INSTALLMENT 36
Hope Falls Country Club:
Taking a drink from her wine glass, Lenore looks around the dining area
wondering what’s keeping her appointment. She glances at her watch and
confirms she’s on time. Just as she’s about to reach for her cell phone,
she notices Misty McDonnell coming toward her. Steeling herself for Misty’s
annoying chatter, she tells herself that once Founder’s Day is over, she’ll be
free of Misty again.
“I’m so sorry I’m late, Lenore!" Misty offers in a rush. "Don’t be mad but
my appointment at the spa ran over just a wee bit. For a second, I thought
you would be angry with me but then, I figured you of all people would
understand needing all the help available to look fabulous.” Misty takes a
deep breath and then takes a seat across from Lenore.
Lenore grits her teeth, “Yes, I do understand keeping one’s previous
commitments. I would have hoped that entailed meeting me on time
instead of being twenty minutes late. I’ve noticed you’ve been lagging on
your duties in the league. What do you have to say about being unreliable?”
“I was going to suggest calling off our women’s league booth at Founder’s
Day.” Misty suggests, “We’ve both been so busy that it wouldn’t be fair to
present a less than stellar booth.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, we have to set up our booth at Founder’s Day! It’s been
a tradition of the league for thirty five years. What would it look like to
people if we didn’t set up our booth? We would look like we don’t care
about Hope Falls and that simply isn’t the case. Do you have any other
ideas?”
“That’s why I asked you to meet me at the country club, Lenore. I figured
you wouldn’t take my first suggestion so I came up with another thought.
What if I pull out of planning the booth?”
Lenore can hardly contain her glee at being granted her fondest wish.
Perhaps Misty finally got the hint that she would only call her during planning
for events but never any other time.
“I know it’s a shock but I actually can’t be here during Founder’s Day.”
Misty puts her hand on the table, showcasing a magnificent diamond. “I’m
engaged and will be on a cruise to Monte Carlo that week. Don’t
worry; I have the perfect replacement!”
“You’ve picked out a replacement without talking to me first?” Lenore
asks with a frown.
“No. She’s coming here in a few minutes to talk with you. If you
don’t get along, then let me know and I’ll find someone else. To be honest,
when I approached the others in our league, they were a little shy about
volunteering. I can’t imagine why.” Misty muses with a small grin she couldn't
hide.
“Ok, so do I know this woman?” Lenore inquires taking another sip of wine.
“I think you’ve met before but she’s not in the league. However, there’re
no rules stating that a helper has to be in the league.” Misty looks over
Lenore’s shoulder and smiles, “Here she is now. Over here!”
Lenore turns around with a smile but it disappears when she catches sight of
Lillian walking toward their table. This can’t be happening, she thinks to
herself, she has to be stopping by just to say hello.
“Lillian, I’m glad you could make it. Lenore, this is the person who I want
to take my place. I know you met not too long ago, perhaps this is the
time for you two to get to know one another. I bet you have
things in common.” Misty exclaims peering at her watch. “Can you look
at the time, I have to be somewhere. I’ll call you later Lenore, bye!”
Misty walks away from the table as Lillian and Lenore eye each other up
and down.
Mitchell’s Home:
Katie is downloading music onto her Ipod when she hears the doorbell
ring. Looking around the house, she realizes she’s there by herself and
heads downstairs to get the door. Her mood lifts when she sees Henry
on her front steps and she motions for him to come in.
“I went down to Oleary’s to see if you were working but Melinda
mentioned you were off today. I’ve been trying to talk to you for the last
several days with no success.” Henry remarks as he sits down in the living
room.
“I’m so sorry about not getting back to you. Your sister mentioned to
me this last weekend that you were looking for me and I totally forgot to
call you back. I can’t wait till fall semester starts so I can have a life again.”
Katie complains sitting down beside him.
“No, it’s ok if you have to work. I admit I’m surprised you’re working so
much since you vowed that Oleary’s would only be part-time.”
“That’s what I thought but it’s been hard saving up money for school.
Thankfully, I got a letter from the Department of Education letting me
know they’re kicking in more money for this coming semester.”
“That’s great! I know how mad you were losing that scholarship so at
least you can continue going to school." Henry pauses and looks
directly at Katie. "That brings me to what I need to talk to you about.”
“You have news as well? Tell me your news then I’ll tell you my other
news.” Katie offers with a laugh, thinking to herself how she can’t wait
to share her news about modeling.
“Yes I do. I don’t know quite how to tell you this except to come right
out and say it.” Henry explains sitting forward with a serious face.
“Tell me what Henry? You can tell me anything that’s on your mind.”
Katie proclaims, putting her arm through his.
“I think we’ve been growing apart this summer and it’s time we go our
separate ways.” Henry spits out.
Katie just stares at him trying to determine if she is hearing things correctly.
Looking at his face, she realizes she isn’t hearing things.
“Why are you breaking up with me? Is there someone else?”
Katie asks staring coldly into Henry’s eyes, who sits there unable to
answer.
O'leary’s
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of work, Thomas makes himself at
home at a table in the back of the establishment. Taking a look at his
blackberry, he marvels at how he is able to fit in an hour lunch with the
hectic PR schedule at Falmont. Looking around, he is happy
to see Melinda punching out for lunch and waving at him.
As he finishes with his blackberry, Melinda makes her way to the table and
sits down across from him. Putting his blackberry in his briefcase, he looks up
and starts to smile.
“What’s that smile for? Good day at work or is it something else?”
Melinda inquires.
“No, I’m smiling because you are the first non corporate person I’ve
encountered in the past two weeks. The one good thing about PR is that
you are never out of a job, especially with the economy the way it is.”
Thomas replies.
Just then, the server comes to their table and the two order a cup of
coffee before resuming their conversation.
“So other then work, what else has been going on with you? I know
you’ve been busy but how are things on the Jonathan and Elizabeth
front? Is there anything new?”
“No, I haven’t seen either of them for the last few weeks. As I mentioned,
work has taken up most of my life but relief is finally on the horizon! I have
to give both of them a call.”
“Have you decided on what to do about them?” Thomas looks confused.
Melinda continues, “Come on, you know you were confused over which one
you liked. I assumed with work keeping you away from both of them, your
feelings would be clearer.”
“Yes, you are correct. I’ve found that Jonathan has been occupying my
thoughts. Not to say that Elizabeth hasn’t but I guess I view her as a friend.
I just hope that I haven’t done anything to damage my relationships with either
of them with my indecisiveness.” Thomas muses.
“From what you’ve told me about your experiences in California, I
understand why you were cautious about starting anything. How have you
been doing dealing with that situation? Are you feeling more comfortable about
possibly starting something with Jonathan?”
“Guilt is a hard thing to let go of especially when the man you love names
you as the reason for killing himself. I don’t know if I’ll ever be over it but
I’ve been trying to make peace with it as best as I can. I think being
around Elizabeth, and especially Jonathan, has helped me get closer to
that point.”
“I’m happy to hear that Thomas. I truly am.” Melinda responds.
Just then, the server interrupts them and delivers their coffees. They
tell the server they need more time to decide on their orders and after
the server walks away, they start to resume their conversation.
“So what’s new with you? Has anything happened to you in the last few
weeks?” Thomas asks, drinking his coffee.
“Let me think about that for a second." Melinda leans her head to one side.
"There was a fight here not too long ago between two patrons and I convinced
the owner to drop the charges. Plus, my best friend Stephen is dating
Alicia and they seem happy with one another. I felt bad for not returning Stephen’s
feelings so I’m glad he was able to move on.” Melinda answers.
“Does Alicia know about this?” Thomas asks noticing Melinda shaking
her head, “Listen, you better hope she doesn’t find out because she’s a
jealous, possessive person and that’s her normal mood!”
“I thought you made peace with her?” Melinda asks.
“No, she just told me she’ll leave me alone, as long as I don’t cause any
more pain. I guess as long as Jonathan and Elizabeth refrain from killing
themselves, she’ll leave me alone. However, I still have my guard up
around her. I suggest you do the same for your own sake.” Thomas cautions.
“Ok, I will. I hope she doesn’t find out about Stephen and I. I would hate
to see her angry when there is nothing going on between us. Do you want
to change the subject?” Melinda asks feeling a chill run down her spine.
“Of course I do! Alicia is the last thing I like to talk about when having
lunch with someone I like.” Thomas cracks with sarcasm.
They laugh and change the subject to more frivolous topics. Melinda
tries to pretend Alicia doesn’t frighten her but after hearing things from
Thomas, she decides to keep her guard up.
Hope Falls Country Club:
Lenore and Lillian continue to stare at each other unsure of what to say
to one another.
“I didn’t know you and Misty were such close friends. I’m curious about
that because she has never struck me as the type to make friends easily.”
Lenore finally says.
“Actually, we met at the charity event and I have lunch with her once in
awhile. She’s really nice and welcoming, which is more then I can say for
other people in the woman’s league.” Lillian retorts.
Lenore grits her teeth, “Only because the league is protective of its image
and keeping undesirables out.”
Lillian rolls her eyes, “Save that for someone who didn’t know you in college.
You were so far removed from that snooty group in college, it wasn’t even funny.
I guess time and bitterness changes a person.”
Lenore sighs loudly, “Bitterness bought on by the betrayal of one’s
husband with one’s best friend." She points her finger directly at Lillian, "Always
remember that when you start talking about ancient history.”
“Lenore, if I could change all of that, I would. However, the past is the
past and I want to start over. It’s the only reason I agreed to Misty’s
request to come here today.”
“I admit Misty’s news did throw me off a bit but if you’re willing to help
me with the booth at Founder’s Day then so be it. I guess you’ve proven
you’ve changed over the years.” Lenore acknowledges.
“I’m glad we both agree to work on this booth together since
the other women in the league weren't willing to volunteer? I guess some things
never change including your need for control in all things.” Lillian sneers
then realizes what she’s just said, “Sorry, I had to get that last one out.”
“That’s acceptable. I always knew you had a bitchy side underneath that
goody two shoe exterior. What I meant by changing is that you’ve
managed to stay away from my husband so for that I thank you.” Lenore
replies.
Lillian nods realizing that Lenore didn’t know about George dropping
by her office a couple of times in the last few weeks. She decides for the
sake of her fragile truce with Lenore, that she’ll cease talking to George.
Mitchell’s Home
“Perhaps you didn’t hear my question so I’ll ask again. Is there someone
else?” Katie asks, hands on hips.
“No, we’ve just grown apart these last few months. It happens to the
best of us. You’ve been busy working your butt off to pay for school and
I’ve been partying around Chicago this summer. I mean it took a couple
of days for us to even talk to one another!”
“If you want to break up that’s fine. Just be honest with me. Did you
meet someone else while clubbing in Chicago?”
Henry grits his teeth, “We’ve just grown apart. It happens to everyone.
I want to end things while we can still be friends.”
“Are you kidding me? You want to be friends with me? I doubt we’ll be
friends because friends are honest with each other.” Katie snaps back.
“I’m being honest with you Katie. If you don’t believe what I’m saying
then that’s your problem, not mine.”
“Is this how you break up with every girl you’ve been with? No wonder
why your mother told me you couldn’t commit, it’s because of how you
treat us! Just get out of my house right now!” Katie screams as she
marches to the door.
“Listen, I’m being honest with you. I think in the long run, you’ll see that
you and I don’t belong together. It’ll give you a chance to meet someone
else.” Henry says as he walks out the door.
“Save it for the next girl, you get to go out with you. Goodbye!” Katie
yells as she slams the door in Henry’s face.
Katie stands there with tears running down her face in shock over
what just happened between them. She started the day out with so much
hope and now she is single again. As she sits down on the couch,
she pulls Nico's number out of her wallet and is comforted because of her test
shots coming up with Nico.
