DORIS We got to the apartment penthouse. "Mommy, Daddy! You're home early!" "We are, pumpkin. Mommy's sick, and I cut my European trip short so I could take care of her." "Are you sick, Mommy? Do you want me to read to you? Daddy always reads to me when I'm sick, and it makes me feel better." "Yes, sweet girl, that's a great idea." Mia hugged me, and then she looked up at me. “Would you like to read Goodnight Moon? I know that's your favorite, as well as mine." "Sure,” I said as Mia took my hand and dragged me to her room. "Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, spoon. Goodnight, baboon. Goodnight, cartoon," I said. "Mommy! Come on! You know that's not how it goes." "Isn't it? Goodnight, June. Goodnight, Looney Tunes. Goodnight, Frank Sinatra croons? Goodnight, prunes. Goodnight, macaroons." "You're silly." Arthur laughed. H
DORISNext Saturday night, after I got home from a good concert show at The Strip, Arthur and I were lying in bed after a wonderful, slow lovemaking session."Hey, baby?" Arthur said to me.Mmm?” I said."What do you think about moving in here Wednesday through Sunday? I know you're reluctant about moving in here full-time, and I get it, but I'd really love you to be here. When that asshole said he was your boyfriend, my breath stopped for a moment."Arthur frowned. "I felt hurt and betrayed. It was really a stab to my heart."I put my hand on his chest. "Arthur I'm so sorry. I had no idea he would say that. It was a lie. I would never…”Arthur cut me off. "I know, Dove. I'm sorry I even doubted you, even for a moment. He was just really convincing, and I was tired. I know I told you that, but here's the thing. I realized I never was really clear that we were exclusive, and how much
DORISEven though Joe was very clear, advising me what I should do, I needed another opinion.I asked Nina the same questions that I asked Joe about what I should do about Noah regarding Jeff Wasserman’s new medicine and having Dr. Mingledorff do that new surgery.Nina said the same thing that Joe did. The probability that Noah would come out of his coma permanently would make it all worth it.When I asked Nina if she thought Arthur would be upset that other men were paying for it, Nina said the same thing Joe did. Yes, Arthur would probably be pissed off if he knew. It would be better not to tell Arthur at this point.I waffled back and forth about what to do. I had to decide by morning. I spent a lot of the afternoon walking up and down Broadway thinking about it.Finally, I looked up at a billboard for a show, and it was a huge advertisement for a new play called 'Decide Yes.' I co
DORISMiss Sanchez brought us dinner another night when we were working on the Lego castle. "Look at what you’ve got here, mijita. A castle fit for a princess.""When it's done, I'm going to live inside," Mia said.We all laughed.Arthur and I were in bed 11 PM on Saturday night. Cathy called again. Arthur didn't answer.Then Cathy sent a text saying she wanted to talk to Arthur. He texted her back that it wasn't a good time. She sent a text of her in a sexy dress with a big smile. I assumed it was a publicity photo because there was a microphone next to her. She didn't say anything inappropriate to Arthur, but it still made me insecure.Before I could say anything to Arthur or Arthur could say anything to me about Cathy, she sent another text saying she would like to talk to Mia. How much she enjoyed her visit with Mia, and that she'd like to have more of a
DORISAs I was leaving Noah's room, Jeff cornered me in the hospital, pushing me to date him. This reminded me of Dr. John. How do these men become so self-entitled?"Let's have coffee in the cafeteria," Jeff said, putting his hand on my lower back and guiding me toward the elevators. "My treat. I insist."Ugh. Yuck. It was easier to give in than to keep arguing.Once we were seated, I explained very carefully, thoroughly, and slowly that I was in a committed relationship with Arthur, that I lived with him part-time, and that I was not interested."But you're not married or engaged, so I think you're fair game," Jeff said."I appreciate everything you've done for Noah and me, but you're wasting your time. And if you continue to call me and send texts, eventually, I'm going to have to get a restraining order. I don't want to do that because I am grateful, so I'm asking you, please, please just sto
DORISSomething had been wrong with my relationship with Arthur. I couldn't explain it, but a sense of unease had settled within me.Could he have discovered the secret I've been hiding? Was my guilt apparent in my actions?His distant behavior made me feel insecure, and when I confronted him, he simply brushed it off
ARTHURWhen Doris left, I felt like she took my heart with her. I stared at the door she had closed, not gently, but not loudly either. Wondering how I had gone from being on top of the world to feeling like my whole world was falling apart.I drank a scotch, and I slammed the glass down on my expensive bar table. "Dammit," I said to myself. "This is Doris’s fault, not mine. Why do I feel guilty?"&n
DORIS "I can’t believe you’re still moping around because you haven’t been in contact with Arthur," Nina said. "He’s gone for a week or two, not two months. Get a hold of yourself, Doris." "You are not supposed to be so enmeshed with Arthur that when he goes away for a week, you have a nervous breakdown."
DORIS While we were eating dinner the next day, I said to Arthur, "I forgot to tell you. I got this call out of nowhere. From probably the most thrilling club in all of New York, The Sultan Room. Do you know it?" He smiled slyly, "Yes, I know it." "Well, the c