Heart & Soul
Episode 28
Saturday
By Allan Craig
The deafening sound of repetitive beeps caused Will to jump out of
his deep slumber. He rolled out of bed, stumbled across the beer can-covered
floor and opened his curtains, letting the light flood into his room and blind
him. He opened his window slightly and felt the breeze against his naked body.
He ran his thumbs around the inside of the elastic waistband of his black boxer
shorts and turned to see the mess of his room. He hadn't bothered cleaning it
since Megan ended things. He hadn't bothered doing much since Megan ended
things. He ran his hands down his usually smooth face, this time they met the
rough stubble coating his chiseled jaw.
"Hello…yes
this is Madison Chase…I’m just calling to make sure that everything is in place
for next Tuesday," Madison looked at her pristine nails as she listened to
the response, "Oh, it is? That’s great. I’ll see you then."
Josh crept out of bed quietly as Jessica slept, tiptoeing across
the room and slowly, silently opening one of his drawers. He moved the folded
shirt that sat at the top of the drawer and pulled out an elegantly
gift-wrapped box. He placed the shirt back in the drawer and slid the drawer
shut. He tiptoed back across the room and placed the box beside Jessica as she
slept. He pulled on his pyjama bottoms and sat at the end of the bed, watching
as Jessica slowly woke up.
"Morning,"
she moaned, rubbing her eyes, "What time is it?"
"Time
for you to open your present," Josh smiled, "Happy birthday."
Josh
leant in and kissed Jessica. Jessica sat up, looking at the box, "What’s
this?"
"Open
it and find out," Josh stood up, the morning sunlight streaming through
the windows illuminating every firm muscle in his rippling torso. Jessica
untied the ribbon and lifted the lid to see a slinky black dress folded in the
box. She lifted it out and jumped out of bed, holding the dress in front of her
as she walked over to the mirror to admire it on. The dress was loose fitting
down to the waist before the short skirt tightened up.
"I
love it!" Jessica draped the dress over her dressing table chair and
kissed Josh passionately.
"I’ve got another present for you too," Josh led Jessica to the bed
and watched as she lay down. He pulled down his trousers and his tight white
boxer shorts and let them drop to the floor before climbing onto the bed
"Morning,
or is it afternoon?"
"Just
at a club," Leo rubbed his eyes, heading to the fridge and opening the
door, "It was pretty good, maybe even as good as
"Feel
out of place, did we?"
"Funny,"
Leo pulled out a carton of milk and took a gulp.
"So
where you alone at this club, or did you have company?"
"Company,"
Leo put the carton back in the fridge and closed the door. He waked over to the
bakery box and opened it up, examining the soft cookies inside.
"Is
that it? That all I get?"
"Lil
sis, I’m a big boy now," Leo took a bite out of one of the cookies,
"Ugh, raisin. Do we have any chocolate chip?"
"Change
the subject why don’t you,"
"Female.
Singular. Are you quite finished?" Leo ran his hands through his messy
blonde hair, "God, even mom didn’t ask this many questions."
"Well
look how far that got mom,"
"Yeah cos you’re just perfect," Leo rested his hands on his bare
hips.
"I
didn’t say that, I’m just worried about you."
"Well
I’m a bib boy Kendall," Leo rolled his eyes, "I’m gonna go put some
clothes on."
Leo
started to walk out the room, leaving
"By
the way, the blender’s gonna work a whole lot better if you plug it in."
Leo joked.
Alex,
Wesley and Matt sat around the kitchen table in silence eating breakfast.
Wesley scanned the newspaper, barely taking anything in, too preoccupied with
his plans to rid himself of Matt once and for all. Alex stirred her coffee
repeatedly, staring at the deep brown liquid whilst trying to decide what to
do.
"It
didn’t work out with Wesley the first time around, what's to say it’s not gonna
work out again this time," she thought, the clinking of the metal spoon
against the mug was like clockwork, "But if it wasn’t for Wesley I
wouldn’t have Will or Ashley…if I end things with Matt…he’s made me the
happiest I’ve been in years. He’s romantic, he’s smart, he’s funny…I couldn’t
live without him…"
Alex
snapped out of her thoughts as Ashley walked down the stairs looking a little
worse for wear in Wesley’s Harvard massive sweater and plaid pyjama bottoms and
headed straight for the hot jug of coffee in the coffee maker, taking the
biggest mug out of the cupboard and filling it up.
"Morning
sunshine," Wesley chirped sarcastically, peering over the top of his
paper.
"Morning,"
Ashley mumbled, tucking a piece of her messy hair behind her ear.
"Early
night last night I take it?" Matt joked, trying to break the tension.
"Funny,"
Ashley plopped herself down at the table, "Mom do we have any
painkillers?"
"I
think I might have some in my purse honey," Alex looked up, still
obviously distracted by her dilemma. Ashley got up and walked over to the
counter, where she began rummaging in her mother’s leather bag until she found
the small plastic jar.
"Who
were you out with last night?" Wesley watched as his daughter fumbled
around with the safety lid on the aspirin jar.
"Just
Lisa," Ashley lied, finally opening the jar and tipping two small white
pills out onto her palm.
"What
time did you get in at?" Wesley picked up his coffee and took a drink, the
bitter liquid flowing over his tongue.
"I
cant remember," Ashley washed the pills down her throat with a glass of tepid
tap water, "What’s with the third degree?"
"Oh
I’m sorry honey," Wesley raised a eyebrow, looking over his glasses at
Ashley, "Forgive me for wanting to know where my underage daughter was all
night."
Ashley
rolled her eyes, "I’m gonna have a shower and then I’m going to the mall
with Lisa."
"And
when are you planning on doing any studying?" Wesley folded his arms,
leaning back on his chair.
"Look,
I’m retaking this year daddy, I don’t need to study so much just now,"
Ashley placed the empty glass in the sink, "When I need to, I will, but
until then just get off of my back okay?" Ashley walked back up the
stairs, leaving Wesley sighing.
"Don’t
be so hard on her Wesley," Alex got up from her chair and walked over to
the sink, picking up Ashley’s glass and putting it in the dishwasher,
"Don’t you remember what it was like to be young?"
"I
don’t remember behaving like that at her age," Matt joked.
"She
has a name," Wesley sneered, "And I’m sure you were too busy with
football practice and making out with a different cheerleader every minute to
have any time to behave like ‘her’ as you refer to her."
"Wesley!"
an outraged Alex shot Wesley a ‘shut up’ stare.
"I’m
not even going to waste my time answering you back Wesley," Matt remarked,
getting up from the table, "I better get going, I’ve got that interview in
half an hour."
"Okay good luck," Alex kissed Matt on the cheek, "Call me later
to let me know how you’re getting on."
"I
sure will," Matt put on his jacket and grabbed his car keys from the counter
as he walked out the door.
"I
cannot stand that man," Wesley muttered under his breath.
"Talking
about me, dad?" Will groaned as he entered the room, "I Thought my
ears were burning."
"Drinking
again last night, were we?" Wesley lay his paper down on the table.
"And
your point is?"
"You’re
setting a bad example for your sister," Wesley got up from his chair and
poured himself another coffee, "Have you seen the state of Ashley this
morning."
"No,
why?" Will took two aspirin out of the small white jar sitting on the
counter.
"Your
sister was a little worse for wear this morning," Alex handed Will a glass
of water, speaking in a soft tone.
"She
was hung over!" Wesley exclaimed, taking a drink of the coffee before
spitting it back into the mug, "This is cold. I’m gonna go now, I said I’d
meet Madison for a coffee."
Alex
watched as Wesley walked out of the kitchen and the door that lead to the
living room shut behind him.
"What
was his problem?" Will’s voice sounded considerably weak as he spoke.
"Oh
your father’s just worried about Ashley," Alex poured the coffee down the
sink, "Either that or he’s just in a bad mood. I’m going to the grocery
store, is there anything you want me to get?"
"Nah
I’m fine," huge black bags hung under Will’s eyes as he looked up at his
mother, "Just got into the ‘festive spirit’ a little bit too much last
night."
Jessica and Carrie sat on the couch as Jessica unwrapped Carrie’s
gift of elegant, beautiful chandelier earrings.
"Oh
my god Car’, you remembered!" Jessica’s eyes lit up.
"So
you like them?" Carrie ran one hand through her newly darkened hair.
"I
love them, they’re gonna look so hot with the new dress Josh got me."
"Ooh
let me see," Carrie cooed, smiling to hide her anguish over the state of
her marriage.
"Sorry
no can do," Jessica gently placed the earrings on the coffee table,
"It’s totally secret, to be revealed tonight. You and Greg are still
coming, right?"
"Well,"
Carrie cleared her throat, "I know I’m still coming."
"Haven't
you guys made up yet?"
"No,
and to be honest, I don’t think we will," Carrie fiddled with her wedding
ring as she spoke, barely making eye contact with Jessica, "I think it’s
the end."
"But
Carrie, you love him," Jessica took her friend’s hand, looking her dead in
the eye, "You’re carrying his child."
"Greg
can still see this little guy…or girl…whenever he wants," Carrie patted
her stomach, "But I’m not prepared to keep living my life this way. I
still love Greg, but he’s never going to choose me over Diane, and if he cant
stand up to his mother at his age, if he cant put me first, then it’s not going
to work out."
"Well
I’m not going to say I’m agreeing with you on this one," Jessica sat her
birthday card upright on the table, "But if it’s what you really want,
what you think is really for the best, then I’ll support you one hundred per
cent."
Marc and Megan sat on one of the brown leather sofas, both turned
in to face the other, as they sipped their coffees. Megan, dressed in casual
jeans, black knee high boots and a tight black sweater, looked radiant as she chatted
to Marc, who sat on the couch in his baggy jeans and simple white t-shirt,
looking intently at Megan.
"You know, it’s weird how we both left Oakridge years ago and
came back within a year of each other," Marc smiled, smoothing down his
jeans.
"Well yeah, but, Oakridge is hardly the epicenter of
life," Megan ran one hand through her wavy blonde hair, "I mean,
yeah, it’s my home and it always will be, but sometimes you just need to expand
your horizons instead of being stuck here forever."
"So you don’t ever regret leaving?"
"Not at all," Megan smiled, "If I had stayed here
all along, not only would I have been totally already married to some random
guy thanks to my darling mother, and I would always have wondered what would
have happened if I had left."
"So what did you do when you weren't in Oakridge?"
"This and that," Megan took a sip of her mocha,
"Ran a few bars, I owned one in Detroit but it didn’t quite work out so I
kinda gave up on it…but I sold it and made a little bit of cash outta it so it
all worked out okay. I wish I hadn't given up so easily…but, you know, there
are some very persuasive people out there."
"Well I’m glad you gave it up," Marc finished his
coffee, "Otherwise who knows if we’d have met again."
"Good point," Megan grinned, trying not to get her hopes
up over Marc. She hadn't been like this over a boy since she was sixteen.
Marc glanced at his Rolex, "I’m sorry, I’ve gotta go. I
promised my dad I’d go over to Jessica’s with him. It’s her birthday today…hey,
we’re going out for some drinks tonight at Jazz & Co for her birthday, how
about you come along?"
"I wouldn’t want to intrude," Megan bit her lip.
"It wouldn’t be an intrusion," Marc reassured her,
"It’s not like a family thing, it’s just lots of people going out for some
drinks. Come, please, I could use the company?"
"Well if you insist," Megan joked.
"Well, I’ll see you at Jazz & Co around eight?"
"You sure will," Megan replied, already mentally
planning what to wear.
Oakridge Mall
Ashley and Lisa sat down in the food court with their bottles of
water. Ashley, still nursing a throbbing headache, had decided to invest in
some very sexy lingerie for her next date with Leo, whenever that would be, and
she and Lisa had spent the whole morning in various stores looking for the
perfect outfit for Ashley to nail her man in.
"Do we have to keep doing this?" Lisa moaned, staring at
Ashley from underneath her newly cut fringe, "Why are you so intent on
sleeping with this Leo anyway?"
"I already have slept with him…kind of…Look, if there’s one
thing that I learned from all that shit that happened with Kim fucking
Logan," Ashley took a drink of her water, "It’s that life is too
short to wait around for things to happen to you. When I pulled through from
that coma, I decided right there and then that I wasn’t going to waste my life
anymore, and then when Nick ended it with me, I realized that I should be
taking charge in my life. Leo Sterling wont know what’s hit him when I'm
through with him."
"Ashley I hope you know what you’re getting yourself
into," Lisa ran her finger over her yellow rubber LiveStrong wristband,
"Does he even know you're still at school?"
"Yeah…just not Oakridge High School," Ashley shrugged,
"I’m at Oakridge University, got it?"
"Oh my god Ashley are you serious?" Lisa looked at
Ashley, why did she want to be just like her for so long?, "That’s like
illegal, he’s a lot older than you."
"So what?"
"Do you know what? I really don’t care anymore, it’s your
funeral," Lisa put her water in her handbag, "It wasn’t enough that
you totally ditched me last night, but you're becoming obsessed with that guy.
All he wants from you is sex, and you’re letting yourself be used by him."
"You’re just jealous," Ashley looked Lisa up and down,
"If it wasn’t for me, you would be a nobody, and now just because I have a
boyfriend and you don’t…god Lisa, you just cant stand to see me happy, can
you?"
"Are you for real?" Lisa laughed, "You’re head is
so far up your ass it might as well be coming out your mouth. Leo Sterling is
welcome to you, our friendship is over. Talk to me when you’re ego has landed,
and with one the size of yours I hope the airport’s clearing a runway. You’ve
changed Ashley, and not in a good way."
Lisa picked up her bag and stormed off, leaving Ashley sitting
alone at the table.
The Sterling Mansion:
Guesthouse
Carrie stood beside the bed, folding her clothes into a suitcase.
She zipped up her toiletry bag and stuffed it into an empty space in the case.
"Going somewhere?" Carrie looked up to see Diane
standing in the lounge area.
"Haven't you heard of knocking?" Carrie continued to
fold her clothes, barely taking any notice of Diane, "It’s not your house
anymore Diane, you cant just burst into rooms whenever it suits you."
"You never answered my question, where are you going?"
Diane demanded, folding her arms.
"Away from this family," Carrie zipped the case shut,
"You’re all fucked up, every last one of you."
"Not with my grandchild on the way, you’re going nowhere!"
"Or what?" Carrie folded her arms, subconsciously
mimicking Diane’s posture, "You’re going to kill me? Hold me prisoner in
my own home? What are you gonna do Diane? Please tell me, ‘cause I am just
dying to know."
Diane looked around the open plan house, "Have you even said
goodbye to Greg?"
"No, because it’s not goodbye," Carrie picked up the
case, "Greg is free to see his child whenever he wants, but I’m just not
letting my baby grow up in this house, surrounded by this pathetic excuse for a
family. I want my child to grow up in a loving environment, not somewhere where everybody is stabbing each
other in the back for their own gains."
The Abbot House: Will’s
Room
Will sat on the edge of his bed clutching a half empty bottle of
vodka in one hand, and an old picture of him and Megan from when they got
married in the other. He took another swig of the bottle and tore the picture
up.
"Fuck you Megan Sterling," Will screamed, "Fuck all
of you!"
He launched the bottle straight at his wall and watched as it
smashed into a million little pieces all over his floor.
The Sterling Mansion:
Guesthouse
Diane watched as Carrie put her wallet and her cellphone into her
purse.
"You really think I’m going to let you raise my grandchild
away from me, don’t you?" Diane chuckled, tapping her long nails against
the mahogany sideboard.
"You don’t get a say in the matter," Carrie half closed
her eyes until they looked like little slits on her face, peering at Diane,
"This is my baby, this is my marriage and this is my life, and you’re
having nothing to do with any of them. Now get out of my way."
"And how far are you going to get when Greg cancels your
cards? And is it the car he payed for that you’re leaving in?" Diane
tossed her mane of thick hair as she waited for Carrie’s response.
"No, Diane, because the car is in my name, Greg has no claim
to it but if he wants it; he can have it. Greg has no power over my credit
cards because unlike you, Diane, I had my own money before I married Greg. I
have my own money now because I invested that money," Carrie slipped her
jacket on, "So if you’ve not got any more accusations that you cant back
up, I’ll be on my way."
"You’re going nowhere," Diane warned.
"You don’t get it, do you?" Diane laughed, "I’m not
scared of you Diane, you cant push me around the way you do with Greg. You cant
threaten me, you cant make me do anything, because I am NOT scared of you. Have
a Merry Christmas, I know I will."
Carrie picked up her case and handbag and pushed past Diane on her
way out. Diane bit on her lip, fuming.
Josh & Jessica’s
Josh poured the chilled champagne into four glasses as he waited
for Jessica to get ready, He placed them on a tray and carried them over to the
coffee table, where he placed them down and handed one to Patrick and one to
Marc.
"What’s she doing in there? Reading War In Peace?" Marc joked.
"You know your sister," Patrick checked his watch,
"She’s not happy until she’s preened to perfection."
"Hey Jess," Josh yelled, "Hurry up, the champagne’s
going flat."
"I’m coming," came Jessica’s voice from the bedroom,
before the door opened and Josh had to scrape his jaw off of the floor upon
seeing how Jessica looked. She strolled into the living room like a model,
effortlessly balancing on her four inch pink stiletto heels. Her long, tanned
legs lead up to the dress Josh had bought her, which sat perfectly on her
curvaceous figure, Her shiny blonde hair sat wavy around her perfectly made up
face, the large diamond earrings Carrie had given her coming down to her
shoulders.
"You look amazing," Josh wrapped his arms around
Jessica’s small waist and kissed her.
"You don’t scrub up too badly yourself," Jessica smiled
hello to her father and brother, "Ooh! Presents!"
Jessica rushed over and kissed her father on the cheek as he gave
her a small gift wrapped box, which she opened to reveal a diamond bracelet.
"Oh my god daddy I love it!" Jessica hugged her father.
"And what about my present?" Marc joked, handing Jessica
a messily wrapped gift, "Sorry sis, you know wrapping isn't my greatest
talent."
"Oh who cares if the present’s good," Jessica tore the
paper off with her perfectly manicured nails, and was delighted when she saw
the butterfly shaped glass bottle, "Marc it’s my favourite perfume! How
did you know?"
"Call it a hunch," Marc smiled, "It was the most
expensive one in the store so I kinda guessed you would like it."
"I love it," Jessica sprayed some of it onto her chest,
"Well, we better get going."
"I’ll go start the car," Patrick got up and left the
apartment, picking his keys up on the way.
Megan’s Car
Megan drove along the streets of Oakridge, Christmas songs playing
on the radio, on her way to Jazz & Co. Occasionally her wipers cleaned the
drops of rain that were gently falling onto her windscreen.
In the street, Will stumbled out of the 7/11 with a bag full of
beer clutched between his once muscular arms; he hadn't had the desire to work
out since Megan rejected him; he hadn't had the desire to do anything since
Megan rejected him. He caught sight of her car speeding past and started
running after it, the alcohol making it harder for him to run as fast as he was
once able to. He saw her pull up outside Jazz & Co and hand her keys to the
valet.
Megan go out of her car and handed the keys to the valet, sliding
him a $20 at the same time.
"Thanks very much," she smiled, walking inside the bar.
Jazz & Co
Inside, Megan approached the table at which Jessica, Josh,
Patrick, Carrie and Marc were sitting and smiled, handing Jessica a bunch of
flowers and a card.
"Happy birthday, Jessica," Megan sat down, smiling
awkwardly at Carrie, who returned the awkward smile.
"Thanks, they’re beautiful," Jessica smelled the flowers,
"Thanks for coming."
"It was my pleasure," Marc joked, motioning for Megan to
sit next to him.
"What can I get you?" Patrick offered,
"Champagne?"
"That would be great, thanks," Megan took a glass from
the table, "But just the one, I’m driving. Jessica I love your earrings,
where are they from?"
"Thanks, Carrie gave me them," Jessica ran one hand down
the long string of diamonds.
"So, um, did mom get in touch at all Jess?" Marc quickly
changed the subject.
"Yeah, she sent a card with some spa vouchers," Jessica smoothed down
her dress as she sat herself up straight, ready to get up, "I need to make
a trip to the little girl’s room."
"Me too actually," Carrie grabbed her purse and got up,
leaving for the bathroom with Jessica.
"So Megan, Marc tells me you used to run your own bar,"
Patrick quickly tried to keep the conversation going, "How did it compare
to this place?"
"Well it’s definitely an improvement because I’m not doing
all the work," Megan joked, "But yeah it was pretty similar to this
place actually, not quite as extensive a cocktail menu as this -" Megan’s
smile dropped when she saw Will droop into the bar, "Excuse me just two
seconds."
Megan got up from next to Marc and rushed over to Will, trying to
rush him out of the bar.
"What are you doing here?" Megan folded her arms, blocking Will’s
entrance any further into the bar.
"Just going for a drink with my friend and business
partner," Will mumbled, his breath reeking of beer, "Am I
interrupting something?"
"It’s Jessica’s birthday," Megan growled, "Don’t
you dare make a scene or I will never forgive you."
"You broke my heart," Will grunted, "So forgive me
if I don’t give a damn."
Will pushed past Megan and headed straight over to Josh.
"Josh! Buddy!" Will downed a glass of champagne,
"How goes it?"
"Man how much have you had to drink?" Josh pulled back
from Will upon smelling his breath.
"Oh not much," Will chortled, "Just a couple of 6
packs."
"I think you better go," Josh began to usher Will out of
the bar, "It’s Jessica’s birthday and I will not let you ruin it?"
"Oh that’s right, you two are so in love, aren't you?"
Will sighed, rolling his eyes and laughing, "Do you really think a girl
like Jessica would change overnight?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Josh caught sight of
Jessica and Carrie coming back from the bar.
"Lets just say me and your wife to be have been very close
and personal,"
"Jessica what’s he talking about?"
Jessica was lost for words, hoping Will would just leave.
"Aren't you going to tell him, Jessica?" Will folded his arms, "No? Okay, I will.
Jessica and I slept together!"
"What?" Josh felt all the colour drain from his face,
"Jessica, tell me he’s making this up."
"It was ages ago," Jessica insisted, running over to
Josh, "It was before we were together. It meant nothing."
"If it meant nothing then why didn’t you tell me?" Josh
couldn’t even bear to look her in the eye, "Why didn’t either of you tell
me?"
"I.. I don’t know what to say," Jessica tried to take
Josh’s hand, but he rejected it.
"Happy birthday," Josh muttered as he stormed out of the
bar.
"Josh!" Jessica exclaimed, tears streaming down her face
as she chased after him, "Come back!"
"You’re a total dick," Megan muttered, "What did I
ever see in you?"
Outside, Josh stopped and kicked a box down the pavement, grunting
in anger. Jessica rushed out behind him.
"Why didn’t you tell me?" Josh stood with his back to
her, refusing to look at her.
"It was a long time before anything happened between
us," Jessica walked closer to Josh, but he walked further away, "I
didn’t think it would matter."
"It wouldn’t matter? Jessica, the man’s my best friend, I was
going to ask him to be best man at the wedding, of course it matters!"
"You’re all that matters to me," Jessica cried,
"Please, don’t let him destroy what we’ve got."
"No need," Josh put his hands in his pockets, "You
did that all by yourself."
Josh walked off into the dark, leaving Jessica standing in the middle
of the street crying as the rain began to fall heavier.
"Come back," she pleaded, trying to raise her voice loud
enough so he could hear as she wept, "I love you!"
Josh kept walking until eventually he was out of sight, Jessica
wailed as she collapsed to her knees on the sidewalk.
TO BE CONTINUED…