

"You really don't need to." Mother said to Luke.

"Please accept, I'd feel better if you do." I admitted.

"I told you, Carol is staying with me. When Carol and Phillip get married, they will both be living there. I will be safe enough. We won't need one of these silly phones." Mother insisted.

"In that case it's settled." Luke gave Mother one of his charming smiles. I knew that those smiles usually meant that Luke would get what he wanted. "Phillip works on the accounting books for me. Since he has to contact me, and I might need to contact him at any time, he will need a phone."

Mother looked at Luke with wide eyes. Opened her mouth to protest. Luke cut her off. "Since Phillip will need the phone anyway, I'll make the arrangements, and that will be one less thing poor Ellen has to worry about."

Mother looked at me. "Mother, I love you. I want to be reassured that you are safe. A phone will reassure me."

Mother looked from me, back to Luke, then to me again. "You two have this all worked out between you." Mother accused me. I gave Mother my most innocent look. She saw through it just like she did when I was a child. "Don't try that look with me. It didn't work when you were twelve and it won't work now."

"Mrs. Cross. I understand that you don't see the practicality of a phone, but this is a new age of communication. The telephone is part of that new age." Luke offered Mother a seat in one of the armchairs. Luke and I sat on the sofa. "Do you know that soon the post office will transport their mail by airplane. Imagine getting mail from New York to San Francisco in a matter of a week or more."

"Look at the newspapers. How they have changed over the last decade. More efficient with drawings and photographs. Photography is different. The Kodak roll film cameras. Moving pictures. Mother times are changing. You must change with it." I added.

"I don't know why I have to change, just because the times are changing." Mother said.

Clara came in at this moment with a serving tray which held a coffee pot, some cups, and a dish holding rolls baked by Sara. She served my Mother first, myself, then Luke.

Henry drove Phillip's Model T to the hospital. Phillip's shoulder made it difficult for him to drive. Carol rode from the hospital with Phillip. When they arrived, Mother made a fuss over Phillip, who seemed to be under the influence of opium or some similar drug.

"Mother, stop fussing." Carol snapped. I haven't seen Carol recently. She looked worn out.

Carol steered Phillip into a chair. Sitting on the arm of the chair next to him. "I'm sorry, Mother. But, Phillip is fine."

As well he should be from what I observed. I wanted to suggest that Carol have Phillip begin to ease off the opium. I didn't. Carol looked stressed enough as it was. Between Phillip's injury, Mother's health condition, and my leaving must be a strain on Carol.

"Phillip, how are you feeling?" I spoke slowly, in case Phillip wasn't particularly coherent.

"I've got a bit of an edge right now." Phillip slurred his speech, he sounded like he had quite an edge, as he put it. "I think I should lie down." "You've been in bed enough." Carol snapped at Phillip this time. "You need to walk around, get some exercise."

Work some of the hop out of your system. I wanted to say. I didn't. "Why don't you two go for a walk in the garden in the backyard. Mother could go with you."

"We'll all go." Luke stood up and took Mother's arm. Carol grabbed Phillip's hand.

At the other end of the Living Room downstairs are a set of French doors that lead out to the garden and pool. Phillip staggered a little, supported by Carol. Luke and Mother were ahead of Phillip and Carol, I tagged along behind them. Smiling. Luke was always respectful to my Mother. His kindness to her pleased me.

We paused at the pool. Mother touched the water. "It's slightly warm." "It's heated." Luke explained. "It's expensive, but worth it. Ellen swims in the pool every day, usually in the afternoon."

"You heat it all day long?" Mother walked with Luke to the garden.

"Only before we swim in it. Around November we'll have to drain it, though." Luke turned onto the garden path with my Mother.

Phillip suddenly got a wild look in his eyes as Carol leaned over to look at the pool. Phillip pushed her. I was too far away to help Carol as she fell into the pool. Phillip fell on his bum laughing and pointing at the struggling, outraged Carol.

Luke turned to see Carol in the water. He ran back to the pool. I wasn't too panicked about it. Carol learned to swim in the ocean like I did. Father often took the family to the beach. As Carol swam to the edge of the pool. I stood there to take her hand and help her climb out. Luke arrived in time to help Carol stand.

Phillip seemed to sober up. He managed to stand back up. What must have seemed like a lark at the time, Phillip realized was not so good. Carol turned on Phillip as soon as Luke helped her up. Slapping his face hard.

"Why in hell did you do that!" Phillip stumbled backward when Carol screamed at him. He almost fell back down.

To be honest, I was having trouble not laughing. Oh, it was serious, I suppose. I don't know why Phillip suddenly pushed Carol into the pool. He began to cry, wanting to hug Carol who was in no mood to make up in any way. Carol pushed Phillip away. This time he did fall down. Mother walked back to the mansion with Carol who was dripping water.

Luke helped Phillip back up. I walked back to the house with Luke and Phillip. Phillip giggled again, saying 'She's really is all wet now.' I didn't know what that meant.