By Rachel Torrent

Although Sahndra had asked her not to, Julie told Roger all about the new turn of events over dinner that night in the loft. She figured he'd find out eventually anyway. And she wanted every little detail out in the open between them.

Roger smiled his own quick smile when he heard the news and said, "Now isn't that a little like the pot calling the kettle--"

"Stop it, Roger. Don't give her a hard time. I think she really likes him."

"And you're okay with that?"

Julie looked up at him sharply. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Settle down, baby. It's just a weird little crease in the plot. That's all."

"If they're both enjoying themselves, then I'm fine with it."

"Yes, you ARE fine. I'm well aware of that," he said.

Julie looked up at him again and felt her heart leap. She still had trouble believing he was real. And hers. All hers.

A couple of hours later, they sat together on the leather couch. U2 played on the stereo. Roger was on one end of the couch and Julie on the other. In the middle, their jeans-covered legs intertwined. She was reading a novel, and he was engrossed in a newspaper.

The downstairs buzzer on the door resounded throughout the loft. They looked at each other. They weren't expecting anyone. Then Roger got up and went to the box by the elevator.

"Who is it?"

"Is Julie up there with you, man? I needa talk ta her."

Scottie LaMont. And he was slurring words. Roger looked over at her questioningly.

"Do you mind if he comes up for a minute? I'm sure he's upset," she said.

"Just don't ask me to leave the room," Roger answered and spoke into the box again.

"Get into the elevator when it opens." Then he pushed another button and walked back to the couch. He rolled his eyes as he sat back down.

"He touches you, and I'm breaking his head," he told her. He wasn't fond of the way he'd seen Scottie talk to Julie on recent occasions.

"He's upset, but not at me, Roger. Cut him some slack. Okay?"

"He comes near you, and I'm breaking his head. I never know what this asshole's gonna do."

Julie stood up to greet Scottie. But when the elevator opened its mouth and Scottie stepped into the loft, Julie felt like calling an ambulance for him instead. He looked haggard and disheveled. His eyes were bloodshot. Strong whiskey fumes came off him. He even staggered a little. He'd obviously been drinking for hours.

"Scottie, please sit down." She wanted to hug him, but she knew Roger would react protectively. So she kept her distance.

Scottie turned his red eyes to her. "Sahndra's left me, Jules. For some other prick. But you know that, doncha?" Horrible slurring. Julie ached for him.

"I found out only this morning, Scottie. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry." He laughed his short laugh. "Fine fucking sorry. Wanna tell me who it is? I'm entitled to that at least."

God, why me? Julie thought. Must I be the one to tell him? What kind of cruel irony is that?

"It's Earl Ray, Scottie."

Scottie flinched as if he'd taken a bullet. Then he looked down. Julie thought he might fall down. But she didn't dare move in his direction. She felt Roger's attentive eyes on her.

Finally, Scottie said in an almost whisper, "That bastard. I let him live in my house and share everything with him when he needs it. And what does he do? Steals my wife. He loses his own and then takes mine. What kind of a fucking friend is that?"

Julie heard Roger slide forward on the couch. She knew he was ready to spring on Scottie if necessary. She felt very sorry for Scottie, even though she knew he was capable of wild, rash behavior.

"Scottie, it wasn't going on all along as I understand things. It didn't start until you and Sahndra fought Friday night and you left."

"Right. He was moving out the next day. Supposedly. So he just had to get her once before he left." Scottie squinted at her.

"It wasn't like that, Scottie. I wish you'd sit down and let me get you some coffee or--"

"Aw, fuck it! Who cares anyway? All you cunts are the same. You're all whores and--"

Roger was up and on him then, before Julie could turn around. He grabbed Scottie's collar with both hands and pushed him into the open elevator. Hard against the back wall. With his hands still at Scottie's throat, gripping his collar, Roger said into his face, "Get the fuck outta here. And if you EVER say anything like that to her again, I swear I'll rip your vocal chords out with one hand. Got it?"

Scottie caught his breath. "Yeah, man."

"Don't even speak to her again if you can't be civil. She never did a fucking thing to you."

"No, she didn't, man. Sorry. Let me go."

Roger slowly took his hands off Scottie's clothes and backed out of the elevator. Then he pushed the button to close the door. Scottie was gone.

Roger turned to her and rolled his eyes again. Walking back to the couch, he slapped her ass and said, "I knew he'd be an asshole. He had it written all over him. And I won't put up with it. Not in my loft. Now where were we? Come back and sit down, Miss Peacemaker."

She sat back down with him and picked up her book. But she didn't feel like reading anymore. "He was really upset, Roger. I felt sorry for him."

"Hey, I didn't break his head open, did I? I cut him some slack. Just like you asked."

"He's in pain, honey. He needed sympathy."

"Julie, love, he has no right to call you names. No matter how upset he gets. Want some of that cheesecake you brought from the restaurant?" Roger wasn't feeling sympathetic.

"Whatever." She was distracted. "Can I call Sahndra to tell her what happened?"

"Of course."

Sahndra wasn't home, and Julie had no way of getting Earl Ray's new number. So she ate cheesecake with Roger and wrapped herself around him again and read another chapter in her novel.

* * *

A couple of days later, Julie finally caught up with Sahndra when Sahndra came into Renaissance for lunch. Julie stopped working and joined her.

She told Sahndra about Scottie's visit to the loft. Sahndra clued her in on how Scottie had practically destroyed the whole inside of their house.

"All smashed the hell up. There's no telling how much damage. But he's been calm to me and hasn't even threatened Earl Ray," she said. "He must have vented it all on the house. Or maybe he's starting to react to things like an adult."

"Calm? Really? What's he doing? Drugs?"

"I'm not sure. I think he just doesn't want anyone to see how badly it's affecting him. He's proud, ya know." Sahndra sounded sad for him. Julie knew exactly how she was feeling. She'd been there. Recently.

"Did he get that penthouse?"

"Yeah. He's moving in today. He'll be a recluse for a while, I'm sure."

Julie changed the subject. "And you've been with Earl Ray at his new place?"

Sahndra still felt odd discussing this with Julie. "Yeah. He's been a saint. I may never leave. He said I didn't have to."

"He loves taking care of someone. You're very luck that he wants to take care of you," Julie said.

"I'd let him take care of me forever," Sahndra said.

"So you're still pleased with your decision?"

"Completely. I guess I should thank you. I'd never have him if you hadn't dumped him."

"Nice way to word it, bitch. And I'm not the one to thank. Thank Roger. He started it all. The one everybody considered the bad guy at first turns out to be the hero."

"How's he doing" Sahndra asked.

"Ahhhh........he's doing just fine. I can't wait to see him again." Julie still had to remind herself to control her gushing over Roger.

Two evenings later, as Julie and Roger pulled into her driveway, they saw Scottie sitting in his car on the side of the avenue. He was waiting for them.

Julie tried to calm Roger down as they got out of the car. Scottie was slowly walking towards them. He spoke first.

"I took a chance on you guys showing up here. I wanted to see both of you at the same time."

Julie could sense he was sober. And somber. She looked at Roger, silently begging him not to say anything yet. Then she turned her eyes on Scottie.

"Howya doing, Scottie?"

"I'm better than the last time you saw me, Jules. How are you?"

He glanced at both of them. He was trying to be friendly, Julie gathered. Maybe Sahndra had been right - maybe he was growing up.

"We're good, Scottie. Wanna come in? Have a drink?"

"No, thanks. I just came by to apologize. I was a real ass the other night. I was drunk and not coping very well. Sorry. To both of you." He looked specifically at Roger. Roger said nothing, just stared at him.

"Don't worry 'bout it, Scottie. We understand. It's rough on you," Julie said. But she could feel that this wasn't about her. It almost felt like she wasn't there. She looked at both of them. They were looking at each other.

"It won't happen again, man. You two are good for each other. That's obvious. And with everything changing so fast right now, that's nice to see. I'm happy for ya," Scottie told Roger. Then he held out his hand for Roger to shake.

Julie felt tension in the air. She desperately wished this scene was over.

Finally, after what seemed like days to Julie, Roger took Scottie's hand and shook it. "Okay, Scottie. We all make mistakes."

"I said I'm sorry." Then he looked away from Roger to Julie. "I gotta go. But, hey! I'm in the penthouse down at the new place. Come by and check it out."

"We will, Scottie. Take care. Call if you need anything."

And he turned and left. Julie felt very cold and sad as she watched him go. He almost looked defeated. Not the brash, cocksure Scottie she was accustomed to. But she knew he could handle himself. He was already doing just that. He had already begun to reshape his life. It seemed that lots of residents in town were doing the same.