She Always Knew How
Mae West, a Personal Biography
Introduction
On my arrival the afternoon that Mae and I met, she held out her hand to me. As I took it, I scratched my palm on one of her diamond rings. Noticing what had happened, she commented in a matter-of-fact tone, "They're old-cut, very sharp. That's the best kind."
All of her fingers were covered with diamonds. She wore a diamond necklace, a diamond bracelet, and a diamond anklet. These, she explained, were just her "daytime diamonds." Holding out her hands so I could examine the stones, she said, "Look, they're all real. They were given to me by admirers." Her gaze settled on my own unadorned hands.
"Oh, my, you poor kid! You don't have any!"
For a moment she regarded me silently with amazement and pity. Then she brightened. "But you have some at home?"
I shook my head.
Her look of deep sympathy returned. She studied me for a moment, then said encouragingly, "You could, honey. You could. But you've gotta try, and you've gotta know how to try. There's nothing better in life than diamonds."
"Maybe that's what on ... read full excerpt from: She Always Knew How: Mae West, a Personal Biography ebook
