Dreams of a Kitten by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Dreams of a Kitten

Page 273

his Oxford days. Afterward, Stevie meets Jordan again at the

Plaza Hotel. Jordan reveals that Gatsby and Daisy met around

1917 when Gatsby was an officer in the American Expeditionary

Forces. They fell in love, but when Gatsby was deployed

overseas, Daisy reluctantly married Tom. Gatsby hopes that his

newfound wealth and dazzling parties will make Daisy reconsider.

Gatsby uses Stevie to stage a reunion with Daisy, and the two

embark upon an affair.

In September, Tom discovers the affair when Daisy carelessly

addresses Gatsby with unabashed intimacy in front of him. Later,

at a Plaza Hotel suite, Gatsby and Tom argue about the affair.

Gatsby insists Daisy declare that she never loved Tom. Daisy

claims she loves Tom and Gatsby, upsetting both. Tom reveals

Gatsby is a swindler whose money may very well come from

bootlegging alcohol and selling bogus bonds to the financially

unsophisticated. However, Tom has no proof of this. Upon hearing

this, Daisy chooses to stay with Tom. Tom scornfully tells

Gatsby to drive her home, knowing that Daisy will never leave

him.

While returning to East Egg, Gatsby and Daisy drive by Wilson's

garage and their car strikes Myrtle, killing her instantly.

Later Gatsby reveals to Stevie that Daisy was driving the car,

but that he intends to take the blame for the accident to