Mr. & Mrs. Buchanan

Chapter 4

East Egg. Old money. Old values.

Nicole was in a dreamy daze, humming as the houses passed by. She was absolutely bewitched by the man who had caught her trespassing poolside, and the rest of the morning floated by in a haze. She had to keep herself grounded now and again, but it never lasted. Nicky reminded herself that she'd have to see him again, even if only to complete her painting of him. She would try to busy herself, cleaning her dishes or picking out the perfect outfit for a party, but Jay Gatsby had stolen her thoughts, and Nicole hardly noticed her ride coming to a screeching halt.

"Watch it! We have to keep the greens in tip top shape for tomorrow's tournament." A burly voice stole her from her thoughts.

"I'm quite sorry, sir." The driver implored, turning from the man to face Nicole in the backseat. "We've landed, Miss." He offered a grin, and she nodded with a small smile. Looking down at her timepiece, it sat at a quarter to seven.

Opening the door lightly, she watched as it swung open to reveal Tom Buchanan, the sun shining down on his chestnut hair, which was sticking to his forehead. It was hot in the summer sun, and even Nicky was feeling the heat this late in the day. A deep set line in his eyebrow eased as he caught sight of her, and he took a small step back.

Now, Nicole knew that she was going to need to impress seeing that she would be in East Egg for the evening, and she pulled out all the stops to see her princess cousin and her well manicured husband. Nicole's hair was half up to keep it free from her face, but half down to enjoy the curls she had set earlier in the day. A loose rosey pink dress fell below her knees, the soft color complimenting her cheeks. Her eyes were bright, competing with the brightness of the freshly maintained grass.

"Mr. Buchanan." Nicole smiled, throwing her excess hair behind her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he began, brushing a hand through his muddled locks. "but have we met?"

A bright grin crept upon Nicole's face, and she couldn't help but let out a laugh! "Indeed we have. But I'm afraid to say that your wedding day was quite the bustle; I shouldn't be so surprised you don't remember me. I'm Nicole Carraway, sir. Daisy's cousin."

"My Daisy?" His eyes grew wide in disbelief. He held out his hand for Nicole to grab, and she gingerly swung out of the buggy. She noticed as his hand was slow to release hers. "Cousins? Really?"

"Why? Do you not believe me?" She grinned, patting down her dress from the slight breeze rustling by.

"Well I hate to say this, but I imagined Nicky to be, well, a man!" He laughed, disbelief dancing in his eyes. He cleared his throat. "I must say that it is a rather welcome surprise. Welcome to my home." He concluded, placing a chaste kiss on her hand as she held in out for a handshake.

Tom walked Nicole through the palace with ease, showing of his trophies without an ounce of humility. He was clearly a proud man.

"Now, Daisy mentioned that you live across the bay. Is that true?" He pondered, walking ahead of her at a leisurely pace.

"You betcha." She chimed without missing a beat, but paused with a gasp as she looked out through a ginormous bay window overlooking the bay. She was bewitched.

"It's an absolute marvel!" She beamed lightly, causing Tom to laugh. She could see her house from here! Turning, Tom wasn't looking out the window, but he was looking at her. Perhaps it was Mr. Buchanan who was bewitched. She cleared her throat, capturing his gaze before pointing out the window.

"That is my humble abode." Nicole beamed, watching as John squinted his eyes.

"Your husband should be ashamed! A dame like yourself? How could he settle on such a small home?"

It took a moment for Nicole to compose herself; she wasn't expecting such a reaction.

"Oh Tom, you don't quite understand. That is my home." She piped up, hands on her hips. "I live there on my own. I have no claim to a man, no husband." His eyes beamed with something hidden. Perhaps he was impressed? Embarrassed? He could hardly fathom a woman of her stature to be a free woman. Looking to her left hand confirmed her words; there was no ring.

"I-I see." He nodded, still at a loss for words. "Please forgive me, I did not know."

"No fuss." Nicole smiled warmly. "Now, where is that cousin of mine?"

They continued through the house until they heard a bout of laughter a few doors down the hall. Without a word John looked back to Nicky, a twinkle in his eye. He held a finger up to his lips, indicating them to be quiet, before pushing open the doors. White curtains flew about the room like doves, masking Nicky's view. She found herself spinning; the room was beautiful. Another spell of laughter brought her out of her thoughts.

"Is that what they are calling high fashion? I wouldn't put that on a wet cat!" Another laugh. Nicky smiled, stepping into the room. From behind the lavish couch she spotted her dear cousin, her eyes widening in recognition.

"Is that you, my darling one?"

Daisy always had a way with words, and her endearing welcome brought a pink tint to Nicky's cheeks.

"Oh, Nicky, it is you! I'm paralyzed with happiness." She confirmed, standing with a stumble. She noticed the champagne flute in Daisy's hand, a silent laugh passing her lips. So much for prohibition.

"Where did all your hair run off to?" Nicole laughed, admiring her cousin's new do.

"Oh phoey, it's just hair! Besides, Tom likes it like this, don't you Tom?" she turned, and Tom straightened up and nodded to Daisy with hesitation. He was distracted, his thoughts elsewhere. "Tell me, do they miss me in Chicago?"

"Everyone is in mourning. They hardly know how to function; the streets are deserted!" Nicole jested. In truth, the town was probably much better off without the bouncy blonde!

"Oh Nicole, I'm speechless. You look like an absolute rose - doesn't she look like a rose?" Daisy beamed, pulling Nicole into a light hug.

"Yeah, if you like the Mrs. Grundy look." a fourth voice cackled. Turning, Nicky let go of Daisy to give the tight wad a piece of her mind.

"Oh, what a wet blanket you are Jordan." Daisy pouted, scrunching at her dress with her fingers. "Nicole, this is Jordan Baker, a very famous golfer." She introduced offhandedly, roaming the room and brushing her hands through the soft curtains.

"It's a pleasure, I'm sure." Jordan spoke through a sideways glance in Nicole's direction, lighting up a smoke.

"Charmed." Nicky's voice was clipped, and she squinted her eyes at Miss Baker. Something was off about her; she was a real flat tire.

They were all chased into the dining hall a quarter after seven, and the sun was still blazing down into the room with a palpable edge. Drinks flowed from their cups to their lips at an extreme rate, Nicky feeling the effects much quicker than she'd admit to. They talked about their wild successes, their sports championships, their power in New York. Much of Tom's money had come from his parents, old money. Daisy was along for the ride, and Jordan too, but Nicole quickly fell out of place. She could barely afford her cottage for the six month lease she had signed on for, let alone the lavish lifestyle the others in the room lived. She would have to work; there was no other option.

Daisy chatted away, looking for any opportunity to show off her husband, her clothes, her family. Nicole raised a brow. Daisy had a daughter? When did that happen?

Jordan drank and smoked and was merry, and she didn't make any more nasty remarks on Nicole's outfit. Occasionally she would look over though, and Nicky didn't know whether to avoid it or acknowledge it.

Tom was the big cheese, the man of the house. He was the brains and the brawn as he put it, and Daisy was the beauty. He was going on about one of the parties he had been to in the city before the others spoke up.

"I've been to some of those parties." Jordan drawled out in a teasing way. "They hardly compare to the parties in West Egg."

"West Egg is full of trouble, Jordan." Tom scolded, and then shifted his gaze to Nicole. "No offence, of course. New wealth means new problems. Drug lords and mobsters and gamblers run in West Egg. It's a place filled with Moll's and Hoofers."

"Oh, I think you've got it all wrong, Thomas. You must have never been to one of Mr. Gatsby's parties." Jordan laughed haughtily. "It's an absolute dream. Oh, you must know Gatsby."

"Gatsby?" Daisy exhaled, holding her breath a moment longer. "What Gatsby?"

Nicole hardly noticed how breathless that Daisy was, and instead took a sip of her drink with a grin. For the first time that night she would have something exciting to add to their conversation.

"He's my neighbor." She spoke lightly, turning back towards Jordan and Tom. "Perhaps we'll have to go to one of his parties." She suggested, a nod of keen approval from the both of them.

Daisy was on the verge of excusing herself when the phone rang, and suddenly the tables had turned. As both Buchanan's stormed out of the room Jordan had filled her in on the affair. Something about family values falling away, about making it look like a dollhouse life. Tom had a beautiful wife, a family. Nicky's stomach clenched in apprehension.

"You think she'd have the courtesy not to call at dinner time, wouldn't you say so?" Jordan steamed, throwing her napkin down. Dinner was ruined!

As the night went on Nicole had found a moment of peace with Daisy, and the two stared out over the balcony to the dark water below. Daisy was tired of the facade, leaning against her cousin in a drunken haze.

"How did I get here, Nicky?" Daisy frowned. "This is the perfect life, isn't it? I have my looks, my money, my husband. Shouldn't it be a dream?"

Nicole didn't speak for a moment, after all what could she say? She hardly had the experience to divulge any knowledge about marriage, about men. She didn't have the money or resources to snap her fingers at a whim and make things appear. She didn't have the power that Daisy had. Would her input even make a difference?

"But are you happy?" Nicole asked, squeezing her cousin's hand. Happiness, Nicky decided. It would be happiness that she would have to lean on. Daisy didn't answer, but sighed looking out over the water.

"I hope my daughter will be a fool." Noticing Nicky's confusion she continued. "That's the best thing a girl in this world can be. A beautiful little fool."

Daisy's words resounded with Nicky through the night, even as they were saying their goodbyes. Daisy was a result of her environment. As Nicky walked back up her stairs to the cottage, she shook her head. There had to be another way. She sat on her porch a while longer, contemplating her cousin's words as she watched cars leave the party next door. Her thoughts were muddled, messy. She thought of her father's letter, of her father. He was an incredible man an Nicky missed him dearly.

In her younger and more vulnerable years he had given her some advice that she had been turning over in her head ever since.

"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told her, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages that you've had."

Her father's words made her content, and Nicole called it a night.

Look, it's late. It's 12:30 in the morning, and I have no idea what came over me, but it's time for an update. Thank you tremendously for the incredible feedback and reviews, and lets get this story back under way before the 2020's are upon us! I hope the memorial day weekend was one of celebration and remembrance, and that the week ahead is an absolute treat! Best, Crimsonsky132