Tarnished Armor
Part 109

Belinda’s apartment. The apartment is in immaculate shape.

The front door opens and Belinda enters. She stops in the doorway, marveling at the apartment. Then she comes in and closes the door.

Belinda: Liza?

Belinda goes towards the bathroom.

Belinda: Liza?

The doorbell rings.

Belinda goes to the door and opens it. Liza is standing there with an armful of freshly cut roses.

Liza: For you. Sort of an apology.

Belinda: Thank you.

Belinda goes to take the flowers. Liza holds on to them.

Liza: I’ll do it.

Liza goes into the kitchen.

Belinda: The apartment looks great. Those flowers look great.

Liza: Don’t they? Very rare breed of rose.

Liza takes a vase from Belinda’s cupboards and fills it with water.

Belinda: Really?

Liza puts the roses in the vase.

Liza: Fresh from the lawn at Chandler Mansion.

Liza heads to the coffee table and places the vase on it, re-arranging the flowers.

Liza: Economical, but with a dash of rebellion. I know it’s not up to my usual scheming grandeur, but frankly, ripping up Adam’s landscape is all I’m up to right now.

Liza sits down on the couch.

Belinda: I see you’re up to saying his name again.

Liza: It won’t happen again.

Belinda: How about Colby?

Liza: You know, I really don’t want to talk about this.

Belinda: How do you think she feels? Imagine her, the way you last saw her, and then try to imagine her now. In a house she’s not very familiar with,having to deal without you and Adam, for a very long period, for the very first time.

Liza: The way Colby was the last time I saw her was...

Belinda: What?

Liza: Not for who she really is.

Belinda: She’s just a little baby. I can’t believe that she’s changed all that much.

Liza: It’s complicated.

Belinda: It’s very simple. You’re her mother. And any time that she spends away from you -- abandoned -- will take a toll. Even if she forgives and understands it later. Take it from me. I know.

Liza: I know you think you understand --

Belinda: I don’t understand you. I’m not pretending to. But I do understand what you’ve done to Colby. I wish I didn’t, but I do.

Liza and Belinda are silent.

Belinda: I think Rose meant for things to be for the best for me. But it didn’t seem that way. Not at all.

Liza says nothing.

Belinda: I made an appointment with Jake. For you. You have visitation tomorrow at three o’clock. For two hours. You don’t have to go, but I’m begging you to. For Colby.

Liza: You... you had no right.

Belinda: I know.

Liza: I can’t.

Belinda: Please, Liza.

Liza: I can’t. I can’t ... look at her.

Belinda: Why not?

Liza is silent. Then she turns to Belinda.

Liza: I’m tired. Can we just drop this?

Belinda: We can stop talking about it, if that’s what you mean. But I can tell you that it won’t go away. And neither will Colby.

Liza doesn’t answer.

Belinda: I’ll go order some take-out. Think about what I’ve said.

Belinda goes into her bedroom. Liza lies down on the couch and hugs a pillow.

Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Eight
Part One Hundred and Ten