Heart & Soul
Episode 19
By Allan
Craig
Jazz & Co.
Megan finished her cocktail, still accompanied by Will. The soft
music played out in the atmosphere as Megan signaled for another drink.
“I’ll
have a beer,” Will added, “Megan, have you ever
thought what could have happened if, well, if the parents hadn't gotten
involved?”
“Sometimes. Yeah.”
“And, would we still be together?”
“Maybe.” Megan smiled.
“And what about the baby?”
“Baby?” Megan’s
smile vanished.
“Yeah, would you have still aborted it?” Will took a
drink of his beer.
“Can
we move on from the past please Will?” Megan quickly changed the subject,
taking a sip of her cocktail.
“Megan, this isn't just something you can forget about. Maybe you don’t remember
this the way I did. ‘Cos see the way I remember this,
and correct me if I’m wrong, but we were married, and you were pregnant. And then
our parents made us split up. Am I missing anything?”
The deafening silence filled the room as Wes and Alex sat face to
face.
“I
should go. Me and Matt can stay at the hotel tonight,”
Alex slid her chair back and stood up, “I’ll get my things and get out of your
way.”
“No. You and Matt can stay here as long as you need to. Like you said, this doesn’t
change anything.” Wes looked at her, although it killed him to say so, he
wished Matt hadn't turned up.
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m
certain. Look, she may be angry now, but Ashley’ll
come around, and she needs you here after what she’s been through.”
“I
suppose you're right. Wes, I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t mean to…”
“I know. It’s fine. I’m fine.” Wes tapped his fingers on the table.
Alex
half-smiled before walking out of the room.
Nick sat reading a magazine in the living room. The rain was still
pouring down outside. There was a knock at the door. Nick put his magazine down
and walked over to the front door. He opened it and a policeman stood in front
of him.
“Are you Nick Fitch?” the policeman asked.
“Yeah, what can I do for you?” Nick stood aside to let the
policeman in from the rain.
“Nathan Fitch, I believe he’s your brother. Well, I don’t quite
know how to put this. We found his car crashed between here and the airport. He
didn’t survive the crash.”
“You mean, he’s dead?”
The policeman nodded sympathetically.
Jazz & Co.
Megan avoided eye contact with Will, who sat facing her.
“Can we just drop this, Will? What’s happened is in the past. It’s
over. Now drop it, okay?” Megan picked up her bag and started to leave, Will grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“I can’t believe I ever loved you. You're just a heartless bitch
Megan. You killed a baby, our baby.”
Megan tried to catch her breath but failed, she ran out of the
bar, holding back the tears.
THE NEXT DAY
The
Carrie walked into the conservatory with a spring in her step,
closing the door behind her. Jackie sat sipping her cup of Earl Grey.
“Good morning. You seem awfully chirpy today.” Jackie smiled.
“Yeah well that bitch is outta my life. For good hopefully. By now she’ll be on the other side of
the world.”
“Whatever do you mean, Carrie. Diane is penniless, how
she could get a bus downtown is beyond me, never mind a flight across the
world.”
“Greg paid for her ticket.”
The smile dropped from Jackie’s face, her plan to make Diane’s life
hell had been shattered.
Oakridge Mall
Will walked through the mall, looking for a present to cheer
Ashley up. Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Megan
eyeing the dresses in a designer boutique. He walked over to the shop
and tapped Megan on the back. She jumped, turning around.
“Oh it’s you. What do you want?” Megan snapped icily as she picked out a red
silk dress, holding it out in front of her to see it in full.
“I wanted to say sorry, for last night. I shouldn’t have said
those things, I felt so bad last night. I didn’t sleep at all,
I kept tossing and turning, thinking about what I said.”
“Poor you, my heart is breaking over what
YOU went through,” Megan walked over to another rail of clothes, looking
through them, “Because you're the one who got paid off by her mother to go get
an abortion in
The Fitch House
Ashley sat consoling Nick.
“I’m so sorry, Nick. It shouldn’t have happened. Not to Nathan. He was one of
the good guys.”
“I can’t believe he’s dead, you know?”
The doorbell went.
“Do you want me to get it?” Ashley stood up. Nick nodded. Ashley
walked over to the door and opened it. In front of her stood
a woman clutching a handbag.
“I’m here to see Nick,” the woman looked past Ashley, looking
around the living room. Nick recognized the voice.
“Mom!” Nick got up from his
seat and ran over, hugging the woman.
“I came as soon as I heard. I can’t believe this. It should be me that went
first,” the woman turned to Ashley, “Forgive my bad manners. I’m Sophie Fitch,
Nick’s mother.”
“Ashley Abbot. Nick’s girlfriend. I’m so
sorry to hear about your loss.”
“Thanks. I’ll go and put the kettle on. I could use a cup of tea
to settle my stomach.” Sophie walked into the kitchen.
Oakridge Mall
Will stood, stunned, “Megan, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No Will, you spoke your mind. I’m glad to see you’ve developed a
spine over the years,” Megan handed the assistant her credit card to pay for
her dress, “Can we get a coffee, please. I need to sit down.”
“Yeah, sure.”
The Abbot House
Wes poured himself a coffee. Alex walked down the stairs and into
the kitchen.
“Morning.” Alex managed a weak smile.
“Morning. Where’s Matt?”
“He went to the hotel to get his stuff. Our apartment will be
ready soon, so we’ll be out of your hair.”
“I told you, you don’t have to go. You're both welcome here.”
“Yeah but it’s not fair on any of us. It’d be too awkward, too complicated. I’d
bought the apartment before I came here anyway, this
was never going to be a permanent thing. You knew that.” Alex sat down.
The Fitch House
Sophie, Nick and Ashley sat on the sofas around the coffee table.
“So how long are you in town for, mom?” Nick asked.
“Not long. I could only get a few weeks off work. But I realize you staying
here alone wouldn’t be practical. So I want you to come back to
TO BE CONTINUED…