TCOT Sulky Girl
With thanks again to Rachel for always being so willing to help with suggestions and for being my second pair of eyes, and to Diane for the last line.
This has always been one of my favorite episodes and I've always wondered what happened to the portrait of Della that Rod was sketching in the end scene. So I decided to take it from there and present this little Missing Moment.
The character's are not mine but belong to Erle Stanley Gardner. They're only on loan and will be returned safe and sound.
Summary: Rod Gleason (an artist) and Francis Celane have been secretly married for five years and are expecting a child. Frances doesn't want this to be known until she can secure her million dollar trust fund from her Uncle Norton who is in charge of the trust and who is anything but kind. He acts like a bully where Fran is concerned and the girl's only ally is Clara, the housekeeper who helped raised her. Fran goes to Perry and asks him to help her. Perry agrees and later that day goes to see Norton who is unrelenting.
It's midnight. Perry is dictating a letter to Della to be sent to Norton when he notices that she's fallen asleep on the couch. He gently wakes her and she tells him that "he shouldn't be wasting his time with sulky heiresses', murder is his specialty." At that moment Fran walks into the office and tells them "murder is what you got." Norton has been killed, Rod is accused, and once again Perry, Della and Paul work together to find the real killer.
The following scene is the last one from the episode. Perry, Della and Clara are in Rod and Fran's apartment. While they are talking, Rod is sketching Della who is seated opposite him.
Clara: "Graves is the one who surprised me. He'd been with Mr. Norton for years. I can't see why he cooperated with Mr. Crinston unless he was fed up and Mr. Crinston offered him a share of his profits in the stock market."
Perry: That was exactly his motive."
Clara: "That was exactly what I was thinking."
Della: "Now just a minute Clara, any more of these completely analytical deductions on your part and I shall be forced to declare you the winner. In other words, Mr. Mason will be giving you my job."
Clara: "You don't have to worry Miss Street. Looking after this one (she walks over to where Fran is sitting and covers her with a blanket) is all the job I can handle."
Fran: "Now you stop fussing over me."
Clara: "The Doctor said you must keep warm."
Fran: "Well he didn't mean for me to roast to death."
Clara: "I can't do anything with her Mr. Mason. You know what I'm afraid of? I may have to raise another sulky girl."
Perry: (smiling) "Oh no, I'm holding out for a sulky boy."
End of scene. My story picks up from here.
Perry and Della said good bye to Clara and the young couple and with promises to see them soon, left the apartment and walked to Perry's car. Once seated inside the vehicle, Della snuggled close to Mason and the attorney wrapped his arms around her, tugging her to him. Della's head sought Perry's broad chest and as she lay against him, a smile began to play at the corners of her mouth. Breathing a contented sigh, she looked up at her handsome lawyer and spoke in her low throaty voice.
"And they lived happily ever after."
Perry looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms….the woman whom he loved more than his own life and smiled. He kissed the top of her head and gently ran his fingers through her dark luxurious curls.
"My dear Miss Street, you sound like you're telling the end of a fairy tale."
Della raised her head and her gaze met Perry's. She gave him a brilliant smile.
"Well it is….almost. I mean if you think about it, Fran and Rod were kept apart for years, even though they were married. They couldn't let anyone know and the only person they trusted was Clara. Then the mean witch or, in this case, the mean bully was killed and finally you, my handsome hero came charging to the rescue like a knight in shining armor. Now Fran and Rod can be together forever….and a sweet little baby is on its way. In my mind that's as close to a fairy tale ending as you can get."
Perry noticed Della sounded almost wistful. Already knowing the answer, he was gentle with his next statement.
"My darling girl, you know you could have the same kind of ending."
"Perry…." Della let out a deep breath. "We've been down this road before."
"And?"
"And it doesn't solve anything. It doesn't get us anywhere. So please, can we talk about us another time and just concentrate on Fran and Rod. I'm so happy for them….they're so happy….and sir, like I said, they owe it all to you." Della reached up and left a passionate, lingering kiss on Perry's lips.
When the couple broke away, Mason nestled Della's chin in his hand. When his breathing returned to normal, he said, "that was some kiss baby. Those lip locks of yours are like a secret weapon. You could get anything from any man with one of those."
Della's answer was in a voice that always drove Perry to distraction. It made him weak just hearing it. As she spoke, the secretary slowly ran one finger around her employer's ear and down his jaw line stopping just under his mouth. She left a well manicured finger on his lips.
"I'm only interested in one man Mr. Mason and since you as you say, I can get anything I want, there is only one thing I need."
"Oh, and what would that be?"
Perry didn't think Della's voice could sound any silkier or titillating then it already was. Her dark, smoldering eyes spoke of her desire.
"You counselor, I want you of course…only you. I want you to take me home, lock the door, build a fire, pour some wine and then….."
'Thatsensuousvoice….thatexquisiteface…..thosefulllips…thoseeyes…ohGodthoseeyes.' Perry was witless. His senses were on overload. She was bewitching him and he didn't care. He had a hard time answering her.
"And….and…th….then?"
Della's smile was mesmerizing as she snaked her arms around Perry and let her fingers lightly brush the nape of his neck. "And then darling, I want you to pick me up in your arms, take me to your bed and make love to me."
Perry Mason usually had no trouble speaking. This time however, all he could do was maneuver Della's arms from around his neck, bring her hands to his lips and kiss the inside of her wrists. Twenty minutes later, he pulled into his parking space and turned off the motor, having no recollection of driving there.
The apartment was dark, save for the candles in their glass vessels placed around the living room. The fire burning in the hearth, threw out its warmth as the logs crackled giving off an amber glow. A half empty bottle of wine and two glasses, one with a pink smear on the rim, sat on the table in front of a comfortable couch. A pair of men's black shoes were tossed haphazardly on the dark grey carpet while a pair of peep toed shoes with a three inch heal were placed neatly under the bronze coffee table. The shoes were the only articles of clothing that lay separate. A trail of a man's slacks, shirt and tie were mixed in with that of a woman's soft wool skirt and sweater. Along with these were undergarments of lace and silk, stockings, a white t shirt, a pair of boxers and socks. The trail ended at the closed bedroom door, leaving no doubt as to what was happening behind it.
Perry lay on his bed, holding Della in his arms. Their bodies were tangled together, Della's slim, lithe frame, meshed with Perry's large one. Her arms were around his waist, her warm lips leaving soft kisses on his chest. Suddenly, Della raised her head and began to kiss Perry on his lips. Perry returned the kiss, deepening it by gently forcing Della's mouth open with his tongue….tasting….teasing. Together they danced a delicious dance and as Perry felt Della respond, he brought her even closer to him, all the while tenderly caressing her body. Leaving her lips, his mouth traveled the course his hands were taking. His breath was hot on her skin and as he continued the blissfully glorious assault on her body. Della shook with abandon, giving herself completely over to him. He left no part of her untouched, instead, making sure to kiss and touch every curve, every inch of her exquisitely beautiful body. At one point Perry pulled back and drank in her in….all of her. In a hushed voice, accompanied by a low growl he spoke. "Della….Della, you are so beautiful….now I know what perfection looks like." He buried his face in her hair, drinking in her scent and again returned to her lips, face and the rest of her body. With purposely slow measured movements, Perry loved Della so thoroughly and so fully that she was left utterly incoherent and quivering until she could no longer stand it. Then, and only then, did he bring her up to meet him and as they came together, the room seem to spin, time seem to stop and Perry felt Della shudder, then collapse against him, spent and breathless.
Neither spoke. Perry moved a bit and sat up. Gently turning Della to him, he touched his forehead to his. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her eyelids so softly she barely felt it. Their breathing returned to normal and a few minutes later she heard his voice….low and loving.
"Are you OK baby?"
Della didn't answer. Instead, she maneuvered herself from Perry's embrace and crawled up into his lap. Her face still flushed with the afterglow, she met his gaze, giving him a serene smile.
"I'll say one thing Mr. Mason. You sure know how to give a girl what she wants."
Perry brushed the hair away from Della's face. "I aim to please….and just so you know, I only care about giving one girl what she wants. Now, can I do anything else for you, get you anything?"
"Uh Uh"
"Alright then, how about being my good girl, closing those beautiful eyes and going to sleep….hmmm?"
Della stifled a yawn with a delicate hand. "I suppose. The next few days are going to be busy. We have to catch up with appointments and correspondence, just normal everyday things that got pushed back because of the trial."
Perry smiled. "I'm all for 'normal everyday things' as you so eloquently put it especially because we're together. It's you, you know. You make everything better….easier. You are the single most important thing in my life and I never want you to forget it."
Della was about to answer him but couldn't suppress another yawn.
The big man chuckled and tenderly caressed Della's face. "Now, my beauty, I really think we should get some sleep." Perry brought the quilt up and covered them.
Della sighed deeply and laid her head on Perry's broad chest. He kissed her hair and began to slowly and lightly run his hand up and down her back. She stirred slightly and Perry quietly and lovingly hushed her.
"Shhhh…shhhh…..shhhh…..go to sleep darling. I'm right here. I love you. I love you more than anything."
Della's voice was drowsy and her eyes began to close. "Mmmm…love…..you….too."
With those endearing words, the lovers fell asleep holding each other, happy to be together and so much in love.
Della Street walked through the door of Perry Mason's office with a stack of papers in her hand and a smile on her beautiful face. Making her way over to his desk, she was so concentrated on what she was doing, she didn't notice her employer coming out of the law library carrying a book. The attorney stood and looked at his secretary, studying her for a moment before he spoke.
"Well, my dear Miss Street, what do you have for me?"
"Perry! Oh my goodness! I didn't see you. How long have you been standing there?" The color seemed to drain from Della's face and Perry realized that he had scared her. Going over to the desk, he put the book down, turned and took the papers from Della's hand, placing them on the desk as well. He brought Della into his embrace, putting his face close to hers and nuzzling her cheek and ear, then kissed her sweetly on her lips. Pulling back, he nestled her chin in his hand and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to frighten you. I was only there a few seconds. You look so beautiful. I just love to look at you. Whether we're out to dinner or a party, or here in the office or when we're home and…."he said teasingly as he tapped on the nose, "especially when you're sleeping. It's become a habit….a wonderful habit and one that I never want to break."
Della's smile was brilliant. Drawing Perry in with those gorgeous, warm, hazel eyes she placed a hand on his face. "In that case counselor, I forgive you. Thank you for that lovely compliment. You always know just what to say."
Mason brought Della's hand up to his lips and gently kissed it. There was a mischievous twinkle in his deep blue eyes. "Well, I do have a reputation to uphold. After all, how do you think I win all those cases?"
"I think, Mr. Mason, you win them by working very hard and going above and beyond. Speaking of clients, I came in here to give you the finished contracts and letters. They need your signature. I also had something to tell you, but, I was distracted."
The lawyer grinned impishly. "I could distract you a little more if you want." Perry leaned in, ready to kiss Della again.
Placing a hand on his chest Della took a step back to put some distance between them. She tried to be serious but was having a hard time. She tried to suppress a giggle.
"Perry, stop! Come on, I have work to do and I want to tell you tell you about Rod and Fran."
"What about them? Everything's OK isn't it?"
"Yessss Counselor, everything is fine. Fran called while you were with Paul. She said they wanted to stop by and asked if this afternoon would be convenient. Since it's pretty light and you have an opening at four, I told her it would be fine, alright?"
"Yes honey, that's perfectly alright. I wonder what they want"
"She didn't say. I guess we'll find out when they get here. Perry?"
"What?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course, what is it you want to know?"
"How come you took her case? I mean before her uncle was murdered and you wound up defending Rod….aside from the fact that you felt Mr. Norton was being unreasonable."
"That's exactly why I took it. I don't think much of men who pick on little girls…who try to undermine them in any way. I don't like it when they think they can get away with it because they're bigger or older or more powerful. A man who doesn't respect a woman and treat her the way she should be treated is not a real man." Perry put one hand on Della's waist and one hand on her hip. Pulling her close, his voice was soft. "Besides, she reminded me of you….strong, independent, and knows what she wants….and there was something else"
"What was that?"
Do you remember the first day she came to see me? When she all but barreled in here and after she left you said something about her being strong willed?"
"Yes, and then you said she was scared of losing security or someone she loved."
The attorney's voice became even softer. That's right. That's the minute I knew that I wanted to help her. For some reason, it made me think of you. Even though I know you can take care of yourself, I never want you to feel insecure or unloved. You have me darling, now and forever. I made you a promise that I would always take care of you….I would always protect you and keep you safe and I mean to keep that promise."
A single tear fell from Della's eye and Perry brushed it away with his thumb. "Don't cry baby, I didn't mean to make you cry."
Della's voice was so soft, Perry could hardly hear her. "I do feel that way….so safe and so loved….and spoiled. I feel that way all the time….and it's all because of you. "
Perry realized he had to take the conversation in a different direction so Della could have a chance to gather her emotions. Bending down, he left a sweet kiss on her lips. Breaking away, he smiled and said, "alright my girl, it's almost time for lunch. Let's see, we can go over to Oscar's or The Blue Frog or BJ's. It's your choice."
Perry missed the gleam in Della's eye. "First, my handsome Mr. Mason, I called downstairs and ordered lunch from Clays. It arrived a few minutes ago and I have it in the kitchen. The secretary put her arms around her boss's neck and spoke in a silky voice. "And….if you don't mind, I think I want to take you up on your offer to distract me a little more."
Perry didn't need any encouragement. In just a minute, Gertie was told not to put any calls through until 2:00 as Della and he would be in an important conference and couldn't be disturb. The doors to Mason's office were locked and he and his confidential secretary disappeared through the door to the law library, locking it, then proceeded to have a very important and a very confidential meeting….and this time there was no trail of clothes left behind.
At 4:00, Della ushered Fran and Rod into Perry's office. The lawyer stood up, then walked around to the other side of his desk to greet them. After shaking hands with Rod and giving Fran a kiss on the cheek, Perry had them sit down. He noticed that Rod carried two large packages wrapped in plain brown paper and that he'd carefully leaned them against his desk.
"Well, you two, you both look wonderful. Fran, you're absolutely glowing."
"Thank you Mr. Mason. I guess it's true what they say about women who are going to have a baby. Besides, Rod takes very good care of me. He really is spoiling me and of course Clara fusses over me all the time."
"That's because we love you honey."
"I know. I'm very lucky. Fran turned and faced Della and a special look of understanding passed between the women.
"Mr. Mason, I'm sorry I haven't been able to come here sooner. It's really been busy. The strangest thing happened. Because of the trial and all the publicity behind it, I'm starting to have people call me who are interested in my work. I've even had them come over to the apartment to see the paintings. The best part is that I sold three of them, two oils and one watercolor."
"Oh Rod, that's wonderful! It looks as though you're finally on your way."
"Thank you Miss Street. Yes, everything is starting to fall in place. Speaking of paintings, that's the reason we're here." Rod smiled at Perry and Della, then continued his explanation. "As soon as the estate is settled, we'll send you a check. But in the meantime, we brought you a gift Mr. Mason, although no amount is enough to repay you for everything you did for me….for Fran and me. You worked so hard to clear my name and you were both so kind and understanding. We'll never forget it….or you."
It was clear that the attorney was very touched. When he answered the young man his voice was somewhat rough with emotion and there were tears in his secretary's eyes.
"Rod, there's no hurry with the check. I was just glad I was able to help you. It was my pleasure…our pleasure, really. I was happy that things turned out like they did. Now, suppose you show us what you brought. I'm anxious to see what it is and I know someone who loves gifts….and surprises." Perry looked over at Della and the two shared a private moment as he smiled and he gave her a wink.
Standing up, Rod took one of the packages and handed it to Perry. This is for you, Mr. Mason. I thought you could keep it here or at your home, wherever you want."
Perry unwrapped the package and a wide grin crossed his face as he discovered its contents. It was the watercolor of Biscayne Bay in Florida. Rod had painted it five years before. Perry had admired it the day he had gone to see him….he'd had a hunch that he and Fran had already secretly been married. That was the day they told him it was true…and that they were expecting a baby.
"Rod, thank you. This is wonderful and I have the perfect place for it. Right there, over the couch. That way, I'll be able to look at it when I'm sitting at my desk. It will remind me of the two of you."
"It's beautiful Rod….just perfect. It's exactly what Perry needs in here. It will give the office that calm, peaceful feeling….and who knows, it might give a certain lawyer that same feeling."
Everyone laughed and Perry walked over to Della. Standing close to the stunning brunette, his next statement was directed at Fran and Rod but clearly meant for her. "I'm getting that certain feeling already," said Perry. "In fact, the painting is giving me a wonderful idea. It looks like a great place to go for a vacation. "
A knowing look passed between the artist and his wife but they only smiled, not saying anything. Rod then picked up the other package and handed it to Della. "Miss Street, this if for you. I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will dear," said Della as she neatly pulled the gift from its wrapping. "Oh Rod, it's the sketch….it's beautiful!" Della sounded a bit breathless. "It's amazing, really. I've never had anything like it. You made me look so much better on canvas than I am in real life."
Perry chuckled a bit before he answered his young friend. It was so like Della to be this modest. She was exquisitely stunning….drop dead gorgeous but she never flaunted it. Perry shook his head in wonder as he gave the painter his opinion.
"It certainly is Rod. It's gorgeous. You captured Della perfectly….her smile…her eyes…her face. It's perfectly beautiful."
Rod smiled, pleased that his gifts had been so well received. He was smiling for another reason. He glanced at Fran and she met his look as if to agree with him. 'Well,well,well,Rodthoughttohimself.ItwouldseemthatthefamousPerryMasonisn'ttheonlyonewithahunch.NowIknowourhunchwasright.Yessir,Mr.Mason,MissStreetisperfectlybeautiful….andyouaretheperfectcouple.'
Out loud Rod said, "you're very welcome. I'm glad you're happy with it. Then he turned to his wife. "We'd better get going Fran. We've already taken enough of Mr. Mason and Miss Street's time."
"Nonsense, it was great to see you both and thank you again for the painting and the sketch. Now, remember, don't be strangers. We expect to be seeing a lot of you."
"Yes, please, we'd love to see you soon, and Fran, let's not wait too long to have lunch."
"I'd love that, thank you. I'll call you next week. Whenever it's best for you, will be fine with me."
The two couples said a final good bye and the Gleason's left the office, closing the door quietly behind them.
Perry turned to Della and held her in his arms. His touch was tender…his voice loving and gentle. "You, my beautiful girl, are something else and I'm not the only one that sees it."
Della looked up at Perry through long lashes, her eyes glistening. "And you, Counselor are the most wonderful man I know. Standing on her toes, she reached up and gave her wonderful man a sensuous kiss on his mouth. Taking a breath, she said, "I really like Fran and Rod….I told you, they are like a lovely fairy tale.
"Hmmm….you're right again Miss Street. They are like a fairy tale. I know another couple who is like a fairy tale and I know how to make 'that princess' very happy…if she'll let me."
"Perrry…."Della, thinking she knew what was coming, started to protest but Perry held up his hand to quiet her.
"All I was going to say is that I think it's time we took a little vacation. Maybe to, shall we say, Florida...in particular Miami? I hear Biscayne Bay is very romantic, especially at night. What do you think?"
It took less than 10 seconds for Mason to get his answer from the woman standing in front of him. Della kissed him passionately and he returned the kiss while at the same time, their thoughts were not of the couple that had left moments before, but of each other and their own, private world….their own private fairy tale.
