INSTALLMENT 7 
 


Falmont Enterprises:
 
 
   "You wanted to see me sir?" Thomas Norris asks as he enters George 
Falmont’s office.
 
   "Yes, I wanted to meet with you and ask how you are fitting in at Falmont?"  
George replies.  He still wasn’t sure what to make of his newest employee 
after the short time of working with him.
 
   "Everyone’s been helpful and I think I’m going to like it here very 
much, sir.  I plan to prove myself here as I have everywhere else," Thomas
answers.
 
   "Good to hear, Thomas.  I was wondering how you were holding up. 
Your supervisor mentioned you seemed a little distracted and 
tired.  Still adjusting to the time zone differences?"
 
   "No, not at all, Sir.   I have been apartment hunting online at night.  I 
might be looking at one after work today,"  Thomas answers.  He doesn't 
want to mention the real reason he's exhausted.
 
   " I can always help you with that if you are interested.  We can talk 
about it later if you’d like.  Right now, I have a conference call to handle and 
then dinner with my wife.  By the way, are you doing anything 
this coming Friday?" George asks.
 
   "No, why do you ask?" Thomas replies and heads toward the door. 
"I’m still new here and haven't met a lot of people.  I will probably read
a good book."
 
   "I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner at my house?
You could meet most of my family.   I wish I could introduce you to my 
daughter Elizabeth, but she has been on a business trip in New York and
isn't due back for awhile."   Thomas's face shows disappointment but George 
doesn't notice. "What do you say to my offer?  Dinner would be at eight if you 
accept."
 
   "It’d be nice to have a home cooked meal so I‘ll accept." Thomas replies. 
He walks out of George's office leaving his boss to wonder about his newest 
employee.
 


Oleary's
 

   Melinda Mitchell is finishing up her shift at the restaurant. It isn't the dream job, 
she was hoping for as a child, but the pay is decent on the weekends.  She finishes
counting her tips and is unaware that Stephen Richardson has walked up behind her.  She 
looks up when startled by a hand on her shoulder.  She's happy to see that it's Stephen.
 
   "Hey there, didn't expect to see you so early.  I thought you were still 
teaching those little monsters at school."
 
   "It's Presidents' Day and we are off from school.  I see you're through for the day
and I wonder if you want to grab a cup of coffee and hang 
out."  Stephen asks.
 
   "Sure, we can hit the mall or even go to Foxy's to get a cup of coffee.  
Are you OK?  You look kind of down."
 
   "Yeah, I ‘m fine, I just need some adult company today who is not family. 
Valentine's Day was kind of a downer.  It seems like that 
holiday is around to remind single people there is something wrong 
with them."  Stephen admits.
 
   "Speak for yourself, I'm single and I definitely don't think there is 
something wrong with me.  It depends on your outlook and I like to 
think that the "one" for me hasn't arrived yet," Melinda says with a smile. 
She signs the time sheet and gathers her belongings together.  
 
   "That’s just it, how do you know that the "one" hasn't already arrived?
Maybe, we are just too blind to realize it.  I've heard that the
one you are meant to be with can be right under your nose."  Stephen and 
Melinda start toward the exit.
 
   "Stephen, I think I know where you are going with this.  I don't think 
you and I are meant to be together.  If we were, I think we would have 
gotten together a lot earlier then now, don't you think?"  Melinda asks.
 
   Stephen is silent as they walk toward Foxy's.  Melinda knows that 
he has always had a thing for her.  She isn't looking for a relationship 
of any kind because of the way her life has been the past few years. 
She reasons that if Stephen was the "one" then she wouldn't 
worry about her life and just go for it.
 
   "I can't figure out why we never got together, Melinda.  I mean 
everyone in high school pegged us as the perfect couple.  In fact, we 
went to senior prom together."  Stephen knows they hadn't gone beyond 
friendship but they were heading in a more serious direction. "At the time,
you seemed as interested in dating as I was but then you switched gears. 
I think I know why but you've never told me." 
 
   "Things happned when I turned eighteen.  My parents moved to Florida
and asked me to care for my siblings because a move would disrupt their 
lives too much." Melinda pauses and her voice softens, "I didn't know that 
mom was dying. After my mom died, my father couldn't handle parenting 
responsibilities and left them with me. Becoming a parent made me realize 
that I had to focus on someone other then myself. I have done that for eight years."  
 
   "I understand, but Melinda, they are twenty years old. You don't
have to put your life on hold anymore. Don't you want to start living for 
yourself again?"  Stephen asks.
 
   "Listen, I know you are trying to help and that makes you a
great friend.  However, my focus is on Wally and Katie until they 
finish school. Then it will be my time.  You have to let me decide when
I’m ready to shift my focus." 

   Stephen nods and gives her a quick hug.  They change the topic and
talk about random, less stressful subjects.  In the back of Stephen's
mind, he knows that he's still in love with his oldest pal but the feeling
isn’t mutual.
 


Hope Falls Country Club
 
 

   Lenore Falmont enters the plush HFCC for a meeting with 
Misty McDonnell concerning the final details for a charity event.  She is 
surprised that February 29th is just around the corner and she's happy 
with the knowledge that she won’t have to talk to Misty after that.  She
stops beside Misty's table and the two women exchange greetings and fake
kisses before Lenore sits down at the table.
 
   "Why are you summoning me to the country club so early in the 
afternoon, Misty?  I figure that most of the details for the charity function 
have been ironed out at our other meetings. Did something go wrong?"  Lenore
asks and sips the chardonnay Misty had ordered for her.
 
   "Of course not!  I want to have a little lunch with my co-chair and 
celebrate all the plans being completed" Misty smiles and taps her fingers
on the table.   "I was wondering if you were able to speak to Malcolm down 
at the Chronicle. We need them to cover the event."  

Lenore notices for the first time how nondescript Misty is.  Nothing about her
stands out as exceptional, nothing.   She reasons that Misty must be aware
her looks don't merit attention and she is forced to rely on  her personality. 
Unfortunately, her personality is annoying and doesn't help her. Lenore
breathes a sigh of relief because her own exceptional good looks make personality
development unnecessary.
 
    "I haven't spoken to Malcolm since last week but he mentioned 
hiring someone to write the society features for the newspaper.  I guess 
she has done freelance before but I couldn't quite place the name.  I 
assume he is going to have her cover the charity event. I'll call after 
we are done with lunch to confirm."  Lenore replies.
 
   "Good, I hope whoever is covering the event is better
then the disaster they had covering our winter formal last December.  
Perhaps the Chronicle sensed our displeasure and that is why they hired on 
new blood.  I am so excited about this event, I really hope it goes off 
without anything going wrong!"
 
   "I am sure everything will be fine, Misty.  You worry too much.  Let's 
order another glass of chardonnay and enjoy today." Lenore
finishes the last of her wine and motions the waiter to fill 
their glasses.  

Lenore hopes she can convince her husband to accompany 
her to the event.  The year before George hadn't attended but this 
year, she vows, he will be going whether he likes it or not.
 
 

Foxy's Diner
 
 
   Nina Richardson stops at the diner on her way back from class to pick up a
food order for herself and her study group.   When she turns toward the
register to pick up the order, Henry Falmont, accidentally runs into her.
Her books fall to the ground and papers scatter across the floor.  
 
   "Gees, you might watch where you are going and avoid casualties." Nina storms as she
bends down to pick up her books and the notes from her Econ class.  
 
   "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there.  I was running late for class and 
didn't watch where I was going.  The name is Henry, what’s yours?"  Henry asks 
as he extends his hand to Nina.
 
   "I'm Nina.   I wish I could say it was nice meeting you but that 
would be a lie.  I have to get going and I'll have to reorganize all of my notes 
before study group." She finishes gathering her books and stands up. Her phone 
vibrates and she sees there's a text from Katie wondering where she is.  "Perhaps we 
could talk again sometime, but right now I need to pick up my order and 
get going."
 
   "I should make it up to you.  Perhaps a coffee down at Starbucks 
sometime or even dinner?"  Henry offers.  Nina stares at him in 
disbelief then turns towards the counter and pulls a twenty from her wallet.   The clerk
takes her money and hands her a shopping bag filled with her takeout order.
 
   "Henry, while it’s nice of you to offer to buy me coffee or dinner, it isn't a big deal.  
No harm came to either of us and I really have to go."  Nina walks towards the exit. 
Henry stares after her unsure how to read this intriguing girl.
 
   Just then his phone vibrates and he looks at the newly arrived text message.
 
   Hey there!  What are you doing tonight?  Studying with friends till seven, 
perhaps a movie at eight?  Answer back when free!  Yours Truly,  Katie. 
 
   Henry smiles with relief because it isn’t a family member but his new 
semi-girlfriend.  He replies with a message stating he will pick Katie up at 
eight thirty.  He leaves the diner and heads to class but he can’t get the 
image of Nina out of his mind.