It happened in 1960 in Portofino Italy, on the set of Come September, which paired Bobby and me with Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobridgida. Right after we were introduced, Bobby made an announcement. He said, "I'm going to marry you someday." I wanted to die. I truly didn't like this person. The director worried about my being able to work with him and spoke to my mother. She forced me to go out with Bobby. On our first date he rented a horse drawn carriage , and we rode around and talked. I got home at 9:30. My mother was livid. She didn't figure on my having such a good time without her.
It turned out Bobby was bright and a whole lot of fun. By the end of the picture, eight weeks later, I knew the relationship was serious. We were an odd couple. I was mature but naive, and I had never dated before. He was almost six years older than I was, a swinging bachelor. He liked my looks and the idea of protecting me. But we were in love.
When I returned to New York City at the end of October, Bobby gave
a ring, a flawless seven carat diamond. When my mother found out we were planning to get married , she was furious. She scooped up my two dogs, my only friends, and zoomed away. I didn't hear from her for two months. She went back to her family in Bayonne. She wasn't at our wedding, which took place around 3 in the morning on Dec. 1,1960, in the home a Camden NJ night judge. I wore a purple velvet dress and an otter coat, and the judges family threw bagels.
During our courtship, being close with Bobby was easy. I thought I had blocked out the abuse, but on my wedding night it all came back. I was scared. I sat on the couch for 12 hours in my coat. Bobby finally went to bed. I didn't tell him about my stepfather until after we were divorced. I didn't want him to look at me as if I were dirty. He didn't. When I told him, he cried.
Before we were married , Bobby sent me 18 yellow roses everyday. He even wrote a song called 18 Yellow Roses.As soon as we were married the roses stopped. There was no lover anymore, just a husband. We honeymooned in Palm Springs in a home Bobby bought so he could be near his buddy Jackie Cooper. After three days I had to go back to work. I'd fly back on weekends, wanting to see my husband, and he'd be playing poker with the guys. The third time that happened , I threw my ring at him. Then he begged forgiveness , and all was fine until the next time.
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