It Was a Very Bad Year

SIXTY

Frank had called Chasen’s and had them bring in enough food for an army. He invited Dean and Joey (Sammy was away doing a show) and all the FBI agents and cops who had worked on getting Frankie back. Also there when we arrived were Jimmy Van Heusen, Gloria and Mike Romanoff and a man I knew was his neighbor in Palm Springs, Abe Lipsey.

Van Heusen was a hugely successful songwriter who had written many of Frank’s hits.

Gloria and Mike Romanoff owned one of the most popular restaurants in Hollywood, Romanoff’s.

Lipsey was simply a rich neighbor who had no connections to Hollywood, except that he enjoyed hosting parties to which he invited both movie and television stars, mostly at his Sunset Boulevard mansion. The parties became so famous that invitations were much sought after.

The party was as much for Frankie as it was for Frank’s birthday, but Nancy kept her son close to her during the entire proceedings, and she couldn’t be blamed for that.

Frank was a cheerful host, telling anyone who would listen that getting Frankie back was the biggest and best birthday present he could ever have gotten.

At one point he cornered Entratter and me and started telling us how much he appreciated the police and the FBI.

‘I’m gonna send each and every one of them somethin’ special,’ he said, ‘as soon as I figure out what it should be. And you.’ He grabbed me, put his arm around my neck and hugged me to him. ‘You’re gonna get the most special gift of all!’

‘I don’t need a gift, Frank,’ I said. ‘I’m just glad Frankie’s home.’

‘That’s what I love about this guy,’ he said to Jack, tightening his arm around my neck, ‘he’s modest. He’s done more than anyone over the past few years to keep us bums out of trouble. Now he not only saves my son, but supplies the information that the cops used to catch the kidnappers — and he don’t want nothin’.’ He looked around. ‘I need another drink.’

He went off to get one, got waylaid by Mike and Gloria Romanoff, kissed Gloria soundly before continuing on.

‘Whatever he gives you,’ Jack said, ‘just say thank you, Eddie.’

‘Jack-’

‘He’s comin’ to Vegas tonight. Tomorrow we celebrate the Sands’ eleventh anniversary, and he wants to be there. He’s gonna bring Juliet Prowse with him.’

I’d forgotten about the anniversary party.

‘But this will go on for a while,’ Jack said, putting his hand on my shoulder. ‘And you had a big part in bringin’ Frankie home, and finding the kidnappers. So enjoy the celebration.’

I nodded, and Jack moved off to join Jilly Rizzo and Mickey Rudin in a corner.

Sometime later I found myself standing off to one side talking with Nancy and Tina Sinatra. Or maybe we were flirting. We’d all had a lot to drink and were relieved that Frankie was safe.

Nancy was hanging on to one of my arms and Tina the other when Frank came stalking over and stood in front of us.

‘I love ya, Eddie. .’ he said.

‘I love you, too, Frank.’

‘. . but stay away from my daughters!’

Both girls laughed as Frank grabbed me by the front of my shirt and pulled me away from them.

‘Eddie, those girls ain’t ready for you. You’re Eddie G., slick, fast-’

‘Slick?’

‘Trustworthy and loyal.’

Like a boy scout? I thought.

‘I love ya, pally,’ he said again, slapping me lightly on the cheek, ‘but those are my babies, ya know?’

‘I know, Frank.’

He threw his arm around me again and said, ‘Now if you want a broad, I can get ya a broad.’

‘No, I’m good, Frank,’ I said. ‘Really.’

‘OK.’

He walked away and I decided not to go back to the Sinatra girls. Besides, when I turned around they had latched on to a handsome young FBI agent, who was looking mortified.

Later I came face to face with Jimmy Van Heusen and found myself gushing to him about how much I enjoyed his work with Frank, including ‘All the Way’ and ‘High Hopes’, both of which won Oscars. He told me one of his favorite songs was ‘Call Me Irresponsible’ from that year’s film Papa’s Delicate Condition. I hadn’t seen the film yet, but I heard the song on the radio by Jack Jones. He then told me something I didn’t know, that he originally wrote the song for Fred Astaire to sing in the movie, but Astaire had to pull out because of other obligations, so Jackie Gleason stepped in and did the film.

‘It’s on Frank’s new album, though, “Sinatra’s Sinatra”,’ he finished.

Somebody came and grabbed his arm, so I moved away after wishing him luck with the song at the next Oscar ceremony.

I looked around, saw Jerry standing off to one side eating a huge sandwich. He had a lot of room around him, like people were giving him space. I walked over and joined him. The table there was laden with food, both hot and cold.

‘How you doin’, big guy?’

‘Good, Mr G. The food’s real good. That Chasen’s place must be OK.’

‘I think so.’

Even though the food on the table was delicious I found I wasn’t that hungry.

‘Manga,’ Jerry said.

‘Maybe later. I’m gonna get another drink.’

I looked around and saw Evans walking up to me. He was holding two drinks.

‘You look thirsty,’ he said, handing me one.

‘Thanks. You’re a mind reader.’ I sipped it. It was bourbon.

‘Look, can we talk? Privately?’

‘I’ll see you later, Jerry,’ I said.

He nodded, raised his sandwich, and chewed.