| Chapter 25: Make it Real 5 days later… Howie sat in his backyard, overlooking the sunrise. 5 days ago, he walked inside his house at about 6 in the morning. He drove around the back roads of Orlando in his Corvette, breaking all known speed limits, just thinking about both Celia and Veronica. He went into his bathroom, turned the shower on, and stood there, letting the hot steamy water pour down his body. He got out, put on some clothes, and turned on the television. Not really paying attention to the show, he rubbed his eyes and heaved a sigh. What was wrong with him? Had he fallen for Celia? But he couldn’t. He liked having no pressure when he was with her. He liked the fact that there wasn’t any chance of a relationship. But she got the wrong message. She had thought they were dating. However, she told him she understood about him and Veronica. He had yet to get over her. He couldn’t help not getting over her. Her way of making him feel better, walks along the beach at dusk, when the sun would merge with the ocean, leaving a ray of colors so beautiful, though not as beautiful as her. Her laugh was contagious, the way she told stories of her adventures. He liked her sense of caring, her way of making things all right. But she was gone, and it seemed that all of those qualities he would never find again. But his thoughts seemed to drift towards Celia every time he missed Veronica. She did have those qualities, and some that he also enjoyed. He like how she loved Latin music. He liked how she spoke of her large family. They always compared notes on how it was to be the baby of the family. Was it love? “No! I can’t do that to Veronica!” Howie told himself. He threw his remote against the wall. “Why me God! Why did you take her away from me!” He went into his bedroom, took out the plastic container from under the bed, and opened it. He looked at the picture of him and her. Then he looked at the small Tiffany box in the corner and took it out. He untied the white satin bow and opened the box. He took out the blue velvet box and held it in his hands. He didn’t tell anyone about it, because he figured everyone would make a big deal about it, especially after Veronica was killed. He didn’t want to tell anyone until she said yes. He remembered how he was going to propose: arrange a small intimate dinner at his house, then at sunset, kneel down and ask her to spend the rest of his life with her. They had talked about marriage in detail up to her death. They had said they were going to buy a big house, and after her album was done, try to have kids. He longed for a family, with kids sprawling around the backyard, telling them about stories from the road, maybe teaching them music. He opened the box and took out the ring. It was a 4-carat solitaire, with baguettes along the side. He rolled the ring between his fingers, watching the diamonds sparkle. He was going to take it back, but he couldn’t part with it. Even though Veronica had no idea of his plans, he felt as if it still belonged to her. But Celia, could he be with her? Could someone be giving him the chance to love again? Everyone told him he was going to find the one… but what if the one had been here all along? Howie shut his eyes really tight. He had never felt so confused in his life. His thoughts came to a halt as he heard his phone ring. “Hello?” “Hey D.” “What’s up J?” “Tell you later,” said Alex. “I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier but, what happened at the wedding? You left without saying goodbye.” “I must be getting some kind of bug,” Howie said shortly. “You sure?” “Yeah.” “OK,” Alex said slowly. “Are you OK?” Alex paused on the phone. “Not really… well, Lauralee isn’t.” “Why, what happened?” “Where do I start? Let me try to give you the short version. Lau had a huge fight with her mother and he mother left right after the wedding.” “Why?” “Uh, you better ask her. I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it. D, I’m worried. She’s been in the bedroom since her aunt and grandmother left. She won’t talk to anyone, not even me.” “Something must have happened though.” “Yeah, it did. I hate to say it, but Lau blew it big time. I love her more than anything in this world, but… I don’t know.” “Did you ask the others if they could try to cheer her up?” “She hasn’t made any phone calls to anyone, and I don’t want to call Kevin and Laura in Italy, plus the rest of them are helping out with Nick’s move. Could you maybe talk to her? I know you don’t feel well and all, but I’m at my wit’s end here, and she trusts you a lot.” “You don’t have to ask. I’ll be right there.” “Thanks man.” “No problem. Later.” “Bye.” ~*~ Lauralee lay in her bed, the same place she had been lying in for the past few days. She couldn’t eat, or sleep, she just thought about everything that had happened. Alex tried to coax her out of her room, but she didn’t feel like talking to anyone. She made excuses to Bianca, Elizabeth, Brian and Nick, who were helping out Nick move in with Bianca. She said she was sick. They thought physically, but she was sick emotionally. She hadn’t heard from her family since they went back. Every time the phone rang, her face lit up with the remote possibility it was her mother, but it wasn’t. Everyone said to give it time, but minutes seemed like hours; hours seemed like days; days seemed like years. Her stereo played the same song constantly, the song that made the words echo in her heart: Tonight it's been a year We met each other here Here I am all alone As thoughts of you go on Hear me cryin' out to you You said, "Never, never would I leave" Here's a tear from me to you And maybe it will make you hear me I loved you You didn't feel the same Though we're apart You're in my heart Give me one more chance to Make it real In a dream you are here You smile and hold me near And in my heart I'll pretend that you are here again Hear me cryin' out to you You said, "Never, never would I leave" Here's a tear from me to you And maybe it will make you hear me I loved you You didn't feel the same Though we're apart You're in my heart Give me one more chance to Make it real Give me one more chance to Make it real Lauralee felt the tears come to her eyes, although she though she had cried so much that the tears had dried up. Her emotions stopped as she heard a knock on the door. “Alex, I said I was in no mood!” “Lau? It’s Howie. Can I come in?” ~*~ Howie waited for Lauralee to respond. Finally he heard footsteps and the doorknob turn. Lauralee opened the door as Howie almost gasped at her appearance. She was in pajamas, though it was about 2 in the afternoon. Her hair was matted down, from not showering. The most horrifying part was her eyes. They were all red and puffy, so much so that she looked like she had been punched. “Hey,” Howie stammered. “Hey,” Lauralee sniffled. “So, can I come in?” “Uh, sure,” Lauralee stood aside to let Howie pass. Howie saw the unmade bed and the shades drawn. He hadn’t seen Lauralee in this state since Veronica died. “How are you?” Lauralee sat on the edge of the bed. “I could be better. Why are you here anyway?” Howie sat next to her. “AJ called me, said you got into a fight with your mother.” “Oh great! So now he’s telling everyone my business!” “He didn’t say why Lau! He was worried about you! He said you haven’t been out of your room in three days. What’s going on?” Lauralee stared straight ahead. Howie put his arm around her shoulder. “You remember around a year ago, when you helped me out of that bar. You said you wanted to take care of me. I want to return the favor.” “You won’t judge me?” “Have I ever?” Lauralee took a deep breath. “OK, what do you think of Jerry?” Right away, he knew what she was upset about. “Uh, he’s OK from what I know about him.” “Yeah, well, there was something I didn’t like about him. So, I hired a private investigator to check him out.” Lauralee turned to him, as Howie’s eyes bulged. He didn’t say anything as she continued her explanation. “I didn’t know there would be anything big, but there was. He had an affair with a receptionist at his office, who was ten years younger than he was, and she got pregnant by him. That’s why his first marriage ended. He told my mother the reason why was because there was a difference of wanting children.” “The night of the wedding, Jerry and Mom told me they were considering becoming engaged. I freaked out and confronted him about the girl. Then Mom yelled at me and left with Jerry. I haven’t heard from her since then.” Howie was shocked by Lauralee’s actions. Alex was right; she did blow it big time. “What do I do Howie?” Howie paused for a moment. “Uh, I don’t know what to think about it.” “That’s what Alex said.” “But Lau, let me ask you this. Were you more upset about this secret, or the fact that your mother is getting remarried?” “That Jerry is a liar of course! If it were someone else, I would be happy for her. Someone like…” “Someone like your dad.” Lauralee stopped and Howie thought that he had gone too far. “Look, Lau, I don’t know what position you’re in. Losing a parent must be agony, especially how your father died. But it has been over 6 years since he died. Isn’t it time that she move on with her life? So what if he isn’t like your father, she must love him for other reasons. My Mom says no two loves are the same. It’s…” Howie dragged off, knowing what he said reflected his own thoughts. Lauralee looked at him and cocked her head. “Howie?” “Uh, sorry,” Howie stammered. “You understand what I’m saying?” “You’re saying despite the fact that he lied to my mother, that I should let her marry this guy.” “I’m saying that you should get some kind of explanation first. But don’t lose your mother because you disagree with her. He’s not trying to take your father’s place.” “Howie?” Lauralee frowned. “I don’t know.” “Well, at least try to live among the human race. Take a shower; put a cold washcloth on your eyes. Maybe then you’ll figure out what to do.” Lauralee smiled finally. “I do look pretty ripe, don’t I?” Howie waved his hand in front of his face and smiled. “Absolutely! You stink!” “OK, I’ll take a shower,” Lauralee stood up. “Oh, by the way, what happened at the wedding?” “Huh?” Now it was Howie’s turn to be acting. “Why did you leave so suddenly? Celia left quickly too. Did something happen?” “No, of course not. I had some kind of 24-hour bug, so I left. I think it was the escargots. I feel better now.” “And Celia?” “Celia? I… I haven’t heard from her since the wedding. Maybe she was sick too.” “Alright,” Lauralee said unsurely. Howie knew he couldn’t fool her, but he wanted to drop it. “What do you say the three of us order some Chinese and we’ll watch a movie.” “Sounds good. I’ll see you downstairs.” “OK.” Howie left the room and went downstairs to see Alex in the living room. “At least she’s gonna come downstairs.” Alex sighed. “It’s a step in the right direction. Did she tell you?” “Yup, and you’re right. She’s still in denial.” “I hope she figures it out on her own. Everyone deserves a second chance on love, no matter who it is.” Howie sighed, though he had no clue about the momentum of those words. Chapter 26 Contents Chapter 24 "Make it Real" The Jets 1988 Self-Title |