Unknown Separation
Chapter Two: The Next Step
The first few days at Worthington are hectic. It is an adjustment from Capeside and Joey feels scared and inadequate. Worthington is everything Joey has ever dreamed of and yet she is homesick. She desperately misses Capeside. She feels awkward and out of place here. And yet she is driven by a need to succeed and survive in Worthington. Joey is driven by a need to succeed because she has always wanted better for herself. And despite her current anxiety and moments of self-doubt she struggles on with the memory of Pacey’s belief in her. He’s always had the ability to make her feel so incredibly beautiful, intelligent and capable of anything. Even now he still does. Even now when they’re no longer together. He believed in her, he saw her as a woman with more class and intelligence and beauty and grace then anyone else who’s walking the face of this planet.
Classic Pacey Witter bullshit.
And yet it is enough. It is enough that he once saw her through the eyes of a man in love. And it drives her on.
The days pass and the number of acquaintances grow. Classes have started to begin in earnest and Joey relishes the intellectual stimulation (and the distraction from Pacey’s absence in her life). Joey’s roommate is a party girl be the name of Val, although definitely not of the cheerleader-bimbo variety despite being a little too sex-crazed.
“That guy is hot!”
“Huh?” Joey mutters, looking up from her notes.
“The guy that just walked passed our door. Tall, blonde, great biceps. I’d definitely do him.” Val states as she licks her lips.
“That’s nice.” Joey comments and returns to her notes.
“I swear you’re not normal. I mean here we are at college, Worthington in fact, surrounded by gorgeous, intelligent and rich guys and you’re indifferent to every single one of them.”
“Val, I told you before, I’m not looking for a boyfriend. I’m still trying to…”
“I know, I know. Some high school sweetheart called Pacey.” Val waves her hand dismissively. “I get that. But, Joey, I’m not talking about finding a boyfriend. I’m talking about sex. One moment of passion and lust.”
Joey rolls her eyes. “Great, just what I need. To fall pregnant with a one night stand.”
“That’s what protection is for.” Val states as she casually dumps a bunch of condoms and her contraceptive pills on the table in front of Joey. “You can never be too careful.”
“I’ll remember that.” Joey states wryly and retrieves her papers from underneath the pile of condoms.
“Well, while you stay here and mope under the pretense of studying I’m going to try and locate that blonde babe that walked passed our door.”
“Have fun and be careful!” Joey calls and throws one of the condoms to Val.
Val catches and pockets it and grins mischievously at Joey. “Thanks. And don’t worry about me. I’ll be good.”
Joey snorts in disbelief and shakes her head as the door noisily shuts.
Despite their differences in personalities they get along well and have quickly settle on a daily routine. They’re learning to accommodate one another and basically learning to live with one another. Val’s pretty great as far as roommates go, nothing like some of the horror stories that Joey has heard about, and although they’re not the closest of friends they genuinely like one another and have developed a rapport.
*****
“You know what your problem is, Joey?” Val says as she and Joey walk
down the streets after an afternoon of shopping.
“You’re not going to come up with another one of your sex-crazed theories are you?” Joey asks.
“No! Of course not! And I take offense at the fact that you disrespect my advice.”
Joey sighs and shakes her head. “So tell me what my problem is, Dr. Val.”
“You need some dick.”
“Excuse me?” Joey stares incredulously at her roommate.
“You need some dick to loosen you up. Help you relax and…”
“I thought this wasn’t going to be another one of your sex-crazed theories? Anyway, what I really need is a job.” Joey interrupts as she spies a ‘Help Wanted’ sign posted on the glass window of a medium-sized café. “Let’s try here.”
They enter the café and Joey inquires about the job vacancy at the counter. A bald thirty-something man with thick, black glasses appears introducing himself as Mark, the manager of the café. After some conversation Joey is informed that she will be working the afternoon shifts, starting this Thursday.
It is a popular café with the college crowd although it does attracts a variety of clientele from students to business persons. The afternoon shifts are usually quite hectic but the tips are excellent and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. In the morning Joey attends classes and in the afternoons (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and some Saturdays) she works.
One busy Friday afternoon Joey turns around to see a familiar face. It is a guy from her Politics class. Jordan Delaware. “Jordan! Hi!”
“Hey, Joey. How are you doing?” Jordan smiles. He is tall, dark and handsome with smoldering eyes that can melt most girls.
“Not bad and yourself?”
“I’m pretty good. You seem rather busy although you handle your customers very well. I particularly admired how you handled that woman in blue.”
“You were watching?” Joey asks in surprise.
Jordan shrugs sheepishly. “Yeah. You were pretty impressive and it was kind of hard not to watch. I mean the lady was causing quite a bit of a scene.”
Joey’s mouths quirks up. “Yeah she was a bit of a handful. So could I, um, get you anything?”
“What do you recommend?”
Joey smiles and begins reciting the specials to Jordan, noticing how brown his eyes are. They are almost a dark chocolate brown, so different from Pacey’s oceanic blues.
“I’ll have a burger with the lot, some fries and a large Coke.” Jordan orders before continuing, “So I was wondering if you’re in a group for the Politics assessment yet?”
“Um, no, not yet.” Joey answers as she scribbles on her notepad.
“Well Tania, Lucas and myself are forming a group and we wondering if you’d like to join?”
“Sure, why not.” Joey smiles.
“We’re meeting tomorrow night at the Lounge, around eight. Are you free?”
“I’ll see you then.”
*****
The Lounge is a café/bar just one block away from Worthington. The interior is decorated in blues, reds and purples with several pool tables at one corner, a small dance floor and stage and tables, chairs and couches scattered throughout the area. At the far end, occupying several couches and a long table is Jordan and the other two people from Joey’s Politics class.
Jordan waves Joey over. “Hey you! I was scared you might have gotten lost.”
Joey grins. "Well, sadly it looks like I made it here safely.”
“You know Tania and Lucas?”
“Yeah, kind of.” Joey nods affably towards the two other people. “Hi.”
They spend most of the night working on their Politics assignment in between long breaks of drinking coffee and chatting. Somehow, despite the procrastination, they manage to get quite a bit of work done. Several hours later Lucas leaves to go on a date and half an hour later Tania also excuses herself. Jordan and Joey remain on the couch talking.
All of a sudden an immaculate blonde marches up to Joey and Jordan interrupting their conversation. “Ahem.”
Joey and Jordan both look up in surprise.
“Izabela!” Jordan exclaims in surprise.
“Don’t Izabela me, JD.” The blonde snaps. “You are such a manwhore!”
Jordan raises an eyebrow. “I am?”
In one swift movement the blonde reaches out and strikes but Jordan manages to grab her wrist in time.
“Resorting to physical violence now, Izabela?”
“I hate you, JD!”
“That’s good to know.” Jordan replies mildly and releases his hold of Izabela.
The girls stomps off but not before shouting several warnings to Joey about the dangers and perils of knowing Jordan Delaware.
Joey raises her eyebrows questioningly as Jordan rubs his temples. “Ex-girlfriend. From high school. Thought she was my true love but obviously that didn’t work out.”
“I know what you mean.” Joey sighs.
“Joey?”
“Do…do you think true love just ends? Just like that?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to think it doesn’t.”
“And if it does?”
Jordan’s eyes grow sad. “Then maybe it wasn’t true love in the first place. Or maybe it is and you just need time. You both need time apart to find yourselves before you can find one another again.”
“How do you tell?” Joey whispers. “How do you tell if it’s really true love?”
“Maybe it’s something you just know. Maybe it’s something that grows gradually; becomes part of you.” Jordan pauses. “Either way, true love or not, it’s hard to let go after loving someone that much. And even if you know you’re better off without them, that they’re better off without you, you still can’t help hoping that maybe… Just maybe…”
They both sit in silence with the ‘maybes’ whirring around in their minds.
A thought occurs to Joey and quizzically she asks, “JD?”
Jordan shrugs sheepishly. “Old nickname from high school. JD as in Jordan Delaware. I hated being called that.”
“JD. It’s cute.”
“Stop that right now, Joey!” Jordan growls.
“JD! JD! JD!” Joey sing-songs.
“Fine.” Jordan sulks but with a gleam in his eyes. “Have it your way…JP.” Joey shoves Jordan playfully and he shoves her back. "You know, JP, I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Joey groans at the line before nodding with Jordan’s assessment.
*****
Late August, Pacey returns to Capeside to gather what little things he has to bring to Boston. Doug had grudgingly obliged to keep his stuff in storage until he returned to pick them up.
“Dougie, d’ya miss me?”
“Strangely enough, yes I did.” Doug smiles and hugs his brother.
“Man, it’s kind of strange being back here.”
“She’s not here.”
“Who’s not here, Doug?”
“You know who, Pace. She left earlier this month for orientation and the others left two weeks ago.” Pacey sighs.
“Dawson left this for you.” Doug walks over to the bookshelf and pulls out a video tape. He hands it to Pacey. “I have to go to work. I’ll be back tonight. Try not to make a mess of the place while I’m gone.”
“Sure, Dougie.” Pacey pops in the videotape as Doug leaves. He takes a seat on the couch leaning back and stretching his arms out.
Dawson appears on tape. Pacey can’t help but chuckle.
“Pace, I made this tape for you. I made one for everyone. I hope you had a wonderful summer. Good luck, Pacey, in all you do. If you ever need to talk, please give me a call or e-mail. You know how to reach me. Don’t lose touch.” Dawson’s face fades to a blurry white and a shot of his lawn emerges.
Two little boys running around. A girl pushing a boy. The boy retaliating and pulling the girl’s ponytail. They run around chasing each other. The other boy, a blonde chubby child, chases after them laughing.
So denied so I lied are you the now or never kind
In a day and a day love I'm gonna be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had are you cool with just tonight
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
Fades to three pre-teens. Dawson’s 13th birthday. A camcorder in hand,
he is filming his two friends bantering.
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
Clips of Sea Creature from the Deep. Two guys and a girl. Then two guys and
two girls. The circle widens as black and white photos of the whole gang - Dawson,
Pacey, Joey, Jen, Jack and Andie - are merged into this little video keepsake
of friendship and the ties that bind. Stolen glances. Smiling faces. Contemplative
faces. Sad eyes. Contagious laughter. Thoughtful words.
Put your name on the line along with place and time
Wanna stay not to go I wanna ditch the logical
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
Then another black and white photo. Pacey and Joey embracing in front of the
Leery Christmas tree. It’s the same one Joey had hanging in her room. Then
clips of before prom photos.
Put your name on the line along with place and time
Wanna stay not to go I wanna ditch the logical
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
Then a picture of the gang at graduation gathered around the Capeside High School
marble. Drue, Dawson, Andie, Joey, Jen and Jack.
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
The photo fades and a shot of Joey comes on. It looks as if she’s on the
Leery porch. Dawson’s voice is heard in the background. They’re talking
about hopes and dreams.
“And how about your private life, Joey.” Dawson asks. “What do you hope for in your private life?”
Joey’s eyes look distant.
“What do you hope for Dawson?”
“I’d like to have family.” The camera is still focused on Joey as Dawson speaks from behind. “A wife and kids, maybe a dog. I want a marriage like my parents.”
“Typical Dawson.” Pacey thinks and shakes his head.
“That despite all the problems, the separation, the heartache and betrayals, in the end they come back to one another. They loved each other that much, they loved each other that truly…”
Pacey’s eyes focus on Joey. Her beauty. How much he misses her.
All my time is frozen in motion
Can't I stay an hour or two or more
Don't let me let you go
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
“…A love that withstands all that life might throw at them.”
Dawson’s voice trails off. Pacey can see Joey’s eyes cloud with unshed
tears. He hears a familiar phrase from her lips.
“Did you say something, Joey?”
“You asked me what I hoped for.” There’s a pause. “True Love.”
The documentary is not over. Joey’s face and the creek are still present on the screen. Her beauty emanating off the screen. And then, once again her voice is heard. It is a voiceover of her graduation speech.
“I hope that you take Capeside with you.” And the video fades to black.
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
Pacey sits staring at the television screen. A sad smile forms on his face.
“Thank you, Dawson.” A sincere thanks to his best friend for his thoughtful gift.
He presses stop on the VCR remote, stands and walks over to retrieve the phone from its charger.
One ring. Two rings.
“Potter B&B. How can I help you?” A female voice speaks.
“Bessie?” Pacey annunciates.
“Pacey?” Bessie asks surprised to hear his voice. “Pacey Witter, is that you?”
“Yeah, Bess, it’s me.”
“How the hell have you been? How was your summer?” She inquires excitedly.
“It was great. Hard work, but good for me, you know.”
“I’m glad to hear that. What can I do for you? You know Joey isn’t here right?”
“Yeah, Doug told me she left several weeks ago. I was just wondering if you could tell me her address and all.” Pacey asks.
“Of course, Pacey.” Bessie relays the information to him. When suddenly Alex’s crying can be heard in the background.
“Pace, I have to go. Alex is calling.”
“Of course. How is the little guy, by the way?”
“He’s growing up so quickly. He’s grown at least two inches or so and his appetite is growing also.” Bessie laughs.
“That’s great, Bess. Maybe I can stop by to see the little man before I leave for Boston?”
“You do that, Pacey. I’ll have Bodie cook you a welcome home and goodbye dinner. Come by tomorrow night, ok?”
“Will do. Bye Bessie. And thanks.”
“Anything for you, Pacey.”
*****
Pacey knocks on door number 5A. He taps his foot waiting for the door to open. “Gretch? Are you in there?” Pacey spoke loudly at the door.
“Yeah! One minute.” Gretchen rushes to the door from the kitchen. “Pacey! Oh, my God. Look at you.” She gives her younger brother a hug and pulls him into the apartment.
“Gretch, I missed you too.”
“I’m so glad to see you. And in one piece at that.”
“Me too. So how about some food for your hungry little brother?”
“I should have known. That's the only reason you're here.”
“But of course. That and for the fact that I have a steady roof over my head, a couch, a TV… I could go on, but like I said I’m starving.”
“Of course, Pace.”
Pacey plops himself down on the sofa and switches the channels on the TV set as Gretchen prepares some sandwiches in the kitchen.
“So tell me about your summer, Pace.”
“I sailed the Caribbean seas and got paid. Toured the beautiful islands and got you this.” He slides a seashell lined framed and a miniature figurine made of shells. “That’s basically it.” He says still trying to find something decent to watch.
“Pacey, come on, you must have done more than that.”
“Hmmm. Let me see.” He puts his index finger to his chin in mock contemplation. “Nope. I flew to Miami, where I met up with Dean Newman and the rest of the crew and passengers of Kubelik’s yacht and we set off for the isles.”
Gretchen enters the small living room area and hands Pacey a plate as he sits up. Pacey takes the plate and immediately bites into one of the sandwiches.
“Thanks. I’m famished.” He states as he chews on his food.
“Pacey, thank you. You didn’t have to buy me anything though.”
“Please. You know you wanted me too. Besides, it’s the least I could do for the person who is letting me live with her.” He grins.
“Ha. You’ll be doing your fair share of taking care of this apartment, Pace. So you met some nice people?” Gretchen took a seat next to him on the couch.
“Yeah. Sure. They were cool. And the Dean was nice too. Not a bad guy to have a conversation with.”
“Glad to hear you made some new acquaintances. Your activities must have helped to keep your mind off things.”
Pacey nodded, took a gulp of soda and decided to change the topic from him to her. “So…tell me, Gretch. What’s going on with you?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I’m not. I am merely curious as to how my sister is doing.”
“You know we are going to have to talk about her soon.”
“Gretchen, really. The topic of Josephine Potter can be dealt with at another time when I’m actually up to talking about it.”
“Fine. Just know that I am here for you, Pacey. I always am.”
“And for that I am indebted to you. So? How’s life in Boston so far?”
“I’m good. Classes are a bitch and work keeps me busy of course.” Gretchen starts and tells about her summer and new job.
“Ahhh. The sandwiches were great. I’m stuffed.”
“Well, that’s news.” Gretchen replies slyly.
“Haha. I think now I’ll just crash here on the couch and take a nap. I’m pretty beat.” Pacey sprawls out on the couch forcing Gretchen to stand up. She goes to the hall closet to get a blanket and pillow for Pacey.
A couple of weeks pass as Pacey situates himself into the new city. On one of Gretchen’s days off from school and work they decide to tour the city. It is a cool, sunny day to sight see their surroundings. Their last stop is about an hour away. They decide to drive to the beach and watch the sunset.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Gretchen tosses a copper coin with the flick of a thumb in Pacey’s direction. It lands on the sand in front of his legs.
“I’d be ripping you off.” He says as he picks up the coin.
“Somehow I highly doubt that.”
“You do, do you?”
“Yes.” Silence. Waves crashing. “I’m waiting.”
“Life.”
“Life. And how is life?”
“Life is…okay.”
“Yeah? Care to elaborate.”
“My life…” Pacey contemplates further, “my life and what I’m going to do, where I’m headed. School isn’t me. Even Pop thinks so.”
“You really think school isn’t a rung on a ladder for you to climb?”
“Actually, yeah. I’m just wondering what is. Pop said I would do great things. I’m just thinking about what those great things would be.”
“You don’t think it will just spontaneously happen? I mean when people do great things, they tend to be on the unexpected side. Not necessarily planned. And it all depends on how you define the term great.”
The red, orange and yellow hues of the sunset cover the sky. A lovely sight to behold. Makes one appreciate whatever earthly scenery one gets a chance to see away from the city life.
“Anything else, Pace?”
“Have you, by chance, seen her?”
“Joey. No, I haven’t. If I did, I wouldn’t know what to say to her. I haven’t seen Dawson either. I hear he transferred to Boston.”
“You think they’re together?”
“Together? As friends, yes. As a couple, no.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not, Pace. Those two can only be friends. You can see it when you see them. They’re the best of friends, faded in the past is a couple that never really worked out. That’s what their history affords them. A cherished friendship that cannot be let go or thrown away. You should know that. What you and Joey had, that’s different. You two shared a love so special and bittersweet, a love full of cherished moments and angst-ridden insecurities. A rocky road of love. What all couples experience. But you two, brought out something in each other. A brand new life of happiness and love. Something she didn’t have with Dawson and something I don’t think you had with Andie.”
“Gretchen?”
“Yeah, Pace?”
“I miss her.” They watched silently as the sun faded and set at the other end of the water, the sky darkening but still with the color of its fiery hues.
*****
Their next-door neighbor is a guy by the name of Patrick Stevens, twenty-one years of age – same as Gretchen. Of course, Pacey and Patrick strike up a friendship and being next-door neighbors the camaraderie is reminiscent of Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey. However, there are three friends instead of six. They are gathered in the Witter apartment waiting on a pizza delivery and watching Must See TV.
“Five more minutes and the pizza is free!” Patrick calls out. His eyes move from the clock back to Friends.
“Great. That’s fifteen bucks back in my pocket.” Pacey exclaims.
There is a knocking on the door.
“Ha. Spoke to soon, Pace.” Gretchen opens the door to reveal the pizza delivery guy carrying an insulated red pack. He pulls out the two boxes and hands it to Gretchen who in turn hands Pacey’s money to the young fellow waiting opposite her.
“Thank you.” She says as she closes the door.
“I swear. It’s like they wait till the last three or four minutes before knocking on your door. Like it’s all planned. Wanting their customers to think that they’re late and it’s going to be free.” Pacey throws his hands up in the air.
“Quit complaining and grabs the soda and plates.” Patrick yells from the sofa.
“Hey, Stevens, why don’t you get up off your ass and help out. You get the supplies.”
“Fine, fine.” Patrick gets up and walks over to the kitchen. “Happy.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Friends is over and nothing to watch for another half-hour until Will and Grace comes on. “That’s always the case when watching Must See TV.”
“Yeah, NBC really needs to find a hit for that time slot.”
“Eh.”
“So…Pace, what’s up with the employment issue. Find any yet?” Patrick inquires.
“Yeah, I actually did. Part time though. It’s at the boatyard an hour away. Afternoons to late evenings. Decent pay.”
“What are you going to do about your time until then. Sleep?” Gretchen doesn’t want her brother slacking off. Maybe he can be a part-time student. “Are you going to enroll in some classes?”
“I don’t think so. It’s too late to enroll anyways. I just don’t think school is for me at the moment. Maybe later on or maybe not.” “You know, Pace. I know a way you can earn extra money on the side. Nothing illegal. I know you come from a law enforcement family.”
“That’s never stopped him before.”
“Haha.” Pacey throws a pepperoni in her direction.
“Male escorting.” Patrick states simply.
Pacey and Gretchen gawk at him.
“I mean it. I did it a couple of times. It really isn’t that bad.”
“Uh huh. Sure.”
“I’m serious. You escort fine looking ladies to these events and shindigs. It can be quite fun really.”
“Did you ever sleep with any of them?” Gretchen asks curious to know.
“No. You’re not supposed to when you’re on the job. That’s like whoring yourself. I was merely there for company. When your off the clock then that is the time when you decide if you want to sleep with the person or not.” Patrick explains as he takes another bite of his supreme pizza and then a sip from his glass of coke.
“How much do you get paid?”
“Pacey! Are you seriously considering this?”
“Gretch, I just want to know how much he made. I’m not committing to anything.”
“A couple hundred depending on the type of event and how many hours it is.”
“That’s not that bad. Good money at least.”
“You actually would consider this?”
“Gretchen, we do need the money. And extra money for indulgences is a plus.”
“Patrick, is there some sort of minimum age in this line of work?” Gretchen inquires.
“Hmmm. I don’t think so. If you’re 18 and over I don’t think it should be a problem. It’s not like anything bad is going to happen to him.”
“Pacey, let me ask you something. If you do decide to do this and escort date deprived women to parties and all, tell me, you wouldn’t be thinking of being someone else’s escort?” Gretchen asks knowing the truth. Throughout the duration of Pacey’s stay there, she can tell by his actions and moods what is on his mind.
“Gretchen…” Pacey looks pointedly at his sister.
“No, Pace, I want to know.”
“Oh, God. Is this about Joey again? Me and my big mouth.” Patrick slumps back on the sofa.
“No…because we are not going to talk about it.” Pacey states.
“And why not?”
Patrick keeps his mouth shut and stays out of the topic the conversation has strayed to. He just watches back and forth like a tennis match. Side to side.
“Because my life does not revolve around her. I haven’t seen her for five months. Five, God damned months. I’m moving on and I’m sure she is too.”
“Your life may not revolve around her but your heart does.”
“Yes, Gretchen, a broken heart.”
“Pacey, I’m sorry.”
“Listen, I just want to move on and be happy again. I did it before and I can do it again. Patrick, thank you for the heads up on the male escort thing, but Gretchen is right. I would be reminded of someone else.” Pacey looks blankly at the television set.
“Guys, I’m going to be fine. But you’re going to have to help me. Keep my mind off certain subjects and just let me live my life. Let me have some fun. Let me mope. Let me be. Just…let me find myself and let my heart heal. That’s all I ask. The topic is now closed. We’ve talked about it and you know how I feel. Let me feel it and let me cope.”
“Okay, Pacey.”
Patrick puts the volume up on the TV. “Hey, Will and Grace is on.” Thank God.
*****
Early October and Joey has happily settled into college life. Classes have started to get more intense and places and buildings have gained an almost dreary familiarity. Most of Joey’s time is spent working or studying or hanging out with Jordan. A few nights Joey and Val might hang out or go shopping together. Every weekend Joey talks to Jen and Jack on the phone as well as emailing them, and Andie, constantly. Occasionally, Joey might see Dawson. Dawson has been distant of late but Joey figures that college life has naturally drifted them apart a little although they are still in constant contact via email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Remember me?
Hey Dawson,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to your last email but I’ve been swamped with assignments, papers and, of course, work. I know. I know. Excuses and more excuses. So how are things with you? What’s film school at BU like?
I got a letter from your mom with pictures of Lily. Your sister is absolutely adorable! Bessie’s been visiting your parents and apparently Alex and Lily are getting acquainted. Have you heard from any of the others recently? Okay, you know me too well Dawson. I know you can see through my pathetic, concealed attempt to ask if you’ve heard from Pacey. If you ever need to cast the role of an obsessive ex-girlfriend in a film for class, I’m always available. My credentials include starring in a series of Dawson Leery productions as well as being an obsessive ex-girlfriend.
Jordan and I are hanging out at the Lounge this Saturday. It’s our official hang out spot. About half the time we sit there and bemoan our sad love lives. The other half of the time Jordan is getting hit on by an innumerable amount of girls. I do believe that’s the true appeal of the Lounge for Jordan. In many ways Jordan reminds me of Pacey. In fact I think Jordan and Pacey would get along. No need to think those thoughts Dawson. Yes, I know, I’m digressing.
So tell me more about Jessica. That’s the girl you have a crush on right? Have you been on a date yet? You did mention that you were going to ask her out and I’m curious as to know how it went. I want ALL the details. Well, not all the details…
Do you know where… Okay I’m not asking the question. And don’t answer the question, Dawson! I don’t need to know. I never asked you anything. Just like I didn’t ask Jack, Jen, Andie, Bessie or Doug anything. I’m pathetic aren’t I?
Anyway I’ve got to go meet some people from my English class. I’ll write to you soon.
Joey.
==========
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Remember me?
Hey Joey,
You are NOT pathetic. You just miss him. I can understand that. And to answer your questions, I haven’t heard from him. The last time we were in contact was a couple of phone calls and a postcard during the summer, and you already know about them. I’m still in contact with Jack, Jen and Andie. Jack and Jen seem to be really enjoying Boston Bay College and I do believe Andie is having the time of her life at Harvard. However, I don’t think either of them know where he is. Not even Andie. Gretchen might know, but we’re not really in contact at the moment. I’m sure that where ever he is, he’s thinking of you. You’re pretty unforgettable, Josephine Potter.
College is fine at the moment although I’m suffering a similar fate as you; assignments and papers will be the death of college students. I finally did ask Jessica out and we’ve been on several dates. Everything is really low-key and casual at the moment. I’m not really looking for something deep and meaningful. Not yet anyway.
Mom also sent me some photographs of Lily and a few of Lily and Alex. I can’t believe how much they’ve both grown. And here I am in Boston missing out on the opportunity to play big brother to Lily, to watch her grow. Part of me wishes that we were back in Capeside. I miss Capeside. I guess you could say that Dawson Leery is suffering from acute home-sickness. You always did say that I suffered from nostalgia.
By the way we should really meet up some time. When are you free? Bring Jordan along and also your roommate Val, she sounds interesting. Maybe we’ll meet on Saturday at this ‘Lounge’ place you’re always talking about. Tell me when you’re free.
Dawson.
*****
One day Pacey finds a café on his way to work. If he is to go straight to work he will actually be an hour early. So un-Paceylike. He is tired of being in the apartment and wanted to get out before he’s bogged down at the boatyard. The café allows for some delay. It is early afternoon. Around twelve thirty. He doesn’t have to be at work until a quarter to two.
He sits at the counter. A middle-aged woman, whose make-up isn’t quite overdone, but a little much, approaches him from behind the counter.
“What would you like?”
Pacey looks at the menu in front of him. He doesn’t have much money in his wallet. About five bucks really. He won’t get paid until the end of the week.
“Fries and a coke.”
“That it?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Your fries will be ready in a few minutes.”
“I’ve got time.”
“Here’s your soda.” She slides the cold glass, a wrapped straw and a napkin before him.
“Thanks.” Pacey moves the glass closer and begins to unwrap the white paper from the straw. He stands the straw and taps it scrunching the paper down toward the bottom. He dips the clear plastic straw into the cola filled glass and the cool brown liquid relieves his parched mouth. He then lifts the straw slightly, but not out of the glass. Puts his index finger on the top of the straw and makes sure that some of his drink is captured in the straw, but not too much. With the liquid suctioned in, he lifts the straw and just above his scrunched straw wrapping, he watches a drop fall atop it. The paper un-shrivels and moves snake like.
“Here’s your fries, cutie.”
“Thank you.” Pacey slides his glass over and brings his plate of fries closer. He reaches over for the salt and sprinkles it lightly over the fires. He then reaches over to his left and grabs the Heinz Ketchup bottle, uncaps it, and tilts it slightly with one hand and with his other hand he taps the 57 on the side and watches as the red thick sauce drips out.
Later, as the fries diminish from his plate and the cola is nearing the bottom of the glass, the waitress approaches him once more.
“Would you like anything else?”
“No. Just the check.”
She lifts a green lined pad of paper from her apron pocket. Marks something down, tears a piece of paper from it and hands it to him.
Pacey reaches behind him to his back pocket for his wallet. Five bucks. The check scribbled $3.75. He puts his wallet on the counter and lays the bill down waiting for the waitress to approach. He looks up at the clock.
“Shit. It’s one twenty.” He hastily rushed out of the café leaving something behind.
“Hey! Mister!” The waitress yells. Pacey is already out the door and in his car speeding away. “Well, someone will be without a wallet for a while.” She takes the brown leather wallet and discreetly puts it into the ‘Lost and Found’ box.
*****
It is a Wednesday evening and it has been an unusually slow night for the café. Joey flops down onto a chair at the counter and idly flicks through some magazines. Still bored she gets up. She walks behind the counter and spies a semi-full box of ‘lost and found’ items and decides to rummage through it. There are a few pens, a ring and a necklace, a notepad, a hat, a couple of pairs of gloves and a wallet.
There is something oddly familiar about the wallet. It is made of brown leather, worn with a few scratches on the side. It reminds Joey of Pacey’s wallet. She cannot help but inspect the wallet. She holds the leather carefully in her hand and remembers the last time she held a wallet like this. The school ski trip. Joey opens the wallet and half smiles when she sees the familiar foil package hidden inside one of the wallet’s folds. The wallet is empty with perhaps a few coins in it. A poor customer. There are various cards tucked into the folds of the wallet and Joey supposes that a driver’s license or form of identification is in one of them. She doesn’t look though, not wanting to pry any further and goes to close the wallet. It is then a photograph catches her eye.
Joey’s hand trembles as she stares at the photo. It is wallet size and looks like it has been taken in and out of the wallet several times. The edges are worn and yet the photo does not look neglected but rather well loved.
It is a photograph of herself and Pacey.
A photograph they had taken during their summer sailing in some small touristy photo booth in the Florida Keys.
With an urgency Joey flicks through the numerous cards in the wallet until her eyes spot a driver’s license. The answer to her questions. It is a state of Massachusetts driver’s license registered to one Pacey J. Witter. Joey’s fingers trembles as she shoves the license back into the wallet and watches numbly as the wallet tumbles back into the box labeled ‘Lost and Found’.
*****
“Stupid idiot. You’re lucky you didn’t get caught speeding without a license.” He says to himself as he enters the café the next morning.
“Excuse me, I forgot my wallet here yesterday. Do you have it?”
A guy in his mid thirties, with the nametag Mark, stands before him. “Let me check. Gimme a sec.” He reaches under the counter for the ‘Lost and Found’ box and rummages through it. Low and behold there is a wallet.
“What color?”
“Brown leather.” Sure enough he was right.
“Name?”
“Pacey J. Witter. My license is in there.”
Mark searches for the license. “Uh huh. Yup. Here you go. You should be careful next time.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Did you lose any money? You should check and see?”
“No. I had five to spare and it went to fries and a coke.”
“Ah. I see.”
“I saw a sign out there for help.”
“Yeah, we’re looking for someone to work the morning to early lunch shifts. Not really waitressing.”
“Well, what then?”
“More like opening the place with me. I’m Mark. The manager.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too. Pacey, was it?”
“Yeah, Pacey.”
“Well, as I was saying. The job entails opening the café with me and setting up the joint before the customers arrive. Light busboy duties. Why, you interested?”
“I could use the extra cash. I work at the boatyard half an hour away, but that’s at a quarter to two and into the evening.”
“Well, that’s fine. I can let you out of here before you need to go to your next job. That is if you are interested. A strong young lad like you would be a good help around here.”
“Consider me interested. What time would I have to get here in the mornings?”
“Around six.”
“Six!”
“Yeah, it is a café and I do have businessmen and women as customers.”
“Figured. Yeah. Six is cool. I’ll have my sister drag me out of bed.”
“Whatever gets you here on time.” Mark laughs. “I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Tomorrow is good. See you then.”
“Six o’clock in the morning, Pacey.”
“Six in the morning, Mark.”