The sun was setting and Brett and I called a cab to Gatsby's house out in West Egg. Brett sat very close to me in the back of the cab. She appeared almost a bit impatient to get there. The sun was almost set and while we sat there together I couldn't help but stare at the world passing outside the window. The air was ashen. The buildings were dark and fuzzy. It was all grey and hazy. It was quiet in the car. After a few minutes Brett and I pulled up to the big house with blazing yellow lights and music echoing from within. I paid the driver and opened the door for Brett.
"You ready?" I said.
"I'm always ready, darling," she replied, stepping out of the cab.
The music sounding from the house as we approached was resonant of the sounds I heard on the streets of Paris. Debussy perhaps. Inside a mass of light came from all directions, and strangers were dancing. There was mass of people and a pit full of oboes. A spindly man with a tray in his hands offered us a drink. I took one and nodded. Brett did too with a grin.
"This is quite the party, isn't it, Jake?"
"Drinks on the house aren't too bad, especially during a prohibition."
The music had shifted to an upbeat swing. People filled the dance floor, drinks in hand.
"While we're here, why don't we try to find the host? You said you knew him during the war?"
"To hell with Gatsby, how about a dance?"
I grabbed Brett by the hand and we joined the other couples on the dance floor. It was hot and crowded. Brett looked lovely in her new dress. Scarlet with her hair let loose instead of slicked back like she normally had.
We got lost in time for a bit until she and I were nearly breathless.
"I think I'd like to meet this army friend of yours. It'd be a good break from dancing."
"I think I could go for another drink."
"We will find your drink and then your friend."
Brett was already a sociable woman and the party was to her liking. Men in tuxedos offered us drinks and informed us there was to be a feast later. She and I searched for Gatsby but he was nowhere to be found. We took a step outside and a man was standing alone. He was staring across the bay at a little green light. As we approached him he quickly turned toward us and said dinner was being served soon. He walked us inside and when the party lights illuminated his face I recognized him as Jay Gatsby.
"Gatsby?" I said. He was taken aback by me saying his name.
"I'm sorry, old sport, you caught me a little by surprise there, and what is your na-"
Brett had caught his eye and his words seemed to stumble in his mouth.
"My name?" I said. He was examining both Brett and I. He met my eye and then exclaimed, "Jake? Jake Barnes? It's mighty fine to see you again, old sport!" He gave me a robust pat on the back. "What brings you out here?"
"My friend Brett here and I are traveling around a bit and we are in search of a good doctor for her. Lady Brett Ashley, meet Gatsby. Gatsby, Lady Brett Ashley."
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your ladyship," he said, gently taking up Brett's hand and planting a light kiss.
"The pleasure is all mine" she said smilingly.
"You said you were looking for a doctor? Well, old sport, you've come to the right place. I've got a good friend who's a doctor and he should be right inside. Will you be staying for dinner? I could introduce you."
"Dinner would be lovely."
"Absolutely. I'm famished."
The party was winding down and a good number of guests had vanished. The place was still alive and music still playing. The smell of the catering wafted through the house.
"Excuse me while I go and freshen up," Brett said.
"We'll wait for you right here," I said.
Gatsby and I stood there while what was left of the party shuffled into the dining room.
"You said that was your friend, correct, old sport?"
"I suppose you can say that's so."
"How come she needs a doctor? She looks spry."
"She's come down with what we've been told is a terminal illness. She and I are trying to have a good time while she's got time."
"I'm sorry to hear that. If there's anything I could do for the two of you, let me know." When Brett returned Gatsby escorted us to the dining room. The table was set with a cornucopia of food. Turkey, chicken, steak, lobster, shrimp and a number of fresh bread and vegetables. The wine that accompanied the dinner was smooth and suited the meal well.
"Your friend is an awfully handsome man. You wouldn't mind if I-"
"Brett," I sighed, "are you sure that's the best idea?"
"One go won't hurt anyone, dear."
It might, I thought, but I kept it to myself.
After dinner the party resumed and Gatsby introduced us to an older gentleman in a black jacket with a peculiar scarlet lining. He was tall and thin with curly grey hair and large sunken eyes. He spoke to us in a thick Scottish accent and said he would be glad to assist Lady Brett Ashley in any way he could.
The time was well past 2 when I realized Brett and I hadn't made accommodations for the night.
"Gatsby," I said.
"What is it, old sport?"
"It's time for Brett and I to retire for the night. I've got to find us a hotel. Could you call us a cab?"
"I've got plenty of room, you two can stay here for the night."
"That would be delightful," Brett said.
The guests were all gone and Gatsby was showing us to our rooms.
"Here's your room, old sport," he said, gesturing to a double door with dull brass handles.
"Thank you for the accommodations." I turned to Brett. "I will see you in the morning."
After I closed the door behind me I heard Brett ask, "You wouldn't mind giving me a little tour, would you, darling?"
"Of course not."
As I undressed and the first light showed through the far window, I couldn't help but think of the comment Brett made at dinner. Gatsby had never been that type of man. I still recall the woman he would talk about back in our time of service. I lay there awake, listening to the faintest of noises in the now-quiet house.
I woke up around noon and found a clean set of clothes set out on the trunk at the foot of my bed. I put the clothes on and descended from my room to where I thought the dining room would be. When I arrived I saw Gatsby and Brett already sitting down, nearly done with their eggs benedict.
"Good morning, Jake."
"It's a pleasure for you to finally join us."
"We thought we'd let you sleep in, dear, you seemed exhausted after the party."
The glow of daylight through the large bay windows couldn't quite match the glow coming from Brett and Gatsby. I was famished and Gatsby called for my breakfast to be made. The three of us sat there together and fresh coffee was brought out for me as I waited for my breakfast.
"It's good seeing you again, Jake. Brett tells me you've been doing well."
"Life has settled into its routine. Traveling a bit doesn't hurt. I'm looking forward to seeing some more of the countryside and whatnot."
"Feel free to stay as long as you'd like." Gatsby made a quick glance to Brett who was somewhat anxious sitting there.
"I think I'll take a walk," said Brett, standing up.
"Would you like any company?"
"That's quite alright, dear. I will be right back."
The closeness between Gatsby and Brett irked me. Many times in the past have I come to Brett's aid in a way. I didn't accompany her on this trip for her to sleep around with even more men.
"Jay," I said, "this place you've got is mighty fine."
"I'm glad you think so."
"You should probably know what Brett and I are really here for."
"And what is that, old sport?"
"Well, assuming Brett let her walls down for you, you should know Brett has acquired a life-threatening STD. It's likely she gave it to you as well." Gatsby sat uncomfortably in his chair, unsure of how to respond. "We came looking for a good time and someone who might be able to help her. If she is dying it'd be wise not to get tangled up in her life." At that moment Gatsby stood and one of the butlers walked in with my food.
"I'm quite sorry to hear," was all he said before leaving the dining room.
After I finished my breakfast and my coffee turned sour in my mouth, I found Brett sitting outside on the dock.
"What would you like to do today, my love?" She appeared lost in her thoughts. "Brett?" I said, reaching out to her shoulder. She jumped a little at my touch.
"Oh. Good afternoon, Jake. I thought you could take a day to relax. Gatsby invited me to go boating with him later today. I thought it might be a fun time."
"Alright, I'll spend some time in the city today. You two have fun."
I left, fairly disappointed and a bit too angry with Brett. I knew she was trying to live the only way she knows. In New York I found myself walking around aimlessly. The streets were hot and the pavement dirty. I walked up and down Fifth Avenue and eventually found myself in Central Park. The trees seemed dirty too. The air smelled like cigarettes and grass. I'd been walking for hours and decided to find myself a place for lunch. I found a small cafe on Park Avenue and picked up a newspaper. A young man with a thin mustache and slicked back hair approached me and handed me a menu,
"Is there anything I can get started for you?"
"Coffee, please."
"Alright," he said with a fake smile, "and I will give you a few minutes to look over the menu." He left swiftly and gestured for a waitress to bring me coffee. The waitress was a plain young woman but wore bright red lipstick and had cropped brunette hair. She smiled at me with coffee pot in hand and placed my white ceramic mug on the table. She carefully poured my coffee,
"Thanks."
"No problem," she said with a quick smile.
I sat there for some time, having picked up a newspaper I sat there pretending to read. Trying to read and thinking about Brett and Gatsby.
The rest of the day passed with little excitement. I walked down crowded sidewalks and sidewalks which had only me on them. Past shiny storefront windows and cheap restaurants windows flooding the atmosphere with their greasy odor. The streetlamps were beginning to turn on and I hailed a cab to take me back to Gatsby's. Sitting down I hadn't realized how much my feet hurt from all the walking.
Gatsby's house was dark and much quieter than the night before.
"How much do I owe you?"
"Dollar fifty," the driver said in a husky tenor. I patted my pocket for my wallet and found it missing. Without trying to show too much panic I patted down all my pockets and my wallet was nowhere to be found.
"I can't find my wallet, but I've got money inside. Do you mind if I run in?" The driver glared. "I will be right back." I ran inside the house and found Brett sitting in the foyer.
"Good evening Brett, you haven't got a dollar fifty on you I could borrow? I seemed to have misplaced my wallet." She didn't look at me.
"You told him."
"What?"
"You told Gatsby about my disease."
"Brett dear, I've got a cab waiting outside and the meter is running."
"Why would you do that, Jake? What good does that do you?"
"I haven't got time for this. Do you have money? If not, do you know where Gatsby is?"
"Damn it, Jake!"
"I'm just trying to find money for the cab!"
"Jake, Gatsby and I really hit it off and now he wants nothing to do with me."
"Maybe that's for the best."
"I'm a big girl, darling, I can make my own decisions." Gatsby had our luggage brought and I realized I had the rest of my travel money in my suitcase. I started for my room, "Maybe we really aren't too great together. Gatsby said he was willing to help me get medical attention."
"Well, it looks like you don't need me here anymore." I could feel my face burning. Brett had a bit of a slur in her voice and I noticed a few empty bottles of wine near her.
"You know I need you, darling."
"I think you're better off without me." I went to my room and grabbed my suitcase and money. When I'd come back down Brett was gone. I hopped back in the cab and told them to take me to the train station.
"Grand Central? No problem."