CHAPTER 19

During breakfast, the next morning, her maid brought me the newspaper. "Last night, at the Theatre du Champs Elysees," I read, "the most important and successful concert in the history of Parisian music took place."

People had been moved to action. That was the new philosophy of the arts. Some called it Dada, others called it Vorticist. It was hailed as a sign of the future. George Antheil was the high priest of composition just as Picasso, Braque, Gertrude and Joyce had become the gurus of Art and literature. But Paris was filled with dissident artists. There were drastic innovations in all areas of creative expression. Why couldn't music change too?

Caresse Wanted to Talk about Harry

For some reason, Caresse wanted to talk about Harry. He had left the Morgan Bank and was writing poetry. He was also setting up a publishing house. Aside from Kay Boyle, Harry was interested in publishing Joyce and D.H. Lawrence.

(Harry and Caresse)

They both had a strange fascination for the sun. Caresse wanted to publish The Escaped Cock. Harry was more interested in Chariots of the Sun.

"They came to visit once. I liked Lawrence but I wasn't fond of his wife, Freda. She played the same recording over and over again. D.H. smashed it over her head, to my sweet satisfaction."
She said Harry was probably with his bodyguard, Goops. She called him a petty prohibition mobster. "But he does watch out for Harry," she added.

"Harry has a human skull he found in the catacombs. He plays with it all the time. He also has a gold ring they say was stolen from King Tut's tomb. Now isn't that interesting?" Then she burst into tears.
She continued. "Harry wants me to vanish with him to show our love for each other. We made a pact to die together. We even have our tomb stone and the date of our death in 1942."

"You can't be serious," I remarked.

"Yes I am. We will be buried at the cemetery at Longchamps, near the race-track. Harry loves race horses, you know."
She continued." We might have our ashes scattered over the English Channel."

Harry Did Rather Strange Things

After a pause she added. "Harry does strange things. He once attended a black mass then paid to see a young girl beaten bloody with a whip. His real goal is to corrupt young girls. He wants to have his own harem. No girl would be over fifteen. Except me, of course. But his biggest desire is to fly; to defy the limitations of his earthbound life. I bought him a book about flying. He's taking lessons, goggled flying cap, leather jacket and all..."

We sat in the huge tub and drank Champagne. It was eleven AM but as my hostess expressed, "The sun was over the yardarm."
After a while, Caresse asked, "How is your fondness for Gertrude holding out? I find her a little standoffish."

"She's very good to me," I replied.

"Yes. I hear she bought one of your paintings."

I nodded, smiling.

"Perhaps I should buy one too.
"No. I'll give you one if you like. You're a friend..."
"Nonsense. Gertrude paid you, I'm certain. So will I."
When I didn't reply, she continued. "As soon as Harry returns from Boston, we'll come to your studio and pick one out."

"I don't know why I said it but I added, "You should drop in at Marevna's, next door. She's doing some fascinating work. Harry might like…"
"Harry is already back," a voice said. I looked up. It was Harry.
"Harry!" Caresse called"You're back. How marvelous. We missed you."
"I'm sure you did," he offered, without sarcasm. "I missed you too." He kissed her on the top of the head."What's for breakfast? I'm starved."
Celline, the maid, arrived with steaming coffee. Harry began devouring his breakfast. Between bites he asked, "So what have you two been up to?"

Caresse replied. "We were at a simply marvelous concert last night and Bobby, here, is going to sell us one of his paintings. Aren't you Bobby?"

Again I nodded. "Of course, Caresse."

Robert Offers a Gift to Harry and Caresse

Then I turned to Harry, "Now that you're back from Boston, maybe you and Caresse can come over and select something. It will be my gift."
Harry didn't even look up. "I wasn't in Boston. I was here in Paris."
"But, I thought..." Caresse began.

"You thought incorrectly," Harry replied. "I will go to Boston when it suits me. Now, I am tired. I must sleep."

He rose and walked towards his bedroom. At the door he stopped.

"We will come to your studio tonight," he announced.

Then he disappeared. When I left Caresse that morning I felt buoyed by the events of the past day. But I had work to do. I hurried home, laden with canvass and paint I had bought along the way.
I felt energized and immediately started to paint.

After an hour or so Diego came by. I knew him by his lumbering steps. He leaned in and said hello.

"I see you are working. I won't stay."
"No, no. Come in." I insisted. "You can be my critic. Hell knows I can use one."

Diego Enters with a Huge Walking Stick and Broad-Brimmed Hat

He entered with his huge walking stick and broad-brimmed hat. He approached my easel.

"Very good," he said, nodding. "You are learning."
Then he turned to me. "Bobby, he started, you are a good friend for Marevna. She told me about the work she's doing because of you. She is happy. We both are."

I was surprised to hear that Diego knew about the copy Marevna was doing. After a moment I realized that there was no way that she could keep the news from him. He was in her tiny studio so often.
He continued. "Yes. You are a good friend and so I want to tell you something."

I watched the hulking man as he sat in my favorite arm chair. He looked tired and worried. He refused a cup of tea.
Then he blurted out. "Marevna is going to have my baby and I," he hesitated, I'm going home to Mexico."

I stood there, probably with my mouth open. What could I say? But there was no need to reply. Diego quietly slipped out of my studio.

I knew that the Crosbys wouldn't arrive at a decent hour. Only normal people did that. But I didn't think they'd show up after midnight either. I was preparing to go to sleep. I had been painting all day. What I didn't know was that for the past two hours Caresse and Harry were visiting Marevna and Diego next door. I didn't understand why they would stay so long.

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