“Oh, I love Alex Katz,” Judy promptly piped in.

“He’s the real thing. I just have a good eye.”

“I think you’re being totally unfair to yourself. I wouldn’t know anything except for people like you who set the standards.”

Against her better judgment, Samantha decided she didn’t mind Judy’s sycophancy because Judy didn’t see the regrets in Samantha’s life, and listening to her chatter on, Samantha could lose sight of those regrets also.

“I got invited to a conquistador party tomorrow night on Paul Rodman’s yacht. Would you like to come with me? Albert hates these things.” Judy turned to her husband. “Honey, wouldn’t you be relieved to be out of it?”

Albert nodded his head. He couldn’t care less if Ponce de León himself was at Paul Rodman’s conquistador party.

Samantha finished her third martini. Between the heat, the reflexology, and the Plymouth gin, she was feeling a little woozy. She wouldn’t mind going to see Paul Rodman’s yacht. It sort of felt like a road trip she would have taken her freshman year at Vassar. Plus her mother would not be amused that she stood her up for someone as glitzy as Paul Rodman. The entire package had a definite prep-school bad-girl appeal. “I’d love to come,” Samantha answered. “Charlie’s kids are coming down so they could have a nice family reunion.”

“You have kids?” Judy asked.

“Two girls from my first marriage. They live in Omaha with their mother.”

“Omaha?” Judy rounded her O into an Oh!

Samantha looked at Charlie. “That’s where he’s from.”

“What fun!” Judy chirped, careful not to add anything like she was originally from “Modest-oh.”

“My kids are skiing with their mother in Telluride and then they’re coming here to join me.”

“Albert and I are building a house in Aspen. If it was up to me I’d go skiing every vacation.” For a minute Judy imagined that by the time the house was finished Samantha and Charlie could be their guests. “There is nothing that makes me happier than setting tracks in fresh snow. I swear it’s the only time I feel completely free and don’t give a goddamn about the nanny.”

When the waiter appeared offering a fourth round, Albert had run out of Old Norse toasts.

“I’d better get upstairs to the children. We’re starting The Last of the Mohicans tonight.” He sat back in his chair.

“Really! The Last of the Mohicans! ” Charlie was impressed again.

“Albert reads to them every night, but I credit Spence. A first-tier school makes all the difference,” Judy was quick to add.

“I hated that place.” Samantha took out a cigarette.

“But…” Judy was stunned as Samantha continued.

“You think I can smoke in here or are they as boring as they are in New York?”

“Honey, the kids are waiting for us.” Albert got up to leave. He didn’t mind marijuana but too many cigarettes disturbed his equilibrium.

“Enjoy The Last of the Mohicans!” Charlie stood up appropriately.

Albert shook Charlie’s hand. “I hope I can keep them awake.”