I breathed a sigh of relief as Clare cut off the call. She stared me down.
“I’ll call him when I get home. I’ll let you know what he says when I come tomorrow. Rest well, my friend.” She brushed my cheek gently and left the room.
Rest well? Rest well!? How was I to do that when she was hell-bent on turning the peaceful little existence I had eked out for myself upside down?
Chapter 18 – Scott
I sat in the VIP lounge, sipping cocktails. There was nothing to do but watch the crowd on the dance floor. Around the studio, I had been given the name scrooge. It was one I accepted quite readily as I knew that I had been a bear to deal with for the past few months. Only Vivian and Michael didn’t give a flying rat’s ass when I displayed my temper. Even my parents had felt the lash of my tongue.
When I returned to New York in July, I had thrown myself straight into work. Two roles had been waiting for me to pull my dick out of Helen and come back to my real life. I put my heart and soul into both movies. I anticipated the new year racking me up with three box office hits.
I took another sip of my cocktail. It had been at Michael’s insistence that I had come to the studio party tonight. Otherwise, I would have sat at home alone in my penthouse, just looking at the city turn white. I had no plans for the holiday, but to be alone. My solitary confinement was what I deserved for the jackass I had been to Helen.
Helen. As I had walked out of her apartment that night in July, I knew I was making the mistake of a lifetime, but my cussed ego and pride would not allow me to turn back and take her in my arms. Regret was not something I often dwelled on in my life, but this incident haunted my sleeping and waking hours.
After that final call that I sent to voice mail as I boarded the flight that morning, there were no more. I don’t know what I had expected. I had refused to take her call the night before. Did I want her to chase me down? It would have given me a measure of satisfaction to have her attempting to call now and then. But the silence haunted me. The silence made me want to pick up the phone and call her instead. But ego and pride stood in the way.
There was not a day that passed, however, that I did not think about her: the dates we had had, the love we had made, the conversations we had shared. I remembered how I had planned to juggle my work with traveling to and from Creek Town. I wanted it back. But after the way I had spoken to Helen, and the way I had tossed that money in her face, there was no getting it back.
I raised my hand, and a waitress was at my elbow immediately. I indicated my empty glass, and she scurried away. Shortly after, she retrieved my empty glass and handed me a fresh drink. This was my fifth in two hours. I knew I was drinking myself drunk, but felt powerless to stop. I sighed and rubbed my hand against my goatee. I had shaved the beard for the new role, but found that I liked the idea of having facial hair, and decided to maintain a goatee instead.
“I’m guessing alcohol is your new woman, eh.”
I looked up as Michael took a seat across from me.
“Whatever, man.”
“Good grief, Scott. It’s Christmas! Live a little. Where’s the Scott that would have had two women on his arms right now, just because he’s a gift and wants no one to be deprived? You know what the papers have been saying, right?”
“Lay off, Michael. I’m not in the mood.”
“You haven’t been in the mood for months now. What the heck happened to you back there?”
“None of your business.” Apart from Vivian, who was just nosy, no one knew about Helen. No one knew why I had come back before I was supposed to. No one knew why I had become even more of a workaholic. No one knew why I stopped going out and dating up a storm. I knew what the tabloids were saying, but could care less.
“Well, as long as your work hasn’t been affected negatively, I guess it’s all good. I just wish I could have my friend back, that’s all. You’ve become a bit of a douchebag to everyone, you know. Folks deal with you on the set when you’re in your zone. But socially, you’ve become a real drag. I hope you snap out of it for the new year.” Michael took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts. “Dammit!” He looked at me. “Have you got a number for Jerry Morgan? I’m supposed to be working on a contract for him.”
I reached into my pocket and felt emptiness. I frowned. I stood and patted down all my pockets. All I found were my wallet and the key to my penthouse.
“Seems I left my phone at home or something, bro. I’ll send it to you when I get home later, okay?”
“Sure, no problem.”
We both sat looking down at the dance floor. The music was muted in the sound-proof VIP lounge.
“You really should go down and mingle a bit, Scott. It would be good for your image and rapport.”
“I’m good up here, thanks.”
“I bet if Viv was here you would be dancing.”
“If it was with her, perhaps. But I doubt she would have the time of day for me, being as caught up with Lance as she’s been lately. You do know she’s gone off with him to the mountains for the holiday, right?”
“Wow! They’re getting bit serious aren’t they.”
“Yup. I’m happy for them. They both deserve each other, and they’re happy.” I checked my watch. It was just after eleven. p.m.
“What time did you tell the driver to come back for me?”
“I told him we would call.”
“Tell him I’m ready.”
“Okay, grandpa. The bones are getting a wee bit old, aren’t they? It’s way past your bedtime, isn’t it?”
“Knock it off, Michael. I’ve showed my face. Folks know I was here. What more do you want?”
“I want the Scott who was on the dance floor all night with Clare’s hot little friend in the red dress. I want the Scott who wasn’t afraid to approach any woman, and get what he wanted. I think that’s why you’ve been such a horror. When’s the last time you got your dick wet, bro.? Quitting cold turkey is not good for your temperament at all.”
My heart leaped as he made reference to Helen. My eyes narrowed coldly. “Call the driver. Now.”
He held his hands up in resignation. “Okay. Have it your way. But as your friend, it is my responsibility to try to dig you out of this pit you’re in. Your barks and bites don’t scare me.”
He scrolled through his contacts and dialed a number. He spoke to the person on the other end briefly, then disconnected the call.
“Five minutes in the parking garage.”
“Thank you.” I tossed back the rest of my drink and stood. I found my waitress, gave her a healthy tip, and wished her Merry Christmas. I made my way to the counter and retrieved my coat, scarf, and gloves. I exited the space using the back staircase and was in the garage a good minute before I saw my Town car pulling in. The driver stopped at my feet and jumped out.
“Good evening, sir.”
“Evening, Mike. Thank you.” I got in, and he closed the door.
We were soon off. I watched as the scenery flashed by the window. My stomach rumbled, and I realized that I had eaten nothing all evening.
“Hey, Mike?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’m a bit hungry. Is anywhere open where I can get some food?”
Mike chuckled. “Sir, this is New York. Everywhere is open, holiday or no holiday.”
I chuckled. “I’m feeling for something greasy. Like a nice burger.”
“Say no more.” He turned the car off the main street and took a series of roads until we ended up in front of a diner.
“Would you like me to go in and get it for you, sir.”
I considered briefly. “I’ll go in. But come with me, please. I don’t want to end up paying twenty bucks for a burger just because of this face, you know.”
We entered the crowded space and sidled up to the bar. Mike placed the order. I made sure he ordered for himself as well. I looked around. It was by no means a five-star establishment but it would do. Our order came out, and I took the first bite.
My eyes rolled back in my head, and I moaned. Mike laughed.
“Good, sir?”
“Damn good!”
I polished it off in record time. I was tempted to order one to go but resisted. I was going to have to work off this one in the morning, much less.
I paid the bill and left a tip. I ignored the curious looks as persons whispered and pointed. We headed back to the car and were soon back en route to my penthouse.
“Are you married, Mike?”
“Yes, sir. Five years now.”
“How did you meet?”
“Grocery store. Lisa cut ahead of me in line, and I cussed her out. Then whispered that I forgave her as it gave me a chance to check out her ass. She laughed, and I gave her my number. That was seven years ago.”
“Any children?”
“A three-year-old little girl, Sadie. And a boy on the way for Spring.”
“What’s it like having children and being on call twenty-four seven?”
“Well, sir, I make it work. I may be on call but don’t get called, you know what I mean. So the times that I’m just waiting to be called I make good use of it. Take tonight for instance. I know that the holidays are my busy season. So after I dropped you off this evening I high-tailed it home to spend some time with my girls. We opened one present and had some eggnog. They’re happy even though I had to run out. I just make it work. Nothing is more important than being there for my family.”
“You must have had a good teacher in how to be a family man.”
“Quite the opposite, sir. My parents were hardly at home. I pretty much raised myself. And that’s no easy feat in this city.”
“So how can you want to have a family, knowing that you didn’t have a great family growing up?”
“That’s precisely why I want one, sir: to prove that it didn’t have to be the way it was. I choose to break the cycle of being an absent parent.”
I nodded. I brooded silently on Mike’s words.
“Mike?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Was there ever a time in the past seven years that you didn’t think you and Lisa would make it?”
“Well, there was that one time when we split for a few months. The absolute worst time of my life! But we’re both stubborn and refused to break the silence. Then one day I just said to hell with it and called her. We sat down and had a long talk, mostly about the jackass that I was being and how she had the patience of a saint to deal with me - her words, not mine. I agreed. I learned early in the game that I am never right, and she is never wrong.” He laughed. “Of course, she’s right about that.” He smiled in the dimness of the car. “But the best day of my life was this woman who cut ahead of me in the grocery store line.”
I smiled likewise and nodded. The best day of my life was a night spent on a dance floor in Miami. The drive continued in silence. It was nearly one a.m. when the car pulled into the heated garage below the apartment building. I sighed. It was Christmas Day, and here I was alone in New York, when I could be with the one my heart wanted. Mike opened the door, and I got out. I pulled out my wallet and extracted a few bills, and placed them in his hand. He protested, but I insisted.
“Call it my Christmas gift to Lisa, Sadie, and the little one.”
He smiled and put the money away. “Thank you, sir.”
“Merry Christmas, Mike.”
I walked away and made my way to the elevator. I watched the numbers as they climbed up to the penthouse suite. When it opened on my floor, I pulled out the key. Soon I was in the warmth of my apartment. I pulled off my outer garments and kicked off my shoes. I padded around in my socks and grabbed a bottle of water. I turned the television on but soon turned it off. My spirit was restless, and I knew why.
The conversation with Mike played over and over in my head. I knew what I had to do. It would take a week or two to put things in place in New York. I walked to the bedroom and stripped down to my boxers. As I climbed into bed, my eye caught the blinking light of my cell phone on the night table. I sighed and sat up, turning on the bedside lamp.
I grabbed it and opened my contact list. I found Jerry’s number and forwarded it to Michael. I was about to turn it off when I saw a message flashing at the top of the screen: 37 missed calls.
I scrolled through the numbers. I didn’t know these persons. Vivian had also called. I cleared the missed calls. Then another message flashed at the top of the screen: 7 voice messages, 53 text messages.
I didn’t bother to check the text messages: they were from numbers I didn’t know. I read the one from Vivian, which only said: Pick up the damn phone!
I frowned and scrolled to the voice messages. I played the one from Vivian first.
Scott, it’s time to stop being a jackass. Helen is in the hospital…
The message continued, but my mind was stuck at the words Helen and hospital. The baby! But she wouldn’t be due as yet!
With a trembling finger, I pressed the play button to listen to the other messages.
Hi, Scott! I don’t know if you remember me or not. It’s Clare. Helen’s friend. She’s had an accident, and she’s in the hospital. I know that you two aren’t on good terms right now, but it would be good if you could both put your grievances aside and work things out. As much as she doesn’t want to admit it, she needs a man in her life, and that man is you.
All the other texts and voice messages were in the same vein. I was shaking as I listened to the last one.
I paced my room restlessly. Helen had an accident. Helen was in the hospital. Ego and pride be damned! I knew what I had to do.
I grabbed up the phone and dialed. It rang three times before it was answered.
“Hello?”
“Get off Lance for a minute and get me on a damned plane to Creek Town.”
I disconnected the call and started to pack.
Chapter 19 – Scott
I was a bundle of nerves as the plane touched down on the runway at noon on Christmas Day. I don’t know how Vivian had done it, and I didn’t care. All I knew was that by the time I had packed, my flight information was in my email. I had to be at the airport by eight a.m.
I could not sleep for the rest of the night. I called Mike at six-thirty, which I thought would have been a reasonable time to ask for a drive to the airport. He was downstairs by seven.
The drive to the airport was a silent one. He had given a cryptic smile as he bid me a good flight.
“Good luck with your Lisa, sir.” He had tipped his hat and grinned, jumping back into the car before I could respond.
I had been whisked into the VIP lounge, then given priority boarding for first class. I felt as if I was being tortured as the other passengers walked on slowly. Finally, we had taken off, and it was now sixty to seventy-five minutes from rerouting my destiny.
I grabbed my carry on and hastened through the airport checks. A quick trip to the car rental desk yielded Vivian’s hand again. She had called ahead and reserved a vehicle for me. I hastened to the parking lot and jumped into the SUV. I plugged the address for the hospital into my GPS and raced out of the lot. I didn’t stop to take in the winter wonderland scene. There would be time for that afterward.
I broke every road rule but could care less. As a matter of fact, I wanted to be pulled over. I would negotiate a police escort to the hospital, that was for sure.
Finally, I pulled into the parking lot. I raced to the front desk. A fresh-faced candy striper greeted me with a smile.
“Helen Anderson!”
“Merry Christmas, sir!”
“Yes! Yes! Merry Christmas! Helen Anderson!”
I gritted my teeth as the girl took her sweet time checking the list of patients. She looked up and smiled, then her mouth fell open.
“You’re Scott Dawson!”
My temper flared. “Look…”
A nurse chimed in. “Miss Anderson is on the fifth floor, ward C, bed seven.”
My eyebrows shot up. “A ward?” I dug into my wallet and
slapped a black card on the counter. “Move her to a private room.”
I dashed toward the elevators, relieved that I caught one as it opened. I moved from one foot to the other nervously as I watched the numbers climb slowly. Finally, it opened on the fifth floor, and I raced out. I found another reception area.
“Helen Anderson, please!”
“Merry Christmas! Miss Anderson is in Ward C. She pointed down the corridor. I took off running. I came to a halt as I approached Ward C. There, in the waiting area, was Helen’s mother. There was a big, burly man who could only be her father. Clare’s hair could not be missed. The fourth person was a tiny little thing. That could only be Susan. I stood staring as all eyes turned on me. I saw Helen’s mother whisper to her husband. He looked up at me, his face darkening. He made a step, and I held my ground. If he decided to beat me to a pulp, I deserved it. As long as after the beating I would be with Helen, that was fine with me.
Helen’s mother shook her head and pulled him back. I saw his fists clench and unclench as he stared at me. The little one moved first. She walked right up to me and poked me in the chest.
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face here. After what you did to Helen, you don’t deserve to see the light of day. If I were you, I would leave before he gets hold of you.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder at Mr. Anderson, who still glowered angrily.
Clare walked over. “Down, Susan.” She took me by the hand. “Let’s talk.”
I looked over my shoulder as she walked me away from the ward and away from Helen. It was as if she read my mind.
“I know you want to see her, but now is not a good time. Not with her parents still here. They are about to leave, so be patient.”
She pulled me into a stairwell. Suddenly my face burned as she slapped me hard across the cheek. I could not protest. I rubbed my abused jaw.
“You deserve a whole lot worse, but I think your conscience has done an excellent job of eating you alive.” She paused and patted my shoulder. “Thank you for coming.”
“I didn’t have a choice. I’ve been in hell for the past five months. Swear there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t kick myself in the ass for being such a fool. I’ve missed her so much!”
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