Maxie Mainwaring, Lesbian Dilettante Read online

  “You can sell it,” Pamela said instantly. “It’ll be good to get rid of that eyesore.”

  “I’m not so sure,” retorted Maxie. Her glance fell on Lon. “It has its regulars, who like it just as much as we like Francine’s, and certainly some of us sneak over there from time to time!”

  Pamela blushed bright red.

  Maxie’s mind was racing now, bubbling over with ideas. Hadn’t Hal once said he’d do a mob story in Polish if there was a society angle? SOCIALITE SAVES BAY CITY BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE FROM MOB INFILTRATION! Maxie could already see the headline. She’d sell Hal the story and spin her mother’s scandal into something a little face-saving all at once! Stella could write it. She looked over at Lon and Kathy again. She hoped the privacy-nut would cooperate in the creation of Mob Girl: How I Escaped the Velmqvist Gang. It would make a saleable second book from Fifth Floor Editions. Stella would ghostwrite that, too. She’d have to give up her job at the photo supply store, Maxie decided. And should she hire another writer?

  “Don’t forget the public good, in all your entrepreneurial endeavors,” Phyllis reminded her gently.

  Maxie looked at her frizzy-haired neighbor fondly. Maybe she could salvage something from Sunshine Dairy—surely a few cows remained under Mainwaring control. A dairy farm run by disadvantaged youths—it would be poetic justice.

  Stella asked her, sotto voce, “What are you doing later, Maxie? Maybe we can celebrate Fifth Floor Editions, just the two of us.”

  “I’d like to,” Maxie told her, her eyes running over Stella’s appealing curves. “But I sort of promised a friend I’d see her off.”

  Lon was leaving town, disappearing into protective custody until Velma’s trial, and Maxie had promised to have a farewell nightcap with her. Would it lead to something more? Maxie hoped so. She looked over at Lon. The beautiful butch’s sea-blue eyes met Maxie’s in that wordless communication she specialized in. The dilettante tore her gaze away and turned back to Stella. “Rain check?” she asked, pulling out her engagement book. “Are you free tomorrow?”

  After all, why limit herself to one girl just yet? Grandma Nyberg hadn’t considered her mature enough to manage money before the age of thirty-five. Sure, she was a little in love with Lon, but she and Stella made a terrific team. The world was full of possibilities, and she didn’t want to rule out any of them right now. Even the prospect of tempting upright Kathy again held a certain appeal.

  The waitress deposited a trayful of drinks on their table. “Compliments of Mrs. Flicka,” she said.

  “Here’s to Maxie,” Dolly lifted her glass, “and all her endeavors!”

  “To Maxie!” the gang cried, lifting their glasses high.

  “To Francine’s!” Maxie proposed her own toast.

  “To the Industrial Workers of the World and Miss Ware!” Phyllis had had a little too much to drink.

  “To the fifth floor,” said Dolly fervently.

  The girls clinked their glasses so hard the liquor slopped over. “To the fifth floor!” The toast reverberated through the room and faded away into the Bay City night.

  Author’s Note

  I owe several people thanks for their aid as I wrote: Nancy Johnsen and Linda Werner for sharing stories of life in the early sixties, especially the financial details; Peggy for telling me about bartending; Rebecca McBride for answering a photography question; and Jenny Worley for curbing some inappropriate language.

  Two dedicated readers, Shari Kizarian and Julie Ann Yuen, gave vital feedback at the last minute. Their comments (sometimes illustrated) were both encouraging and immensely helpful. Thanks to my editor, John Scognamiglio, for his staunch support.

  The librarians at the San Francisco Public Library, especially in the San Francisco History Room, were always ready with advice and assistance. Every time I research a book, I’m reminded of how much is not on the Internet. I’m grateful for every bit of historical detritus the libraries have saved.

  KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2013 by Monica Nolan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  ISBN: 978-0-7582-8829-5

  eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-8830-1

  eISBN-10: 0-7582-8830-1

  First Kensington Electronic Edition: June 2013