Right after New Year’s, Leon insisted on taking Denise to Tahoe. He offered to take Irene too, but she declined, even though she could have left her kids with the long-suffering Josefina. She stayed behind to be supportive of Gordon, on whose shoulders fell the unenviable weight of running the studio. She also had no wish to go to Tahoe, because Denise was still in such a rage that only Leon could stand to be around her. Even Elsie remained in Los Angeles to oversee the renovations at Summit Drive as builders and decorators swarmed in to create a second-floor suite for the soon-to-be infant.

Jonathan took a vacation to Key West and returned tanned and more handsome than ever. He and I were having breakfast in the dining room of the Culver Hotel, talking about plans for the upcoming premiere of Fly Me to the Moon. At Denise’s insistence, it had been moved to late January. At Leon’s insistence, Gordon was overseeing everything personally, right down to who would be arriving with whom.

“I’m paired up with Barbara Marsh. Part of the publicity love affair,” said Jonathan, while we waited for our Bloody Marys (a hotel specialty). “I’m the star. I should be able to arrive on my own, but Gordon’s such a skinflint, he won’t spring for two limos.”

“I sympathize. Gordon insisted I come with Charlie Frye. I fought him on it, but finally I said okay, as long as it’s understood that I’m picked up first and dropped off last. I don’t want Charlie coming to my house ever again.”

Jonathan’s eyebrow lifted expectantly. “Terrence is in Alabama fighting to keep people off the buses or something boring like that. You could . . .”

“No, Jonathan. That isn’t going to happen. I’ve made my choices.”

“You’re going to be faithful to him? Really?”

“Really. I love him and he loves me, and he’s doing important work there.”

“Oh, Quacker, I liked you so much better when you were shallow and flip.”

“You mean more like you.”

“Exactly.” He blew out a perfect smoke ring. “I’ll be glad when the picture’s finally launched and I can get rid of Barbara. She’s a nice kid, but too inexperienced to be interesting. Soon as I can, I’m on to other lovers.”

“Like Denise Dell.”