Heart & Soul
Episode 17
By Allan Craig
The
Diane closed
the door to her bedroom and took a deep breath, leaning against the door. She
slid down until she sat on the ground in front of the door, weeping.
The
Jackie poured
Megan a scotch and handed it to her.
"Well?"
an eager Megan sat down.
"Well
what?"
"My dear mother looked like she’d just seen a ghost." Megan laughed.
"Let us
just say that I put Diane in her place." Jackie poured herself a drink.
"Not fair."
"Megan, life isn't fair. The sooner you learn that the better."
Jackie sat down opposite Megan.
"Aunt
Jackie, please tell me."
"Megan,
patience is a virtue. I’ll tell you when the time is right."
THE NEXT DAY
Ashley strolled
through the corridors, oblivious to the wolf whistles and admiring stares she
was receiving from the male students. She walked over to her locker and opened
her door, checking her reflection in the small vanity mirror.
"Ashley?"
a girl’s voice came from the other side of the door.
Ashley closed
the door to see Lisa Smith standing in front of her.
"You’re
back at school awfully early, shouldn’t you be recovering?" asked Lisa.
"I’m only
back for a bit to talk to Principal Hall about my finals. I’m retaking this
year." Ashley wrapped a lock of her hair around her finger.
"Great!
We’ll be seniors together!" Lisa squealed with excitement.
"Great."
Ashley yawned.
The
Jackie sat at
the large oak table as Diane walked into the room. Jackie poured herself
another coffee.
"Good
morning Diane, you look, well, good morning." Jackie ran her finger around
the rim of her cup.
"Why are
you doing this?" asked Diane.
"Because I
can. You took my brother for all he was worth. But you didn’t consider the fact
that John was the main account holder. He had the power to take it all away
from you, and now, I do."
"I’ll take
this to every court in the land."
"With what? You have no money Diane, I think you’re forgetting that. Not
even from the restaurant. That was John’s, now it’s mine. So how you’ll be able
to afford a half decent lawyer is beyond me."
"I have my
ways Jackie. You should know that by now." Diane sat down at the table.
The Wilson
House: Gillian’s Room
Gillian sat on the
edge of her bed placing her belongings into a box. Most of the things in her
room were in boxes. Anna walked into the room.
"I’ve been
thinking." Anna began.
"Mom,
you’re not going to talk me out of this. I told you, I’m leaving
Oakridge."
"I know.
You’re just like your father, when you make your mind up about something,"
Anna flipped her hair back, "I’m coming with you."
The Abbot
House: Ashley’s Room
Ashley lay on
her bed staring out of the window, watching the clouds go by. The pink and
white décor of her room had started to grate on her. There was a quiet knock at
her door.
"Who is it?" asked Ashley.
"Me."
Alexandra’s voice traveled through the door.
"Come
in."
Alex walked in
and sat down on the edge of the bed, handing Ashley a glass of fresh orange
juice.
"I thought
you might be thirsty."
"You
thought right," Ashley sat up straight to drink her juice,
"Thanks."
"How about we go out? You know, do a bit of shopping, have some lunch,
that kinda thing. Maybe even see a movie?" Alex
suggested.
"That’d be
nice. Let me get my coat."
Ashley got up
from the bed and walked out of the room. Alex smiled, she was getting closer to
her daughter.
The
Jackie sat
reading the newspaper as Diane walked into the room zipping up her handbag.
"Going
somewhere Diane?" Jackie peered over the top of her paper.
"Just out
into town for a look around the shops."
"I trust
you will be looking for a job as well. The rent for this month is due in two
days and unless I’m mistaken, you are penniless."
"I don’t need this Jackie."
"Too
bad."
Diane walked
out of the room and upstairs. She knocked on Megan’s door.
"Come
in." Megan’s voice came from the other side of the door.
Diane opened
the door and entered the room.
"Oh it’s
you."
"Yes. I
need a favour." Diane placed her bag on Megan’s bed.
"What kind
of favour?"
"$5,000."
"You’ll be
lucky." Megan scoffed.
"Please
Megan, I’ll pay you back, with interest."
"Nope."
"I gave
you life. The least you could do is loan me a couple of thousand bucks that I WILL
pay back."
"It’s
payback, you made my life hell when I was younger, now it’s my turn to do the
same to you."
"I am your
mother" Diane pleaded with her daughter.
"No, you
lost that right a long, long time ago. Now get out." Megan opened the door
and pointed for Diane to leave.
The Abbot
House: Lounge
Ashley and Alex
walked into the living room.
"I’ll go
get us some sodas." Alex walked into the kitchen.
The Abbot
House: Kitchen
Alex walked
into the kitchen.
"Matt?"
she saw her fiancée sitting at the table, "Matt!"
Alex dropped
her shopping bags and ran over to hug him.
"Pleased
to see me I take it?" he laughs.
"Just a
tad! I’ve missed you so much!"
The
Diane storms
into the room and rips Jackie’s newspaper from her hands.
"How dare
you? How dare you come into my home and try to take it away from me? I’ve had
enough!"
"Well you
know where the door is Diane, if you cannot stand the heat, I would advise you
to get out of the kitchen." Jackie sneered.
"I wont
let you take my life away from me."
"You’ve
lost it all Diane, your husband, your family, and now, your fortune."
"This is
MY house and you are not welcome here. Get out before I do something I
regret"
"Correction,
this house now belongs to me. Do you know what? I have decided against letting
you rent your bedroom here. I much prefer the master bedroom. So go upstairs,
pack your bags, and leave this place before I contact the police," Jackie
snatched Diane’s bag out of her hand and emptied it on the glass coffee table,
"One cannot be too careful. Who knows what you may try and steal from
me."
The Wilson
House
Gillian
finished zipping her final suitcase.
"Ready
then? Our flight leaves in three hours. We need to check in." Anna placed
some clothes into a small case.
"You
really are serious about this, aren't you?"
"I love you. You are my daughter. Of course I’m serious about it. We’ll
take what we need just now and get the rest sent over. We can sell the house
from afar."
"Thank you
so much for this mom. I know it must be hard for you to leave this place
behind. After everything that’s happened here. And you’re giving it all up for
me."
Anna walked
over to her daughter and rested her hands on Gillian’s shoulders.
"I’m not giving anything up. If I let you go alone then I would be
giving something up. You’re the most important thing in the world to me
Gillian. Don’t you ever forget that."
"Thanks
mom." Gillian smiled. She moves in closer to her mother and the pair
shared a quick hug that seemed never-ending.
The Sterling
Mansion: Hallway
Diane picked up
her suitcases as Jackie opened the door. Outside, rain had started
"This
isn't over Jackie. Not by a long shot."
"We’ll
see. Please vacate my property before I contact the police."
"You
really are a cruel and heartless bitch, aren’t you Jackie?"
"Oh
please. I am merely fulfilling the wishes of my brother. Now if you don’t mind,
I would like to enjoy my home without any unwanted guests."
"You
haven't heard the last of this Jackie. I WILL get my house back. I will get
everything that’s owed to me."
"Don’t worry Diane. I will personally see to it that you will get
everything you deserve."
Diane walked out the front door carrying her suitcases. The rain poured
heavily. Jackie closed the door. Diane was on her own. She wept, being careful
to hide her tears from Jackie’s view.
Inside, Jackie
stood at the window watching Diane leave.
"Goodbye,
Diane." Jackie thought, hiding her victorious smirk behind her emotionless
face.
Diane had
reached the end of the long driveway, by now she was soaked, her wet hair in a
straggly mess over her face. She walked out into the street and the large gates
closed behind her. Diane walked off into the darkness and the gates touched,
locking her out.
TO BE
CONTINUED…