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| Episode 14..........What if, Why not, If only? |
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| It's been a long long time since I updated this story and I'm sorry for that. It just seems so much harder to write and then make it presentable to post. I hope this update meets your expectations. FYI, this like a couple of other of my more recent ones is a PG version since that is what's acceptable on this site.
For those of you who have read all 14 previous episodes beginning with a Bridge between two loves..........you will know that I began writing this series in a transcript style of writing and converted for the most part to narrative in Episode 10. I've been rewriting the earlier episodes to narrative which makes them both longer and more detailed for several months now. I have 3 complete and hopefully will begin posting them soon at POTL if anyone is interested in reading the re-written versions. Eventually the adult versions of the other episodes will be there as well.
I hope you enjoy this one.
Episode 14 [b:75ca7d8238]“What if, Why not, If only?”[/b:75ca7d8238]
Dawson rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed. Nikki had been asleep when he arrived home last night, but she awoke when the bathroom light turned on. It had taken the better part of two hours for her to calm down to the point of going back to bed. Why in the world hadn’t he called her at the instant he hung up the phone with the auto club? He should have called her before he called Pacey. That’s not entirely true though. He was in a situation where life and limb seemed to be very much at risk the very moment the tire had blown and he had tried to explain that to her. "I don’t think it ever even registered to her what I said the first time I told her about the gangs and what they had done to my new car...............not to mention what they had threatened to do to me and Gretchen," he thought to himself as he stood and walked to the terrace overlooking the city.
He slid the door open and walked outside. It was cold, but he liked the feel of the cold air first thing in the morning. It caused him to rush to wakefulness and besides, he never stayed out more than a few minutes. He stared out across hundreds of roof tops within his eyesight and at a few buildings towering above where he stood. This was one of the things he truly enjoyed about New York...........one of the few things.
He turned and leaned against the railing and watched Nikki as she slept on the opposite side of the bed. She was so peaceful like this, as opposed to the picture of mortal fury he had come home to last night. Of course he understood. He had asked Gretchen to be his date even though he knew Nikki wasn’t comfortable with it. Now it all made sense. Now he understood why it bothered Nikki so. Gretchen had kissed him. At least he thought she had intended to kiss him. Actually, there was no doubt that he, in reality, had kissed her................and had kissed her passionately. "What was I thinking?" he thought to himself. "I was sure she was trying to kiss me and if she was I just kissed her back, right?" He turned again to look back at the city. "It doesn’t matter. Whether she intended to kiss me or not................I kissed her. It was an amazing kiss. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she enjoyed the kiss. She had kissed him back. She had melted into his arms................before she pulled away. And when she did, it was obvious and her intent was clear. She just said "Goodbye" and went in the door and closed it behind her. He had been floored............astonished even. From her reaction, he had misread her completely. "I knew she was going to open the door. I just knew it." But she hadn’t and he had left confused, and very, very shortly guilty as well. He wasn’t sure what bothered him more...........Gretchen’s reaction or the fact that he had totally betrayed Nikki.
It had taken a phone call to Pacey, after the second time he told her about the Hurricanes, before she began very gradually to believe him. Maybe it was his own guilt which made her not believe the very true story he had told her. Maybe it was just her insistence that nothing good could have possibly come of an evening when Dawson disappeared with Gretchen. "What was Pacey thinking? Couldn’t he tell how much trouble he was in?" When he had called Pacey, Pacey had roared with laughter at Dawson’s predicament and took more than a couple of uncomfortable minutes before Nikki could listen to Pacey’s interpretation of what had happened. Finally, she seemed to accept his story for the truth but it was another uncomfortable hour before she would even speak to him civilly. When she did, it was to remind him about an appointment the next morning and then she curled up on the opposite side of the bed and pretended to sleep. A sudden gust of wind hitting the terrace brought Dawson out of his thoughts as he noticed for the first time that he was cold............very cold. He slid the glass door open and stepped inside. It was still only 5:40 am but he wasn’t going to sleep more. He walked across the room and into the walk-in closet. He flipped on the light and began selecting his wardrobe for the day............and planning breakfast in bed.
Several hours later, Pacey awoke and rolled to the side of the bed. He was so tangled in sheets that he had to extract his left foot from the sheets before he could even push himself up to a sitting position. The smell of breakfast wafting through the air was undoubtedly what had woken him. It was 8 am already but on nights when he stayed at the restaurant past midnight it wasn’t unusual to sleep in until 9am. On those days Leo or Mindy opened and he wasn’t missed. He was fortunate to have established a strong backbone organization in his few months in New York. " Definitely bacon and sausage...............onions.......Joey’s probably making those fried potatoes with onions and peppers."
He was a little bit surprised she was up and so energetic this morning. As it turns out, and "this is good to know" he thought, Joey gets romantically inclined when she finds out Pacey is in danger...............even in retrospect. He smiled at the memory of Joey as she first yelled at him and called him names for doing something so "totally stupid and unbelievably irresponsible" as he had done last night. He actually agreed with her this time but when these things happen, sometimes "a guy just doesn’t think." Shortly afterwards she had softened and they had made love urgently as if she needed to know he was still alive and then had lay in one another’s arms for only a few minutes when Joey began nibbling on his neck, then his chest and then his abdomen when............the phone rang.
It was Dawson, of course. At first he was incredibly annoyed. I mean Joey had been really motivating............extremely motivating, he smiled to himself. When she had realized who it was she began making gestures and articulating quietly her displeasure with Dawson and his attempts to get Pacey killed. Pacey had begun laughing at her wildly and Dawson misunderstood. "Don’t get me wrong" he thought. His situation was funny too............just not as funny as Jo.
He stood and reached for his boxers which were laying on the bedside table and pulled them on.
"Whoo-ooo" he heard behind him. "Cute butt, baby," Joey said as she pulled her covers up and sat up against the head board.
"I thought you were cooking breakfast" Pacey said. "I didn’t even see you there."
"Must be Mindy, hon. She does live here too, ya know. Come here" she said patting the bed beside her.
"Not on your life woman. I don’t think I could if I wanted to and I don’t. Do you smell that bacon?"
Joey pouted and with her lip down-turned said, "Please, honey. I just want a little kiss."
"Well,” Pacey said gradually closing the distance between them. "I’m hungry Jo. Can I trust you."
"Yes" she said, her eyes cutting innocently away as she feigned innocence. "Please."
He leaned in close, gave her a quick kiss on the lips and fell forward as she clamped her hand on the back of his neck pulling him down.
"Jo?????" Pacey protested half heartedly as he rolled her over on top of him.
Joey hung up the phone and sat back in her chair with a hugely self-satisfied smile on her face. Karl liked it. He actually liked her manuscript. It wasn’t finished, of course, but he had finally gotten tired of her procrastination at telling him nothing she was writing was any good and had sent a messenger to pick up everything she had written. She was actually pleased with the progress she had made since the day she and Gretchen talked about writing about her life but from her perspective, not Dawson’s. It had been a revelation to her which clicked on something inside her that she now realized was the missing passion she had felt she was lacking. Oh, she didn’t really believe it was good, but she was enjoying the process. She felt she was learning from the process, and the writing made her happy. Every day for the last two weeks she had gotten up with Pacey. They had a leisurely breakfast and morning together and when he left for work, she settled in for the rest of the day in her comfy chair at the desk and wrote until Pacey or Mindy came home. Only on the couple of days she had met Andie and Gretchen for dinner had her routine changed and she was comfortably a hundred pages into the untitled first novel of Josephine Potter. She had been both angry and excited when Karl sent the messenger despite her protests. It didn’t stop her from having it bundled and ready for him to pick up when he arrived though.
What did surprise her, though, was that Karl had called back early today, after only 20 hours to tell her he liked what she was doing and had spent five minutes..........a long time in Karl hours, encouraging her to keep going. He said he was excited about what she was doing and asked her to meet with him this afternoon at 3pm. Joey stood and walked to the fridge for a bottle of water when she heard the door bell ring. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but nevertheless she went to the door and looked through the peep hole. She saw Gretchen standing looking down the hall toward the elevator. "Hmmm" Joey thought. "I wonder what’s going on? It’s not like Gretchen to just show up."
She opened the door and feigned surprise. "Gretchen? Hi. How great to see you. Come in."
Gretchen quickly entered saying, "I’m sorry I didn’t call, Jo. I just left the apartment this morning for a long walk and left without my phone. I realized a few minutes ago that I must’ve subconsciously steered my way here since I was only a few blocks away. And..........well. Here I am."
"It’s fine, Gretchen. Have a seat. I was just about to get a bottle of water. Anything for you?"
"No, thanks, Jo" said Gretchen. I actually just finished a coffee on the way here."
Joey went into the kitchen and Gretchen sat in the large overstuffed arm chair. When Joey returned she sat on the sofa and said, "So what brings you out? Is everything okay?"
"It’s about last night, Joey" Gretchen began.
"Ahhhhh, your exciting night in Spanish Harlem. I heard all about it. You must’ve been terrified."
"It was horrible, Joey. As if having a blow out isn’t awful enough," she laughed, "We have to get attacked by a bunch of Puerto Rican thugs."
"Well, I know it scared me just hearing about it, and I was furious for Pacey even being there until I stopped to think what could have happened if he hadn’t."
Gretchen said, " You’ll never know what it was like and then all of the sudden, out of the shadows we see this figure walk out behind the leader............"
Joey said, "Pacey?"
Gretchen smiled. "Not this time Joey. It was Tony. He just walked out, apparently unarmed and said something we couldn’t hear to their leader, Chuy, and all of the sudden the gang members seemed scared. That was when we saw someone else in the background...........Pacey, but we couldn’t see him clearly. Dawson said that there must be more of them out there."
"Oh my gosh" Joey squirmed. "But it was Pacey?"
"Yeah, it turned out to be and they were quite alone. All of the sudden these three gang types just bolted and ran. No obvious reasons. They just took off."
"Well, that was really lucky" said Joey.
"I’m not sure luck had anything to do with it, Jo. The police officer that we talked to later said that Tony had been a leader of a gang since he was 17 and............"
"Pacey and I knew about that, Gretchen. He’s reformed."
"I know, Joey. The officer told us that too. But do you know that they say he’s a killer too? Apparently the gang members ran when he reached behind his back for his characteristic gun he used to always carry there."
"Is this true, Gretchen?"
Mindy and Matt stood over a table in the dining room filling salt and pepper shakers, steak sauce containers, napkin holders and the like as they prepared to open for the day. They chatted casually but hadn’t found a lot they had in common over the last couple of weeks. Mindy much preferred to work with Tony than with the rich kid and his attitude. Pacey walked through the room and paused to give instructions to the two working on the other side near the bar. As he approached them he said, "Matt, I’m going to need you to pick up your pace today. I realize you’ve never done anything like this before, but I do have a business to run here," he growled. Pacey kept walking and didn’t even seem to notice Mindy there.
"What’s with him anyway? What did I ever do to him?" Matt asked.
Mindy rolled her eyes but responded politely nevertheless. "I don’t think it’s you as much as the fact that Tony didn’t show up. Apparently he had plans for him today."
"The Puerto Rican kid?" Matt responded. "What’s so special about him?"
Mindy cut off her first retort realizing that maybe Matt really didn’t know Tony’s name since they hadn’t worked together at all since the altercation at orientation. She was aware Pacey had skillfully manipulated the schedule to keep the two young men from being in the restaurant on the same day. Today, however, Pacey was planning on working with Tony in the kitchen and uncharacteristically, Tony had been a no show. Mindy didn’t know why, but it visibly had Pacey upset. "I think he was planning on working with him today on food prep..........slicing and dicing veggies...........making salads and the like. Now he just has to move the kitchen staff around to get the job done and he’ll have to take over for some one himself. I’m sure that’s all," she lied.
Matt surprised Mindy next with an admission. "I guess I got off on the wrong foot that first day, huh?"
Mindy’s thoughts immediately raced to the day Matt had begun and the way he had immediately acted inappropriately toward her. She still thought about it some. He was a world class jerk, but he was cute. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Oh you know...........starting that trouble at orientation with Tony. I don’t mean to do that kind of stuff. I guess I’ve always been a bit of a show off. My friends seem to bring out the worst in me."
Mindy laughed out loud. "Your friends seem to bring out the worst in you? How do you figure that?"
Matt sat down the salt shakers in front of him and looked indignant but also smiling. "My friends have very low expectations of me."
Mindy shook her head while continuing to laugh. "How convenient for you."
"So Gretchen," Joey paused. "Reliving last nights adventure seemed like a chore for you. It’s not the reason you’re here, is it?"
Gretchen shifted uncomfortably and tucked a foot up under her leg on the chair before replying. "No. It’s not. It’s about my date last night."
"And why doesn’t that surprise me?" Joey asked.
"When we got to my apartment last night he kissed me, Jo."
Joey’s eyes widened in surprise and said, "He what? But......."
"I know" Gretchen cut her off. "He’s in a relationship. But he did, Joey. He kissed me. It was a frightening night. We talked..........actually we talked easily the whole night. It was fun and remarkably comfortable. When we got back, he asked the driver to wait, paid him in advance and walked me upstairs. When we got to my door, I have to admit it was a little uncomfortable. The expectations game was in full force. I just wanted it over fast so I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Honestly Jo..........just the cheek. He actually shifted his stance to be in front of me and kissed me full on the mouth." Gretchen closed her eyes momentarily captured in the memory of it as it happened.
Joey couldn’t keep from noticing. It was so obvious. "And so you kissed him back?"
"Yeah............I did. Big time."
Joey prodded. "Okay, so then what?"
"Nothing. I broke it after a few seconds, I guess. I was embarrassed. I opened my door, went inside and closed it behind me. I looked out the peep hole and he just stood there like in shock.
He was just there for about 5 more seconds looking totally lost and finally turned to walk away."
"And that’s all?" Joey asked.
"Jo, it was all I could do not to pull him back inside and rip his clothes off. Every little bit of me was screaming to go get him. I felt like such an idiot, but there’s Nikki. I’m not like that, Joey. I’m just not."
"Neither is Dawson, Gretchen. That’s what makes this all so bizarre," Joey answered. "I saw that look in his eyes at the Ice House that night but he seems so committed to Nikki. And Dawson is not a player."
"I know he’s not, Joey. And I don’t want him to be. I think I’ve got to talk to him, but am I making to big a deal of it? Should I just let it drop? Maybe it’s nothing…"
"Aunt Gwen once told me, ‘When you kiss a boy, Joey, it’s not a mistake.’ This probably isn’t either. There’s unresolved issues here and you and Dawson are going to have to talk it out."
"I was afraid you were going to say that," Gretchen moaned.
Pacey stood near the front door of the Ice House giving instructions to his hostess and cashier before opening for business that day. The hostess was relatively new and hadn’t exactly impressed in her last shift but she did have a winning personality and as such was worth giving a little extra rope to "hang herself" as it were. The doors opened and Tony Delgado entered accompanied by a New York police officer. Everything suddenly got quiet as everyone in the restaurant turned to look their way. Pacey turned and immediately recognized Sgt. Malone from last night even though he had only seen him in the dark of night. He was a big man but he carried himself in such a way as to set himself aside from the average man as well. Pacey approached them and Sgt. Malone said, "Good morning, Mr. Witter. The NYPD wants to apologize for tying up one of your employees this morning. I’m here to inform you of that fact and also that in no way is Mr. Delgado in any trouble with the police. We were merely looking for assistance from him in a police matter."
Tony looked plaintively at Pacey as if he had been expecting the worse. Pacey pursed his lips into a tight little smile and moved his head in a motion telling Tony to get to work. Tony smiled and headed toward the back. Pacey turned back to the police sergeant. "Well, thank you. We were a little concerned over his failure to appear........especially after last night, if you know what I mean."
"I do actually. Can we step outside to speak, Mr. Witter?"
Pacey nodded in the affirmative and motioned to the door. He held it open and followed the officer outside. "Is there something else?"
"A couple of things actually.......I did some checking around after last night and found out about the program you’re operating here with the school district. I wanted to say good luck and I hope it works out. Delgado’s actually the only one you’ve got here that I know but he’s a big one. I was wondering how much you know about him?"
Pacey accounted to Sgt. Malone as to everything he had been told by Howard Greene. In return, Sgt. Malone told him a few things Pacey didn’t know. Pacey listened passively and then at the end nodded his head quietly but didn’t respond.
Sgt Malone said, "I just thought you should know. I hope it works for you, but Delgado has some really bad shit in his baggage."
Finally Pacey responded, "I know we’re talking about the same kid here, Sergeant, but the one you’re describing, I’ve never met. It’s really hard to believe."
Malone said, "I’m not telling you what to do. I just want your eyes wide open. I really hope Delgado has turned over a new leaf, but from my experience that’s just not likely. And one more thing. When the ‘Canes discover that Delgado is no longer a Bopper and he humiliated them all alone he may have some problems, as well as anyone else in his hemisphere. That’s why we approached him this morning. We were hoping in his current situation he may be willing to help us in our current offensive against the Hurricanes. He refused unconditionally. "
Pacey cleared his throat and said, "I’ve got to believe in him as long as I can. I can’t tell you what I think would’ve happened to my friends last night if it weren’t for him. I owe him a break."
"I understand, Mr. Witter. If I can help you in any way, give me a call." The sergeant handed Pacey a business card, shook his hand and turned to get in his car. Pacey watched as he drove away.
Dawson had met Nikki with a hot breakfast of waffles and fresh fruit. She had been cool, seeming to pretend nothing had happened rather than being either angry or sorry. She had declined to eat, accepting only a cup of coffee and leaving within minutes for work. Dawson went back to bed. When he finally awoke near noon he took a leisurely shower and considered not going to work at all. He had a slow scheduled day ahead. In fact, nothing at all important but he decided he needed to go so he pulled on a sweat suit, top and bottom and went to work dressed that way. When he walked into the main offices a lot of eyebrows were raised. Nikki noticed too and followed him immediately into his office. "Are you sure that’s appropriate attire?" she inquired. He had replied that he simply didn’t care today. He had no one on his schedule of events and was going to sit in the office and read scripts and look for something to look forward to. In short, he was bored ............bored and nervous. In truth, more nervous than bored. He left word with his assistant that he didn’t want to be bothered.......not even by Gretchen. He didn’t want Nikki in his office either but he knew better than to expect a mere assistant to keep Nikki out.
As expected, Dawson now sat with his feet on the window sill looking out the window while Nikki sat across his desk reading notes from the studio meeting he hadn’t attended this morning. So far an occasional "yes, uh-huh, and sure" had been enough to keep her satisfied that he was paying attention but he knew a situation was looming if she didn’t get called away. Or there was always the worst case scenario. Gretchen could call yet again, and his assistant could call still again and say, "Dawson, it’s Gretchen again. What do you want me to tell her?" All he needed right now is the word "Nikki" and the phrase "It’s Gretchen again" to somehow become linked. The phone on his desk buzzed. His hand beat Nikki’s to it and he said, "Yes." He listened and said robotically, "Tell her I’m not in today." He pushed back again, and propped his feet up in the window juggling a single sharpie from hand to hand as Nikki read on.
Tony had gone to work immediately upon changing clothes working with all the other newer employees in the dining room where he usually worked. Leo came out and called him into the office and told him to wait there for Pacey. Morgan and Lucas had just arrived and were chatting with Mindy and Matt as they worked. It was still a half hour before their shift. As Tony passed by Matt said, "Just can’t stay out of trouble can you, Chico?" Mindy looked at him incredulously. Was this the same guy she’d just spent the last half hour talking to? Tony didn’t appear to hear but Morgan and Lucas laughed at their friend almost as if it were their duty to do so. Tony passed through the swinging doors and went straight to Pacey’s office. Pacey was already there when he got there and said, "Don’t bother sitting, Tony. I just wanted to say thanks again for last night and don’t worry about this morning. Sgt. Malone explained everything and we’re cool, okay?"
"Thanks boss," Tony said. "Is that all?"
"I was planning on using you to help with prep work today..........chopping, dicing, cutting........ but it’s a little late for that now. Will you be okay working out there today with those three?"
"Hell, yeah" he said. "They ain’t nothing to me," Tony said.
"Matt’s a big mouth, Tony. Let me handle him, okay?"
"You got it boss."
One of the few times Dawson got away on his own these days was the once or twice a week he tried to run in Central Park. He’d never been a runner or even a walker but he got the idea from listening to Joey, Andie and Gretchen talk about how much they loved it. Still he ran only a short distance when he did run and stopped frequently to observe people, their pets and nature. It was really the most important attraction to him anyway. There was one place along the west end of the park where he particularly liked to stop and watch people as they engaged in life right under his nose. He settled onto a park bench nestled closely in front of a group of trees and removed his right shoe. His socks had slipped and shifted during his jog and he needed to fix the problem. As he was re-lacing his shoes a jogger stopped in front of his bench and said, "I thought I recognized that scent." Dawson’s head jerked up quickly at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Gretchen," he said, "I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you. I’ve been really bus..........."He stopped in mid sentence and changed directions. "I didn’t get back to you because I didn’t know what to say."
"I was just calling to thank you for a lovely evening. No attempts to coerce or lasso you from this girl, Dawson."
Dawson blushed and said, "I was really out of line. I know you’ve got this thing going on with Brad and he’s really a nice guy........"
"Totally. He’s a terrific guy. And you’re right. It’s not like either of us is available."
"Right," Dawson continued "and anyway, I think maybe I drank a little too much last night."
Gretchen knew an excuse when she heard one since Dawson had drunk only two glasses of wine during the entire dinner event. Still she responded with, "Gotta watch that alcohol consumption, Dawson. That never was your strong suit."
Dawson laughed and scratched his head and smiled an embarrassed smile. "You’ve got that right. Every time I ever tried just got me in big trouble."
"Well, next time I’ll make sure you stick to ginger ales, big guy." Gretchen teased.
Dawson’s head perked up noticeably at the phrase "next time" and looked right at Gretchen to get a feel for what she had meant but she quickly looked away as if she was caught off guard at having made the comment and couldn’t face him.
"Gretchen, I think..........."
"Dawson, why don’t............"
They both started to speak at the same time and when their eyes met, they couldn’t hold the gazes attached to them. Gretchen spoke first. "I guess I better get going. I’ve got a deadline at 9 pm."
Dawson looked both disappointed and relieved as he said, "I’m just going to sit here awhile. I come here sometimes to think."
Gretchen paused, looking at him curiously, then said, "Okay. You have a good think." She flashed him that big smile he liked to see so much and went jogging on down the path.
"Well I guess that’s that" Dawson thought. "It wasn’t a big deal to her after all. Now, do I tell Nikki, or let it go. It wasn’t a big deal." He watched the boy playing fetch with the brown Labrador and didn’t seem to see a thing.
Joey arrived for her 3 pm appointment with Karl just on time and hearing from the receptionist that he was still in another meeting, she took the opportunity to visit the little cubicle that served as her "home away from home" now that she was doing 90% of her editing at home as well. She sat down and busied herself with leafing through memos and other interoffice communications while waiting for Karl. On the top of her Inbox was what looked like a manuscript. "Untitled, by Josephine Potter." It was hers, but not her original. It was definitely a copy and not even in her font. She stood, picking up the manuscript and was planning on walking over to the assistant who took care of her in-office business with the intention of finding out how her manuscript got here and who had copied it when from behind her, "It’s actually very good, you know. I’m enjoying it immensely."
"Christopher?" Joey said as she turned.
"When do I get the next chapter? I’m hooked already." he said.
"You read it? How?"
"I took a copy off Karl’s desk and copied it. I was curious. You’re quite good you know. I mean, I always knew you had talent, but this is far beyond what I ever saw in your other writing."
Joey looked confused and frustrated but it also felt really good hearing these things, even if it was from Chris. "Well, that was pretty nervy, book boy. Does Karl know you steal from his desk?"
"He does now. I just told him he needs to lock you up and make sure you finish this book."
Joey was stunned. It took her a moment to respond and when she did it was. "Really?" She looked surprised and amazed. "You really think it’s good?"
Christopher approached and sat on one corner of her desk. She sank into her chair still looking up at him. "Joey, it’s not only good, I believe it’s something special. You’ve captured a kind of honesty and frankness that’s not easy to capture. At the same time, you’ve found a voice. Your heroine is really something special. This is similar in some ways to the teen soap your friend is producing but is so far beyond it in it’s scope. You’ve found a real voice for yourself."
Joey smiled one of her crooked half smiles and said, "Why thank you, Christopher," then paused before adding "You’re not just setting me up somehow are you?"
Christopher smiled and held his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Joey. It’s really, really good. I’m quite happy for you."
Karl approached and entered the conversation, "You’re not mad are you, Josephine? I didn’t know he had it, but he’s made some really helpful comments to me. I think we should talk about it."
Joey stood and smiled broadly. "Hi, Karl. No, of course I’m not."
Christopher then said, "I really must be off. I have work to not do."
"Bye, Chris, and thank you," Joey said as he walked down the hallway.
"Well, Joey," Karl said. "Are we ready?"
"It’s not as easy as it sounds, Dawson," said Nikki. Sure, there’s a lot of people in New York who do catering but the percentage who do mobile location stuff is only a small percent of your bona fide caterers. Secondly, the other companies our studio has a history with are busy on other projects right now. Since your job is just for a few weeks of re-shoots they won’t leave another job or run another job thin on help in order to help us out."
"What happened to our caterers anyway? I thought they were rock solid."
"So did we, Dawson. We’ve done business with them for years. Apparently, the first hint of a problem was when they didn’t make their last payroll. They’re filing bankruptcy."
Dawson shook his head. "If it’s not one thing it’s another. So any ideas? We need something by 7 am tomorrow."
"I know this may be a reach, Dawson, but what about Pacey? Has he ever done any catering? He might be able to help us in a short term situation."
Dawson turned and looked at Nikki with a huge grin. "That’s it! I mean, I’m sure the New York Ice House hasn’t done any before but he helped us out in Capeside. And I know it wasn’t his only catering experience. You’re a genius."
Nikki smiled, "Oh please. I’ll go call him now and see what we can work out."
"Let me do it Nikki. It will be hard for him to work out but if he realizes how much he can dip into a film studios emergency budget it’ll be hard for him to pass up."
"Okay," she grinned. "You’re certainly not the typical budget conscious producer, Dawson."
"This is different," he said. "This is family." As Nikki turned to walk out, Dawson reached out and caught her by the upper arm. "Nikki, I just want to say, I don’t know what I’d do without you. You take care of me here and at home. You’re always here with a smile and a hug and I love you for it."
Nikki raised up on her tiptoes and kissed Dawson quickly on the lips. "Me too, honey."
Pacey sat on one of the stools at the bar and addressed his entire staff who happened to be on duty at the time. They were standing in the restaurant, quietly listening to him inform them of their opportunity. "I’ve been offered the chance to provide catering service to a film company which is currently in production in New York City. I’ve done a little of this before at the Capeside restaurant but on a very limited basis. We’re going to give it a try. This will be a limited service operation. Basically we’ll prepare the food here daily and deliver it, set it up buffet style and keep it fresh during their hours of operation. Leo will be running things to start with and then Mindy and one or two others will be helping out and learning the ropes. To begin with, it’ll be Hector and Tony. Our first day is Tuesday. Which is tomorrow. Be sure and check your schedules because they could be changing. Questions?"
Matt cleared his throat loudly and asked, "Do you really think you can trust those two? I mean with your business and all?"
Pacey rolled his eyes, ignored the question and said, "Back to work everyone." As he started back toward the office Matt quickly raced up and cut in front of him impeding his progress.
"Yes, Matt?" Pacey grumbled irritably.
"In all seriousness," he started, "I really do think you should use me on the catering job too. I know how to talk to show business types and apparently I need to show you I can get along with the other help as well."
Pacey rolled his eyes and looked across the dining room to where Tony and Mindy were handling last minute preparations for the days business and said, "I’ll tell you what Matt. If I have any openings on that crew, you’ll be first on my list." He walked around Matt and headed on it the office. The smirk on his face would seem to indicate that there was no way Matt would ever see the outside of the Icehouse on company business. Matt watched as he walked away, not quite sure how to take the boss’ last comment. It could’ve been sarcasm but he just wasn’t sure.
"Well, that’s settled," Nikki informed Dawson seeming very pleased with herself. "Pacey said he’ll do it and will be on site tomorrow by 11 am. He seemed legitimately happy for the chance and yet he made it sound like he was really happy to be able to do a favor for his old friend Dawson."
"Actually, I"m pretty confident Pacey would do it if there wasn’t a penny in it for him, Nik," Dawson said. "He’s just that kind of guy."
"Well, maybe so," Nikki laughed, "but I could hear the wheels in his head turning when I told him how much the other caterers were charging. So..........baby. I did good today." She walked around the desk and pulled Dawson’s desk chair out and fell into his lap. "Where are you going to take me tonight?"
"I’m not sure I’d be much company tonight, Nikki. Can’t we just get some take out and go home and watch a movie. I feel like watching one of my Brooks’ movies.....maybe "Turn Away My Sweet".
"Honestly, Dawson," Nikki said. "I don’t see what you see in those movies."
He was pretty sure she wouldn’t understand that "Turn Away My Sweet" was the ultimate Gretchen movie or that it made him picture her in Brookes’ old fedora reading dialogue from his old screenplays. She wouldn’t understand that he hadn’t been able to quit thinking about Gretchen all day. "Well," he said. "I guess we can stop on the way home and pick up something new then." He thought, "I wonder if I can even make it through a movie tonight." He was distracted to the point of anxiety and wanted more than anything else to sleep.........and forget.
Pacey opened the front door of the apartment and walked in to a room lit only by candlelight. He looked around and saw no signs of Joey. Mindy, of course, was still at work. He closed the door and walked thru the living room. The scented candles brought the familiar scent of jasmine to the room, reminiscent of their summer along the Carolina coast. He walked through the dining room and into the kitchen. Still he found no signs of Joey, but he did see signs of dinner waiting to be served, complete with an ice bucket with no ice. Turning he walked back through the door and toward the bedroom. "Jo," he called out. There was still no answer. He looked in the bedroom and still, no sign of Joey. He decided she must have gone down to the laundry room in the basement and began unbuttoning his shirt. He removed it and walked to the closet to find a sweatshirt. Obtaining that and a pair of sweat pants he removed his slacks and as he had them down around his ankles he heard the front door slam. Surprised by the sudden sharp sound he jerked in the direction of the door only to be tripped by his own pants, falling face first on the floor just inside the bedroom door.
"Pacey? Is that you?" Joey called out from the dining room. She sat down the brown paper bag containing the bottle of wine she had just purchased and walked toward the bedroom. She saw Pacey crawling to his knees gingerly rubbing his elbows which had broken his fall. "Pacey, honey. What are you doing in the floor?"
"Ouch," he whined. "You made me fall."
"And just how did I make you fall, babe?" she asked.
"I don’t wanna talk about it," he pouted mournfully.
Joey laughed and said, "Get up, pitiful. I’ve made dinner and I have news. Good news.”
For the fourth night this week Gretchen was at the Post far after time to go home but this time it wasn’t a deadline. She just dreaded going home. Home took away her invisible barrier which was all that kept her from having to face Brad tonight. She had a stack of notes from him on her desk that had collected all day long. Even now she saw Sarah, the newsroom receptionist heading across the room with another one.
"Here you go, Grethchen," she said extending her had with the latest memo from Brad. "What did that cute doctor do to you anyway? Are you seriously not going to call him?"
"It’s nothing like that, Sarah. I’ve just got a lot on my mind and I don’t want to talk to him until I can sort it all out."
"Well, sort fast, honey. I think he’s starting to think you don’t want to talk to him. Of course I have NO idea where he’d get an idea like that."
She turned, clicking her short heels and walked quickly back across the newsroom. Gretchen added the little yellow post-it to the top of the stack of other little yellow post its next to her monitor and sat down with a exhale of breath. "What is wrong with me," she thought. "Brad is probably the nicest, best looking guy who’ll ever ask me out...........and he’s a doctor. My mother would die if one of her girls brought home a doctor. I just want to cry."
She reclined back in her chair, kicked off her shoes and started tapping her pencil on the desk.
Dinner had been just about perfect. Joey hadn’t gone all out like that to make dinner and make him feel special since they had moved in together. Okay, maybe she went all out when they had guests but not just for him. "It was incredible, Joey...................all of it was incredible. Thank you so much." He crossed the room from the dining table, having picked up her wine glass and brought it to her where she sat on the couch. He sat his wine glass down on the table and sat at the opposite end. Patting his open hands on his knees he said, "Come on, gimme your feet."
"Really?" she asked. "You’re going to rub my feet?" She hesitated, "My feet aren’t ticklish, Pacey. Not really, I mean."
"I would never...........I mean, I would almost never and I have NO intentions of right now tickling your feet. I just thought I’d rub your feet while you tell me all about your manuscript and Karl."
"And about Christopher?" she asked.
"Especially about Christopher," he said sheepishly.
"Well," she proceeded shyly "Oooh, that feels good. Like I told you, Karl left a copy of it on his desk and busybody that he is, Christopher went snooping on Karl’s desk looking for something he had sent in. As he tells it, he saw my name on my manuscripts cover and went to the copy room and had a copy made."
"How do you feel about that?"
"Pacey, as big a jerk as Christopher was to us, he did have a right to be upset with me."
"I know that. I understand that completely," Pacey said.
"And," she continued, "He is probably the most talented as well as most commercial writer I’ve ever worked with. To have him say my work is good, is very, very exciting."
"But don’t you have to worry that he might just be...............I’m sorry, Jo but that he might......."
She interrupted him. "He might be messing with my head? I might be inclined to believe that, Pace, if Karl hadn’t already told me he thought it was really good even before Christopher saw it...............at least before we knew he saw it. The other foot please?"
Pacey went to work on the other foot immediately and never once let on that he was concerned.
In effect, all the closing details had been handled at the Icehouse. The kitchen staff was handling some last minute details for not only tonight’s closing but also preparation work for the first day of the catering business. It was far from efficient, but it was a last minute job and surely, everyone thought, it will get better and more efficient. Mindy had been on duty since 10 a.m. and since it was now fast approaching midnight, she was extremely tired and had settled in to relax at a table in the dining room while drinking an iced tea. Since she was the closing manager tonight, she was going to be here until the kitchen was done. Tony came out of the employee break area and sat down with her. "Are you going to have to stay until they’re done?"
"Yep, I don’t have any choice in the matter," she replied. "5:30 is going to come really soon."
"That’s what I was thinking," Tony said. "We’ve got to be back here by 6:30. We’re lucky Mr. Leery said 8 am would be early enough on our first day."
"We’ll be pretty tired tomorrow, but still...........it’s all pretty exciting isn’t it? We’ll be working on a real live movie set."
"I’ve seen movies being made in New York before," Tony said, "but I’ve never been there close up, you know?"
"Well," Mindy grinned, "All of this is new to me. Just a few months ago I was cooking and waiting tables in a diner on Key West. It’s just way too exciting. I wonder if Sandra Bullock will be there?"
"The lady from SPEED? Is she in this movie?" Tony asked.
"SPEED?" Mindy marveled. "Where have you been Tony? That movie is ancient and she’s a huge star, but yeah. That is her."
"We don’t have many theaters in my neighborhood................or too many vcrs for that matter." Changing the subject, "So do you have any idea what we’re doing tomorrow? You haven’t done anything like this before either have you?"
"No," she answered, " but Pacey’s filled me in on what’s expected and Leon’s going to be with us for a few days. He’s done catering work before."
Matt came walking through the dining room on his way out and also pulled up a chair. As he sat down, Mindy said congenially, "Hey, Matt? On your way out?"
"Hey gorgeous," he responded drawing a withering look from Tony. Mindy didn’t seem to notice or at the very least didn’t respond. "I saw you sitting here and thought you might need a ride."
Tony rolled his eyes and was pretty transparent in what he thought about Matt’s suggestion. To his surprise Mindy said, "I’m stuck here until the kitchen finishes up, but I do hate riding the subway this late."
"Not a problem," Matt said. "I can wait for you."
Mindy said, "That’s great! Thank you so much."
Tony stared at her incredulously. On these nights Mindy always rode the subway and he rode far out of his way on a completely different route so that he could ride with her to her station. Then he merely rode further uptown, transferred lines and made his way slowly back to Spanish Harlem. He stood quickly and said, "I’m going to be going then."
Mindy suddenly realizing said, "Maybe Matt can give you a ride too, Tony?"
Tony laughed halfway under his breath and said , "I don’t think so," as he walked to the front door and out of her sight.
"Doesn’t that guy creep you out?" Matt asked.
"Tony?" Mindy asked. "No, why? He’s a really sweet guy."
"If you say so. I’ve heard stories about him that are hard to believe."
"Then don’t believe them," said Mindy. "He’s had his problems in the past, but they’re in his past."
Matt quickly saw that he wasn’t going to get anywhere with this approach and changed the subject. "So, tomorrow is a completely different kind of job for you, huh? Are you excited?"
When Mindy and Pacey arrived at the Icehouse in the morning at 6:30 Leon already had the equipment set out and ready to be loaded on the rental truck. "I forgot to tell you the good news, Leon. Dawson said that since they’re imposing on us at the last minute for this job, the studio’s going to loan us a vehicle. If we decide to stay in this line of work though, we’ll have to invest in one of our own."
"That’s good news indeed," said Leon, quickly turning and going back to the kitchen.
Mindy observed, "Leon’s really talkative this morning."
Pacey agreed laughing. "You’ll get used to it. Leon’s moods always improve a little bit at a time as the day goes on. And he’s not used to getting up this early either."
"Can I bring up a little issue?" Mindy said. "I know Leon is going with us today and tomorrow probably, but who’s going to drive this truck everyday. I know Tony and Hector don’t have licenses, and even though I have one, I didn’t get a lot of practice on the Key and I don’t relish the thought of driving in New York."
"Hmmm, good point, Mindy. I hadn’t thought of that." The phone rang and Pacey started to go pick it up but it quit just as suddenly. They could hear Leon talking in the kitchen. Then they heard the phone slam down and Leon came pushing through the swinging doors.
"Damn!," he said. "That Hector kid called in. Some kind of virus."
"Wow," Pacey responded. "That really makes things tough. I’m sure he is though, Leon. Hector’s a good kid."
"Yeah, whatever," Leon barked in frustration and went back to work.
"Pacey?" Mindy started. "I have an idea. I don’t think you’ll like it but..........."
"What is it, Mindy. A bad idea is more than I have at this time of the day."
"Last night Matt gave me a ride home................."
"He what?" Pacey exclaimed. "You know how we feel about that kid Mindy."
"I know but it was almost one o’clock and I didn’t particularly want to ride the subway at that time of the night and he offered. Anyway, he works pretty good with me and he told me last night if we ever need any help catering that we should call him."
"I agree," Pacey said. "That’s a bad idea."
"And," she went on, "He has a driver’s license."
Pacey sighed. "You and Leon get going. I’ll call him and have him meet you there. Where’s Tony?"
When Dawson rolled out of bed that morning he knew he wouldn’t make it another day without talking to Gretchen. He was one part worry, one part doubt and four parts frustration and he didn’t think he could make it through another day not knowing. He was going to do it. He was going to call her this morning and try to make plans to see her. He had to find out. At the very moment he stepped into the hottest shower he could possibly stand a few miles away Gretchen was also standing in the midst of a spray so hot she thought she’d melt. She merely stood still with her head bowed into the wall with the fine, steamy mist hitting her on the back. She needed something to make her move............to make her feel like being alive again. The water wasn’t working. They both left there showers in their respective bathrooms and began to dress. Not for work, but for a run in the park. Gretchen’s usual time was late afternoon or early evening. She hoped this would stimulate her. She pulled on her powder blue running gear and headphones and left the apartment. In his bedroom Dawson quickly pulled on the black gear he had just purchased two days ago when he made this commitment to fitness. As he started out of the room he remembered his cell phone beside the bed. Bending to pick it up, he felt the store sales tag in the neckline of the top. He rolled his eyes, removed the top, bit the tag off with his teeth and pulled the top back on. Now he was ready...............ready to call.................as soon as his feet hit the sidewalk.
Gretchen paused on the street corner before entering the park just long enough to retie her left shoe. As she stood and prepared to run, she turned up the volume on her headset and her phone rang four times before she heard it. She quickly reached into her hoody’s pocket but didn’t make it before voice mail picked up. She waited and then looked. Something akin to fear but hedging on hope crawled down her spine as she forced herself to listen to the message. "Gretchen," he said. "This is Dawson. Can we talk about the other night? I’m going crazy not knowing.......... you know, whether I screwed up, or blew it or just totally ruined our friendship. I can’t stand not knowing what you’re thinking. I wanted to meet you for a run this morning but you’re probably already on the subway. So..............call me. Please."
Gretchen clicked off on the voice mail and looked at the phone for just a minute. "Hmmmm, a run?" She looked all around. This is almost exactly where she had seen him before. She raised her phone and punched the phone to redial his call. "Dawson?" she said, as he picked up. "Sorry I didn’t get the call fast enough." She listened and then said, "No, I didn’t listen to the message."
Suddenly she jerked quickly as Dawson touched her on the shoulder as he walked up quietly behind her.
"Hi," he said. "Can we talk?"
Mindy began setting up while Leon and Tony were still unloading the truck. It seemed a little disorganized for her taste but it was the first day and they were playing it by ear. "It’s not like any of us have ever done this before," she thought. By 8 am they were supposed to have serving lines and all the essentials set up for serving as many as 100 people. It was pretty amazing to her. Just think, a hundred people today and this was just retakes. Tony and Leon came back with the remainder of the tables and began setting them up.
"I think if we put one right here, and one right over there," she said pointing, "We’ll put the breads, pastries and croissants there, the fresh fruits here, the coffee and drinks there." As she was speaking she saw Nikki approaching across the lot. She caught Mindy’s eye as she approached and smiled.
"Hi," she said. "Mindy isn’t it?"
Mindy smiled in return and said, "Yes, that’s right. We met at the restaurant."
"That’s right, we did," said Nikki. "You waited on us the night we brought my father to visit with Pacey and Joey. You live with them don’t you?"
"Yes, I do. We’re old friends."
"Well," Nikki moved on. "We have a lot of time to catch up. I’m so happy Pacey could throw all this together on such short notice. We were really in trouble on this."
"It was our pleasure," Mindy said. "And it’s a great opportunity for the business as well."
"So," Nikki said, "The cast and crew are in meetings at the moment. Then they’ll have 15 minutes before the day actually starts. Can you be ready by 8?"
Mindy responded with a hearty yes, but something about Nikki was really bothering her. She seemed so nice and sort of ..........real........at the Icehouse. Now she seemed a little on the condescending side. Like she was just speaking to the "hired girl."
"And tomorrow we’ll be here and set up by 7:30 per your usual schedule. I think we’re in the swing of things. Pacey’s pretty good at this."
"Well, I’ll let you get back to your little job," Nikki said. "If you need anything, just ask my assistant. That’s Melanie right there in the yellow sweatshirt." Nikki turned and walked back into the crowd that was coming out of the main production tent.
Mindy watched her for long seconds and returned to her setup. Leon looked at her with a bemused stare and said, "Never been treated like the help before?"
Mindy came out of her daze, smiled at Leon and said laughing, "I don’t know what you’re talking about Leon."
Leon said, "Pacey just called. Matt should be here inside the hour. We’ll just have to double up until he gets here."
"Okay," Mindy said. "It shouldn’t be a major problem. The lunch menu would be another story."
Leon started back toward the truck for his final load as Tony sat down the giant coffee urn on the table.
"This should be interesting," he said. "Muy interesante."
"What? What did you say?" Mindy asked.
"Nada. Just very interesting. That’s all."
"You mean working with Matt, don’t you?" she asked.
Tony feigned innocence as he began setting out the cups, creamers, and sweeteners on the coffee table. "No, I mean seeing how these people are going to survive today without their double caramel _mocha latte."
"You’ve got a point there. Pacey said he’ll have us taken care of on that front by tomorrow too."
Dawson and Gretchen sat in the little coffee shop and juice bar that Joey and Gretchen liked to frequent and Dawson returned all of his missed calls. The last one had been Nikki and had made both of them visibly uncomfortable. Dawson had failed to tell Nikki he was going to be in late and actually had a difficult time giving her an excuse without lying point blank. He ended up telling her that he needed to clear his head and had gone to the park for a run and some meditation. It was actually true and yet the clearing his head part, while true, sounded like a lie to both of them. The reason he went running was to find Gretchen. They both knew that and that too was why they were here. He folded his flip phone and pocketed it as she looked on.
"That seemed to go well," she said sarcastically.
"Well," he responded, "it is the first day of re-shoots and I’m not there. I guess she has a right to be concerned. I should have at least called."
"Well," she joked playfully, "it’s not like you’re the producer or something."
He laughed and agreed. "I’m increasingly unnecessary. Nikki’s done a great job and takes a lot off my hands."
"So.........." Gretchen said. "You’ve been looking for me I gather?"
"Actually, I have." Dawson cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts quite obviously. "I’ve been wanting to talk to you since the night of the dinner." He hesitated and said, " I felt like..."
Gretchen waited as he struggled with his thoughts and interrupted saying, "I know..... me too." She had been dying for days to tell him how much she regretted closing that door. She regretted not inviting him in after that beautiful, lingering kiss.
"Really?" he asked matter of factly. He looked disappointed but after only a moments hesitation he went on, now convinced he was doing the right thing. "I have to apologize for that. I never should have kissed you." He couldn’t look her in the eye. He knew that his apology was as thinly veiled as his sincerity. He wanted to kiss her again and again and again.
Gretchen heard his words with disbelief. She believed from that moment...........that very moment that he still loved her after all these years. She believed that no matter what the fates had thrown their way what they had shared seven years ago was real. Hearing his words of apology was like a dagger to the soul and she now worried that he would see it in her eyes........... but he wasn’t looking. He was apparently embarrassed that he kissed her and she was silly enough to believe that he truly still loved her. As she once again tuned in to his continuing explanation she heard him saying, "and Nikki has been so good to me. She loves me. I could never hurt her. I hope you understand why this is so hard."
Gretchen quickly gathered herself............containing her emotions so that he wouldn’t notice. "He can’t ever know," she thought. Then she found herself agreeing with him with a lack of sincerity that was staggering. "It’s okay Dawson. It was an emotional night for both of us. We looked death right in the eyes. The moment just swept us up. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t my fault. I’m just embarrassed I handled it so poorly. I must’ve made you feel just awful."
Every word pierced Dawson’s heart with a stabbing pain also. He would’ve sworn that she kissed him back. That he felt something while she kissed him back.
"I feel so much better," he lied. "I would have felt so badly if you felt like you couldn’t trust our friendship anymore because of my behavior."
Every moment...........every word was twisting the knife in her chest. Gretchen suddenly stood and said, "Oh my gosh. I totally forgot a meeting with the entertainment editor this morning. Dawson? Can we do this again?" She didn’t even wait for his answer. She left the coffee shop as tears flooded her eyes and she turned toward the taxi stand.
Dawson half stood, completely caught off guard. He opened his mouth to call her back but she was gone before he knew what was happening. "That went well," he thought remorsefully. "Then why do I feel this way?" He looked around realizing he had spoken aloud.
The passing bus boy said, "I beg your pardon sir?"
"It’s nothing," Dawson said. "I’m just talking to myself." He sat in the chair and closed both hands over his cup as he watched her through the window getting into her cab.
At the Icehouse, Pacey had everything under control. At least to the extent that it was within his power to have it under his control, he did. The lunchtime rush had begun and they had made it thru their first morning without Leon and the catering crew. They were going to be shorthanded until the new recruits were trained but it appeared they were going to be fine....... for today at least. In fact, Pacey had retired to his own little private part of the kitchen and was preparing lunch specifically for himself and his date, Josephine Potter. Joey was going to stop by for lunch...........soon he thought............on her way to a meeting at the publishing house with Karl and Christopher. Quite frankly it bugged the hell out of him and cooking lunch took his mind off of it. It was going to be a very simple fare for their lunch today. Half pound hamburgers with cheese and bacon on the Icehouse’s own fresh baked hamburger buns, with thick sliced potato wedges and a tempting green salad. “Joey will probably use a knife and fork to eat this monster hamburger,” Pacey thought, “but that is half the fun of making it. I gets to watch her try to eat it.”
He noticed the swinging kitchen doors out of the corner of his eye when he flipped the burgers over as they cooked over the broiler. Several members of the kitchen staff shouted out their greetings to the boss’s lady as she walked by them and wrapped her arms around the head cooks waist and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Hiya, Handsome," she said. "What’s for lunch?"
"Burgers, fries and salad," he said. "Nothing fancy."
"Yummy," she responded. "It sounds perfect." Joey moved over to a stool in the corner and just watched as Pacey expertly slapped the meal together on two large plates and moved around the kitchen giving last minute instructions before he began his lunch break.
He finished up and wandered back over. "Grab a plate," he said. "I’m starved." She did and they both moved toward the swinging doors and headed for the dining room.
They sat and while preparing his burger Pacey asked, "So what time’s your meeting?" and followed it up immediately with "Are you nervous?"
"2:30," she said, "and not as nervous as you would think. I think I’m more excited than anything else."
"Well, that’s to be expected," Pacey said. "It’s not everyday a girl gets a meeting with a publisher about her very first novel."
"You know," she said. "It’s not even so much that, I don’t think. I’m so comfortable with Karl. He’s a beautiful guy and he’s been such a friend to me for so long. I think I’m just excited that Christopher’s come around and he wants to help. Pacey, he is such a talented writer and I used to think, ‘If I could only make words do what he makes them do.’ I used to daydream about him helping me with my book when and if I ever got around to starting it. Now..........after all that’s happened, to know that I still have that opportunity to get his help is just amazing and exciting. Does that make sense?"
Pacey had a mouthful of burger and had to finish chewing before he could respond. Joey took up her knife and began cutting her burger first into quarters and then quartering the quarters. When he spoke he spoke guardedly, but he hoped it didn’t seem that way. "I’m excited for you too, but I’ve got to say, it does worry me a little. My experiences with the guy don’t lead me to having high hopes as to his intentions."
"I’m sorry," Joey started. "Is this going to be okay? Me working with him? I should have asked you about it."
"It’s fine, Jo. I’m not worried about you. Just like before, I don’t trust him."
"Well, it’s not like we’re going to spend a lot of time together. I still have to write the book. He’s just reading it and making notes. He’s going to advise me on places where I can make some changes to make it more effective........more coherent. We’ll probably only see one another every couple of weeks and even then it’ll be at the office. I don’t know that Karl will always be there though."
"It’s alright, Jo. It really is."
"I’m so excited," she said grinning as she put a fork full of hamburger in her mouth.
Pacey just looked at her with a half-smile on his face. The other half was confusion. "How could she not see this?" he thought. Joey looked up at him and hunched her shoulders up while her eyes laughed with merriment and happiness.
"So, do you think you can handle all of this alone tomorrow?" Leon asked.
Mindy said, "No problem. It’s all pretty cut and dried."
"Well, I don’t know how much help you can count on. Nobody can deny the Delgado kid knows how to work, but I’d feel a lot better knowing Hector was here instead of Matt."
"He’ll be fine, Leon. I think he’ll work for me," said Mindy.
"I guess what really worries me, is will the two of them work together," he said. "They don’t exactly like one another if you haven’t noticed."
Matt approached from the back of the lot where he had made a trip to the dumpster. "What’s next boss?" he said.
"It’s almost time to start serving," Leon said gruffly. "You might as well stay here. While I’m thinking about it, here’s the keys to the truck. You’re going to be driving tomorrow."
"Cool," Matt said. "I’ve never driven a truck before but how hard can it be?"
Leon walked away shouting, "Tony!!" He could see him behind the truck on the outskirts of the lot and he began walking that way.
"What’s up with Leon?" he asked.
Mindy shrugged and said, "I think he’s just worried about Pacey’s decision to leave all of this up to us. Tomorrow it’s just the three of us."
"You mean he’s worried about me. No one’s worried about Tony being able to work with you. And certainly they’re not worried about you."
As Mindy listened with surprise to the apparent hurt in his voice, she turned and looked him in the eye. "Well, if that’s it, we’re just going to show him he’s wrong aren’t we?"
Matt said, "Hey, I think you and I make a pretty damn good team. I have no problems at all working for you............I mean considering I don’t like working period." He grinned and flashed that brilliant smile of his. Mindy found herself responding perhaps a little too much and with a slight coloring of her cheeks she turned back to setting up the food on the serving line.
"Ten minutes," she said, "and we’ll have a crowd of people fighting for this fine cuisine," she said spreading her arms out in both directions and smiling at her irreverent sarcasm.
"Well," Matt said, "I know the line will be moving slowly when it gets to you. I’ve seen these guys on the set wandering by to stare at you."
"What are you talking about?" Mindy laughed. "You’re crazy."
Walking into earshot, Tony said, "No. He’s right for once on that one. Mostly the old guys though," he winked and laughed. "Where do you want me? I think they’re about to break for lunch."
"Over at the truck was really nice," Matt said. "It seemed to be working really well."
Tony didn’t seem to be in any mood for Matt’s taunts and merely stood there glowering at him. To his credit he didn’t lash back or cause any trouble. He understood the value of a good job and how hard they were to come by. "This guys not going to make me blow this. I |
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| I'm sorry guys..............I had no idea the whole episode didn't post until Sugarless reread it and told me it wasn't all there...........If you're wondering what happened it here next. |
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| Part 2
The crew, true to Leon’s warnings hit the line within a minute and they were busy beyond belief. It looked like they’d need a fourth person everyday for sure. Everything went smoothly though and within 15 minutes virtually everyone had been served. That was just about the limit of the opportunity though because it wasn’t unusual for the lunch break to last only 30 minutes. As the line had dwindled down to two people Nikki came walking up and started down the line. "Hi, everyone. Did you save something sensible for me?"
Mindy responded cheerfully, " I think we can probably meet your expectations. We’re pretty much still in business on everything."
"Well, let’s see," Nikki said. "I don’t think the scrapings on the bottom of that pan are what I’m looking for." Looking farther down the line, she said, "What’s the mystery meat at the end?" and laughed at her own joke. Leon started to respond with a polite answer but realized that she was poking fun at them and didn’t respond at all. "Well, can you maybe just make me a turkey sandwich with sprouts and tomatoes? Maybe a little mayo?"
Leon started to respond that, "We don’t have sandwiches today," but was stopped by Mindy. She held out her hand to him and said, "I think I can scrape something up, Nikki. Just have a seat and I’ll bring it to you."
"Thank you, Mindy. That’s so sweet of you. I’m just in a mood today." Nikki turned and began walking toward the table closest to the serving line which also seemed to have the most available seats. As she past the next table one of he camera grips pushed back his chair as he was attempting to get up. His chair leg moved right in front of Nikki as she passed by and her ankle caught causing her to fly face first into the asphalt. She screamed as she fell but it was cut short as the dull thud of her head hitting the ground stifled her voice. She was immediately surrounded by crew members trying to see if she was alright. From her vantage point over the serving table Mindy could still see Nikki clearly. She appeared to be out cold. One of the crew said, "She’s breathing but she’s unconscious. Somebody should call 911." Matt had his cell phone in his hand already and was dialing. Mindy turned to the workstation behind her and got a clean wet cloth and went around the table. She made her way through the crowd of workers and saw that someone had turned Nikki over on her back. She knelt down beside Nikki. Without moving her head she pushed the hair back out of her eyes and began mopping her forehead and face with the damp cloth. Her forehead was scraped pretty badly but the bleeding was slow. By the time Matt said, "They’re on their way," Nikki had begun to respond. She moved her head slowly side to side and her eyes opened. As they began to focus, she looked wary and then alarmed. She tried to rise but Mindy held her down. She cried out in pain as she tried to push up with her right arm. Apparently her face wasn’t the only part she injured in the fall.
"Just stay down Nikki," Mindy said. "Paramedics are on the way. You took a pretty hard fall, but I think you’re going to be okay."
"My head...........and my arm.........." she moaned. "They hurt so bad."
Mindy stayed with her for the next 15 minutes until the ambulance arrived and then stood and helped Leon and the boys clear their work stations. Tomorrow was still another day. Shortly the paramedics loaded Nikki on the ambulance and prepared to leave.
Mindy stopped and asked, "Is she going to be okay?"
"I don’t think there’s anything serious," he said. "She hit her head pretty hard though and needs to be checked."
As the vehicle left the parking area without sirens, a black Lexus pulled in and Dawson got out of the car. "Anything left for me to eat?" he called out to Mindy with a grin.
Mindy stepped out from where she was working and walked to him. "Dawson, I’ve got some bad news."
After the disaster in the park this morning, Gretchen was relieved to see the light flashing on her answering machine when she got home. She just knew it was Dawson and he had come to his senses or maybe he wanted to clear up a misunderstanding. She still couldn’t believe she could be so wrong about the whole thing. When she heard Brad’s voice on the answering machine she was still relieved but in a different sort of way. He was asking her out again. After all she had done in stringing him along, he still wanted to take her out. "This may be just what the doctor ordered," she thought as she had deleted the message and picked up the phone to call him.
So here it was in the middle of the afternoon and she was at the hospital. Brad’s shift was ending at 2 and they were going to have some lunch and take in a movie. "His timing is perfect too," she thought, "because he couldn’t have known I was off today." She took a seat in the ER waiting room and prepared to wait. She knew from his stories and Andie’s that it was not unusual, perhaps even likely, that he wouldn’t be able to leave on time.
Just a few minutes later though, she saw the automatic doors open and the tall good looking man who came through the door this time was indeed Doctor Brad Adams. He smiled broadly as he approached her. "I’m so glad you could make it. I haven’t had anytime to myself and your schedule isn’t very forgiving either. I can’t believe you had today off. This is great!"
While he spoke she stood and they embraced exchanging pecks on the cheek. "I see you’ve already changed clothes. Does this mean you’re ready to go?" she asked.
"It does indeed," he agreed. "I’m a little early today. Just let me sign a couple of orders over at the desk and I’ll be ready."
He turned and walked over to the nurses’ station. As he did the sliding doors opened and paramedics pushed a woman on a gurney quickly into the ER. Since she was still standing she got a good look at the woman. As they paused near the nurses’ station Gretchen approached her and said, "Nikki? Are you alright? What happened?"
Nikki grimaced and answered, "I fell out on the set. I feel so stupid. Do I look awful?"
"No, no honey. You look great," Gretchen lied as she smiled. Brad approached and said, "What’s going on here?"
"Brad, you remember Nikki Greene? We met her at Pacey’s restaurant the night all my friends were there."
"Of course," he said, reflexively taking Nikki’s wrist and taking her pulse. "What do we have here?" he said to the paramedic.
"Pretty nasty knock on the head Doctor, and her left arm’s hurting pretty bad. However, I don’t think it’s broken."
Brad leaned over and looked closely and carefully into Nikki’s eyes. As he did the doors slid open once again and Dawson came rushing through the door. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Gretchen, then glanced down at the gurney and quickly moved forward to Nikki’s side.
"Nikki, are you okay? I came as fast as I could."
Nikki started to speak but Brad silenced her and turned to Dawson. "Hi, Dawson. I don’t know if you remember me or not but, I’m Brad Adams. We met.................."
Dawson interrupted........... "Of course...........at the Icehouse." Suddenly realization dawned on him and he turned to look at Gretchen and he no longer wondered how she happened to have come to the ER with Nikki. "You’re Gretchen’s friend. Are you on duty?"
"I was just leaving but I’d like to take a look at Nikki. I think she’s going to be fine, though. Gretchen, if you don’t mind I’d like to run a few tests. It shouldn’t take too long."
"Of course," Gretchen began. "I understand. By all means..........." She felt like a first class moron. She suddenly had no words. She didn’t know what to say and she suddenly found herself here alone with Dawson again as the gurney went thru the double doors into the ER. Dawson watched Nikki being rolled away, but found his feet planted to the very spot where he stood. Gretchen observed and said, "How did this happen?"
Dawson at first didn’t seem to hear but eventually stammered, "uh, uhm....... apparently she tripped an fell over a chair and fell face first onto the asphalt. I wasn’t there but that’s what I was told."
"I talked to her a little bit," Gretchen volunteered. "She sounded good. I think she’ll be okay, Dawson."
"Um, yeah," he said distractedly. "I hope so."
"I had just been here a few minutes when they brought her in," Gretchen said.
"Were you meeting Dr. Adams here?" Dawson asked.
"Yes," she said. "He’s coming off a long, long shift. We were going to try lunch and a matinee."
"I’m sorry we ruined your afternoon," Dawson apologized.
Gretchen smiled, "Don’t worry about it. We can still eat and he’d probably fall asleep in a movie anyway."
Neither of them spoke again and the silence stretched out interminably. Finally Dawson broke the ice. "About this morning Gretchen............that was strange. I felt a little like we weren’t even speaking the same language."
"You too?" she said. "I kept thinking that you were saying one thing and I was hearing another...... and vice versa."
Dawson smiled and the chill lifted from the air. He opened his mouth to speak when the doors opened and a husky nurse with platinum hair said, "Mr. Leery? Wouldn’t you like to be back here with Ms. Greene?"
Dawson suddenly realized that Nikki probably wondered why he was out here with Gretchen instead of at her side. He commented to Gretchen, “I guess I should go tell her to break a leg." "That’s cute," Gretchen said. "Give her my best." Dawson started but hesitated and turned as if to say something. Gretchen smiled and said, "Go ahead."
Joey took the open seat in Karl’s office without saying a word. Both Karl and Chris were on the telephone. Karl acknowledged her presence with a nod of his head. Christopher had turned momentarily in her direction and patted the seat of the chair closest to him. Joey resisted the temptation to roll her eyes at him and sat down anyway. The other open chair in the office was across the room against the wall after all. He could be so cute and infuriating at the same time. She understood how Pacey felt about him and yet she knew that he wasn’t really the man that they had been confronted by at that banquet a few months ago. The Christopher she knew was fun, charming, and highly intelligent. It really never was his fault that he just wasn’t Pacey. She knew now beyond a shadow of a doubt that she had been in love with her high school boyfriend for all those years. As a writer, Chris was magnificent and she was one of his biggest fans. She had read every one of his books...........even the ones she hadn’t worked on. Having him to help her, to advise her through the ups and downs of writing her first book...........of doing necessary rewrites on her first book was somewhat of a coups.
Karl hung up is telephone and stood. He walked around the desk and Joey stood to embrace him. Karl was a really touchy feely guy and it never really seemed like he was her employer. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. They stood and talked about her book and how she was doing. He was highly interested and might even be considered excited. Christopher stood and walked across the room on his cell phone call and still did not as much as say hello. Karl watched him walk across the room and then smirked. They both knew and shared the little bit of knowledge that Christopher was relatively high maintenance. He wanted to be catered to, noticed, and pampered.
Shortly Christopher hung up his phone and walked silently across the room to join Joey and Karl. He managed to get within inches of Joey before saying, "Hello, Joey," and kissed her on the cheek. "Sit down and let’s all talk."
"Is everything going to be alright?" Karl asked.
Christopher said, "It should be. They’re going to move around a few things and change a couple of dates. We should be able to come to some working agreement."
"Good..........good," Karl beamed. He explained to Joey that there had been scheduling problems with Christopher’s latest book release tour and they had both been trying to work them out.
Christopher added, "I never had these problems when you were scheduling my itineraries, Joey."
"Well, that’s nice to hear but I’m grateful I’m not still doing it," Joey said.
"True..........that’s the only good part of it for me. I’m really looking forward to this book of yours and will be glad to be involved in it’s incubation no matter how small a part I may play."
"That’s what we’re here to discuss," said Karl. "As you know, Joey, Christopher was.......... blown away, shall we say by the completed part of your manuscript."
"And in no way forgetting the recent history we’ve shared, before and after your trip home, I want the chance to be involved. I want to help you, guide you if you will, through the pitfalls of trying to put the finishing touches on a book."
"But I have a long way to go before I’m ready for finishing touches?" Joey said inquisitively.
"You don’t think it’s almost finished do you?" Christopher asked.
"Of course not," Karl chimed in. "But that is one of the places you may need help. It’s not likely you’re going to be able to publish a first novel that’s 950 pages long and that is how you’re trending at the moment. Of course, neither of us knows your story but that’s the way it feels."
"But," Christopher said, "the character development is incredibly strong. Your lead........Kate...... She is very well fleshed out and as strong a leading teenage character as I’ve ever read. I used to love to give you a hard time about you and your high school friends but it’s given you a remarkable platform of experience to work from."
"I couldn’t agree more," Karl said.
"Thank you both..............so very, very much," Joey said almost gushing as she struggled to take it all in.
"Well," Karl said. "At this stage there’s not all that much for us to do. I would suggest that you, Joey, arrange to email pages to Christopher on at least a two to three times a week basis. He, of course, is still working on his own projects so that will give him time to work with your efforts as he sees fit."
"Let me get this straight," Joey said. "You’re going to act as my editor?"
Christopher laughed. "Not exactly, no. But there are similarities I guess. I think what we want to do more than anything else is have someone help keep your direction focused. At the same time, I’ll be looking for ways to bring the size of this manuscript into line."
"I guess I understand now how you felt before when we told you that your manuscripts were too wordy," Joey observed.
"Very similar. And I can’t say that you weren’t right in most cases And one other thing, we should meet at least once a week so we can discuss what you’re saying, where you’re going...... things like that. You don’t come in to the office regularly any more do you?"
"No, I don’t," said Joey hesitantly. "And it’s nice."
"Then we should find a place to meet. I assume that boyfriend of yours wouldn’t want me coming to your place or you coming to mine."
"I think that’s safe to assume," Joey smiled.
"Then, I want to be as flexible as possible. Drinks once a week? The night of your choosing. We can sit someplace quiet and discuss what you’ve accomplished and what I see in it."
Feeling trapped but not knowing where to turn, Joey made a quick decision. "We could always meet at the office, but we’ll try it your way. I think Marino’s deli on 7th Ave. would be a better idea though."
"Great," he said. "Then it’s settled. Anything else, Karl? I’ve got to get going."
"No, that should do it," Karl said.
"Then I’m out of here. I’ll be in touch, Joey." As they left the office together Karl was gesturing animatedly as he spoke to Christopher. Joey watched them thinking, "This is going to be so cool."
"Nikki, how are you? I was so worried. I drove up on set just as the ambulance was pulling out," Dawson said. He leaned across the bed to kiss her but she turned her cheek to him.
"And where were you this morning?" she asked. "This was a really big day and you don’t even show up?"
"I told you. I needed to clear my head. I’ve got a lot on my mind."
"I find it interesting that you show up here with Gretchen," she sniped.
A look of realization dawned on Dawson’s face. "So that’s what this is all about? Nikki, Gretchen is dating Brad............the doctor. She’s just here to meet him. He’s supposed to be off duty and would be if he hadn’t seen you come in. I told you. I drove up at the lot. I went over to the caterers to get something to eat and Mindy told me that you were on the ambulance that just left. I got back in the car and came straight here."
It took a moment but Nikki’s face softened. The hard edges around her cheeks and eyes disappeared. Eventually she said, "I’m sorry. I just jumped to conclusions. I was so angry this morning. The sound system was on the blink and we were two hours late getting started. All I could do is wait and fume about it being all your fault for not being there." She smiled and leaned forward, puckering her lips for the kiss she had avoided a few moments earlier.
As Dawson kissed her, Brad came back in with an orderly and said, "We’re going to take you down for that X-ray now. Your head isn’t hurting any worse?"
Nikki shook her head and said, "No. A little bit of a headache but not too bad."
"Well, I think you’re lucky on the concussion. If we can only rule out the broken arm now," he responded. The orderly wheeled Nikki’s bed around and started toward the door. "Ill be right outside." he said as he saw her turn the corner into the hallway.
He followed her outside and turned back down toward the waiting room. Gretchen saw him come through the door and stood. "How is she?" she asked.
"I think she’s okay. Brad seems to think her head isn’t concussed and they’re doing an X-ray right now on her arm but they think it’s alright too."
"Well that’s good. How did it happen?" she asked.
Dawson relayed the story to her as it was told to him by Mindy. "Then I went inside there and she accused me of being with you."
Gretchen looked alarmed, but said only, "What?"
"Apparently she saw you and I at about the same time and put two and two together. She thought I heard about her and rushed right over bringing you with me."
"You don’t think she knows......." Gretchen started but Dawson interrupted her.
"No. She doesn’t know we were together this morning, but she did ask again where I was."
"And you told her what?" Gretchen coaxed.
"I told her what I told her this morning." He looked away. Feeling Gretchen’s gaze on him, he said, "It wasn’t a lie."
"No." She said thoughtfully. "I guess it wasn’t."
As the truck pulled into the Icehouse parking area, Matt saw Lucas’ car against the curb near the front door. Krystin and Morgan were leaning against the car but Lucas was nowhere in sight. He parked the truck and got out. Mindy and Tony got out on the other side of the truck and walked to the rear to begin unloading. Matt walked right past them and said, "I’ll be right back."
Mindy stood with her hands on her hips as she watched him walk away, then looked at Tony who just shrugged. She turned back and shouted, "Hurry it up okay?"
Tony had the back door open in no time and began unloading the heavier equipment while Mindy went inside and got a rolling cart. When she returned all of the large stuff was on the ground and Tony helped her with loading the pots, pans and serving equipment onto the rolling cart. After, and only after she was loaded, did he begin the multiple trips involved in moving the larger equipment into the building.
They had not had a lot of time alone during the day with Matt and Leon, who had left around 3pm, being around. Now as they unloaded Mindy was able to enjoy engaging Tony in a real conversation. He was generally soft spoken and reserved......not shy, but reserved. The last couple of nights she had accepted a ride home from Matt and she missed her talks with Tony. Try as she might, he wouldn’t accept a ride from Matt too. The two of them just had this animosity which didn’t look like it was ever going to go away.
"I feel a little bit guilty but I actually wanted to laugh when Nikki fell today," she told him
Tony turned and grinned at her but said nothing. "Don’t get me wrong. I felt so bad when I knew she was hurt but she was being such a bitch today."
"I think she’s just insecure," he observed.
"Nikki? Insecure?" she said. "You’re kidding right?"
"No. I think she’s a very nice lady. She just pushes people around when she’s not feeling good about herself."
Mindy sat down the utensils she had just unloaded and turned to follow Tony back outside. When she answered she said, "Suppose you’re right. What does she have to be insecure about?"
He smiled. "Easy," he said. " She’s a very confident and competent person. She loves to give orders and boss people around. She seems to be pretty good at it too."
"Okay," Mindy said. "I can agree with that."
"Watch her when she’s around Mr. Leery. She’s totally different. Almost like she’s making herself what he wants her to be. Or what she thinks he wants her to be."
"You think so?" Mindy asked. "She does act different. The first time I met her I though she was really sweet. Here on the set, she’s not even close to being sweet."
They reached the truck and began to load up with the last of the equipment when Matt showed up. "Already done?" he said. "You guys are quick. Here," he said to Mindy, "Let me take those for you," taking her load from her arms and heading for the back door of the icehouse.
"Does that guy ever work?" asked Tony.
"I’ll talk to him in the morning," said Mindy. "Are you taking the subway?" she asked. "I think I’d like to do that tonight."
They walked into the kitchen and Matt was just loading what he carried in into the dishwasher. "My friends are here to pick me up Mindy. Would you like to go with us? We’re going to get something to eat and then we can take you home."
"I just told Tony I was going to ride the subway home with him," she replied. "I’m pretty tired and want to get home. Thanks for asking though."
Matt looked at her in disbelief. "You’d rather ride the subway," looking directly at Tony, "than ride in a fine automobile like Lucas’ fine machine?" He caught the bitter sound in his voice and corrected it in stride. "I guess we’ll just have to suffer on without you," he said.
Tony had his back to them during this whole conversation and said not a word. He could clearly see Mindy and Matt in the reflection off the stainless steel refrigerator door in front of him. He could also see the smile on his face.
Dawson was still in the waiting room talking to Gretchen. Forty five minutes later when Brad came through the double doors pushing Nikki in a wheelchair. They stood looking concerned when faced with the picture of Nikki being pushed to join them.
"Don’t worry," Brad said. "She’s fine. This is hospital policy."
"So she’s going to be okay?" Dawson said.
Brad confirmed, "She’s fine. It’s just a fairly bad sprain. You may need to go buy some scarves or some really good fabric so she’ll be able to coordinate her slings with her outfits. Other than that she’s as good as new."
"Thank you, Brad and I’m sorry I ruined your date Gretchen. Maybe Dawson and I can make it up to you sometime. We’ll take you both out to dinner."
Gretchen glanced quickly at Dawson and said, "That would be great. Thank you for offering."
"Well," Brad said, "We’re still early enough to make a really good early dinner, Gretchen."
"I’m ready," she said, "You lead."
Brad started pushing Nikki out the door toward the curb. Dawson said, "I’ll get the car. Thanks for everything, Brad."
When Dawson got to his car he turned to look back. Brad too had gone to get his car and he could see Nikki standing next to Gretchen on the sidewalk. Neither of them was saying a word.
Since Leon had worked the morning with the catering crew Pacey was obliged to cover his night shift at the restaurant. One thing he hadn’t really considered was how to get the catering work done for the next day without staying later at night to do it. He’d have to work on that because they spent enough hours here as it was. By the time he opened the door to the apartment it was almost 1 am. Much to his surprise the living room was backlit by scores of candles. Standing in the door to the hallway was Joey. She too was backlit by candles down the hallway. Pacey couldn’t quite make out what she was wearing but he could clearly see through the parts of it that didn’t have her form blocking out the candlelight. She appeared to be some kind of dark angel, wings outstretched across the door to the hallway. Her dark hair hung down over her shoulders and across her breasts. The lithe, shapely form he knew and loved so well was clearly outlined and yet not visible in this light. It was a shadow...........a black temptation which clawed at his loins and captured every ounce of his physical vitality with nothing more than a brief glance. "Jo?" he asked. "You’re still up?"
"Welcome home, sweetheart," she said. She began to move forward and approached him like a cat............graceful, sleek and purposeful. She reached him and wrapped her arms around his lower waist, clasping her fingers together and pulling him tight into a deeply sensuous kiss. Her tongue slid hungrily through his parted lips and said wordlessly that she had been waiting for hours and hours for his return. Responding in actions bordering on reflex Pacey’s arms encircled her waist and pulled her tight against his chest. He felt the warmth pulsing through the ripe fullness of her breasts and the impulsive flexing of her hips as she felt the emerging arousal of his sex. He deepened the kiss and let his hands roam up and down the back of this filmy, sexy piece of fantasy that she was wearing. "My god, Jo," he started as he broke their kiss.
Joey silenced him with a "Shhhhhhh" and resumed her kiss. In silent surrender Pacey slipped his hands under her butt and picked her up off the ground. She wrapped her long, luxurious legs around his waist and he carried her down the hall, past the saucers from her good china with tea lights glowing on them, and carried her through the bedroom door. Aside from the expected candles around this room also, the only difference in it and any other day was the precision in which the bedcovers had been folded back making the bed look crisp........inviting....... ready.
As were they...........
Pacey lay for at least 15 minutes numbed by the unexpected and unusual urgency of their lovemaking. Every time he went over it in his head, he smiled. No........he grinned. Joey was lightly snoozing. Her breathing was gentle and soft. He could lay like this forever he thought. "No," he corrected himself. "I tried once and everything went to sleep in a couple of hours." After a few more minutes, he gently rolled Joey to his left. He badly needed a drink of water. He stood and walked naked to the kitchen. "Damn," he thought, rushing to open the refrigerator and extracting a bottle of water. He ran back to the bedroom and closed the door before stopping to catch his breath.
"What’s the matter babe?" he heard Joey say from her place in their bed.
"I forgot Mindy," he said. "I just went to the kitchen buck naked and forgot about Mindy."
Joey laughed, "It’s okay, Pace. Mindy went out with Tony...........to eat and a club and I arranged for her to stay over at Gretchen’s."
He sighed in relief, then said, "She went out with Tony? Are we okay with that?"
"It’s not like we have anything to say about it, Pacey, but even if we did........doesn’t he deserve a chance? Are we really such bad judges of character that we don’t know the difference?"
"I suppose you’re right," he said. "Gretchen’s huh? You’ve been planning this?"
"Not really............just today. I had a really great day. I just thought this was a really great way to celebrate."
"Really now," he said. "What is it that we would celebrate that would inspire the most incredible surprise of my life?"
Pacey sat down on the bed and took another drink of water. He passed the bottle to Joey. She took it and sat up in the bed pulling the covers up shyly.
"I didn’t tell you that my meeting with Karl and Christopher was today."
"It was?" he said, caught completely off guard. And how did it go?" He paused, "Dumb question. Pretty well I take it."
"Yeah, Pacey, it was SO awesome. They both love my stuff so far and Christopher has asked to be involved...........as in a kind of overseer...........almost tutor kind of way."
"Do you really think you need that Jo?"
"Pacey, you don’t understand how good this is. Right now according to them, I’m so wordy that my book is going to end up over 1000 pages long."
"Wow," he said.
"Exactly," she said. "And that’s not good. I’d end up having to go back and rewrite endlessly and try to get what I want to say said in a more brief and concise way. Probably leave out things that aren’t really necessary even if I did like them enough to include them. That’s where Christopher comes in. He’s going to read everything as I write it. Every couple of days or so, I’ll email it to him and get his opinion and advice as I go along. It will save me so much time in the long run and so much frustration. Remember, I’ve been on the other side and had to tell people to start chopping on their life’s dream."
"Well I guess that doesn’t sound too bad."
"No, it’s great and Pacey...........he is one of the most commercial authors in America right now. He knows how to sell books. Everything he writes is a best seller before it hits the store shelves."
"That sounds really good for you, Joey." He was trying his best to be supportive and sound like he thought it was a good idea but deep down inside, he didn’t think he was pulling it off. But then, he thought, "She doesn’t seem to notice that I’m not on board. I’ve got to make this work. I can do it," he thought.
"The only drawback," she said, " is that I’ll have to meet with Christopher once a week. We’re going to do it at Marino’s deli so it should be okay, don’t you think?"
She was so excited that it was all he could do not to smile............but inside he was breaking. He stood and walked across the room to the bathroom.
"Where you going, babe?" she asked.
"Just to the restroom. I’ll be right back. This is awesome, Joey. Congratulations."
He stopped inside the restroom and leaned against the closed door. He slapped his palm against his forehead. "Damn it, Pacey. Get it together. She loves you. Tonight has nothing to do with him. Nothing!!!" |
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| I am not supposed to be reading Fanfic until I have finished my latest chapter which I have been writing for months. But I had to comment on your story Jimi. Loved it as usual. It totally takes me back to a time when the show was still on. It also makes me miss the characters, because you have such a nice handle on their voices and their spirit. I could truly have seen DC continuing on in the manner.
I hope Gretchen and Nikki get into a big fight and make Dawson really really miserable.
I hope Pacey catches Joey in a semi compromising situation with Christopher so his ability to forgive is tested. Pacey has never been that good at forgiveness, I wonder if he has matured.
I would love to see more of Jack. |
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| Ah Slyn............I share your pain. I really like writing for Jack too but it's so darned hard to get them all together in one place and have that place be NYC. That's where the story left us........NYC and Hollywood.........not capeside, Ma. If I could get Jack to NY without appearing to manually beat the storyline about it's head I'd do it in a heartbeat. But the story left him there with a new boyfriend, a little girl, and an old houseguest. So far I haven't been able to make compelling TV out of them except when the gangs been back in town. They will be again, I'm sure.
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I still have mixed feelings about DG and DN............even DA for that matter.
Pacey's maturitiy has to be tested now doesn't it? :wink:
I just wish MY favorite DCIZ writer would now give ME something new to read. :roll: |
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