The Great Gatsby Chapter 5

It was bright and early. The morning roared through the windows when I got a call from my cousin, Nick.

“Would you like to come to tea?” he said through the telephone.

“Sure I would, you know I never refuse an invitation for a party,” I answered.

“Alright. Don’t bring Tom,” he said, in a stern warning tone.

“What?” I asked, slightly confused. Though most people disliked my husband, my cousin certainly being one of them, he had never been impolite, or so upfront about it as he was now.

“Don't bring Tom,” he warned once again; the certainty in his voice making it clear that this was non-negotiable and leaving no room for questions.

“Who is ‘Tom’?” I replied slyly. It was clear to me that he had further intentions with this ‘tea’, and it went further than his simple dislike towards my husband. However, my curiosity got the best of me. Turning down the invitation would be like trying to lock a broken door. I knew nothing good could come out of it, having to hide it from Tom only making things worse, but it was not the first time I had done something wrong, and it would not be the last.

Four in the afternoon soon approached. It was pouring rain as I made my way to West Egg, the water dampening my dress and leaving me soaked. When I saw what I thought was Nick’s house, I put on the purple hat I had picked out, hoping it would hide my wet hair. When I saw my cousin, I did my best to give him an excited smile.

“Is this absolutely where you live, my dearest one?” I asked, trying to make conversation. He took my hand to help me out of the car. His movements were stiff, as if he were a wooden doll. His wide eyes gave away his anxiety, though the look on his face was neutral. Coming close to him, I whispered in his ear: “Are you in love, or why did I have to come alone?”

“​​That’s the secret of Castle Rackrent. Tell your chauffeur to go far away and spend an hour,” he said in a neutral voice, clearly trying his best to be nonchalant.

“Come back in an hour, Ferdie.” I ordered. Turning to Nick, “His name is Ferdie,” I completed.

“Does the gasoline affect his nose?”

“I don’t think so. Why?” I asked back, curious as to why he was displaying interest in the help. He ignored me as we walked into his empty living room.

“Well, That’s funny!” he exclaimed loudly. His jumpy demeanor was leaving me confused. It was unlike him to go from one subject to another, or to speak loudly and out of nowhere. I wondered what he was plotting.

“What’s funny?” I asked, worried about his behaviour. I didn’t have time to dwell in my worry, because as I turned to meet his eyes I was faced with someone I never thought I would see again. Jay Gatsby. With wide worried eyes and a face paler than a ghost, he was nothing like I had dreamed all these years. I want to reencounter my old love, not this mortified man standing in front of me. The shock took over me and as I tried to speak I choked on my own words. I did my best to calm myself down, and before I realized I was letting out a laugh.

“I certainly am awfully glad to see you again,” I said in a high pitched tone, forcing myself to smile and mask my awkwardness. Silence filled the room.

Nick came back into the room from the hall, as Jay leaned against the mantelpiece. As I sat down, I could feel his piercing gaze on me, though he tried to look at ease. “We’ve met before,” he told Nick, his voice low. He drafted a laugh, but right at that moment the clock he was leaning against tilted over. He rapidly caught it and set it back in place.

I looked at him and Nick, as they spoke a few words I did not catch. I felt in a trance, old memories flooding into my mind. This all seemed like a dream, I could truly believe it was happening. “We haven’t met for many years,” I said, trying to situate myself back in reality.

“Five years next November.” I looked at Jay in shock. How could he have remembered it so well? Was he keeping count? What else had he not forgotten about? Could it be possible he still…

Nick interrupted my thoughts by calling for the tea and cakes. We sat staring at each other while Jay got himself into a shadow. My cousin got up abruptly, with Gatsby demanding where he was going and then following him.

With both of them gone, I was finally left alone with my thoughts. As awkward as it was, I could bring myself to be mad at Nick for arranging it behind my back. Though I had expected he was up to something, never did I think it would be something of this magnitude. I had waited long years to see Jay again, five next November, as he had said. When I first became aware of his move to West Egg, and heard of his newfound success, I began to wonder if I had made the right choice. Tom was my husband, but he was awful. I knew full well of what he got up to when gone, and I didn’t even care. There was not a single cell in my body that loved him. Now, Jay. As I saw him again he completely paralyzed me, leaving me full of emotion. The one thing Tom’s money could not buy.