INSTALLMENT 47  



Mitchell Residence:


   Melinda stares down at her finished meat loaf, taking in the rich Italian
aroma.  Staring at the clock above the stove, she hopes  Katie  sees her efforts as
a peace offering.  Since discovering Katie's images splashed all over that website, things have been tense. 

  Just then her cell phone starts vibrating.  Not looking at the caller id, she flips open her cell phone, hoping
it's Stephen  calling her back.

  "Hello?" 

  "Hey, sorry about not calling you back right away but I was in the middle of class.  Did I
hear correctly that your father is back in town?"  Stephen asks, the concern evident in his
voice.

  "Yes, he informed me of his presence not too long ago.  Thankfully, neither Katie nor  Wally 
are aware of his return."  Melinda spits out, thinking to herself that this dinner could be an
opportunity for her to break the news to her sister.  If only Wally didn't have to study tonight,
she could hit two birds with one stone by telling them both at the same time.  It isn't that she
doesn't want them to know their father's back in town, she just doesn't want to give their
father the satisfication of telling them first.

  As if Stephen could read her mind he asks, "You are planning to tell them he's back, right?"

  "Of course I am!" Melinda sharply responds,  "I just needed to digest the news first before I
spread the word."  Melinda explains, trying to convince herself more then Stephen.

  "I'm glad to hear it." She could sense a little resignation in his voice,  "If they find this out from
anyone else, I can't imagine either would be happy with you.  I certainly wouldn't want to see your
sister's temper."  Stephen jokes, trying to picture what Melinda is going through.

  "That's why I just finished making a homemade dinner for Katie.  I figure if i make her favorite meal then I
can break it to her about daddy dearest's unwelcome return."  Melinda reasons, hints of bitterness in her
voice. 

  Just then she hears the front door open, she places the meat loaf back in the oven to keep warm "Listen, I
hate to cut this short but I think she's home.  Can we meet for coffee tomorrow at Foxy's?  I have some
nagging doubts about his sudden return to town."

  "Yeah, I'll be free at three o'clock.  I'll see you then."  Stephen replies, "Melinda, everything is going to be
ok, just remember that." He pauses for a second,  "I love you."

  "I'll see you tomorrow at three.  Good-bye."  Melinda disconnects her cell, telling herself she can only
deal with one thing at a time.  Once she talks to Katie and Wally about their dad, then she can focus on
her feelings for Stephen.

    Taking a deep breath, she heads out to the living room to greet her sister.  Taking special care
to be sensitive, she tells herself that she'll be on her best behavior and not say anything to upset her.

    "Katie, I'm so glad you're home!  I just about finished making your favorite dinner and there's
something I need.....What the hell are you doing here!"  Melinda yells, surprised at the sight of her
father and Katie in the living room together.

  "Look who I ran into at the Falmont's."  Katie says, noticing the thickened tension between her sister
and father.  "I already know about your reunion with dad so you can spare me the surprised look. What
I'd really like to know is what gives you the right to decide when, or if, I ever see my father again?"

  Katie stands in the living room waiting for Melinda to answer, noting the color draining from her older
sister's face.


Falmont Mansion:


  Lenore is sitting in the bathtub, a Merlot waiting on the nightstand as Mozart blares through her MP3
player.  Just as she starts to enter the zone, her cordless phone starts ringing, bringing her out of her
George Clooney fantasy.  Figures she'd be interrupted just as she was getting that marriage proposal,
she thinks to herself.  She pulls herself out of the bathtub, putting on her silk bathrobe before answering
the phone.

  "This better be good."  Lenore barks into the phone, still trying to hold on to the image of George
Clooney in her memory banks.

  "Hello to you too mother."  Elizabeth sarcastically replies on the other line, "Based on your tone and
the music playing in the background, I must have interrupted your George Clooney fantasy."

  "It's sad how predictiable I've become in my maturing years.  Anyway, what time do you think you'll
be home for dinner.  The cook is preparing your favorite meal, Beef Stroganoff." 

  Elizabeth takes a deep breath, "While I'm tempted by that, I'm calling to tell you I won't be able to join
you guys for dinner tonight."

  Lenore makes her way to her bedroom, "Did something come up at work or are you trying to avoid
eating dinner with me?"

  "Not everything I do revolves around you, mother." Elizabeth replies, putting extra emphasis on that last
word,  "It just turns out that my father thinks less of me then you do.  Who knew that would ever happen." 
Elizabeth answers, emotion pouring thru with every spoken word.

  Lenore hears the pain in her daughter's voice, trying to come up with anything to make her eldest
daughter feel better.  For as long as she can remember, she and Elizabeth have never been able to bond
like she has with her other children.  Probably just a mother/daughter thing she thinks to
herself.

  "I was afraid of this, but you do know that we still love you very much."  She could hear the slight
gasping sound coming from the other line, "You heard me correctly, I said we.  Do you want me to have
the cook save you a plate?"

  "Yes, I just have some work I need to finish and I wanted to let you know early enough.  The only
thing I regret is not seeing that man make a fool out of himself over you.  I'll see you later mother.  I
love you." Elizabeth says before the line goes dead.

  Lenore sits down on her bed, thinking to herself that it'll just be her alone for dinner.  She looks over
at her nightstand and eyes her wedding picture.  Picking it up, she looks wistfully at the picture at the
happy bride and groom.  Was it a lifetime ago she thought she'd met the man of her dreams, she
wonders to herself.

  Taking another sip of her wine, she places the frame back onto the nightstand.  She can remember
the day her dream of the perfect man broke into a million pieces.  As the memory forms in her head,
images of a tear soaked Lillian telling of her affair and pregnancy tear at her insides.  She knows paying
off her former best friend and keeping it secret from George is wrong, but to perserve her marriage, she
knew it was the right thing to do.
 
  Getting up from her bed, she pushes the memory to the back of her head , knowing if revealed, her
already shaky marriage to her husband would be over. 


Luigi's


  Gillian  takes one final look at herself in her compact mirror before making her way toward
the dining area.  Looking around, she makes eye contact with George and slowly slinks her way
toward their table.  Reminding herself that this dinner is business and not pleasure, she takes a
seat across from her date.

  George smiles at her, telling himself how much she reminds him of her mother Lillian.  Her long,
silky black hair hanging down over her shoulder's but not blocking his view of her low cut dress.
Trying to steady himself, he can't help looking down at her chest then notices her staring at him.

  "Is something wrong Mr. Falmont?"  Gillian asks, with an innocent smile on her face.  She couldn't
believe how easy this was going to be.

  George looks up, "Nothing at all, except I can't get over how much you remind me of someone I
used to know."  He replies, trying to tell himself that she's young enough to be his daughter.

  Gillian laughs, "I get that all the time.  I just happen to have one those faces."  She notices a wine
glass by her side and lifts it up to her mouth.  "So what did you want to meet with me about Mr.
Falmont?"

  George focuses again on Gillian after finding his eye wandering again, "Please, we're outside the
office, call me George.  I actually wanted to get to know you better outside the office.  Sometimes,
we are so focused at work that we never stop to get to know each other."

  Gillian nods, thinking for a second, "I would like very much to get to know you better."  She replies,
thinking how she could obtain the information needed without raising any questions.  "So have you
always lived in Hope Falls?"

  George shakes his head, "No, I was raised on the north shore of Chicago before attending UCLA to
major in business."  He pauses for a second, " My late father wasn't happy with my decision but I
needed a change of pace.  What better place then California?" 

  Gillian perks up, "So did you meet anyone at UCLA?"  She knows her mother attended UCLA,
but tries to tell herself not to sound too desperate for answers.  "I mean my mother attended UCLA
before moving out this way.  Perhaps, you met her?"

  "I met many people while attending UCLA.  I'm sure I met your mother at one time or another."
George replies, focusing down on his menu. 

  Both of them sit silently in their seats, glancing up from the menu to take sips of their wine.  She
tries to establish eye contact with George, but he keeps looking down at his menu without even
returning her glance.  Gillian sits there, recalling one of the signs of lying is eye contact avoidance,
at least that's what her sister always tells her.

  After another couple of minutes of awkward silence, Gillian finally decides to break the silence,
"Listen, I already know that you went to UCLA with my mother and knew her.  I'm just curious over
whether your past association with her is the reason you hired both me and my father."

  George laughs, "Of course not.  I do admit that your father's excellent performance did entice me to
seek you out for a job interview.  However, I hired both of you guys because of your qualifications, not
because I used to know your mother back in college."

  "So you weren't in love with her?"  Gillian asks, realizing that was the wrong question to ask
when his body tenses up.  "I mean the reason I'm asking is because of how you are looking at me.
I've been told my whole life how much I resembled my mother at this age."

  George leans over the table toward her ear, "I wouldn't say I was in love with your mother, but I did
date her on and off.  Until that charity function last year, it had been over twenty six years since I last
saw her."

  Gillian perks up, "It is weird that you guys lived in Hope Falls without ever seeing one another.  Didn't
you think that was a little weird?" 

  "No, because I was a newlywed and she ended up meeting your father.  People lose touch with each
other sometimes.  Do you still keep in contact with everyone you hung out with in college?"  She shakes
her head then he continues, "I didn't think so.  So let's change the subject and talk about
something more along the lines of the present." 

  Gillian just sits there, thinking how logical his answers were to her.  Perhaps, Stephen isn't his son, she
thinks to herself.  Then another idea comes to her head, maybe he isn't aware Stephen is his son.
She then decides before closing the book on this theory, there is one more person she needs to talk too.


Oleary's


  Stephen makes his way to the bar, ready to partake in an after work drink.  He scans the
restaurant, looking to see if he knows anyone.  After he completes his scan, he tries to wave
down a bartender with no success.  The bartender stares right at him yet refuses to help him,
he thinks to himself, bringing back memories of college where he had his attractive female
friends gather the drinks for everyone.

  Lost in thought, he turns around and runs into  Bianca.  This jolts Stephen out of his thoughts and
stares at her for a moment knowing he's met her before.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Stephen remarks, trying to place where he's seen her before.

  "That's ok." Bianca replies,  "Let me guess, you're trying to place where you've
met me before, am I getting warm?"
 
  Stephen blushes a little, "Is it that obvious?  I apoligize but you look so familiar."

  Bianca laughs, "Typical behavior for a man, why doesn't that surprise me.  Let me refresh your
memory, I used to be your sister Gillian's boss.  Does that ring any bells?"

  Stephen thinks for a second then realizes who she is, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry that I didn't
recognize you.  My mind has been in a million places lately."

  Bianca nods, "Yes, I recall you were in deep conflict.  I would ask how things were going
but judging by your last remark, I think my question's been answered."  She
notices Stephen just standing there, unsure what to do next, "Would you like to join me for
a drink?  By the looks of it, you could use one."

  "You've read my mind, let me go buy you a drink."  Stephen turns around, hoping the bartender
actually serves him this time.  Before he could move, Bianca grabs his arm and stops him.

  "I have a better idea, why don't you join me at my table and we can order a drink."  Bianca
replies, thinking to herself that this guy needs more help then she thought.  "So how are things
going with you and your girlfriend?"

  Stephen thinks for a second, "Actually, I ended things with her because it wasn't fair to string
her along when my heart was otherwise occupied."  He follows her to a table, sits down and
orders a Jack Daniels. 

  "Wow, I'm impressed.  A guy who actually decides not to string someone along.  So rare, but
so admirable at the same time.  What made you come to this conclusion?"  Bianca asks.

  "To tell you the truth, it was our conversation."  Stephen replies.

  Bianca smiles, "I'm glad to hear that you thought about what I said.  So how are things working out
between you and this other girl?"

  "Right now, she has other things on her mind."  Stephen snaps, recalling all the times Melinda placed
more importance on other things over him, "I know that sounded a little bitter, but for as long as I
can remember, she's never put herself first.  I was hoping for once she would be able to focus on
her own happiness instead of her family."

  "Family is a hard thing to ignore.  I don't know the situation but it sounds like you are a little put
out that she's not focusing on you.  Am I right?"  Bianca gently suggests

  Stephen nods, before he could reply, his drink arrives and he stops to take a drink before he
continues, "You're right.  For as long as I can remember, I've been in love with Melinda.  Just as it seemed
like we going to actually start dating, her whole family life changed.  I patiently sat by waiting for her to
start focusing back on her life.  It seemed like she was finally starting to put herself first but then her
father makes his return.  Just as we were about to explore a possible relationship.  I guess I just needed
to get that off my chest."

  Bianca smiles, "I understand what you're saying.  Sometimes not knowing is worse then knowing.
Perhaps, you should be telling her how you feel."

  "I have told her numerous times over the years how I felt.  I just feel like jerk for even thinking all of these
things."  Stephen says out loud.

  Bianca's phone starts vibrating, she takes it out of her Coach purse, " I need to take this
call outside, are you going be alright?"

  Stephen nods his head as she walks outside with her phone in hand.  He finishes his drink,
wondering to himself how Melinda's dinner with her sister is going. 


Mitchell Residence:
 
 
  "Perhaps you didn't hear my question so I'll rephrase it.  What gives you the right to control my
life?" Katie demands, arms folded together. 

  Melinda just stands there, in complete disbelief that her father disregarded her wishes yet again. 
This shouldn't surprise her after the way he took off all those years ago, but a part of her was hoping
he was serious about starting over.

  "Katie, I know you're in shock over seeing our father again after nine long years but right now I need
to have a talk with him."  Melinda explains, giving her father a dirty look. 

  She goes to escort her father into the kitchen, when Katie grabs her arm, "Like hell you're going to
talk to dad in the other room.  What are you going to talk to him about?  Are you going to schedule
visitation time?  By the way, where is our brother?  Why isn't he here for this joyous family reunion?"

  Melinda grits her teeth then turns to  Gerald, "You couldn't listen to me this one time, could you dad? I
asked you to stay away from both of them and you couldn't quite handle that.  What do you have to say
for yourself?"

  Before Gerald could speak, Katie pipes in.  "Leave dad alone! It isn't his fault we ran into each other.
I went over to the Falmont's and he happened to be there with Mrs. Falmont.  In fact, he was reluctant
to come back with me.  I actually made him come back after telling me what you said to him."

  "Mindy May, I was only trying to respect your wishes, but your sister has that same persistent streak
that you do.  I can't believe how alike my two girls are."  Gerald grins, thinking to himself
how true that statement was.

  Both Melinda and Katie stare at each other then at their dad, "We are nothing alike!" They both say in
unison.

  Katie then turns toward Melinda, "For as long as I can remember, you've tried to control every single
move in my life.  This latest stunt just proves you are in serious need of a life.  Thankfully, with dad back in
the picture maybe you can do us all a favor and get one!" 

  "I'll be glad to get a life now that daddy dearest is back home."  Melinda yells, then turns back toward
her dad.  "Since you both think I suck as a parental figure perhaps dad you should guide your
darling princess down the right path.  I mean given her track record with men, maybe you can finally lay
down the law with her.  I'm through being a parent.  Welcome home daddy dearest!"  Melinda yells before
stomping back into the kitchen.

  Katie takes out her cell phone, "I'm going to call Wally and let him know you are back home
where you belong."  She then hugs Gerald,  "Welcome home dad." 

  She then heads upstairs leaving Gerald alone in the living room.  He takes a look around the living room
and is surprised at how everything is still the same place as he left it nine years before.  Sitting down on
the sofa, he prays that neither of his daughter's learn about what he did.  He chastises himself for not
looking more closely at the images before they were posted.  Haste makes waste, he laments to
himself sitting back listening to the grandfather clock ticking away the seconds until everyone finds out
what he did.