INSTALLMENT 31
Luigi’s Italian Restaurante:
Gillian walks into the restaurant and looks for Dale. She glances at
her watch and realizes she’s early for their dinner. She starts to have
second thoughts about meeting him when she feels a tap on her shoulder.
Turning around, she’s surprised to see her former boss, Bianca Lewiston,
standing behind her.
“Bianca, what are you doing here tonight?” Gillian asks. She hopes
Bianca isn’t holding a grudge about Gillian leaving her company.
“I have a dinner date with an investor and I was in the mood for Italian.”
Bianca replies. The awkward silence grows heavy between them.
Finally, Bianca asks, “What brings you here tonight?”
“I have a dinner date with Dale tonight. Actually, it’s a closure dinner.”
“I remember you two took a break from each other and I always
wondered how that turned out. I guess you just answered my question.”
Bianca muses and looks at her watch. “I guess the investor is running
a little late, I hope he shows up.”
“What are you meeting with an investor for? Are you looking to start up
another business in addition to the real estate office?” Gillian asks. She
can’t recall if Bianca ever mentioned wanting to branch out.
“I guess I can tell you, I’m looking to get out of the real estate business.”
Bianca states. Gillian stares at her with her mouth open. “Don’t look so
surprised, you know how bad the housing market is right now. My real
estate office is small compared to Remax and Century 21. I can’t ride out
the storm so I’m looking to break into another business.”
“Are you going to relocate? Or are you going to convert Golden Chance
into this new business?” Gillian asks. She had no idea how bad things were for
her former boss.
“I’m hoping to stay in Hope Falls but I’m just exploring my options right
now. Which is why I’m supposed to meet with one of my investor’s
tonight. By the way, how is the new job at Falmont going?”
“The job is going well so far. I’m sorry about the way I left.” Gillian said.
She feels bad for quitting without giving notice.
“Why feel bad? You had a great job opportunity that I would have taken
if I were in your shoes. With the way the economy is right now, I don’t
blame you for jumping ship. Anyway, I see my dinner date is here. Good
luck with Dale.” Bianca replies and hugs Gillian before walking away.
Gillian feels bad for bailing on her former boss. She hopes
things work out for her. Just then, she sees Dale coming toward her and
smiles. She knows that they’re no longer together, but can’t help noticing
how attractive he looks in his classic Armani suit. He
smiles back at her and gives her a quick hug before the hostess leads them
to their table. Gillian prays she made the right decision seeing Dale this last time.
Oleary’s
Oleary’s is brimming with activity as Melinda finishes up her shift behind
the bar. She notices all the patrons gathering around the bar furiously
placing orders for their drinks. Working behind the bar never gets boring
although an occasional trip to the Bahamas wouldn’t be out of the question.
The music playing from the juke box is overpowered by the laughter and
shouting of the customers.
As she prepares to leave for the night, she notices Thomas sitting in the
corner drinking his scotch. She makes her way over to him, remarking to
herself how withdrawn he looks. Looking at him reminds her of the first time
she saw him at the bar some months before.
“A penny for your thoughts?” Melinda asks Thomas as she sits down
across from him.
“Melinda, how are you doing tonight? I didn’t know that you were
working tonight.” Thomas remarks and realizes that she’s in her uniform.
“I guess I was just daydreaming.”
“Nothing wrong with daydreaming, although you didn’t know I was
working tonight. That worries me a little. Is there anything bothering you?”
He nods. “Yes, I know we haven’t spoken much in the last few weeks
but my past has come back to haunt me.”
“Oh, I hope the past isn’t causing you too much harm. When you say it’s
come back to haunt you, do you mean an event or someone in particular?”
Melinda asks recalling the notes and phone calls.
“Someone in particular and she’s left me alone for the most part. Other
then occasionally butting in to my social life with Jonathan, she’s left me
alone. However, given her history, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“This is the woman you were telling me about who blames you for her
brother’s suicide?” Thomas nods and she understands why he’s a million
miles away. “I guess if she’s left you alone for the most part, maybe she is
moving on and wanting to start over in a new town. Nothing wrong with
that, just avoid her if you can.”
“I guess you’re right. I mean she hasn’t done anything much except bug
me a few times and she seems sincere about starting over. She’s teaching
at the university for summer session and dating some guy. However, every
time I see Alicia Salgado , I get chills down my spine.”
“Alicia Salgado? I think I’ve met her a couple times. She’s dating my
oldest friend Stephen. Should I be concerned about their dating given your fear
of her?” Melinda wonders if this is something she needs to discuss
with Stephen. She would normally stay out of his dating life given
the recent history between them, but with the cryptic words of Thomas,
she can’t.
“No. No need to feel concerned because her anger is only at me and no
one else. Don’t worry about it, pretend I didn’t say anything.” Thomas
quickly states. He throws money down on the table and gets up to leave.
“Thomas, I didn’t mean to freak you out or anything. I just want to
make sure that my best friend is not going to get hurt. Please just sit
down and talk with me.” Melinda begs but her pleas fall on deaf ears as he
shakes his head.
Melinda stares after him as he walks out the door, almost running into
Stephen on his way out. Stephen turns to look at Thomas before shaking
his head and heading towards Melinda's table. Melinda is so worried about
Thomas and what he said to her, she doesn’t notice Stephen waving his hand
in front of her face.
“Earth to Melinda, anyone in there?” Stephen asks with a smile on his
face. “You look like you’re a million miles away, what’s up?”
“I was just worried about my friend who rushed out of here a moment
ago. He told me a few things that concern me and I wish he would open
up more about it.” She remarks as she motions for a server to take her
order.
“Was that the guy who almost ran into me?” Melinda nods as he ponders
that. “He looks familiar to me, I can’t place where I’ve seen him before.”
He then has a realization. “My girlfriend knew him back in California. You’re
friends with him?
“Yes. We’ve hung out together a few times, nothing more then that.
What’s wrong?”
“Melinda, as your best friend, I’m telling you that you shouldn’t be friends
with him. He’s caused Alicia and her family a lot of pain. I don’t think it’s a
good idea to be friends with him.”
Melinda looks at Stephen digesting what he just told her.
Foxy’s
Alicia parks her Ford Fusion and walks toward the diner entrance starving.
Relief flows from her pores at being free from the prison she calls her office.
She didn’t realize how many students are in dire need of speaking with
their instructor, especially during summer session.
As she makes her inside, she notices crowds of patrons waiting to be
served. Proud of herself for ordering ahead, she makes her way up to the
register to pick up her order. Judging from the vacant look of the teenager
behind the register, she correctly guesses her order is going to take an
extra ten minutes. Looking around for a place to sit, she’s glad to see
Wally sitting by himself at a faraway booth and waves him down. He
waves back and beckons for her to join him, which she sees no harm in
doing.
“I haven’t seen you since spring term ended. How is the tutoring going?”
Alicia asks recalling Wally’s new job tutoring in the student center where
she first met him.
“I think the students this summer are too intelligent. I haven’t had much
traffic, unlike spring semester. What about you?” Wally replies happy to
see his former tutor again. He couldn’t help smiling, happy to see a familiar
face.
“I think that’s because all of the students are scheduling time to meet
with me. I didn’t think students wanted to talk to their professors so much.
At least, I didn’t when I was in school. I’m sure you’ll get more traffic, it’s
only June and the summer session is just getting underway. So why are
you here alone tonight?”
“I didn’t set out to be alone tonight. It just happened that way, again.”
Wally replies recalling how he got stood up before at Foxy’s. Perhaps he
shouldn’t meet dates here anymore, he thinks to himself.
“I’m sorry that you got stood up, Wally. If it makes you feel better, I’ve
been stood up before too. It sucks but it happens to everyone. Believe
me.” Alicia reassures Wally, noting that her words are not lifting his spirits.
“If you ever need anyone to talk to, you can call me anytime.” She gives
her cell number over to Wally, who accepts it.
“I can’t believe anyone would ditch you like that. You seem so confident
and hot.” Wally spits out, his face turning bright pink over that last
statement.
“Don’t worry; I’m flattered to be hit on by college aged men. Over the
years, I’ve learned if you want something you have to get it for yourself.
Whoever this girl is, she doesn’t realize what kind of guy she passed up. If
I were twenty, you would be my type.” Alicia reassures Wally, placing her
hand on top of his hand.
Just then an employee waves her order signaling for Alicia to pick it up.
She pays for the order and comes back to Wally’s table.
“I hate to cut this short but I have to get back home tonight. I have
some papers I need to grade. Are you going to be ok?” He nods and
she smiles. “Good, give me a call if you ever want to talk.”
Alicia gives Wally a hug lingering just long enough for him to enjoy it. She
then walks out of the diner with a smile on her face. If only she were still
in college, she thinks, she’d be able to make him feel better. Pushing those
thoughts from her head, she drives off back to her apartment.
Oleary’s
“I can’t believe you're telling me who to be friends with.” Melinda states
trying to make sense of what Stephen just told her.
“We’ve been friends for years Melinda. You know I’d never tell you what
to do. I’ve seen the bodies of those who’ve tried before.” Stephen jokingly
says which makes Melinda laugh. “If I see you’re being friends with
someone who’s caused my girlfriend pain, I’m going to say something.”
“I know you’re just looking out for me. I just think there are two sides
to every story. I’ve found that both stories have truth and lies mixed
together.” She notices Stephen starting to get angry so she says calmly.
“I’m not saying Alicia is lying nor am I saying Thomas is right. We have to
remember that someone killed themselves and no one is to blame for
that.”
“I understand what you’re saying. If you could see Alicia’s body language
do a complete 180, you would see it from my perspective. I’m just saying
you need to be careful where Thomas is concerned.”
Melinda stops herself from saying anything when the server hands her a
drink. She takes a gulp from her cup and tries to formulate a statement
that doesn’t anger Stephen.
“Unless you provide me with proof that Thomas killed her brother, I’m
going to be friends with him. Are you sure you aren’t jealous?” Melinda
asks wanting to kick herself for even putting that question out in the open.
She judges by his reaction that there’s no way to take that question back.
“You have some ego Melinda. You think because you turned me down
a few months ago that I’m still hung up on you? Perhaps you took a bigger
drink then you thought because I’m dating someone. I’m not seeing you
date anybody, why is that again?” Stephen snarks back realizing he
can’t take back that statement either.
“I think you better get up and leave me alone for now. I’m sorry for
what I said before but I need some time alone.” Melinda retorts.
Stephen shakes his head. “I’m serious Stephen because I don’t want to say
something that I’ll regret. You are too good of friend to be subjected to
my monthly moods.”
Stephen nods and rises from his chair. She notices him heading to the
bar and feels tremendous guilt for angering him. She downs the rest of
her drink and her need to hang out goes right out the window. Paying her tab,
she exits Oleary’s ready to go home to face another night alone.
Luigi’s
“Doesn’t this place bring back a lot of memories?” Dale asks noting how
distant Gillian is being after sitting down at their old table. So far, every
question he’s thrown out is answered with just one or two words.
“Yeah, it does. I remember the time you took me here on our seven
month anniversary, seems like a lifetime ago.” Gillian remarks while trying
to figure out why he needed to see her.
Dale clears his throat, “You’re probably wondering why I called and
invited you out tonight.” Gillian nods indicating he’s correct. “Ok, I wanted
to talk about where we stand.”
“To tell you the truth, I assumed we were over.” Gillian wonders
where this conversation is going.
“Why would you assume we were over?” Gillian gives Dale an odd
look. “Ok, so I told you I wanted a break. It didn’t mean I wanted to end
things.”
“You could have fooled me with the way you just walked out of this
restaurant after expressing your belief I wasn’t ready to think about marriage.”
Gillian retorts bringing up another memory of their time at the restaurant.
“Listen, I came here tonight to have closure from this relationship. I haven’t heard
from you in over a month and, out of the blue, you call me up. You expect
me to sit here and talk about where we stand?”
“I just wanted a little time to think about our relationship and where it
was going. I called you up because I want to date you again. I love you.”
Dale confesses. Gillian is blown away by what he’s saying.
“Let me get this straight Dale. You tell me you need a break from me
and walk out on me. Then I hear nothing from you for over a month.
Then yesterday you call me up and ask me out to dinner. Forgive me if
I’m not running back into your arms forgiving you.
“You haven’t changed a bit. You think the world revolves around you.
Why did you expect me to call you when you couldn’t even call me.” Dale
retorts while Gillian’s looking at him like he’s crazy.
“First of all, why would I call you when you’re the one who walked out
on me. I’m not going to call someone who doesn’t want to date me. You
were the one who walked out, therefore, you’re the one who should have
called me. I know you called me yesterday but it’s been over a month! I
thought we were over so I moved on.”
Gillian gets up from her chair not wanting to continue the conversation.
She doesn’t know how the evening went from being awkward to
unbearable in the blink of an eye. The only thing she knows is that she is
walking out on him, the same way he did to her.
“Where are you going?” Dale asks getting up and grabbing her by the
arm.
“I’m returning the favor. I have achieved closure in this relationship. I’ve
been doing some thinking myself this past month. I realize I don’t love
you and I don’t think I ever did. Now if you excuse me, I have my own life
to live. Good luck to you.”
Gillian turns and walks toward the exit not looking back. Dale is left
standing there with everyone’s eyes on him. This isn’t the way he thought
it would turn out. Sitting down, he realizes that things are over between
them forever.
