INSTALLMENT 44
Mitchell Residence:
“What the hell are you doing here isn’t the best way to greet your
Dad, now is it Mindy May?“ Gerald Mitchell smiles and pushes past
Melinda in to the living room.
“Don’t call me that, Dad. You know I hate that name and yet you
still use it.” Melinda closes the door and takes a deep breath before
turning around to face her father. “ You haven’t visited since Mom died
and you barely acknowledge we exist. Forgive me for being shocked at
seeing you at the door.”
Gerald sits down in the nearest chair and looks slowly around the
room.“The place looks good Mindy May. It‘s good you kept everything
looking like your mom left it.”
Melinda shrugs her shoulders and heads into the kitchen. “I had no
choice Dad. There wasn’t anyone to lean on except myself. If I
remember right, you take your coffee black. Come into the kitchen and
I’ll pour you a cup.”
“I’m beat from the flight delays and hassles at the airport. Can you
bring the coffee out here?” He leans back and closes his eyes.
When Melinda walks back into the living room she marvels at the
arrogance of her father. She sits the coffee on the side table and sinks
down on the sofa. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here
after all this time?”
Gerald opens his eyes and leans forward, “Well Mindy May, I found
out that you’ve somehow allowed Katie to pose for an internet porno site
which can only ruin her reputation. You may have kept the house intact
but you’ve done a piss poor job raising your sister. God knows how you
screwed up your brother but I'll bet money you have.” He reaches for his
coffee and takes a sip. “I’m here to clean things up.”
Melinda’s mouth drops open in shock and disbelief, “ You’re here to
clean things up? That’s a bunch of bull since you’ve avoided any
responsibility in raising the twins up to this point. I can’t believe you have
the nerve to say it was my fault.”
“Hell, I paid off the mortgage on this house and sent you money every
month. The least you could have done was keep track of what your brother
and sister were doing.”
“I don’t follow Katie and Wally around 24/7 and your money wasn‘t enough
to cover anything but the basic expenses. College costs and clothing add up,
Daddy Dearest. I had to work to provide the extra money we needed.” Melinda
shot back.
“Hell, I didn’t expect you to follow them 24/7 but something like this doesn’t
just happen. Did Katie fall in with the wrong crowd? Were her grades slipping?
There had to have been signs you missed.”
“She made a mistake and she’s paying the price. I wish she had confided in
me but she didn’t. This sleaze bag photographer she met gave her that date rape
drug. She didn’t voluntarily pose for anything. She thought she was there to do
some shots for a legitimate modeling opportunity.” Melinda’s brow suddenly
furrows and she stands up putting her hands on her hips. “ Dad, just how did you
know about Katie’s pornography fiasco anyway?”
Gerald shrugs his shoulders and takes another sip of coffee before answering.
“It doesn’t matter how I found out. I did and now I’m here to help fix this fiasco.
If you check the website Katie’s no longer on the menu. I did that, not you.
Believe what you want but I do care what happens to my family.”
“I guess surfing porno sites is another past time that keeps you from your family.
Right, Dad?” Melinda retorts and then holds up her hand when her dad starts to reply.
“Don’t answer that because I won’t believe whatever comes out of your mouth. I’m
glad you were able to get her photos removed and that will have to be enough. What
about photos already downloaded?”
“That is something I can’t control because once a photo’s downloaded it takes
on a life of its own. However, I will make sure that photographer never takes
another photo. When I find him, he‘ll be lucky to survive.”
Melinda rolls her eyes, “Don’t be so dramatic, Dad. You sound like someone
from the mafia or something. His name is Nico Rawlins and he works for Falmont
Industries so he should be easy to find.”
Gerald leans forward and picks up a framed photo of Melinda, Wally, and Katie
sitting on the front porch. “I can’t believe how much the twins have changed. It
seems like yesterday they were racing around on their bikes.”
“It was nine years ago, not yesterday. Nine long years, Dad, where you weren’t
here watching them grow up.”
Gerald rubs his hand over his chin and looks Melinda straight in the eye.
“Well, Mindy May, I’m here now . How about I take all three of you out to dinner
and then we can come back here and catch up on old times. Sound good?”
Melinda shakes her head and walks over to the front door, “Not on my watch,
Dad. You and mom left nine years ago to search for
some mystical fortune in Florida. You both left us to fend for ourselves. You
gave up any right to waltz in here and act like the savior of the family. I don‘t
want you anywhere near the twins.”
“Don’t you think Katie and Wally have a say in this? What if they want to
see me?”
Melinda opens the front door and steps onto the porch, “Please leave Dad.
You aren’t here to establish a lasting relationship with us.”
Gerald stands up and follows Melinda outside. He stops directly in front of
his daughter. “ How do you know what I intend to do, Mindy May? Are you a
mind reader?”
“I know you’ll spend a day or two playing the interested parent and then
disappear again. I won’t have you jerking Katie and Wally around to suit
your ego. Just leave and don’t contact either of them. I mean it, Dad.”
“ Don’t be such a hard ass about this. I‘ll leave them alone unless they
contact me. If they do then I‘m going to have a relationship whether you like
it or not. I‘m still the father in this family. You’ve really turned into a bitter
young woman, Mindy May.”
“I was just 18 when you and Mom abandoned us. I gave up college,
dating, and marrying to take care of the twins. I’m bitter as hell.” Melinda
wipes a tear from the corner of her eye and slips inside the house slamming
the door in Gerald’s face. He stands quietly looking at the door for a few
moments then turns and walks slowly down the steps.
Hope Falls Country Club Bar:
Alicia walks into the darkened bar. Who knew? One quick stop by a
convenient fern to check her makeup, at the exact moment Lenore Falmont
and Lillian Richardson spill their guts, gives her a priceless gift. She has
knowledge that could rock the worlds of both the snooty Falmont family
and the "too good to be true" Richardson’s. Wealthy, married George Falmont
had fathered a child with “Donna Reed” perfect Lillian Richardson
years ago and no one but Lenore and Lillian know about it. Correct that,
no one else except Alicia knows about it.
She notices Stephen sitting alone and smiles. Cheater, maybe, but
he was delicious eye candy. If he takes after both his "biological" parents,
cheating is probably his fatal flaw. Poor guy doesn’t stand a chance with
his gene pool.
Stephen looks her way and motions her over to his table. A little
stirring of hope bursts inside Alicia’s heart. Maybe this relationship isn’t
a total wash out after all. It was just a kiss and Melinda isn’t such a
great catch. Alicia slides into a chair across from Stephen and leans over
to kiss his cheek.
“Stephen, you will never know how glad I am that you called wanting
to meet for a quick lunch. I am starving and need a little of your TLC to
make my afternoon classes tolerable. What looks good to you, honey?"
She asks as she opens the menu on the table.
Stephen sighs and opens his menu wondering how in the hell he’s
going to explain his feelings when he doesn’t understand them himself.
The last thing he needs is a public scene. “I’m not sure what I have to
say will be TLC. In fact, you probably won’t even want lunch in the
same restaurant.”
Alicia puts the menu down slowly, “Stephen, what in the world are
you talking about? I love you and lunch is always fun with you.”
Her heart sinks, knowing a stilted confession is brewing and hating
the dread she feels. She grabs the napkin from the table and furiously
unfolds it then places it on her lap.
“Alicia, something happened a few days ago that I need to talk to you
about.” He begins earnestly, sweat forming on his upper lip. Alicia sits
motionless, her face a misleading mask of serenity. “You and I have
discussed my friend Melinda before, remember?”
“Yes, you assured me there wasn’t anything to worry about, if I
remember correctly.“
“At the time, I believed that was a true statement.” Stephen pauses
but Alicia’s face remains void of expression.
“And now?” Alicia prompts quietly, too quietly for Stephen’s peace
of mind.
“The other night Melinda and I had an argument in O’leary’s parking lot
and it got pretty heated. We both said things we shouldn’t have said.”
“Friends have arguments Stephen, so what?” At that moment, she
hates Melinda with every fiber of her being. She will relish hurting Melinda
through Wally.
“I don’t know how it happened but I kissed Melinda and I wish I could say
it was just a friendly kiss but I can’t. I’m confused as hell about my
feelings. I care about you, Alicia but I’ve discovered I still have feelings for
Melinda, too. I’m sorry because I know I’m hurting you by being unsure.”
Stephen stops talking, looking for some kind of reaction from Alicia but he
doesn‘t see any emotions on her face.
Alicia can hear her heart beating faster and faster. Inside she is furious
but outside her demeanor is calm. The only physical sign of distress is the
crumpled napkin in her lap. Her fingers close and open compulsively
around it but Stephen doesn‘t see this tiny sign of her tightly controlled anger.
“Stephen, I guess it’s admirable that you’ve come clean about your betrayal.
However, I don’t share EVER. I shouldn’t be surprised that you have trouble
staying faithful, given your pedigree. “
Stephen stares at Alicia in anger, “What in the hell do you mean by that
last statement?” For the first time a cruel smile crosses Alicia’s face.
Revenge will be sweet. But she has to remain cool and not show her hand
too soon. If she spills her juicy news now, she will look like a woman scorned.
“I just meant that you’re a typical guy. Two timing comes natural to you.
It’s in the male handbook 101 isn‘t it? In case you didn’t hear me the first time,
I do not share. Decide which woman lights your fire then give me a call and see
if I‘m still interested.” Alicia removes the napkin from her lap and places it on the
table. “You were right Stephen, suddenly lunch has lost its appeal.” Alicia
slides from her chair and walks out of the bar leaving Stephen sitting alone.
Hope Falls University Student Union:
Katie closes her Interior Decorating text book and reaches for her bottle of
water. She keeps her eyes downward just in case someone recognizes her
from Angel’s.Goodies. Almost everyday someone makes reference to the
biggest mistake of her life and it’s impossible to pretend it didn’t happen.
Her friends look at her with sympathetic looks but Katie feels their pity and
hates her life more and more each day. Sighing she takes a drink from
the bottle and then notices Henry standing by her table observing her.
“Hello Katie.” Henry sits down across from her and reaches for her hand.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. I feel so responsible for what
happened to you.”
“Katie smiles, “Oh Henry, you weren’t responsible for my mistake.
I made a stupid choice. Unfortunately, I probably would have done
exactly the same thing even if we were still dating. I wanted to be a
model no matter what.”
“You mean you would have posed for that jerk while dating me?”
“Yes, I think I would have. I was a big, big fool who bought his line.
Relax, our breakup didn’t send me over the edge. We didn’t have a serious
relationship and we definitely didn‘t spend much time together. My ego is
bruised but I am not broken hearted over our breakup.”
"I think it was pretty good while it lasted, Katie.” Henry smiles his killer
smile and lifts her hand to his lips.
“A loud voice interrupts Henry’s kiss. ‘Get real Falmont. The only way
to handle one of Angel’s Goodies is to download her and then spank the
monkey.” Katie groans and looks up to see a group of three guys standing
beside the table laughing. The closest one slaps Henry on the back.
Katie looks at Henry‘s face which has grown stone cold, “Henry leave it
alone. They’re just jerks from one of my morning classes. It’s nothing worth
getting angry about.”
Henry lowers Katie’s hand and looks at her with such a sweet smile.
“Katie, darling you know I can’t let them get away with insulting you?”
Without any further warning Henry leaps to his feet and grabs the nearest
guy by the throat and slams him down on the table. Katie cries out and pushes
her chair back. She rushes to Henry’s side and tries to pull him off but he shakes
her hand from his shoulder. The guy is struggling and Henry slams his fist into
the side of his face. The other two guys back away and move to another table.
“Henry stop it! You can’t do this in the Student Union and get away with it.”
Katie looks around and sees a crowd gathering. Several students chant “Fight,
Fight.” Katie sinks into her chair in defeat.
Henry looks at Katie and sees her sad face and stops for a moment. His
opponent takes advantage of the opportunity and shoves Henry away then
staggers to his feet and he hits Henry in the stomach. Henry doubles over,
groans then lunges forward and tackles the much bigger guy. They roll
around on the floor wildly punching each other until a Security Guard pulls
them apart.
“Break it up you two. Let’s take it to the campus jail where you can cool off.”
Both of them have bloody noses and torn shirts and stand glaring at
each other. The guard grabs them by their shirt collars and drags them from
the student union. Katie groans and picks up her books. She can’t get out
of there fast enough. She hopes Henry doesn’t get in too much trouble because
of her.
Falmont Enterprises:
Lenore Falmont enters the reception area of her husband’s office and
stops in front of his administrative assistant’s desk. She smiles a brief smile
and then sits down on the edge of the desk. She places her designer bag
on the desk and removes her sunglasses before speaking.
“Good afternoon, Louise. Has my husband returned from lunch?”
“Hello, Mrs. Falmont. I didn’t realize you were coming in this afternoon.
Did you have a scheduled meeting with Mr. Falmont?”
Lenore rolls her eyes and snaps, “ I am the wife of the President and
CEO, Louise. I don’t think I need an appointment to see my husband.
Is he or isn’t he back from lunch at the country club?”
“Mr. Falmont has a busy afternoon scheduled and he didn’t mention that
you were coming in to the office today. Of course, you can stop in and see him
anytime. I meant no offense.” Louise pushes a button on her phone and picks
up the receiver. “Mrs. Falmont is here to see you, Mr. Falmont.” Her brow
furrows as she listens to his response. “Right away and yes, I’ll call
Gillian and delay your meeting.” She lowers the receiver and motions Lenore
towards George’s office.
Lenore stands up, then straightens her skirt and walks by Louise’s desk
without saying another word. She has never liked George’s assistant and her
impertinence today hasn’t made her any more likeable.
When Lenore steps inside and closes the door, George is standing in front
of his large office window. His arms are crossed and his back is towards the
door. She pauses for a moment and watches him, still in awe of how handsome
he is and how much she enjoys being Mrs. George Falmont. He slowly turns
around to face her and he isn’t happy. She is used to that reaction from him.
She takes a deep breath and smiles tentatively, “Hello, Darling. I just thought
I’d stop by and see how your day was going. You left so early this morning and I
missed you at breakfast. I thought I‘d have the staff cook a special dinner for us
this evening. We could have a quiet dinner and catch up with…”
George shakes his head and frowns, “You interrupted me at the office just
to tell me you are planning a quiet dinner tonight? I hardly call that earth
shattering and frankly, I don’t believe that’s your motive. It’s not your style.
What’s up, Lenore?”
Lenore sits down in one of the chairs in front of his desk, “ I do want to have
a quiet dinner with you but that’s not the real reason I stopped by.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere but can we please make it a quick tour
through your emotions today, Lenore. I have a busy afternoon and zero
patience for your dramatic antics.”
Lenore feels the blow of his words hit her like a sledge hammer, and looks
at him with pain in her eyes. “ You never have patience
or time for our relationship, do you George? “
“I believe there is a time and place, Lenore. That’s something you’ve
never understood. Work is the top priority in my life and it always has been.
You knew when we married that I had big ambitions. They require work and
sacrifice and sometimes it costs the family.”
Lenore laughs bitterly, “I realize that the family has always been last on
your list but I also realize that you make time for pleasure when it suits you,
darling. How was lunch at the country club?”
“I had a breakfast meeting with some distributors that ran late and I worked
out before I came back to the office. I didn’t have lunch at the club, just
breakfast.”
Lenore laughs again and stands up. She walks around the desk and
places her hand against George’s cheek. “Did it sting darling, when your
former mistress slapped you in the dining room today? I can‘t imagine what
you suggested to make Lillian raise a hand to you. What did you say, George?”
“Damn it Lenore! I_ do_ not_ have _time for this inquisition. You have
Lillian so scared of you that she over reacted when I stopped by her table
to say hello. Yes, just a simple hello prompted that slap.” George pushes
away Lenore’s hand and walks over towards the door. He stops with his
hand on the door knob and glares back at Lenore.
“Oh please, don’t defend poor Lillian. For a lady who isn’t even a member
of the country club she seems to be there every time I turn
around. I don’t think the club salad is the real attraction darling, you are.”
“There is a simple solution to your Lillian dilemma, Lenore. Just
stop spending so much time at the club. I think you need to find
something that takes your mind off of yourself and your insecurities.
They’ve become more than boring.” George pulls open the door and
sweeps his hand towards the reception area, “We’re finished with this
discussion. I won’t be home for dinner so you can forget about a quiet
anything between you and I.”
Lenore opens her mouth to retort when Gillian Richardson, Lillian’s
perky clone of a daughter, walks through the door files in hand. She is
wearing a beautiful red dress that makes her look like a million dollars.
Lenore thinks she will kill the next Richardson that crosses her path.
“Mr. Falmont, I didn’t expect you to be so eager to see me but here
you are waiting for me with an open door. That makes me feel
special.” Gillian smiles seductively then notices Lenore.
Lenore expects George to deliver a smack down about being
professional in the office but she’s disappointed. George grins and
motions Gillian inside. “ You’re my number one new employee. Of
course, I’m eager to have our meeting. Thanks for waiting while I
had a brief discussion with my wife. Have you met Lenore before?”
Gillian turns her smile towards Lenore, “No, I haven’t. It’s nice
to meet you, Mrs. Falmont.” She makes Lenore feel one hundred
years old and her youthful exuberance is annoying as hell.
Lenore nods an acknowledgement and walks between George and
Gillian through the doorway. “I’ll see you later this evening, George
and we will finish our discussion.” Without another word Lenore
walks through the reception area and out into the large hallway.
She hates being made a fool and George does it on a regular basis
without even trying.
"Well, that went well, Lenore.” She muses out loud while opening
her purse. She pulls out her keys and notices the envelope she
stuffed inside her purse that morning. She slides her finger under
the flap and wonders who would send her anything without a return
address. She didn’t recognize the scribbled handwriting but it looked
like the envelope had been addressed in a hurry. She empties the
envelope and several photos slide out.
At first glance , Lenore chuckles at the couple having sex on black
satin sheets. The first two photos don’t reveal the faces of the couple
but they reveal just about everything else.
She muses out loud . “It must be an advertising campaign for one
of those love nest hotels like Sybaris Suites.”
The third picture is a close up of the young woman’s face and
Lenore’s amusement disappears in an instant. Elizabeth, her face
contorted with ecstasy is the woman engaging in sex on those black
satin sheets. She thumbs through the rest of the photos and
her anger increases with every incriminating photo.
“Can my day get any worse?” She mutters and then looks around to
see if anyone witnessed her opening the envelope. Elizabeth
has always been her daddy’s darling but even Elizabeth is going to
have a tough sell explaining her latest mistake. Lenore stuffs the
photos back inside her purse and walks towards Elizabeth’s office
and an unwanted confrontation with her daughter.
Lenore doesn't knock and quickly opens the door before she loses
her desire to deal with the photos. She finds Elizabeth sitting at her
desk working on her laptop.
Elizabeth glances up and notices her mother standing in her doorway.
"Hello, Mother. This is a surprise. What's up?"
"Why don't you tell me." Lenore pulls out the envelope and tosses it on
Elizabeth's desk. "I can't imagine what you were thinking
exposing your ass to the camera. I guess I should be grateful
you're at least seeing someone but honestly, Elizabeth, a little decorum
is in order when your last name is Falmont. This is beyond embarrassing."
Elizabeth picks up the envelope and frowns when the photos fall onto
the desk. She can stop wondering what Nico will do for revenge.
Her mother's wrath is worse than hell itself. Score one for Nico.
