Perry Mason - The Truth is Told
I did NOT write the books, or TV shows, of Perry Mason, nor do I own any character
in this story with the exception of Carlotta. This particular fan fiction does not involve
any court scene, more of 'behind the scenes' - so to speak.
Part Three
Carlotta rolled sat up in bed hoping all messing with the tape and recorder would be
worth it. She just 'knew' people were going to insist it was all a lie. Biting back any
tears that wanted to flow she wished she could wipe away all the health problems that
were plaguing Perry. She could handle living under the radar with him, but what was she
going to do when he was gone. As if reading her mind Perry opened up his eyes and
began rubbing her back.
Perry: Some will believe, and some won't . Don't worry about it. Besides, you're
stronger than you think. You'll be fine, trust me.
Carlotta: Promise?
Perry: I promise. Now come here and let me hold you before breakfast.
Carlotta: I wish we could make love.
Carlotta spoke as she curled up against Perry's side with his arms around her.
Perry: We are darling, we are.
Since retiring Della had given up early mornings so the Masons, along with Paul,
weren't expecting to show to the dining room table before nine. Only when the sounds,
and smells of pancakes going did any of the other three show their faces. Once breakfast
was ate - and dishes put up - the recording started again with Perry once again by
Carlotta's side.
Carlotta: That night - our first date - I am sure the music helped ease my nerves for even
when Della slipped out with Paul leaving Perry and I alone the food being eaten managed
to stay in my stomach. Somehow , I could only find a few words to say. However that did
not stop us from enjoying our meal.
It was then I found out people underestimated Perry as a person. They only could see
the great lawyer -someone who could slice and dice a man without ever lifting a finger
reducing the man the level of dirt. Sure, they saw parts, but not all. I doubt they ever
saw the smile softer than any animals fur, the look more seductive than any Don Juan
could muster up, and they certainly never heard his inner thoughts spoken out loud only
in quiet moments when the sun had set. Anyhow, like I said the lack of word didn't seem
to bother Perry. I mean if that alone was going to be held against me he'd not have asked
me out again when he took me back to the dorms.
Perry: I remember you asking why I'd want to be with someone who recoiled from
society when I thrived in it. Do you remember my answer? (he asked the question as he
stroked the back of her head and gave her a look only he could hand out.)
Carlotta: You said "Because I like you and I enjoy your company. Society has nothing
to do with that.
Perry: Besides, your Mona Lisa smile had already hooked itself into the corners of my
very being.
Della , nor Paul Jr. , spoke a word as Perry's eyes kept themselves glued to his wife as
he told her to go on.
Carlotta: I couldn't keep my mind off him, but I didn't want to be thrown out in the
middle of the media either. Della, already known for being wise, was another person
who's ability to read people was highly under-rated by most. It was she that got our dates
together -with the help of Paul - in such a way no-one else suspected were seeing each
other; they were still convinced it was she he was dating. I wondered in those days if he
was just her boss why she'd bother to help us out - it wasn't like her job was at stake.
Just as she considered opening her mouth up to speak again Della piped up
Della: No, but my sanity was. You should have seen him at the office during those days.
The only way I was going to get peace of mind at work was to get you two together -
besides I loved him like the brother I never had.
Perry's old secretary's face shone with sincerity and her voice chuckled at the sanity bit.
Perry: I wasn't that bad.
Della: Oh, yes, you were!
Both Dell and Paul Jr. noticed he did not bring up a defense for himself, but only urged
Carlotta to go on.
Carlotta: One day Perry, Paul, and Della came out of the courthouse and I was already
in the back seat of Perry's car waiting. No one had seen me because Della had put up
curtains over the back windows and a set separating the front and back. Paul climbed in
back, and Della sat up front with Perry, but only until we dropped Paul off at his house.
His wife -bless her soul - always trusted him no matter what accusations came their way
when someone would happen to get quick glance into the car and see there was female in
the back.
Paul: You can thank Della for that. (the man spoke with smiling eyes)
Carlotta: Why?
Paul Jr.: Because she told me just before she passed on Della let her know just enough to
assure her the female was connected with Perry and herself - not Dad.
Carlotta: In that case, I owe you another thank-you, Della.
Della : No problem. (resituating her sitting position the woman then popped on a new
tape.) Ready… go ahead.
Carlotta: When I decided to get a second degree I made sure my studies were not ignored
even though Perry and I continued to squeeze dates in with both our hectic schedules.
Jeanie was still going to school to, but with her entering medical school and my
obligations -not to mention my private life - our jokes were set aside, or at least mine
were. I heard she still managed to do plenty.
After school, or on weekends, Della would pick me up and take me out to the diner
where I no longer worked. 'The' booth would always be occupied by Perry, and Della
only stayed long enough to give us cover. And what I'd like to know is how she managed
to slip out without being spotted?
Della: Trust me, it was easier than you might think.
Carlotta: If you say so. Anyhow, most of the time I wore dark jeans, a t-shirt, and simple
sandals. It was attire that didn't attract attention and allowed me to slip into the booth
with Della without a bunch of questions being asked.
Perry: True, but I was sure glad when you'd ditch those stupid looking black glasses. I'm
still convinced you had the military order them for you. (Carlotta only laughed and laid
her hand on his knee.)
Carlotta: Most of the time my hair was just piled into a loose bun on my head. Once in
awhile I'd dress up real nice and I'd drive by myself to a small mom and pop's diner up
north. That made it easy for Perry, and I, to have a dinner alone -just the two of us.
(Perry's wife paused and smiled at Perry before continuing on).
Carlotta: They say you never forget your first kiss, and I haven't. It was on one of those
dates we'd gone to the beach after eating. It was later in the evening and anyone that had
been there had already left. I was watching the moon dance on the water and Perry
wrapped his arms around my waist as he buried his face into my hair.
Perry: But only after under doing that blasted bun you'd made too tight.
Carlotta: Well, you didn't seem to have a problem getting it loose.
Della and Paul chuckled as Perry gave a sheepish - unapologetic - grin.
Della: So?
Carlotta: I felt my heart start to race as he whispered my hair smelled good. He then
turned me around kissed me. I'd kissed other dates, and a few had been 'good', but the
one he gave me made my fingers clutch his shoulders. When he pulled away I couldn't
seem to let go and I found myself kissing him back. Blessed gentleman didn't take
advantage of me -though I'm sure he could have done so without a fight.
Perry: It wasn't easy darling, but I wanted us to be able to face ourselves in the morning.
Carlotta: Anyhow after that -even without being told - Della seemed to know what had
happened and began extra efforts to get us together.
Paul: With my father's help I might add.
Della: And your mother's.
Paul: Yes, her too. Bless her dear departed soul.
Carlotta: Paul, it's true, they all helped. I don't think Perry and I could have pulled off
half we did without it. Things were going pretty good and then the arguments started. It
was always over the dumbest things, and I wasn't sure why he was even starting them,
but one day I was at his office and he told me to get out of his life. I was hurt, and didn't
want to go -and said as much, but I also didn't want to be the source of pain, so, I left.
Perry: It was our ages.
Carlotta: Uh?
Perry: I started the fights because I was struggling with our age difference. I picked
all those arguments figuring you'd go off and find yourself a younger man. And..(he lifted
her hand and glanced at the ring on her finger as he added softly)..I told myself I could
easily forget you.
Paul Jr.: Seems to me you failed (The man only laughed when Perry shot him a no-duh
type look)
Carlotta: Anyhow, I did try to forget and it seemed all the matchmakers could smell
'available' every time I was around for male companionship wasn't something I lacked.
Nothing changed inside myself though. Every single guy I dated I'd end up comparing to
Perry. The way they talked, made jokes, songs they picked, and such. They all fell short.
I honestly tried to forget the freedom I felt in Perry's arms when he'd kiss me goodnight,
the lawyer jokes we'd swap, or the times he'd catch me when I'd start to fall - not just
physically other. My first final without Perry around was complete mental anguish.
The mind stuff got to be too much and one day I went to the small mom and pop's
diner we'd eaten at on more than one occasion and ordered ice-cream. I tried to eat it, but
ended up twirling my spoon in it instead. People came and went, but I was only aware of
that because of the bells that would go off whenever the door opened, and closed. Any
footsteps I'd heard were ignored until one stopped by my seat and a male's voice broke
into my thoughts.
Perry: Ice-cream always tastes better melted, or at least I think so. (Her husband had
never forgotten that line, nor the look that had come into her eyes as she looked up at
him). Any fear you'd reject me after the scene in my office flew out the window as soon
as you glanced up.
Carlotta: I remember you helped me up and wrapped your arms around me as I slid mine
up to your shoulders. You begged me to come back and marry an old fool because living
without me was sheer torture and you couldn't take it anymore.
Perry: Yes, and then I broke my number one rule.
Della and Perry : What was that?
Perry: I kissed her in the restaurant. And I don't mean some little peck on the cheek. I
was making up for lost time. Bill tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to take
it elsewhere or he'd turn the hose on.
Carlotta: I remember that. And I still think the only reason you dared kiss me at all in his
diner was because the man, and his wife, had already proven they could keep their
mouths shut real tight.
Perry: Dear, I dare say you are right.
Paul Jr. : I don't know about you two, but how about we continue after I get back from
the store? I believe I promised to pick up lunch.
Della: Sounds good to me. (Perry and Carlotta agreed)