by Lydia Rose
“Wendy. How are you?” she asked cheerfully.
“Fine, Tina. Did you hear from Quinn?”
“She just called me. Didn’t she call you?”
“She sent me a text saying she was okay. Is it true?”
“Yes, Wendy, the tumor hasn’t returned.” Tina realized that Wendy didn’t believe it. “Really, Wendy. I wouldn’t lie to you. What’s going on?”
“Didn’t Quinn tell you that if the tumor returned,” Wendy took a deep breath, “she didn’t want me with her?” Her voice trailed off. “She made me promise.”
“Why would she do that?” Tina asked, not understanding.
“I don’t know, Tina. She hurt me when she asked me to do that.”
“Wendy, Quinn was afraid. Don’t let Quinn’s fears cause a rift between you two.”
“I’m trying, Tina, but it’s hard.”
Tina heard someone call out Wendy’s name.
“I have to go, Tina.”
“Quinn loves you, Wendy. Remember that.”
“I’ll try, Tina.” Wendy disconnected the call.
Quinn walked into the hardware store two hours later. She was wearing a wide smile as she stepped behind the counter. “Hey, Mom.”
Tina looked at her daughter and slapped the back of her head.
“Hey. What the hell was that for?” Quinn asked rubbing her head.
“Sometimes you are so stupid,” she said, shaking her head.
“What did I do?”
Tina’s head still shook angrily. “Making Wendy promise.”
“She told you?”
“Yes.” Tina shook her head. “You sent her a text.” Her hand came up again, but Quinn was ready and moved away from her mother. “You can be such an idiot.”
“I didn’t want to bother her by calling her on the set.”
“Wendy’s upset that you made her make that promise. You hurt her, Quinn.” Tina lowered her head. “I just hope you didn’t lose her over your insecurities.”
“Did she tell you she wanted to break up with me?”
“No, but it’s going to take a while for her to forgive you.”
“Should I call her and apologize?” Quinn asked softly.
“That is a good place to start, but I think you are going to have to do a lot of groveling.”
Quinn walked back toward her office and called Wendy. The call went to voicemail. “Hi, sweetheart. Give me a call when you have some free time.” Quinn let a breath out. “I love you.”
****
Quinn sat on her couch later in the evening. The phone still in her hand waiting for Wendy to call her. The television played in the background, but she wasn’t paying attention until she saw Wendy’s face. Quinn turned up the volume.
Wendy Harris and Robert Platter going into famed restaurant Spago for an evening meal. There is talk that Platter has been wanting to date Wendy Harris for years.
Quinn watched as the next shot had them coming out of the restaurant and getting into a car.
Where’s your girlfriend? The reporter asked Wendy.
Wendy didn’t answer as Robert Platter opened the car door for her. Quinn watched Wendy’s face carefully. Then she caught a glimpse of her left hand. Quinn’s mouth fell open. “She’s not wearing the engagement ring,” she said to the empty living room. “Now I know why she isn’t calling me back.” Quinn wiped a tear that fell onto her cheek.
****
“Did you speak with Wendy?” Tina asked the following morning.
“She never called me back.” Quinn turned her back and began loading a shelf.
“Did you try calling her again?” Tina asked, standing next to Quinn.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I saw her on TV last night having dinner with Robert Platter.”
Tina laughed. “I’m sure that was just business.”
“It didn’t look like business.” Quinn lowered her head. “She wasn’t wearing my ring.”
“That doesn’t mean anything, Quinn.” Tina put her hand on Quinn’s shoulder. “Call her. Quinn, you almost lost your life. Don’t lose Wendy because your pride is getting in the way. Call her until she picks up the phone.” Tina pushed her toward the office.
“It’s too early in California.”
“Perfect. She’ll be home.”
Quinn looked at Wendy’s face on the screen before she pushed the button.
A sleepy voice answered, “Hello.”
“Wendy, its Quinn.” She listened to the silence. “Wendy, can you hear me?”
Wendy sat up against the headboard. “Do you know what time it is here?”
“Seven o’clock.”
“Yes, and this is the only day I don’t have to be on the set until noon,” Wendy said angrily.
“I’m sorry, but you didn’t call me back yesterday.”
“Maybe I didn’t want to speak with you, Quinn.” Her voice didn’t disguise her anger.
“You’re mad at me?”
“I’m not angry, Quinn. Disappointed, yes.” Wendy huffed her words.
“Please let me make it up to you.”
“Quinn, can we talk about this later?”
“Uh, sure. Wendy, I do love you.”
“You have a hell of a way showing it, Quinn.” Wendy disconnected the call.
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
A week had gone by without Quinn and Wendy speaking. She knew she had to do something or she was going to lose Wendy forever. Quinn picked up the phone and called Wendy’s assistant.
“Hi, Cindy, this is Quinn Waverly.”
“Oh, hi, Quinn.”
“Cindy, do you think you could get me onto the set if I come out to see Wendy?”
“Quinn, we’re in Arizona on location. We will be here for the next two weeks. Didn’t Wendy tell you?”
“No,” she said softly. “We had a fight.”
“Oh, that explains it.”
“Explains what?” Quinn asked pensively.
“Wendy has been very quiet for the last month. I thought you were sick again and she didn’t want to talk about it.”
“No, Cindy, I’m fine,” Quinn sighed. “If I come to Arizona, Cindy, can I see her?”
“Let me know when you can get out here. I’ll leave word at the desk to let you into Wendy’s room. Quinn, she won’t fire me for this, will she?” Cindy asked, worried about losing her job.
“No, Cindy. If Wendy is angry about me showing up, I won’t let that happen to you.”
****
Quinn sat in Wendy’s room awaiting her arrival. It was ten in the evening and Quinn had checked her watch for the fifth time in the last minute. Suddenly, Quinn heard the card key in the lock and the door opened. Wendy walked into the room glancing at Quinn.
“How did you get in here?” Wendy asked softly as she hung up her coat in the closet.
“I have my ways,” Quinn said with a grin.
“Cindy,” Wendy said, shaking her head.
“Do you want me to leave?” Quinn asked, seeing the cold reception she was getting.
Wendy stood there staring Quinn down. “What do you want from me, Quinn?”
Quinn walked over to her. “I don’t want anything from you except your love.” She saw the ring was still missing from her left hand.
“You had that, Quinn,” Wendy said, showing no emotion as she stared at Quinn.
“Had?” Quinn tried to control her emotions. “Did I lose you, Wendy?” The tears filled Quinn’s eyes.
“I can’t be with someone who tries to push me away when things get tough.”
“I didn’t mean to do that, Wendy. I was afraid if I got sick again that you would resent me for making you my nursemaid.”
“Your nursemaid?” Wendy turned her back. “I wouldn’t have been your nursemaid. I would have been the woman that was in love with you taking care of you.” Wendy spun around and looked at the green eyes staring at her. “I would have done anything for you, Quinn.”
Quinn
lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry, Wendy. I was just trying to save you from heartache,” her voice broke, “if I died.”
Wendy stood toe to toe with Quinn. “Do you actually believe that if we were apart, your dying wouldn’t have hurt me? Wouldn’t have killed me.” Wendy exhaled. “The only thing that would have made it worse was not being with you.”
“I made a mistake, Wendy. I realize that now. I just didn’t want to see the pain in your eyes like I saw the last time you took care of me.” Quinn lowered her eyes. “You always had a smile on your face, but your eyes showed how much pain you were in.”
“I was afraid of losing you, Quinn. I finally met someone that I have given my heart to and you pushed me away.”
Quinn walked toward the door. “I hope you can forgive me someday, Wendy. I never stopped loving you and I never will.” The door opened and Quinn stepped into the hallway.
Wendy watched as the door closed. Her mind wanted her to rush after Quinn and stop her from leaving, but her heart still felt the pain. The knock on the door brought Wendy out of her trance. A smile appeared as she opened the door.
“Cindy. What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong with you? I just saw Quinn getting into a cab out front.” Cindy watched as Wendy walked over to the window. “Why is she leaving?”
“We broke up,” Wendy said showing emotion in her voice.
Cindy laughed. “What did you do?”
“Me?” Wendy ranted. “What makes you think I’m the one who did something wrong?”
“Well, it can’t be that sweet woman you’ve been in love with. The woman who travels across the country to be with you. The only person to stay around while you go off being an actor.” Cindy was no longer worried about losing her job, but afraid her boss was making the biggest mistake of her life.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me,” Cindy said, sitting on the bed.
Wendy told Cindy what Quinn had done and waited for Cindy to agree with her.
“Wendy, I’ve been your assistant for ten years now,” Cindy sighed. “So I’m going to be honest with you.”
“Go ahead,” Wendy said, crossing her arms across her chest.
“You might not agree what Quinn did was right, but she did it because she loves you. She was trying to spare your feelings.”
Wendy opened her mouth.
“Let me finish. You aren’t married to Quinn and I can see her worrying about you taking care of her. I took care of my mom when she was dying. It’s a hard thing to watch someone you love die. To watch them suffer every day? To have them beg you with their eyes to end their misery.” Cindy reached for Wendy’s hand. “Why don’t you cut her some slack? Do you actually believe you can live the rest of your life without Quinn in it?”
Wendy got up and searched for her purse.
“I’ll drive you,” Cindy said already at the door.
****
Quinn was standing against the window speaking into her phone. “No, Mom, it didn’t go well. I’ve lost her this time. You were right, I am an idiot.”
“Are you sure, Quinn? Isn’t there anything you can do?” Tina asked softly.
“No, Mom. Wendy doesn’t love me anymore.” Quinn felt her throat tighten. “I can’t get a flight until tomorrow morning, but I am on standby.” Quinn felt someone tap her on the shoulder. “Wendy,” she said, shocked to see her standing there. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get you.”
“You did?”
Wendy took the phone out of her hand. “Hi, Tina. Quinn will not be coming back tomorrow.”
“Oh, Wendy, Quinn knows she made a mistake. I hope you can forgive her.”
“I’m the one who almost made a big mistake, Tina,” Wendy said, touching Quinn’s hand. “Quinn will call you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Wendy, I love you.”
“I love you too, Tina. Good night.”
Wendy looked at Quinn and saw her staring at the floor. She reached over and lifted her chin. “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Quinn’s eyes opened wide. “What? Forgive you?” Her words came out shaking. “I’m the one that screwed up.”
“You did, Quinn,” Wendy said softly.
Quinn’s eyes left Wendy’s face. “I don’t know what’s going on right now.”
Wendy chuckled. “How about we go back to the hotel and work this out,” she paused, “together.”
Once in the car, Quinn remained quiet. She was afraid to open her mouth and say the wrong thing. They went up the elevator and went into the room. Quinn put her suitcase down, but stood near the door as if she was ready for a quick exit.
Wendy turned around and laughed. “Come over here.” She sat down on the bed and patted the seat next to her.
Quinn sat down, but her body remained away from Wendy.
“I’m sorry for overreacting. You were wrong asking me to,” Wendy exhaled. “You know what you asked. Anyway, if we’re going to make this relationship work, we can’t push the other one away because things get tough.”
Quinn just nodded her head.
“Can we get past this?” Wendy asked moving closer to Quinn.
“I love you, Wendy and I’m sorry for pushing you away. I won’t do it again.”
Quinn finally relaxed and smiled, “Good, because I love you, too.”
Words were forgotten for now. “Make love to me, Quinn,” Wendy whispered.
Clothes were readily stripped away and they both fell back onto the bed holding each other.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Wendy finished shooting her latest film and was now on her way back to North Carolina. She had a few weeks before she would have to start her promotional tour for the first film she made. Then a few months later she would start the promotional tour for the blockbuster film that would open in the summer. This was the time she feared the most because Quinn would be too busy with the store to take off any time to travel with her. They each carried the fear of spending so much time apart, but at least they were talking to each other about their fears.
The limousine dropped Wendy off at Quinn’s house. She quickly changed her clothes and went to visit her mother before going to see Quinn at the store.
“Hey, Mom,” Wendy said, walking into the house.
“Wendy.” Arlene went into her daughter’s arms. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
“It’s good to be home, Mom.”
“Have you seen Quinn yet?” Arlene asked, leading her daughter to the kitchen.
“Not yet. I wanted to come see you first.”
“Let’s have some lunch so you can go see Quinn and I can go to my store.”
“Are you working again, Mom?”
“Only afternoons. Your paintings are almost completely sold out. Do you think you can find some time to do some more?”
“I only have a couple of weeks on this trip, Mom.”
“Oh, does Quinn know?” Arlene asked softly.
“Yes. I’ll be gone for a week to ten days and then I’ll be back for a few months.”
“I’m sure Quinn will be happy to have you here that long.”
“She is, Mom. Tell me, how is Quinn holding up to my being away?”
“She misses you even though I know she tries to hide it from me.” Arlene admitted to her daughter.
“Quinn hasn’t met anyone else since I’ve been gone, has she?” Wendy asked fearfully awaiting her mother’s answer.
“No, Wendy. Quinn is not seeing anyone else. Although…” Arlene paused.
“Although what, Mom?”
“There is a new woman in town. She’s about Quinn’s age and has been to the hardware store a lot. Kristy says it is because she needs a lot of things for the house she bought, but I think she goes there to see Quinn. She also has had Quinn drop off things at her house.”
“How do you know this, Mom?”
“People have come into the shop and told me,” Arlene
said softly. “They don’t like this woman because she’s trying to steal Quinn from you.”
“The only thing that matters is how Quinn is handling this.”
“I’ve asked Tina, but she said Quinn brushes her off whenever Kristy is around. Tina assures me Quinn has no interest in Kristy.”
“But you’re worried because Kristy is here and I’m not?”
Arlene nodded, “Yes.”
“Should I say anything to her when I see her?” Wendy asked, looking for help from her mother.
“Why don’t you see if she brings it up?” Arlene grinned. “You don’t want to go in there sounding like a jealous woman demanding answers.”
“You’re right, Mom.” Wendy smiled. “As always.”
“Go see Quinn.”
Wendy left the house and drove to the hardware store. As she walked in the front door, Quinn was standing near the back helping a woman.
“Wendy,” Tina said, coming around the counter. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“You too, Tina.” Wendy said, squeezing Tina close. Her eyes watched as Quinn turned around and saw her standing there. “Hello, stranger,” Wendy said smiling.
“You’re back.” Quinn rushed into her arms leaving the woman standing there. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“Me, too,” Wendy said, squeezing Quinn again. She watched as the woman approached. “Hello,” she said, after Quinn released her.
Quinn turned. “Wendy, this is Kristy Monroe. She moved here a few weeks ago.”
“Welcome to town,” Wendy said, forcing a smile.
“Quinn talks about you all the time. I’m a big fan.”
Wendy watched Kristy smile at her and compliment her, but her eyes didn’t quite convey her sentiments. “Thank you.” She turned to Quinn. “Quinn hasn’t mentioned you to me.” Wendy watched as the blush formed on Quinn’s face.
“Quinn, will you deliver those things I need this afternoon?” Kristy asked, smiling at her.
“You’ll have everything by three o’clock today.”
“It was very nice to meet you, Wendy. Good bye,” she said, going out the door.
Wendy turned to Quinn who just stood there mute. Tina walked toward the back of the store leaving the two women alone.
“There’s nothing going on with her,” Quinn said, moving closer to Wendy.
