Rainy Days and Monday's

 Lesley stands in front of the window of her sons room watching the squirrels playing among the tree branches outside and smiles. She loved being here in the quiet away from her family, away from everyone just the two of them. In their little house safe and warm fire burning in the fireplace the smell of bread filling the house. It reminded her of her Grandmother's house where her happiest childhood memories lied. A small pang of sorrow shoot through her at not being able to share James with his Great Grandmother. She'd adore him and he her.
That was the hardest part about all of this. By keeping him away from Jay, her mother, Wellington, his mother she was keeping him away from his uncles, aunts, great grandparents, cousins and everyone else. The only one in his family he knew was Erin and the time was coming when he'd want to know more. Who he was where he came from and especially who his father was. She'd be lying if she pretended the facts didn't hurt but she needed to protect them from the devastation Wellington and Jay would reap.
 Jay worried her most not because he would intentionally hurt her son but all her son would be to him was tool and a way to hurt Well. All the while he'd try to mold Jamie into something he wasn't. Just like he tried with everyone in his life. She wasn't going to let that happen he wasn't going to do to him what she watched him try to do to her brothers.
 Wellington was a different story his baggage was the problem. She wasn't going to put her son through what she went through with Lola. She didn't want that woman anywhere near her son and where there was Wellington there was Lola. She wasn't putting her son or her heart through that again. Although protecting them both meant keeping Wellington from his son and she still wrestled with the fairness in that and if she was really protecting them or punishing Well. She'd asked herself that question many times and still didn't have an answer. All she knew she was happier without the complication she kept reminding herself even though her heart lurched every time she saw him.
"Miss I'm leaving now. Your lunch is in the refrigerator." Milly says coming into the bedroom searching through her purse as she talks. Lesley turns from the window smiling back at her.
"Thanks Milly." Milly stuffs her keys in her jacket pocket then closes her purse smiling back at her.
"You are welcome." She says reaching down into the crib and and pulling James' blanket up around him as he sleeps.
"Bye sweetheart I'll see you tomorrow. Listen, " She whispers
"He was a little fussy when we came back from Preschool this morning. You may want to keep an eye on him."
"Okay, thanks Milly I will." She smiles walking with her to the front door and opening it for her.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. Bye!" Milly says turning and walking down the sidewalk. Lesley waves then closes and locks the door behind her. Lunch could wait maybe she could get a little work done while Jamie slept. She walks back to his room reaching down and pulling the blanket up he'd kicked down and pulls it up over him stroking his hair from his forehead her hand stopping mid stroke his skin hot to the touch his little body trembling. She picks him up quickly wrapping the blanket around him and runs with him into the living room for her phone.
 Chase rolls over propping his head on his palm looking down on a sleeping Erin. He'd missed these moment while they'd been apart. He hadn't realized how much till now. His hand itched to move the strand of hair across her nose that puffed out every time she breathed but he knew if he did he'd wake her.
"What are you doing?" She murmured sleepily her one eye open. Chase smiles down at her his face covered in a blush.
"Watching you sleep." She props her head on her palm smiling back at him.
"You know that just a little creepy" She teases squeezing her fingers together and pursing her lips laughing when he blushes crimson.
" I was just thinking how I missed you forgetting how much I didn't miss this!" She laughs harder pulling him to her.
"Come here." She says holding him close enjoying the feel and smell of him.
"I missed you too! And I'm really glad you got us this room." she says pulling him to her and kissing him.
"I love you Chase VanDorn don't ever forget that." She smiles kissing him again.
"So what are we doing today?" She pulls away and stands walking to the mirror and picking up her hairbrush. Chase sits up pushing the pillow behind him enjoying the view of Erin standing naked in front of the mirror. She was beautiful her alabaster skin glistening in the sunlight streaming through the curtained window. There was power and grace in her movement which always fascinated him. He smiles to himself debating whether to pull her back into the bed or take a shower and get going. They could do both put he wanted to catch the plumber before he left the barn he was renovating for them.
They had been walking around the property peeking around and opening doors when they had come across the old barn they all used to play in when they were kids. Erin started talking about when she was little she'd pretend it was her house and mapped where she'd have put all the rooms so he had and surprised her with it last night. He'd hoped it would have been finished by the time he got to town so they could spend the night there but the plumber wasn't done.
"I wanted to get over to the house and meet the plumber but after that we can do whatever you want."  Erin smiles and heads toward the bathroom.
"Cool! I wanted to see it again in the daylight! I'm going to take a shower!" She leans over the bed kisses the top of his head then flounces into the bathroom. Chase smiles after her then reaches for the hotel phone and orders breakfast for them. He climbed out of bed and searched around it for the remote control. Finding it beside the nightstand next to Erin's ringing phone. He reaches for it and see's Lesley's number flashing on the screen and answers it.
"Hey Les it's..."
"Chase!" Lesley's squeals sounding scared and panicked to his ears.
"Lesley what's wrong?" He says instinctively putting on his underwear as she talks then his pants.
"I need Erin there's something wrong with Jamie!"
"What? Who's Jamie?" He stops mid step stares back at the phone sounding as confused as he looked at the sound of a baby crying in the background.
"I don't know what's wrong with him he feels really hot he seems lethargic and he's trembling! I need Erin to come to my place now!"
"Okay! Okay hold on! Your place?" He mutters running into the bathroom.
"Erin! Lesley's on the phone she says Jamie's sick and she needs you to come to her place?" Erin looks at him eyes wide. He stares back at her his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Oh my God!" she says shutting off the water with one hand and reaching for the towel on the hook with the other then grabs her phone from Chase.
"Lesley?" She says wrapping the towel around her.
"What's his temperature?" Lesley takes the thermometer from his ear and reads it trying to stamp down her rising fear.
"He's at One hundred and one point seven, he was shivering and holding his neck." She cries into the phone as Erin runs from the bathroom Chase behind her. She tosses the towel on the bed and dresses hurriedly as she speaks.
"Lesley I want you to meet me at the hospital. We have to go!" She says turning towards Chase who is already dressed his keys in his hand. Lesley holds her son wrapping the afghan from the back of the sofa around him  her face etched with worry her voice filled with fear.
"What's wrong with him Erin?" Erin Looks at Chase who looks back at her confused but silent as she rushes past him out the door.
"I don't know honey but to be on the safe side I want him in the hospital where I can treat him properly. Besides coming to you would take up too much time if there is."
"Okay." Her voice sounding less panicked.
"Try not to worry it could be just a virus okay?" Erin tries to keep the concern from her voice and sound reassuring.
"Okay I'll meet you there!" Lesley picks up her son swiping the keys from the hook as she walks out the door.
"Okay I'll be waiting. Bye." Erin hangs up looking over at Chase as they exit the Inn and head for the car unable to gauge his thoughts from his expression. Chase reaches in his pocket pops the door locks and starts the car just as they reach it both climbing in simultaneously.
"Are you going to tell me who Jamie is?" He asks his voice devoid of emotion as he throws the car in gear and races from the parking lot stopping at the entrance to the street.
"Or do I already know?" His eyes probe hers then he nods already knowing the truth that had been hidden there all along. She couldn't turn away and she couldn't hide This was the moment she'd been dreading. The moment when she couldn't lie any longer.
"Jamie is Lesley's son"  


"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014






  

Indian Summer

 Vicki comes out of the water and reaches for the towel on the chair wiping it across her skin. Then looks down at Desiree sitting on the blanket reading a textbook and rolls her eyes.
"Oh my God come on Desi! It's beautiful Indian Summer Day everyones here! We finally get a day off from School and the hospital and you spend it studying?"
"We have a test in three days!" She scowls back at her. Vicky sighs and rolls her eyes again.
"Yeah in THREE days!" Stephanie looks up at Vickie and winks. She stand grabbing the book from  Desiree hand and walks towards the lake.
"Come and get it!" She laugh Desiree jumps to her feet and chase her towards the edge.
"Stephanie you wouldn't! Please!" Stephanie dangles the book over the edge. Acting as if she would drop it grinning devilishly.
"We came all the way out here to have fun! Not so you could study!" She say acting as if she was throwing the book into the lake. Desiree runs towards her falling off the edge into the water. She looks up at Stephanie and Vickie leaning over the edge laughing and waving the book at her.
"Well at least it's still dry!" She laughs then swims towards the shore. The two laugh harder as they walk toward the blanket glancing up as a car pulls into the parking lot.
"Who's that?" Stephanie asks shading her eyes from the sun the expense of the car model getting her immediate interest. Vicky looks at the car and shrugs tossing the book into Desiree's bag then sits on the blanket to wait for her. Stephanie watches and waits for the driver to exit the vehicle her eyes wide with surprise when she see it's Michael Van Dorn stepping out of it.
 Michael climbs out of his new car locking it as he walks smiling like a cheshire cat as he walks down the slope toward the lake definitely a step up from his old car. If you had told him a week ago that he'd have a new job a new car. He'd have said you were lying. Of course he had to sell his old car get an advance from his brother and borrow a little money from his parents. Which they were very happy do just to have what his father referred to as the "rolling oil slick" out of their driveway. Look at him now! The expression on Stephanie's face when he'd driven in said it all. It was perfect! He loved seeing her standing there her mouth agape practically drooling. Yep things were looking up for Mike yes they were.
"Hey Vick," He says hugging his cousin then grinning impishly at Stephanie.
"Are you trying to catch flies Steph?" Stephanie's mouth snaps shut then she laughs.
"Nice ride VanDorn!" She says nodding in approval as she walks towards him.
"Thanks got it yesterday." He smiles proudly looking towards his car shimmering in the sunlight.
"So what did you do rob a bank?" She teases giving him the once over nodding in approval. Seemed he'd treated himself to more than just a new car. Looked as if he'd given himself the royal treatment his hair was neatly clipped and styled his beard and mustache neatly trimmed. All and all he was a cleaner sharper image of his former self and she was liking it.
"Nope, got a job working with my brother." He smiles proudly.
"That's great Mike!" Vicky throws her arms around him and hugs him.
"I'm so happy for you!" Stephanie grins needing a little bit more so she had the entire picture without being obvious.
"So what are you chief building maintenance?" She smirks Michael smiles back knowing exactly what she wanted. Nothing had changed since high school probably never would. Stephanie was looking for easy street. Even back then  she only dated the guys with the fancy cars or money or popularity all three if possible. Looked like she was getting bored with Liam or at least she should be since those two had been together on and off since Junior year. She was going to learn fast he wasn't that guy. She could be a lot of fun but she didn't really do it for him.
"I'm the Lan Administrator. If you don't know what that is. I'm responsible for all the companies computer networks and communications." Stephanie frowns at him her mouth twisted to the side annoyed by his obnoxious arrogance.
"I know what a Lan Administrator is!" She snaps making him laugh.
"That's great Mike! I'm so proud of you!" Vicky say hugging him again.
"Thanks Vick." He laugh picking her up and twirling her in a circle.
"What's great?" Desiree asks coming up behind him. Michael turns at the sound of her voice and grins broadly his eyes wandering her curves loving the blush staining her cheeks. Desiree looks back at him his look making her feel strangely warm all over and suddenly shy her mind flashing back to the kiss they'd shared. She noticed too a sudden change about him not that he needed confidence if anything he was overconfident but there was something.
"Michaels the new, what's it called again?" Vicky looks up at him.
"Lan Administrator not bad for a what did you call me?" He pauses crossing his arms over his chest tapping his temple pretending to think.
"Bar brawling, rowdy slacker?" He smiles that teasing little half grin she was beginning to hate so much yet found irresistible.
"I never said "Slacker"." She huffs walking away from him to the blanket she leans down and pulls out her towel from her bag wrapping it around her shielding herself from his hungry stare.
"Preston told us last night. Good for you has to be way better than temp work" She unwraps her towel and sits down on the blanket and pats the beads of water off her skin.
"It has it's perks." He says stretching out next to her. His closeness making her feel more uncomfortable than his stare. She looks around her for her bag spotting it behind him.
"Do you mind?" She huffs Michael reaches back and hands her, her beach bag plopping it down in front of her.
"Not at all." He grins back at her she rolls her eyes and half smiles finding it hard not too. She reaches into her bag and pulls out her sun dress and slips it over her head. As Michael chatters on to his cousin and Desiree,
 Stephanie watches the interaction of the three not sure if she liked the chemistry brewing between the two or not. Mike was never really her type but after all it seemed like Mike Van Dorn was moving up in the world and maybe she could find away to move up with him and if not with, maybe in his new circle. There would be a lot of new people in town as soon as they officially opened and Mikey could be her ticket to getting her foot in the door.
"So I guess I won't be seeing you around the bar. I'm going to miss not having you around." Michael laughs then looks at Desiree.
"Oh, I'll be around." Stephanie looks at the two again this was obviously going to get her no where a least not now time for plan b.
"Do you think maybe you can get me a job?" Desiree looks from Michael to Stephanie then to Vicky. Vicky looks back at her and shrugs.
"Since when have you been looking for a job?" Desiree blurts out trying not to sound jealous or suspicious and sounding both. Stephanie gives Desiree a cold stare and snaps back .
"Since my mother told me this morning if I don't she's cutting me off!" Michael looks at her and laughs.
" Work by fire!" He laughs harder rolling back on the blanket. Stephanie stares at him itching to slap the grin right off his face as Vicky and Desiree smother a smirk.
"What is it that you do?" He sits up staring at her smothering another laugh annoying her further.
"For your information I have an associates degree in Business and I can carry twelve beer steins!" She laughs flexing her muscles while Vicky and Desiree smile and nod in agreement.
"She can, we've seen her!" Before they all burst out laughing, .
"I don't think we can use your beer stein talents but come down tomorrow bring your resume and talk to Chase. I'm sure he can find something for you." Stephanie squeals in delight she runs over and jumps on top of him knocking him back on the blanket and kisses him lingering a bit too long for Desiree liking. Desiree glares at her, her anger flaring quickly. She'd seen Stephanie do this move a million times before to get a guy. Why was she surprised and why did it completely tick her off.
"We'll have to hangout next time you stop by the bar or maybe around the water cooler." She says with a wink then rolls away and stands. Michael smiles back at her thoroughly enjoying the look of murder on Desiree's face as she looks at Stephanie.
"Maybe" His voice noncommittal.
"Yo Steph!" Liam bellows across the clearing then beckons here with his hand.
"I'm taking out the boat! You guys coming?"
"Yeah! How about you guys? Ya coming?" She looks from Vicky to Desiree. Vicky stands then looks down at Mike and Desiree.
"Yeah I'm coming!" Vicky stands dusting the sand from her clothes.
"Okay." She waves then runs down the path jumping on Liam's back as he walks.
"Tell Mark I'll be right there." Vicky calls after her. Desiree frowns and stuffs her towel in her bag then stands. Michael stands beside her dusting the sand from his pants.
"I have to get back home and change I still have a shift at the restaurant." She says tossing her bag over her shoulder. Vicky's mouths twist in disappointment.
"Okay let me tell Mark and I'll drive you back." She walks back towards the blanket snatching it up then her purse and keys.
"I'll be right back I just want to tell Mark." She said sounding as disappointed as she looked. Desiree looks at Vicky and sighs.
"Don't worry about it I can walk." Michael looks from Vicky to Desiree smiles slyly.
"I can drive you back to town I have to be getting home anyway." Desiree looks at him and laughs.
"I think it would be faster if I walked" Vicky smiles as she backs away.
"That would be great Mike thanks! I owe you one! See you later Des!" She giggles as she runs down the path after the crowd. Desiree sighs and walks towards the parking lot Michael beside her.
"Seriously, I can walk back it's okay" She turns towards him trying to shut out the image of Stephanie rolling all over him. She begins to walk quickly trying to outpace him and failing miserably. Michael looks at her and laughs at the determined expression on her face and the spark of jealousy in her eyes.
"I'm not going to let you walk all the way back to town." He smiles stopping as they reaches the parking lot
"I'm perfectly capable of walking home by myself." She retorts sounding more insulted than she looked. They continue to walk and he guides her towards his car.
"You'll never get home and get to work on time."
"I can walk pretty fast." Michael twist his lips into a thin line and shakes his head.
"Come on you can be the first one on your block to get a ride in my fancy new car." He smirks enjoying the shocked expression on her face.
"You got a new car?" She looks up at him eyes wide with surprise.
"Yep, all part of the new me" He twirls in a circle arms stretched out.
"Come on." He says grasping her elbow gently and leading her to the passenger side thoroughly enjoying her wide eyed stare as she inspects the vehicle.
"This is..." She says still in awe her voice trailing off.
"Nice? Yeah I know." He smirks reaching over and opening the door for her.
"Come on get in. I promise I won't bite." He says holding the door. Desiree hesitates a moment looking around and spots Stephanie on the boat pulling away from the dock and her mind flashes back to she and Mike rolling in the sand and she gets in. Michael closes the door then runs around the other side mentally congratulating himself as he climbs behind the wheel, snaps on his seatbelt and starts the car.
"You ready?" He asks turning towards her and reaching for the gear shift. Desiree nods her head.
"So you were going home right?" He says backing out of the space and and heading out of the parking lot.
"So what time do you have to be at work?" He asks zipping down the back roads to her house.
"In about an hour." Michael smiles turning to face her when he stops for the stop sign.
"I could wait and drop you at work I don't mind at all" He looks back at the road sliding into the flow of traffic.
"No that's okay I can manage." She chides half laughing. Michael laughs slowing down to turn on to her street.
"I guess you're working the dinner shift?" He asks slowing down at the stop sign.
"You'd guess right." She shoots back looking out the window trying to ignore his nearness.
"What time do you finish tonight I mean?" He asks rolling the car to a stop in front of her house.
"Around nine thirty then I have to come home and study." Michael looks at her and scowls.
"When do you have fun? Even when you're supposed to be having fun you're working." He smiles looking down at the book in the bag and back. Desiree looks away feeling a little guilty he was right even when she was supposed to be having fun she was doing something completely unfun.
"What if I meet you in the bar after work we hang out for a little while have some fun?" Desiree half smiles shaking her head I don't know I have a test in three days and..." Michael breaks in before she can finish the sentence.
"Have to study yeah I get that but knowing you, you studied all day. So why not give your brain a rest hang out with me. I promise I'll get you home before you turn into pumpkin." He laughs making her chuckle.
"Okay, okay one drink and then I have to go." Michael smiles triumphant I'll be at your Uncle Rowdy's bar at nine thirty sharp." Desiree smiles and opens the door stepping out of the car then turning back.
"Thanks for the ride" She smiles.
"You're welcome. Way faster than walking." He laughs making her laugh.
"I'll see you later." She laughs slamming the door and walking up the walk. Michael watches her till she gets to the door then waves pulls it open and walks in. Mike honks the horn twice then pulls off smiling to his self. Yes things were looking up for Mike Van Dorn! Yes they were!





"Harbinger Falls" Copyright 2014


                                              

Smiling Face

 Marjorie pulls in the parking lot peering around as she talks on the phone.
"I just wanted to thank you for looking out for my boy" She says looking for then finding the one reserved for her and pulls in.
"That's what family's for. Listen I'd better get going. I'll talk to you soon." Her cousin says from the other end.
"Thanks again Ope." Marjorie says shutting off the engine and collecting up her purse and keys.
"Anytime Margie. Bye!"
"Bye!" She ends the call at the same moment she spots Sharron's car pull into the parking space next to hers.
"Hey Sharron!" She calls to her sister in law as she exits the car.
"Hey Margie! You're right on time!" Slamming the car door and locking it behind her. Marjorie stands by the the front of her car as Sharron comes towards her giving her a quick hug as they walk toward the entrance.
"Well you look happy this morning!" Marjorie smiles holding the door while Sharon walks through the two looking around at all the vendors tables set up outside the auditorium for the charity Fashion Show that Toni had coordinated. She stops at one of the tables on the way through admiring the evening bags then moves to the next one.
"Never better! I had a very productive morning!" She smiles knowingly. Marjorie walks to one of the mannequins and admires the outfit adorning it nodding in agreement.
"Me too I got all my correspondences done before I got here. How's my nephew?" She asks coming to stand by Sharron's side as she holds up a blouse.
"Fine I guess. He's off with Erin for a few days." She looks at Marjorie both shaking their heads at the blouse and move into the auditorium towards their table smiling and nodding at the smattering of woman seated as they walk.
"Good for them! Where'd they go that new Inn? Well not new but you know what I mean." She says looking down at the "reserved" tag on the table and takes her seat Sharron taking the one beside her and looks around at the other tables slowly filling around them.
"Yeah, I think so." Sharron nods then giggles.
"I hope no one told Mary!" She says making them both chuckle.
"Seems like we're one of the first here." Marjorie looks around spotting Alex and Terry coming through the door heading towards their table then stop to talk to Beth Thicket and Abigail Colgate. Marjorie watch all the smiles and air kisses between the four forcing down the bile rising up in her throat.
 Abbey Colgate was the biggest hypocrite to come down the pike. Abbey loved to pretend she was a moral and ethical pillar of the community when, in actuality she was lying, manipulative slut. As much as she disliked Alex Stockton it was absolutely galling how Abbey could be all smiles with a woman whose husband she was sleeping with. She couldn't stand her and her daughter was her spitting image. Sometimes she couldn't decided which she despised more. When she really thought about it, it was Lola.
 Lola had gone after her son like a starving man to a plate of food. When he'd realized the mistake he'd made and tried to walk away she'd trapped him with a baby. Not that she didn't love her granddaughter she loved her with all of her heart but Lola had used her at every opportunity to hurt and manipulate her son and her family. She was a manipulative user just like her mother and twice as arrogant. It was her overbearing arrogance that had killed her granddaughter and that made her far worse than her mother.
"Here come Alex and Terry." She says turning back towards Sharron.
"I hope they don't drag that Abigail Colgate this way." Sharron turns catching Terry's eye the later meets it evenly and nods.
"No, I think Abbey knows better than that even if Alex tried" She laughs.
"Terry's alright but Alex, she's a real piece of work." Sharron continues turning back towards Marjorie.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about her too much anymore." She nods her head in finality. She had a few cards up her sleeve just incase Alex tried tried to back out.
"You always have to worry about Alex she's a lush not stupid." Sharron warns knowing from past experience.
"True, but this time around were both in this. Finally!" She says reaching over and taking Sharron's hand in hers. Sharron lays her hand on Marjorie's and gives it a loving squeeze.
"Margie I can't tell you how much your love and friendship has meant to me over the years."
"You're my sister and I love you. I just wish you had let me help sooner!" She scolds.
 "This time Margie they're not just after my son they're after your's too. I couldn't say no if I wanted to." Marjorie looks around lowering her voice sharing with her in a few sentences the depth of the feelings she'd kept buried for all theses years. She'd waited patiently playing the part of dutiful and gracious wife for the sake of her husband's career. Waiting patiently for the right time to crush that pompous, egotistical bastard. All the smiles and platitudes she paid him, all the dinners and barbecues she'd sat through over the years with a smile plastered on her face were finally going to pay off! She was finally going to break his hold on her family and Sharron was going to help her do it. She had to admit it felt good to have an ally and someone to share her loathing with. All she had to do was keep smiling and be the ever pleasant good christian woman her public image showed her to be.
"Jay Stockton going to find out the hard way he's definitely barked up the wrong tree this time! I have been waiting years to teach him that lesson. I'm going to make damm sure this will be the last time he will ever mess with my family." The coldness in her voice sending a small chill through Sharron. She'd known for years she didn't like Jay but she hadn't realized till that moment depth of her hatred. Marjorie takes a deep breath and then expels it letting the past go for the moment.  
"I hope I won't need a hospital stay from maintaining all this decorum." She laughs.
"Well I made a really nice dinner for us when we get back to make up for it."
"As long as I get a slice of your cobbler all will be right with the world." Sharron smiles.
"I made an extra one for you to take home." Marjorie grins from ear to ear her mouth watering at the thought.
" See that's why you are my favorite sister in law." They both laugh. Sharron looks up spotting Toni coming towards them looking lovely as always and rises to hug her.
"Toni!" She says kissing her cheek and hugging her again.
"You look beautiful as always!" She holds her niece at arms length admiring the bright flora pattern of her skirt.
"So do you! Wow! Thank you both for wearing the outfits I designed for you!" She looks from one to the other then hugs her mother tight.
"Of course!" She says hugging her daughter back smiling proudly.
"Thank you!" She steps away adjusting her mother's collar and smiles.
"I can wait for the show to start! You must be so nervous!" Sharron says looking around as the room fills to capacity. Toni grins nervously rubbing her hands together.
"Just a little but I always am right before these things. You guys are going to play nice right? I could only reserve one table for all of you." Marjorie winks showing her daughter her most polite plastic smile.
"Anything for my babies you know that! Even an afternoon with Alex Stockton." She whispers with a chuckle then turns towards Alex and Terry as they arrive at the table.
"Terry! Alex! So nice to see you both!" Terry smirks greeting her back with the same grandiose overtures.
"Margie always a pleasure.Toni you look great!" She says air kissing her cheek then turning to Sharron.
"Sharron you're looking well." She says taking the seat on the opposite side of Marjorie.
"Thank you Terry you look great! Alex good to see you. " She says politely Alex glares at her a moment smiling through tight lips.
"Sharron nice to see you. Toni darling you look Fabulous!" She says turning to Toni and kissing her cheek.
"Thank you! You look stunning! Toni looks from one to the other nervously praying silently that it all went well before they all killed each.
"Thank you! Okay, now that you're all here I'd better get this started." She says then turns and walks toward the stage stopping and sending the waiter over to take their drink order before they could have a chance to start talking. She grabs the microphone off the table as she walks up the steps and switches it on.
"Ladies thank you all for coming today! If you could all find your seats we are going to get started in five minutes." She says snapping off the microphone and walking off the stage. She breathes a sigh of relief as the waiter takes their order. That should only give them three minutes to possibly talk then prays it's not too long and rushes back stage.  
 Alex finishes giving her order to the waiter she needed something to get through the afternoon. Especially if she had to stare at Marjorie's smug butter wouldn't melt in her mouth face.
"I had asked Abbey and Mary to join us but they're already sitting with Rose and Janice." Marjorie looks at her and shrugs her smile clenched.
"Well if they can't they can't." She shrugs clinging desperately to her polite smile. Alex smile deepens knowing she had gotten to her and deciding to dig the knife a little deeper.
"She was telling me Lola is doing very well she's the new head of oncologist at the hospital she's working for." Marjorie's eyes turn ice cold her grin tight desperate to keep the promise she'd made her daughter.
"I'm glad to hear she's doing well and being productive." She says sounding pleased and pleasant then adds.
"Spending your days just this side of falling down drunk and sleeping it off half the day is no way to go through life. Wouldn't you agree?" Marjorie say with a smile as Alex's face turns white her jaw slack then her face fills with rage. Sharron looks from one to the other waiting for the two to jump across the table.
"Your drinks ladies!" Comes the waiters chipper voice as he stands between them placing their drinks down in front of them cutting off their confrontation.
"Terry I thought Mary and Emma would be here." She says immediately changing the topic hoping to avert catastrophe for her nieces sake. Terry immediately takes up her que.
"They had the lunch crowd to deal with they couldn't make it. Besides fashion is not really my mother's thing. She not happy unless she got a ladle in one hand and a spatula in the other." Marjorie and Sharron laugh as Alex sighs her annoyance loudly then turns and continues to be occupied with her phone. Terry looks over at her rolls her eyes then winks.
"I saw both your boys the other night and Michael tells me he's going to be working with Chase and Wellington." Sharron drops back in her chair miming exhaustion.
"We are so glad! I don't know if Hank could have taken it another month." Terry laughs.
"Trust me I get it! I have one at my house. Stephanie's been floating around for the past six months! I'm just hoping Erin and Chase are enjoying themselves. Those two could use some time away from work and everything else that's been going on." Sharron smiles and nods her head. In the years that she has battled Alex she always had a respect for Terry she had never judged her and had always treated her with a modicum of respect and she in kind. Over the years they had developed a friendship of sorts especially after Chase and Erin started dating and fell in love.
"Yeah me too." She replies. Terry looks at her sister who seemed to be still involved with her phone but who knew how long that would last. Hopefully until this show started.
Alex looks up from her phone hoping Toni would start already so she wouldn't have to listen to Terry making chit-chat with theses bitches! God! This entire situation was getting beyond tolerable. Putting up with Margie's pursed face and snide remarks! Having to sit here looking at Sharron's smug face as she chattered inanely about that son of hers. What her niece saw in him she would never understand. She was so frustrated with it she could almost scream! Where the hell was that idiot waiter and her other drink? If she had to sit through this crap she may as well enjoy it. Maybe it would help her get over the anger she felt. She'd allowed that sow to blackmail her into betraying and spying on her husband. She was scared half to death! If Jay ever found out she'd stolen that email it would kill him and he might literally kill her. It was almost more than she could stand. Hopefully she'd found a way to get out of it and pay her back for the humiliation she'd heaped on her. If her next move went her way Sharron was going to pay and pay dearly!

"Harbinger Falls" copyright 2014