We hadn't said anything to each other on the drive to the liquor store, while we were tossing bottles, cans etc. onto the trolley cart - other than the mundane of what to buy - and as we packed up the truck. I was resolved to get us back on some sort of solid footing and try to find out what was wrong with my friend. "So... Robert couldn't make it...?" I knew it was a stupid question before I uttered it but Lizzy didn't seem to mind.

"No. He said he had a rewrite meeting after they looked at the rushes."

"Oh." I played with the steering wheel for a bit while I waited at the light. "Why don't you run up to Malibu tomorrow to see him?" He was in some Charlie's Angel type regurgitation piece of crap movie but I thought it was a good idea.

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"No."

"Then why are you sending me away?"

"I'm not. I just thought you might be missing your husband."

"Are you sure you don't want me to run interference between you and Jaws before Lydia gets there?"

I had to laugh. All night, I've been trying to find the right epithet for Caroline. Leave it to Lizzy to hit upon the perfect one. "Are you up for the challenge, my lady?"

"I have nothing better to do," she smirked. "Besides, Robert has a hiatus all next week; you'll have to fend for yourself then."

We were back to being friends. I wonder if I sighed too loudly because she looked at me strangely. "What?"

"Nothing." She turned and looked out the passenger window.

Something wasn't right. I was bound and determined to get to the bottom of it. "Why in the hell would you tell our secrets to Caroline?!" I hope I didn't sound too harsh.

"Everyone else probably knows," she dismissed.

"How would they know that? I didn't tell them."

"You didn't?"

"No. Did you?"

"No."

"Not even Jane?"

"No."

This was weird. "Then why did you tell her?"

"Because I thought you bragged to your boys! Don't all men do that?"

"No." I thought she knew me better than that.

Oh man, my back aches! People get paid to do this stuff. I have no idea why I thought to be Mr. Caveman and carry my own loot home - twice. Good thing Lizzy went and got all the men to help. Okay, she threatened to play toss with every single bottle unless they came down; they quickly got her point. Still, I don't think I'll have the strength and dexterity to entertain Lydia tonight... fully, if you know what I mean, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

"Thanks." I kissed Lizzy's cheek and went into one of the bathrooms upstairs to wash my hands. When I came back down into the kitchen, I was greeted by Jane.

"Someone named Lydia was looking for you."

OH YEAH! Suddenly I had no ills. "Cool. I'll just go and..."

"Oh, she's come and gone."

"Really? Why did she leave?"

"I think you should ask George that question... next time you see him."

It took me a moment to figure out what she was saying and when I spotted the twins sitting with two other guys, I gurgled. "No he didn't!"

"Yes," she said with a look I couldn't discern. "He did."

Damn! I hadn't even tagged her yet! "Oh well..." I tried to play it off like I didn't care and shrugged. "You win some, you lose some." Who the fuck invited him anyway?

"She was much too young for you anyway."

Here is where one could tell that Lizzy and Jane were sisters; they both had that accusing condescension in their voice. Must've gotten it from their mother. "Perhaps." I left it like that and I left her like that. The last thing I needed tonight was to be the subject of ridicule... at least not to my face. On my way out, I grabbed a Smirnoff Ice and headed for some seclusion. Unfortunately, as I stalked into the dining room, I stepped into a minefield. A few people that were gathered around the refreshments stopped talking as I passed through. I knew I shouldn't have asked but my curiosity got the better of me. "What?"

"Um... er..." the assembled mass sputtered.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Lizzy for the information.

"Well... Lucy is..." she stammered.

Lucy was my last girlfriend. Fabulous in bed - contortionist extraordinaire and gave great head. She came to work at Darcy Enterprises as a receptionist but in my infinite wisdom and after her not-so-subtle hints, I rescued her from the doldrums of having to use her mouth in conversation and pushed her into our talent group. She couldn't act her way out of a paper bag, but she got what she wanted and dropped me like an agitated gallstone. Totally fucked me over. "Yes...?"

"She got a part in Robert's movie."

Fuck! Just what I needed to hear! Is there no mercy in heaven?! What did I do that was so wrong?! "That's... nice. I'm happy for her. I'm sure she'll do credit to the movie." Even to my red ears, it sounded like scripted tripe but that was the best I could come up with on such short notice.

Suddenly everyone went back to grabbing some of the tasty morsels spread out before them with an energy I didn't want to contemplate. Lizzy mouthed 'Sorry' and I turned away. I wished them all gone, even her. Instead I went up to my room and sulked. Actually, I called George about a thousand times - he didn't pick up the phone once - then I sulked.

I have no clue as to when the last of my guests left nor do I care. I couldn't see straight until way past noon and I didn't bother with eating until the day was almost over. Hell hath no fury like a woman... Period. End of story. I know Lizzy stayed the night but I didn't see her, just the note she left. I'm in a rut or so she wrote. I don't think I am but I definitely need a change of scene and society.

Drinking is not my usual way of working through my problems but it just seemed the best option at the time. Now, all I can do is stare at the ceiling and wallow in my misery. My father warned me not to get caught up in Hollywood's bullshit but I keep climbing into bed with plastic dolls only to discover, under the makeup, that they're just plain blood-thirsty. I can't help it. I fall for pretty faces and free pink pussy like some people pick up stray cats. When will I ever learn?

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy."

"Morning, Mrs. Reynolds." As I scan through my phone messages, I hope she noticed that I didn't return the 'good'. "What's my schedule like this morning?"

"You have the presentation to attend at 10:00 am," she responded while pouring my coffee.

I've already had 3 cups of java but I could sure use another one and quickly!

"It's 2 hours. Then nothing until 2:00 pm - the Medusa case briefing."

Damn! A snodfest of our shareholders' bi-annual to sit through this morning. I wonder if I have time to have Botox done on my eyelids to keep them open while I sleep? And some legal maneuverings for a worthless rock band that I plan on firing after this last bit of misconduct. What were they thinking?! The girl was only 15! "Can't I get out of it?"

"You could, but the board might not understand." She placed the coffee mug directly under my nose. "I can get the transcripts from the briefing though."

I rubbed my tired eyes then buried my face in the cup. "You're a gem, Mrs. Reynolds. Thank you."

"How was the party?"

"Fine." I wonder if she heard my stomach roil?

"Very good." She nodded and smiled and closed the door behind her.

I like her; she knows when to leave me alone.

"Hi Will!"

"Lydia." I admit I was a tad bit excited that she called to invite me out to lunch after her romp with George. I was curious, but her youthful effervescence, at such a time as this, is almost too much. I wish it would rain. "Nice place." I couldn't say more; the pinks and oranges were blinding me. I shouldn't have come.

"It's so cool here!"

I sat down in a chair; at least I think it's a chair. I feel like I'm sitting on a dead flamingo. Anyway, it's directly across from her and she's made no complaint that I'm at another table. "Seems like it." I could use a stiff drink but even after 8 cups of coffee, I was still suffering the after-effects of a major hangover.

"You've never been here?"

"No." Not that I recall.

"But this is like the latest craze!" Then she leaned in and whispered in my ear; her perfume nearly making me wilt. "I used to date the manager, so we're sure to get a discount."

Like I cared. "Umhm."

"Oh, don't be jealous! It was just a fling... an experiment."

Why is she so loud? "Okay..."

"So, like... oh! Before I forget, I wanted to thank you for inviting me to your party on Saturday!"

Thank me?! Ow! I should learn to tone down my thoughts. "Thank me for what? You didn't even stay long enough to have fun."

"Well... thank you for... having George there for me to meet. He certainly knows how to show a girl a good time."

"Good time as in 'nice time' or good time as in 'I had a ball'?" Damn, my curiosity! Ow!

"I had a ball. Horizontally, vertically!" she giggled. "He's very creative."

The bitch has the nerve to giggle! "I'm glad." I hope she caught something. I hope they both did.

"So, like... what'll you have?"

I would've had you but you ain't on my menu anymore.

"I know the menu through and through."

I just bet you do. "As you've said, you dated the manager." What did I ever see in her? I felt like pushing her face down in my lap just for my troubles.

"Oh! There's Sam now!" She waved and called out "Sam!!"

I cringed from the piercing screech first then I looked up and had to hold onto the table to steady myself. Talk about a white-knuckle sandwich!

"OhmyGod, Lizzy!" I had not yet come down from my lunch. "I mean when said she dated the manager, I didn't give it a second thought, but when this Sam person came over I just about went Billy Bob Thornton on 'em!" Even my hair was standing on end. "Has she no discernment?! No principles?!"

"What?" she hissed in exasperation.

I paid it no mind; I had a punchline to deliver. "Sam is a woman!"

"Oh."

"Oh?!" There was that accusing condescension again. Here I was questioning my choices, my own masculinity, while my best friend remained calm in the face of my storm. What a friend! I was seething with bitterness and disappointment but I hadn't exactly figured out who I should be mad at.

"So what did you do?"

"I made my excuses and then left! What the hell was I supposed to do?!"

"Did you yell at her like you're yelling at me?!" she screamed back at me.

Whoa! That brought me back down to earth. "I'm sorry."

She stood up and walked away to one of the windows but had said nothing. No acceptance. No forgiveness. Nothing. She was always quick to forgive me. What was up with her lately? I pondered the situation for a minute and decided that Lizzy didn't deserve my ire; I did. "I'm sorry," I repeated.

She spun around then stalked to the front door and opened it. "The next time you come here, I hope you're in a better mood."

"I..."

"Please leave."

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me? You know how I get when I need to get something off my chest."

"But what about me?"

'What about you? Your life is perfect!' was just on the tip of my tongue, but God takes care of fools and babies, or so I've heard, and He clamped my mouth shut until I could come up with something a bit less selfish. "You've always had me as a sounding board."

She shook her head. "Not lately. Lately, it's just been about you. Your work, your women, your needs, your... everything!"

I could see tears in her eyes and it momentarily stunned me. Should I apologize again? Would it make a difference? "I..."

"Please... leave?"

I was shell-shocked but I left as she asked with my head hanging between my tail and hoping, hoping against all hope as I slowly ambled towards my truck that she would call me back. She didn't.

Me and the fellas had our regular Monday night brouhaha. Beer, basketball, and more beer. I wasn't in the mood for games but I needed a release. It's been a rather shitty day! Just as I was guzzling down my 5^th Corona of the evening, George sat down beside me. We had played 3 against each other and my team won all 3. I somehow felt vindicated; manhood restored. I didn't need to rub it in.

"I know you know what happened the other night."

"Yeah... so?"

"I can be a real asshole sometimes..."

No shit! I just looked at him. I had my glare thing going.

"My dick often leads me wrong."

"Are you saying she wasn't any good?"

"I'm not saying that at all! The bitch could..."

No doubt it was glorious. No doubt she was a freak. I didn't want to hear his bullshit. "So what are you saying?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For being an asshole... to a friend."

Friend my ass. If I was really angry, he knows I'd whoop his ass without restraint. "It's okay."

"Thanks, Will. I knew you'd be cool about it."

"Yeah, I'm cool." I'm always cool. He leaned back on the bench and tossed his arm over the side like that was all he needed to say. "Now that you've admitted it though, your problem leaves me to thinking."

"What problem?"

"You being an asshole and all. I wonder why that is?"

"I don't know."

"Must be genetics." I shrugged and stood up. I knew all about his mother; the two-timing whore dropped George off on poor Mr. Wickham's doorstep without a word. They don't even resemble each other. "Definitely genetics."

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I last saw Lizzy and 2 weeks since I've heard her voice. We've never been apart for more than 10 minutes. She followed me to UCLA when she had the chance to go to college anywhere else in the world. I did my MBA there when I could've gone elsewhere, but because she was there I stayed. Doesn't she know how important she is to me? Can't she see that I care? I know I've been an ass lately but I've been so in the past and she's never cut me off before. Hell, even Charles is avoiding me and he works for me! I've failed to get any kind of information, short of appearing at her doorstep, that might get me back into her good graces. I've gone over and over those last few days together to tried to pinpoint where I went wrong and what I might do to... undo it. Instead, I found nothing and I've done nothing but bemoan her absence. My rut is in high gear.

When I walked into the crowded ballroom, my eyes immediately searched her out. Jane and Charles were seated at the head table and I proceeded that way; certain that Lizzy would be there. If not now then eventually. My nerves endings tingled, my stomach lurched to and fro, and my eyes wandered frenziedly. I was aware that the meeting might be combustible, but still I needed to see her. Then I did. Our eyes locked for a mere nanosecond then she turned away. My heart, which had hitherto been beating rapidly, ceased, buckled, and broke. She ignored me for the better part of 2 hours but was only 4 seats away from me. I don't know how I was able to sit through an entire dinner, let alone eat it, without crying in my soup but I did. I did it for Charles and Jane.

I'm a wretched individual. Everyone can clearly see how much I suffer but no one should feel sorry for me. Just to know that she's alive in this world and thinking ill of me... Not even the booze could dull my pain. Cloying Caroline couldn't even drive me to distraction. Still I had to talk to her.

Again, I managed to escape Jaws while she played hostess to an art form not to be duplicated and met Lizzy at the door of the ladies room. "I won't pain you with vain wishes for your forgiveness or ill-concealed promises to never do it again. I just wanted to say goodbye."

She was just about to go back into the ballroom and snub me in the process but she turned around to gape at me. "Goodbye...?"

"I'm going to New York for awhile. A new division is opening up there and... and I need..." I was in dire straits; she looked so pale and her eyes so lifeless. She's got the most amazing pair of eyes, azure blue liquid pools, and the thickest lashes this side of Hollywood and Vine. A guy could lose himself in them. Now though, her lights were out. I just wanted to fall on my knees and beg her for absolution. "I leave next Thursday." I turned on my heels and left the scene as quickly as I could before my dignity was trampled to unrecognizable.

My phone didn't ring on the following day nor did I expect it to. So imagine my surprise when Mrs. Reynolds told me that Lizzy called me as I walked into the office this morning. My knees nearly buckled but I maintained my cool. Monday's weren't so bad anymore. "Did she leave a message?"

"No, but she sounded... upset."

"Upset?" I heard my voice crack so I know she heard it as well.

"Like she'd been crying."

Needless to say, I had Mrs. Reynolds cancel all my appointments for the day!

I can only blame my stupidity on a fractious mind, frantic with worry, when I couldn't locate Lizzy either at her home or office or by cellphone. I did, however, come to grips when I remembered her favorite place in the whole world - my playhouse. I uncrossed my fingers - it was kind of hard to drive that way, but I was determined - when I saw her Jag parked in my driveway. I even looked up to the heavens for strength. I didn't know what to expect, so I didn't call out her name as I climbed the rickety ladder, but my heart broke again when I saw her balled up on the little bed, wild curls, red tear-streaked faced, and fast asleep. I watched her; I know not how long, but I felt an all encompassing need to protect her, even from myself.

I suppose she heard me move about, for her eyes opened when I cracked my head on one of the ceiling beams. "I'm tearing this rat-trap down before I go," I muttered.

"Don't you dare," she giggled and I genuflected before her. "Hi."

It was the first sign of civility or anything else that I've heard from her in almost a month and I nearly wept where I knelt. "Hi."

"I'm getting a divorce. We're getting a divorce."

HOLY SHIT! I'm sure she didn't mean to knock the wind out of me, but how is it that she can say something like that after being incommunicado for weeks on end and expect me to be able to breathe, take it all in, and offer solace? Besides, I'm sure she's convinced that there really are mice up here when I squeaked my sorry-ass reply. "Wha...?"

She looked at me for a long minute before she went on. "It started the day before our little party for Jane and Charles. Robert told me he didn't want to have kids..."

JESUS CHRIST!

"I didn't want to believe him. I mean, we talked about it before we got married. He knew how important it was to me. We argued something fierce and he said he wanted a separation. I was in denial. I took it out on you... I'm sorry."

I could do nothing but stroke the hair from her face. "No, no." Hadn't she said she wanted to talk 3 weeks ago but I had to have my say first and foremost? "I should be apologizing." I should be kicking myself! "I should've been there for you."

"I decided... after I left your house on Sunday, to go talk to him. It was late when I got to the hotel and there was no answer in his room, so I sat in the lobby. I saw him... kissing her. He kissed her like he used to kiss me," she croaked.

I was beyond shell-shocked and speechless. I was grieved and furious and ready to kick his ass! Lizzy's sprinklers came on full blast like a deluge and she just about crawled into my lap.

This was almost as bad as when she called me to tell me her father had died. I was halfway around the world and I couldn't comfort her. The one time I had an extended business in Asia and Mr. Bennet up and dies. She kept saying she had no champion, no support, and that she was all alone in the world. I was hurt by her claim but I could sympathize. Being her father's favorite and her mother's annoyance didn't make her feel any safer. The world seemed that much more emptier, that much more unpleasant. She cried bitterly then and I cried with her and for her. She did the same for me, both times. The painful memories of both my parents' deaths swam over me like a runaway freight train. I took the first flight home. She needed me. I wasn't right until I saw that she was too. Now though, I couldn't cry. I wanted revenge.

"Apparently, my marriage was in more trouble than I thought it was," Lizzy said after a long while and tried to sit up. I helped her as best I could. "The baby thing was just a ruse... a ploy to make me file for divorce without it getting messy."

Good thing my tongue was caught in my throat because I was this close to spitting some serious vitriol in regards to his personage, his parentage, and his paltry penis! Still, I could only hold her tight, kiss her hair and tell her everything was going to be alright.

"I couldn't tell you. I wanted to... but I couldn't."

"Haven't we been the best of friends since forever?" She nodded against my shoulder. "Then why couldn't you tell me?"

"You'd say I told you so."

"I wouldn't! I, I would never...!" How could she be so cruel?!

"You might not have said it out loud, but your eyes would have."

Damn my eyes! It took me a good few moments to speak. "Lizzy... where did I fail you?"

"You didn't, Will. I just didn't want to hear it."

Oh man... I feel like shit. What time is it anyway? And what is that noise? As things came back into focus and I nearly fell off the couch, I felt around for my cellphone. My jelly-fished arms were definitely not up to the task though. Anyway, it didn't sound like mine, I can't find it and it stopped ringing. I hope that demonic blast from below the covers wasn't loud enough to wake her. Did I have a bean burrito last night? I feel like I have the mother of all hangovers too - my head aches and my stomach is shaky - but I know for certain that I didn't have anything to drink. Hmm... is that coffee? If it is then that means Lizzy's up. I scrambled from my 'bed' and trotted, okay I stumbled towards the kitchen.

"Good morning."

How is it that she can be up and about after a crying jag weepy enough to fill the Hoover Dam and I can't pry my eyes open? "Morning." She handed me a cup and without waiting for it to cool, I gulped, letting the dark liquid burn my throat and wake my brain. I'd pay for that later, but right now I didn't care. "How are you?"

"Much better. Thank you."

An amazing woman there. Resilient and amazing. Her eyes didn't even look puffy... or what I could see of them. How does she do that?

"Do what?"

"Did I say that out loud?"

"No," she smirked. "But it was written all over your face."

Déjà vu. We'd been here before; she was teasing me. "You're very feisty this morning."

"It helped to finally get it off my chest. Thank you once again."

"You mean... you didn't...?"

"No, I didn't tell Jane. She knows I'm unhappy but I couldn't burden her with the truth. She'd be forced to tell my mother."

I could only nod. Frances was not a woman to be gainsaid or disappointed. She would blame Lizzy and the world wasn't big enough for a no-holds barred Bennet bash.

"I suggest you go throw some cold water on your face, you look like shit." I didn't take umbrage at all. My Lizzy would be fine. "I'll cook you breakfast."

"Okay." I took another gulp of the hardy blend before placing it on the table, kissing her cheek, and walking out of the room. Before I could make my 'bed', the french doors to the living room opened and there stood Robert in all his golden-tan glory. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I see you didn't waste much time in taking my place," he smirked.

"Why you little...." My hand was so close to punching that perfectly made-up mug right into the next day but a voice from behind stopped me.

"You're not supposed to be here. You're supposed to call my lawyer before you stepped foot in this house again."

"I needed some clothes," he dismissed with a sneer.

This was his only excuse for incivility.

"Too bad." Lizzy was shaking with rage but her voice was as cool as ice. "Now get out before I call the police. You're trespassing."

"Liz, can't we talk about this? Without your bodyguard?"

She stormed over and snatched the keys out of his hand so fast that we both blinked then she walked over to the phone and picked it up. "You've been warned."

Robert, asshole that he is, knew when he was defeated, so he threw up his hands and backed out of the door.

I made sure the door was shut and through the sheers I could see that he had gotten into his car before I turned to my dearest friend. I expected to see tears but all I saw was the ghost of the woman I knew. Yeah, I wanted revenge and I wanted it bad.

I knew I should've gone into work but I couldn't miss the show, could I? Lizzy coerced, okay dragged me down to Malibu for an impromptu bitch-fest. I was giddy with excitement. He deserved everything that was coming to him and she was going to give it to him in spades. Bastard!

She grabbed his clothes out of the back of my truck - it took the two of us to load them but she carried almost all of them in one swoop - stormed up into the set, tossed them at Robert's face and spat "Here's your clothes! You're lucky I didn't torch them! The next time you try to fuck me over, try doing it without her!"

I stayed in the background. Luckily for me, because I could only stand gape-mouthed. Not because of what my friend said - that was fabulous! - but because of who she pointed at. His mistress, the lady, if you could call her that, sitting next to him with a crimson face, was none other than my ex-girlfriend, Lucy! I'm forever thankful that I hadn't eaten yet. Bitch!

The next week flew by. Lizzy and I were, once again, best friends and inseparable. We either had lunch or dinner together daily, sometimes both, or we just hung out. A phone call wasn't good enough; we needed to see each other. That was fine by me, I was marveling at the precious gift that she was and soaking up her every utterance. I had a lot to learn about dignity, tolerance, forgiveness and she was just the one to teach me. I didn't want to leave her but I had commitments that I couldn't put-off without explanation to the Board of Trustees, our shareholders, the bank, etc. Besides, she insisted I stick to my plan and she really was getting better every day. Robert had left her in peace and, after I had - unbeknownst to Lizzy - personally called on him, he was willing to forego the preliminaries and settle quickly and quietly on her terms in hopes that the scandal wouldn't reach the newspapers and gab-rags.

Lizzy, the planner from hell, managed to gather all of our friends for one final shindig on my behalf. This time, however, she couldn't have it at my house. Thank the Good Lord for that! Instead, she had it at her place. I was surprised to say the least and touched... and by the end of it, very drunk. I don't remember much after the first hour or so.