Chapter 37

En Route to New York
Between Ithaca and New York City
1936

Why sir most ladies consider it rude if you stare. But, I take it as a complimentary”. She said it with a charming southern yet aristocratic drawl. “Now don’t you dare apologize,” she laughed.

Franklin Wilder was caught dead to rights.

He was taking the train from Ithaca to the City. The young Cornell student was on his way to see Sebastian for the weekend and to stay at the Gramercy Park house. The two had a big weekend planned. They were going to the 21 Club for dinner and Pete’s Tavern for drinks. Not only was Pete’s one of the oldest bars in the city but it was situated in their Gramercy Park Neighborhood. The highlight of the weekend was to see the new review of the Ziegfeld Follies at the Winter Garden Theatre. It was all the sensation and the young men did not want to miss out. Sebastian had secured third row center orchestra seats.

Franklin blushed and introduced himself to the young woman. All the time, he kept thinking that she was perhaps the most stunning young woman he had ever seen. She had blonde hair fashioned in soft waves, which was the ultimate fashion. Her eyes were hypnotic. They were the color of iced celadon. Her skin was flawless and radiant as alabaster.

She was too beautiful to be real.

Her name was Sarah Louise Mills. She was born and raised in Macon. Her family was one of the founding families in the city. They owned numerous businesses and almost three-quarters of the downtown.

Macon was a few hours away from his home in Savannah, and knowledge of the Mills family was common. They were pillars of the community and the bedrock of the First Presbyterian Church of Macon.

Mr. Mills had sent his daughter to school in Ithaca to get her away from a young man that she was surreptitiously seeing. She had met him at the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Havana on holiday with her parents. He followed her to Macon.

Her father did not consider it a suitable match. Although the young man came from a wealthy family, he did not meet Mr. Mills’ standard. Actually, no man ever could.

Sarah was to spend the weekend with two of her girlfriends from Hungary, Rosie and Jenny. They were better known as the Dolly sisters. The vivacious pair were under contract with Flo Ziegfeld and were living in The Dakota on 72nd Street. “Daddy would just die if he knew. He does not approve of the stage at all. The truth of the matter is that I met Mr. Ziegfeld when were all having dinner at L’Aiglon. He told me he wanted me in the review! Can you believe it?? I told him I don’t dance or sing but he did not seem to care one iota. He said I could be an extra in the chorus line!”

Franklin replied, “Are you talking about the review at the Winter Garden Theatre this weekend? My friend and I have tickets for it!”

Really! she exclaimed. How wonderful. After the show, you must come to the back door and bring me flowers! You will be my first Back Door Johnny. It will be thrilling. We can all go to dinner afterwards at the 21 Club. You are buying of course, she chuckled.

My new beau is out of town, actually out of the country. He is in Argentina buying aluminum for his family’s business in England. Funny, I know when he talks, he is speaking English, but his accent is so heavy. He is not much to look at and he is a bit of a bore, but I do adore him. Did I mention he is filthy rich? His parents were very upset when they found out he was dating a “show girl.” Why, I am on my way to being a scandal on two continents!”

Sara continued, “all this talk is making me as parched as the Sahara. Let’s go to the Club Car and have Champagne and Oysters. I truly think there is no other beverage on Earth. I have a glass first thing when I wake up!”

Franklin was under her trance. He could not do anything but what she said. As they were making their way to the Club Car, he told her he was on his way to see his friend Sebastian D’Alba who was also from Havana. Sebastian, she exclaimed! Why he is the older brother of my old beau, Matias. Franklin was shocked. Sarah continued, if he is half as handsome as Matias, he must be one beautiful man!

Franklin smiled. It was going to be a fascinating weekend.

Oysters Paskevich

INGREDIENTS

1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 c. butter, cubed
1 package (9 ounces) fresh spinach, torn
1 c. grated Romano cheese
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp pepper
2 lbs kosher salt
3 dozen fresh oysters in the shell, washed

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until tender. Add spinach; cook and stir until wilted. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese, lemon juice and pepper.
Spread kosher salt into 2 ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Shuck oysters reserving oyster and its liquid in bottom shell. Lightly press oyster shells down into the salt, using salt to keep oysters level. Top each with 2-1/2 tsp. spinach mixture.
Bake, uncovered, at 450° until oysters are plump, 6-8 minutes. Serve immediately.
4. Serve with Sauce made from Coastal Catsup Cocktail Sauce (see Below)