Free A PORTRAIT OF OLIVIA by J.P. Bowie Page A

much fun.” She pointed to a photograph of one of the many beautiful men and women. “That’s me there.”
    Peter took a closer look at the image of a young and pretty Winifred, wearing a one-piece bathing suit, her smile vivacious, her arm around the waist of a handsome young man.
    “That’s Rob Francis,” she explained. “He was my favorite of them all—such a gentleman. He would have been a great actor if only he had lived.”
    “What happened to him?”
    “He died doing one of his own stunts. He loved to do the dangerous stuff himself…said it made him feel worthy, somehow. His luck just ran out on him that day, though.” Winifred looked at Peter, wiping a tear from her eye. “I still have a hard time realizing he’s not around. He was so vibrant, so alive.”
    “You were close…?”
    “Mmm…we were teamed by the studio to be seen out on dates. Rob was so good-looking, some of the bosses said he looked gay, so he needed to be seen with a girl on his arm.”
    “ Was he gay?”
    “No. At least not with me.” She giggled again, her good humor returning.
    “We were very naughty you see. When we were working together, I would spend a lot of time in his trailer.” Her eyes sparkled at the memory. “He was so wonderful…”
    Peter realized he could spend a lot of time here, listening to Winifred remi-niscing, but Olivia would not take kindly to his being late. “Sorry, Miss Owen,”
    he said. “I must be going…”

    J.P. Bowie
    47
    “Oh, of course,” Winifred pouted. “Can’t keep the Dragon Lady waiting.”
    Peter chuckled. “You were going to show me a picture of your brother…”
    “Yes, he’s right here. He and Eduardo.” She handed him a gold metal-framed photograph of two young men smiling happily for the camera. Winifred had said he and Jeff reminded her of her brother and his friend, but apart from the fact that one was fair and the other dark haired, he could not see any resemblance.
    Almost as if she had read his mind, Winifred said; “It’s not as though you and your friend look like them so much, it’s just that your obvious happiness reminded me of the good days when we were all so happy together.”
    “Were they in movies too?”
    “Eduardo was a stunt man and Chris, my brother, a sound technician. I was dating Eduardo and introduced them.” She took the picture from Peter’s hand and looked at it fondly. “I can still see the look on their faces as they shook hands. It was as if I had just disappeared. They had fallen in love right in front of me.”
    “How did you feel about that? Didn’t you say you and Eduardo were dating?”
    “Oh yes, but in those days lots of gay men dated women. Peer pressure and all that.” She gave a little laugh. “From what I read in the tabloids some of them still do… Anyhoo , that was the start of it, and they were together till the day they died.”
    “What happened?”
    “A skiing accident,” she replied, her voice suddenly bitter. “A stupid, stupid accident that should never have happened. But at least they had many good years together. I hope you and your friend are as happy as they were.”
    “Thank you,” Peter murmured, touched by the woman’s sincerity. “Jeff and I are very happy.”
    “I know.” She smiled up at him. “Now, I mustn’t keep you any longer, or that woman’s rage will be terrible.”
    Peter laughed and gave her a gentle hug. “It’s been a pleasure, Miss Owen.
    You’ve brightened my day considerably.”
    “It’s Winifred…and you must visit me again. Please bring Jeff—I would love to meet him too.”
    “I will,” Peter assured her as he left.
    Olivia’s penthouse was a sea of activity when Joyce ushered him into the living room.

    J.P. Bowie
    48
    “There you are!” Olivia stood in the center of the room, looking peeved. “I thought you had forgotten our appointment.”
    “Of course I wouldn’t forget,” Peter said, with an engaging smile. “I’m only a few minutes late.”
    She