INSTALLMENT 34
Luigi’s Italian Restaurante
Stephen enters the dining area looking everywhere for Alicia among
the busy weekend crowd. As he turns around, he hears his name above
the chatter of the establishment and turns toward the voice floating across
the room. He notices Alicia waving at him while pointing towards her watch to
indicate his tardiness. Preparing himself for a lecture on being late, he
knows he deserves it for calling off their date the night before at the last
minute. He approaches their table and kisses Alicia before sitting down
across from her.
“I’m glad you took time out of your busy schedule to join me.” Alicia says
as Stephen pours them both a glass of Merlot.
“I can’t begin to apologize for having to break our date last night.
Something came up and it needed my immediate attention. I promise I’ll
make it up to you next weekend.” Stephen replies.
He starts to scan the menu for his favorite dish, Chicken Alfredo,
avoiding Alicia’s intense stare.
“I know you’re trying to avoid eye contact with me and I can’t imagine
why.”
“I’m starving and I’m deciding what to order.” Stephen replies realizing
how unconvincing he sounds.
“Stephen, we’ve been going out for a few months now. You always
order Chicken Alfredo, it’s your favorite dish. You aren’t keeping anything
from me, are you?”
Just then the server arrives at their table to take their order. Both
Stephen and Alicia order their meal before handing the server their menus.
Once the server leaves the table, Alicia stares right at Stephen waiting for
his answer to her question.
“I told you something came up. You know I’m working at Macy’s this
summer until the school year starts up. I had to work late and called to
let you know so you wouldn’t wait around all night. From what I hear, you
made some interesting alternative plans with my sister.”
“Fair enough, sometimes I assume the worst of people. I know it isn’t a
good trait to display especially toward one’s boyfriend.”
“I understand you’ve had some bad experiences with men but I’m not
like them. Believe it or not, I’m the nice guy who always finishes last.”
Stephen explains.
“I happen to love nice guys.” Alicia responds as she reaches over the
table to kiss Stephen. “I’m sorry about my attitude but I’m
bothered by something.”
“It isn’t Thomas , is it?” Stephen asks and relaxes when she shakes her
head.
“For once Thomas isn’t bothering me. I’m bothered by the fact that I’m
just a rebound girl for you.”
Stephen gulps and asks, “What would give you that
idea? I was single for months before I met you.”
“Then explain something to me. How you can go from confessing your
love to Melinda to dating me within a few weeks? Wouldn’t that constitute
a rebound?” Alicia asks point blank. Stephen sits there speechless.
Richardson’s House:
Gillian is in the kitchen making a sandwich when she hears the doorbell
ring. Washing her hands in the kitchen sink, she walks toward the front
door. Opening the door, she’s unhappy to see Melinda staring right at her.
Images of the night before play in her head as she stares at Melinda.
“Melinda, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Gillian asks. “Stephen
isn’t here because he’s having lunch with his girlfriend. Do you want me to let him
know you stopped by?”
Melinda stares at Gillian curious about her tone of voice. “That won’t be
necessary. I am here to speak with you. Mind if I come in?”
Gillian motions for Melinda to come in, shutting the door behind her. They
make their way into the kitchen. The silence strangling both of them as they
walk.
“What exactly can I do for you?” Gillian asks as she finishes making her
sandwich.
“I just came over to see how you were doing. I happened to witness
Dale being escorted off last night and was concerned.”
“Thank you for your concern, Melinda but as you can see I’m just fine.
Was that all you wanted to talk to me about”
Melinda takes a deep breath, “Now that you mention it, I’ve
noticed the unfriendly tone of voice directed at me. If I’ve done anything to
offend you, I wish you’d let me know.”
“You haven’t done anything toward me personally. However, Stephen is
another matter altogether.” Taking note of Melinda’s reaction, she
continues, “I know it isn’t any of my business but he was in love with you.
I understand you aren’t into him but you really hurt him when you shot him
down.”
“Would you rather I pretend to love your brother and hurt him in the long
run?” Melinda asks and continues before Gillian can reply, “I had to be
honest with him and it’s turned out alright since he’s dating Alicia. Granted,
I don’t know her, but if she makes him happy, isn’t that what matters?”
Gillian thinks about it for a second and then nods.
“When you put it like that, you’re right. Thank you for stopping by to
check on me. Last night was an unforgettable night, and not in a good way
either. Do you know that Dale actually called me today from jail no less?”
Gillian marvels and starts to eat her sandwich.
“Did you say Dale is in jail?” Melinda asks. Gillian’s reaction confirms it.
“I thought the officer was just taking him down to the station to cool down.”
“When you smart off to an officer, they usually throw you in jail.”
“So, are you going down to the station? What’s his bail? Maybe you
should call his family.” Melinda fires off the questions without taking a breath.
“I don’t care what happens to him. As far as I’m concerned, that part of
my life is over and he’s on his own. Now, I don’t mean to be rude but I
have to be somewhere in an hour.”
“So you’re not going to bail him out or even visit him?” Melinda asks.
“I think I just said that. Now if you don’t mind, I have to get ready. Thanks
again for stopping by.”
Gillian walks Melinda toward the front door and lets her out. Melinda
stands outside the door marveling at how shallow Stephen’s sister is. She
shakes her head and walks away.
Oleary’s
Katie finishes changing into her work clothes before heading out to serve
her first customer. She can’t believe August is starting and she hasn't made
enough money to pay for school. As she approaches her first
table, she's unaware of who the customer is.
Katie asks in a monotone voice. “Welcome to Oleary’s, my name is Katie.
What can I get for you today?”
“We have to stop meeting this way.” Nico responds. Katie looks up and
smiles when she recognizes him. “I haven’t heard from you since we met
at this very spot. Don’t tell me you’ve lost interest in modeling already.”
“Nico, I didn’t expect to see you today. I’m sorry I haven’t followed
through about calling you. I’ve been pulling double shifts all week.”
“I guess I’ll believe you. I can usually tell when a woman really wants
something. She gives off a certain look. I’ve seen you give that look both
times we’ve spoken to one another. Are you really pulling double shifts?”
“Yes! I have to in order to go back to school this fall. My first payment
for fall semester is due in mid-August. It’s so bad that I had to opt out of
spending time with my boyfriend’s family this Saturday.” Katie replies before
composing herself.
“Cheer up! We need to schedule a time to meet when you’re out of
uniform. When are you free?”
Katie thinks for a second before answering, “I’m free on Wednesday.”
“Then it’s a date! I need to take some test shots of you to show to one
of the modeling agencies that I still have correspondence with in New York.”
Nico replies.
He notices Katie’s boss eyeing her and scans the menu before saying, “I
guess I’ll start with a cup of coffee and some buffalo wings.”
“Ok, I’ll put that order in. I can come over to your studio by
eight pm. Is that ok for you?”
Nico nods. Katie turns around to put the order in and runs into
Elizabeth .
“Elizabeth, I’m so sorry I ran into you. Have you been seated yet?” Katie
asks. She realizes the answer to her question when Elizabeth takes a seat
across from Nico.
“I have some business to discuss with Nico. I’d like a cup of
coffee to start with, Katie. By the way, my brother Henry is looking for you.
He sounds anxious to talk with you. He wants you to call him when you’re
done with your shift.” Elizabeth replies with a warm smile.
“Thanks, I feel so bad about canceling time with your family on Saturday.
I’ll call him this evening after work. I’ll be back with your orders in no time
flat.” Katie heads toward the front of Olearys.
Elizabeth looks to make sure Katie is out of earshot before turning to
face Nico.
“I didn’t know we had any business to discuss, Elizabeth. To what do I owe
the pleasure of this visit?” Nico asks.
“Put a sock in it. What are your intentions toward Katie?” Elizabeth asks,
already knowing the answer but hoping she is wrong.
Hope Falls Police Station:
Dale stares out the window of his cell trying to recall how
he got in this mess. He tries to think back to the night before at Oleary’s
but every attempt is met with the pounding in his head. He vows to never
get drunk again then laughs at the promise he’s made so many times in his life.
As he strains to remember the night before, he is startled out of his
thoughts by the opening of his cell. Turning around, he notices a portly
police officer resembling someone from the Andy Griffith Show walking towards him.
Flashing his night stick, Dale fears he’s just awoken to a bad prison movie
come to life. The police officer stops in front of him.
“Atkins, you have a visitor up front.” The police officer says in a gruff
voice shattering the image of Andy Griffith.
“Who is it?” Dale asks. He wonders if his father and step-mother got
the message he tried to leave them this morning.
“No, a young woman is here to see you. Not a bad looking woman,
though I wonder why she’s wasting her time visiting you.”
Dale slowly gets up from his empty cot and tries to think who would be
coming to visit him. Just then, he realizes that it must be Gillian. His pace quickens
as he starts to follow the police officer up front. He looks for Gillian but is astonishd
to see the real vistor's identity.
“Melinda? What are you doing here?” Dale asks in surprise as he sits
down across from her.
“I’ve come to see how you’re doing. I felt bad about what happened
last night. I couldn’t believe you were fighting with that guy. I don’t know
if you remember, but I had promised to watch out for you and I obviously
failed.”
“Oh, I guess that answers my question about how I ended up here.” Dale
replies as he looks around at the humble surroundings. “You aren’t here
to bail me out, are you?”
“No, I don’t have the funds to bail you out. However, there won’t be
any need for bail since my boss has opted not to press charges.” Melinda
states as she tries to gauge his reaction to her news.
“Thank God! You have no idea what it’s like to wake up in a cell and not
have any idea how you got there. So when can I go?” Dale asks.
“I guess you have to fill out some paperwork and you’re free to go. I
just wanted to deliver the news to you personally and see how you were
holding up.”
“I’m doing much better after hearing your news. You didn’t have to
come down and tell me yourself. Why did you?” Dale asks as he starts to
get up from his seat.
“As I told you already, I felt bad about what happened. I wanted you to
know that you can always come to me if you need a friend. I promise to
step up to the plate whether drunk or sober.” Melinda replies and
gets up.
“Thank you again for coming down here. I will definitely take you up on
your offer of friendship. I need a friend.” Dale says before walking toward
the police officer’s desk to begin his paperwork.
Melinda stares at Dale for a second before turning and leaving the police
station. She hopes everything will be alright.
Luigi’s Italian Restaurante:
“How did you hear about Melinda?” Stephen asks, trying to
figure out who could have told Alicia.
“Your sister Gillian was nice enough to tell me. Granted, I had a feeling
there was something going on between you two but I assumed it was a
high school thing. Little did I know how wrong I was!” Alicia's voices raises
in volume with each word.
Alicia takes a quick drink of her wine and breathes deeply to calm down.
Her attempts are futile. Stephen is shocked at how quickly her
demeanor changes with every word she utters.
“Ok, I admit what my sister told you is correct. I did ask Melinda out
because I was interested in her. However, she made it clear that she
wasn’t interested in me being more then a friend. So I moved on.”
“So, if Melinda came to you tomorrow admitting she was wrong to turn
you down, you wouldn’t consider it?” Before Stephen could reply, she
continues, “Before you answer, think about it long and hard.”
Stephen sits there thinking to himself how he’ll kill his sister for telling his
girlfriend about Melinda.
“If she were to come to me, I would tell her that I’ve met the most
beautiful, passionate, and adventurous woman who’s not afraid to admit
her feelings. That is one of the many things I love about you, Alicia. You
don’t play games, if something bothers you; you confront the problem
head on.”
“Good answer. I apologize for acting insecure but when Gillian told me
last night, I admit being jealous. I’m glad to know that I was just being an
insecure girlfriend and that I have nothing to worry about.” Alicia responds
happily before kissing Stephen.
Stephen returns the kiss thinking how lucky he is to be dating Alicia,
but knowing he still has feelings for Melinda.
Alicia knows Stephen is lying to her but figures he doesn’t realize he’s lying.
She’ll trust him for now but will keep her eye out for her newest rival.
Oleary’s
“The only intentions I have for Katie is to see her live up to her potential
as a model. Why do you care so much?” Nico asks Elizabeth.
“I’m just curious because the company decided to forgo creating a
modeling agency. So tell me again, what are your intentions toward Katie?”
“You see that’s the difference between me and you, I have outside
interests that don’t involve daddy’s company.” Nico notes Elizabeth tense
up and continues, “I’m aware Falmont Enterprises opted not to create their
own modeling agency thus our casting call for models is pointless.
However, that doesn’t mean I have to stop discovering the Next Top
Model.”
Elizabeth rolls her eyes before saying, “Oh, spare me the Tyra Banks
references for one day. Listen, you and I both know that you are just a
rookie photographer. I bet you told her that you can get her noticed by a
top modeling agency in New York, am I right?”
“Yes, you are right. I do happen to have a friend who works for a
modeling agency in New York, even though we haven’t spoken in months.
Why do you care so much about what Katie and I talk about? Are you
jealous?”
“God, your conceit knows no bounds. Just forget I even asked, I have
to get going.” Elizabeth gets up to leave but Nico grabs her arm and makes
her sit down.
“Before you run off like a spoiled princess, please remember that I know
things about you that would make your family look at you in a different light.
Remember that when you speak to me and make sure you think twice before
you decide you’re better then me. Quite frankly, you and I are on the same level.
You just happened to have been born to money. Remember that, Princess.”
Nico states letting go of her arm.
Elizabeth looks unsettled as she gets out of the booth and heads towards the
door almost running into Katie. Katie steadies the coffees in her hand and
approaches Nico’s table.
“I guess Elizabeth had something important to take care of. I’ve never
seen someone run out of here so fast. Here are the coffees and your
Buffalo Wings should be up in the next fifteen minutes.” Katie sets down
Nico’s coffee and turns to leave with the other coffee in hand.
Nico stares after Katie and imagines her being photographed by him at his
place. A devilish grin forms as the images play in his head.
