Taylor - The Comeback

With the sound of the drapes being drawn, followed by the clink of china, Rosemary came out of her sleep. Opening her eyes, blinking at the light, she saw Carrie standing at the bedside.

Whats up?

Nothings up, Carrie said. I just came to wake you.

Great. Rosemary gave a sigh. I open my eyes to see the light of day and find you standing there like some dumb waxworks reject. What time is it? I told you I wanted to sleep.

I did let you sleep, Rosie, Carrie said. Its almost eleven. I brought your coffee and the mail. Carefully, she poured a cup of coffee. And its a beautiful morning.

What day is it?

Friday. You know its Friday. Come on, sit up. As Rosemary pulled herself up in the bed Carrie adjusted the pillows at her back. You ready for your coffee?

I guess so.

Rosemarys grudging tone came as no surprise. After all, the dinner party at the Davisons hadnt broken up till almost twelve. You want some aspirin? Carrie asked. Seltzer?

What? No, just the coffee and a new head. Rosemary reached for the small hand mirror on her bedside table, and looked at her reflection. She gave a groan. In no fit state for trivialities after last nights party, she had done a less than thorough job of removing her make-up before falling into bed. Now, hours later, her wide mouth was smeared with traces of lipstick, while the remains of the foundation that she had so carefully applied before setting out was now grimed into her skin, settled into the lines that ravaged her once attractive face.

Setting the mirror back down, she said, You know something? Queen Elizabeth the first one, that is she had the right idea. From the age of fifty she banned every looking glass from the palace. Yep. And from then on she just relied on what her ministers and all the other hangers-on told her as to how she looked. That was one smart lady. She probably went to the end of her days thinking she looked like Miss World.

Carrie laughed. Rosie, you look fine, really you do. Here take your coffee. She held out the cup of coffee and Rosemary took it and sipped from it. Carrie watched her for a moment, then moved to the window. Ill let in a little more light.

Not too much.

As Carrie adjusted the drapes, Rosemary winced, screwing up her eyes. Dont go mad now. You Texas girls are never satisfied unless the whole damn world looks like wide screen Cinerama.

Carrie, standing at the window, looked out over the shining waters of the Hudson. On the far shore the buildings of Tarrytown were unusually clear. The river looks so calm today, she said.

Its always calm.

And the humiditys low.

Rosemary snorted. Thank God for that. I dont care how long I live here, Ill never get used to this bloody climate.

Oh, I see, Carrie said, turning, moving back to the bed, its going to be one of those days, is it? Nothings going to be right, right?

Rosemary nodded. You got it.

Just so long as we know.

Hand me a cigarette, will you?

Carrie took a cigarette from the packet on the bedside table and passed it to Rosemary. She watched while she lit it, then said, So how was the dinner party? Was it fun?

Fun? said Rosemary. It was the Davisons, for Christs sake. The same old faces. Same old gags, same old memories. Jesus. It had its moments, but fun I wouldnt call it.

You stayed late enough.

Yeah, well, we live in hope.

I guess so. Carrie pulled the small chair closer to the bed and picked up the few items of mail she had brought in on the tray. You want to look at the mail? She took up a letter-opener, slit open the envelopes and placed them on the coverlet at Rosemarys side.

Rosemary set down her coffee and put on a pair of spectacles. Bills, bloody bills, she said. Why are people so damned unoriginal? She looked at a piece of paper, groaned and tossed it aside. I cant deal with this crap.

Rosie, its a final demand, Carrie said. Come on now. We cant be without the telephone.

A deep sigh along with a dismissive wave of the hand. Okay, so pay it.

Carrie nodded, then extracted a letter from an airmail envelope. And here, she said, is something from England.

From England? What are they chasing me for?

Rosemary took the letter from Carries outstretched hand, unfolded it and began to read. Well, she said, coming to the end of the letter, they did it. Well, what do you know!

What is it? Carrie detected a new note in Rosemarys voice. You got some good news?

Rosemary gave a laugh, flicking the letter with a scarlet-tipped finger. They did it.

What are you talking about?

My records!

What?

My records, my old records can you believe that?

Your records? Carrie didnt understand. It had been years since Rosemary had recorded anything. It had been years since she had even attempted to sing. All that was long in the past. What are you saying? she said.

Its from Amberlight, my old record company in the UK, Rosemary said. Theyve taken some of my old records and put them out on a CD. She added on a sharper note, And not before time, either.

Hey, Carrie said, thats good news! Thats wonderful. Then, with an ironic little smile: We could certainly use the money.

Rosemary nodded. We certainly could. Unfortunately, though, there wont be much. Theyre only doing a small pressing. It might just buy us a hamburger. She handed the letter to Carrie. Here, read it for yourself.

Carrie took the letter, studied it. Thats great, she said. And they say all the tracks are going online, too. Hey, that means theyll be everywhere. And they say theyre sending you some samples of the CD. Thatll be nice.

Yes yes, it will.

Carrie studied the letter a few moments longer, then said, Did you know about this, Rosie the CD and everything? She tapped the letter. They go on like you knew all about it.

Rosemary hesitated before answering. Well, yes, sweetheart, I did, she said. But its no big deal. There was nothing definite. And nothings going to come of it anyway.

Oh, no dont say that.

Its true. Rosemary held out her hand and Carrie handed her back the letter. You wait and see theyll bring out the CD and itll sell a dozen copies and thatll be it.

Oh,