| Chapter 6: Three’s a Crowd Lauralee went to her room as Jerry left. She was so mad at the world right then she wanted to scream, when she heard a knock at the door. “Lau? It’s Grandma. Can I come in?” “It’s open.” Catherine came in and sat on Lauralee’s bed. “You were quiet at the table when I came in.” Lauralee sat on her chair in the corner. “I guess.” “Lau, come here. I think it’s time we had one of our infamous talks.” Lauralee sat on the bed as Catherine took her hand. “How’s everyone doing?” “OK. I miss Alex a lot, but he said the tour is going well. Laura’s planning the wedding in LA, and we’re gonna finish the album by the end of the month.” “And how are you?” “Oh I’m fine,” Lauralee shifted in her seat. “The club’s doing amazing, and…” “Lau, I’m not meaning the club.” “Oh, you mean Jerry,” Lauralee folded her hands. “Yes, Jerry,” Catherine reiterated. “The truth now.” “OK,” Lauralee stood up and took a deep breath. “I don’t like him. So far, he’s checked up on my business, and he’s told his family that his girlfriend is the mother of a celebrity, who is dating another celebrity.” “I’m sure he didn’t mean anything wrong by it honey. He was just starting conversation with you. I’m sure he was extremely nervous about meeting you tonight.” Lauralee sat down next to her. “Grandma, I knew that eventually Mom would maybe date after Daddy died. But everything’s changed.” “Meaning that you are in the public eye and you don’t want your mother to be used.” “Exactly,” Lauralee said. “Um, Grandma. How do you feel about Mom dating another man?” Catherine sighed. “Well, I must admit I was shocked when your mother told me about Jerry. I’m sure she was scared to tell me, because she was married to your Dad for so long. It did feel weird when I met Jerry for the first time, and he was holding your mother’s hand and such. But, your mother and I don’t even regard each other as in-laws anymore. We’re friends. So, as long as Jerry makes your mom happy, then I’m happy for her.” “I don’t know what to feel,” Lauralee put her head in her hands and shook her head.” Catherine enclosed Lauralee’s hands in hers. “Listen, all I’m asking is that you give this guy a chance. Spend some time with him; get to know him better.” “I’ll try, I promise,” Lauralee smiled. “Well, I better get going. I’ll talk to you tomorrow OK?” Lauralee hugged her. “OK Grandma. I love you.” “Love you too. Bye.” Catherine winked as she left Lauralee’s room. ~*~ “I just don’t know Alex. I mean, he’s… just… ooh!” Lauralee grit her teeth as she lay in her bed on the telephone. “Darlin’ I don’t know what to tell you. From what I hear about him he was just trying to be nice,” Alex said into the other end of the phone. “Yeah, well, I just don’t want her to be used is all.” “Are you sure that’s why you’re mad babe? Or is it the fact that your mom is actually with someone?” Lauralee sat up in bed. “Of course that’s why! God, whose side are you on anyway?” “Yours of course! But, I think you should get to know him better before you start hating the man’s guts.” “I just wish you were here helping me with this is all.” Alex sighed. “Me too. Look, I’ll see you in LA in a few days with Laura. We’ll talk about it more when you have spent some time with him OK?” “OK. Um, how’s Howie doing?” “He seems fine. I asked him why he left so early that night, but he said he wasn’t feeling so good.” Lauralee twirled a strand of thread on her bedspread. “But I think it’s more than that. For the past couple of weeks, he seems… spooked. Ever since the club opened. Do you think… do you think it’s because of what the club stands for?” “What you mean?” “Like how the club was named, how it got started. I know it must not be easy for him to walk past the picture of Veronica in the main hall.” “Maybe, I mean, I never thought about it like that. Let’s just see how it goes. Maybe he’ll calm down after a couple of weeks on the road.” “Alright, I gotta go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” “Bye honey. Love you.” “Love you too. Bye.” ~*~ Lauralee was packing up her things. The past week Lauralee did get to spend some time with her mother and Jerry. But every time they went out, Lauralee found another reason to dislike him. Sometimes she had to try hard to find something to dislike him for. Basically she found it whenever Jerry touched her mother: either holding hands, when they sat down and he had his hand on her knee, when he put his arm across her shoulder. She tried to play nice for her mother, but on the inside she was enraged. For the first time she was never so happy to leave New York. Lauralee heard a knock at the door as she put her last article of clothing in her bag. “Honey, can I come in?” “Sure Mom.” Sandy came in. “Everything all packed?” “Yup. Limo will be here in half an hour.” Sandy sat on the bed. “Come here. We need to talk.” Lauralee sat on the bed. “We really haven’t had a chance to talk about Jerry this past week. Basically I wanted to give you a chance to get to know him.” Sandy took a deep breath. “So, what do you think of him?” “He’s OK.” “OK? That really isn’t clear.” “Well, Mom. I know he makes you happy and all, but it’s really gonna take me some time to get used to the fact that you’re with him.” Sandy took another deep breath. “I know that this is kind of hard on you. All I ask is that you keep an open mind about Jerry. He really wants you to like him. And I want you to like him too. He knows that it will take time. But I respect your honesty with this.” “Thanks.” Sandy gave Lauralee a hug. Lauralee wanted to tell her the whole truth, but knew it would break her heart to do so. For now, she was just going to have to learn to deal with this… or would she? Chapter 7 Contents Chapter 5 |