tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3295589373000642052024-03-05T19:11:43.537-05:00Arrendale HeightsEmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-49309388667955055212021-02-14T13:36:00.002-05:002021-05-07T13:49:02.495-04:00Episode 46 - Emergency Room<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/46-0010.jpg">
<P>From the moment she stepped on the scene of the emergency, Lucy was all business. Since Mr. Gregory insisted on driving them to the hospital, she spent the ride there making phone calls to Reese, Cassie (unsuccessfully), Maura, and the Wiltons. When they arrived at the hospital, she led Natalie and Vince into the emergency room where she arranged to use an unoccupied examination room and made sure she was notified as soon as there was any news about Blaine.
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<P>She was relieved that neither Vince nor Natalie had any injuries beyond a few scrapes and minor cuts from broken glass. They both seemed shaken up by the ordeal and not inclined to do much talking. Lucy worked in silence, trying to focus on just one thing at a time as she cleaned and bandaged Natalie's wounds.
<P>She was just finishing up with Natalie when there was a knock on the door and a nurse showed a very worried Reese and Simon into the room.
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<P>"Are you alright?" Reese asked, hurrying to her daughter's side. Between Natalie and Lucy's assurances that she was fine and seeing Natalie with her own eyes, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She had so many questions, but that was the only one that mattered right now. Everything else could wait. "Are we good to go home?"
<P>"Can we stay?" Natalie spoke up. "I want to see how my dad is."
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<P>When Reese seemed unsure, Lucy chimed in. "I asked to be updated as soon as the doctors have news. I can give you a call or find you in the waiting room as soon as I hear anything."
<P>Reese looked from Natalie's pleading eyes to Simon who nodded his approval, then back to Lucy. "We'll be in the waiting room."
<P>"I'll find you when we're finished here." She glanced at Vince and then back to Reese. "I may need to talk with you about something later."
<P>"Okay."
<P>"Oh, and while you're waiting, can you call Cassie?" Lucy added. "I tried to get a hold of her, but there was no answer."
<P>Reese hesitated. She was probably the last person Cassandra wanted to hear from, especially regarding bad news about her husband.
<P>Luckily, Simon was there to rescue her from the awkwardness of the situation. "I can take care of it."
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<P>As they were on their way out of the examination room, Natalie looked back at Vince and smiled at him when she caught his eye. "Thanks . . . for everything."
<P>He nodded and managed to croak out, "sure," before they left the room. At any other time he would have been thrilled at a hint of affection or admiration from her, but now he just felt like a fraud.
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<P>Once the others had left, his mother started tending to his wounds.
<P>"So what happened tonight?" she asked as she worked.
<P>"You heard."
<P>Lucy set down the cotton swab and looked him in the eye with her full attention. "I want you to know I will always support you and I will always have your back, but to do that I need you to be totally honest with me. I know those friends of yours have been hanging around. Are they the reason you were out tonight instead of at the school where you were supposed to be?"
<P>He wanted to deny everything, but he could tell that she already knew the truth.
<P>"They were," he admitted quietly.
<P>"Oh, Stuart."
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<P>"I tried to tell them I was done with them and to leave me alone, but they wouldn't. They wanted me to meet with them one last time and they threatened Maura if I didn't. I had no choice."
<P>"You had plenty of other choices! You could have let me know what was going on."
<P>He shook his head. He couldn't have done that.
<P>"Why did they want to meet with you?" She hated to ask the next question, but she needed to know what they were facing. "Were you involved with the fire?"
<P>"No! I had nothing to do with that, I swear," he insisted. Part of him wanted to tell his mom the entire truth, but he couldn't put that burden on her, and he couldn't take the disappointment she was sure to feel. He knew his involvement had to be worse than whatever she might be imagining. "Like I told the cop, they wanted me to give them some papers for a project and after that we'd be through."
<P>"Do you think they mean it?" Lucy asked as she picked up the medicine bottle again. "Or will they be after you about something else again?"
<P>"I think this is it," he said, but his tone was unsure. "I've been trying to do the right thing. I really have. I just got in too deep and I didn't know how to get out."
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<P>"Don't give up," she said, taking him by the shoulder. "Whatever trouble you've gotten into; we can get you out of it. I will do everything I can to make sure of that."
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<P>In the waiting room, Reese listened patiently to Natalie's account of what had happened that night while Simon called Cassie.
<P>"Why were you at the office tonight?"
<P>"I overheard you and Simon talking about the problems Dad was having at home and that he was sleeping at his office. I wanted to see if he was alright. And," she added quietly, "I wanted to make sure it wasn't my fault."
<P>"Of course it isn't your fault," Reese insisted. She glanced over at Simon with a knowing look, just as he was moving the phone away from his ear.
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<P>"Still no answer," he declared as he hung up the phone. "Shall I try one of the neighbors? Have them check and see if anyone is home?"
<P>Before Reese could answer, the outer doors swung open and EMTs wheeled Cassie into the emergency room with Vanessa following behind.
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<P>Cassie was awake, but frantic. When she saw Reese and Natalie, the paramedics had to hold her down to keep her from getting off the gurney.
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<P>"Is he here? Is he okay?" she called out.
<P>"Settle down, hon. You're going to hurt yourself," Vanessa said calmly as the medics tried to keep her restrained.
<P>"I'm fine. I just need to know that my husband is okay."
<P>"And you will. Just stay calm."
<P>"We're waiting for news," Natalie called out as she made her way over to Cassie, followed closely behind by Reese and Simon.
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<P>"Tell me what happened."
<P>"Ma'am, we need to take you back to an examination room."
<P>"No, stop. I can wait." She waved the EMTs away and focused on Natalie. "I just need to know what happened to my husband."
<P>Natalie explained quickly. "There was a fire at the law office and then an explosion. He was knocked unconscious. We're waiting for news."
<P>Cassie grasped at her chest and laid back. She was still heartsick that Blaine was injured but knowing that he was alive and being taken care of let her feel like she could breathe again.
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<P>"We're going to take you back to an examination room now, Mrs. Kitteridge."
<P>"I told you, I'm fine now. I'm fine," Cassie insisted, but she was starting to put up less of a fight.
<P>"Do what they say, hon," Vanessa said soothingly. "We'll let you know as soon as we know more about Blaine."
<P>Cassie nodded in resignation, but before the EMTs could wheel her back, someone called out her name.
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<P>"Cassie?" Lucy called out, surprised to see her neighbor as another patient tonight. She hurried over, followed by another doctor who she had been speaking with and Vince who trailed behind. "What happened?"
<P>"She was very upset earlier and passed out," Vanessa explained.
<P>"You have news about Blaine?" Cassie asked hopefully. All eyes were on the doctors, eager for an update.
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<P>"This is Mrs. Kitteridge," Lucy explained to her colleague.
<P>"Yes, ma'am. Your husband is unconscious but stable. He took a serious blow to his head and we are monitoring him closely. If we can't get the swelling to go down, we may need to prep him for surgery."
<P>"Can I see him?" Cassie pleaded. "I promise I'm fine. I just need to see him."
<P>The doctor nodded hesitantly. "Just for a little bit."
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<P>As the doctor showed Cassandra to Blaine's room and the EMTs wheeled the empty gurney away, the neighbors were left standing the in the emergency room waiting room.
<P>Vanessa spoke up with what they had all been thinking. "My! What a night this has been!"
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<P>"I almost forgot," Natalie said to her mother. "Just before the explosion we found out who was stealing money from the law firm."
<P>"Really?" Reese said with surprise. In the excitement of the evening, work had been the farthest thing from her mind. "What did you find out?"
<P>"It was Mr. Lind's son. The evidence is on my Dad's laptop. He managed to lower it out to us before he was thrown from the window."
<P>Natalie's voice trailed off at the end of her sentence and her mother set a reassuring hand on her shoulder. This should have been a happy moment, but now it was bittersweet. Blaine had completed the job he had been tasked with, but it was not worth the cost.
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<P>Meanwhile, Vince just felt sick. If Scot had been found out, it was likely that his role in everything would be revealed too. He looked up at his mom and hoped she couldn't tell how much guilt he was feeling, but she wasn't looking at him at all. Her eyes were on the front door and Mr. Gregory who was waiting on the other side.
<P>When she excused herself and walked outside, he followed. He needed the fresh air and he felt too guilty to be around Natalie at the moment.
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<P>"You're still here?" Lucy asked, both surprised and flattered.
<P>"I knew your car was still at the school and you would need a ride."
<P>"You didn't need to wait but thank you," Lucy said. She retrieved her keys from her pocket and handed them to Vince. "I might need to be here awhile. I'll let Vince go with you to get the car."
<P>"Are you ready?" Mr. Gregory asked. When Vince nodded, they started toward the parking lot.
<P>"I really don't know how to thank you enough for everything," Lucy added. "You really went beyond for us tonight."
<P>Mr. Gregory shrugged. "Hey, it's what I do."
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<P>Cassie's heart was racing as the doctor led her to Blaine's room. All she wanted was to see with her own eyes that he was alright. When they entered the room and she saw him lying in the hospital bed bandaged and attached to monitors, her heart broke.
<P>The doctor touched her arm to steady her and pulled up a chair for her at his bedside.
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<P>Cassie collapsed into the chair and reached for Blaine's hand. 'I'm so sorry. Please, please be okay.'
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-87389249592755164112021-02-08T13:47:00.000-05:002021-02-08T13:47:02.666-05:00Episode 45 - Girl Talk<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/45-0110.jpg">
<P>Maura checked herself out in the hallway mirror as she anxiously waited by the door. Without giving much detail, her mom had called to tell her that she and Vince would be out late and she had arranged for her to stay the night with the Wiltons. Maura was certainly old enough to stay the night by herself, but she could tell by the anxiety in her mom's voice that she would feel better if she wasn't home alone tonight.
<P>Normally, Maura would be more than happy to spend the night with her best friend, but her mother's urgent phone calls left her feeling on edge and worried about what might be going on. So she distracted herself with thinking about her appearance and picking out pajamas that were cute, but not too babyish, while she waited for Jeremy to come walk her over.
<P>He didn't even make it to the door before he hurried out to meet him. She quickly turned off the lights and set the security alarm before leaving the house.
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<P>Jeremy was staring down the street at an ambulance parked in front of the Kitteridge's house. "Crazy night," he remarked.
<P>Maura leaned forward trying to get a better look at the neighbor's house. "What's going on over there?"
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<P>"Mrs. Kitteridge fainted," Jeremy explained. "Mom and Dad nearly freaked out when they saw the ambulance there when they stopped by to pick up Joey on their way home."
<P>"Did they tell you anything else about what's going on?" Maura asked as they crossed the street toward the park that separated their streets. She hoped he would have more information.
<P>"Just that your mom called to see if you could stay over. They weren't in the mood to talk. They're too angry with Judith at the moment."
<P>"Angry at Judith?" Maura repeated in disbelief. "Why?"
<P>Jeremy shrugged. "There's a lot going on tonight."
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<P>Maura could feel the chill between Judith and her parents as soon as she and Jeremy entered the house. Mrs. Wilton barely greeted her before she started laying out orders.
<P>"Jeremy, I want you to stay upstairs for the rest of the night. Girls, you can camp out in the living room."
<P>Judith pouted silently as her mother handed her a stack of pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags.
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<P>"This is not a sleepover for fun. It's only out of necessity," Alma said pointedly to her daughter. "As soon as Maura goes home you are grounded for the rest of the month. Lights out is going to be early tonight."
<P>Maura watched in silent awe as Alma finished laying down the law and marched out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight and out of earshot, Judith dropped the bedding and slumped down onto the couch with her arms crossed defiantly in front of her. Maura hurried to her side and asked quietly, but eagerly. "What happened?"
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<P>"That big mouth Karissa had to call me Vince's girlfriend in front of my parents at the art show and now I'm in trouble for breaking their stupid, unfair rules."
<P>"Yikes! I'm sorry," Maura said sympathetically. "If it makes you feel any better Vince is probably going to be grounded for even longer than you for whatever is going on tonight. At least you won't be alone in that."
<P>"That doesn't make me feel any better," Judith deadpanned. "It's just so stupid and unfair. And you know what the dumbest part is? Vince and I weren't even really a couple. We were just pretending to be."
<P>"Wait. What?"
<P>"Yeah," Judith scoffed. "I'm grounded for a relationship that wasn't even real in the first place."
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<P>"If you weren't really dating, then why don't you just tell your parents that?"
<P>"It's the principle that matters," Judith insisted.
<P>"Okay," Maura said slowly, shaking her head. She couldn't even pretend to understand her friend's stance on this. "But why were you pretending to be in a relationship with my brother in the first place?"
<P>Judith's temper suddenly cooled and her indignation was replaced by embarassment. "I was trying to fit in," she confessed. "I was tired of listening to you and Meghan talk about guys all the time and I felt like I had nothing to add. Vince and I started talking about that at the concert and the idea took off from there."
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<P>"I didn't know you felt that way. Why didn't you just say so?"
<P>"I don't know. I guess I didn't know how."
<P>"I'm sorry. I can stop talking about guys I like - well, <I>the</I> guy I like, if it bothers you.
<P>"No. I don't want you to feel like you can't talk guys and relationships or anything else you want to talk about. I don't want it to be weird," Judith protested. This was difficult. "Maybe we could just try to talk about other things some of the time too and not make such a big deal about who's dating and who's not."
<P>"Yeah. Sure!" Maura agreed cheerfully.
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<P>"And maybe keep in mind that the guy you're so in love with is also my gross older brother."
<P>"Hey, I didn't have any problem when it was you supposedly dating my gross older brother. I was happy for you."
<P>"I know and it was kind of weird."
<P>Maura gasped in mock offense before whacking Judith playfully with a pillow.
<P>"Hey!" Judith stiffled a laugh, hoping her parents wouldn't overhear her having a moment of fun.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-48837229384102384032021-01-31T13:56:00.001-05:002021-01-31T14:36:23.798-05:00Episode 44 - Lucy Takes Charge<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/44-0110.jpg">
<P>Lucy looked out the passenger window as Mr. Gregory drove his car through the city streets. She let his stories about his troubled youth and how he finally turned his life around drown out her own thoughts of the past and current worries about her son.
<P>As sirens blared out and lights flashed, Mr. Gregory pulled over to let an ambulance pass. Lucy perked up.
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<P>"Let's see where they're going," she suggested.
<P>"It surely has nothing to do with Vince."
<P>"I'm a doctor. Maybe I can help."
<P>They followed the sirens and flashing lights through the city streets until they reached their destination. Emergency vehicles blocked the street in front of an office building engulfed in flames.
<P>"My neighbor and lawyer works in that building." Lucy remarked. "Pull over somewhere out of the way."
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<P>Mr. Gregory pulled over into an empty parking spot a block away from the building. He had barely put the car in park before Lucy was opening the door and hurrying down the sidewalk. He followed behind, making sure to stay out of the way of the emergency responders at work.
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<P>Lucy flashed her hospital badge as she reached a police officer trying to keep bystanders and gawkers out of the way.
<P>"I'm a doctor. Is anyone hurt?" she asked. As she looked over the officer's shoulder she could see the scene fully. Paramedics were tending to a man on the ground. Natalie stood nearby and Vince was talking to the police. "Excuse me. That's my son," she interrupted as she pushed past the officer who made no attempt to stop her.
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<P>Lucy reached Natalie first. She set a hand on the girl's shoulder. "What happened?"
<P>"My dad and I were inside when the building caught on fire. He was trying to get out when there was an explosion."
<P>Lucy turned to look at the man that the paramedics were now loading onto a stretcher and saw that it was Blaine. "They'll take good care of him. Are you hurt?"
<P>Natalie shook her head.
<P>Lucy could see the girl had a few cuts and was obviously shaken, but trusted she would be alright. "I'll be right back," she said comfortingly and then made her way over to check on Vince.
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<P>Lucy stepped next to her son. "What's going on?" she asked looking anxiously between her son and the officer.
<P>"Who are you?" the officer asked.
<P>"I'm this boy's mother."
<P>"Your son is a witness to what happened here tonight and we need to ask him some questions."
<P>Lucy nodded and let the officer continue.
<P>"So you claim that you just happened to be walking by when you heard a crash and a scream. Then you approached to the building to see what was going on," the officer repeated back as he glanced at his notebook. His tone sounded unconvinced. "Did you notice anything? Was there anyone else around?"
<P>Vince hesitated. His mouth was dry and he was struggling with how much to say. Leaving out so many vital details was making him nervous. If he told the police that Scot and the others were behind this, his former friends would turn on him and reveal his part in everything Scot had done to his father and he would be in deep trouble. If he lied and said nothing, he was sure he would get caught on his lies and in even more trouble. He was doomed either way. "There was," he said slowly, as if he were trying to remember. "I saw three guys run from the alley after the crash."
<P>The officer was interested. "Can you describe them for me?"
<P>Vince shook his head. His stomach was in knots as he questioned whether or not he was doing the right thing. "No. It was dark and their backs were to me. But there were three of them and they seemed like they were about my age."
<P>"Could you make out any identifying details? Hair color, skin color, clothing?"
<P>Vince shook his head and frowned. He had probably already said too much. "I don't know. I didn't notice. I don't remember."
<P>"What were <I>you</I> doing when you heard the crash?" the officer asked pointedly.
<P>"Just walking past," he shrugged.
<P>"Why? Where were you going?"
<P>"A friend asked me to meet with him . . . about a project for school," he said, trying to adjust his story quickly. "I was just going to drop off some notes for him before I went back to the school for the art show."
<P>"And your friend can verify this?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
<P>"Just a minute," Lucy interrupted. Though the officer was trying to maintain an outwardly professional demeanor, she could sense the implied accusations. "You aren't suggesting that my son is somehow involved with this are you?"
<P>"We're just collecting information, ma'am."
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<P>"If you think Vince is involved, you're wrong," Natalie spoke up as she joined the group. "Vince came to my rescue. He helped me escape this burning building and did CPR on my dad until help arrived. He isn't responsible for this."
<P>"No one is accusing anyone of anything. At this point we are just trying to establish what happened."
<P>"I think my son has already told you what he knows," Lucy said firmly. "If you need any more information from my underage son, you can ask him at the station with me or my lawyer present. Right now, what these children need is medical attention."
<P>The officer nodded coolly and closed his notebook. "Fine. We will give you a call if we have further questions."
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<P>"Come on." Lucy ushered Natalie and Vince away from the scene.
<P>"But my dad," Natalie protested. The paramedics had transferred Blaine to the ambulance and were getting ready to drive away.
<P>"He's in good hands," Lucy assured her. "I'll take you both the the hospital to get cleaned up and checked out and we'll call your mom along the way."
<P>They crossed the street to where a bewildered Mr. Gregory was waiting. Lucy gave him a weak smile as they headed back to the car.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-76764462591874646152021-01-24T14:02:00.001-05:002021-01-24T14:02:47.083-05:00Episode 43 - Call for Help<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/43-0110.jpg">
<P>"Natalie?" Vince asked as he rushed to the window. As he got closer he could see Mr. Kitteridge was there too, pulling back the blinds and pushing open the window. "Let me call for help. Hang on."
<P>"No, wait," Blaine called out. "Help me get her down."
<P>Vince nodded and stood by ready to help.
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<P>Only the upper portion of the window opened outward, but it looked like there was just enough space for a person to squeeze through. Blaine gave Natalie a boost and she lifted her leg over the top of the window.
<P>As she tried to pull herself over, Natalie slipped. But Vince was ready and waiting to catch her and help her land safely to her feet.
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<P>"You okay?" Vince asked as he set Natalie to the ground.
<P>"Yeah." She was feeling a bit dazed, but managed a slight smile as she looked up at him. "Thanks."
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<P>Natalie barely had a moment to regain her balance before Blaine was calling to Vince from the window.
<P>"Here, grab this," Blaine said as he held his laptop case out of the window and lowered it as much as he could before dropping it into Vince's waiting arms.
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<P>As soon as Vince had the laptop, Blaine moved away from the window.
<P>"Dad, hurry! Get out of there!" Natalie pleaded.
<P>A second later, Blaine was back at the window with a chair to step up on so that he could hoist himself through the window.
<P>"Get back!" he called out to both of them.
<P>"Be careful!" Natalie called out anxiously as Blaine lifted himself over the window.
<P>Before he could lower himself to the ground there was a blast inside the building. The force of the explosion threw Blaine from the window.
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<P>He landed to the ground unconscious.
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<P>Vanessa opened the Kitteridge's front door and walked into the foyer without knocking. "Cassie?" she called out tentatively. She had barely taken two steps when Cassie hurried toward her, phone and purse in hand. "I came as soon as I could. Now what's going on?"
<P>"Can you watch the kids? I-" Before she could finish her sentence went pale and gasped. Overcome with the most intense wave of pain and desperation. She didn't know what was going on, but she did know one thing. "I have to get to Blaine."
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<P>As Cassie rushed toward the door, Vanessa put up her hands to stop her. "You are in no state to go out and drive. I'll call Logan and have him check on Blaine."
<P>"There's no time. It's too late," Cassie gasped, hysterically.
<P>Vanessa was already on the phone, waiting for her husband to pick up. "Where is he? Logan will get to him."
<P>"No, no. I have go to him. He's in trouble," Cassie insisted as she wrestled with Vanessa to reach the front door.
<P>"You aren't any good to him like this. You have to calm down, hon. Take a breath."
<P>"I can't. I can't."
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<P>The commotion had attracted the attention of the rest of the household. Vanessa looked sympathetically at the children as they ventured into the foyer to see what was going on with their mother.
<P>"Think of the kids," she whispered, hoping Cassie would pull herself together for their sake, but she just shook her head and continued to press toward the door.
<P>"If you must go, you aren't going alone," Vanessa said firmly. "Let Logan drive you. He can be here as fast as you can get to the end of the driveway."
<P>"Fine," Cassie agreed. "I agree. Now will you let me-" Her words were cut off short as her body jerked. She let out a horrified gasp and collapsed to the floor.
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<P>"Dad!" Natalie cried out as she and Vince hurried to Blaine's side.
<P>Vince lightly shook Blaine's shoulder hoping to rouse him, but got no response. Frantically he tried to remember what his mom had taught him about emergency first aid. He felt Blaine's neck for a pulse and found none. He hoped that just meant he didn't know what he was doing and wasn't checking the right spot. When he leaned closer it didn't look like Blaine was breathing either.
<P>"Oh man," he muttered, knowing this was bad.
<P>"Is he-" Natalie started as she looked at Vince with wide-eyed concern, but she didn't know how to finish that sentence.
<P>Vince fumbled in his pocket for his phone and handed it to Natalie. "Call 911."
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<P>As Natalie struggled to work the phone with shaking fingers, Vince looked down at Blaine and tried to think through the panic. He knew you weren't supposed to move an injured person, but he needed to roll Blaine over on his back. He checked again for a pulse and breath, but found no signs of either. He desperately tried to recall all the steps of CPR.
<P>Natalie silently prayed as she watched Vince and her father and waited for someone to answer the phone. As the 911 operator's voice came over the line, she turned her attention away while Vince started doing compressions.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-29558544535103174492021-01-17T13:18:00.001-05:002021-01-17T13:18:22.557-05:00Episode 42 - Revenge<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/42-0110.jpg">
<P>Cassie gripped the phone tightly as she frantically dialed Blaine's number yet again, even though she knew it would do no good. The last five times it had gone straight to voicemail. She knew she needed to be rational and relax, but she was a bundle of nerves and her feelings of anxiety were growing more intense. Desperate, she looked up the number to Reese's law office and called, but there was no answer.
<P>She tossed down the phone in frustration and paced the floor. She couldn't stay here and do nothing. She couldn't push down these feelings that were overtaking her and put on a good face for the children. There was only one thing left to do.
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<P>She picked up the phone and dialed. As it rang, she begged silently, "Please answer." If she didn't get through she was sure she was going to end up doing something reckless.
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<P>"Hello."
<P>The sound of the voice on the other end filled her with relief. "Can you come over?"
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<P>"Did you hear anything?" Joey asked Brooke as she returned back to her room after listening in on her mom from the hallway.
<P>"No," she said with a frown as she quietly closed the door behind her. "She was talking to someone, but I couldn't hear."
<P>"Do you think your dad is going to come home?"
<P>"Of course he will! I'm going to make sure of it."
<P>"How?"
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<P>Brooke reached under her bed and pulled out a thick book with a plain brown cover. It had no visible title on the outside and it looked old and worn. "My Gram got me this for my birthday. It's a book of spells."
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<P>Joey looked skeptical. "Get serious."
<P>"I am. All of the women in my family have special powers," she declared as she reverently traced her fingers over the designs on the cover of the book. "I'm going to find something in here to get my parents back together and get rid of anyone who might split my family up."
<P>She looked up at Joey and grinned. "Want to help?"
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<P>"Okay, this is it," Scot announced as they reached the alley at the side of the building. The others dropped the bags they were carrying.
<P>Vince fidgeted, feeling a chill in the fall night air. He stood back from the others, eager for an opportunity to leave. "This is it? Then I can head out now?"
<P>"Do you even know where we are?" Scot asked, raising his arms in the air as he turned to face Vince. "That building is my father's law office," he said pointing to the building next to them. "The thing he loves most in the world, next to maybe money. It could have been my inheritance one day and the money that it made," he scoffed. "But the old man would rather see me rot on the streets. Instead he can watch this place burn."
<P>He reached into the bag and lifted out a bottle with a fuse while grabbing a lighter out of his pocket with his other hand.
<P>"Thanks to your skill at forging his signature and my hacking skills. I got mine whether he wanted me to or not. All that's left is to get rid of the evidence." He started to light the fuse, then paused to look at Vince. He held out the lighter and the bottle. "You want to do the honors?"
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<P>Vince took a step back and shook his head. "No, no way. I helped you with the signatures, but this- this is way too far. I'm out."
<P>Scot shrugged. "Suit yourself." He lit the bottle and threw it at one of the front windows of the building. As the bottle crashed through the window and exploded in flames, his buddies cheered.
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<P>Blaine leaned back from the laptop, raising his hands from the keyboard. "That's it, we've got it." He smiled at his daughter and was about to speak when there was a sudden crash and shattering of glass.
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<P>In the alley, the boys' cheers were abruptly cut short when they heard someone scream.
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<P>"Wait? Did that come from inside?" one of them asked nervously.
<P>Scot went pale and quiet. "No one was supposed to be there. I swear."
<P>"Oh man. Oh <I>man</I>!" he started to panic. "We've got to get out of here! Quick before someone sees us and calls the cops!"
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<P>As the three took off running, Vince wanted nothing more than to run away too, but his eyes were transfixed on the building. Someone was inside and he couldn't just leave them, could he?
<P>He stepped closer to the building, looking into the windows as he made his way around the corner of the building. When he recognized a face at the window, he couldn't believe it.
<P>It was Natalie.
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/42-1410.jpg"> Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-74611924155977316412021-01-10T11:03:00.000-05:002021-01-10T11:03:10.111-05:00Episode 41 - Bad Influences<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/41-0110.jpg">
<P>Judith trailed behind her parents as they marched back to the car. No one said a word until they were in the car and Edward had pulled out of the parking lot.
<P>"Well, what do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"
<P>Judith sighed. She should have known she would get caught sooner or later. Before she could confess, her father continued.
<P>"You know what the rules are regarding dating and you blatantly disregarded them and went behind our backs. I can't believe you would be so disrespectful to us. Although with the way your mother has been behaving of late, maybe I shouldn't be so surprised."
<P>Both Alma and Judith were shocked by his outburst. Judith sunk back in her seat, not wanting to get in the middle of this one.
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<P>"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Alma snapped.
<P>"Oh, I saw the way you were acting tonight. Is that the way you always behave at school? Quite frankly, it was embarrassing."
<P>"I don't know what you're talking about." Alma crossed her arms and stared out the window. She pursed her lips tightly together, willing herself not to say something she might regret.
<P>"We can talk about that later," he said through clenched teeth. Edward looked up to glance at Judith in the rear view mirror. "How long has this been going on?"
<P>Alma bristled at the question, but when she realized Edward was speaking to their daughter, she turned back to the window.
<P>"Not long, a few weeks," Judith answered. "But it's not like we were <i>dating</i> dating. I didn't think it would matter since we were just hanging out at school."
<P>"Of course, at school," Edward scoffed. He looked at Alma. "You're at the school all day. Why weren't you aware this was going on?"
<P>"I'm not there to keep tabs on our children," Alma spoke through clenched teeth. "I was working. I was there to do a job. But that is beside the point. You know our rules, Judith. You must have known that we wouldn't approve."
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<P>Judith couldn't argue with that point. "I didn't think it would be such a big deal. It's not like we were going to sneak out anywhere without permission and you know, it's really awkward being the only person I know to have these kind of dating rules. Everyone else I know can date if they want to, even Maura and Jeremy. It's kind of unfair."
<P>"We aren't the parents of everyone you know," Edward responded. "And it's not up to you to decide which rules you want to follow and which ones you don't. We had the same rules for Jeremy. He wasn't allowed to date until he was sixteen either."
<P>"Even if your father and I didn't agree that children under sixteen do not need to date, we still wouldn't have approved of this relationship, Judith."
<P>"But why?" she protested.
<P>"First of all, there's a big age difference between the two of you. You are barely fifteen and a freshman in high school. He's a senior and practically an adult."
<P>"We're only two and a half years apart. There's a <I>way</I> bigger age difference between you and dad."
<P>"When you're our age it won't matter, but now it does matter and more than you realize. A boy Vince's age is going to be interested in a different sort of relationship than a girl your age would be."
<P>As Edward voiced his agreement, Judith slumped back into her seat and rolled her eyes. She gave up. There was no reasoning with them. She was just going to have to accept that her fake relationship, that had probably gone on long enough anyway, was over and accept whatever punishment they were going to give her.
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<P>Mr. Gregory looked at Lucy expectantly as she hung up the phone. He had heard enough from Lucy's side of the conversation with her daughter to gather that Vince wasn't at home.
<P>"No luck?"
<P>"Maura hasn't seen him, but she did say those 'friends' of his have been hanging around." Lucy sighed in defeat. "I don't understand. He was so looking forward to the art show tonight and I really thought he had left his bad influences behind for good. He seemed to be doing so well."
<P>"He was," Mr. Gregory assured her. "It's not easy being a kid his age and saying no to people who seem to accept you. I was mixed up with a really bad crowd when I was in high school. Even when I knew they weren't good for me and I wanted to move on to something better, it wasn't easy for me to break away from them. I backslid into old habits so many times. I'm embarrassed to think back on it now, but I got to a better place eventually and I think Vince will too. He's already on his way there and he has an advantage I didn't have. He has you."
<P>Lucy scoffed. "I wish that meant as much as you think it does." If someone had asked her twenty years ago what her life would be like, she never would have thought she would be a single parent of two children, neither having their fathers in their lives. That was a life for someone else, not for her who had grown up in a wealthy, well-respected family. Where did it all go wrong? Maybe she should have tried harder with Craig. Maybe she shouldn't have gotten involved with him in the first place. Maybe she should have given up her dreams and switched to a less demanding career once her children were born. She didn't know what the answers were, but she couldn't help feeling that she should have done <I>something</I> differently and all of their lives would have been better. "I must have let him down."
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<P>Mr. Gregory set a hand firmly on her shoulder and waited until she looked him in the eye. "No, you didn't." He could tell she wasn't convinced. "Vince is going to turn up eventually, either here or at home. Maura or Mr. Clark will call us when he does. In the meantime, do you want to go for a ride?"
<P>"I couldn't ask you to leave the show," Lucy protested.
<P>"You didn't," he insisted as he walked over to his car and opened the passenger door for Lucy.
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<P>Vince dragged himself along behind Scot and the gang. He knew he should just turn and walk away without looking back, but he doubted they would just let him go. "Listen, I'm late for something and I really have to go. Good luck with whatever you have going on, but I - I have somewhere else I need to be."
<P>Scot grabbed him by the arm and pulled him forward. "Hey, man, you were in on this with us from the beginning and you're staying with it til the end. This won't take long and then you can go, but we've got to see this through."
<P>Vince could feel his blood pressure starting to rise as he tried not to panic. "We agreed we were done."
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<P>"We are. We just have to tie up a few loose ends." He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked up at the building in front of them with a smirk. "All that's left is to get rid of any evidence."
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-90823825660132595752021-01-03T16:54:00.000-05:002021-01-03T16:54:37.320-05:00Episode 40 - The Art Show<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/40-0110.jpg">
<P>“I guess this is what passes for date night at our stage of life,” Edward remarked as he and Alma walked into the high school together.
<P>“It is when you have four children and a career,” Alma replied coolly.
<P>Edward held his tongue. He had made enough remarks about her career and his retirement to know that saying anything further about it was not going to be productive. He was resigned to suffer in silence and hope this whim of Alma’s would pass on its own if he left it alone.
<P>As soon as they entered the gymnasium, they spotted Judith who was waving them over to where she was waiting, eager to show off her artwork.
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<P>As Judith happily chatted about her art projects, Alma found her attention being diverted from Judith to Mr. Clark as she caught glances of him walking among the exhibits. As soon as Judith had finished showing off her projects, Alma excused herself and made a beeline to her coworker.
<P>Edward's frown deepened as he watched the two teachers chat from a distance. The way Alma smiled and played with her hair as she spoke was a little too flirty for his comfort. He couldn’t recall ever seeing her behave in that way or speak with such animation, not in all the years he’d known her.
<P>“Who is your mother talking to?” he asked Judith.
<P>His daughter looked over and rolled her eyes. “Oh, Mr. Clark.”
<P>“The teacher she’s been working on the play with?”
<P>“Yeah.”
<P>He studied the pair a moment longer, just long enough to watch as Alma giggled at something Mr. Clark had said. Finally, he’d seen enough and marched over to the pair. Judith, sensing something was up, hurried behind.
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<P>Mr. Clark was mid-sentence when Edward approached.
<P>Standing close to Alma, Edward interrupted by extending his hand to the young teacher. “You must be my wife’s colleague that I’ve heard so much about, the one that’s been keeping my wife so busy with extracurricular projects.”
<P>Alma turned to gape at her husband in disbelief. She could feel her cheeks flush hot with embarrassment.
<P>“I’m Edward Wilton, Alma’s husband.”
<P>“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Wilton. I'm Mason Clark." He accepted the Edward's handshake briefly, yet firmly. "Your wife and I were just discussing details about the school play. Alma has contributed so many great ideas and been such a tremendous help, I'm not sure where we would be without her."
<P>Edward looked skeptical, but Alma was beaming at the praise.
<P>"You’ll be sure to come and watch the finished project, won’t you? I'm sure you'll be very proud of your wife when you see all of her hard work come to fruition for yourself.”
<P>“Oh, of course,” Edward answered coolly. He looked to Alma. “That is if you want me to go.”
<P>“Of course, I do,” Alma replied, her tone neutral.
<P>“Opening night is coming up soon. Hopefully once you see it, you’ll think the time you wife has spent working on it has been worthwhile.”
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<P>While the Wiltons were speaking with Mr. Clark, Lucy entered the gymnasium. Just off from her shift at the hospital, she made a quick change out of her scrubs at work and headed straight to the school. Vince had made such an effort to turn himself around that making time for this event, which she knew was more important to him than he would admit, was the least she could do to support him.
<P>As she wandered around the room, she looked for her son, but she didn’t see him anywhere. She turned around to see if she missed him in another hallway behind her and nearly bumped into Mr. Gregory.
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<P>“Dr. Stuart,” he greeted her with a smile. “I’m glad you could make it. Vince has been working so hard on his projects this year. Has he shown you his work yet?”
<P>“No, I just arrived and I haven’t seen him yet. Do you know where he might be?”
<P>“No,” he admitted. “But I’m sure he’s around here somewhere. I’ll help you find him.”
<P>As they walked along together, they talked about Vince’s progress.
<P>“I’m really impressed with how he’s been doing, not just in my class, but he’s been sticking to the deal and making sure he’s passing all of his classes.”
<P>“I knew he was into art, but I had no idea it would be such a motivator for him,” Lucy admitted. “I can’t tell you what a relief it is to see him going in the right direction and making good choices. If the art class has anything at all to do with that, I have to thank you for your part, Mr. Gregory.”
<P>“My part was very small, I promise you.” He called out to one of his students that happened to be walking past. “Karissa, have you seen Vince?”
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<P>The student shrugged. “Ask Judith. She’s his girlfriend. If anyone would know, it would be her.”
<P>The Wiltons, who had been standing just a few feet away, were close enough to overhear. They quickly turned their attention to Judith.
<P>“Girlfriend?”
<P>Judith was about to protest and deny what the other girl said was true, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
<P>“Ohhh . . . Sorry," Karissa apologized quickly and hurried away.
<P>When her parents stared at her, Judith wanted to sink into the floor and disappear.
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<P>“Have you seen Vince, Judith?” Mr. Gregory asked, calmly cutting through the tension, and bringing everyone back to the matter at hand.
<P>It took some effort for Judith to make her voice work again, but when she spoke, directing her words to Mr. Gregory and avoiding her parents’ glares helped. “Not since this afternoon when we were setting up for the art show.”
<P>“Then he hasn’t been here since it started?” Lucy asked. Her voice wavering with concern. “Do you know where he went?”
<P>“He got a text and said he had to go, but that he would be back. He didn’t say where he was going or who texted him.”
<P>"Thank you, Judith." Mr. Gregory said before he and an obviously worried Lucy turned to walk away. "I'm sure Vince will be here soon."
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<P>Left alone with her parents, Judith braced herself as she ventured to look at them. She knew before she saw their faces that they would not be pleased.
<P>Edward looked back and forth between his daughter and his wife and then said firmly. "I think we're done here. It's time to go home."
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-50090259544662609682019-12-23T09:28:00.000-05:002019-12-23T09:28:27.377-05:00Episode 39 - Setting Up<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/39-0110.jpg">
<P>“I think we’re going to have to do something about Maura,” Judith said to Vince as they were setting up for the art show after school.
<P>"Yeah," Vince agreed with a smirk.
<P>“I’m serious. She’s out of control.”
<P>“What do you want to do? Stage an intervention?”
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<P>“Maybe,” Judith said. It was a tempting idea, but the last thing she wanted to do was publicly embarrass her friend. “No. I don’t know. She just needs to back off on all of the relationship stuff. It was bad enough when it was just her own potential relationships, but now she’s trying to drag everyone else into it too.”
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<P>“You all just have to stand up to her and not let her run your lives. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
<P>“Yeah, if you don’t mind hurting her feelings,” Judith mumbled to herself.
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<P>Before Vince could answer, he was interrupted by his phone chirping. He read the text message on the screen and frowned at it, before putting his phone away.
<P>“Hey, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to run. You can manage the rest of this, right?”
<P>“I guess so,” Judith said with a shrug. “Aren’t you staying for the show?”
<P>“Yeah. I’ll be back for it,” he said as he started toward the door. “This shouldn’t take long.” At least, he hoped it wouldn’t.
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<P>“Cassie, are you sure you’re alright?” Chloe asked for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
<P>Cassie looked up from the project she’d barely been able to concentrate on all afternoon. “Yes, I’m alright. No, I don’t want to go home early,” she answered before Chloe could ask again. “I’d really rather try to keep busy.” She knew if she went home she would just pace around the house, trying to distract herself from the sickly feeling that was taking her over. She knew she wouldn’t be able to relax. Her anxiety was high and she knew that something wrong, but without knowing what exactly was wrong, there was nothing to do about it.
<P>“Blaine will come around,” Chloe said. She was trying to be reassuring, but it wasn’t working. “Do you want to take a break? Get out of here and get some coffee or just some fresh air?”
<P>“No,” Cassie snapped, her tone coming across more harshly than she had meant it. She appreciated what Chloe was trying to do. “Why don’t you tell me about the trip you and James are planning again? You’re leaving tonight?”
<P>“Straight after work,” Chloe answered before she started going over their plans for the week.
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<P>Cassie struggled to pay attention, but her friend’s words were drowned out by the voice in the back of her head that kept screaming at her, “Something’s wrong.”
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<P>Blaine had spent most of the day catching up on sleep while everyone was out of the house. Then he picked up the kids after school and spent a few hours with them before work. They had, understandably, a lot of questions about what was going on that were difficult to answer. He did his best to respond as sensitively as he could without going into too much detail and tried to divert the topic of conversation to something else as soon as he could. He just wanted to enjoy their time together and try to forget about his troubles for a little while.
<P>He arrived at Reese’s office as the last of the law firm’s employees were leaving for the day and settled into his workspace to pour over information. He was so close now. He was sure to have this project wrapped up any time. He just needed the right lead. That realization was motivating, but at the same time he wasn’t as eager to finish as he thought he should be. Once this project was over, he wouldn’t be coming into the law office anymore. He was going to miss running into Reese during the workday.
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<P>As he logged into the computer and started to spread his paper documents across the desk, he was interrupted by a light knock at the door. Thinking everyone was on their way home for the night, he hadn’t bothered to close it. He gathered up his papers and looked up at the doorway. He was surprised to see Natalie there. He stood to greet her.
<P>“What are you doing here? Are you here with your mom?”
<P>“No,” Natalie replied. “I stopped by to say hi to you.” She felt kind of awkward dropping in on him at work like this, but it seemed preferable to stopping by his house where he wasn’t likely to be anyway. “If you’re busy I can go.”
<P>“No, no, come in,” he said, eagerly ushering her inside and closing the door. “I will always have time for you. I hope you know that.”
<P>Natalie nodded politely. She was sure he was sincere, but she hadn’t known him long enough to know that for herself.
<P>When his cell phone rang, he grumbled and looked at the screen. It was Cassie again. She'd been calling and texting him repeatedly since he'd left the house, asking him to stay home tonight. Fed up, he turned off the phone and put it away before turning his attention back to Natalie.
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<P>“So, what’s up?” he asked. “Everything going okay?”
<P>“Yeah,” she answered quietly. “I just wanted to see if you were doing okay.”
<P>“Oh,” Blaine said, taken aback. “So, you’ve heard about what’s been going on?”
<P>“A little,” she admitted.
<P>“You don’t have to worry. I’m okay. Things will work out,” he said, hoping to reassure her.
<P>“Okay,” she simply said. She wanted to ask if she had anything to do with his problems at home, but she was afraid to ask. She was sure he would assure her that she had nothing to do with it, whether she really did or not. She changed the subject. “What are you working on? Is it anything you can tell me about?”
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<P>“Yeah,” he said, eager for the change in topic. “Right now, I’m comparing Mr. Lind’s home security records and the employees’ office schedules to the dates that Mr. Lind’s home computer and office computer were accessed for suspicious transactions. The only person that would have visited his home frequently would have been his nephew, who is also a lawyer at the firm, but nothing is matching up. So, I have to find a different approach.” He started sorting through his papers and took out a stack of employee photographs and employment information. “I’m about to see if I can find a bulletin board to tack up pictures of all the suspects like they do in the movies,” he said with a laugh.
<P>“Maybe I can help you organize them,” Natalie offered. He handed her the stack and she began spreading the pictures out across the desk. One of the photographs caught her attention and she pulled it out from the rest. “I’ve seen him before.”
<P>“Like here around the office while visiting your mom?”
<P>“No, around the school. I think Vince Sexton knows him.”
<P>Blaine took the photograph from her to read over his information. “That’s Scot Lind, Mr. Lind’s son. He does odd jobs around the office. His son . . ." Blaine repeated as an epiphany struck him. “Mr. Lind’s security records wouldn’t have taken record of the comings and goings of his own family.” He turned to his computer and began typing frantically. “Let’s see if his work schedule matches up.”
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<P>Vince stood on the corner where he had been asked to meet. He paced and shifted his weight as he waited. He checked his phone for the time and to see if there were any follow up texts. There were not and the people he was waiting for were late. He was anxious to get back to school for the art show and wondered how long he should wait.
<P>He was considering sending a text and going back to the school when he heard his former friends call out to him.
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<P>He reached into his jacket and pulled out the envelope Scot had handed to him on the way to the Halloween party. Without ceremony or formalities, he held it out to him. “Here, it’s done.”
<P>Scot took the envelope, unfolded the paper inside and checked the signature at the bottom. “Perfect, as always,” he remarked as he folded the paper and returned it to the envelope. He patted Vince on the shoulder. “Even my father would think this was his own signature. You do good work.”
<P>Vince drew back. “I did. I’m done now, remember?”
<P>“Yes, because so am I. I’ve got what I need. Tonight, we’re wrapping it all up.”
<P>“Good luck with that,” Vince said as he started to walk away.
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<P>“Hold up. You don’t want to miss what’s next. You’re in this with us. See it through to the end.”
<P>“I have somewhere I gotta be,” Vince insisted. It was the truth. He really needed to get back to the art show before he was missed and people started to ask questions, but he could tell by Scot’s tone that he wouldn’t care about that. He wasn’t going to give him an option.
<P>“Come on,” Scot said with a nod of his head as he led the group toward the alley across the street. "There's no backing out."
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-36359329054630556742019-09-29T12:03:00.002-04:002019-09-29T12:06:22.637-04:00Episode 38 - Avoidance<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/38-0110.jpg">
<P>Blaine slowly opened the front door and stepped into the house on Monday morning. His family was in the dining room having breakfast, but they looked up when they heard the door open. The children jumped out of their seats and ran over to greet him with hugs.
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<P>“Dad! You’re home!”
<P>He smiled at them and hugged them back. He looked up at Cassie lingering by the table. She looked like she wanted to run over and embrace him too, but one look from him made her hold back.
<P>The kids were clamoring with questions and he answered with apologies and excuses about needing to work.
<P>Finally, he took a step back. “Why don’t you finish breakfast while I take a shower, then I’ll drive you to school,” he suggested. As the kids went back to the table, he started upstairs.
<P>Cassie waited a moment and then followed.
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<P>He was getting undressed in the bathroom when he noticed her standing in the doorway. She looked like she wanted to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance.
<P>“I’m just here for the kids. I’m not ready to forgive you yet.”
<P>Cassie latched on to the word, ‘yet.’ “But you will be?”
<P>He didn’t answer. Instead he turned on the shower and let the sound of the water drown out their conversation.
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<P>Cassie stormed away from the bathroom door and into the bedroom as her temper started to rise. She wanted to rail at him. How could he be mad at her? She wasn’t the one that had been lying all this time. She had only lied for a little while. It was her mother and Reese who had known the truth all along and kept it from everyone. Yet, somehow, he had found it easy to be able to forgive Reese for sixteen years of lies and act like nothing had happened, but he was taking all of his anger out on her.
<P>She wanted so badly to storm into that bathroom and give him a piece of her mind, but she couldn’t. She felt a cold shiver pass through her, dulling her rage. She stood too much to lose. If she said the wrong thing now, she risked losing him forever.
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<P>Losing him forever. She felt those words like a knife through her chest as she sank down onto the bedroom sofa. She knew then, with complete certainty, that she was going to lose him forever, no matter what she did. It was already too late.
<P>She sat in a stupor, breathing heavily, listening to the sounds of the water running in the shower and once it stopped with a squeak of the faucet handle, the sound of the electric razor. They were everyday sounds, his usual morning routine, but she felt as if she were hearing them for the last time.
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<P>When he walked out of the bathroom, draped in just a towel, he didn’t look at her. He crossed over to the dresser and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
<P>“I’m taking the kids to school now,” was all he said as he walked toward the stairs.
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<P>Cassie jumped up. “Are you coming back afterwards?”
<P>He didn’t answer, so she pressed after him.
<P>“Come back. Come home tonight,” she insisted, grabbing at his shirt sleeve. “I’ll leave if you want me too, but you need to be home tonight.”
<P>He paused, then touched her arm gently, before continuing down the stairs. “Brooke, Doug, time to go!”
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<P>Natalie was the first of her friends to arrive at the cafeteria at lunch time. She sat down at their usual lunch table and took advantage of the quiet moment to let her mind wander.
<P>She’d had a difficult time concentrating on her schoolwork today. Her mind was fixed on the snippets of conversation she’d overheard between her mother and Simon as she was getting ready for school.
<P>“It’s so sad. He’s been sleeping in his office,” her mother said, in a hushed voice. “He thinks Cassie betrayed him.”
<P>“How so?” Simon asked.
<P>The next bit was muffled, but Natalie was sure she’d heard her name and strained to listen.
<P>“He’s just expecting too much of everyone in this situation.”
<P>She wondered what she had to do with the situation. The last thing she wanted to be was a source of strife for anyone, especially for her father and his family.
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<P>She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed Jeremy approach the table until she heard him set his lunch tray on the table across from her. When she looked up at the sound, he was smiling at her. She really wished he wouldn’t.
<P>“You look like you were miles away. Not that I blame you,” he said as he nodded towards the room behind him. The unpleasant smells of cafeteria lunch wafted through the air and the noise level was starting to rise as the room filled with chatting students.
<P>“Yeah,” she muttered as she picked at her food, but she didn’t feel like eating.
<P>She had been trying to avoid Jeremy ever since she knew Maura liked him and even more so now that they were dating. There was nothing wrong with simply talking with a friend’s boyfriend, but sometimes the way Jeremy talked to her felt too much like flirting. Maybe she was reading too much into it, but she wasn’t interested in being flirty with a friend’s love interest.
<P>Jeremy looked as if he were going to say something, but changed his mind. Instead he stared at his tray of food, wishing things weren’t so awkward.
<P>When Julian walked over and asked, “Mind if I sit here?” they both answered simultaneously with an overeager, “Yes.”
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<P>“Why aren’t you sitting at your usual table?” Jeremy asked.
<P>Julian glanced behind him to look back at the table he usually shared with Elden, Sara, and Melanie. They were all looking at him. Sara was whispering something to Melanie, while Melanie and Elden were both giving him the evil eye. Elden had called out to him when he walked past, but he had ignored him. They hadn’t spoken since the Halloween party.
<P>“I needed a change,” he said simply.
<P>Jeremy nodded.
<P>The silence that had fallen over the table was interrupted by the arrival of Maura, Vince, and Judith. Maura snagged the empty seat next to Jeremy and scooted close to him while Vince and Judith sat in the empty seats next to Natalie.
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<P>Maura linked her arm around Jeremy’s and greeted him cheerfully. “Hey, I haven’t seen you all day.”
<P>He mumbled a vague reply.
<P>“We’ll have to make plans to meet during the day. What's your class schedule?”
<P>Jeremy looked up at his sister, his eyes pleading for help, but she just shrugged. There was nothing she could do. He had made this mess and it was up to him to figure out how to get out of it.
<P>"Uh, I don't know if I'm much of a planned meet up kind of guy," he answered hesitantly.
<P>Oblivious, Maura kept chattering on, until Natalie couldn’t take it anymore. She rose from her seat.
<P>Maura stopped mid-sentence. “Where are you going?”
<P>“I’m not hungry,” Natalie replied with a shrug. “I think I’m going to go to the library to study. I’ll see you later.”
<P>Jeremy watched her go with longing in his eyes. He wished he could offer to go with her. He’d lost his appetite as well.
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<P>Vince watched her as well. “Is she okay?” he asked the others at the table.
<P>“I think I know what’s wrong,” Maura said, as she released Jeremy’s arm and scooted away from him just slightly. “It must be hard for her, being single and surrounded by couples. We should set her up with someone. Do either of you know anybody?” she asked looking back and forth between Jeremy and her brother. Both guys looked uncomfortable with the question and shook their heads. When she noticed Julian seated on the other side of Jeremy her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but Judith quickly cut her off.
<P>“Don’t even think about it,” she said firmly. “If Natalie wants a boyfriend, and I don’t think she’s ever indicated that she does, she’ll find one. She doesn’t need our help. If she does, she’ll ask for it.”
<P>“Okay, fine,” Maura gave in, but she couldn’t help turning around to scope out the cafeteria, just in case.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-25852506820012829362018-07-28T11:25:00.000-04:002019-12-23T09:30:14.758-05:00Episode 37 - Losing Sleep<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i61.servimg.com/u/f61/13/46/13/01/37-0010.jpg">
<P>Jeremy trudged into the kitchen and poured himself a bowl of cereal. He rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. He hadn’t slept well since the night of the Halloween party. He kept replaying the events of the night over in his mind and kicking himself over what had happened and the things he said. He felt absolutely sick about it. How could he have been so stupid?
<P>He sighed and sat down at the kitchen counter. He pushed the bowl aside and let his head drop against the counter. Suddenly he’d lost his appetite.
<P>When Judith walked into the kitchen she just looked at him and shook her head.
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<P>“I’m such an idiot,” he mumbled to himself for what felt like the hundredth time in the last few days.
<P>“What were you even thinking?” Judith asked.
<P>Jeremy lifted up his head, but sat slumped in his seat. “It was dark. There were costumes. I thought I was talking to someone else.”
<P>“What . . . were you . . . even . . . thinking?” Judith repeated slowly, adding emphasis to every word.
<P>Jeremy let out a long, exasperated breath. “I don’t know. I’m an idiot.”
<P>Judith just raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t going to argue with that point.
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<P>“What do I do? I have to go tell her the truth, right? I have to admit that I made a mistake and apologize.”
<P>“No! You can’t do that.”
<P>The alarm in his sister’s voice startled him. “Why not?”
<P>“That would absolutely crush her,” Judith insisted as she leaned forward on the counter. “I mean, you can’t lead her on, of course, but you can’t just tell her you were talking to the wrong person. She would be devastated. You have to handle this very carefully.”
<P>“Okay, so you’re the expert, you’re her best friend,” he said desperately. “What do I do?”
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<P>Judith thought for a moment, but she didn’t have the answer any more than he did. She hated that she had to admit it. “I don’t know.”
<P>“Well, what would you want a guy to do if you were in her place? What if it were you and Vince?”
<P>Judith’s face flushed in embarrassment. She lowered her tone when she spoke again and looked around nervously to make sure no one else was in earshot. “You know about that? Do Mom and Dad?”
<P>He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I heard it from Maura.” Just mentioning her name gave him a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach. “How would you want to be let down easy if it turned out Vince really wanted to date someone else?”
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<P>“I- uh, it’s not really the same, you know,” she struggled. “Vince and I are kind of just friends who like art and hang out at school. It’s not like I’m really in love with him or anything.” When she said the “L” word Jeremy grimaced and seemed to turn a little green, so Judith quickly back tracked. “Maybe not love, but like serious, long-term infatuation, a major crush. I mean this has been her dream-“
<P>Jeremy jumped up from his seat. Unable to take any more of this, he cut her off. “Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll figure it out myself.”
<P>Judith looked like she wanted to say more, but before she could question him further or dole out any additional warnings, he walked out of the room.
<P>“I’ll figure out something,” he said, but honestly, he had no idea how he was going to unravel this mess.
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<P>Reese knocked on the Kitteridges’ front door, a folder of papers in hand. Mr. Lind had dropped off some information for Blaine about employee schedules and who had been in or out of the office and his own home on certain days. He would have given it to Blaine personally, if Blaine hadn't already left the office by the time Mr. Lind had compiled the information, so he passed it on to Reese, the only other person he could trust on this matter. She wouldn’t have bothered Blaine about this at home on a Saturday morning, but she knew he wouldn’t want to wait to see this.
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<P>Reese had hoped that Blaine would be the one to answer the door, but instead she found herself face to face with a weary looking Cassandra when the door opened. Cassie’s appearance startled her at first. She shouldn’t have been terribly surprised to see the usually well put together Cassandra dressed down on a Saturday morning in pajamas and with mussed up hair, but she looked unusually pale with dark circles under her eyes. She didn’t look well. Reese was wondering if she shouldn’t have dropped by.
<P>She paused a little too long before she found her voice and broke the awkward silence. “Hi. I’m sorry to bother you. Is Blaine around?”
<P>Cassie stopped to take a breath before answering. Simple forming words seemed to take a great deal of effort. “No, he’s out."
<P>Reese hadn’t expected a warm welcome, but something in Cassie’s tone seemed off. She thought it better not to ask and just stick to her reason for coming.
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<P>“Oh. I have some information for him from work. He left before it was ready and I thought he might not want to wait until Monday to look at it.” She paused, debating on whether or not to leave the papers with Cassie. The other woman just stared at her wordlessly, making no offer to take them or pass on a message. Reese held the papers close to her chest and took a step back.
<P>“It’s important and the information is confidential, so if you could just let him know I have it, I can get it to him sometime when he’s not busy.”
<P>Cassie just nodded and slowly closed the door, leaving a bewildered Reese standing on the doorstep.
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<P>When Cassie turned around she saw Serena and Doug standing behind her in the doorway to the dining room. Serena stared at her intently with a shrewd, knowing look that made Cassandra bristle, while Doug, by contrast, looked so utterly innocent and clueless about anything that was going on that it broke her heart.
<P>“Where is Dad?” he asked just as his sister stepped out of her room with a book under her arm.
<P>The question was like a cold splash of water as both of Cassandra's children stared at her expectantly. It tore her apart that she didn’t know, that her husband hadn’t come home or called since he walked out the night before. She couldn’t stand to admit the truth, so she lied. “At his office. He had to go in early this morning, unexpectedly.”
<P>She could tell by Brooke's expression that she wasn't buying that explanation. Her daughter said nothing as she walked out the backdoor.
<P>Doug just frowned, disappointed. “When will he be back?”
<P>“I don’t know,” Cassie said quietly and hurried out of the room before her emotions got the better of her.
<P>Serena followed after her.
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<P>Cassie ignored her mother until they were out of sight and earshot of her son. Then she turned around quickly and hissed at her mother, “Why are you still here?”
<P>“I couldn’t leave you alone now, darling. Not at a time like this.”
<P>“This is all your fault. Why did you even say anything about that last night?”
<P>Serena held her hands out in a peaceful, calming gesture, but the movement had no effect on diminishing her daughter’s anger. “I’ll speak with Blaine. I’ll explain.”
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<P>“No, you’ve done enough,” Cassie said firmly. “I want you to go now. I don’t want you to be here when-“ she paused. For a terrible moment she wondered if she shouldn’t have said ‘when,’ but ‘if.’ She shook that thought from her head, she wouldn’t let her mind go there. “When,” she insisted, reassuring herself. “Blaine gets back. You are not welcome here.”
<P>“Don’t burn your bridges, Cassandra. You may find that you need me after all.” When Cassie didn’t budge, Serena turned and walked out.
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<P>Reese was still mulling over the odd interaction with Cassandra after she left the Kitteridges’ and went to run her errands for the day. She told herself that she shouldn’t be surprised. When had any interaction with Cassandra not been at least a little odd?
<P>She was surprised though when she drove past Blaine’s office to see his car parked outside. She thought he would have had the weekend off or maybe Cassie would have mentioned that he was working instead of just out, but just admitting that he was “out,” was probably more information that Cassie even wanted to share with her.
<P>She still had the papers for Blaine with her in her car, so she decided to run them in to him while she was there. She knew how anxious he was to make progress on this project and the sooner she could get him this information, if there was anything to this lead, the better.
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<P>When she walked up to the office door, it was locked, the business closed for the weekend. She knocked tentatively. A moment later she heard a noise from inside, the door unlocked, and a disheveled Blaine stood in the open doorway. He looked almost as out of sorts as Cassie had earlier with dark circles under his bloodshot eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept, showered, or shaved. She knew something was up, but didn’t feel that it was her place to pry into their personal lives.
<P>“I saw your car,” she hastily explained before holding out the papers. “I thought you might want this information. Mr. Lind gave it to me last night after you’d left.”
<P>“That’s great!” His eyes lit up at the mention of the information and he stepped aside to let Reese inside. Blaine ran a hand over his hair, trying to smooth out the tangles. He opened the envelope as he started to walk back to his office. Reese followed.
<P>“I think I’ve made some serious progress. The log in information looks like it’s legit, so this will be a big help. We may have this thing solved.”
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<P>“You’ve really gone above and beyond on this project. I don’t think anyone expected you to work overtime on this.” As she looked around the office, she noticed things looked out of place. The rumbled jacket spread over the office sofa, junk food wrappers spread out across the desk, and empty beer cans in the trash. "Have you been here all night?" she asked, trying not to sound alarmed.
<P>Blaine noticed her staring at his workspace, so he quickly swept the trash off his desk and deposited it in the trash. He cleared his throat. “My mind wouldn’t rest. Not when I’m this close.”
<P>He pulled over a chair for Reese before sitting at his computer. He brought up a log of information on the screen, then spread out the papers in front of him and began making comparisons.
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<P>He frowned. “Hmm. It’s not him.”
<P>“What?” Reese asked leaning forward to see for herself.
<P>“The dates don’t add up. Dustin had scheduled meetings or was in court during some of these times. He couldn’t have been the one to have accessed these computers at these times, not all of them anyway. If he was involved, he wasn’t working alone.”
<P>Reese leaned back. “I never really thought it was him.”
<P>“Well,” Blaine said with a sigh. “It looks like Mr. Lind has a visitor log from his home security. I’ll just have to comb through it and see if anything matches up.”
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<P>As Blaine started sifting through the papers scattered across his desk, Reese couldn’t help noticing that he was blinking a lot and rubbing his eyes. He didn’t look like he was in any shape to be at work. She wasn’t going to pry into his personal life, but she couldn’t help feeling concerned.
<P>“You don’t have to do that right now, do you?” she asked gently. “You seem like you’ve been working a lot on this already today. Maybe you should go home and get some rest. Look at it with fresh eyes on Monday.”
<P>He scoffed and rubbed the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. “Going home is not an option right now.”
<P>When he turned to look at her, Reese was staring at him wide-eyed, fighting with herself about what to say or not to say.
<P>“Okay, so it is,” he admitted as he pulled a beer out from under his desk. He offered one to Reese, but she declined. He crossed the room and slumped down on the office sofa “It’s just an option I’d rather not take. I just need to be away from home right now.”
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<P>“I thought something had happened,” Reese spoke hesitantly. “You don’t seem yourself today. Cassie didn’t either.”
<P>Blaine twisted open the bottle, took a long drink, and avoided looking at Reese.
<P>"Does she know you’re here?” she asked tentatively.
<P>Blaine shook his head and stared down into his lap. “I didn’t know where I was going when I walked out last night. I just walked out.” He cleared his throat and turned to look Reese in the eye before he continued. “She lied. She’s been lying this entire time about you and about Natalie and about who knows what else. I've just been sitting here questioning everything I thought I knew. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to forgive her.”
<P>“Oh,” Reese said, wide-eyed. She wasn’t sure she should be privy to Blaine and Cassandra’s marital problems even if they somehow involved her. She didn’t want to encourage him to share anything too personal, and yet, it seemed uncaring to get up and walk away with Blaine in the state he was in. All she could do was listen.
<P>“I can’t help thinking- thinking of all the ways my life could have been different, all the different paths that I could have taken but didn’t.” He squinted. “What if I chose wrong?”
<P>When he looked at her, Reese just shrugged noncommittally.
<P>“I would have chosen you over her, if you had let me.”
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<P>Reese recoiled, uncomfortable with this line of conversation. She avoided eye contact and instead fixed her eyes on his drink. “I don’t- I don’t think you know what you’re saying.”
<P>He frowned and pushed the drink away. "But I do. We were good together once and we’re good together now.” He gestured to the papers spread across his desk. “This proves it. Just like old times.”
<P>“Blaine-" Reese tried to keep calm and steady her breathing as she felt herself starting to panic.
<P>“Don’t you remember?”
<P>“That was a long time ago. We both have changed and circumstances have changed.” She spoke carefully and deliberately, hoping her calm, reasonable tone would bring him back to his senses.
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<P>Blaine eyed her critically, trying to decipher her true feelings. “I don’t think we have changed. You're still the wonderful, sweet, smart woman I knew all those years ago. I can't believe I let myself forget. Now, it's like it was before, like no time has passed at all.”
<P>"But it has. You're married now," Reese blurted out. "You and Cassie have built a life together."
<P>"A life built on lies," he muttered. "Maybe I never should have married her."
<P>Reese decide to redirect away from his marriage to Cassie. "And I'm happily engaged to Simon."
<P>"Are you happy with him?"
<P>"Yes, I am," she answered firmly. She looked Blaine in the eye, hoping he would see how sincerely she meant those words. "He's perfect for me."
<P>"Sometimes what seems perfect on paper isn't what the heart wants."
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<P>Reese stepped away. She was finished with this conversation. "This time it is."
<P>Blaine’s face fell in disappointment, but more than that he just looked tired.
<P>Reese paused on her way to the door. Before she left she said gently, “Go home to your family.”
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-10725601413132442562018-05-27T17:03:00.001-04:002018-05-27T17:03:47.931-04:00Episode 36 - Brooke's Birthday<P ALIGN=CENTER><img src="https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/13/46/13/01/36-0110.jpg" WIDTH=600>
<P>As Reese passed by the office break room, she noticed a small group chatting excitedly by the coffee maker. Dustin, one of her co-workers, had his arm around a nicely dressed woman she hadn’t seen before.
<P>“Reese, come congratulate us," Dustin called out when he spotted her in the doorway. "I just asked Deborah to marry me and she said ‘yes.’”
<P>Reese stepped forward with a polite smile and offered her congratulations.
<P>“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Deborah gushed as she reached out her hand to show off her ring. “I can’t stop looking at it.”
<P>“Very,” Reese agreed. It was an impressive ring with large stones and was clearly very expensive.
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<P>“When is the big day?” Damion, another lawyer from the firm, asked.
<P>Dustin deferred to his fiancée. “We haven’t had a chance to discuss that yet.”
<P>“I would love a summer wedding if the estate isn’t already booked," Deborah said happily as she caressed her fiance's arm. "Then afterward we can take off for a month-long tour of the islands. Do you think your work can spare you for that long?”
<P>"As long as no one else is planning to be away at the same time, I think that could be arranged."
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<P>Deborah followed Dustin's gaze to look at Reese again. For the first time she noticed the engagement ring on Reese’s finger. “Oh, are you planning a wedding this summer too?”
<P>Reese self-consciously fiddled with her much more modest engagement ring. “We haven’t set a date yet.”
<P>“Long engagements can be nice.” Deborah turned to smile at her fiancé. “But I would rather not wait any longer than necessary.”
<P>“Whatever you want, darling,” Dustin replied, giving her a quick peck on the lips.
<P>Reese looked away, embarrassed. She wondered if she should be more anxious to set a date and make preparations to marry Simon. He hadn’t pressured her into doing either of those things, but she couldn’t help wondering if maybe he was wishing they would move forward.
<P>Before Reese could get too lost in her own thoughts, Damion spoke up. “Sounds like your lady has expensive tastes. Good thing you have a rich uncle to help you out.”
<P>Dustin laughed at the ribbing, but when he spoke his tone was more sober. “I’m not counting on any help from my uncle except for perhaps a little bit of inheritance from him someday and maybe taking over as a partner when he retires. Until then, I can make my own way." He turned to Deborah. "Speaking of my uncle, let’s see if he’s free so we can tell him the good news.”
<P>As the group split up, Reese started back to her own office. On the way, she ran into Blaine.
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<P>“Hi, you’re here earlier than usual,” she remarked.
<P>“Oh, yeah,” Blaine replied awkwardly. “Brooke’s birthday party is tonight, so I wanted to be home early.”
<P>“Happy birthday to her,” Reese said as she walked into her office.
<P>Blaine followed. “She and Cassie wanted to keep the party small, just a few close friends. I wanted to include you and Natalie, Natalie especially, but…” he trailed off, not knowing how to finish that thought. “I hope she doesn’t feel left out.”
<P>“It’s fine. Natalie won’t mind, I promise,” Reese insisted.
<P>“Are you sure?”
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<P>“It’s really okay. No one expects us all to be one big, happy family.” When Blaine look crushed, she quickly added, “At least not right away… maybe with time. No matter what I may think of Cassie, I promise I won’t stand in the way of that.”
<P>"About that. I was hoping I'd run into you today." He paused to clear his throat. “I’m sorry about the last time we spoke. I was out of line,” Blaine apologized.
<P>“No, you weren’t. I've made some regrettable decisions and you had every right to say what you did. I deserved it,” Reese said with a shake of her head as she averted her eyes to the floor.
<P>Blaine started to protest, but she cut him off. "Maybe we just needed to clear the air.”
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<P>“Right,” Blaine agreed with a smile. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Let’s forget it. Let’s just put the past behind us, forget everything that was said, and start over again as friends.”
<P>“Friends would be good,” Reese said with a nod. When they fell into an awkward silence, Reese changed the subject. “How is your work going? Any leads?”
<P>“Actually, yes. I feel like I’m getting close to something. I think whoever is behind this breach must be very close to Mr. Lind. It looks like they were able to correctly answer his security questions to access the system and there’s something really interesting in the data I’ve been looking at. All of the questionable log-ins seem to be coming from either Mr. Lind’s office computer or his personal computer at home.”
<P>“Really?” Reese asked, interested.
<P>“I still have to find out if that information is accurate or if it’s been manipulated to look that way, but if it is what it seems to be, finding out who would have had access to those computers at those times should go a long way to finding out who’s been behind these missing funds. How many people would have had access to both locations besides Mr. Lind himself?”
<P>Reese didn’t say anything in response, but Blaine could tell by her expression that she was thinking something.
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<P>“What is it?” he asked.
<P>Her voice was hesitant when she replied. "One of the lawyers here, Dustin, is also Mr. Lind’s nephew.”
<P>Blaine’s eyes opened wide with excitement, but before he could get carried away, Reese backtracked.
<P>“I don’t see why he would steal from the company though. He seems like he’s already well off and he's looking forward to becoming a partner in the company and probably inheriting money from Mr. Lind someday.”
<P>“That wouldn't necessarily rule him out. There could always be more going on than there seems.”
<P>Reese was doubtful. She couldn't deny that it was possible, but she just couldn't picture Dustin scamming the company that way. It didn't seem to fit what she knew of him. “We can check the times and dates, see if his whereabouts match up," she suggested with a shrug. "Maybe Mr. Lind will remember when Dustin might have been at his house or could have had access to his home computer.”
<P>Blaine nodded slowly as he ran the idea through his mind. “I’ll see if the data is what it seems to be and if it is I’ll talk to Mr. Lind.” He smiled at Reese.
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<P>“What?”
<P>"Nothing... just reminds me of old times, us working together to solve a mystery. I didn't realize I'd missed that."
<P>“Um hmm,” Reese mumbled in passive agreement. By the way he was smiling at her, she wondered just how much of the old times he was missing.
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<P>“So, who else is coming to the party?” Joey asked Brooke as they sat together in the decorated dining room.
<P>Brooke shrugged. “I think my mom invited some people from the neighborhood. I don’t know.”
<P>Cassie looked up from where she was setting up the dining room table. “Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Logan are bringing their kids along with Lance and Lorna.”
<P>“And that’s <i>all</i> you invited?” Brooke asked pointedly.
<P>Cassie tried not to sigh. At this rate, she didn’t know how she was going to survive the teenage years. “They are the only ones I invited,” she assured her daughter. She couldn’t promise her that her father hadn’t invited anyone, but she hoped that he had gotten the message and respected their daughter’s wishes.
<P>“Speaking of guests,” Cassie said as the doorbell rang. She motioned to Brooke who took the hint and went to answer the door.
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<P>Brooke had barely crossed the room before Cassandra was overcome by a sickly feeling. She gasped in panic, fearful that maybe Blaine did invite Reese and Natalie after all. She braced herself for the fall out, but what she heard at the front door was much worse that what she had been expecting.
<P>“Gram!”
<P>Cassie turned quickly and hurried into the foyer.
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<P>Her mother stood in the doorway, a bag of gifts in hand as her two grandchildren clamored to greet her.
<P>Cassie tried to swallow back her shock and put on a positive face. “Mother! What are you doing here?”
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<P>“I couldn’t miss my granddaughter’s birthday, especially this one. Twelve is a special age,” Serena responded cryptically.
<P>Cassie opened her mouth as if to speak, but just as quickly thought better of it. Defeated, she merely said, “Come in. You’re just in time for the party.”
<P>Cassie barely had a chance to recover from this unexpected arrival before the other guests appeared in the doorway.
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<P>“Hello! Happy birthday!” Vanessa called out as she walked up the steps followed by her crew. Her cheerful demeanor quickly vanished when she saw Serena standing in the foyer. A chill passed over the room as the two women glared at each other.
<P>“Serena, hello,” Vanessa said coolly. Serena merely nodded in response.
<P>Vanessa turned her attention to Cassandra. “Do you need any help getting anything ready for the party, hon?”
<P>“Sure. You can help me with the rest of the food,” Cassie said, eager for a distraction to break the tension. “Make yourselves at home,” she said to the guests as she and her former stepmother retreated to the kitchen.
<P>While Logan herded the children into the dining room, Serena held Brooke back for a moment.
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<P>“Darling, I don’t know if you realize, but you are reaching a very important age and as my only granddaughter, there’s something very special I want you to have,” she spoke in a quiet voice as she reached into her bag and pulled out a wrapped gift that she handed to Brooke.
<P>As Brooke took the present, she could tell by its size, shape, and dimensions that it was a book, the thick, hardback type, which usually meant dull. She wasn’t thrilled, but tried not to show it. “Thank you, Gram.”
<P>She started to unwrap it, but Serena put her hand over hers to stop her. “You can open it later after your friends have gone. Go enjoy your party.”
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<P>“So, Serena?” Vanessa remarked once she and Cassie were alone in the kitchen.
<P>“I’m as surprised as you are,” Cassie said as she yanked the snacks she had prepared out of the refrigerator and shut the door with a little more force than necessary. “I knew I was nervous about something, but I thought… never mind,” she said with a shake of her head. She set the tray down and sighed.
“I love my mother and I wish she could be a part of our lives, but we tried and she can’t. It’s just better if we keep our relationship distant.”
<P>“And limit it to just the big events, like birthdays,” Vanessa suggested with a sly smile.
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<P>Cassie smiled back. Vanessa’s way of putting things into perspective helped put her more at ease.
<P>“If it would help, I can try to entertain her, give you some space if you need it.”
<P>“No, that won’t be necessary,” Cassie declined. It was an especially generous offer considering the awkward nature of Vanessa and Serena’s connection; they had both been married to Cassandra’s father, unknowingly, at the same time. While Vanessa might be past it and be able to see how neither of them were at fault, Serena was less generous and would likely not appreciate Vanessa’s attention. “I can manage.”
<P>Vanessa gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder and picked up the tray to carry it out for her.
<P>Cassie braced herself and followed after. She could manage her mother for a few hours but she knew Blaine wasn’t going to be happy about this surprise visitor.
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<P>In spite of the unexpected arrival of Serena, the party went well. The adults talked as the kids played in the dining room. Brooke and Joey mostly kept to themselves, while Doug was the one spending more time with their guests, but everyone seemed to be having a good time, so Cassie didn’t worry about it.
<P>Blaine arrived home a while after the party had started. When he saw Serena, he looked startled. He gave Cassandra a questioning look, but she only shrugged in response.
<P>She hoped he could see that she had no idea that her mother was going to be here. She was sure that was going to be a conversation for later. For now, the guests and Brooke were their main concern.
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<P>Brooke ran over to greet her father with a hug as he wished her a happy birthday.
<P>“Can we have cake now?” Brooke asked eagerly.
<P>Cassie called everyone around and lit the candles on the cake as Brooke took her position at the head of the table.
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<P>As everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” Brooke stared into the flames of the candles and focused on her wish. She knew just what she wanted to wish for and she wanted to make sure her wish counted. As the song ended she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and blew out the candles while the others cheered.
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<P>Serena had barely spoken to anyone during the party and just quietly observed the events. Once all of the other guests had gone home, the children had gone off to their own rooms and Blaine went out to take out the trash, she finally found herself alone with her daughter.
<P>“Thanks for coming, Mother,” Cassie said, hoping that her mother would take the hint that it was time for her to leave. “The kids enjoyed seeing you.”
<P>“And I them, but that’s not the only reason for coming here tonight, Cassandra.”
<P>Cassie looked up in alarm, bracing herself for whatever ulterior motives her mother might have.
<P>“I wanted to see you. How are you doing, my dear, really?”
<P>“I’m fine."
<P>“Are you really?” Serena stared intently at her daughter. “Is everything well between you and your husband? I sensed some tension."
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<P>Cassie took a deep breath. She wanted to tell her mother that if there was any tension, her surprise arrival was probably the cause of it, but instead she held her tongue. “Blaine and I are fine.”
<P>“I noticed his other child and her mother weren’t here tonight.”
<P>“No,” Cassie replied coldly, hoping her mother would drop the subject, but she wasn’t surprised when Serena pressed on.
<P>“But he knows?”
<P>“Yes, he knows. He wanted to invite them…”
<P>“Ah,” Serena said knowingly. “And that’s what’s causing the tension now. I knew they would be a problem once he discovered the child existed.”
<P>“They’re not-“ Cassie started to object, but her mother wasn’t listening.
<P>“It couldn’t be helped. He was going to find out at some point." She shook her head and tsked. "At least you had these last fifteen years with him to yourself. That isn’t meaningless.”
<P>“Mother-“ Cassie exclaimed. She turned to give Serena a piece of her mind, but froze when she saw Blaine standing in the doorway. By the look of devastation and confusion on his face, she knew he had overheard too much.
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<P>Serena caught her daughter’s gaze and slowly turned to look at Blaine in the doorway. She was as cool and unmoved as ever. Her face was a mask and she remained silent.
<P>Time seemed to stand still for Cassandra, she could feel the heavy thump of every beat of her heart as she watched the range of emotions cross her husband’s face and waited for him to speak.
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<P>Blaine’s eyes darted back and forth between Cassandra and Serena before he finally spoke. “You knew?” His voice was hoarse, uttered barely above a whisper. He asked it as a question, but it was clear that he had already determined the answer.
<P>“I-“ Cassie started.
<P>When Blaine saw his wife glance at her mother, he interrupted. “You need to go,” he announced as he walked past Serena and came face to face with his wife. He waited for Serena to slink out of the room before he spoke again. His tone was angry, but he deliberately kept his voice low. This wasn’t anyone else’s business.
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<P>“How long, Cassie? How long did you know I had another daughter before I did? Fifteen years? Before we were married? Before we started dating?”
<P>“No, it isn't like that at all,” Cassie said firmly. “I had no idea back then. Maybe my mother-“
<P>“I don’t want to hear about your mother. Just you. What did you know and when?”
<P>Cassie had to make herself breathe. She knew this was really bad and she knew that she couldn’t lie, but the truth, the entire truth was hard to speak.
“I didn’t know. I only suspected-“ When Blaine grimaced she knew that she had started wrong. Half-truths and careful phrasing weren’t going to do any good now. They were only going to enrage him further. So, she started again.
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<P>“When I first saw Natalie this fall,” she answered quickly. “When she and Simon had stopped by to see the house, she mentioned Reese was her mother and that's when I suspected- I knew,” she quickly corrected herself. “I knew she was your daughter too. I could see it in her face. I knew she was the right age. I knew you had to be her father. But I had no idea that she even existed before that. I never had any idea before that day that Reese had ever been pregnant, I swear to you.”
<P>“But you didn’t say anything.”
<P>“No, it wasn’t my place.”
<P>Blaine huffed and shook his head in frustration. “But you’re my wife, my partner, and you kept it to yourself… How do I know that’s all, that there’s nothing else you’ve been keeping from me?”
<P>“There’s not,” she insisted, then immediately realized that wasn’t the truth. She knew he could see it on her face as well. She had to come clean. “Reese left you a message before that, earlier this fall before they moved in. She wanted to speak with you, but I erased the message on purpose and I never told you about it.”
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<P>“So, you’ve lied. You lied about the message. You lied about Natalie when you met her.” As Blaine spoke his tone grew louder and more intense. He was losing any composure he had left. “But your mother clearly knew too and for longer than just these last few months. How many more lies are there? How am I supposed to believe that anything is the truth now? Our whole life together, our marriage, our children, are all based on lies. I just-“ He threw his hands up in the air helplessly and turned away in frustration. “I can’t do this right now.” He turned and walked out of the dining room towards the front door.
<P>“Blaine!” she called after him, taking a few steps forward to follow after him.
<P>He waved her away without looking back. When he paused at the door, she took a hesitant step forward.
<P>“I need some space. I can’t talk to you right now,” he said.
<P>“Then when? When will you be back?” she asked, her voice sounding very small. She was afraid of what his answer would be, but he didn’t give her one.
<P>Wordlessly, he opened the door and left.
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Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-51023870980958296392017-11-01T00:16:00.001-04:002017-11-12T19:33:17.160-05:00Episode 35 - Mistaken<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i62.servimg.com/u/f62/13/46/13/01/35-0210.jpg">
<P>Artie peeked into his dad's office. "Did Miss Jolene leave already?"
<P>Lawrence nodded. "You just missed her."
<P>"Aw, man. I wanted to see what she thought of my costume. I guess I'll have to show her later." Artie lingered in his dad's office. There was something else on his mind that he wanted to talk about, but he wasn't sure if it was a topic he should bring up. "Hey, dad. Since we have a minute, just you and me, can we talk?"
<P>"Of course," Lawrence replied. He turned to his son, giving him his full attention. "What's on your mind?"
<P>"I was just thinking about something. . ." Artie stammered a moment, looking down at his hands as he tried to come up with the right way to broach the topic. "I was just thinking, Mom's been gone a long time and it would be okay if, you know, you wanted to start dating again or anything like that."
<P>Lawrence exhaled sharply. He was so taken aback by that remark that for a moment he was without words. When Artie looked up at him, he could see the sincerity in his son's eyes and knew he had to respond in a way that showed he was taking this man-to-man talk just as seriously. "Do you think I should?"
<P>"Only if you want to," Artie said with a shrug.
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<P>"I don't," Lawrence said firmly. "And I hope you think that's okay too."
<P>"Oh yeah, it's fine," Artie replied, suddenly feeling embarrassed for bringing up this topic at all. "I just thought . . .never mind."
<P>"What's on your mind?" Lawrence asked before Artie could slink out of the room. He didn't want to let this go with just a 'never mind.' "What makes you think I would want to start dating again?"
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<P>"It's just . . . I saw how you looked at Miss Jolene when she was playing dress up with Lorna. Didn't she remind you of Mom with that black wig on?"
<P>"No, not at all," Lawrence said, surprise evident in his voice. He had thought there was something familiar about the nanny at that moment, but it definitely was not any similarity to Eileen that struck him. He found himself a bit irrationally offended that Artie would have drawn a comparison to his mother.
<P>"Oh, okay, I guess I was wrong," Artie said as he started to cross the room. "I just want you to be happy."
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<P>Lawrence nodded wordlessly as Artie left the room. He wished he could assure his son that he was happy, but he couldn't bring himself to say those words. Saying he was as close to happy as he could be, thanks to his children, was more truthful, but that wasn't a burden he wanted to place on his young son. "Dating again" as Artie had put it, wouldn't make any difference in his happiness. He knew there was only one woman for him and she was gone.
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<P>Shayna walked through the conference room of the community building taking stock of everything that had been set up for the teens' Halloween party. She made a quick survey of the Halloween decorations that had been put up and made sure everything was in place at the snack table before she turned to her helpers, Julian and Meghan, and gave them a nod of approval.
<P>"Everything looks great. Thank you so much for helping," she said. Her attention was pulled away as guests started filtering into the room. "And just in time too. I'm going to double check the decorations out front. Have fun."
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<P>"Your mom seems really into this," Meghan remarked as Shayna hurried away. "I wouldn't have thought Halloween would be her thing."
<P>"It's the organizing and planning that she's into," Julian replied. "She's this way about any of the community events that she's in charge of. She likes to get things done."
<P>"I noticed."
<P>They fell into an awkward silence, something that seemed to happen between them a lot. Julian wondered if he should say something nice about her costume, but before he could speak, Meghan's attention was already diverted elsewhere.
<P>"I'm going to go talk to my cousin. See ya," she said and flounced off.
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<P>When Meghan walked over, she found Judith distracted by the decorations. Taking advantage of the situation, she leaned in close to Judith's ear and said, "Boo!"
<P>Judith jumped and quickly spun around. She had to take a second look before she recognized her cousin behind the bright red wig and make-up. "Meghan?"
<P>Meghan laughed. "You should have seen your face. Where's your costume?"
<P>Judith rolled her eyes. "This is my costume."
<P>Meghan looked her cousin up and down. Glasses, a button up shirt, and a tie wasn't her idea of a costume. "I don't see a difference," she said with a shrug. When Judith scoffed at her, Meghan changed the topic. "Where is everyone? Did Maura not come with you?"
<P>"I haven't seen her yet. She wanted to come separately and see if we could recognize each other in our costumes."
<P>"Well, she's going to spot you a mile away," Meghan remarked, shaking her head. "I suppose she and Jeremy will be making an entrance together anyway. . . I set that up, you know."
<P>Judith was about to say that she didn't think they would be coming together, but Meghan's last statement caught her off-guard. "You? What did you do?"
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<P>"I was the one who told Jeremy that Maura liked him. She still hasn't thanked me yet."
<P>"Well, I don't know if I'd draw too much attention to your part in it, if I were you," Judith said.
<P>"Why not?"
<P>Judith was hesitant to share her true concerns with Meghan for fear that her words would get back to Maura. Jeremy had to be the one to set things right, otherwise Maura would be completely humiliated. Judith simply explained, "If things had gone badly, she never would have forgiven you."
<P>"But it didn't. So win-win."
<P>Judith was highly skeptical, but she decided it would be better to keep her thoughts to herself.
<P>"So where's your lover boy tonight?"
<P>"My what?" Judith started. "Oh, Vince? I don't know."
<P>"Did you two break up already?" Meghan asked.
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<P>Meghan's judgemental, condescending tone infuriated Judith. "No," she insisted. "We don't have to do <I>everything</I> together."
<P>Meghan was losing interest in this conversation. As her attention started to drift, she noticed Julian's friends walk into the building. She quickly turned away, pretending she didn't notice them before she grabbed Judith by the arm and started to pull her away from the entrance. "Let's go see if we can put in a song request before the D.J. gets swamped."
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<P>Julian hadn't realized he'd been absently watching Meghan and Judith, until Melanie and Sara called out to him. He turned his attention away from the girls by the D.J. booth and greeted his friends.
<P>"Dude, is that wine?" Elden exclaimed as he spotted the glasses filled with red liquid on the snack table.
<P>"I think it's just punch," Julian replied dryly. "<I>Non</I>-alcoholic punch."
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<P>Sara punched Elden lightly in the arm. "Yeah, dummy. You think they're going to serve wine at a party that's basically just to keep us out of trouble? Yeah, right."
<P>"That's alright. I've come prepared," he said with a wink. He pulled back the side of his jacket to reveal a flask hidden underneath. "Anyone interested?"
<P>"So much for keeping out of trouble." Sara rolled her eyes and laughed as she picked up a cup and handed it out to Elden.
<P>Elden turned his back to the room as he reached into his jacket. "Keep an eye out."
<P>Once the girls assured him no one was looking, he poured a splash of liquid into each of the cups Sara held in front of him. Melanie held hers out to him as well.
<P>"We are not going to go overboard," Melanie said as a warning.
<P>"Just have enough to loosen you up enough to dance with me," Sara suggested.
<P>"Hey, I agreed <I>not</I> to go overboard," Elden said with a smirk, earning himself another smack in the arm. "How about you, Julian?" he asked motioning to the flask.
<P>Julian hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, why not?"
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<P>Once Julian's drink was spiked, Elden returned the flask to his pocket and took one of the cups Sara was holding for himself. As the four friends each took a step back from each other, Elden took a sip. "That's much better. We might be able to make a night of this after all."
<P>Melanie looked skeptical. She was only here because Julian had to be and she was trying to be polite for his sake, but she couldn't help thinking that this party looked like it was going to be really lame. "How long are we staying at the party, Julian? Do we have any plans for after?"
<P>Julian had been scanning the crowd, but snapped back to attention when he heard his name. "I think this is it for me," Julian replied. "You don't have to stay if you don't want to, but I'm here for the whole night."
<P>Melanie let out a sigh. That wasn't what she'd been hoping to hear.
<P>"Then we'll stick it out with you," Elden agreed easily. "I think we can make this a fun night."
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<P>Vince was walking down the street alone on his way to the party. He had been unsure about whether he really wanted to go or not, but since his only other alternative was staying home and working on schoolwork, he decided he'd rather go. He knew there would be a couple of people there that he wouldn't mind spending some time with.
<P>He and Maura had left the house at the same time, but she decided to take the long way to the party, afraid that if they were seen walking together her identity would be given away before she even stepped foot inside. When Vince heard footsteps approaching from behind he was sure it was Maura. He was about to tease her about having a change of heart about walking alone in the dark, but when he turned, he was surprised to see a guy disguised in Joker make-up approaching him.
<P>"Scot? What are you doing here?" Vince asked. He stopped to confront him, but Scot kept walking.
<P>"I heard there was a party," he replied.
<P>Vince hurried to keep up with him. "You can't be here."
<P>"Relax. I'm not staying. I just wanted to give you this," he pressed an envelope into Vince's hand. "Can you get it back to me tomorrow?"
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<P>"Yeah, I can do that," Vince replied. "But just so we're clear, this is the last time. I don't want you contacting me. I don't want you threatening my family or my friends. I'm done."
<P>"Right, fine," Scot huffed with annoyance. "I thought we were friends, but fine, if that's the way you want it. Just for the record, I'm done after this too."
<P>"If that's all you wanted, then you can go now," Vince replied coldly.
<P>Scot stopped to stare Vince down. He seemed for a moment as if he were going to challenge him on his words, but then decided to let it go. "I'm going to step into the party for a minute just for appearances, alright? Then I'll be gone for good."
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<P>Vince stopped and sighed as Scot walked ahead to the community building. When Vince looked up, he saw that his interaction with Scot did not go by unnoticed. He wondered if he should go over and explain what was going on, but instead he hurried into the community building after Scot, deciding it would be better to keep an eye on him now and explain later.
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<P>As Vince disappeared into the building, Jeremy approached the front of the building from the opposite direction. When he saw the figure in red standing alone on the sidewalk he called out softly. "Hey."
<P>He could tell by the way she moved that she had heard him, but instead of turning around, the figure hurried toward the entrance of the community center.
<P>Jeremy hastened his steps and called out again. "Hey, wait up. Can I talk to you for a second?"
<P>The figure stopped at the door without going in. She let Jeremy catch up to her but she still didn't turn around.
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<P>Jeremy slowed his steps and took a second to catch his breath as he gathered his thoughts. "I'm glad I caught you alone. I have something I've been wanting to say." He turned away as he tried to find the right words, afraid that if she turned to look at him he would lose his nerve.
<P>"Sometimes I feel like we kind of have a connection, like maybe you like me, but then other times I get the impression that you want to be as far away from me as possible. Honestly, I'm really not sure what to think. I just wanted to let you know that I really do like you a lot and I have since the beginning of the school year, but if I'm pestering you or being a nuisance or anything like that, just tell me and I'll back off and leave you alone from now on. I don't-" he stopped mid-thought as he caught sight of someone on the sidewalk approaching the community center.
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<P>It looked like Natalie, but it couldn't be. Jeremy desperately tried to come up with some other explanation. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him. It was dark and she was in costume, so it was possible that he could be mistaken. He blinked and squinted, but his impression didn't change. It was definitely her. His pulse started to race in panic. If that was Natalie, who had he been talking to this entire time?
<P>Horrified by his mistake, Jeremy turned to make an apology and try escape this embarrassing situation as quickly as possible, but when he saw the face peering back at him from behind the red hood, his blood turned to ice. There was Maura smiling at him, her eyes gleaming with admiration. He felt absolutely sick.
<P>"Oh, Jeremy. How could you even think that?" she cried out as she grabbed him in a hug.
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<P>Paralyzed with shock and unable to think clearly, Jeremy just stood rigidly, his arms pinned to his side, as Maura squeezed him tight. When he turned his head, Jeremy caught sight of Natalie who seemed to falter for just half a step before continuing into the building with her eyes cast down.
<P>Maura let go of him as she said hello to Natalie. She waited for Natalie to go inside before she spoke again.
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<P>"I'm so sorry if I've been giving you mixed signals," Maura said, turning to look Jeremy in the eye. "Just now I wasn't trying to avoid you. There was just something with my brother and I didn't want you to see me upset. But I want you to know that I really like you too and I promise from now on I'm not going to give you any reason to doubt what my real feelings are."
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<P>Jeremy opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come out. He had no idea how he was going to set things right now.
<P>Maura grabbed him in a hug again. "Oh, you've made me so happy! You have no idea!" She practically squealed as she grabbed his arm and led him into the building.
<P>Jeremy let her pull him as far as the entryway and then quickly excused himself for the restroom. While he took a few minutes to compose himself, Maura went ahead into the party to find her friends.
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<P>Meghan was having a great time at the party hanging out with her friends from the neighborhood and her friends from the dance squad that had made it to the party. She had been dancing almost nonstop since the D.J. had started playing and after putting her all into busting out her best moves for several songs, she decided she needed to stop and take a breather.
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<P>She stopped over at the snack table to get a drink just as Elden was refilling his own.
<P>"You've really got some moves," he remarked.
<P>"Thanks." She eyed him warily, wondering why he was acting nice to her. "I'm just having fun."
<P>"I can tell," he said. She took a step away, but he followed. "I'm not surprised though, that you can dance. I remember seeing you practice at Julian's out on the deck."
<P>"Oh, that's right. When Jasmyn was getting me caught up on the dance squad's routine." She purposely left out the ulterior motive of trying to draw Julian's attention away from Sara and Melanie.
<P>"Well, you caught my attention," he said.
<P>She turned to look at him wide-eyed, wondering for a moment if he had read her mind. Not wanting to appear caught off-guard, she turned the attention away from herself. "So why aren't you out there dancing and having a good time?"
<P>"I <I>am</I> having a good time," he insisted. "I'm just not much of a dancer."
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<P>"Well, too bad," Meghan said with a shrug. She downed the rest of her punch and started to walk toward the ladies' room.
<P>Not taking the hint that their conversation was done, Elden finished his drink then followed after her. "Is it 'too bad' because you miss out on the pleasure of dancing with me?"
<P>Meghan scoffed and turned to face him. "If anything, <I>you're</I> the one missing out."
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<P>"You're feisty. I like it." She started to turn away, but he reached out and touched her arm. "You know, I think it's time we put the stuff that happened earlier this year behind us. I never cared about all that. No one does, really, except for Melanie and she's just jealous because you're way hotter than she is."
<P>Meghan just stared at him and blinked. That was certainly not anything she'd expected him to say. "I am?" she sputtered, not sure how else to respond.
<P>"Yeah, totally," Elden said, leaning in closer as he looked her up and down. "I think you know it too and I think you're not afraid to use it to your advantage."
<P>As he leaned in closer and moved his hand lower on her hip, she grew increasingly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure what he was about to try and she wasn't going to let him get close enough to find out. With both hands she reached out to push him away while simultaneously jerking her knee upward.
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<P>Elden let out a grunt and doubled over in pain.
<P>Meghan thought they had been alone in the hallway, but when she looked up, her attention drawn by the sound of laughter, she saw Julian, Sara, and Melanie had followed them. Sara was leaning against the doorway, nearly out of breath from laughing, Melanie was beside her rolling her eyes, and Julian was in front of them both, frozen in place with a stunned look across his face.
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<P>"I was just about to-" Julian sputtered. He looked back and forth between Meghan and Elden, not sure who to address his question to first. "Are you okay?"
<P>Meghan nodded and Elden pulled himself upright as he tried to maintain a shred of dignity. Julian set down his drink and was about to help Elden up, but he waved him off.
<P>"I'm going home," Elden announced and then looked over to Melanie and Sara who had ridden to the party with him. "Either of you coming with me?"
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<P>"Yeah," Melanie said. "I'm ready. I'll catch you later, Julian."
<P>Sara followed, still giggling. "And you thought this wasn't going to be any fun."
<P>"You know what?" Elden said as they headed out the door. "I changed my mind. You can walk home."
<P>Before Julian could say anything to Meghan, their parents walked over.
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<P>"Everything alright?" Andrew asked.
<P>"Yeah, it's fine," Meghan insisted. "I think I'm going to go look for my friends."
<P>Shayna noticed the stray cup left behind and picked it up before Julian could stop her. As she was about to throw it away, she caught an whiff of a distinctive odor, one that was definitely not the odor of fruit punch. She stopped to smell it again, raised her eyebrow and passed it over to Andrew to confirm.
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<P>"Whose cup is this?" she asked.
<P>Before Julian could answer, Meghan spoke up. "It's mine. Sort of. Somebody handed it to me, but I didn't drink from it." She looked back and forth between her father and Shayna. She wasn't sure what the story was, but she could tell something was up. "Is there something wrong with it?"
<P>"Are you sure you didn't drink from it?" Shayna asked. "Let me smell your breath."
<P>Meghan was quick to comply, but Andrew didn't think that was necessary.
<P>"Shayna," he said disapprovingly. "Who gave this to you? Was it Julian's friend that just left?" he asked, motioning toward the door.
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<P>"No," Meghan replied, shaking her head emphatically. "I didn't know who it was. That's why I just set it down here without drinking it."
<P>"I'm glad you did. That was smart of you," Andrew replied. "What was the person dressed like?"
<P>Meghan tried to think of a costume she hadn't seen anyone wearing, but she knew she had to think fast. Any hesitation would give her lies away. "A clown," she said, naming the first thing that came to mind.
<P>"I'm going to check the punch bowl," Shayna said, taking charge. "All of you go see if you can find anyone in a clown costume. Let's just hope this hasn't spread any farther than this," she said, holding the cup with two fingers before dumping it in the closest garbage can. "If minors are drinking alcohol on my watch-" she stopped short of finishing that sentence as she stormed into the conference room. They all hated to think of the consequences that would result.Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-2717454891366751072017-10-07T19:40:00.000-04:002017-10-07T19:54:48.858-04:00Episode 34 - Masks<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/34-0010.jpg">
<P>"I can't wait for Halloween," Maura said happily as she, Judith, and Natalie shopped together at the local mall's costume shop. "I wonder what I should be this year. Oh! Do you think Jeremy and I should coordinate our costumes?"
<P>Judith and Natalie exchanged a look. Maura was usually enthusiastic about life, but since her 'date' with Jeremy she was more over-the-top than usual.
<P>"I don't think you should worry about that," Judith said, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Maura browsed the clothing racks. "I thought your 'date' with Jeremy was only supposed to be a one time thing."
<P>"Why would you think that?" Maura asked as she looked up. It didn't occur to her that Judith would actually have an answer to that question, so she didn't wait for one. Instead, with a faraway look in her eyes, she continued with her own thoughts. "I know Jeremy was trying to work up just the right way to ask me out again when we were interrupted."
<P>"Are you <I>really</I> sure that's what he was trying to do?" Judith asked pointedly.
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<P>"Yeah!" Maura said, puzzled. "I mean it was the only thing he could have possibly been leading up to. Besides what he did after that said it all. He was so brave when he jumped in to try to defend me from those guys. His actions said more about how much he really cares about me than words ever could. Why else would he have put himself in harm's way to defend me? It was definitely more than a one time thing."
<P>"Maybe he just wanted to help," Judith suggested. She was gently trying to be the voice of reason, but her light approach was not getting through Maura's haze of happiness and optimism. She really didn't want to be the one to crush her friend's dreams and she knew it wasn't her place to say anything, but if Jeremy couldn't be honest with Maura, then maybe someone else should be. She couldn't help thinking that speaking up sooner rather than later was the kinder thing to do in the long run.
<P>"You weren't there. You don't know anything about it."
<P>"I know more than you think," Judith muttered to herself as she turned her attention to the clothing rack in front of her.
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<P>"Oh right, I forgot you're an expert on relationships now, because of you and Vince," she said teasingly.
<P>Natalie who had been watching their conversation from the sidelines couldn't help raising an eyebrow at Maura's insinuation.
<P>"How's that going?" Maura asked with a conspiratorial grin.
<P>"Good. Really good," Judith said tersely. She struggled to come up with some convincing details to add to the conversation. "Vince is really sweet and considerate."
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<P>"Um, this is the same Vince whose friends attacked Maura and Jeremy, right?" Natalie asked skeptically. She wondered if she was the only one who could see the connection.
<P>"<I>Former</I> friends," Judith dutifully corrected. "He doesn't associate with them anymore and hasn't for awhile. He's really trying to turn over a new leaf."
<P>"Yeah," Maura spoke up in defense of her brother. "That's why they attacked us, because he's <I>not</I> their friend anymore and they're mad that he cut off all contact with them. Vince was never like them anyway. He just got mixed up with the wrong people."
<P>Natalie wasn't convinced, but she didn't see any reason to argue the point, so she turned her attention back to her shopping.
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<P>Later, while Maura was in the changing room trying on a costume, Jeremy entered the store and walked over to his sister.
<P>"Hey, mom sent me to find you. She's ready to go."
<P>"Okay. I'll go tell Maura I'm leaving," Judith said.
<P>Jeremy watched Judith walk away before turning to Natalie. "Hey."
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<P>"Hi," she responded coolly. She had thought it best not to acknowledge his arrival at first, but when he addressed her she had no choice but to look up at him. She involuntarily winced when she saw the bruises on his face. She looked away and a moment of awkward silence followed.
<P>"It doesn't feel as bad as it looks," Jeremy said, breaking the silence.
<P>"Oh," Natalie said, fiddling awkwardly with the outfit she was holding. "That's good." Before Jeremy could speak again, Natalie tried to change the focus of their conversation. "Maura was just telling us about what happened. You're quite the hero to her."
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<P>Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed at the praise. "Yeah, I guess. I just reacted."
<P>"She was lucky you were there," Natalie said evenly.
<P>Jeremy studied her for a second. He felt like there was more meaning to those simple words than what was on the surface, but he wasn't sure what that underlying meaning was. He was about to say something, but Natalie spoke first.
<P>"It's too bad your first date had to end that way."
<P>"It wasn't really-" Jeremy started to explain, but he stopped short when Maura called to him from across the store. When he saw the way her face lit up as she approached, he suddenly wasn't sure how to say everything that he really wanted to say to Natalie. There simply wasn't enough time. He changed the subject
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<P>"I like the costume choice," he said casually as he motioned toward the outfit Natalie was holding. He was trying to find something else, anything else, to say to Natalie in the last moments before Maura and Judith joined them. "Little Red Riding Hood is a classic."
<P>Maura just caught the end of their conversation before she grabbed Jeremy in a bear hug. Both he and Natalie looked away.
<P>Sensing Jeremy's tension, Maura suddenly let go of him and took a step back. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
<P>"No, I'm fine. But Judith and I have to go. Our mom is in a hurry."
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<P>They exchanged hasty goodbyes before the Wilton siblings left the store.
<P>"Too bad he couldn't stay for awhile," Maura lamented as she turned to Natalie once Jeremy was out of sight.
<P>Natalie simply nodded. She took one more look at the costume she was holding before she decided to put it back in its place on the rack.
<P>"You've decided against that one?" Maura asked.
<P>"Yeah, it's not for me," Natalie said, shaking her head.
<P>As Natalie moved on to the next rack, Maura picked up the discarded costume. She took one instinctive glance back to the entrance of the store, before she looked at the costume, giving it her consideration.
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<P>Jolene gathered the Arrendale children in the living room to show them the surprise she had promised them earlier in the day. One of her neighbors had lent her a big box of costumes to share with the kids for Halloween. As expected, Lorna was the most enthusiastic of the three and immediately sat down on the floor next to the box and began pouring through the contents looking for treasures. Artie was too old and thought himself to be too mature to get excited over such things, but he wasn't without a sense of fun and found some of the things in the box interesting enough to comment on and even try on himself. Lance still adamantly refused to thaw to Jolene, no matter what kind of treats of surprises she promised and sat alone in the far corner of the room, sulking on the couch as he secretly plotted ways to get the nanny out of their lives for good.
<P>"Here, give this one to your brother," Jolene said handing a grotesque monster mask to Artie. "It matches his attitude."
<P>He tossed the mask to Lance, who stubbornly ignored it for a few minutes before deciding to put it on while sitting on the couch with his arms crossed.
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<P>"I don't see a difference," Artie remarked, causing Lorna to giggle.
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<P>"Okay, Miss Jolene, now I'm going to pick out a costume for you to wear, okay?" Lorna asked.
<P>"Okay," Jolene agreed as she stepped back while Lorna picked out various pieces from the trunk.
<P>Once Lorna had gathered everything necessary for Jolene's costume, she handed her the pile of things to put on.
<P>"Wait right here," Jolene said, rising from her place on the floor. "I'm going to go into another room to put all of this on and make a surprise entrance."
<P>"We'll be ready," Artie said. Once Jolene was out the door, he sat down next to the box and started pulling out things for him and Lorna to wear to surprise the nanny when she returned.
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<P>While Jolene was out of the room, Lawrence happened past the living room and stopped in when he saw Artie and Lorna decked out in costumes playing a game that apparently involved a witch and an alien overlord. "What's going on here?" he asked with amusement.
<P>"Miss Jolene brought some Halloween costumes for us to try on," Lorna explained. "How do I look?"
<P>"Very spooky," he remarked, earning a smile from his daughter.
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<P>Lorna was just about to suggest a costume for their father, when Jolene returned, decked in the wild mismatch of accessories Lorna had chosen for her. Cat ears, colorful jewelry, dragonfly wings, and long black wig had transformed her into a one of a kind mythological character.
<P>"Ta da!" she said as she struck a pose. "What do you think?"
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<P>Lorna seemed pleased and Artie laughed heartily, but it was Lawrence's silent reaction that caught Jolene's attention. He was staring at her so strangely and so intently that it made her feel incredibly uncomfortable and out of place. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart pounded. Perhaps she had just made a terrible mistake. She quickly pulled off the wig and shook out her own blonde hair.
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<P>"I like it better without the wig," she said, trying to sound casual. When Lorna protested, she tossed the wig to Artie. "I think it would look better on your brother."
<P>"Are you going to play dress up with us too, Daddy?" Lorna asked.
<P>The question seemed to break Lawrence out of a trance, but his tone had lost all of the lightheartedness it had earlier. "Not right now, princess. I have a little more work to do."
<P>The children all watched him as he retreated to his office, Lance suddenly more interested than he had been in anything all afternoon. Only Jolene seemed to ignore him as she focused her attention on the costume box and hoped whatever had just happened would just blow over.
<P>Lawrence paced his office, pausing only to stare out the window. He closed his eyes and tried to recall something from the past. What was it about the nanny wearing that black wig that seemed so familiar? Why did he suddenly feel like he knew her from somewhere? He tried to think, but he came up with nothing. At last he crossed over to the phone and made a call.
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<P>"Shayna?" he spoke quietly into the phone when his assistant answered, hoping his voice wouldn't be heard in the next room. "Do you still have Miss Parker's background check and references? I'd like to see them as soon as possible."Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-83289444399747025402017-09-24T16:01:00.001-04:002017-09-24T16:01:12.865-04:00Episode 33 - Uninvited Guests<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/33-0110.jpg">
<P>"Hi, I'm home," Cassandra announced cheerfully as she walked into the house and through the living room. She found Blaine seated at the computer working on one of his projects.
<P>"How was your shopping trip?" he asked.
<P>"Good! I found some things for Brooke's party that I think she is really going to like." She paused to give Blaine a kiss before heading upstairs. "I'm going to put these things away before she comes in."
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<P>Cassie had just finished hiding her purchases in one of her dresser drawers when Blaine joined her in the bedroom.
<P>"Did you send out an invite to Natalie yet?"
<P>Cassie paused to take a deep breath before closing the dresser drawer and turning to face her husband. She had hoped they would be able to avoid having this conversation. "No," she simply replied.
<P>"I'll just mention it to Reese then, the next time I see her."
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<P>"Don't do that," Cassie pleaded.
<P>"Why not?" Blaine asked, genuinely confused by the request.
<P>Cassie hesitated. She knew she could try to come up with some kind of excuse to put him off of the idea or pretend like Natalie and Reese not being invited was just an oversight. She knew that covering the truth with lies would only cause trouble, but blunt honesty wasn't likely to go over well either. She decided to stick with the neutral middle ground and tried to keep her tone light as she explained, "I asked Brooke who she wanted to invite and she said that she wanted a small party with just her closest friends. She didn't want it to be a big deal with a lot of people."
<P>"I'm not talking about <I>a lot</I> of people," Blaine huffed. "Just Natalie. She is Brooke's sister, not some random person we're talking about."
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<P>Cassie couldn't help bristling at the reminder that her daughter had a sister that was another woman's daughter. She tried to keep her personal emotions in check, but she couldn't completely bury all of the bitterness she felt when she responded, "I know." She had tried to avoid saying anything negative, but she could see there was no way to shield Blaine from the whole truth. "But Brooke told me herself, specifically, that she did not want to invite them." When Blaine looked at her with shock, she shrugged her shoulders defensively. "What was I supposed to do?"
<P>Blaine studied his wife critically. "Is it Brooke that doesn't want them at the party or is it you?"
<P>"It's Brooke!" Cassie insisted, taking offense.
<P>"Well, if she did say that," Blaine started, speaking slowly as he tried to figure out this situation. "I'm sure she's feeding off of your feelings."
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<P>Cassie drew back. She couldn't believe he was accusing her. "I have never said anything to any of our children that would make them think Natalie wasn't welcome here."
<P>"You don't have to say anything. I'm sure they can see what I see. It's obvious that you aren't happy about Natalie or Reese being here or being a part of our lives."
<P>"No, I'm not happy about it," Cassie admitted. Her temper was raised and she wasn't going to back down now, not even to spare Blaine's feelings. "I'm sorry, but I can't help that I'm not happy about my husband having a daughter that's not mine with an ex who is living right next door."
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<P>"You can't be mad at me for having another child. That was before we started dating and I didn't even know she existed-"
<P>"I'm not mad . . . I just can't automatically be okay with all of this. I'm just not, but I've been trying to be," she insisted. "I have been as nice to both of them as I can be and I've tried so hard to put my own feelings aside to put on a good face for you and the kids and if that's not good enough than I don't know what else I can do. What else do you want from me? What else can I do that I haven't already been doing?"
<P>Blaine sighed. He didn't have any answers for her, but he didn't want to admit it.
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<P>"And you can't put Brooke's feelings all on me. Our daughter has her own mind and her own feelings and she's entitled to feel the way that she feels." When Blaine threw up his hands in defeat and didn't seem to have anything else to say on the subject, Cassie decided to close down the conversation. "If you want to invite them, fine, I won't stop you. I'll be as welcoming to them as humanly possible, but don't expect your daughter to be happy about it. I can't promise you that she'll go along with it as well as I do."
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<P>Edward walked through the house in search of his wife. He wasn't surprised to find her with her nose buried in her work, even on a Saturday. He sighed and then cleared his throat. He tried not to let his annoyance show as she paused in her reading to look up at him with a smile.
<P>"I've been thinking, Alma," he began. "It's been quite awhile since we've gone out, just the two of us. Why don't we leave the kids at home and go somewhere nice for dinner tonight?"
<P>Alma's smile faded. She really wasn't in the mood for a date night. "Tonight really isn't a good night. I already have dinner planned and I have a lot of things to do, besides Jeremy is going out tonight and I'm not sure I want to leave Judith to watch the younger kids all on her own."
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<P>Ed stepped a few paces across the room. He was disappointed, but not terribly surprised. These days it never seemed to be a good time as far as Alma was concerned. He was debating about whether or not to challenge Alma on her excuses or just let it go. When he heard Jeremy come down the stairs he decided to leave his wife to her books and see what his son had planned for the evening.
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<P>"Jeremy," he called out as he met his son in the foyer. "I heard you're going out tonight. What are your plans?"
<P>"Nothing big. Maura and I are just going to get something to eat," he said, trying to make the evening sound as casual as possible. He had hoped it would be as casual as possible.
<P>"Oh, a date," Ed concluded as he leaned forward with interest. "And with Maura, huh? I hope you both have a nice time. But if you're going to be dating, maybe we should have a talk first." He lowered his voice as Judith came down the stairs.
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<P>"It's not really a <I>date</I>," Jeremy insisted, hoping he could get away without continuing the topic further.
<P>"Well, whatever you kids call it these days . . . just make sure you are respectful, always treat her like a lady, and be responsible."
<P>"Sure thing," Jeremy said as he made a hasty retreat toward the door. He wanted to get away before his father could continue that line of conversation. He was mortified enough having this kind of talk with just his dad, but it didn't help that Judith was there, looking like she was desperately fighting the urge to laugh. He tried to ignore her when she followed him outside.
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<P>"Don't laugh," he warned her, without turning to look at her. "You're next."
<P>Judith immediately stopped snickering and when she spoke her tone was so sober that it startled him.
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<P>"Are you sure this isn't a date with Maura? Because she really thinks that it is . . ."
<P>"It's not," he insisted. "I'll set it straight, I promise."
<P>"You'd better, because she really likes you and I don't want to see my friend get hurt."
<P>"I will," he promised again as he turned and got into his car.
<P>As he drove around the loop to Maura's house, he started to regret this idea. Maybe this wasn't the best way to go about handling the situation, but if it was a mistake, it was too late to back out at this point. He resigned himself to trying to make the best of it and hoped he was able to do what needed to be done without too much damage.
<P>Maura was positively giddy when he picked her up and they drove to a nearby diner.
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<P>He was glad she had regained her ability to talk around him. As she chatted nonstop throughout the car ride and dinner, he didn't have to say much. He tried to be an attentive listener, but his mind was on how to broach the topic that needed to be discussed without hurting her feelings too badly.
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<P>"You didn't eat much," Maura noted as the waitress cleared the table and Jeremy got up to pay the bill.
<P>"I guess I don't have much of an appetite."
<P>"So what do we do now?" Maura asked happily once the bill was paid and they stepped out of the diner.
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<P>"Let's take a walk," Jeremy suggested. He hoped it might be easier to talk while they were moving and they weren't in constant eye contact. Once they were out on the sidewalk, Jeremy tried to choose the right words. "So I wanted to talk to you about something."
<P>"Oh? What is it?" Maura asked.
<P>She looked so wide-eyed and happy, that Jeremy felt like a complete heel. "I'm such a jerk," he muttered to himself.
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<P>"No, you're not," Maura insisted. She grabbed his arm for emphasis. "And you've already apologized about the concert when you didn't even need to. I'm just touched that you care enough about hanging out with me that you felt bad about not being there the whole time."
<P>"Well, Meghan kind of pointed out to me that the concert was a bigger deal to you than I realized," he admitted. When Maura looked embarrassed, he quickly added, "I just wasn't thinking."
<P>"Just forget about it. Let's not think any more about the concert."
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<P>"Okay," Jeremy agreed. "I wanted to talk about something else anyway. I just- look, Maura . . . I think a lot of you, okay. You're a really nice person, a lot of fun to be around and a really good friend. Anybody would be really lucky to know you, or to know that you liked them-" he was just about to add a 'but,' when they were interrupted by three figures approaching them.
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<P>"You're Vince's sister," one of them spoke up, but he didn't wait for Maura to answer. "We have a message for him."
<P>When he nodded his head, the other two thugs made a move towards Maura, but Jeremy stepped between them.
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<P>"Leave her alone," he said as he made a motion to push them away. The leader of the group retailed by throwing a punch at Jeremy. Jeremy managed to dodge the first move and made an attempt to fight back, but the short skirmish ended with Jeremy being knocked to the ground.
<P>Maura could only watch in horror as the events unfolded before her.
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<P>With Jeremy out of the way the leader of the group turned his attention to Maura. As he leaned toward her aggressively she reflexively drew back. "Tell Vince I said, 'tomorrow' and that this," he said motioning toward Jeremy sprawled across the sidewalk, "is just a warning of what's to come."
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<P>As Jeremy shifted, trying to pull himself up to a sitting position, Maura knelt down beside him to see if he was okay. Satisfied that their message had been sent, the three thugs walked away.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-82614844601209412882017-09-09T19:15:00.000-04:002017-09-09T19:15:51.358-04:00Episode 32 - A Date<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/32-0113.jpg">
<P>"Hey, Vince, guess what?" Judith called out as she approached the senior in the school hallway. He had been lost in his own thoughts and jumped, startled at her voice. "Your artwork was chosen for display in the main hallway. Congrats."
<P>"Oh? Uh, yeah. I saw that. Thanks," he replied.
<P>Judith frowned, noticing that he was clearly distracted. "Everything okay?"
<P>"Oh, yeah, yeah," he said dismissively. "I just have a lot on my mind. No big deal."
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<P>"Well, hey there," Maura said in a singsong voice as she skipped over to the pair with a big smile on her face. "How's it going, you two? It seems like you've been hanging out a lot together since the concert. Is there something you're not telling me?"
<P>Judith rolled her eyes and was about to vehemently deny anything Maura might be thinking, but Vince spoke up first.
<P>"Maybe there'd be something to tell if you'd butt out and give people a chance to talk," Vince retorted. "Come on, Jude. Let's go check out the art display."
<P>As Vince started to walk off, both girls were dumbfounded. Judith wasn't sure what to do, so she trailed after Vince. Once they were away from Maura she found her voice.
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<P>"Listen, Vince," Judith started nervously. "I hope I didn't give you the wrong idea-"
<P>He cut her off with a laugh. "No, not at all. Don't worry about it. I was just messing with Maura that's all. We're cool."
<P>"Good," Judith said, breathing a sigh of relief.
<P>"So, should I set her straight or do we want to keep up the joke for awhile?" Vince asked as he worked over an idea in his mind.
<P>"What do you mean?" Judith asked.
<P>"I've been thinking about what we talked about at the concert, about how Maura and them are always going on about guys and who likes who, but none of them have probably ever had a boyfriends themselves."
<P>"Really? You have?" Judith asked incredulously. She never would have imagined that Vince would have given her petty little complaints more than a second thought, so she was surprised that he would bring up that topic of conversation now.
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<P>"I was just thinking that really your only problem was that you didn't pick the right guy. You need someone who's in on the plan that could play along with you."
<P>"Yeah, <I>that</I> was the <I>only</I> problem with that idea. . ." Judith scoffed.
<P>"But just think, what if you came up with a 'boyfriend' who backed up everything you said, what would they have to say to that? Nothing. Could you imagine how they would react?"
<P>"It would be something," Judith replied vaguely. She started to walk on, ready to forget she had come up with this silly scheme of hers in the first place, but Vince was on her heels.
<P>"So, what do you think?" he asked eagerly.
<P>Judith shrugged. "Does it matter? Who am I going to get to go along with such a crazy idea even if I was interested?"
<P>Vince stopped in his tracks as he realized he had left out a vital piece of information. "Me."
<P>Judith spun around to look at him. "Seriously?" She blinked a few times as she tried to process this idea he was proposing. She had to admit there was a certain irony to her 'dating' Maura's brother after she'd had to listen to her friend constantly gush about her brother, Jeremy, all these years. She was surprised to find herself actually entertaining the idea with some amusement, but something about this proposal from Vince left her confused. "What's in it for you? Why would you want to pretend to be dating a freshman?"
<P>Vince shrugged. "To teach Maura a little bit of a lesson and," he hesitated before admitting his ulterior motive. "maybe it would make a certain someone think a little better of me."
<P>"What do you mean?"
<P>"There's this girl-"
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<P>"It's not me, is it?" Judith gasped. The concern on her face made Vince laugh.
<P>"No, no, it's someone else. She thinks I'm kind of a thug, but if a girl like you would go out with me-"
<P>"What do you mean, a girl like me?"
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<P>"You know, a nice girl, a quality girl. One who doesn't put up with jerks," he said pointedly, a reference that made her smile. "If someone like that could see something worthwhile about me and talk me up a little bit . . . then maybe she'll start to see me in a new light."
<P>"Okay, so who is this girl and how am I going to talk you up to her?"
<P>"Don't worry about it. Anything you say to Maura will get around fast enough, trust me."
<P>Judith laughed nervously. She couldn't believe they were seriously talking about such a crazy idea, but she found herself more than a little intrigued by the possibilities. Any thoughts she may have been entertaining were pushed aside when she saw her mom walking across other end of the hallway. She physically stiffened her posture and stood up straighter as if her mother could tell from just her stance that she was up to something that she wouldn't approve of. "There's one problem though. My parents won't let me date."
<P>"We don't actually have to go out or anything. We can just hang out at school between classes."
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<P>"But my mom's here, teaching. If she starts hearing rumors . . ."
<P>"We'll keep it quiet and on a trial basis. If she starts to get suspicious, we can drop the whole thing and deny anything was going on. It's not like we'd really be dating anyway." Their conversation was cut short when the bell rang, warning them they had only a minute left to get to class. "Just think about it," Vince said as he walked away.
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<P>"Woah, Alma, is that you?" Shanna said as she walked into the teacher's lounge. "You're looking extra pretty today. I like your new look."
<P>"Thank you," Alma managed a meek reply. She wasn't used to receiving such gushing compliments. "I thought it was time for something different."
<P>"I bet your husband appreciates it," Shanna said with a wink.
<P>"Well . . . Ed isn't big on change," she said simply. She had been making a lot of changes lately and she knew he was having trouble adjusting to them all. Even if he liked her new look, he probably wouldn't let on just because it was one more thing that was different. "He'll get used to it."
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<P>When Mr. Clark walked into the room, he glanced at the pair briefly before turning back to give them a second look. He didn't recognize Alma at first glance.
<P>"Have you met our new co-worker?" Shanna asked, jokingly.
<P>He grinned, making Alma blush. "Yes, I believe I have. You look very nice today, Mrs. Wilton. Are we still meeting after school this evening to discuss the play?"
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<P>"Yes. Of course."
<P>"I thought maybe you had other plans after work today. A hot date maybe?" he added with a wink that left Alma feeling completely flustered.
<P>"Oh no, nothing like that. Just planning on meeting with you to work on our project," she replied. She found herself nervously fidgeting with her hair before she quickly stopped herself.
<P>"Great, I'll see you then," he said as he turned away.
<P>Alma just nodded and ducked out into the hallway as she started quickly walking back to her classroom. She shook her head and mentally chastised herself. She didn't know what had come over her. Maybe spending so much time around teenagers lately was making her start to behave like one. She never even acted this way when she was a teenager herself. It was ridiculous to start now. She took a deep breath and tried to pull herself together as she walked back to her classroom.
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<P>"Hey, Meghan," Julian called out as he approached his stepsister who was talking with the other girls on the dance squad after school. "Elden's giving me a ride home today-"
<P>"So I guess I'll see you when I get home," Meghan responded.
<P>"Well, yeah, I guess," Julian faltered. Her interruption had caught him off-guard. "Unless you wanted to ride with us. That's what came over to ask. Do you want to?"
<P>Before Meghan could answer, Jasmyn spoke up. "You can ride home with us if you want."
<P>Meghan hesitated, looking back and forth between Julian and Jasmyn as she tried to make her decision. When she saw Melanie, Sara, and Elden waiting in the distance at the end of the hallway, she knew what she wanted to do. "I'd rather go with Jasmyn. I'll see you at home, Julian."
<P>"Oh, okay," Julian replied and turned to go back to his friends and Meghan and her new friends walked in the opposite direction.
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<P>"Where's your little stepsister?" Melanie asked tauntingly. "I thought for sure she'd be following at your heels, as usual."
<P>"She has other things to do," Julian said, trying to sound indifferent.
<P>"I'm sure that's a relief for you. You actually get a break for once."
<P>"Yeah," Julian said, but relief wasn't what he was feeling. He found himself feeling oddly disappointed that Meghan didn't seem to need him anymore. It was good that she was coming into her own, but he still was somehow let down.
<P>"It's too bad," Elden commented with a smirk, drawing all eyes to him. "I don't mind having her around."
<P>"What? Do you like her or something?" Melanie asked, her nose wrinkled with disgust. "Have you forgotten she's a freshman?"
<P>"I'm not talking about anything serious," Elden defended himself. "But just because she's a freshman doesn't mean she can't be kind of hot. Neither of you thought she looked like a freshman when you first met her, right?"
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<P>Both girls just rolled their eyes at him, dismissively, but Julian was getting honestly annoyed. He didn't like the way Elden was talking about Meghan for several reasons.
<P>"Don't get any ideas," he warned.
<P>Julian's change of tone caught Elden by surprise, but he tried not to let it show. "What do you care?" Elden asked with a nervous laugh.
<P>"Just don't mess around with Meghan, man. Nothing good will come of it."
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<P>Maura sat on the front steps of the school waiting for Judith to come out so they could walk home together. She knew she owed her friend an apology for teasing her about Vince, but she was also dying to know what Vince said to her after they had walked away. She was trying to decide whether she should just come out and ask or wait and see if Judith volunteered the information on her own. She hoped Judith would decide to confide in her right away because she wasn't sure if she could hold back her curiosity for long.
<P>When she saw Jeremy walk out of the double doors instead of his sister, she quickly turned away and occupied herself with studying the pattern in the concrete steps as she pretended she hadn't noticed him. She expected him to walk past her without a second thought, so when she looked up again, she was surprised to see him walking towards her.
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<P>"Hey, Maura," he greeted her.
<P>"Hey," she replied, trying to sound equally casual and adequately disinterested.
<P>"I'm glad I ran into you."
<P>"You are?" she said surprised. All pretense of cool disinterest was gone and she was back to her usually perky self.
<P>"Yeah." He paused to sigh and collect his thoughts. "It's come to my attention that I was kind of a jerk at the concert last weekend. It was kind of rude of me to take off with my friend when you were the one who invited me to go in the first place."
<P>"Don't worry about it," Maura replied. "It's not a big deal."
<P>"I didn't think it was at the time, but it was, wasn't it? I mean, it mattered to you, right?"
<P>As Jeremy stared at her so intently with obvious concern in his eyes, Maura found herself at a loss for words and could only nod.
<P>"That's what I thought . . . I want to do something to make it up to you. Would you want to do something together this weekend?"
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<P>"Really?" she asked. She couldn't believe her ears and wondered for a moment if she was dreaming, but had the presence of mind to realize she should answer before something happened to make this disappear like a daydream. "Yeah, yes, I would love to. I'm up for anything."
<P>"Maybe we can get a bite to eat or something?"
<P>"That would be great. I'm free anytime, just let me know when."
<P>"Okay. I'll see you later."
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<P>"Yeah, see ya," she murmured in a agreement. She managed to hold herself together long enough for him to walk out of sight and then she let out a deep breath and nearly collapsed into the pillar next to her. "It's a date," she thought giddily to herself. She couldn't believe it. "I have a date with Jeremy Wilton." Just when she had made up her mind to give up on him, her dream had finally come true. All thoughts about Judith and Vince were suddenly erased from her mind. She couldn't wait to tell her best friend this news.Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-53801055854739715302017-08-25T18:12:00.000-04:002017-08-25T18:39:21.151-04:00Episode 31 - Trusted<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/31-0111.jpg">
<P>Blaine was settled behind a desk in an unoccupied office at the law firm sorting through computer files when he sensed someone just outside the open office door. He looked up from the computer screen to see Reese peeking in through the doorway.
<P>"Hey," he smiled warmly at her. "I thought everyone had gone home for the night."
<P>"I had a late meeting," she explained. "I just wanted to stop by on my way out and see how you were doing."
<P>"Good," he said hesitantly. He nodded toward the door. Taking the hint, Reese closed it behind her. "In case anyone else is still around."
<P>"Good idea," she said as she pulled up a chair to the desk. "How's it coming along?"
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<P>"I'm just getting started," Blaine admitted. "Mr. Lind thought it would be best if I did most of my work after hours so as not to draw attention. If anyone asks, I'm just doing routine IT maintenance, updating the computer systems."
<P>"I'll remember that," Reese promised. "Did he explain the situation to you?"
<P>"Yeah, it sounds like some serious stuff. Missing funds, hacked systems, forged checks. Someone is really out to take advantage of your firm. And Mr. Lind has no idea who's behind it all?"
<P>"No, he has suspicions that it might be someone working at the firm, but he has no idea who. I think he would hate to suspect anyone. That's why all of this has to be kept completely quiet."
<P>"Yet he trusted you," Blaine said. The way he looked at her with admiration made her blush.
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<P>"Only because I'm new. This has been going on since before I started here."
<P>"Well, it's nice to know that I can confide in you about this."
<P>"Sure," Reese said weakly as she rose from her chair. "I'd better let you get back to your work."
<P>"Why don't you stay for a little while? We always worked well as a team."
<P>Reese sighed and looked away anxiously. "I doubt there's anything I can do to help you at this point. But if anything comes up-"
<P>"I'll let you know," Blaine said. As Reese started towards the door, Blaine frowned to himself. "Reese?"
<P>She stopped and turned to look at him.
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<P>"Are you busy right now? Do you have to leave right away?"
<P>"I guess not," she said, slowly walking back to her chair. Part of her wanted to make excuses and say she needed to get home, which was true, but a part of her had trouble saying no.
<P>"We never really get a chance to talk with each other, alone," he started.
<P>Reese just nodded. Her mouth suddenly felt too dry to speak.
<P>Blaine hesitated before speaking. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say, but he knew he didn't want her to go just yet if she didn't have to. "I'm sorry about leaving the carnival early. I hope Natalie didn't mind."
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<P>"She didn't," Reese insisted. "We didn't stay much longer after you left. Natalie was ready to go home." Her voice trailed off as she hesitated to bring up the reason why Natalie had wanted to leave early, but she didn't have to say anything, Blaine's line of thought was following in the same direction.
<P>"I'm sorry about Cassie. I hope she didn't upset Natalie. I know it wasn't her intention to do so. But you know how she is with the psychic stuff and she's been especially on edge lately for some reason."
<P>"You don't have to apologize," Reese said, her voice deliberately even and cool. "Cassie already stopped by the house to apologize to Natalie herself."
<P>"Oh, she did?" Blaine said. He seemed pleasantly surprised at that turn of events. "Well, that's good. I guess they got it sorted out then. So everything is okay between them?"
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<P>"As much as ever," Reese said with a shrug. She didn't want to say everything was okay, because she wasn't sure that it was, but she also didn't want to badmouth Cassandra, so she held her tongue. "Natalie's a reasonable girl. She's not easily phased or one to hold grudges."
<P>"She's a great kid. Really smart. You did a great job raising her," Blaine said. His tone was proud, but there was also a underlying sadness that didn't go unnoticed and Reese looked away awkwardly. Trying to sound more upbeat to spare her feelings, Blaine added, "I think she and I have really hit it off and I'm glad I'm getting the chance to know her now."
<P>"I'm glad too. For both of you. I always knew you'd be a good father."
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<P>"Then why in all of these years did you never tell me?" Blaine pleaded as he rose from his chair. She'd hit on a topic that had been bothering him ever since he had learned about Natalie's existence. "I just wish we could have gotten the chance to know each other sooner."
<P>Reese sighed and tried to find the right words. "It wasn't you . . ." When she looked over at Blaine he was looking at her with confusion, waiting for her to explain, so she pressed on. "It was because of Cassie. I was going to tell you after Natalie was born and before we left town, but then you two were already dating . . .Over the years I'd think about getting in contact, but then I heard you were married and had a family-"
<P>"I know you said you didn't want to cause problems with my family, but you wouldn't have," he said, gently touching her arm. "I appreciate that you were worried about causing problems for me. I just wish you hadn't felt that way."
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<P>"That's not it. I mean, that's only part of it," Reese admitted as she rose from her seat and started to pace the room. She had tried to keep her true feelings to herself to spare Blaine and to cause as little drama and disruption as possible, but she knew she couldn't keep it all to herself anymore. He wasn't going to let it go until she was completely honest. "I didn't want Cassie in Natalie's life."
<P>Blaine backed away from her slightly and she made herself turn to look at him. Now that she had put it out there, she couldn't shy away from his reaction.
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<P>He looked startled, then confused. He was trying to piece together what to think.
<P>As Blaine struggled with what to say, Reese was feeling emboldened and went on to explain herself, sticking to the same direct approach.
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<P>"I'm sorry, but I never trusted her. Cassie had her eye on you the entire time we were together and she would have done anything to break us up. If she knew we had a daughter together, she would have been desperate and frankly, I don't know where she would have drawn the line."
<P>"That's not fair," Blaine insisted. His temper was starting to rise. "Cassie's not like that. She never would have used Natalie or hurt her or whatever you're trying to imply. That's not who she is and if you think that, you don't know her at all."
<P>"That's not who she is to you, maybe," Reese said quietly.
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<P>"No, you're wrong about her," Blaine insisted, but a hint of doubt was starting to creep in and his defense sounded weaker than it had a moment before. As he started to pace the room, he changed his line of thought. "But it doesn't matter. This never should have been about Cassie. Natalie was my child too and I should have had a say in deciding who was in her life and who wasn't. Maybe I would have still stayed with Cassie if I had known and we would have worked something out or maybe we would have broken up over it, I don't know, but you should have given me the information and let me have the chance to make these decisions about my life and my part in my daughter's life. But you didn't do that. You just did whatever you wanted and you never gave me the chance to have any say at all!"
<P>"I know," Reese said quietly, blinking back tears. "That was wrong of me and I've felt wrong about it for fifteen years. All I can say is, I'm sorry, but I know that doesn't mean much. I know you'll never get that time back."
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<P>Reese hurried towards the door, but Blaine stopped her. As quickly as it had risen, his temper had cooled and he immediately felt bad for raising his voice and lashing out at her. "Reese, wait."
<P>She stopped, but she didn't turn around or lift her head. "I've made such a mess of things."
<P>"No, listen, it's alright," Blaine said, soothingly. "I didn't mean to make you cry . . . You haven't made a mess of anything. Mistakes were made and I think we both had things that needed to be said, but now that they're out there, let's just keep moving forward like we have been. Okay?"
<P>"Do you think we can we do that?" Reese asked quietly. She didn't trust herself not to start sobbing again. "Hasn't too much damage been done?"
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<P>"No, no, not at all," Blaine insisted. "Look, I can't say I'm not hurt about how things happened and clearly you've been worried about the whole situation, but it's nothing we can't get past, especially for Natalie's sake. We can't change what's been done in the past, but what matters is now and the future. Natalie and I have a chance to have a relationship from now on and I have Brooke and Doug too, who I couldn't imagine not having in my life. If things had happened differently, maybe they wouldn't be here, so maybe it's for the best things happened the way they did," he mused. "And, I promise you, you don't have to worry about Cassie. She's not the person you think she is or was back when we first knew each other. I mean, Cassie is always going to be . . . Cassie. She can't help the psychic thing, but it's harmless and she's been nothing but supportive of everything even though this hasn't been easy on her either. Can we keep on giving this a chance?"
<P>Reese nodded and wiped away the last of her tears. "Yes, I think we can."Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-73538597419665151532017-08-06T11:44:00.000-04:002017-08-06T11:44:15.051-04:00Episode 30 - Letdown<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/30-0110.jpg">
<P>At school, Meghan found Maura and Judith standing together by the lockers. Eager for the latest gossip, she approached Maura. "So how'd it go after I saw you Saturday night? Did you finally talk to Jeremy?"
<P>Maura shook her head. "I didn't get the chance. After I talked to you he went off with one of his friends and by the time he came back the music had started and it was too loud to talk."
<P>"Maybe that wasn't the best time to talk to him. You'll get another chance."
<P>Maura shook her head sadly. "It was a stupid idea to begin with. I think it's just not meant to be. How was your night?"
<P>"Lame," Meghan replied. "I spend the whole time as the fifth wheel."
<P>"Sounds like it was a bust all around," Maura said with a sigh. "A total waste of time."
<P>"Speak for yourselves," Judith finally spoke up. "Vince and I had fun."
<P>Maura and Meghan both turned and stared at her.
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<P>"What?"
<P>Maura and Meghan exchanged a look before turning back to Judith again.
<P>"You and Vince?" Meghan asked with a suggestive raise of her eyebrows.
<P>Finally catching on to what they were implying, Judith huffed out a sigh of frustration and rolled her eyes. "Don't you two ever think about anything else? You both have one track minds," she said and shook her head as she walked away.
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<P>"Hey," Jeremy greeted Natalie as he approached the sophomore in the hallway.
<P>"Oh, hi."
<P>"We missed you at the concert the other night. I hope everything is okay."
<P>"Yeah, it's fine. I just wasn't really in the mood for it," she replied with a shrug.
<P>"Neither was I," Jeremy admitted. "I kind of got roped into it by Maura and my sister."
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<P>At the mention of Maura, Natalie smiled weakly and looked away. She felt like for the sake of her friend, she should get out of this conversation.
<P>Jeremy could sense the shift in her mood and wondered what he said or did to make her pull away. He pressed on with the conversation keeping his tone cheerful and light. "It was kind of fun though. Maybe next time something's going on, you can come."
<P>"Maybe," Natalie replied. She really wanted to be more enthusiastic, but when she saw Maura coming down the hallway, she felt guilty. "We'll see."
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<P>Normally Maura would have been thrilled to run into Jeremy in the hallway. On any other day she would have skipped over to him and tried to start a conversation, but after the disappointment of last weekend's concert, she couldn't even bring herself to make eye contact with him. A part of her still hoped he would call out to her and if he had, she would have happily gone back to the way things were, but she decided she was done chasing after him and kept her eyes averted as she tried to walk past without notice. She was secretly disappointed when he didn't say anything to her and only Natalie fell in step with her as she continued down the hall.
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<P>Meghan watched the awkward exchange with growing curiosity and decided to hang back with her cousin as she watched him watch the two other girls walk away. She was about to question him, but he spoke up first.
<P>"Did I do something to offend her?"
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<P>"Uh, yeah! You don't know?" Meghan asked, as if it were obvious. When Jeremy looked at her with utter confusion, she sighed and continued on, annoyed that she had to spell it out for him. "She really likes you and you were kind of jerk to her."
<P>"What? When was I jerk?" he asked, frowning. He couldn't recall anything he'd said or done around Natalie that would be considered jerk-like behavior, unless just talking to her in the hallway occasionally was making her uncomfortable. If it was, he'd stop.
<P>"The concert . . ." she said slowly, expecting him to follow her line of thought.
<P>"All I said was I was sorry she didn't go. Was that the wrong thing to say?"
<P>"Wait, what?" Meghan asked, confused. Her mind was turning his words over, trying to make sense of them when she realized they couldn't be talking about the same person. "Are you talking about Natalie?"
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<P>"Yeah . . . who were you talking about?" There was only one person it could logically be, but it didn't make sense. "Maura?" When Meghan nodded, he asked, "She's mad at me about the concert? Why?"
<P>"Because you ditched her for your friend."
<P>"I just went to talk to him for a few minutes and she had Judith and Vince with her. I didn't think she'd care."
<P>"Oh my gosh, are you really that blind? What did you think that whole concert scheme was about anyway?"
<P>"Judith . . ." he started, but cut himself short. He knew it was a weak explanation that he didn't believe himself at this point.
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<P>"Why are guys always so clueless? I mean, Maura's not exactly subtle. You're probably the only one who doesn't already know that she's totally in love with you."
<P>Meghan continued on her tirade about how guys always fall for the wrong girls, but Jeremy wasn't listening. Meghan's revelation left him with a sickly feeling in the pit of his stomach.
<P>As if she had read his mind, Meghan asked, "You seriously had no idea?"
<P>"No," he simply said. Now he really did feel like a jerk. "Are you sure that's how she feels?" Meghan didn't even have to respond to that question, her face said it all. "I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. Is she really upset?"
<P>Meghan shrugged. The passing period was almost over and she was ready to end this conversation before she was late to class. "She'll get over it."
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<P>As Meghan walked away, Jeremy started towards his next class alone. He replayed the past in his mind and was convinced that he couldn't have done anything differently and that he hadn't done anything wrong, but he couldn't help feeling bad about the entire situation. He didn't want Maura to feel hurt, especially about him. He decided he needed to make this up to her and to find a way to let her down easy.Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-31696835785827961652017-07-23T12:18:00.000-04:002017-07-23T12:31:40.418-04:00Episode 29 - Apologies<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/29-110.jpg">
<P>"I'm going into the office," Blaine said to Cassandra as she was fixing breakfast for the kids. "Are you sure you're feeling alright? I can call off if you need me."
<P>"No, I'm fine," Cassie insisted, managing a smile for her husband to help make her case. "It was just one of those things. I'm okay now."
<P>"A premonition?" Blaine asked, his brows furrowed with concern. "Was it about Natalie?"
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<P>Cassie shook her head. "No, it was just a feeling. I don't know how to describe it. I don't think it had anything to do with Natalie though."
<P>"Well, if you need me call, okay? I can come home anytime." Once she promised she would call if she needed him and insisted again that she would be fine, he kissed her and headed for the door. "I'll see you tonight."
<P>Once Blaine had left, Cassie turned her attention back to her cooking. She hadn't lied when she said she was okay or when she said it wasn't about Natalie, but she couldn't shake the sickly feeling in her stomach that something was very wrong. She tried to put any concerns out of her mind and put on a brave face again when she called the kids downstairs for breakfast.
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<P>Eager to put her mind on something else, Cassie brought up a more cheerful topic at the breakfast table. "So Brooke, your birthday is coming up soon. We need to start planning your party."
<P>"I don't want a really big party," Brooke insisted, as she stirred her spoon absently through her bowl of cereal. "Just something simple is okay."
<P>"Can I invite some friends?" Doug asked eagerly.
<P>"Just one," Cassie said firmly. "It's Brooke's party, not yours."
<P>"I don't care who's invited, as long as Joey can come and as long as we don't have to invite <I>them</I>," she said pointedly.
<P>"Who's 'them?'" Doug asked, but Cassie already knew.
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<P>"I don't think we have to invite anyone that you don't want to invite," Cassie said carefully. She tried to keep her tone and expression neutral and not betray her true feelings. She also didn't want to make any promises that her husband might not agree to keep. She was thinking of Blaine when she added, "But would it be so bad if they were invited?"
<P>"Yes," Brooke replied, stone-faced and serious. "I'd rather have no party at all than one with them."
<P>"I don't think it will come to that, but we all do have to try to get along."
<P>Brooke huffed defiantly and sulked through the rest of her breakfast. She remained silent until Doug had left the table. When Brooke spoke again it was in a low conspiratorial tone. She looked at her mother with shrewd, narrowed eyes. "What did you see in her palm at the carnival? It was something really bad, wasn't it?"
<P>Caught off-guard, Cassie took a moment to compose herself before replying. "I didn't see anything. I was just feeling sick, that's all. I don't want you to say or think any more about it."
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<P>Brooke pouted as she got up from the table. "I still don't want them to come," she mumbled as she walked away.
<P>Cassie sighed as she cleared off the breakfast table. She was beginning to wish she'd never offered to do those palm readings at the carnival, but how was she to know that overwhelming dreadful feeling was going to wash over her at the worst possible time, right when she happened to be looking at Natalie's palm? It was terrible timing.
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<P>She stepped outside onto the back patio to get some air and looked out across the backyard at Reese's house. She could only imagine what they were thinking about her right now. She knew there was no way to make them all instantly the best of friends, even if she had wanted to. She wasn't sure if Brooke would ever warm to them or if she herself would, for that matter. But maybe there was something she could do to at least try to set one thing right.
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<P>Jolene was finishing washing the breakfast dishes when she heard someone behind her clear their throat. She spun around to see Lawrence standing in the doorway with Lance standing in front of him. Lance's eyes were cast down, locked on his shoes and on his face was twisted into the usual scowl she had come to expect from him.
<P>Lance looked at his father with pleading eyes and when Lawrence didn't budge, he sighed heavily. "Miss Jolene," he began. "I apologize for taking your apartment key yesterday. I know it's wrong to take things that do not belong to me and I won't do it again."
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<P>The speech was obviously rehearsed and lacking in sincerity, but Jolene smiled and knelt down in front of Lance, trying to meet him at eye level. "I accept your apology and I appreciate that you won't bother my things again."
<P>Lance looked at his father and when Lawrence nodded, he hurried out of the kitchen.
<P>"Thanks," Jolene said to Lawrence with a smile and then returned back to her work.
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<P>As Lance stomped upstairs to his room, he passed by his brother's bedroom door which was slightly ajar. Artie was hanging out with Jenn and their voices carried into the hallway. Normally, he wouldn't have cared, but their topic of conversation caught his attention and he stopped outside the door to listen.
<P>"I think you were right about my dad and Miss Jolene," Artie said. "How did you know?"
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<P>"Haven't you read a book or seen a movie?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "The single dad and the hot, young nanny always end up together in the end." She turned to look at him with extreme interest. "What makes you think something's going on?"
<P>"Just the way they were talking to each other last night when I came home. I felt like I was walking in on something. It was weird."
<P>"So what would you think if they did end up together."
<P>Artie shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it'd be okay. Kind of weird, but my mom's been gone a long time and my dad's probably lonely. I don't know."
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<P>Out in the hallway, Lance frowned as he went to his room. He wasn't as indifferent to the idea of their dad and the nanny starting a relationship as his brother was. He knew exactly how he felt about it; he hated it and if he had any say about it, he was determined to make sure it would never happen. He'd put up with the new nanny long enough. It was time for her to go.
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<P>At the Burrough's house, Reese, Simon, and Natalie were spending a peaceful morning together. Reese was tidying up and chatting with Simon as he watched the news while Natalie sat at the window bench with a book on her lap.
<P>"You've been awfully quiet today, Natalie," Simon remarked. "Everything okay?"
<P>"Fine," she replied. Her tone was upbeat, but she only glanced at him briefly before turning her distracted gaze back to the window.
<P>Reese looked at Simon with a raised eyebrow and he gave her a comforting smile in return.
<P>"It's Mrs. Kitteridge," Natalie said, suddenly sitting up straighter as she turned to look at the adults in the room.
<P>Reese looked at her daughter with curious interest. She expected the outburst to be followed with some revelation or confidence about the evening before, but Natalie had a different reason for bringing up her stepmother.
<P>"She's coming up to the house," Natalie explained as she nodded towards the window. "I wonder what she wants. She's probably here to freak out on me again."
<P>"I'll take care of it," Reese said, walking determinedly toward the door.
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<P>Cassie was startled when the door opened before she finished knocking. "Hi, I wanted to speak with Natalie, if that's okay," she began. When Reese didn't move aside to let her in or invite her inside, she added, "I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I hope I didn't upset her."
<P>"That's really not necessary," Reese said, making a move to shut the door. "Natalie's not upset. Everything is perfectly fine."
<P>Before Reese could shut Cassie out, Natalie was at her mother's side.
<P>"It's okay. I'll talk to her."
<P>Reese opened the door wider, and hesitantly stood aside for her daughter.
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<P>"I just wanted to say I'm sorry about yesterday," Cassie began her apology to Natalie. "When I ran off the way I did, it had nothing to do with you. I just suddenly wasn't feeling well. That happens to me sometimes. I'm kind of . . . sensitive and I can get overwhelmed easily . . .it's difficult." Cassie shook her head as she tried to refocus her train of thought. "I was afraid you might be thinking it was because of you and I just wanted to assure you that it wasn't. Not at all."
<P>"Okay," Natalie replied, not sure how to respond. "I wasn't thinking that, but thanks for saying so."
<P>Cassie seemed relieved. "Good, I'm glad. I'm feeling much better now. If you wanted me to try reading your palm again, I'd be glad to give it another try. I'm sure I could actually do a reading on it this time."
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<P>Natalie shook her head and took a step back. "No, that's okay. I don't really believe in that stuff. Thanks, anyway, Mrs. Kitteridge."
<P>As Natalie walked away from the door, Reese couldn't suppress a proud smirk as she shut the door, leaving Cassie bewildered on the front step.
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/29-1510.jpg">Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-90875781687118477272017-07-08T21:13:00.001-04:002017-07-08T21:14:09.309-04:00Episode 28 - Post-concert<p align="CENTER">
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When Jolene arrived back at her apartment and was about to go inside for the night, she discovered a problem; her key was missing. Frantically, she searched her pockets and every corner of the inside of her purse, but it was nowhere to be found. She closed her eyes and tried to think back to where it could be. Was it lost somewhere at the park during the carnival or did she drop it somewhere in the Arrendale's house? She knew she could get a spare key from the landlord until she could hopefully find her key the next day, but a chilling thought hit her.
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"Oh no," she groaned. What if she dropped the key in Lawrence's office and he found it before she did? How could she explain to her employer what she was doing in his private office? There was only one thing she could do, go back and hope to God that she found it before he did.
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<P>With his younger two children tucked into bed and his eldest still at the concert, Lawrence Arrendale's house was unusually quiet. The activities of the evening had kept him busy enough that he hadn't had a chance to think about the significance of the day. Now, with no other distractions to occupy his mind, the thoughts he had kept at bay had pushed their way to the forefront of his mind. In quiet moments like these his thoughts would often drift towards Eileen, but especially more so on days like today when her presence was especially missed.
<P>Not only was this Eileen's favorite time of year, but it was nearing their anniversary, not the anniversary of their wedding, the anniversary that everyone knew about, but the anniversary of their secret elopement that had always been their 'real' anniversary, just for the two of them. It was also the anniversary of the day that he had lost her.
<P>Lawrence was startled by the sound of a knock on the door. He had been expecting Artie to be home from the concert soon, but he wouldn't have expected his son to knock. He relaxed a little when he saw Jolene on the other side of the door.
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<P>"Oh, Mr. Arrendale, I'm so sorry to bother you, but -"
<P>"You must have missed your key," he said, picking up the missing item from the hall table.
<P>Jolene froze in a panic. "Where did you find it?"
<P>"In Lance's room when I was tucking him in for the night."
<P>Jolene breathed a sign of relief, but then frowned in confusion. Of all of the places to be, Lance's room was the last place she would have thought it would have been. "But how?"
<P>"I'm afraid he took it as a prank. I'm sorry for the trouble."
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<P>Jolene brushed off the apology. "I'm just glad it's found," she said. And she was especially glad that she didn't have to go through with her plan to send Lawrence upstairs to look for the key while she tried to sneak back into his office while he wasn't looking. "I was afraid I might have dropped it at the carnival."
<P>"I'm glad that wasn't the case."
<P>"Me too," she agreed. But she would have rather have lost it there than had it found in Lawrence's office. "Well, I'd better get home-"
<P>Crisis averted, she was ready to get out of there as soon as possible, but she couldn't help noticing that Lawrence seemed particularly down. "Is everything alright? I hope you aren't too upset with Lance. I know he's just testing me. We're still getting used to each other, but I'm not giving up on him."
<P>Lawrence managed a weak smile. "No, it's just been a long day."
<P>"Oh, sure," she said agreeably. "I'll get out of your way then." She knew she should be eager to go, but something was holding her back and she made no move to leave. "I know how hard it is to lose someone that you care about. I know it's not the same, but I lost both of my parents when I was young and it was really hard."
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<P>"So did I," Lawrence replied, almost absently. "And it's really not the same."
<P>"Oh."
<P>Lawrence shook his head, suddenly realizing how rude he must have sounded. "I didn't mean to diminish your loss," he added hastily. "When I lost my parents, my life was turned upside down. I had no one, but I learned how to manage. Then, years later when I met Eileen, I found a part of myself I didn't even know I had been missing. She was everything I wasn't and now . . ." he trailed off, not knowing how to finish that thought and not sure if he could continue it if he knew how.
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<P>Jolene felt her heart swell with sympathy for the man who stood in front of her. She wanted to reach out and touch his arm, but she held back. When the door knob beside her clicked, she jumped back, startled.
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<P>"Hey . . ." Artie said slowly as he looked back and forth between his father and the nanny. He felt like he was walking in on something, but didn't know what. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Hi, Dad. Hi, Miss Jolene. I'm surprised you're still here."
<P>"I just came back for my key," she said holding up the item. "Luckily your dad found it for me. Well, I'd better get going. I'll see you both tomorrow."
<P>As Jolene left, Artie looked at his dad questioningly.
<P>"It's late. You'd better get ready for bed."
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<P>Vanessa looked up from her book as her husband walked into the bedroom. "How was the concert?"
<P>"Loud," Logan replied with a sigh as he started to undress for bed. "I must be getting old."
<P>"You don't look it from my angle," she said, laying her book aside. Logan just winked at her as he continued getting ready for bed.
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<P>"Did the kids have a good time, at least?"
<P>"Artie did. Jenn tried, but she wasn't in the mood."
<P>"Poor girl," Vanessa sighed. "She's really missing her mom, isn't she? I thought Lana was really making progress this time."
<P>"She was - she is, I think," Logan corrected. "I know she's really trying for Jenn's sake at least, but addiction can be tough to beat. I'm glad she's finally at the recovery center getting help for it. I know Jenn's disappointed that she couldn't talk to her this week like she'd hoped, but maybe next will be better."
<P>"I hope so. Jenn's been so great through all of this. She's a strong kid and lucky to have an uncle like you."
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<P>"And a terrific aunt like you," Logan added pointedly as he climbed into his side of the bed. "I don't deserve all of the credit here. Besides, I think I probably had the easier job tonight. How long did it take you to get the other two settled down enough to go to bed?"
<P>"Oh, awhile," Vanessa admitted. "They were pretty wound up from the carnival. I thought the event went very well, didn't you?"
<P>"Yes, I did," he agreed.
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<P>"Alma looked very well," Vanessa remarked. "I think working must agree with her. She she looked happier than I've ever seen her. She was positively glowing."
<P>"I don't think Ed is so happy about it."
<P>"Oh, you don't?" Vanessa sounded surprised. "Well, I'm sure it must be a big adjustment after Alma being home all these years . . . I wonder how it would be for us if I decided to resume my career and went back into acting?"
<P>"If that's what you wanted, I would support you. I wouldn't mind holding down the fort while you're pursuing your passions."
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<P>Vanessa leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around him. "I know you would do a great job of it too. You do so much around here for me and the kids already. I am so lucky to have you."
<P>Logan returned her embrace and as he leaned in to kiss her, muttered, "No, <I>I'm</I> the lucky one."
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<P>As Vince, Jeremy, Maura, and Judith walked home from the concert together they were surprised to find Vince's former friends waiting for him at the corner next to the Stuart's house.
<P>"Hey, V, got a minute?" Scott called out.
<P>Vince hesitated. He didn't really want to stop to talk to them and the concern in Maura's eyes made him want to keep on walking, but realistically, he didn't see any other choice.
<P>"Yeah," he said. "You go on without me," he said to Jeremy and Judith. "Go on in the house, Maura."
<P>No one said a word until the Wiltons were across the park on the way to their house and Maura was inside.
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<P>"What's up?" Vince asked, trying to sound cool.
<P>"We haven't seen you around in ages. I'm starting to wonder if you're going out of your way to avoid us."
<P>"Nah," Vince scoffed. "I've just been busy with school and stuff. I don't really get out much anymore."
<P>"You were out tonight."
<P>"Just with my little sister and her friends. It was no big deal."
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<P>"Well, listen. You need to find a little time in your busy schedule, because I'm going need your help on a little something again."
<P>Vince sighed. "I don't know, man," he said hesitatingly. He really did want to cut ties with his old friends and keep on a better track, but they weren't easy to just say no to. He tried to choose his words carefully and keep his tone light. "I really do have a lot going on and my mom's really been on my case. I can't risk getting in any trouble right now or I'm done for."
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<P>"Don't tell me you're trying to bail out on us," Scott said, leaning forward threateningly. "Because you know that you are in this just as much as any of us and if we go down, you're going down with us, whether you help us this time or not."
<P>"I'm not going to rat you out, okay," Vince promised. He didn't want any trouble, but he had made up his mind that he had to stand his ground. "I just have other things I have to do with myself right now. You can still trust me. I won't say a word to anyone about anything, but from here on, I'm out. I'm sorry, but that's how it's got to be."
<P>Scott shook his head from side to side. "That's not good enough. You're in too deep to bail out now and you're the only one who can do what we need you to do. You can't just leave us hanging like this, not after all we've been through."
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<P>Vince shrugged and started to back away. "I'm sorry, but I'm done. You'll have to find someone else."
<P>"No, you don't get out of this so easily. If you won't help us this time, we'll make sure that you regret it."
<P>"Are you threatening me?" Vince asked.
<P>"That's not just a threat, but a promise. You're either with us all the way or you're against us. If I don't hear from you again by the end of the week I'll know where you stand and you'll see firsthand what we do to those who betray us." He made a motion to his buddies and they walked off into the darkness. Leaving Vince to walk to his house alone, wondering if he'd made the right decision.Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-30647631798197464462017-06-04T12:02:00.000-04:002017-07-01T11:43:07.034-04:00Episode 27 - The Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrqHhsHZJ8izII3-ivbhdBtDYK34yC9avKOlTDlQ_S0JkOybtI7fZXPhyutRnJO6AiEg0i0Xmjktp2_RuKypfY-8yAAmZNjOQpDjSlAfK1f3LLXTIHWiCQIQ6Kg36Zf2FjUNG1lwSo2JL/s1600/543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrqHhsHZJ8izII3-ivbhdBtDYK34yC9avKOlTDlQ_S0JkOybtI7fZXPhyutRnJO6AiEg0i0Xmjktp2_RuKypfY-8yAAmZNjOQpDjSlAfK1f3LLXTIHWiCQIQ6Kg36Zf2FjUNG1lwSo2JL/s1600/543.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div><P ALIGN=CENTER>
<P>Maura practically skipped along the sidewalk on the way to the concert, smiling all the way as she chattered happily to Judith, Jeremy, and Vince. In her excitement she was oblivious to the existing tension between Jeremy and Vince. The two boys were silent as the group walked together. Jeremy’s dirty looks toward Vince didn’t go unnoticed by the senior and were returned just as bitterly. The chilliness between them seemed to thaw when the group arrived at the park where concert was to be held.
<P>A crowd had already gathered, the lights and the sound system were being tested before the show, and the sense of excitement in the air was contagious. The rivalry between the two boys was soon set aside and they were starting to get excited for the show.
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“I’m going to stop by the restrooms before the show starts,” Jeremy announced once they had found a place to stand and watch the show.
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Seeing an opportunity, Maura jumped on it. “Oh, I’ll go with you!” she quickly volunteered. When Jeremy gave her a funny look she hurried to clarify. "I mean I'll walk over there with you. I need to go that way myself."
<P>
Jeremy's shrug was all the encouragement Maura needed. She followed closely at his side as they walked across the lawn, only looking back briefly to grin at Judith victoriously.
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Judith shook her head and rolled her eyes. Maura never changed. When she turned her head back to the stage she realized that she and Vince were left alone together. Their eyes met in the moment of awkward silence that was left in Maura’s absence and they both realized neither of them really had anything to say to the other. Maura had always been the one to keep the conversation going.
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Vince broke first. “So, um, it's too bad things didn’t work out with that David guy. I know you and Maura came up with this plan to get you two together. Sorry it didn’t work out.”
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<P>
“I’m not sorry,” Judith scoffed. When she recalled David's cocky behavior towards her in art class when he thought she liked him, the thought of being alone with him now, instead of Vince, made her skin crawl. “In fact, I’m glad it didn’t go according to Maura’s original plan. He was kind of a jerk.”
<P>
Vince laughed. “I wasn’t going to say so, but I thought he was too. At least you found out he wasn’t what he seemed sooner rather than later.”
<P>
“Yeah. I guess so.”
<P>
When they lapsed into silence again, Vince added, “Sucks though to find out someone you liked wasn’t so great after all. But I’m sure you’ll find someone better.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfpE2IuYGBBYpEHq2zsjEL1yQ1Gkko4br6YPKUF7sz9K876h43zMJb67P528aY2ctyso5HQdgRhZm9EB16WqlOKetjpru7uAKzG1butPkDD-c412DUM57Bjr_YZu8Fh6sfz0YAWdtupob/s1600/546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfpE2IuYGBBYpEHq2zsjEL1yQ1Gkko4br6YPKUF7sz9K876h43zMJb67P528aY2ctyso5HQdgRhZm9EB16WqlOKetjpru7uAKzG1butPkDD-c412DUM57Bjr_YZu8Fh6sfz0YAWdtupob/s1600/546.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
“I really don’t care if I do or not.” Judith crossed her arms defiantly in front of her chest and huffed out a sound of annoyance. After a moment of thought she decided to make confession. “To tell the truth, I never really even liked him in the first place.”
<P>
“Yeah, sure,” Vince scoffed.
<P>
Judith turned to look him in the eye. “No, really. I didn’t. I just made the whole thing up.”
<P>
Vince raised an eyebrow at her, confused, but intrigued. “Really? Why?”
<P>
Judith sighed. This was so embarrassing to admit. “It’s stupid. I already know it's stupid, so just don’t say anything, okay? And don't laugh," she warned him and then took a deep breath before continuing.
<P ALIGN=CENTER>***
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<P>
As they walked across the lawn alone together, Maura knew this was the perfect chance to speak up and say something to Jeremy, but she had no idea how to do so. Every time she thought of something to say, she stopped herself before she could speak. Nothing she came up with seemed right. Being at a loss for words was not a common occurrence for her.
<P>
“I’m glad you came with us tonight, Jeremy,” she finally said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
<P>
“Yeah, I hope so.”
<P>
“You hope so?” Maura asked quizzically. "Why wouldn't we?"
<P>
“Oh.” Jeremy sounded startled. He’d spoke without giving his words much thought and now he nearly blushed with embarrassment. “I just mean, I’m sure we will have fun.”
<P>
“Right,” Maura said slowly. She wasn’t quite convinced that’s what he had meant, but she didn’t want to waste time dwelling on it. “Have you heard much about the band that’s playing tonight?”
<P>
“No.” Jeremy shook his head.
<P>
“Me neither. I hope they’re good.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2LjAspqGTDRfdu6DhoDz9YCn4NGXufhRdGwwuMSk-7D63e0vz8dbho3HwufezRY0lKkG_psY1Nvce9EbdmXsvkeExKrXDFXGJUxwv19ly8Jun2e4SCtER8z0jMR91nLi1vf_GvtLTTnX/s1600/547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2LjAspqGTDRfdu6DhoDz9YCn4NGXufhRdGwwuMSk-7D63e0vz8dbho3HwufezRY0lKkG_psY1Nvce9EbdmXsvkeExKrXDFXGJUxwv19ly8Jun2e4SCtER8z0jMR91nLi1vf_GvtLTTnX/s1600/547.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P> “I thought you liked them. You were the one who seemed so excited for this concert in the first place.”
<P>
“Oh, but the concert was just an excuse-“ Maura blurted the words out before she realized what she was saying.
<P>
“Oh yeah, for Judith to hang out with the guy from her class. What happened with that anyway?” he asked as he looked back and where Judith and Vince were talking. He wanted to ask how Vince ended up being the fourth member of their group, but he didn’t want to sound rude towards Maura’s brother.
<P>
Maura shrugged. “She decided that she didn’t like him after all.”
<P>
“So Vince took his place?”
<P>
“Kind of,” Maura rushed to think of a plausible explanation without being too forward about her true intentions. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him off. “I invited him because I thought you might be bored with just us girls and maybe you would have had a better time with another guy to talk to.”
<P>
“You could have just called the whole thing off,” Jeremy suggested.
<P>
“But I was so looking forward to it,” Maura protested. “I mean <i>we</i> were, me and Judith. I didn’t want to cancel.”
<P>
“You didn’t have to bring Vince along instead on my account,” he muttered.
<P>
“Really?” Maura asked. Her eyes gleamed with hope as she leaned closer to Jeremy. “You mean you wouldn’t mind just being with us girls.”
<P>
“No, not really,” he replied quite frankly.
<P>
Maura’s heart was pounding loudly in her chest and she was beaming from ear to ear. “I’m glad.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZyqaPPuJ1JufPMUDIOnhulrvglzXyWfGkR-zPKUR_cMjOdrM4zzHZUUFB1axrFd9o7BF9H3qWqTI_6a9VA2prJWp5L8nK6NqdKTEEOIXZdynCaFGOUXIE33_1lgGVR1QRDIM6QPD6Gjs/s1600/548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZyqaPPuJ1JufPMUDIOnhulrvglzXyWfGkR-zPKUR_cMjOdrM4zzHZUUFB1axrFd9o7BF9H3qWqTI_6a9VA2prJWp5L8nK6NqdKTEEOIXZdynCaFGOUXIE33_1lgGVR1QRDIM6QPD6Gjs/s1600/548.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
There was a moment of silence before they spoke again as Maura tried to strategize her next move and Jeremy tried to say his next words as casually as possible.
<P>
“I’m surprised you didn’t just invite Natalie along instead.”
<P>
“We did, but she decided not to come at the last minute.”
<P>
“I saw her and Vince talking just before she left the carnival. Was it something he said to her?”
<P>
“No, it was something Mrs. Kitteridge said, I think,” Maura said with a dismissive toss of her head. "Why? What did you think Vince might have said to her?"
<P>
"I don't know. Nothing probably," Jeremy said. They had arrived at the restrooms, so Jeremy excused himself. "I'll be back in a minute."
<P>
Maura frowned to herself and sighed as Jeremy went into the men's room. This wasn't going at all as she had hoped. She knew there had to be something she could do that would get him to notice her and see her in a new light, but she was coming up blank.
<P>
"How's it going?"
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDn4_ssInG2thBGVmm1GoUtd9qVN-BelY5ZDIeUySyczatuCrWNyDKR_Q_uKFrEq2ayjgC1mEYPaQ6I5I9xhP6oClNg8J1AcicQFR6_56Bn2N_AV-gPxImBsCEAEVKWEtKmo4VlJQnHNv/s1600/550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDn4_ssInG2thBGVmm1GoUtd9qVN-BelY5ZDIeUySyczatuCrWNyDKR_Q_uKFrEq2ayjgC1mEYPaQ6I5I9xhP6oClNg8J1AcicQFR6_56Bn2N_AV-gPxImBsCEAEVKWEtKmo4VlJQnHNv/s1600/550.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
Maura turned to see Meghan standing behind her. "Not so great."
<P>
"Same here," Meghan replied with an annoyed huff.
<P>
"Why? What's going on with you?" Maura asked.
<P>
Meghan nodded to where Julian and his friends were hanging out and talking while they waited for the concert to start.
<P>
"Oh," Maura said sympathetically. "Are they leaving you out again?"
<P>
"No, just the opposite. They invited me along and they're all being like super polite, but in this really cold, fake way. It would almost be better if they were pushing me out, then at least they would be obvious about it and I could say something without being the one who looks bad."
<P>
"You can come hang out with us, if you want," Maura offered eagerly.
<P>
Meghan shook her head. "No, I'll stick it out. They want me to go, but I'm not going to let them win." She took one more angry glance back at her group, before she let her expression relax and she turned the conversation back to Maura. "So you're not having a good time either?"
<P>
"It's not that I'm <i>not</i> having a good time," Maura clarified. "It's just not going as well as I would have hoped. I thought I had this night all planned out in my mind, but now I realize I don't know what to do or what to say at all. It's just awkward. I shouldn't have tried to do this stupid plan in the first place."
<P>"You're seriously giving up that easily after all the trouble you've gone through?"
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2-CJKJJzR5EYBncKz3UzFKh_2ZPhNtQn0HIrBOzSL1-svOx_EoDP4dA4FGoXaxCbUYYyD46TCA0D0p99I3jWJWe7QskUL5_b1bEVg1q_k8Eg1fyAFcKWVmZXUWU2VaM6EcAH8_5e1Cov/s1600/549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2-CJKJJzR5EYBncKz3UzFKh_2ZPhNtQn0HIrBOzSL1-svOx_EoDP4dA4FGoXaxCbUYYyD46TCA0D0p99I3jWJWe7QskUL5_b1bEVg1q_k8Eg1fyAFcKWVmZXUWU2VaM6EcAH8_5e1Cov/s1600/549.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
"What else can I do? He's not getting the hint."
<P>
"Then just be direct. If he hasn't taken the hint by now or made a move, he's probably not going to ever." Her eyes were wandering back towards her group and she didn't like how close Melanie was getting to Julian. "Well, I'd better go make my presence known. Good luck."
<P>
As much as she hated to admit it, what Meghan said was probably true. She took a deep breath, steeled her courage and went in search of Jeremy. She told herself to be direct and just lay it all out there. She started rehearsing in her mind what to say, hoping she could find the right words.
<P>
When she found Jeremy, he was talking to someone else.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61L3bt0RQ8wiXK1bOOYWiS_qdvWlKPSWfUQ5B5Fjwrg8BiK-WI2a8Ea2w5dPL0lP8aTX-_mGfs7jq1mrzFA_XQP-F8mIPq0NXkIweShmLRnMYX9nlqmxzScCUYQww4Rm5cdT-VxkIS9ue/s1600/551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61L3bt0RQ8wiXK1bOOYWiS_qdvWlKPSWfUQ5B5Fjwrg8BiK-WI2a8Ea2w5dPL0lP8aTX-_mGfs7jq1mrzFA_XQP-F8mIPq0NXkIweShmLRnMYX9nlqmxzScCUYQww4Rm5cdT-VxkIS9ue/s1600/551.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
"Jeremy?"
<P>
"Oh, hey, sorry I left you waiting. I just ran into Roger and we started talking." He introduced Maura to his friend. "He was telling me about his new car."
<P>
Maura stood by waiting for them to finish talking about cars. She wasn't particularly interested in the topic and her mind was on the speech she wanted to give when she and Jeremy caught a moment alone again.
<P>
"Hey, if you want to go back to Judith and Vince, I'll catch up in a minute. I know we're probably boring you," Jeremy said after a few minutes.
<P>
Maura snapped to attention. "No, that's okay. I don't mind."
<P>
"Are you sure?" he asked. When she insisted she was, the boys returned to their conversation. When his friend offered him a ride in his new car, Jeremy jumped at the chance.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJshdkhEH44fGDHpk8WDJuy0unbonH5pptdY6HS6juA9f7Abdr_S4dymVdilMduUb0q1xftRpSPy5U6r8p7HOn7Vu35oo_rSK2O2-AC5t2FjgbhCtcokSJ5oIYXoGoZUlqYkf55EKhpo2/s1600/552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJshdkhEH44fGDHpk8WDJuy0unbonH5pptdY6HS6juA9f7Abdr_S4dymVdilMduUb0q1xftRpSPy5U6r8p7HOn7Vu35oo_rSK2O2-AC5t2FjgbhCtcokSJ5oIYXoGoZUlqYkf55EKhpo2/s1600/552.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
"I'll be back in a few minutes," Jeremy told Maura.
<P>
"You're going?"
<P>
"I might miss the first few minutes, but I'll be back," he promised.
<P>
"But-" Maura sputtered, trying to think of the right thing to say. "I could go with you . . ."
<P>
"You could, if you wanted, but you might miss the beginning of the show."
<P>Maura shrugged. "I don't mind."
<P>"We'll just be talking about cars the whole time. Besides, Judith will be mad if you leave her behind and Vince will be worried . . . I won't be long, I promise."
<P>
"Okay," Maura gave in. She sighed in defeat and went back to join Judith and Vince.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb5QKtImJcHcPhxmToboe88KAL7WH5rstDnEWm5TNoYikWzmSpdA3jXOEMiYN5skBLgtafpC9xMiNCFNyX5EtqLVYOg4OqbK3oRAAcglhVmOg6LmrxJ93A1PRNmwvZTfQBF85S_7g7FvF/s1600/554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb5QKtImJcHcPhxmToboe88KAL7WH5rstDnEWm5TNoYikWzmSpdA3jXOEMiYN5skBLgtafpC9xMiNCFNyX5EtqLVYOg4OqbK3oRAAcglhVmOg6LmrxJ93A1PRNmwvZTfQBF85S_7g7FvF/s1600/554.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>
When she approached her brother and best friend, she was surprised to find them chatting and laughing together.
<P>
"What's so funny?" she asked, hoping whatever they were laughing about would lighten her mood as well.
<P>
"Oh, we're just swapping stories. Seeing which one of us has made a bigger fool out of themselves in the past," Vince replied. When he noticed Maura was alone he added, "Where's Jeremy?"
<P>
'Speaking of making a fool of yourself,' Maura thought to herself before answering aloud. "He went off with a friend. He'll be back."
<P>
She turned and looked over her shoulder to see Jeremy and Roger walking over to his car. She <i>hoped</i> he would be back anyway.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-79867301608129471662017-05-09T13:19:00.000-04:002017-07-01T12:01:26.143-04:00Episode 26 - The Carnival pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYfxS5G2ytg4F5H0LRRV974PiEGANVt3bHmPFvLrF7YEGcInkOufUQjOewQ00tS9TzF4nZEx8hTGkmnQMSLiU2yFo7CEANiGPHLfvDoQ3jLGY3a8WndW-LiX2QOc9oAM1dyTWpSslDRXj/s1600/525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYfxS5G2ytg4F5H0LRRV974PiEGANVt3bHmPFvLrF7YEGcInkOufUQjOewQ00tS9TzF4nZEx8hTGkmnQMSLiU2yFo7CEANiGPHLfvDoQ3jLGY3a8WndW-LiX2QOc9oAM1dyTWpSslDRXj/s1600/525.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<P>Natalie stood bewildered as she watched her stepmother hurry away from the carnival. She wasn't sure of what to make of what had just happened.
<P>
"That was weird," Meghan declared, breaking the silence that Cassie's sudden departure had left behind. "I wonder what she saw in your palm. It must have been something-"
<p>
"It wasn't anything," Chloe snapped, abruptly cutting Meghan off mid-sentence. "Cassie just wasn't feeling well. Her leaving suddenly has nothing to do with Natalie or the palm reading. I don't want any of you thinking anything like that, so just drop it."
<p>
"She's absolutely right," Lucy chimed in, supporting Chloe's statement. "There's no point in trying to make more out of this than it is."
<br />
<a name='more'></a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVhRHcL5bAMCIlyMgwEOocY5YHR9KLLGIxni9kNd2iryR1Im47r5i6usjr8Avm2UdhCFHN0gXNzOdyaxuo5eOJxpvGu079VdGnq6jMWZw7KupFkQYljKg8S1UIhljdzFhSn6ytv4fELsB/s1600/526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVhRHcL5bAMCIlyMgwEOocY5YHR9KLLGIxni9kNd2iryR1Im47r5i6usjr8Avm2UdhCFHN0gXNzOdyaxuo5eOJxpvGu079VdGnq6jMWZw7KupFkQYljKg8S1UIhljdzFhSn6ytv4fELsB/s1600/526.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<p>
"What's going on?" Blaine asked as he Reese and Simon approached the group. "Where's Cassie going?"
<p>
"Home. She suddenly wasn't feeling well," Lucy explained.
<p>
"I'd better go and check on her," Blaine said, his brows furrowed with concern. "Can someone keep an eye on the kids for me?"
<p>
"Of course," Chloe nodded.
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<p>
While Chloe and Lucy wandered away from the group to find the Kitteridge children and Blaine hurried off after his wife, Reese approached Natalie. She had been watching her daughter during this exchange and couldn't help noticing that she seemed bothered. She stepped closer to her and asked in a low voice, "Is everything okay? What happened?"
<p>
Natalie nodded, "Nothing. It's fine."
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDitUDx7ujkgqdEtkRDPyNTAXFXs8Fc-hCRPwbmD4x4XUJsRAwba32riLXU21rUAiIxsGKq-iC1_QqR7hZ9ZbxPqwxAjgW2wIVZ5ZILbBvERypur7jSGXXuJIoVrevPTJlPs4qjPdjoyU/s1600/528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDitUDx7ujkgqdEtkRDPyNTAXFXs8Fc-hCRPwbmD4x4XUJsRAwba32riLXU21rUAiIxsGKq-iC1_QqR7hZ9ZbxPqwxAjgW2wIVZ5ZILbBvERypur7jSGXXuJIoVrevPTJlPs4qjPdjoyU/s1600/528.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
<p>
"Don't worry about Mrs. Kitteridge, Natalie," Maura spoke up. "She's always been a little odd. The concert's going to start soon. Are you coming with us?"
<p>
Natalie shook her head. "I don't think I'm in the mood for it. I hope you have fun though."
<p>
"Oh, we will," Maura beamed. She grabbed Judith's arm and led her away as Meghan followed after. "Come on. Let's go find the guys."
<p>
"I think I'm going to walk around a little bit and then head home," Natalie said to her mother.
<p>
Reese nodded. "I think we're ready to go too. Why don't you find us when you're ready and we'll walk back together?"
<p>
"Sure," Natalie said as she wandered off to the booths alone.
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<p>
Reese waited until her daughter was out of earshot before she turned to her fiance and said quietly. "This is exactly why I kept her away from here for so long. That woman is nothing but trouble."
<p>
Simon wrapped his arm around Reese and gave her a comforting squeeze. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. Cassie seems harmless to me, maybe a tad eccentric, but harmless. I haven't seen any indication that she would do anything to harm Natalie."
<p>
"You don't know her like I do and I don't trust her," Reese said with a frown. "I'm not saying she would <I>hurt</I> Natalie exactly, but she obviously upset her just now. I hate to say it, but I think that this is only the beginning."
<p ALIGN=CENTER>
***
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<P>"Woah, you're really good at this," Artie gushed, as Jolene made her third bullseye in a row. "Where'd you learn to play darts so well?"
<P>"Oh, I got a lot of practice when I was in college," she replied lightly. "The dartboard in the rec center was cheap entertainment for a poor college student."
<P>"I should have you give me some pointers."
<P>Jolene shrugged. "Sure. I could do that."
<P>Artie smiled brightly. "Great!"
<P>As the round ended, they were interrupted by Lorna who came skipping over to Jolene, begging her to play a game with her at one of the other booths.
<P>"Go ahead," Artie waved them off. "I see my friend, Jenn. Thanks for the game."
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<P>"Jenn!" Artie called out to his friend as he ran up to her. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you."
<P>"Oh, around," she shrugged. "I saw you playing darts with your nanny. Who won?"
<P>"She did, but she's not <I>my</I> nanny. Dad just hired her to help out because of the kids."
<P>"Oh, the <I>kids</I>," Jenn laughed. "When did you get so grown up, Artie?"
<P>"You know what I mean."
<P>"You seem to like her pretty well."
<P>"I do. She's really nice."
<P>"And pretty and way younger than Mrs. McCarthy," Jenn added with a wicked grin. "I know why you wanted your dad to hire her."
<P>A deep blush rose up in Artie's cheeks, very much against his will. "Shut up. She's like twice my age and she's probably got a boyfriend or a fiance or something."
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<P>"Well, if she doesn't, she'd probably go for your dad before she'd go for you. So you might as well forget it."
<P>Artie scoffed. "Yeah, right. And there's nothing to forget anyway. I <I>don't</I> have crush on her."
<P>"Whatever."
<P>"If I didn't know better I'd think you were jealous or something."
<P>Jenn rolled her eyes. "Don't be dumb. If I ever act that dopey, you have to promise you'll slap some sense into me."
<P>Artie laughed. "Alright, then it's a promise."
<P>"Because I'm definitely going to do the same for you."
<P>"Fine. Now, let's go play some games."
<P ALIGN=CENTER>
***
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<p>
"The concert's going to be starting soon," Maura said as she bounced happily over to Jeremy who was talking with Julian by one of the booths. Meghan and Judith trailed behind her "Are you ready to head over there?"
<p>
"Sure," he said, mustering a smile.
<p>
"Great." Maura replied happily. She took her eyes off of Jeremy and started to scan the area. "Now where's my brother?"
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<p>
Jeremy spotted Vince first, standing at the corner of the carnival talking to Natalie. He squinted at them as he watched their interaction. They were too far away for him to hear what they were saying, but their body language was clear. Vince was leaning towards Natalie, probably saying something to try to impress her, but she wasn't having it. She leaned back from him and shook her head before turning and walking away.
<p>
"Oh! There he is," Maura exclaimed as she saw him too. She shouted out to her brother and waved to him. "Come on, let's go."
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<p>
"Are you coming too, Julian?" Meghan stopped to ask Julian as the others walked over to Vince.
<p>
"Yeah, I-" he started, but was interrupted by someone calling his name.
<p>
"Julian! I'm glad we found you," Melanie called out breathlessly as she, Sara, and Elden reached them. She paid no attention to Meghan who stood by, huffing and rolling her eyes in annoyance.
<p>
"What do you want?" Julian asked flatly.
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<p>
"I guess I deserve that. I wanted to apologize, we all do. Not just to you, but to Meghan too," she added, sparing only a split second of acknowledgement to the freshman. "I know we've been acting really snobby and really rude and we wanted to promise you that it's going to stop. Okay?"
<p>
"You mean it? All of you?" Julian asked, his eyes settling on Elden.
<p>
Elden looked away under the pressure of Julian's hard stare. "Yeah. I'm sorry, man. I was joking around, but I took things too far. I didn't know I would offend you."
<p>
"Well, you did."
<p>
Meghan, who was left gaping at Melanie's apology, was baffled at the exchange now. She wondered what had exactly gone on between Julian and his friends.
<p>
"Yeah, I know that now. It won't happen again. Are we cool?"
<p>
Julian nodded, then turned back to Melanie who was staring at him expectantly. He motioned towards Meghan. "She's the one you should be apologizing to."
<p>
"Of course and we are," she assured him. "Can you forgive us and put the past behind us?"
<p>
Meghan hesitated a moment. Melanie had barely finished her question before she had turned her attention back to Julian. The request had somehow lacked the sincerity that she oozed when speaking with Julian. She didn't think Melanie cared what her response was either way, except for how it related to Julian. She frowned, wanting to snap back, "Why should I?" but instead she held her tongue. There was no way she was going to let Melanie be the bigger person. Instead she shrugged, playing at indifference. "I suppose so."
<p>
"Good." Melanie smiled brightly at Julian and he smiled back. "Now that that's all sorted out, are you going to come along to the concert with us?"
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<p>
"Yeah, as long as Meghan can come too."
<p>
Melanie's smile faltered for only a fraction of a second, too brief for Julian to see, but it didn't go unnoticed by Meghan. "Sure. Of course."
<p align=center>
***
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<p>
The crowd at the carnival was starting to thin out as people were heading home for the evening or to the concert and the vendors were beginning to close up their stands and pack up for the night.
<p>
Lawrence knew it was time for him and his children to start home as well. Artie had decided to go to the concert with Jenn, accompanied by her Uncle Logan. But his youngest two children needed to go home and start settling down for the night.
<p>
He found Lorna playing a game at one of the booths with Jolene. Both girls were cheering and laughing together as Lorna won the game and was able choose the last prize of the day. He couldn’t help watching Jolene and Lorna together. The two seemed to have bonded well and he was glad they had a good rapport. He wished Lance had warmed to the nanny more, but he didn’t have high hopes for his younger son’s surly behavior to improve. He understood the pain he was going through all to well himself, but didn’t know how to help him.
<p>
From the moment they had arrived at the carnival, Jolene’s eyes had lit up at the sights, the sounds, and the smells of the festival and he could still see that childlike enthusiasm radiating in her expression even now. He hesitantly had to admit that it was contagious and he walked over to his daughter and her nanny smiling as well.
<p>
“Look, Daddy. I won,” Lorna said happily, lifting a fuzzy, pink bear up for him to see.
<p>
“That’s very nice,” he replied encouragingly. “Have you seen Lance? It’s time to go home.”
<p>
Lorna’s face dropped and Jolene seemed to look disappointed as well. He wasn’t sure which one of the girls was more disappointed that the carnival was ending.
<p>
“Yes. He’s over there,” she replied, motioning towards the other end of the park. “I’ll go get him.”
<p>
As Lorna hurried off, Lawrence turned back to Jolene. “It looked like you and Lorna were enjoying yourselves. Thank you for spending time with her.”
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<p>
“It’s my pleasure,” she said sincerely. “I was really enjoying myself. Thanks so much for inviting me along.”
<p>
When Lawrence just nodded and seemed content to let the conversation drop, Jolene searched for something to say. “This was a really nice event and a good turnout. I was surprised. Your neighborhood does this carnival every year?”
<p>
“Yes, for several years now. My late-“ he always seemed to struggle for a moment to choke out the word. “wife, Eileen, organized it originally as a charity fundraiser. Our friends in the community have worked to continue the tradition in her honor over the last few years. She would have been proud of the turnout today,” he said, his voice growing wistful. He gazed around the scene surrounding him. “This was always her favorite time of year.”
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<p>
Jolene’s heart went out to him. Seeing him so sad and so vulnerable made her want to comfort him, but she didn’t know how. She wished she could say something to bring back the happy light-hearted mood she felt a moment ago, but she was at a loss.
<p>
“She must have been a wonderful person. Everyone I’ve met seems to think so highly of her still.”
<p>
“Yes,” he said simply.
<p>
Jolene stubbornly twisted her mouth into a grimace. Just like that the wall had gone back up and there was no scaling it. He was impenetrable, but somehow she found herself intrigued by the challenge. She wasn’t sure why she suddenly found herself so desperate to reach out to him and break him out of his funk. When Lorna returned, her pink teddy bear in her arms, followed by Lance trailing behind, as sullen as his father, she thought she knew just the thing.
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<p>
“I can tell that from your children as well,” she added with a smile. "They're great kids."
<p>
“Well, thank you,” Lawrence replied. The dark cloud that had passed over him seemed to lighten in his children’s presence and when the topic of conversation was steered away from that of his late wife. He turned to Lance and Lorna. “It's time to go home now. Say goodnight to Miss Jolene.”
<p>
Lorna threw her arms around Jolene in a warm bear hug and thanked her for the afternoon, while Lance begrudgingly muttered a dutiful farewell.
<p>
“Are you sure you don’t need me to help get the children to bed?” she asked. “I really don’t mind.”
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<p>
“No, you’ve done enough. We’ve probably kept you too long already. I'm sure you have your own life to get back too. Have a good night, Miss Parker.”
<p>
“Good night, Mr. Arrendale.”
<p>
Jolene stood watching after the trio as they walked away. She bit her lip nervously and chided herself. What was she doing? What was she feeling? She wasn’t supposed to get involved this way and yet she was finding herself not wanting to back away. She sighed, shook her head at herself, and reminded herself to get it together.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-88661312408928404122015-10-19T14:35:00.000-04:002017-07-01T15:48:49.374-04:00Episode 25 - The Carnival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskP9JuJVA-poWaZF2gYaTBAOBpz2USThL-_O-5151tAiXHDR6AF0y2BQgTNuR-Nhl7jzfB2lFWc8XUUcC_0t_p4w90ZzRDPgKV3qwbmkGHxzC04pi1dUmxKfJfmlu4cBEXEd6foY4AXoY/s1600/496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskP9JuJVA-poWaZF2gYaTBAOBpz2USThL-_O-5151tAiXHDR6AF0y2BQgTNuR-Nhl7jzfB2lFWc8XUUcC_0t_p4w90ZzRDPgKV3qwbmkGHxzC04pi1dUmxKfJfmlu4cBEXEd6foY4AXoY/s1600/496.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"I want all of you to be ready to go by the time your dad gets home," Jolene called up the stairs at her charges. "That means you have about ten minutes."
<P/>
<i>Ten minutes,</i> she thought to herself as she quietly slipped into Lawrence's home office and closed the door behind her. She probably didn't even have that long, but she'd have to do what she could.
<P/>
"Your husband has to have <i>something</i> in here, right?" she said to Eileen's portrait on Lawrence's desk as she opened the top drawer of the cabinet he used to store his important documents.
<br />
<a name='more'></a>
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQMiF6y_sYmPZDl7IsdPAMSEhIzxUdiujrix08v32TcF1Vys-bm_HQPs0tLFz9upwV7f5sKT09prypk0ivsDGIIb6fkjaU9uNzGEwzmU85_b-srd17CC1UdBYkGKVqi1oWOOqU3YamP8b/s1600/497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQMiF6y_sYmPZDl7IsdPAMSEhIzxUdiujrix08v32TcF1Vys-bm_HQPs0tLFz9upwV7f5sKT09prypk0ivsDGIIb6fkjaU9uNzGEwzmU85_b-srd17CC1UdBYkGKVqi1oWOOqU3YamP8b/s1600/497.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
Quickly, she began sifting through the papers. She knew there had to be something here. Whether or not what she found would prove useful, was less certain.
<P/>
She quickly skimmed past financial documents and household papers without interest. It wasn't until she reached the back of the drawer that something caught her eye. This might be it. Before she could pull the file folder out of the drawer to get a proper look at it, she heard someone in the doorway.
<P/>
"What are you doing in here?"
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmHwka7vyUKWfJFaH7FdTFpdYrm39MEVYUjuLfDE3WFXjfreqB89uTEa3CPoDIF57kCBIdoH7p9AwrPJn9u1yjwUEYq7hJreehA4870s_ji_oG_fRc-UaobgFQudGHTpWa6HO3T0gRguM/s1600/498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmHwka7vyUKWfJFaH7FdTFpdYrm39MEVYUjuLfDE3WFXjfreqB89uTEa3CPoDIF57kCBIdoH7p9AwrPJn9u1yjwUEYq7hJreehA4870s_ji_oG_fRc-UaobgFQudGHTpWa6HO3T0gRguM/s1600/498.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
Jolene jumped back, slamming the drawer shut as she spun around. She started at her young charge, who glared at her with arms crossed, as she took a moment to catch her breath.
<P/>
"I- I was just putting away some things for your father. What are you doing down here? Are you ready to go to the carnival when your dad gets home?"
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kEkFViWEYlzAkegTpCCBmYhJhx5ZDGhhANDdSEoB52fGtBV84qsz-3HsG-j7HscsHeKpaPAA6RUbvpxXc-Swm9M0la1cij34fR42Y5BeN9ERIKDI2LTmZ5Kbph6LjV2BSIrcEtjRBfCL/s1600/499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kEkFViWEYlzAkegTpCCBmYhJhx5ZDGhhANDdSEoB52fGtBV84qsz-3HsG-j7HscsHeKpaPAA6RUbvpxXc-Swm9M0la1cij34fR42Y5BeN9ERIKDI2LTmZ5Kbph6LjV2BSIrcEtjRBfCL/s1600/499.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
Lance continued to glare at her. He wasn't going to back down and he wasn't going to be distracted so easily.
<P/>
"Are you supposed to be in my dad's office?"
<P/>
"That's not for you to worry about," she said firmly. "What you need to concern yourself with is that <i>you</i> are definitely not supposed to be in your dad's office. Now, move it, before your dad gets home and we both have to explain what we're doing in here."
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiR_KRuIJBfLh5fUguDraN8OGRS025ED9dwhyIU4z3WCwyiBmob0HwHtg6jymLks5zfZpqS3LqayWS7C5Ttj4uDTy5JC-deVG6ajDkDwyuQPwCksyVHdJAPNt7vsU5TSjYIUpFQsqtBdV/s1600/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiR_KRuIJBfLh5fUguDraN8OGRS025ED9dwhyIU4z3WCwyiBmob0HwHtg6jymLks5zfZpqS3LqayWS7C5Ttj4uDTy5JC-deVG6ajDkDwyuQPwCksyVHdJAPNt7vsU5TSjYIUpFQsqtBdV/s1600/500.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
Jolene was relieved that Lance let her usher him out of the office without any further argument, even though he did so reluctantly. She didn't trust the stubborn expression that remained on his face though. She really hoped he would keep his mouth shut to his father about what he had seen.
<P/>
She shut the office door behind them just as Artie and Lorna came bounding down the steps.
<P/>
"We're ready to go!" Lorna sang out. "Is Daddy home yet?"
<P/>
"Not yet-" Jolene started to reply just as the front door began to open. "Oh, I guess he is. Right on time."
<P/>
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</P>
"Looks like everyone is ready and waiting on me," Lawrence said with a smile as he entered the foyer.
<P/>
"Not waiting, Dad," Artie clarified. "We just finished getting ready ourselves."
<P/>
"Well then, if everyone is ready, let's head out."
<P/>
Jolene stole a sideways look at Lance, wondering if he was going to say anything about the office, but he seemed to have forgotten the incident in favor of excitement over the carnival. His usual scowl was replaced by a rare smile as he started toward the door.
<P/>
"Have a good time!" Jolene called out to the family.
<P/>
"Aren't you going, Miss Jolene?" Lorna asked, sounding disappointed.
<P/>
"I wasn't planning on it."
<P/>
"You should come with us," Artie said encouragingly. "It's going to be a lot of fun."
<P/>
"Oh please, please say you will," Lorna pleaded.
<P/>
Jolene smiled apologetically at the pair. She hated to let them down, but when she looked Lance's way she saw the scowl was back. Finally, she turned to Lawrence with a shrug. "I don't want to intrude. It seems more like a family outing."
<P/>
"You wouldn't be intruding at all," Artie spoke up, before turning to appeal to his father. "Would she, Dad? The whole neighborhood is going to be there."
<P/>
"You're welcome to come with us," Lawrence said. His tone and expression more neutral than any of his children's. "It's an open event for everyone."
<P/>
Jolene hesitated a moment, weighing the pros and cons, but it was Lorna's pleading eyes and tugging hands that ultimately won her over. "Thanks. I'd be glad to. Just let me grab my purse."
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7rpaFbwUZkNnIUqcHjT5LPzlZlC5xyaujgEsnOxBXYMpoRuA6JJCGycuedtXCr4bZmaM5eY2YyfbpkGDSjbHaZZJAfA8MIAQwoYZxAXwzf7RD7xtUTipfsnHLrmcaoHshM-0ziQD1l1E/s1600/502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7rpaFbwUZkNnIUqcHjT5LPzlZlC5xyaujgEsnOxBXYMpoRuA6JJCGycuedtXCr4bZmaM5eY2YyfbpkGDSjbHaZZJAfA8MIAQwoYZxAXwzf7RD7xtUTipfsnHLrmcaoHshM-0ziQD1l1E/s1600/502.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
Cassie sighed heavily as the group met on the sidewalk in front of their house to walk to the carnival together. She wondered if this was how every event was going to be from now on. Instead of outings with just her own little family of four, were they now always going to be an extended family of seven? She greeted Reese and her family politely and with a smile on her face, but she still wasn't sure how she felt about this.
<P/>
She walked quickly, a little bit ahead of the group, keeping pace with Doug, who was eager to get to the carnival as soon as possible and not miss a second of it. When she glanced back to see how well the others were keeping up, she saw Blaine not far behind her, chatting with Natalie on his right, while Brooke possessively gripped his left hand. Brooke didn't even try to put on a happy face, as she tried to catch her father's attention away from Natalie as much as she could. Cassie was surprised Blaine wasn't dizzy from turning his head back and forth as he tried to split his attention between his two daughters. Reese and Simon brought up the rear, walking at a more leisurely pace as they held hands. The sight brought a genuine smile to Cassandra's face as she turned forward again. She didn't know why she let her insecurities get the better of her. This had nothing to do with Reese. It was about Blaine and his daughter. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuObDDFvp8mi-UYeeCsCcVaI6KNf8BjPXocUYzF0Mm77MbRSXdPgl3hRUFE467GUMQhEHhl5aiO3x-U5Hk8AIUjYd-nDE8X455AzK18sYrr-kY0DQaj6iQAwNC5fQ-CbLexAqctEK77F3/s1600/503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuObDDFvp8mi-UYeeCsCcVaI6KNf8BjPXocUYzF0Mm77MbRSXdPgl3hRUFE467GUMQhEHhl5aiO3x-U5Hk8AIUjYd-nDE8X455AzK18sYrr-kY0DQaj6iQAwNC5fQ-CbLexAqctEK77F3/s1600/503.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"Oh, wow! Check it out!" Doug exclaimed, his eyes growing wide as they approached the park and the carnival came into sight. The park had been transformed. The simple, open natural area had been temporarily filled with booths strung up with lights where games could be played and food sold while the spaces in between had been decorated with bales of straw, pumpkins, and scarecrows to mark the season.
<P/>
"What should we do first, Mom?" Doug asked, bright eyed with excitement. His enthusiasm was contagious.
<P/>
Cassie smiled happily at her son. "Whatever you want."
<P/>
Cassie glanced back at the others. Reese and Simon had wandered off to explore the sights on their own, while Blaine was occupied with the girls. Seeing that everyone else was content, Cassie started off with Doug to check out the games.
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpREVlFBShRo3_x1owIGB77Y1S8qKTNqInBvgLOcX4ABbl4Sxr1Pgf-J7-xy4nKxEEh5h2XeRwHwqHh1cqI_WrD7s3ez357zKYYavYkIsVLsWM58cthoEijL8oiDb0eeFiVFWBRKZ9qmF-/s1600/504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpREVlFBShRo3_x1owIGB77Y1S8qKTNqInBvgLOcX4ABbl4Sxr1Pgf-J7-xy4nKxEEh5h2XeRwHwqHh1cqI_WrD7s3ez357zKYYavYkIsVLsWM58cthoEijL8oiDb0eeFiVFWBRKZ9qmF-/s1600/504.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"Do you mind if I go say hello to my friends?" Natalie asked Blaine, hesitantly. She didn't want to be rude, considering he had invited her to join them on this outing.
<P/>
"No, not at all," Blaine replied with an kind smile that put her conscience at ease.
<P/>
"If you're sure you don't mind . . ."
<P/>
"Oh, he doesn't," Brooke spoke up as she tugged on her father's hand. "Come on, Dad. Let's see what games there are."
<P/>
"Okay, sweetheart," he said to Brooke before turning back to Natalie. "Have fun!"
<P/>
"I will and I'll catch up with you later," Natalie promised.
<P/>
Natalie started over to Maura who was in what looked like a very animated conversation with Meghan as Judith and Vince stood by. Before she reached the group, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_3rTlHau7h0czR_mpp54CfrWlvJa-CVttaXiPpVvONPAq5q6D62MMheY4RIl7dTXQgloJtcAgTAmSjihLV09L5qYUpEiXTe-MSECDa0sDqX8rbdDSI4FJ7K970eEozv5uuoY7wVb_huq/s1600/505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_3rTlHau7h0czR_mpp54CfrWlvJa-CVttaXiPpVvONPAq5q6D62MMheY4RIl7dTXQgloJtcAgTAmSjihLV09L5qYUpEiXTe-MSECDa0sDqX8rbdDSI4FJ7K970eEozv5uuoY7wVb_huq/s1600/505.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
She was surprised to see Jeremy grinning at her once she spun around.
<P/>
"Oh, hi!"
<P/>
"Enjoying the carnival?" he asked.
<P/>
"I hope to. I just got here," she replied with a shrug. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnRDerLpxDrbw5B0aW8qlOb_FIiMXlJE4aYdKLTr4Cccp1d1yofv3Uikx-4lR_6kHizOlC6gcidddmHGY84FxIwA7-nfzuOyGgAJXGUCadNVnmLSlEKDrUCMlQzlrq66rDzym1z4eDI7w/s1600/506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnRDerLpxDrbw5B0aW8qlOb_FIiMXlJE4aYdKLTr4Cccp1d1yofv3Uikx-4lR_6kHizOlC6gcidddmHGY84FxIwA7-nfzuOyGgAJXGUCadNVnmLSlEKDrUCMlQzlrq66rDzym1z4eDI7w/s1600/506.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"Yeah, but I think it's geared more towards the younger kids though. I was walking around with my little sister, Jackie, and she was going nuts," he laughed. "The games are kind of fun though. Want to check them out?"
<P/>
"Hey, Jeremy," Vince called out as he walked over to the pair. He had been watching them since Natalie's arrival, just waiting for an opening to butt in. "Have you played 'Hit the Target' yet?"
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFujfvXW-WWVrUS1fuOibKM1qYN5Ce95QIs5_nv6bUoNlvZd4yET5_B8m7MwI2U2N_kNKZpUHY3gzvYpGMZ2W2bFU3njdnB28U-M4sLmDsx40OeLhigOliMa8XwXSb5CTOz7xTh26wGL/s1600/507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXFujfvXW-WWVrUS1fuOibKM1qYN5Ce95QIs5_nv6bUoNlvZd4yET5_B8m7MwI2U2N_kNKZpUHY3gzvYpGMZ2W2bFU3njdnB28U-M4sLmDsx40OeLhigOliMa8XwXSb5CTOz7xTh26wGL/s1600/507.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"Uh, no," Jeremy answered, a bit taken aback by the interruption. "I haven't tried that one yet."
<P/>
"Oh man, if you're looking for a game that's not for little kids that's the the one you need to try. I'm pretty good at it, but . . ." he trailed off as he looked Jeremy up and down doubtfully. "It takes a lot to strength and skill. It might not be for everyone."
<P/>
Jeremy eyed Vince coolly. He knew a challenge when he heard one. He glanced at Natalie without fully taking his eyes off Vince, "Are you interested in Vince's game?"
<P/>
Natalie wasn't sure how to answer that. She looked back and forth between the two boys trying to gauge their intentions, but she found them both hard to read. Vince was grinning eagerly and Jeremy maintained an expression that was completely neutral. "Seems as good a place as any to start as any," she said uncertainly.
<P/>
"Then let's go," Vince said, leading the way.
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIaRd3AiS5Ry67DDw82ceGKDbyFaYcJR53dKhltsMd-ebkBSVr21M6BkyOdNiJFuuCYlU1hL6XD_Wijy5WUzU0b4XdgrzbjZpDMmpb_5o2w1oKNIWSjXJXJtteAH1T_PnhNPkbGjtqA7e/s1600/508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIaRd3AiS5Ry67DDw82ceGKDbyFaYcJR53dKhltsMd-ebkBSVr21M6BkyOdNiJFuuCYlU1hL6XD_Wijy5WUzU0b4XdgrzbjZpDMmpb_5o2w1oKNIWSjXJXJtteAH1T_PnhNPkbGjtqA7e/s1600/508.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"So, the big concert is tonight. I bet you're excited," Meghan said, winking at Maura.
<P/>
"I can't wait!" Maura replied, giddily.
<P/>
"So?" she said, dragging out the word in a sing song fashion. "What's your plan?"
<P/>
"Well, the date for Judith didn't work out, so Vince is coming with us instead. Jeremy's still in. The four of us are going there together after the carnival."
<P/>
"And?"
<P/>
"And what?
<P/>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqVnAUHI-B8Mc-MoRCw2PQrRxve_NOotcD2DhekNiuCbdkmeGSVRd3j-AD0YvfmSteKlicVHHIV3aTaqooBVSasEapg5jhetSZJUNWFj0DUyEDJ_mfcDOu01O0MQYi-_E-vQ2PtQdpJLj/s1600/509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqVnAUHI-B8Mc-MoRCw2PQrRxve_NOotcD2DhekNiuCbdkmeGSVRd3j-AD0YvfmSteKlicVHHIV3aTaqooBVSasEapg5jhetSZJUNWFj0DUyEDJ_mfcDOu01O0MQYi-_E-vQ2PtQdpJLj/s1600/509.jpg" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="450" /></a></div>
</P>
"What's your big plan for once you get there?" Meghan asked. When her question was met with a confused expression, she rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe she had to spell it out. She lowered her voice in case one of the boys were close enough to hear. "How are you going to get him see this outing as a date with you and not just a favor to his little sister and her friend?"
<P/>
"How?" Maura sputtered and then shrugged. "I just thought I'd let things progress naturally."
<P/>
"There's nothing natural about this situation," Meghan smirked. "But, if that's the way you want to go. I just assumed with all of the planning you've done so far, you'd have the entire evening planned down to every detail."
<P/>
"Well, I've imagined how I'd like it to go," Maura said dreamily. "In that way I've planned every detail."
<P/>
Meghan seemed unconvinced. "Well, good luck."
<P/>
"Thanks," Maura replied chipperly. Her interest was already starting to stray elsewhere as cheers and shouts from the competition between Vince and Jeremy caught her attention. "Good luck to you too," she said as she started to wander over to watch the game.
<P/>
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</P>
"Hi, Natalie," Maura greeted her friend, before turning towards Jeremy. "What's going on?"
<P/>
"He's getting beat," Vince called out as Jeremy stomped forward to collect the plastic axe that had completely missed the target and fell to the ground.
<P/>
"Not yet, I'm not," Jeremy insisted. "I'm just warming up."
<P/>
"Better warm up quick. This is your last throw for this round."
<P/>
"Step aside," Jeremy said with a smirk as he grabbed he axe handle, stood back behind the line and prepared to throw again.
<P/>
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</P>
"This is so exciting," Maura gushed.
<P/>
Natalie nodded noncommittally and said nothing.
<P/>
When Jeremy threw the axe again this time it hit the target with a satisfying thud.
<P/>
Maura clapped and cheered enthusiastically. "Oh, Jeremy. That was so good!"
<P/>
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</P>
"Better," Vince grinned. "But I still win this round."
<P/>
"Best two out of three?"
<P/>
"You're on."
<P/>
"You can do it, Jeremy," Maura said, as she came up to him patted his arm encouragingly.
<P/>
He turned to see what Natalie's reaction was, but she had already lost interest in the contest and was starting to wander off to check out the other sights.
<P/>
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<P>Meanwhile, Cassie was taking a break from the carnival games to chat with Chloe.
<P>"I saw that your family and Reese's walked over together," Chloe remarked as she nodded towards where Blaine and the children were playing a game while Reese and Simon watched. "I guess that means you're one big, happy family now?"
<P>Cassie grimaced slightly before putting on a brave face. "Apparently so."
<P>"How are you holding up?"
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<P>"Fine." When Chloe gave her a pointed look, Cassie added emphatically, "Really. I mean it. This isn't about me or me and Blaine or Blaine and Reese. It's about Blaine and his kids and I'm not going to let myself think anything otherwise."
<P>"Good. I'm glad to hear it," Chloe said sincerely. As she squeezed Cassie's arm as a show of support, she caught a glimpse of Lucy across the yard. She smiled and waved her over.
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<P>"How did I miss you earlier?" Chloe asked once Lucy had joined them. "I saw your kids."
<P>"I just got here. I had to work late, so I told the kids to come over without me. I just stopped by the house to change and came straight over."
<P>"One of the benefits to having teenagers," Cassie remarked.
<P>"One of the <I>few</I> benefits," Lucy corrected her with a wry smile. "You did see both Vince and Maura earlier, right?"
<P>"Yes, they were playing games with some of the other neighborhood kids. It looked like they were having a good time," Chloe answered.
<P>"Good," Lucy asked, breathing a sigh of relief.
<P>Chloe picked up on her best friends' concern. "How has Vince been doing lately?"
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<P>"Oh, so much better," Lucy replied emphatically. She looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. He's making a serious effort at school. He's seemed to have cut himself off from those bad news friends of his completely. He's really turning things around and I'm really proud of him."
<P>"Oh, that's great!" Chloe seemed nearly as relieved and proud as Lucy. "I've always known he was a good kid at heart. Maybe he was just a little lost."
<P>"He was . . ." Lucy said with a frown as she thought back to the way things were just a few months ago and her mind drifted even farther into the past. "I wonder if I should have done things differently for him."
<P>"What could you have done differently?" Chloe asked. "You have always been an excellent mom."
<P>"Well, thank you," Lucy replied, half-heartedly accepting the praise. But she couldn't stop her mind from going back, recalling her failed relationships, her struggles to balance career and single parenthood, desperately wishing for an easy answer, one thing that she could go back in change. She knew the one thing she could change if she could, but she wasn't sure it would have made any difference to Vince. "I don't know . . . sometimes I wonder if things would have been better if I hadn't gone it alone all of these years."
<P>"I doubt it. Sometimes kids are just going to go their own way, regardless," Chloe said with a dismissive wave of her hand. She stared pointedly at Lucy. Being friends for so long, she could read Lucy like a book and it wasn't hard for her to read between the lines. "Are you sure it's not just you that is lonely?"
<P>Lucy shrugged and said nothing.
<P>"When is the last time you really dated?"
<P>"Too long. Who has the time? Besides bringing someone new into my life now could only make things more complicated and more complications are the last thing I need in my life right now."
<P>"I think you're wrong," Chloe persisted. "I think you want somebody."
<P>Lucy just sighed impatiently. She did want somebody, but not just anybody.
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<P>"Even Lawrence is here with somebody," she said, nodding to Lawrence and Jolene as they walked and browsed the booths together.
<P>"Oh, that's just the kids' nanny," Cassie said, immediately dismissive of the idea that they were <i>together</i>.
<P>"They're looking a little cozy to me," Chloe muttered as she followed the couple's movements with her eyes.
<P>"It's not that I'm opposed to the idea. I'm open to dating. I am," Lucy insisted. "But I'm not going to make it a priority to find a man. If it happens, it happens. If I'm fated to be alone, then so be it."
<P>At the word "fated," Cassie's ears perked up. "Let me see your hand."
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<P>Lucy looked confused, but she held her hand out to Cassie.
<P>Cassie took Lucy's hand and turned it palm up. She leaned in closely and examined the lines closely. She didn't look up or flinch when Lucy scoffed. Instead she remained focused, only murmuring an interested, "Hmmm."
<P>"What?" Chloe asked eagerly as she leaned in to try to see what Cassie saw.
<P>"You definitely are not fated to be alone," Cassie said releasing Lucy's hand. "I'd say you have another marriage or least a serious relationship ahead of you. But there's something more interesting than that. . ."
<P>"What?" Chloe asked eagerly while Lucy tried very hard not to roll her eyes.
<P>"I think you have a great love from the past that isn't finished yet."
<P>Despite her skepticism, Lucy was taken aback. Her heart was racing, but she tried not to let her reaction show. "I don't really believe in fortune telling, but thanks all the same."
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<P>"Fortune telling?" Maura repeated, rushing up to the women, with Meghan, Judith, and Natalie following behind. "Are you telling fortunes, Mrs. Kitteridge?"
<P>"I wasn't really-" Cassie replied, hesitantly.
<P>"Oh, please. Do mine," Maura said, eagerly pressing her hand forward.
<P>"Then mine, next," Meghan spoke up.
<P>Cassie looked from the girls to Lucy and shrugged.
<P>"Just remember, it's only for fun. Don't take it too seriously," Lucy told her daughter.
<P>"Yes, it's just for fun," Cassie reiterated. Permission granted, Cassie took Maura's hand and examined it. "What do you want to know about?"
<P>"Well," Maura said hesitantly, a blush creeping across her cheeks.
<P>"She wants to know about her love life," Judith chipped in with a roll of her eyes and arms crossed firmly across her chest.
<P>"We all do," Meghan added.
<P>"Speak for yourself," Judith scoffed. Meghan and Maura ignored her, but Natalie grinned.
<P>"Well, it looks like you have a very strong heart line," Cassie said, tracing her hand across Maura's palm as the girls leaned in for a closer look. "You love others freely and fall in love easily, but you also love deeply, with all your heart which can lead to heartbreak. You have a lot of love to give and you aren't afraid to express what you feel."
<P>Maura beamed excitedly. "Can you tell who I'll get married to and how many kids we'll have?"
<P>"Not who, palm reading isn't quite that specific," Cassie explained as she studied the lines. She was determined to choose her words carefully and keep her readings positive no matter what she saw. Girls like Maura especially, could be impressionable, and there was no need to make any drastic statements. This was just for light-hearted fun. "I see a significant relationship for you, fairly early on, while you're still young and I see, oh, lots of children in your future."
<P>Maura's eyes grew large. "Lots, like how many?"
<P>"It's hard to count exactly and the lines are rather faint. The lines might not indicate only biological children. Maybe you'll grow up to be a teacher and have lots of children in your life through your profession that will be as dear to you as if they were your own or maybe you'll be really involved with your kids' social activities or be like a mother figure to their friends."
<P>Maura beamed, pleased with that answer, but before she could ask another question Meghan pushed her way in. "Okay, now me."
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<P>"Oh, I see you'll have a couple of really significant romantic relationships in your life. These relationships will also start in the early part of your life, but both will continue into later life. There will be some difficult times, but eventually everything will stabilize and turn out all right in the end."
<P>"Now you, Judith," Maura insisted as she pressed her reluctant friend forward.
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<P>"Not surprisingly, your heart line indicates a very cool head when it comes to relationships," Cassie said as she studied Judith's palm. "You do not have a high interest in romance. You rarely get carried away with emotions and you prefer to let logic and common sense rule over your heart. You'll be very content though and have a lot of stability in your relationships."
<P>"Okay, Natalie," Maura called back.
<P>"If I had to do it, you do to," Judith whispered to her as they passed each other.
<P>Natalie managed a nervous smile as she walked forward and offered her new stepmother her hand.
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<P>As Cassie leaned forward to look at Natalie's palm a wave of nausea washed over her. She couldn't focus on the hand in front of her, instead everything went dark and she felt like she was falling into a deep, dark pit. She dropped Natalie's hand and brought her own hand up to the bridge of her nose as she tried to settle the sinking feeling that came over her and tried to find the air to breathe. She heard her friends' voices calling her name and asking if she was alright, but they seemed so far away and at that moment and she didn't have the strength or the awareness to answer back. She could barely stand upright. All she wanted to do was curl up into a ball on the ground and cry. Suddenly bright light flashed before her eyes, orange and flickering. Searing heat engulfed her body and she wasn't sure she could bear the pain. Just as quickly as the experience had started, it ended. She gasped and the world returned before her eyes. She felt unusually aware of her surroundings, the sunlight beaming down on the park, the shadows of the trees above swaying gently with the slight breeze, the voices and movement of the other people around her. She looked straight ahead into Natalie's dark eyes, wide with shock and fear. Her friends stood close by her side. Maura with her arms around her shoulders.
<P>"Cassie, are you alright? What happened? What did you see?"
<P>"I-" she wanted to answer, but she didn't know how. But she had to say something, for Natalie's sake, if for no one else's. "I didn't see anything. I'm sorry. I must be coming down with something. I just suddenly felt faint."
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<P>"Let's find a quiet place for you to sit down. We'll get you some water," Chloe suggested, stepping forward to take her arm.
<P>Cassie shook her head. "I think I'd rather go home and lay down."
<P>"Are you sure? Maybe you should rest a little bit before you try to walk back to the house."
<P>"I'll be alright now," Cassie insisted. She met Natalie's eyes again. "I'm just not feeling well. We'll try this again another time. When I'm feeling better, I can do a reading like I did for the other girls. It will be fine." She tried to muster a smile, but she felt like all of her efforts were failing. She was feeling too shaken herself to reassure anyone else at that moment. "Tell Blaine I went home, but I'll be fine."
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<P>Cassie walked away in a daze, leaving the others behind her in a stunned silence. It took all of the effort she could muster to hold herself together. Once she was alone at the edge of the park, her strong facade started to break and she let her emotions give way. She had been trying to ignore the unsettling feelings that had been nagging her for months, but now she couldn't deny them any longer. Something terrible was going to happen to someone and soon.
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-87067849102906335302014-09-15T17:31:00.000-04:002017-07-11T22:31:14.003-04:00Episode 24 - Schemes<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/49611.jpg">
<P>Alma set at the desk in her husband's den with a stack of half graded papers in front of her. She was finding herself too distracted to get much work done. Her mind kept going back to lunch last week with Mr. Clark, Mason. They had such a great conversation about books and plans for the school play. It wasn't hard to see why most of the women at the school found him attractive. He had a smile that kept finding its way back into her thoughts.
<P>She felt so honored that he valued her opinion enough to ask her to help him choose a play for the drama club to perform this semester. Her mind was swimming with possible choices. She didn't want to let him down.
<P>She tried to shake the distractions out of her mind and focus on the work in front of her, but before she could get back to work, she heard a crash in the next room, followed by the shouts of her children and the voice of her husband.
<P>"The two of you are getting too rowdy in here. Your mother is trying to do her work. You both need to go outside and play or find something quiet to do so that you don't disturb her. She's done so much for all of us over the years, the least we can do is help her be able to do what she wants to do."
<P>Alma heard the door shut and then the house was suddenly silent.
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<P>A moment later the office door opened and Ed was standing in the doorway, looking over her as she worked.
<P>"You've been working very hard at this new job," he remarked.
<P>"There's a lot to do and I want to do it well."
<P>He cleared his throat. "I didn't realize how much work it would take to substitute teach. I honestly wasn't expecting all the hours after work and on weekends you would be spending on this. I thought this job would be just something for you to do while the kids were at school. It's much more than that, isn't it?"
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<P>"Yes, it is more than that," she responded more sharply than she meant to.
<P>"I just hope you haven't taken on too much."
<P>"Well, I am doing a little bit extra at the school," she admitted. "But it's nothing that I can't manage. It's not as if I'm a doctor and on call. I only have to be away when the children are and the grading and prep work I can do from home, so I'll be here when they are. Besides, I'll have the summer and vacations off."
<P>Edward just nodded. "Yes, I know you can manage. It's taking some adjustments for all of us, but we'll make it work." As he left the room, Edward could only think about how this wasn't how he expected his retirement years to be.
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<P>"What about Kevin? He's nice," Maura said as she was Judith lounged on the couch in the Stuarts' living room.
<P>"No," Judith said.
<P>"Oh! Alex, then. He's really cute."
<P>"No," Judith sighed. "Just forget it. This double date idea just isn't going to work out, okay? Just give it up."
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<P>"No, it's a great idea," Maura insisted. "I think we can still make it work, we just have to find the right foursome."
<P>"Then you can start by counting me out. I've changed my mind. I don't want to double date."
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<P>Maura flopped back on the couch in defeat. "But I was so close. Jeremy was actually going to go along and everything . . . I guess just the three of us could go."
<P>Judith frowned. "I don't want to be a third wheel tagging along while you're trying to get my brother to notice you."
<P>Maura rolled her eyes. Her friend wasn't making this easy. There had to be a way to still make this work. Just then the solution to her problem appeared before her eyes.
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<P>Maura jumped up. "Vince!"
<P>Vince, who had happened to be walking through the room at that moment, stopped in place when he heard his sister suddenly shout his name.
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<P>"Hey, do you want to come to the concert with us?"
<P>"What? Why?" he asked skeptically. Her unexpected question had taken him aback.
<P>"We're trying to get a group together so Judith's parents will let her go," Maura said, contriving her story on the spot. "We think they'll let her go if Jeremy will go too. Jeremy said he would go when David was going to go, but now that David's out, Jeremy might change his mind, but maybe he'll still go if you would go too, so he wouldn't be the only guy. And if it's you that goes with us then it would just be us with our older brothers to look after us and the Wiltons won't worry."
<P>As Maura paused to take a breath, Vince took a second to take in her rapid rush of words.
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<P>"You're getting a group together?" he asked thoughtfully. "Who else is going? Some of your other friends?"
<P>"I don't know, maybe. I hadn't thought to ask them. I guess I did mention it in front of Natalie, but we didn't make any plans either way . . . So what do you say? Will you go with us? Please?"
<P>Vince pursed his lips and thought it over as Maura anxiously awaited his answer. If there was a chance that Natalie might go, it could be worth going along and if there was a chance that both Natalie and Jeremy were going, he definitely wanted to be there too. Plus, when his little sister turned on the puppy dog eyes, it was hard to say to no to her, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy making her sweat a little before he gave her his answer.
<P>He hesitated as she stared at him pleadingly, and then gave in. "Alright, I'll go, but you owe me one."
<P>"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she gushed, jumping up and down and giving her brother a hug. She knew he wouldn't let her down. Then she turned to Judith and smiled.
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<P>Meghan stood at the doorway, looking out as Julian and his friends hung out on the patio, talking and laughing. She was staying out of their way as she promised Shayna she would. She knew Shayna had ordered her away because Julian had said something and she knew the only reason Julian had said anything was because of Melanie and Sara, especially Melanie.
<P>Even from inside, Meghan could see Melanie was flirting hard with Julian. He didn't seem overly interested in her, but she was constantly touching him, leaning towards him, practically hanging off of him. She couldn't be more obvious.
<P>Meghan smiled deviously to herself. She knew exactly what to do to get back at the girl for banning her from their lunch table and sabotaging her chance at being on the freshman cheerleading squad.
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<P>When the doorbell rang, Meghan ran to answer it. As she had expected, Jasmyn was at the door. When she had taken her up on the offer of joining the dance team, Jasmyn offered to come over and get her caught up on the new routines.
<P>"Ready to do this?" Jasmyn asked.
<P>"Oh, I'm ready. Let's go out back to the patio. I've got my stereo out there and there's lots of room for us to move."
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<P>Meghan grinned to herself as she led the way. She promised she'd leave Julian and his friends alone, but there was no reason she had to let them have the backyard all to themselves, if she was leaving them alone and minding her own business.
<P>When she opened the patio door and stepped outside, the laughter and chatter of Julian and his friends stopped abruptly. Meghan could feel the dirty looks of Melanie and Sara on her, but she walked away from them and over to an unoccupied part of the patio without giving them a second look.
<P>"So, what's first?" she said to Jasmyn.
<P>"We'll start with something simple. Follow my lead."
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<P>As Meghan focused on following Jasmyn's instructions, the others went back to their conversations. At least the girls did. Even though she was focused on Jasmyn's instructions and dance steps, when she glanced over she noticed that Melanie and Sara were off to the side by themselves looking bored and annoyed,
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<P>while the guys seemed to be more interested in watching her and Jasmyn's every move. Meghan was too pleased with herself. She couldn't hide the smirk that was creeping across her lips.
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<P>Melanie and Sara were not going to put up with being ignored for long. If the boys weren't going to come to them, they would go to the boys.
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<P>A few minutes later, they had convinced the guys that lounging by the pool was getting old and the group was headed elsewhere. As they left, Meghan could see that Melanie, especially, did not look happy. Meghan, on the other hand, felt triumphant.
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<P>"Are you waiting on me?" Shayna asked as she checked her make-up in the mirror. It was flawless, as usual.
<P>"No," Andrew replied from the chair next to the bedroom window. "I'm just enjoying watching you get ready, my dear." He walked over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
<P>"Is that all?"
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<P>"And also thinking how glad I am that you suggested this night out."
<P>Shayna nodded. "We've needed this for a long time."
<P>Ever since Meghan had moved in, their lives and their household dynamic had changed considerably. Laying down a set of rules had helped. Though resistant, Meghan had been compliant. While things were starting to settle into a new order, the initial chaos had left Shayna feeling unusually out of sorts and the changes had caused some tension between herself and Andrew. A night out for just the two of them, away from the kids and away from the household would do them a world of good, she was certain. One thing did weigh on her mind though, making it hard for her to feel totally at ease.
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<P>"Do you think it's a good idea leaving Meghan and Julian on their own together?" she asked, framing her concern as carefully as possible. "We've left Julian home alone before, but not Meghan since she's been here. Maybe it would be better if she spent the evening at Alma's, especially since Julian's friends are here."
<P>"I asked her about going to Alma's, but she said she'd rather stay here. I guess Judith is at Maura's and it wouldn't be as much fun being there with just the younger kids."
<P>"Did you ask about Vanessa's. She expressed that she was looking forward to spending more time with her niece."
<P>"It's a little late for that now," Andrew replied. "I'm sure the kids will be fine. Even if he's busy with his friends, Julian will be here in case there's any trouble. I trust him totally to take care of any emergencies."
<P>Shayna nodded slowly. That they could trust Julian was no question. That there was nothing to worry about because Julian was there, was another story. She hated to say so to Andrew and especially hated to bring it up now as they were planning to go out and get away from issues with the family for the evening, but she was wary to leave her son and Andrew's daughter at home alone together. She had seen the way Meghan looked at Julian and the way she had acted when he was around and she had also seen how her son had made such a concerted effort not to notice Meghan. She didn't think anything would happen if they were left alone together, necessarily, but she felt it better if the situation was avoided as much as possible.
<P>Andrew placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
<P>She shrugged and mustered as smile. "Yes, I'm sure it will be."
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<P>As they started to leave, they ran into Julian in the hallway.
<P>"Is it alright if I go out with my friends for awhile? We'll probably go to the mall and grab a bite to eat."
<P>Shayna nodded. "That's fine. How long do you expect to be gone?"
<P>Julian shrugged. "I don't know. I'll make sure I'm home before curfew, if not sooner."
<P>"Have a good time," Shayna replied. "If plans change, call."
<P>"I will."
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<P>Shayna suddenly felt more at ease. With Meghan staying home and Julian going out, she had one less thing to worry about. Andrew, on the other hand, was starting to have second thoughts.
<P>"Maybe we should call Vanessa or Alma and see if Meghan can spend the evening with them after all. Or Lucy, if that's where her friends are."
<P>"We'll only be gone a few hours. I'm sure Meghan will be fine on her own. If anything happens, she can call us at the restaurant or she can call one of the neighbors. Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
<P>Andrew seemed uncertain, but when Meghan insisted that she'd rather stay home to practice her dance and watch a movie, he could only agree to stick with the plan.
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<P>After Shayna and Andrew left, Jasmyn also had to wrap up their practice and head home.
<P>"I have to say I'm really impressed," Jasmyn remarked. "I think you're already caught up and maybe beyond some of the newer girls in the troop. You catch on fast."
<P>"Well, I have been in dance practically since I could walk," Meghan replied. She tossed back her hair. "It's always come naturally to me."
<P>"I'm glad you decided to join us. I could tell you had talent. You'll be a great addition to out team. Miss Melanie and her cheer friends are going to be sorry they passed you over."
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<P>"I doubt it," Meghan scoffed. "They aren't sorry."
<P>"I couldn't help noticing the looks they were giving us. You're lucky looks can't kill. They guys on the other hand . . .I wonder if you didn't chose this spot to practice on purpose." When Meghan just grinned, Jasmyn laughed. "You really got to them. Melanie and Sara couldn't get the Julian and Elden away from here fast enough."
<P>Meghan laughed with her. She would show them what "just a freshman" could do. This was just the beginning.
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<P>After Jasmyn left and Meghan had the house to herself, she went inside, turned on some music, and practiced dancing, both the routines Jasmyn had shown her and those from her dance classes, until it was almost dark. Then she popped some popcorn, changed into her pajamas, and turned on a movie.
<P>It was nice to have the house to herself for once with no overprotective father fussing over her, no Shayna to criticize her choices, and nobody to try to impress.
<P>If her dad and Shayna were home, there was no way either of them would approve of her watching the Spooky Channel, even though she'd have no problem convincing her mom to let her watch whatever she wanted. Tonight the channel was playing "Cat Lady." It was just getting to the most suspenseful scene, where the lady noticed the hundreds of cats following her and she was running for the phone booth, when . . .
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<P>"What in the world are you watching?"
<P>Meghan jumped back and screamed. When she saw Julian in the doorway, she breathed a sigh of relief and waited for heart to stop racing.
<P>"It sounds like a cat fight in here," he said as he turned to the TV to watch. He smirked. "Did I startle you?"
<P>"Oh my god, Julian! I didn't hear you come in," Meghan scolded.
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<P>"I'm not surprised over all that racket," he said walked past her to the other side of the sofa. "I slipped in as quiet as a cat."
<P>She stretched her foot out to kick him as he walked past. "Not funny!" she insisted. "Sit down and watch with me."
<P>"Only if you let me turn off the lights," Julian said. "It's not right watching scary black and white movies with all the lights on . . . unless you have them on because you're too scared."
<P>Meghan accepted the challenge. "Do it."
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<P>Once the lights were down and they were settled on the couch, Meghan found herself looking at Julian more often than the movie. Finally she asked, "What are you doing home so early? I thought you'd be out with your friends later than this."
<P>"I was going to, but . . .I got a little bored with them and decided I'd rather come home."
<P>"Really?" Meghan asked, her interest piqued. "That's surprising."
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<P>He could tell she was eager for the details, but not feeling inclined to share them, he just shrugged. He didn't want to tell her that the reason he left early was because of her, that because she was all they wanted to talk about. For Melanie and Sara, it was how juvenile and pathetic she was. For Elden, it was how hot she was and wanting to know whether or not she was single. Both Melanie and Elden were pressing him for his opinion. What did he think of her? Again, he just shrugged off their questions and unsuccessfully tried to change the subject.
<P>He couldn't honestly disagree with Elden and he also didn't want to offer anything negative that might support Melanie and Sara's dislike of Meghan. Yes, she was attractive, for sure, but she was also clearly the spoiled princess type, used to turning heads and getting her own way. She was too high maintenance, too fake, as far as he was concerned, but telling Melanie he thought that wouldn't help anyone.
<P>As he was lost in thought, Julian felt something hit him in the face. He wiped his cheek and turned to Meghan who laughed. The next pieces of popcorn between her fingertips went into her mouth instead.
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<P>"You looked too serious," she explained. "You can't tell me you find this movie that worth so much intent thought.
<P>"No, I was just thinking," he said as he tried to focus on the movie again.
<P>"I think you think too much," she muttered softly.
<P>When he turned towards her again, she was sitting much closer to him than he had expected, staring at him intently with those lovely gray eyes of hers. Despite everything else, there was a sweetness to her and she really was pretty.
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<P>Before he could think beyond that thought, Julian jumped back, startled out of this thoughts by the sound of the front door.
<P>"Hello!" Andrew called out. "We're home!"
Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-84200917021971432012014-01-22T22:07:00.000-05:002017-07-11T22:14:07.191-04:00Episode 23 - Drawn Lines<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/44610.jpg">
<P>"How are you doing, Vince?" Mr. Gregory asked as he looked over Vince's shoulder to take a look at the painting he was working on. "That looks really good, so far." He paused, examining the piece further. "I think this might be a good piece for the art show. Keep it up."
<P>"Thanks," Vince muttered, but as Mr. Gregory walked away he beamed with pride.
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<P>"Okay, there's about ten minutes of class left. It's time to finish what you're doing and start cleaning up," Mr. Gregory announced as he walked back to the front of the classroom.
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<P>Judith had gathered her paintbrushes and was washing them in the sink at the back of the room when someone came up close behind her.
<P>"Hey," he said in her ear, making her jump and drop the brushes in the sink.
<P>Judith cast a quick glance over to see David standing next to her. Trying to recover her dignity she quickly snatched up the brushes and resumed washing them.
<P>"What are you shy or something?"
<P>"No," she said defensively.
<P>"It's okay. I understand, but you don't have to pretend. I heard you want to go out with me."
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<P>Judith spun around quickly to face him, her face flushed a deep red. "What? I don't-"
<P>"I get it. You want to play it cool," he said with a wink. "But I just wanted to let you know that I'm cool with it," he said smugly as his eyes scanned up and down, sizing her up.
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<P>Judith drew back uncomfortably. "I am <i>not </i>into you," she said a little more loudly than she had intended. Noticing a few nearby students, including Vince, turning their heads to see what the commotion was, Judith carefully lowered her voice. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
<P>"Your brother told me . ."
<P>"My brother?" she said confused. Then it came to her. "Maura . . . I'm going to kill them both," she muttered under her breath.
<P>"So what do you say?
<P>"What do I say to what?" she asked skeptically.
<P>"Going out?"
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<P>"Uh, no thanks," she frowned.
<P>"But?" he started confused.
<P>She turned back to the sink to gather her brushes. "There's been a mistake. I'm not interested." Before David could utter another word, she turned and walked back to her desk without giving him another look.
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<P>When the bell rang, Judith was the first student out the door. She was determined to find Maura or Jeremy and give whichever she found first a piece of her mind.
<P>She barely stepped foot in the hallway when Meghan rushed over to her. "Come with me."
<P>"I can't. I'm busy. I need to find Maura or Jeremy. Have you seen either of them?"
<P>"No, but I just heard last period that the results from the cheerleading tryouts are up. Come with me and see if I'm on the list."
<P>"Go yourself," Judith said as she began marching down the hallway.
<P>"I'm too nervous. I need moral support," Meghan insisted as she hurried after her cousin. "It will only take a minute. Please?"
<P>"Fine," Judith sighed, seeing that Meghan wasn't going to give up. "But if I see Maura or Jeremy along the way, you're on your own."
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<P>When they reached the cafeteria, Meghan pushed Judith forward. "I can't look. See if my name is there."
<P>As Judith impatiently scanned the list, Meghan couldn't take the suspense and was peering over Judith's shoulder.
<P>"You're not there," Judith stated, sounding somewhat surprised.
<P>"I'm not," Meghan said, coming to the realization herself a half a second later. She was outraged. "That can't be. There must be some mistake. I was the best one there."
<P>"You really were," Judith begrudgingly agreed.
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<P>"I agree," another voice chimed in. "But your name being absent from the list wasn't a mistake."
<P>Meghan and Judith turned to see another girl behind them. "I was hoping I'd run into you," the girl said. "I saw the tryouts and you were definitely one of the best freshmen there."
<P>"Who are you?" Meghan asked. She didn't recall the other girl being at the tryouts.
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/45510.jpg">
<P>"I'm Jasmyn. Co-captain of the spirit dance squad. I was at the gym watching the tryouts. I noticed your auditions. You have some good moves."
<P>"Thanks," Meghan replied. "I should. I've been in dance practically since I could walk . . .But what do you mean it wasn't a mistake that I didn't make cheerleader?"
<P>"I've overheard some things. Namely that Melanie and her friends have it in for you. They had already decided before the tryouts were held that they weren't going to let you on the squad. I'm not sure what you did to get on their bad side, but you're definitely on their enemy list."
<P>"Why am I not surprised?" Meghan rolled her eyes.
<P>"It's typical of them," Jasmyn agreed. "But it's their loss and maybe my gain."
<P>"What do you mean?"
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/45610.jpg">
<P>"If you're interested, there's a spot for you on the dance team. We could use someone with your talent."
<P>"Really?" Meghan asked with interest.
<P>Jasmyn nodded. "We meet in the gym after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you're interested stop by," Jasmyn said as she started to walk away.
<P>"I will," Meghan promised.
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<P>"I guess that worked out after all," Judith replied drily. She was ready to leave Meghan's drama behind and get back to her own business.
<P>"Yeah," Meghan said, but her optimism began to fade as she saw Melanie and her friends walking and laughing with Julian. The sight of them and the flirty way Melanie seemed to hang off Julian made her blood boil. She would get back at them and she was beginning to formulate a plan how. "But this isn't over yet."
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<P>At the end of the school day, Vince passed by the principal in the hallway.
<P>"How is it going, Vince?" she asked.
<P>"Good," he answered chipperly.
<P>"I have been hearing a lot of good things about you lately from your teachers. They've seen a huge improvement in both your effort and your attitude. I'm very proud of you. Keep it up," she said with a smile as she walked away.
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<P>Vince was feeling good about himself and happy with how this day was turning out when he heard another student call out his name.
<P>"Some guys outside are looking for you," the student said and walked away.
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<P>When Vince walked outside he found his friends hanging out at the bottom of the steps.
<P>"V, where've you been?" one of the boys asked. "Been making yourself scarce lately, haven't you?"
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<P>"Yeah, I know. Everyone's been on my case lately, man. I've had to keep my nose in the books."
<P>"So ditch this place for awhile. No one will miss you."
<P>"Nah, I can't. I've got to stay after. I don't think I'm going to be able to hang out for a long time. Sorry, man."
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<P>The other boy frowned. "We're still cool, right? You aren't trying to turn your back on us?"
<P>"No, I just got to focus on other things for awhile. We're still cool."
<P>He nodded slowly, but stared at Vince through narrowed eyes. "Just making sure. We'd hate to lose you, man, and I'd hate for you to forget that our business stays with us."
<P>Vince scoffed. "That wouldn't happen."
<P>"It better not. You wouldn't want that."
<P>Vince walked back into the school with an uneasy feeling. He felt like he was walking a tight line between two very different worlds. One false step could mean disaster. He had to continue playing it cool. But he was determined. He had something to prove.
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<P>"Those your friends outside?" Mr. Gregory asked Vince as they passed each other in the front hall.
<P>"Yeah," Vince replied with a noncommittal shrug.
<P>Mr. Gregory looked out at the boys as they sauntered away. "I've had friends like those before," he remarked. "Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime . . . Are you heading out or will I see you at the art club meeting?"
<P>"I'll be there," Vince promised.
<P>"Glad to hear it," Mr. Gregory said as he walked away. "I'll see you then."
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<P>When Judith finally found Maura she was in the hallway talking with Natalie.
<P>"Maura! How could you?" Judith hissed as she approached the pair. She was still outraged, but she didn't want to make another scene like she nearly had during her encounter with David.
<P>"What? What did I do?" Maura asked, caught off-guard by Judith's accusatory tone.
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/46310.jpg">
<P>"You told Jeremy about David and he told David that I liked him."
<P>"Yeah, I asked him to. How else could we get this double date planned?"
<P>"I can't believe you told! I was so mortified when he came up to me in art class today."
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<P>"He did? What did he say?" Maura asked eagerly.
<P>"He acted like a total creep," Judith answered. "It was awful. You shouldn't have said anything. He wasn't supposed to find out . . . not, like this anyway," she added quickly.
<P>"How else is anything supposed to happen between you if no one says anything?"
<P>Judith avoided the question. "Oh, and I suppose you'd like it if I said something to Jeremy about you." As Maura seemed to think over the idea, Judith felt her anger and her argument starting to lose steam. "Anyway, I just thought you should know that nothing is ever going to happen between me and David. I don't want it to. I've decided I don't like him after all. Okay?"
<P>"Oh, I'm sorry," Maura apologized. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I was only trying to help."
<P>"Well, next time, if there is a next time, don't."
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<P>"So, what are we going to do about the concert now?" Maura asked. "Jeremy said he would go . . . is there anyone else you might like? I promise I'll be more subtle this time. We'll set it up your way. However you say."
<P>"No," Judith said firmly.
<P>"How about you Natalie?"
<P>"What?" Natalie asked taken aback. "Um, no."
<P>"Well, I'll think of something," Maura said. She was determined to see this plan through, she just had to figure out how.Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329558937300064205.post-3075984344190393932013-12-27T12:17:00.000-05:002017-07-11T22:11:08.620-04:00Episode 22 - The New Reality<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/40110.jpg">
<P>Cassie sat at one of the tables in the bar, papers spread before her. Inventories, schedules, bookings, promotions. As she tried to sort the information before her in her mind and prioritize the tasks at hand, she was finding that everything she needed to concentrate on was being pushed aside by thoughts of the events of recent days and mental preparations for the big dinner that night.
<P>Preparation for the meal itself was nothing to concern herself over, but as for the company and the conversation that would accompany it . . . there was not enough preparation in the world.
<P>She tried not to think too much about it. Aside from playing the part of a good hostess, the dinner party was beyond her control. These days it seemed like everything happening in her life was beyond her control.
<P>Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a door open and footsteps approaching. She smiled, grateful for a pleasant distraction, when she saw Chloe enter the room.
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<P>"Hi Chloe, what are you up to today?"
<P>"I was just running some errands for work and I thought I'd pop in and say hi."
<P>"If you're looking for your husband, he's out on business."
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<P>Chloe shook her head and slid into one of the empty chairs at Cassie's table. "No, that's alright. I was actually thinking of dropping in to chat with you for awhile. What's new?"
<P>Cassie couldn't hold back a sigh as she unsuccessfully tried to manage a smile. "How much time have you got?"
<P>Chloe nodded knowingly, "I had a feeling it was like that. So what's the latest on the situation?"
<P>"We're having a dinner party tonight for Reese, her fiance, and her daughter."
<P>"Blaine's daughter, you mean?"
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<P>Cassie grimaced at the statement of that fact. "Does everybody know?"
<P>Chloe shrugged. "I don't know, but I figured it out pretty easily. Does Blaine know?"
<P>"Yes, Reese told him."
<P>"And you didn't?" Chloe cut Cassie off before she could protest. "I met Natalie the other day when we dropped by to welcome them to the neighborhood and I have to say, Cassie, there is no way you could have honestly mistaken that girl for thirteen. You knew from the first time you met her that she was Blaine's daughter, didn't you?"
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<P>"I-" Cassie started. She could feel her blood pressuring rising and the color coming to her cheeks. "Yes," she said quietly. "I suspected it, anyway."
<P>"Oh, Cass!" Chloe shook her head. "How could you not tell him?"
<P>"How could I not? How could I have told him?" Cassie countered. "I honestly didn't know how to, so I just fudged the truth, just a little . . .Oh, but I've felt so guilty about it, Chloe," she confessed. "I have tried so hard to be honest with him throughout our marriage and from the moment we started dating, but I really slipped up. If he figures out that I misled him . . ."
<P>"You mean he hasn't caught you on your lie? Didn't he question you about it after he talked to Reese? Didn't he catch on that maybe you already knew?"
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<P>"No. He was so shocked when he found out. I just let him talk and didn't say much of anything at all. I was holding my breath the whole time, waiting for the other shoe to drop but he was too preoccupied to notice any reaction from me at all. After he told me about his conversation with Reese he just needed time to process the news, so I gave him space." When Chloe didn't say anything, Cassie added, "He wants to be a part of her life. He wants her to be a part of our life."
<P>Chloe could see the unhappiness all over Cassie's face. "And? What do you say to that?"
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<P>"What can I say?" Cassie shrugged hopelessly. "She's his daughter. I can't keep them from each other." A stern look from Chloe made her hurry to clarify. "I wouldn't try to and I won't try to. There's nothing I can do, but go along with it, however they decide to handle this, and try to be supportive."
<P>"Good," Chloe said, putting a hand over her friend's to lend support. "I'm glad to hear it."
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<P>As the final bell rang, students rushed out of their classrooms and into the hallways, eager to be finished with school for the day. Some were headed home. Others were on their way to after school activities. Natalie felt like she was the only one dragging her feet and the only one not anxious for the school day to be over.
<P>She tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach and mechanically followed her usual path to her locker and to the front door. She was starting to have second thoughts about making this date, but it was too late to back out now.
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<P>As she stepped out through the glass doors, she saw him standing along the sidewalk waiting for her. He smiled brightly at her as she walked down the steps and she mustered a polite smile in return.
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<P>Blaine spoke up first. "Hi. How was school?"
<P>"Fine," Natalie replied, searching for something more interesting to offer in reply. "It was pretty typical . . . How was work?"
<P>"Fine," he parroted back again with an easy smile. "I can't say my day was very eventful either."
<P>"You work in computers, right?"
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<P>"Yes," Blaine answered and began to explain in more detail how what once was a hobby lead to a career and eventually his own business.
<P>As he started to talk, Natalie began to feel more at ease. She knew how to approach this meeting now. She had always been interested in journalism and had thoughts of someday becoming a reporter. Maybe by treating this as an interview, asking questions to learn more about her father while being open to answering his questions about her, this meeting would come more naturally to her.
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<P>"I thought maybe we could go somewhere where we could get a bite to eat and sit and talk for awhile," Blaine said. "Do you like ice cream?"
<P>"Of course."
<P>"I know a shop that makes the best sundaes," Blaine replied. "Ready to go?"
<P>Natalie nodded. Her previous reservations were beginning to fade away. "I'm ready."
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<P>Reese sat down at her desk, taking a moment to breathe and just absorb her surroundings. Her office was officially unpacked. Everything was in order and she was ready to make the transition from settling in to getting down to some serious work.
<P>Her moment was interrupted by a soft tap on her partially open door followed by the entrance of one of her new co-workers.
<P>"Hi. I hope I'm not interrupting."
<P>"No, please, come in," Reese insisted as she rose from her seat.
<P ALIGN=CENTER><IMG SRC="https://i11.servimg.com/u/f11/13/46/13/01/40910.jpg">
<P>"I thought I'd stop by and see how you were settling in. Is there anything you need? Anything I can help you with?"
<P>"No, I'm doing just fine, but thank you . . ."
<P>"Dustin," he supplied his name when she seemed to be struggling to remember.
<P>"Yes, I'm sorry. It may take me a little while to get adjusted."
<P>"I'm sure you will be one of the family in no time. I've heard only good things about you and I'm looking forward to working with you."
<P>"Thank you," Reese replied, feeling flattered.
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<P>Dustin was about to speak again, but held his tongue when a young man entered. He glared at the newcomer impatiently as the youth went about his task of emptying the wastebasket. When the young man seemed to be dawdling over his job, Dustin felt the need to speak up. "Is there a problem?
<P>The boy huffed and rolled his eyes. "No," he grumbled.
<P>"Then why don't you be on your way?"
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<P>The boy turned as if to leave, but instead paused and turned to Reese. "Who's the girl?" he asked, gesturing to the picture frame on Reese's desk.
<P>Dustin was about to speak up, but Reese cut him off before he could say a word. "My daughter, Natalie. Why do you ask?"
<P>The boy shrugged and shook his head. "She looks familiar. I think I've seen her around."
<P>"I doubt Ms. Burrough's daughter would be in any of <I>your</I> usual hangouts," Dustin scoffed.
<P>Reese was not sure what she was in the middle of, but she tried to keep things peaceful. "You seem about the same age. Maybe you go to the same school?"
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<P>"Maybe. Yeah, that's probably it," the boy said quickly. Avoiding eye contact with Dustin and Reese, he grabbed the bag of trash and hurried out of the room before he could be questioned any further. "I'll get out of your way."
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<P>Dustin waited until the boy was out of earshot before speaking again in a hushed tone. "He wouldn't know your daughter from school unless she goes to the alternative school. He was kicked out of the academy last year before midterm."
<P>"Who is he?" Reese asked.
<P>"My uncle, Mr. Lind's, son," he replied. "He has his son do odd jobs around the office in the afternoons in an attempt to keep him out of trouble. I think he still has hopes that Scott will make something of himself someday. I think he's lucky his father is senior partner in a law firm, because he's probably going to need all the legal help he can get to keep himself out of jail in the future."
<P>"Oh," Reese said her eyes wide with surprise.
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<P>She was still reeling from that information when Mr. Lind himself entered her office.
<P>"Hello, Reese. Dustin, could you excuse us a moment? I'd like to have a word with Ms. Burroughs."
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<P>"Sure," Dustin nodded before leaving the room. "I'll see you later."
<P>Mr. Lind waited to speak until after Dustin left the room and the door was securely closed behind him.
<P>Reese nervously waited for him to speak, wondering what he wanted to talk with her about privately. She hoped that she hadn't made a mistake at her new job already.
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<P>"I was wondering if you could help me with something," Mr. Lind said once he was sure they would not be overheard.
<P>"What is it, Mr. Lind?" Reese asked curiously.
<P>"I have a very important project I could use some help on. It's of a rather confidential nature. I think you might be the right person for the job."
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<P>"When is Dad going to be home?" Brooke whined.
<P>"I don't know. Soon, I'm sure," Cassie replied as patiently as possible. "Would you help me by setting the table?"
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<P>Slouching, Brooke tossed her head to the side in disgust. "Why do we all have to make a big deal over these people and get all dressed up for them? Why do we have to have this stupid dinner anyway?
<P>"You know why. We've already discussed this," Cassie explained as she put the finishing touches on the salad and turned to the oven to check on the progress of the main course.
<P>"I just don't know why we have to have this big fuss when all this time we got along just fine with out them and they got along just fine without us. Can't we just keep things that way?"
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<P>Cassie smiled sympathetically at her daughter. "No, we can't. We might not like it, but we just have to make the best of it."
<P>"Maybe <I>you</I> do . . ." Brooke muttered.
<P>"No, we <I>all</I> do," Cassie said pointedly. "Just be on your best behavior tonight. The dinner won't last long and maybe it will work out better than we think."
<P>Brooke scowled and Cassie could tell that her daughter wasn't any more convinced by her positive words than she was herself. Yet, she had to keep saying them both to her daughter and to herself.
<P>"Now, please, go set the table while I get changed. Your dad will be home soon."
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<P>Cassie had just finished changing clothes and was checking out her appearance in the mirror when Blaine returned.
<P>"Hi," he said as he greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek. "Dinner smells good. And so do you," he added, lingering close and wrapping an arm around her waist.
<P>Cassie smiled as she took one last look in the mirror and turned to face her husband. "Thanks. We're both nearly ready . . . I take it all went well this afternoon?"
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<P>"Yeah, great," he answered enthusiastically. "I was actually a little nervous about how things would go and how Natalie and I would get along without knowing each other, especially since, you know, she's fifteen."
<P>Cassandra's breath caught in her throat, but thankfully Blaine didn't seem to notice her sense of alarm and continued talking.
<P>"But it went really, really well. It wasn't that awkward at all. We had a really nice talk."
<P>"I'm glad to hear it," she said, willing herself to relax.
<P>"It's a difficult thing to accept, that I've had a child all these years that I knew nothing of. It's hard not to think about all the moments I was cheated out of while she was growing up, but I don't want to think that way. I want to look forward. I want to look forward to the time we <i>can</i> spend together and the moments I can be a part of. I can't wait for you and the kids to meet Natalie. She's a fantastic kid. I think once you all get to know each other you're all going to love her."
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<P>"I hope so," Cassie said with a smile. She still wasn't sold on this idea of suddenly having a stepdaughter and of her children suddenly having a half-sister, but Blaine's optimism was contagious. Hearing the excitement in his voice and seeing the joy in her eyes always made her heart melt. It reminded her of why she had adored him so all of these years. "Just don't expect too much too soon. The kids and I - all of us - are going to need sometime to get used to all of this. It's going to take some time."
<P>"I know," Blaine said. He reached out to take Cassie's hands in his own. "And thanks for taking the time. You've been so wonderful throughout all of this even though it hasn't been easy for you. I want you to know that I appreciate it."
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<P>As their conversation began to wind down, Brooke silently backed away from her secret listening spot on the stairs before her parents could catch her eavesdropping. She didn't care how much time they gave her. She didn't care how fantastic this new daughter of her father was, she was never going to become remotely close to loving her. It just wasn't going to happen. Not in this lifetime.
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<P>Brooke had just made it downstairs when the doorbell rang. Her parents ushered her and her brother into the foyer where they all greeted their guests at the door.
<P>Blaine introduced Natalie and Reese to his family and Reese introduced Simon to Blaine. Everyone was pleasant except for Brooke who refused not to pout.
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<P>"Let's go into the dining room," Blaine suggested. "Cassie's been working on a great meal for us."
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<P>The two families sat down at the table together and began to eat in silence.
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<P>Since it seemed that no one else knew quite what to say, Blaine took it upon himself to break the ice. "Everything tastes great, Cassie. You've outdone yourself. I hope I didn't ruin Natalie's appetite by taking her out for dessert first," he said with a wink across the table.
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<P>"No, not at all. The dinner is very good. Thank you, Mrs. Kitteridge," Natalie replied.
<P>"Where did you go after school?" Reese asked. They hadn't had time to talk much about the outing before coming to the Kitteridge's house.
<P>"We went out for ice cream," Natalie replied with a conspiratorial smile. "They have an amazing turtle sundae that's almost as good as the ones we used to get at that shop back home."
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<P>"If it was so great why didn't you stay there?" Brooke muttered.
<P>"Brooke!" Cassie hissed at her daughter. "Don't be rude!"
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<P>"It's alright," Simon insisted. "This is bound to be a difficult time. I'm afraid I'm the reason for our move. I was offered a promotion that I couldn't resist and luckily for me, this wonderful woman next to me agreed to come with me and to do me the honor of someday becoming my wife."
<P>He laid his hand over Reese's and she smiled and blushed at the praise.
<P>"We knew we would be living close by, but we didn't imagine it would be just next door. I hope that won't be too awkward."
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<P>"No, I think it's going to work out fine," Blaine replied.
<P>Cassie watched Simon and Reese as they spoke. Simon's calm and kind tone matched with the loving looks he and Reese exchanged with each other, set her at ease. They looked like such a nice couple. It was ridiculous to think that Reese would be a threat to her and Blaine after all of these years. Reese had never been the threatening type to begin with.
<P>"So when is the wedding going to be?" Cassie asked eagerly.
<P>"We haven't set a date yet," Reese replied.
<P>"Not yet," Simon agreed. "For now we're just enjoying being engaged, getting adjusted to our new homes and new jobs."
<P>"When you do decide, let me know," Cassie insisted. "I have a lot of connections. I could help you with finding someone to do the music and Chloe runs a professional party planning business. I'm sure she'd be delighted to help."
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<P>As Reese was thanking her, she felt something vibrate in her pocket and reached for her phone. "I'm sorry," she apologized as she checked the text message that had arrived. "Normally, I would just ignore it, but it's from my job. They're dealing with a major problem right now that the senior partner asked me to help with. I promised I'd keep myself available in case there were new developments," she said as she put the phone away.
<P>"What kind of problem?" Natalie asked.
<P>"There has been a breach in the computer system that is being investigated. Mr. Lind needed someone he knew wasn't involved to help keep track for what's going on and since this started before I arrived he thought I would be the right person for the job."
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<P>"If they need a tech expert to help, you might suggest my name. My work has been a little slow lately. I would have time to take on another client," Blaine spoke up.
<P>"I'll keep that in mind," Reese promised.
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<P>Suddenly, Cassie wasn't feeling so at ease. The conversation around her continued, but it seemed as if their voices were drifting farther and farther away.
<P>"Is everything alright?" Blaine asked, snapping her back to the present.
<P>"I don't know," Cassie admitted. "I think so . . . would you excuse me for a minute?"
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<P>Cassie left the table and retreated to the bathroom where she splashed a bit of cool water on her face and took a moment to collect herself.
<P>Something about Reese checking her phone and the conversation that followed it struck her as oddly familiar. It was if she was watching a movie she had seen before, but vaguely recalled. She remembered that moment, that scene as something significant, but she couldn't recall why, because she couldn't remember what happened next. She felt like she had to try to remember, but how could she remember something that hadn't happened yet? It was vague, like a dream. She just had to shake it off. Forget about it.
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<P>She was about to return to the dining room, when she noticed Brooke standing behind her.
<P>"I'm alright," she said. "Maybe I'm coming down with something. Let's go back downstairs."
<P>Brooke shook her head. "No, you're right, mom. Something bad is going to happen. I can tell it too."Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18018510369314880470noreply@blogger.com1