Episode 162

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Episode 162

Scene 1:

Josh Manning roamed the halls of St. Joe's for an hour before his scheduled meeting with Jamie Mason and for the first time since he left Florida, he felt like a doctor again. It was a long time coming but there it was. The need to take care of people overwhelmed him as he looked around the different floors of the building. He wanted to jump in and help everywhere. But not yet, he thought glancing at his watch. Not until he met with Jamie in another fifteen minutes. Until then, he would look a little bit more, he decided and headed toward the Emergency Room. That was where you could see the heart and soul of a hospital.

He paused outside the ER's glass doors and watched the action on the other side. Nurses hurried from examining rooms to the main desk to the supply closets and back again without breaking stride. Family members sat in the partitioned waiting room, looking tense and worried. Yes, this is what he remembered most about an ER. The urgency of it all. He smiled to himself and stepped through the glass.

"May I help you?" A willowy redhead dressed in pale pink scrubs asked almost immediately inserting herself between him and the rest of the area. "This portion of the floor is off limits to patients and family members. If you're waiting for someone, you can wait right over here." She smiled helpfully and pointed toward the waiting room.

"No, I work here," Josh replied returning her smile.

She gave him a quizzical gaze. "You're not wearing a hospital badge, sir."

"No, I’m not. But I will be soon." Josh extended his hand. "Josh Manning. Doctor Josh Manning." The woman raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "It’s true. I’m meeting Jamie Mason in a little while. You can call and ask him."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Manning, but I can't..."

"You don’t have to, Georgia." Josh stiffened at the voice behind him. He didn't have to turn to know who it belonged to. "He's a doctor all right."

"Hello, Ian," Josh said without turning. "Jamie said you worked here now. How'd you manage that?"

Ian’s eyes narrowed darkly. "Obviously, I was hired before your frat buddy took over. I see he’s trying to surround himself with his old crowd all over again. So, where is he thinking of putting you? Pediatrics? General Medicine?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, I’ll be interviewing for the Chief of Staff position," Josh replied finally turning to face Ian.

"Interesting. I’ve applied for that same position." Ian smiled innocently but Josh knew him well enough to see the wheels begin to turn in his brain. He was weighing just how much of a challenge Josh was in the race for the job and calculating what he would have to do to beat Josh. No wonder Jamie was looking for someone else besides Ian McCormick to run his hospital. He was still the same smug creep he had been in college.

"Jamie might have mentioned that to me. Looks like you might be in for some friendly competition," Josh returned.

"Are we friends? I hadn’t noticed," Ian snapped back. He took a step closer to Josh and lowered his voice to a warning tone. "This is my hospital, Manning. Jamie Mason might think he runs it but I do. I’m not about to let him install his toady to do the work that I am already doing. Do you understand?"

"You haven’t changed a bit since college, Ian," Josh answered with a knowing smirk. "I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have changed. And I’m not Jamie’s toady any more than you are. In fact, you might be surprised at how little I like him these days. But you know what? I dislike you even more, Ian. You’re still a smug jerk and I’d be more than willing to take this job away from you."

Scene 2

Georgia slipped away from Ian and the new doctor back to the nurse’s station. Looking around the waiting room, she could see other eyes staring at them wondering what the commotion was about. Hopefully, they would lower their voices and move along soon, she thought bending to some paperwork.

"What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?"

She looked up from the insurance form and met Jory’s serious gaze. Smiling a little, she tilted her head to the side and studied him. He was looking better every day after the fire at Mason Enterprises. Today, she could barely make out the small scars he would always have just around his chin from the burns. The worst of the burns were on his back anyway. At least he didn’t look so haunted today.

"Well, that is the worst pick up line I’ve heard in a long time, Jory Conlan," she returned with a smile just as Ian’s voice rose slightly. She flinched inwardly but kept her demeanor cool and ignored it.

Jory, however, glanced over at Ian briefly. "What’s going on over there? Ian having trouble bullying someone?"

"Um, I don’t know. He’s apparently a new doctor Mr. Mason hired," Georgia answered quickly. "What brings you here?" She added trying to keep Ian out of their conversation.

"Oh. Yeah...well, actually I was hoping to pick you up in a way. Luke’s having a small get together tonight and I wondered if you wanted to come. It’s supposed to be family only but if your mother is coming, I may need you as a buffer."

"I wouldn’t worry about my mother at your family party. She’s planned a family dinner for us tonight. That should make everyone at your house relax a little," Georgia added with a grin.

Jory feigned relief for her benefit even though they both knew it was more real than not. "Family dinner huh? What’s going on there?"

"My sister is coming to town. She’s transferring to Hope. I guess she finally bowed to all the pressure Mom’s laid on her in the last couple of months."

"I didn’t know you had a sister."

Georgia shrugged. "I thought I mentioned her before. Her name is Josie. It’s no big deal though. What’s your dinner about? Anything in particular?"

Jory laughed and shook his head. "No idea. Luke is keeping it all hush hush. Though if you really want to know, we could meet afterwards. You know midnight coffee or something."

Ian’s voice rose again as he and the new doctor continued their argument. Georgia cast a worried glance at them. "I better do something about that. Midnight coffee is fine, Jory. Call me when you’re done with your family thing," she said picking up the phone next to her. Jory nodded and took a step back and watched her while she made her call, her eyes locked on Ian the entire time. Even he could see that she still had feelings for Ian McCormick after the terrible way he had treated her for the last month. Jory would stand no chance with Georgia if Ian was still in the picture.

He left the building and reached for his cell as he walked towards his car. "It’s Jory," he said after dialing the number he wanted. "You win. I’ll help you. What do you want me to do?"

Scene 3

Inhaling deeply, Angelina clasped her hands, twisting her fingers nervously. "I like to think he is," she murmured quietly. "That boy...is my brother."

Jamie's eyebrows went up in surprise but he only nodded. "Well, then I'm sure he's glad you're here. For that matter, so am I." He touched her hand gently. "If there's anything I can do to help..."

"Oh, no. I didn't tell you to.... I mean...." She shook her head again, speechless for a moment. "You're a good guy, aren't you? You don't even know me, but I get the feeling you really would try to help if you could. That's sweet, but it's my family's mess. In the mean time, I'm just trying to get used to the new place. Home sweet home and everything..."

"It's a nice place. I grew up here. When I was a kid, I hated it. Left as soon as I could." He paused and ordered himself a plain coffee. "Came back though."

"Why? If you don't mind my asking, that is. I don't want to pry. It's just that I moved away from my family, shortly after my father died, and yet now I find myself here. Different place, same people. It's like...there are some things you just can't escape."

"That's just it isn't it? You can't escape family. I don't think I could if I tried." He smiled uncomfortably thinking about his mother and Ellen and Chris. Too many issues involved with all of them. "Take my brother for example. He's my best friend and it seems like we've been at cross purposes for the last year, but I wouldn't and couldn't abandon him when he's having trouble. I guess the same could be said for you."

"No, I could never turn my back on my family. But space...space would be nice," Angelina grinned.

"I'll tell you what, anytime you need space, just let me know. I think I could probably find a place for you to go without having to worry about the pressures of family." The waitress came back with his coffee and set it in front of him. "Do you ride?" He asked taking a sip of the steaming drink. "Because the country club has the best grounds for it. And the horses there are thoroughbreds."

She arched an inquisitive brow, unable to reign in the smile that threatened to break free. "Do I ride? Let's just say my coordination has never been the best. When I was growing up, I spent more time out on the water than on dry land. And in New Orleans, well, the closest I got to a horse was one of those crazy French Quarter carriage tours." She paused for a moment and looked down at her coffee. "But I'd be willing to learn. I'd be willing to do just about anything to find some space of my own around here."

"Well, what do you like to do? I'm sure between the two of us, we could find something to relieve your tension," Jamie remarked.

"What do I like...." Her words trailed off and a slow, bright smile lit her face. "It's been a while since anyone asked me what I like to do. In fact, it's been a while since I've been able to simply sit back and enjoy myself. I'm not sure I remember how that works," she grinned jokingly. "I used to love to sit on the beach and watch the tides roll in. Or to take out one of my father's boats and just drift along to the sound of the waves lapping against sides. There was this little inlet off of the cove and I used to think of it as my own private deserted island. The water there was so clear, and I'd drop anchor and swim to shore. I love to swim, but it's getting a little too cool around here to do that."

Jamie smiled at the idyllic picture Angelina presented. "I can see how the solitude of the water could be appealing," he said. "When I wanted to get away from life, I went hiking in the forest outside town. You wouldn't know it but there are some very nice trails for getting lost in."

"Lost...doesn't sound like such a bad place to be," Angelina murmured, her gaze meeting his for a brief moment before sinking back down to the inky depths of her still steaming coffee.

"Any time you feel like getting lost," Jamie smiled. "You just let me know." His beeper chose that moment to interrupt them. "I'm sorry. I'll be right back." He rose from the table and went to one of the phones nearby, dialing the extension that had called him. "This is Mr. Mason," he said into the receiver when someone answered.

"Oh good, Mr. Mason. This is Georgia Corelli in the ER. I'm sorry to have to bother you, but there's a problem down here."

"What kind of problem?" Jamie asked glancing over his shoulder at Angelina. He hated to leave the woman again.

"Well, there's a man down here without a badge who says you hired him and Ian- I mean Dr. McCormick is talking to him, but it looks like it’s turning into an argument. I thought you should intervene."

So Josh decided to show after all, Jamie thought sourly. And what an appearance he was making. "I’ll be right there. Do not let Dr. McCormick throw him out. And do not let Dr. Manning go anywhere, do you understand? I'll be there in five minutes." He hung up the phone and returned to the table. "I'm so sorry. My appointment has actually decided to show up. But I want to see you again. Look, this might be a little forward of me, but there's a new club opening next week...the Flamingo Club...would you like to be my...well, my date?"

Angelina's eyes widened and her dismay at having their visit cut short vanished. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she'd be there anyway, after all, the club was her illustrious other brother's venture, but she decided to let it slide for the moment. "Date, huh? Well, yes. I'd be honored to be your date. Sounds like fun."

"Good." He smiled again, meeting her eyes briefly. How different this encounter felt than their first in New Orleans! No thoughts of Michaela to cloud his view of her and best of all no guilt. Perhaps, he thought, there really was life outside of his doomed marriage. Yes, it had been doomed. The moment they came back to Virginia, there was no hope for them. Michaela wasn’t strong enough to go head to head with Gwen or any of his family’s issues. And it was what he had to do without question. Shrugging off his thoughts, he finished his coffee quickly.

"Tell me where you’re staying and I’ll be by at seven o’clock next Saturday to pick you up."

Rummaging through her purse, Angelina grabbed a pen and scribbled the address on a clean paper napkin. Just for kicks, she added her cell phone number. In case he needed anything, she told herself.

"Seven it is," she echoed, sliding the napkin his way. "I'm glad we ran into each other again."

"Me too. Maybe we'll see more of each other now that we're in the same town," Jamie said immediately regretting it. He sounded like a high school kid again. He grimaced slightly at his own words. "You'll have to forgive me. I haven't done this in a long time."

"Don't worry about it. It's been a while for me too," she grinned, pushing her chair back and standing up. "I should probably check on Dinah. I feel a little guilty for leaving her alone, but she seemed to need some time to herself. If we don't see each other before next weekend, know I'll be looking forward to it." Impulsively, Angelina leaned forward and brushed a light kiss against Jamie's angular cheek. It was a bold move by her own standards, and she felt her face flush with color. Still, she bit her lower lip to conceal a grin as she stepped back. "I won't keep you from your meeting any longer."

Her kiss surprised and pleased him. He felt himself grinning stupidly after her as she walked away, excited by a woman for a change instead of hurt or angry. Angelina was a far cry from Michaela. His ex-wife kept her emotions in check no matter the cost. She was cool and calm and mature, even though her actions didn't always reflect that. He finally had something to look forward to, he thought as he headed off to the ER, instead of looking back at his marriage.

Scene 4

With Josh off on his first day of work at the hospital, Honey spent an hour unpacking before taking a break. Since arriving in the town, she had seen little else than the rented house they were living in near the hospital. What she wanted to do more than anything was explore. Conlan's Glen was so different than New Orleans in almost every way she could think of. It was quiet and "country." New Orleans had been one big party with tourists every where you looked. And even though she had lived there most of her adult life, she had never really been out in the midst of it. Now that she was in a new town, she wanted to see her new home firsthand, not from a window.

After writing a quick note to Josh, in case he came home early, Honey dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater and left the house. The morning air was crisp and cool, with a low overhang of gray clouds, so unlike the clear mornings in New Orleans. The town was made for walking with smooth sidewalks and neatly trimmed grass. Trees hung over the sidewalk turning bright fall colors. It was idyllic. She paused at an intersection, looking around the small square that seemed to be the center of town. It was alive with mothers pushing their babies in strollers and teens hanging around outside buildings.

Her stomach growled noisily demanding lunch and interrupting her growing fondness for her adopted home. She spotted a diner across the street and headed towards it, reading the sign in the window as she approached. "Connie's Fine Dining, serving the Glen since 1920." Next to that was a smaller sign that read in big red letters, "Help Wanted." She ducked inside just as a raindrop hit her nose and was greeted by a tall woman with wavy auburn hair and a big smile.

"Hello there!" The woman said brightly. "Just you today? Would you be a dear and sit at the bar? We're just swamped!"

"Sure," Honey shrugged in response.

"Wonderful, you are a godsend. Our special today is vegetarian lasagna and the soup of the day is homemade chicken noodle."

"That sounds good," Honey said taking a seat at the bar between a young man wearing a ball cap and a business woman. "I'll just have a bowl of soup then."

"Oh and Gina, while you're here, could I get that refill on my coffee?" The businesswoman interrupted.
Gina paused and looked down at her, plastering a pained smile on her lips. "Just one more minute, Miss Lennox."

"But I've been waiting for almost five minutes."

Honey stole a glance at the woman taking in her perfectly tailored suit and polished nails. The coffee pot was just behind Gina almost full.

"I know Hallie, but I am a little busy right now. I'll be back in a second," Gina answered through tight lips before disappearing from the bar area.

"Perfect. Just a perfect reminder of my place in the world," Hallie muttered.

"Here, let me get it for you," Honey said quickly sliding off her stool and ducking behind the counter. She poured the coffee quickly and set it back on its burner. She was back on her stool a moment later, smiling to herself. For some odd reason, serving coffee and being behind a counter felt right.

"You didn't have to do that," Hallie said looking at her with a narrow gaze. "It is Gina's job after all. And they aren't paying you."

"Oh I know, but I used to wait tables before I moved here. I guess I miss it."

"You miss it? That's funny." Hallie sipped her coffee looking Honey over with a cautious eye. "Still, you shouldn’t do work that you aren’t being paid for."

"Oh I really don’t mind! She did seem rather rude about it though," Honey noted.

"You think? She hates me. They all hate me here. But then, it’s fun to watch them give me dirty looks when I walk in the door."

"Why would they all hate you? She seemed like a nice woman."

"What is your name?"

Honey smiled brightly. "Honey Manning."

"Honey? What kind of name is that?" Hallie demanded tersely.

"A nickname actually," Honey replied. "It’s short for Hannah."

"Oh. Well, thank you for the coffee, Honey. I am Hallie Lennox-Conlan, soon to be just regular old Hallie Lennox. And before you ask, I married the owner’s son in a fit of stupidity but that is about to be remedied. He’s divorcing me, can you believe that? He is divorcing me. It should be the other way around. After all, he’s the one who had the affair. All I did was admit that I married the wrong man. And look where that got me! Stephen won’t even speak to me now. Stephen is the man I should have married not that lying Luke Conlan. You did say you were married, right?"

"Yes. Just two weeks ago. But your husband cheated on you? How awful! I don’t know what I would do if that happened to me! You must be so hurt. Was that woman your mother-in-law? No wonder she was so rude to you."

Hallie turned her head and fixed a penetrating gaze on Honey, really seeing her for the first time. Here was someone who had no idea of her history in the town, someone who only knew her side. That would be nice to have in her life again. "No, she’s just my father-in-law’s tacky girlfriend. The whole family hates me you know. They’re a twisted bunch." She set her coffee down and turned toward Honey, flashing a bright smile. "But I’ll survive them. The only reason I even came in here today was because of the rain. And now I’m glad I did. If I hadn’t I wouldn’t have met you."

Honey flushed a deep scarlet. "Oh I’m nothing."

"Nonsense. You are quite a lot more than nothing," Hallie returned. She glanced at her watch. "Damn. I have to go. The next time we see each other, I’ll buy you lunch. And somewhere nice too, not this dump. Here’s my card. Call me when you have some free time and I’ll take you to The Fountains. It was nice meeting you, Honey." Hallie picked up her umbrella and hurried away just as Gina returned with Honey’s soup.

"Well, she couldn’t wait for her coffee, hm? Oh well, no loss. Especially for you, Miss. That woman is a pain," Gina commented setting the bowl in front of Honey.

"I hope you don’t mind, but I went behind the counter and poured her coffee for her. I felt sorry for her. She probably just needs a friend."

Gina laughed. "Right. Say, you aren’t looking for a job are you?"

Scene 5

Still on a high from his encounter with Angelina, Jamie rode the elevator down to the ER smiling from ear to ear. The staff that he passed smiled back at him with a questioning lift of their eyebrows. He didn’t care. Josh was finally here and Angelina’s presence improved his outlook as well. Everything was falling into place at last.

As the elevator doors opened he could see Josh and Ian standing toe to toe by the nurse’s station. Ian’s harsh tones carried across the floor toward him as he approached. "Just because Mason went and dragged you out of whatever hole you were in does not mean you’ll get this job."

"No," Jamie interrupted calmly. "But it means he gets a fair shot just like you Ian. Now, if I could speak to both of you in private?" He jerked his head at the doctor’s lounge, walking toward it without waiting for their answer. Once inside and the door closed safely behind them, he let loose. "Just what in the hell were you two thinking? There are patients out there for Christ’s sake! Whatever arguments you two have, do them in private. Got it?"

"He started it," Josh mumbled staring crossly at the floor.

Jamie whirled on him, his eyes narrowed and his arms crossed over his chest as if he were trying to hold himself back. "That’s your excuse? Josh, don’t make this another Florida."

"I won’t. But don’t put me in the position to make it look that way either! If I remember it correctly, you’re the one who threw me to the wolves back there!"

Ian’s eyebrows raised, his interest piqued. "Oh, so Manning was telling the truth. He does hate you. Well, I don’t believe it. You two are up to something, I know it. If Jude Fontaine were here, I’d be positive."

"Quit being so paranoid, Ian. There is nothing going on here. The hospital had an opening and Josh needed a job. That’s all," Jamie responded stiffly. "If Josh wants to apply for the Chief of Staff position, that’s his business. What’s the matter? Afraid marrying my sister wasn’t enough to get you the job?"

Ian shifted angrily, his mouth thinning into a narrow line. "This has nothing to do with Ellen," he said in a tight voice. "Are you finished chastising us? If you are, I have work to do."

Jamie shrugged, waving him off. He waited until Ian had left before turning back to Josh with a smile on his face. "That was fun."

"That was fun?" Josh echoed. "A little warning would have been nice. You didn’t tell me Ian married your sister. You didn’t tell me he’s got the job sewn up. What else haven’t you told me?"

"Nothing. Look, Josh, you’re here because you need a job and I need you. I want to repay you for the damage I did in Florida."

"And stick it to Ian McCormick while you’re at it," Josh added for him.

Jamie shrugged. "Sure. Can you blame me? He’s a sanctimonious prick. Plus, he’s wormed his way into my family just to get some status and I won’t let him get it through me or my sister. So, you up for this or not?"

"Don’t have much of a choice do I?" Josh muttered.

"Not unless you want to tell your wife that you moved her all the way up here for nothing. Now, let’s talk about something different. Like, why the hell are you so late?"

Josh looked at his watch and then glanced at the clock on the wall before giving Jamie an embarrassed frown. "I’m still on New Orleans time. Sorry about that."

Jamie laughed good-naturedly, silently thanking Josh for being late. Without that, he wouldn’t have met up with Angelina again and Ian wouldn’t be stewing over Josh’s arrival. "Don’t worry about it. Come on, I’ll show you around and we’ll get you set up over at Human Resources. And Josh? Welcome aboard."