INSTALLMENT 32
Hope Falls Chronicle
Lillian is in the midst of finishing up her latest feature when her boss
Malcolm appears at her desk. She looks up from her computer and sighs.
He only seeks her out when he needs to talk about something. Malcolm
motions for her to come into his office and she follows hoping he isn’t too
angry.
As she enters the office, she notices her daughter Nina and
sits down next to her. Her curiosity is at an all time high. She looks at her
daughter for signs that Nina has an idea of why they‘re in his office.
“You’re both wondering why I called you into my office. Am I correct?”
Malcolm asks as he sits down behind his massive desk. He notes both of their
nods and continues. “The reason I summoned you to my office is to
ask how you’re adjusting to the newspaper.”
“I’m learning a lot about the journalism business that I couldn’t learn in a
classroom.” Nina replies. Malcolm nods before turning to face Lillian.
“If this is about my article, I was just finishing it.” Lillian offers. Malcolm
raises his eye brow at her remark. “Other then that, I’ve adjusted well to
the newspaper. I’m glad my daughter has been welcomed with open arms.”
“Good, I was wondering if you both wanted to cover our annual Founders
Day picnic this year. It’s coming up and I’d like to have my Features
columnist attend. I’d like to be proven wrong about certain things.”
Malcolm hints to Lillian. She knows exactly what her boss is talking about.
“We’d both be happy to attend. Is there anything else?” Lillian asks.
“No, that was all. By the way, I’d like that feature on my desk by the
end of the day. Thank you.” Malcolm demands before answering his phone.
Nina and Lillian walk out of his office wondering the purpose of their
presence in his office. Just then, Nina looks at her watch and gathers her purse
and walks toward the door.
“Where are you going, Nina?”
“I have a lunch date today. I need to hurry or I’ll be late. I’ll see you
later mom!” Nina then heads outside.
Lillian sits down trying to gather her concentration to finish her article.
Looking over the article, she realizes it isn’t even close to being done. For
the last few weeks, she’s been trying to downplay her shaky job status at
the newspaper. No matter what she does, her boss Malcolm dislikes all of
her contributions. She prays her daughter doesn’t pick up on that fact.
She feels a tap on her shoulder and looks over her shoulder. “What are you
doing here? I didn’t think I’d see you again.” Lillian asks turning around to
face George.
“I decided we didn’t chat long enough at the country club. I was
hoping to continue our talk at lunch. My treat, of course.” George
suggests.
“I could use a break from my surroundings. I can’t think of a better way
then spending it with a blast from the past.” Lillian responds. She gathers
her purse and follows George out the door.
Hope Falls Country Club
Katie arrives at the country club and looks for her lunch date. She notices
Lenore being served a glass of wine and heads in that direction. Lenore
looks up and smiles before giving Katie a brief hug.
“I’m surprised you invited me for lunch, Mrs. Falmont.” Katie states as
she sits down.
“Please, call me Lenore. I figured it was time to invite the girl my son’s
dating out to lunch. I want to get to know you better.” Lenore replies with a
friendly smile.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you invited me to lunch. It’s just I’ve
been dating your son for almost five months. What took you so long?”
Lenore laughs. “You’re right; it has been almost five months.
I wanted to make sure you were serious before I got to know you.
No offense but my son has a tendency to speed date.”
“I admit I did have reservations when he asked me out because of that fact.
However, he’s charming and has this way of melting your heart when he looks
at you.” Katie replies. She glances up and notices the server is
waiting for her order. “I’d like a garden salad, please.”
Katie hands the menu to the server before facing Lenore again.
Lenore smiles at the server. "I'll have the same with grilled chicken
and Italian dressing on the side." She looks back at Katie and smiles, “I agree with
that last statement about melting your heart. Henry has always been a charming
young man. I’m glad to see that he has started to settle down and happy he’s picked
a beautiful young lady to date. From what he’s told me, you and I have a few things
in common.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine what we would have in common, Lenore. You’re
so confident and successful.”
“Compliments will get you far with me, Katie.” Lenore remarks. “I meant
he told me about how you’ve lost both of your parents. I never talk much
about my childhood but I also lost my parents at a young age.”
“I didn’t lose both of my parents, just my mother. My father is out there
somewhere neglecting his family.” Katie responds. Bitterness fills her heart
with pain because her father never contacts them.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you hear from him at least?” Lenore asks. Katie
shakes her head. “In my case, both of my parents were killed in a car
accident when I was eleven. My older sister Maureen and I were taken to
live with our aunt Matilda out east.”
“We didn’t really have much family to take us. My sister Melinda
gave up college to raise us. She’s like a second mother to me which can
be a a problem at times. What was it like living with your aunt?” Katie asks.
She is happy to have a kindred spirit to talk to about this.
“She provided for us but was rather indifferent. I haven’t spoken to
that cold hearted woman since I left to go UCLA. As far I know, she’s still
alive in her big mansion in Maine. My sister keeps in contact with her but I prefer
to pretend that chapter in my life never happend." Lenore continues. “You should
be grateful your sister put aside her life to raise you. I think I met her at a charity
event a few months ago. She reminds me a little of my sister.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m lucky my sister Melinda raised me. She just
treats me like I’m still in middle school when I’m almost twenty one. At
least, she lets me have friends and a boyfriend.” Katie cracks.
“No, you should value your sister. My sister and I had our disagreements and I
guess that happens with all sisters. I should visit my sister sometime, but
then, I would have to see my aunt since they live close.” Lenore muses.
She is happy the lunch with Katie is going well. “What are your plans for the
weekend? I was wondering if you’d like to come over?”
The server places their salads on the table then refills their water glasses.
Conversation ceases until he leaves. Katie takes a bite of salad before
answering Lenore's question.
“Sure, I would love to visit your home. I’ll have to check to see if I’m working
this weekend or if my friend Nina has made plans. We generally hang out on the
weekends.”
“You can invite your friend Nina, too.” Lenore smiles.
“Great! You’ll like her. Katie responds. She’s been my best friend
since I was a kid. I don’t know if she has to intern at the newspaper that day.”
“Oh, she interns at the newspaper?" Lillian pauses briefly. "In that case, would you
please ask Nina who is assigned to write the features column for the Founder's
Day gala this year? I’m co-chair this year.” Lenore frowns slightly and wonders
if Lillian will be putting in an appearance.
“I assume her mother, Lillian, will be writing the feature. This has been
wonderful meeting you for lunch today. I hope we can do this again.”
“Yes. I think we can arrange another lunch.” Lenore remarks. She thinks
it's ironic that Lillian’s daughter is best friends with her son’s girlfriend Katie.
She’ll investigate that little scenario later but right now she'll focus on getting
to know Katie.
Foxy’s
Henry stares at his watch, waiting for Nina to arrive. He realizes she’s
busy at the newspaper but he was clever enough to point out that everyone
needs lunch. Just as he starts to give up, she enters the diner and walks
towards him.
“I'm here to talk per your request. What’s going on?” Nina demands.
She sits down at the booth across from Henry. It’s been a few weeks since the
two have seen each other. Looking at Henry, she can’t get the image of kissing
him out of her mind.
“Nina, I’m glad you're here. I was afraid you wouldn’t come
given our recent encounter.” Henry replies. His smile grows bigger at the
mere sight of Nina in front of him.
“Believe me, I wanted nothing more then to avoid you. However, my
sister pointed out to me that I can’t do that. So what else can I say? We
kissed each other and we can’t take that back.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Are you ready to admit that you enjoyed
our kiss as much as I did?” Henry notices Nina wince at the question. “Ok,
if you can’t admit it to me then at least admit it to yourself. I don’t know
your sister but she’s right to say you can’t avoid this.”
“Yes, I enjoyed our kiss! Are you happy now? What does that
accomplish? You are still dating my best friend and we can’t do
anything about these feelings.” Nina yells. She realizes her voice is loud
when she notices patrons looking at her. Her cheeks turn a crimson red
when she realizes her error.
“I’m happy to hear that you have feelings for me. However, you are
right that it would be wrong to pursue them while I’m dating your friend. I
guess I need to break things off with her.” Henry offers. Nina grabs him
by the arm which takes him by surprise.
“You can’t break up with her! She’ll wonder why you’re dumping her.
Then she’ll never talk to us ever again if she finds out why.” Nina
states. She can’t believe she’s gotten herself into this mess.
“I’m not breaking up with her because I kissed you. I’m breaking up with
her because I don’t love her. Why stay with someone you don’t love. If I
did that, then I’d be like you.” Henry replies.
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“Nina, we’ve had this conversation before. Must we rehash it again? All
I’m saying is that I’m going to do what’s right.” Henry explains. He ignores
his cell phone vibrating in his pant pocket as he stares into Nina’s eyes.
“Anyway, I’m not sorry I called you down here. I wanted you to know
what I’m going to do. Do you still want to have lunch with me?”
“No, I lost my appetite. I guess I’ll get back to the paper. Thanks for
letting me know what you’re going to do.” Nina replies. She gets up and
exits the diner feeling tremendous guilt.
Henry stares after Nina before looking at his cell phone. He notices it’s
his mother trying to reach him. He decides to call her back later and
motions for the waitress to take his order.
Oleary’s
“So what would you like to catch up on first?” Lillian asks. She starts to
browse the menu as she steals quick glances at George.
“Tell me more about your family.” He volunteers.
“You work with two members of my family; I think you know more
about my family then I do yours. I’m surprised you invited me out to lunch
today. I assume Lenore is unaware of your invitation.” Lillian muses.
“You‘re correct. She happened to see us together at the country club.
She wasn’t happy about that and made me aware of the fact. Thankfully,
I reassured her nothing is going on between us.”
“Why talk to me behind her back? If Chase met up with a former
girlfriend and didn’t tell me, I’d assume he was having an affair. Under the
circumstances, I think I need to cut this lunch short.” Lillian states. She
starts to get up but George puts his hand on her arm stopping her cold.
“What are you doing?” She cries out in frustration.
“I haven’t seen you in a long time. Seeing you at the country club makes
me think of all the times we spent together. Do you remember?”
Lillian sits back down in her chair and stares into George’s eyes. A part
of her recalls their times together as magical, but the other part, feels
immense guilt at sacrificing her friendship.
“Yes. I remember those times well. I also remember the anger and hurt
in Lenore’s eye’s when she found out about our affair. To this day, I can’t
ever remember that time in my life without her reaction burned into my
mind.”
“I still have no idea how she found out about our brief affair. One day
she was warm and loving to me, and then the next she’s angry I cheated
on her. It’s as if someone tipped her off.” George marvels out loud.
“I’m sure one of her friends tipped her off. You know how friends can be.”
Lillian states. She closes her eyes briefly and thinks back to the night when
she told Lenore about her affair with George. To this day, she wonders if it
was the best course of action or not.
“Anyway, I’m glad we can meet for lunch and talk like civilized adults. I
know our affair years ago affected all three of us. I just hope that we can
make peace and move on from the past.” George states. He slowly
places his hand onto hers again.
“What are you doing?” She asks surprised at how much she misses his
touch.
“Just a friendly gesture between two friends. You aren’t uncomfortable,
are you?” George asks. He removes his hand and she relaxes. “I’m sorry
our affair ruined your friendship with my wife. If I could go back and change it,
I would.”
“I’m just as much to blame as you are. I could have resisted your charms
but I admit I wanted you more than I valued my friendship with Lenore. I regreted
letting you go and lost all judgment.”
“It’s in the past. We’ve both moved on and have wonderful families. So,
let’s focus on lunch.” George states. He goes back to looking at his menu.
Lillian sits there wishing it was that simple. She knows once he finds out about
Stephen, all bets will be off for everyone. She decides to look at her menu and put
unpleasant thoughts out of her mind for now.
