The Satin Sash

By Sheldon Friedman

published by CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS
CLASSIC Imprint

THE SATIN SASH
After the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in 1941, American lives change dramatically. The Satin Sash continues the breathtaking lives of Travis Kane, Lindsay Wayne and Jean-Paul Renault with all the inherent dangers of the French Resistance, President Roosevelt’s live or die missions, and death defying action when German spies secretly enter the US through it’s ports. A wedding reception and the lives of Travis Kane and his family are thrown into chaos as America enters World War II.
The Satin Sash is set against the explosive backgrounds of New York, France, London and Ireland. Travis Kane becomes President Roosevelt’s tool in bringing one of the world’s most famous paintings to New York. Racial tensions surface. A famous black activist enters politics and an actress makes choices in the face of heartbreaking tragedy. A public enemy serves his country in wartime and a black artist becomes famous. When a baby is born the future shows promise.
With tension, suspense and surprising plot twists, we continue to follow the lives of the people we loved in The Velvet Prison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS
• Release date: Apr 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370058143

Sheldon Friedman

Sheldon Friedman, a resident of Colorado, recently retired as a practicing lawyer. He is also a playwright, having his play The Long Goodbye performed at a local theater in 2010. A recent play is in the hands of a producer and another play is to be produced in 2016. A former college lecturer on legal topics, he has been writing short stories, plays and novels since the age of ten.

Book preview

THE SATIN SASH

After the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in 1941, American lives change dramatically. The Satin Sash continues the breathtaking lives of Travis Kane, Lindsay Wayne and Jean-Paul Renault with all the inherent dangers of the French Resistance, President Roosevelt’s live or die missions, and death defying action when German spies secretly enter the US through it’s ports. A wedding reception and the lives of Travis Kane and his family are thrown into chaos as America enters World War II.

The Satin Sash is set against the explosive backgrounds of New York, France, London and Ireland. Travis Kane becomes President Roosevelt’s tool in bringing one of the world’s most famous paintings to New York. Racial tensions surface. A famous black activist enters politics and an actress makes choices in the face of heartbreaking tragedy. A public enemy serves his country in wartime and a black artist becomes famous. When a baby is born the future shows promise.

With tension, suspense and surprising plot twists, we continue to follow the lives of the people we loved in The Velvet Prison.

SEQUEL TO

THE VELVET PRISON

Against the pulsating back drop of a New York City in social and economic change, young Travis Kane struggles with his passion become a painter and the conservative demands of his strict grandfather, Barclay Kane.

His mother, unable to come to terms with tragedy, has taken Travis’s infant sister Lindsay, and left their house in Gramercy Park. Travis is abandoned and raised by the grandfather he adores.

Travis has a unique idea that will change his life, leading him on an exciting journey, meeting Manhattan’s privileged, studying art in Paris and, finding his way to Broadway. Meanwhile Lindsay’s mother has a secret and a passion. Her daughter must become a famous stage actress..

When Lindsay and Travis’s worlds collide … their lives are never the same again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sheldon Friedman, a resident of Colorado, recently retired as a practicing lawyer. He is also a playwright having his play The Long Goodbye performed at a local theater in 2010. A recent play is in the hands of a producer and another play is to be produced in 2016.

A former college lecturer on legal topics, he has been writing short stories, plays and novels since the age of ten.

Copyright © 2017 Sheldon Edward Friedman

Published by

CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS

Asia’s Global Print & Digital Publisher

CLASSIC imprint

Cover Image: The original image in the public domain may

be attributable to Robert Holzac, and has been recolored

THE SATIN SASH

A Novel

by

Sheldon Friedman

To my sons Brad and David who outgrew my lap, but never my heart.

Part ONE

1941

‘I shall say it again and again and again. Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.’

Franklin D. Roosevelt

October 30, 1940

ONE

When Travis Kane hung his painting of Trinity Church in Nick's speakeasy many years ago, he had no idea he'd be married in the same church in December of 1941. The Monday following Thanksgiving, Travis and Maggie were bundled in heavy coats after they left their meeting with Father Christi. Travis saw his breath as they walked down Wall Street.

Travis unhooked Maggie’s arm from his and kissed her on the cheek. Her face was cool like a chilled white wine. ‘I know it’s freezing cold,’ he said.

They decided on a small wedding since extravagance was on neither of their minds and Maggie wanted to be married in a church. Travis raised no objection.

‘Give me a moment,’ ‘Travis said.

He turned and faced the front of the church. Even in the frigid air his eyes filled with moisture staring at the Gothic Revival structure remembering the difficulty he had in his original sketch of the 280 foot spire. It seemed to lean a bit to the left and when he adjusted the lines it favored the right. His frustration eased when he hit the right pitch. He felt the balance even when closing his eyes which dropped to the three bronze doors designed by Richard Morris. Contrary to the harshness of the façade the inside was warm and graceful, lighted by the elegance of the stained-glass wall behind the altar. He was fascinated by the replica of the Hamilton-Burr duel pistols in the small museum at the end of one of the aisles.

‘I don’t know about you, Darling,’ Maggie said interrupting his reverie, ‘but I’m freezing my…’

‘…Me too,’ he said putting his arm around her. ‘What kind of people get married in December?’

‘Eskimos?’

She snuggled close to him as they began to walk.

‘Well who else?’ he said.

‘Us,’ she answered.

He threw his arm around her shoulders.

He took Maggie to her apartment and drove further uptown to his studio on 70th at Madison. His law office was a few blocks away. Travis was closing his practice slowly according to Maggie, but closing it he was. True to his word he will devote full time to painting and he will always be a lawyer. He will miss his Labor Law practice but then he never really wanted to be a lawyer. ‘Just one of life’s paradoxes,’ he thought. The Gimbel’s strike in August was his last case. The final chapter he liked to call it. At least that’s what Jean-Paul called it. Partnering with Jean-Paul in their new art gallery and studio was one of the best things that happened next to Maggie finally agreeing to marry him. It was a struggle between two stubborn personalities and he had to admit Maggie won. She wouldn’t have him until he chose between his law practice and his art. Choosing painting was an expensive decision.

He didn’t forget his grandfather’s Will specifying in effect he would lose his inheritance if he pursued painting instead of becoming a lawyer. He became a lawyer but his passion was painting. He couldn’t fault Maggie who detected his inner turmoil and wasn’t willing to spend the rest of her life with a man who was indecisive.

‘The choice is all yours,’ she said.

Finally, he knew what he wanted to do. It came to him like a lightning bolt during a rain storm but he agreed to handle the Gimbel’s matter before closing his doors. Maggie and her aunt Morgan Whitcomb planned their December wedding quickly probably thinking he might change his mind, but he was at peace with himself and the world. Poorer but happy he kept telling himself.

The Gimbel case took a lot out of him. Who would have thought a strike would take place at Gimbel’s, New York’s famous department store? The employees wanted a forty hour week and Gimbel’s offered a raise with a forty-two hour week. The workers didn’t give in and called for a strike. Travis tried to reason with Louis Broido in charge of Gimbel’s employee relations, but matters got out of hand. Even Mayor La Guardia couldn’t forestall the inevitable and Travis blamed himself in part for missing something in handling the negotiations as their lawyer. If there was any glimmer of sunlight, Maggie purchased her wedding dress at Gimbel’s before the strike.

Shivering from the cold he entered the Travis-Paul Art Gallery named after his deceased grandfather who was probably spinning in his grave. Inside he breathed a sigh of relief as the warm air surrounded him like comforting arms as he greeted the smiling face of his business partner Jean-Paul Renault. Smiling and smelling of French cologne he stepped in front of Travis while Travis removed his wool muffler and coat.

‘Jesus, Jean-Paul. What do you have to be so happy about? Germany is occupying Paris, not more than five people have stepped into our gallery since it opened and I’m wondering every day what’s going on between you and Lindsay.’

‘Ah, mon amie, so much on your mind. And your sister is a busy person as she likes to say. I guess I should be the cynic but today…today I am happy, not about Paris, of course.’ After the fire and her mother’s death, Lindsay threw herself into her work. Travis grieved as well as he could for his mother but Lindsay seemed in denial. No one will ever know why his mother set fire to the house in Gramercy Park or whether she tried to escape. Did she purposely let her life go up in smoke?

‘Get to it, Jean-Paul. I need a cup of coffee.’

Travis walked around Jean-Paul heading for the back kitchen area, discreetly positioned behind a wall of paintings. The wooden floor echoed Jean-Paul’s footsteps as he followed close behind. With a stab of guilt in his chest he regretted his sharp tone with his friend and teacher. The days he spent with Jean-Paul in his Paris studio seemed ages ago. He poured a cup of coffee and turned to the still smiling face.

‘All right, I’m sorry. It’s cold out.’

Jean-Paul poured himself a cup of coffee and they sat at a small table in the center of the room.

‘I know you haven’t forgotten that Lindsay and I are giving you your honeymoon trip as a wedding gift,’ he said.

‘Of course not. Where are we going?

‘It’s still a surprise. Did you think your sour disposition would loosen my tongue? The location will remain a secret until after the ceremony but Lindsay and I decided the two of you should have enough information to pack properly,’ Jean-Paul said.

‘I don’t like surprises,’ Travis said.

‘Serious types usually don’t,’ Jean-Paul said. He sipped his coffee. ‘I’ve handled the whole thing since Lindsay’s in rehearsals. I’m surprised she’s having dinner with us tonight. ‘

‘Oh, for God’s sake!’

Jean-Paul laughed. ‘All right. All right. Pack warm clothes for a warm climate, ocean views and sandy beaches.’

Travis sat in thought a few seconds. ‘Well, that narrows it down.’

Supper was at Le Pavilion, The Fifth Avenue restaurant started at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It was run by Henri Soule, a friend of Jean-Paul. Its French food was superb. Jean-Paul spent six weeks in a Paris cooking school with its chef, Pierre Franey. Maggie and Travis sat across from Lindsay and Jean-Paul who had his arm casually across Lindsay’s shoulders. Travis noticed she didn’t seem to mind. Maggie held Travis’s hand. Travis was puzzled by Lindsay and her relationship with Jean-Paul. She seemed to like him a lot but when they were together she often appeared indifferent and uncaring. He didn’t doubt Jean-Paul’s intentions. He was an open book, his heart always on his sleeve. Jean-Paul lifted his wine glass.

‘A toast to Maggie and Travis,’ he said. Lindsay and Travis raised their wine glasses. Maggie raised her water glass. Wine gave her a headache. ‘I bet you didn’t know that wedding toasts began in France. Bread was placed in a glass of wine and the glass passed around. The first person to get the bread also got good luck. Since then a wedding toast always meant best of luck.’

‘You made that up Jean-Paul. That means the person sitting next to the wine glass holder always had good luck.’ Lindsay said.

‘How can you be such a good actress with so little imagination?’

‘All right, you make the toast… and be serious for a change.’

‘I can do this Cheri.’ Jean-Paul said. He stood and raised his glass. ‘Accept that one day you’re the pigeon and another you’re the statue.’

‘That’s why I drink water,’ Maggie said.

‘What’s the matter with you, Jean-Paul?’ Lindsay said.

‘Ah, life is good, we’re having fun and there is love in the air,’ Jean-Paul said.

‘That’s the escargot.’ Travis looked at Maggie who seemed far away having a quiet moment. ‘What’s the matter?’ he whispered.

Lindsay grabbed her hand, ‘What is it, honey?’

‘I miss my parents. When the car accident took them both, part of my life went with them. My father would have given me away at the ceremony.’ she said.

‘You were so young when they died, Maggie. You told me once you hardly remember them.’

‘It’s just that at times like this everything should be perfect.’

‘I know,’ Travis said, thinking of his mother. She would not have added much to the event, but the memory of her death lingers in the air. He looked at Lindsay. When she met his eyes, he knew she was having the same thought. He smiled at his sister while brushing a shock of black hair off his brow.

Changing the subject, Maggie asked, ‘Lindsay, have you ever thought of changing your last name back to Kane?

‘Probably too late,’ she said. ‘Wayne looks better to me on the marquees. At least when my mother changed our names, Wayne rhymed with Kane. I’ll leave it at that. And…well that’s another story.’ Turning to Jean-Paul, she asked, ‘What do you hear from home?’

Jean Paul’s face darkened. The German’s had occupied Paris for six months and communicating with his family and friends is problematic. ‘It’s difficult for them to get word to me.’ He drummed his fingers on the table.

Travis knew his friend well and his early evening gaiety was a departure from a usually serious persona. Their eyes met and Travis had a sinking feeling in his stomach. ‘What is it?’

‘I guess tonight is as good a time as any my friends. Of course I’ll take care of the gallery while you two are on your honeymoon but I need to go home.’

‘You are home,’ Lindsay said.

‘You know what I mean. I need to do something for my people.’

‘Travis and I can take care of the gallery. Believe me, things are slow at the New York Foundation and I have time on my hands.’

Travis added, ‘To be frank not a lot of people are scooping up art in the gallery. The war scare doesn’t favor the arts.’

‘I won’t leave before the wedding. It’s just a few days away.’

‘Excuse me,’ Lindsay said pushing back her chair. ‘I need to go to the lady’s room.’

*****

TWO

Lindsay lived in a spacious studio apartment with a reasonable rent off West 38th street. Most of the Broadway theaters were within walking distance. She saved some money since her mother’s death and the sale of what was left of the house on Gramercy Park after the fire. Travis shared with her what was left of their grandfather’s estate. She hadn’t lived alone since Minnie Maddern Fiske, her mentor and friend died years ago. Her finances were stable but her love life not so. She sat on the edge of her bed with the evening’s supper conversation echoing in her mind.

Lindsay was attracted to Jean-Paul and she felt the chemistry between them. They spent a lot of time together, well not so much since the gallery opened, but they were a recognizable couple. Yet her stage career came first. If there was one thing Minnie had taught her it was to put aside the buttons and bows and go for the satin sash. She knew her selfishness was the reason she didn’t encourage Jean-Paul’s attention and now she was losing him, maybe for good. Also, in the back of her mind she realized the experience with her late, abusive husband; Gino Carelli deadened a piece of her heart. She has intimacy issues and she knows she tries the patience of her hot-blooded Frenchman. Lindsay removed her clothes and crawled into bed. She’d sort it out after tomorrow’s stage rehearsal. Yet the tug in the pit of her stomach remained constant; a nagging, unwanted ache.

As soon as Gimbel’s opened the following morning Lindsay rushed into the Bridal Department for a final fitting. As Maggie’s maid of honor, she was wearing a light pink crepe silk dress with a hooped skirt. The color accentuated her long blond hair which she would have to shorten for her part as the maid in, Angel Street, opening December 1. With Maggie and Travis’s wedding she had a lot on her plate. The seamstress was efficient, but slow. She remembered how fast her mother worked back stage when time was short. She didn’t want to be late to rehearsal.

The part of the maid was important to the plot although Lindsay appeared in only one scene. The play about a conniving husband trying to drive his wife mad received a lot of pre-opening publicity. The interaction between the maid and the husband was important in fixing the husband’s character. He was played by a tall angular Vincent Price. His character leered at her when she spoke her lines and she knew the link between them would be unmistakable to the audience. Advance ticket sales were brisk. She looked at her wrist watch noting she was fifteen minutes late, as she entered the stage door of the John Golden Theater.

After rehearsal Lindsay went over a few notes made by the director Shepard Traube concerning the way she walked across the stage. Upon leaving her dressing room she heard a familiar voice call her.

‘Hold up a minute Lindsay.’ She turned and smiled at Vincent Price as he struggled into his overcoat.’ Can we talk? Have a cup of coffee with me.’ He finally settled into his coat with a smile between mustache and goatee.

Lindsay was nervous because they hadn’t said more than a few words to one another except for stage dialogue. Yet she smiled broadly and told him a cup of coffee sounded good.

‘Aren’t rehearsals tiring?’ she said. She felt foolish but Vincent’s smile was reassuring and she did want to get to know him better. They started rehearsals recently and the cast was still a bit tentative with one another. Although, Lindsay took an immediate liking to Leo G. Carroll who made the cast feel comfortable from day one. He played the part of a police inspector.

‘I love every minute,’ Vincent said as he held the door.

‘Thank you,’ she said. Where to?’

‘Let’s go across the street to the deli. I don’t have much time. I’m supposed to meet my wife, and our son. Edie wants to do a bit of early Christmas shopping.’

Vincent held her arm as they crossed the street and entered the warmth of the deli. Lindsay loved the smell of a delicatessen, fresh bread, pastrami and beer. They sat at a table near the kitchen. Lindsay took off her gloves and Price tossed his coat over a chair.

They ordered coffee.

‘I’ll get to it,’ Price said. ‘Your brother is Travis Kane?’

Lindsay hesitated, ‘Why yes. Yes, he is. Why do you ask? I mean I didn’t know… I guess,’ she faltered.

‘I’m an art enthusiast and I overheard backstage discussion about a Travis Kane, the lawyer, and someone mentioned he was also an artist. I don’t know all the details. Anyway, art is my passion and when I heard he had a gallery on Madison Avenue I couldn’t wait to get more information