Read Online Return to Peyton Place by Grace Metalious - Free Book Online

Burbank.
    The two of them were inseparable. They went everywhere together and were thought of as a team, but Jennifer never could manage to feel secure in her relationship with Anne. There was too much competition, she thought, and was very, very careful never to offend Anne because Anne had a hundred little ways of letting her know that the school was full of girls who'd give their eye teeth to be in Jennifer's place.
    One spring afternoon, Jennifer was alone in the room she shared with Anne. She was changing her clothes, getting ready for a trip into town, when Anne came in quietly. Jennifer whirled around quickly and grabbed for her robe.
    â€œI didn't expect you,” she said, almost stammering with embarrassment.
    â€œDon't let me bother you,” said Anne. “I just came up for a book.”
    â€œIf I'd known you were coming, I'd have used the bathroom but I—”
    â€œFor Heaven's sake, Jennifer,” said Anne in good-natured exasperation, “it's not the end of the world. We're both girls, you know.”
    Jennifer turned away in confusion and as she did so she tripped over the edge of her robe, almost falling, and dropping the robe altogether.
    â€œBe careful!” cried Anne, running to her. Anne's hands were on Jennifer's waist. “Did you hurt yourself?”
    Jennifer could not move. “No,” she said. “I'm all right.”
    Anne did not take her hands away. “You scared me,” she said softly.
    Still Jennifer did not move, but kept her back turned as Anne's hands caressed her soft skin.
    â€œSuch beautiful, lovely skin,” whispered Anne into Jennifer's ear. Suddenly her hands tightened hard enough to make Jennifer gasp.
    â€œStop it,” said Jennifer. “You mustn't.”
    Anne's hands were gentle again, the fingers trailing softly. She heard Anne's breathing go ragged and felt Anne begin to tremble. But Jennifer stood as still as stone and without knowing how she knew, she knew that Anne was making a terrible, terrible effort to keep her hands light and soft.
    â€œYou're so beautiful,” said Anne, and began to sob. “So lithe and perfectly made and beautiful.”
    And then Jennifer turned around. She moved away slowly from Anne's hands and went to lie down on her bed.
    Anne went on her knees next to the bed, her face wet with tears.
    â€œOh, yes, my darling,” she said. “Yes, you are.”
    She kissed Jennifer on the mouth, a long kiss, and when she raised her head, Jennifer was looking straight into her eyes.
    â€œFor Heaven's sake, Anne,” she said coldly. “Don't be so sloppy.”
    Anne rocked away from her as if she had been struck and Jennifer stood up slowly. She walked over and picked up her robe, but she did not put it on. She stood in front of Anne, nude.
    â€œNow, I'll have to bathe again,” she said and walked into the bathroom, her robe trailing from her hand.
    All the while she was in the tub, she could hear Anne crying. She walked back into the room, still drying herself, and watched Anne looking at her. She dressed slowly and carefully.
    â€œI'll be gone for a while,” she said when she was clothed. “Wait right here. Don't go down to dinner without me.”
    Anne waited. Not only that day, but every day after that whenever Jennifer felt like telling her to wait. She waited for the rare occasions when Jennifer allowed herself to be touched and she let her wretchedness show whenever Jennifer sat naked in front of the dressing table and said, “Brush my hair, will you, Anne?” She lavished gifts on Jennifer and dropped all her other friends, and whenever Jennifer snapped her fingers, there was Anne, waiting to do as she was told. Once in a great while, Anne rebelled.
    â€œI don't need you!” she shouted. “There are plenty of others who'd love to be in your place.”
    â€œReally?” asked Jennifer, raising her eyebrows. “Others? Right here at