Private Entrance (The Butterfly Trilogy) Read Free Page A

 "Tomorrow," Abby said. "I will have lunch with Sissy and Coco. And please check into Ophelia Kaplan. Find out why she didn't accept the contest prize."
         As she delivered herself back into the protection of ferns and fronds and blossoms, Abby Tyler thought of Dr. Ophelia Kaplan, wondering why she had not accepted the free vacation. Abby would have to think of a way to convince her to come so that all three would be at The Grove at the same time: Sissy, Coco and Ophelia—three women from three different cities and three different walks of life; one single, one married, one engaged; one Jewish, one Catholic, one a self-professed Pagan. A university professor, a police psychic, and a homemaker. Three women who, if they met in a room together, would think they hadn't a single thing in common—until they learned that all three had been born on the same day, thirty-three years ago.
         Abby thought of the manila folders back in her office, files containing information that went back over three decades, accompanied by photographs secretly shot with a telephoto lens. Sissy Whitboro, Coco McCarthy

and Ophelia Kaplan, going about their business, not knowing they were being photographed.
         And as Abby thought of those three faces in the photographs, as she searched for clues, for recognizable traits, hints of herself in their features, she silently asked: Which one of you is my daughter?



CHAPTER THREE

    T HE SEXY ROOM SERVICE WAITER WHEELED THE CART ONTO Sissy Whitboro's private patio and set up breakfast while she watched. He was olive-skinned and wore tight pants. And when he winked she felt her heart skip.
         He couldn't have been a day over twenty, and she was in her thirties!
         Still, Sissy was flattered and tried to tip him as he left. But tips weren't allowed at The Grove, he said. She went back to the cart, relishing the desert morning sunshine, the fresh air, and plants and flowers in her walled garden. She was glad she had accepted the prize, even though she didn't know what the contest was. As she lightly buttered her toast, she felt a pang of guilt. Ed at home with the kids while she was here in this luxurious silence. She shouldn't be enjoying herself, but she was. And she was reminded once again that lately she had felt something missing from her life. She didn't know what it was, and she never admitted it because it felt like a betrayal of Ed, whom she loved very much.
         As she sipped her orange juice she heard a sound on the breeze. Someone moaning!
         She looked around. It sounded like they were sick or hurt. Creeping around her garden, Sissy listened until she homed in on the source. The groaning was coming from the other side of the wall. She tried to peer over but it was too high. Then she saw the wooden gate. It was locked on her side. Drawing back the latch, she pushed through.
         It took a minute for her eyes to register what they saw. Two people on a chaise lounge, completely naked, the woman with her legs and arms flung back, the man's pale buttocks going up and down.
         "Oh!" Sissy said. The man looked up. He grinned without stopping his rhythm. His partner didn't even open her eyes.
         "I'm sorry!" Sissy mumbled, backing away and closing the gate. It took her a minute to regain her breath. She stayed by the gate as she heard the chaise continue to creak and she found herself fascinated by the sound, unable to pull herself away.
         The woman moaned again, and the rhythm increased. Now she began to cry out, and urge him on faster, faster, while Sissy held her breath and listened, picturing them, shocked at herself yet unable to retreat. As the creaking increased in speed, so did Sissy's pulse. She placed her hand on her chest and felt her heart thump as the two thumped together in the next garden.
         Finally the woman gave a yell and the man released a strangled grunt. And then they were laughing and Sissy heard one of them say,