INSTALLMENT  43
 
 


Hope Falls Country Club Dining Room:



   Her prada purse in one hand and a merlot in the other, Lenore makes her
way toward her favorite table.  Sitting down, she pulls out the mail she had
stuffed in her purse that morning.  She notices a plain white envelope with
no return address and stares at the envelope, curious about its contents. 
Before she can open it, her  eyes glance upwards and she notices Lillian 
entering the club and heading for the other side of the room. 

   Seconds later, her husband George  enters and stands at the entrance
glancing casually around the dining room.  Lenore skims through her planner
checking her schedule. No, she isn't scheduled to have lunch with her husband
today. That could only mean his true purpose for being there was Lillian. 

   Stuffing the envelope into her purse, she quickly moves towards the other side
determined to get a closer look.  Her theory is proven true when he stops at 
Lillian's table. "That bitch!" She fumes, She should have known Lillian wouldn't 
keep her word about staying out of her husband's life.

   Taking a deep breath, she sits at a nearby table hidden from discovery by one 
of the columns.  She leans forward listening to what they say.

   "Hello Lillian." George leans over the table with a wicked grin, resting his hands
on the corners for support.  "I know you're not here to renew our relationship over 
lunch so there must be some other guy getting lucky. If there isn't, perhaps we 
should take advantage of this opportunity, if you know what I mean."   

   Lenore slides out of her chair just in time to see Lillian slap George
across the face.  She didn't think the traitor had it in her to slap him in public.

   She watches George turn around and ducks down behind the menu from the
table.   George walks past her table without noticing her and she sighs with 
relief.  She then marches toward Lillian determined to confront her rival.

   Lillian looks up and watches Lenore approach and her face turns white.

   In a rush to ease the situation, Lillian stumbles over her words, "Lenore, I didn't 
see you come in.  I don't mean to be rude but I'm meeting my boss for lunch."  
She looks down at her menu to avoid further eye contact.

   Lenore smiles, "Good."  She sits down across from Lillian, "I'm sure
your boss won't mind waiting.  We need to define the boundaries again."

   Lillian breathes deeply and prepares herself for another tongue lashing.



Hope Falls Country Club Bar: 



   Stephen makes his way to the bar area but looks around the dining room
for his appointment. Scanning around the room, he notices his mother sitting 
with a familiar looking woman and tries to wave at her.  Noting she's deep in
conversation, he looks  back at the bar and sees someone sitting by themselves
and figures this must be the person he's wanting to meet.

   Making his way over, he tries to come up with a suitable story for 
meeting Bianca Lewiston.  He couldn't just come out and ask her if she 
told his girlfriend about him and  Melinda  .  Approaching the table, he figures
out what he'll say to her.

   " Bianca Lewiston ?"  Stephen asks.

   Bianca looks up from her blackberry and smiles, "I take it you're the 
gentleman I'm supposed to be meeting.  Have a seat Mr....?"

   Stephen tries to think of his name before blurting out, "Mr. Richardson,
Stephen Richardson to be exact."  He extends his hand out which she 
meets with a firm handshake.

   Bianca motions for him to sit down, "So you're Gillian's  brother.  I've 
heard about you from her over the period of time that I was her boss.  So
what can I do for you?"  

   He knows she's heard about him, he thinks bitterly to himself, "I was 
looking to possibly buy a house.  Since my sister's no longer in the field, I 
remembered her mentioning how much of a shark you were in the real 
estate game.  So I figured I'd meet with you."

   Bianca nods, thinking to herself what a bad liar he is, "You are aware
that I no longer have a real estate company?"  She sees him nod, "I
have to admit you're the first person in weeks whose expressed an interest
in obtaining property."

   "I figured now was the best time to start looking for a house.  The prices
have been falling so fast that perhaps I can actually afford a mortgage on
my teacher's salary."

   Bianca looks through her wallet before producing a business card, "Right
now, the real estate market isn't my top focus but I do have a card for an 
agent that is sure to find a great property for you."  She tries to hand the 
card to him but notices his disinterest, "Perhaps, you should tell me the 
real reason you wanted to meet.  It doesn't have anything to do with your 
father Chase, does it?"

   Stephen shakes his head, "Not at all.  Why would you ask that?"  He
wonders why she even mentioned his father.

   "No reason, just was curious.  Go on, tell me the real reason."  Bianca 
asks, trying to move the subject away from Chase.  After all, they're just
friends, but people might misinterpret the innocent encounters. 

   Stephen takes a deep breath, "My sister told me you saw me with 
another woman and I wanted to speak with you about that."  He instantly
realizes how stupid that sounds once the words fall out of his mouth.

   Bianca laughs, realizing why Gillian tried to get a hold of her, "Can I
be honest with you, Stephen?"  He nods in response, "Before today, I've
never met you so why would I mention to your sister that I saw you with
another woman?"  She can see Stephen pondering this,  "Think about it."

   Stephen's face starts to furrow, "I'm going to kill my sister."  He starts 
getting out of his chair.  "Bianca, I'm sorry for wasting your time today."

   Bianca smiles, "It's ok.  I remember how it was being young and single.  I 
hope you won't take this the wrong way but I think you might want to think
about confessing to your girlfriend."  Stephen starts to shake his head, 
"Listen, I don't know the situation at all but if you're looking at another woman,
it might be wise to end things.  Just a thought."

   Stephen nods, "I guess you're right."  He starts to walk away from the 
table before he hears Bianca calling his name. 

   Bianca hands him her business card, "Listen, if you are interested in finding
a house then give me a call.  I can fit in a free-lance real estate deal 
anytime."  She starts walking away, "Feel free to stay and have 
something to eat, and tell them to put it on Bianca Lewiston's account."

   Stephen watches Bianca exit the bar before sitting back down in
his seat.  He then takes out his cell phone and starts to dial it.

   " Alicia, I think we need to talk.  Can you come to the Hope Falls Country
Club?"  Stephen pauses, "Oh, you'll be here in the next five to ten minutes?
Great, I'll be waiting in the bar. See you."

   Stephen disconnects his cell phone then motions for the server to take
his order.  He sits back in his chair and prepares for Alicia's arrival knowing
this isn't going to be a nice lunch.



Hope Falls Country Club Dining Room:



   "What did I do now, Lenore?"  Lillian asks, trying to reach for her water.

   Lenore rolls her eyes, thinking how typical it is for Lillian to be in denial 
over what she did, "Don't play dumb with me.  I saw you with my husband."

   Lillian sighs, "You didn't see me slap him across the face?"

   "Yes, I did see that.  I must admit you surprised me with that move.  I 
didn't think you had it in you to resist a man, especially a married man." 
Lenore retorts before looking at her watch.

   "Am I keeping you from something?"  Lillian asks,  "Perhaps you should
run along because my boss is due any minute."

   Lenore leans in toward Lillian, "I don't see your boss here and until he 
comes, I figure we can talk."

   Lillian leans away from Lenore, "Why do you keep doing this to me?"

   "That's a really funny question coming from you, but I'll pretend I didn't
hear the question." Lenore  smiles, "Perhaps we can get down to 
establishing serious boundaries."

   Lillian stands up and throws her napkin on the chair then turns to stare
at Lenore "I need some fresh air, excuse me."  She notices Lenore getting 
ready to reply and quickly continues, "I'm sick and tired of having this same 
conversation with you.  As always, a pleasure."

   Lillian walks briskly towards the exit unaware she's being followed.  Just 
as she prepares to walk through the front doors, someone's hand touches 
her shoulder. Turning around, she is dismayed to see Lenore standing 
behind her.

   "What do you want, Lenore?  I already told you I'm not having this same
conversation with you.  I'm sorry about what I did to you all those years 
ago.  If I could take it back, I would!"  Lillian said through clenched teeth.

   Lenore stares at her for a second, "Somehow I doubt that."  She notices
Lillian's startled reaction, "The only reason I say that is because if you could take 
back sleeping with my husband, then Stephen wouldn't have been born."

   Lillian ponders this for a second, "To this day, I have no idea why I slept
with him.  I mean we had broken up long before you entered the
picture.  In fact, I even insisted the two of you date.  I don't know why I had
an affair with him. It was unforgivable."

   "I'm glad you grasp that.  I thought I could forgive you but everytime I
see you and my husband, I'm reminded of what you two had together.  
Whenever I see Stephen, I'm reminded that my husband is his father and I 
hate that."

   "I understand perfectly.  I would feel the same way if my husband had an
affair and saw them together." Lillian replies, "Listen,  I promise that I won't
see your husband alone ever again.  If he approaches me, I'll slap him again."  

   Lenore nods, indicating her agreement before both head off in opposite
directions with the silent understanding that nothing has changed between them.

   After they both disappear from the foyer, Alicia emerges from behind the fern near
the Ladies Room, smiling because she overheard their conversation.  Looking at her
watch, she heads toward the bar.  She figures this new information could work to her
advantage.



Mitchell Residence:



   Melinda walks downstairs trying to enjoy her first day off in over a week
without any success.  She's made the bed, dusted the whole house,
and cleaned the upstairs bathroom only to find that it's  only ten thirty.  
Heading for the computer, she decides to surf the net for news on the
continued fallout from the presidential election.

   Waiting for the computer to load, she thinks back over her argument with
 Katie.  She still feels bad for the way she spoke to her sister but hasn't
had the chance to apologize.  Everytime she tries to talk to Katie, she is
met with disdain.  

   Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs, she gets up to see who it is.  
Seeing Katie heading toward the front door, Melinda makes a beeline to her
sister before she leaves.

   "Katie, wait up."  Melinda calls out, "Where are you heading?"

   Katie stops midstep and faces her sister, "I have a class at 11:30.  Is it 
acceptable if I go to class?"  She asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

   Melinda isn't taken back by her sister's response because they've
had this song and dance for several years.  She places her hand on
Katie's arm indicating a truce.

   "I deserve that.  I was just wondering if you'd like to talk to me."  

   Katie looks at Melinda curiously, "Why?  Are you going to tell me how I
should be more like my brother?  Or better yet, how every choice I make
somehow seems to be the wrong one."  She puts her hand up in front of
Melinda to stop her from talking, "Or are we going to have another heart
to heart about why Dad's a loser."  She starts to open the front door,  
"Am I getting warm, sister dear?"  

   Melinda shakes her head, "No, not even close.  Listen when you come 
back, can we have a talk?"  She asks.

   Katie sighs, "Sure, I'll be back around five.  I guess I'll see you then."

   Katie shuts the front door behind her and Melinda heads back into the 
living room.  She notices that the computer has finished loading and decides
to check out Angels Goodies first.  What else can go wrong in her life, she
thinks as she starts to type in the web address.

   Just then the doorbells rings, stopping Melinda's typing.  Wondering 
who could be at the door, she makes her way toward the front door.  She
opens the front door and does a double take.

   "What the hell are you doing here!"  Melinda demands, finding her voice
in spite of the shock of seeing her father,  Gerald Mitchell , staring back at her.