Swans Crossing 1998
By Sierra D. Feinberg
(c) 1998
Parts 11 & 12
"Youre in love," Sydney repeats in disbelief.
"Very much so, honey." Mayor Rutledge says with a slight smile. "When
you girls left, both of our lives kinda had this missing void. Although
both of us had other things going on in our lives you two took up a big
part. So Elio and I started meeting at the Swan Club once a week for
dinner to talk about you girls. Tell silly stories about you as babies
and just talk. You know I never really dated anyone since your father...I
had just been so busy with you and being the mayor. Well, I finally had
time and well the rest is history. please, don't be mad at us?"
"We aren't mad, just surprised but we could never be mad," Callie says
quietly.
"Very surprised," Sydney says agreeing with Callie.
"So how about we take this into the living room and have some tea,"
Captain Walker suggests.
Callie motions upstairs, "Oh, well Mila and Glory are upstairs. They are
spending the night and they have probably wondered what happened to us."
Captain Walker shrugs, "Well, invite them down than."
Callie looks at her father in disbelief, "You really have changed dad,
last year whenever my friends were over you always gave me and my friends
space when they came over, always disappeared into your room and I never
heard a word from you till they left."
Captain Walker smiles broadly, "It's Margaret. She has brought a side out
in me that went away so many years ago."
"When my mother died," Callie says under her breath so one else can hear
but Sydney does and puts her arm around her friend.
"Actually I bet Mila and Glory are ready to go to sleep right now, and if
they aren't they no where they can find us," Sydney suggests. "I really
don't want to have to explain our parent's new situation to them right
now, Callie and I are still digesting it ourselves." Sydney thinks to
herself.
Sydney and Callie, and Captain Walker and the Mayor make there way into
the sitting room. When the phone rings.
"Who on earth would be calling at this hour?" the Mayor asks.
After they let it right a third time, Captain Walker reaches over to the
phone and picks it up, "Hello....." "May I ask who's calling?" the
Captain says into the receiver. "Hold on..." He places the phone down,
"Callie, it's for you. You might want to take it in the den."
"Who is it?"
"Grant Booth."
Callie blushes slightly, she has not told her father about Grant but
supposes since tonight seems like it is going to be truth night she might
as well get it in the open later," Thanks It will only be a few minutes.
He's returning my call." Callie scrambles out of the sitting room.
The mayor looks at Sydney curiously, "Never mind, I don't have to ask.
Looks like one of Grant's other children has gotten his clutches in
another unsuspecting girl."
"Oh mother, don't start! Grant is a perfectly fine person just like
Garrett is. I thought we had finally gotten over this."
The mayor looks down, embarrassed, "Sorry Sydney. It's just well old
habits die hard."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Callie sits on the chair in the den, and picks up the phone slowly, "Hi
Grant."
"Hi, are you alright?"
"Yes, I am now. Kinda had to talk everything out."
"Thank God, I was so worried when I got your message. You sounded so
frantic. Sorry I called so late, it's just I was so worried. I bet your
dad is pissed at me. Di wake him?"
"No we were all up."
"So...you told Jimmy."
"Yeah, I did."
"You, know Cal, the fact that you did that shows me how much you love me
and it has only made my love for you grow bigger."
"Well, I don't regret it. But I just wish I didn't have to hurt Jimmy
like that. He didn't deserve that from me."
"Well I can understand why he's hurting. If I ended up losing you......"
Callie sighs, "I know. Listen, I have to go. My dad is waiting for me.
I'll call you tomorrow so we can talk more. I love you."
"You said it first."
"What?"
"I am usually always the one that says I love you and you say it after.
Well I better let you go. I love you too."
Callie hangs up the phone and wanders back into the sitting room where
her father and the mayors curious faces await her. "Before you two ask,
yes I am seeing Grant Booth."
"What about Jimmy?"
"Were over. We were over last summer. I fell in love with Grant this past
year and well were in love." She yawns, "Well I'm ready to go to sleep."
Sydney stands up, "Me too."
"Good night girls." their parents say in unison.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chase walks into the tool and die and sees Jimmy working on a bike,
"Excuse me, are you the manager here?"
Jimmy looks up, "Yea, why you need something to be fixed or is there a
problem."
"No, I'm actually looking for a job. Garrett Booth said you might have
one available."
Jimmy nods, "Oh yeah, he mentioned something about telling some guy to
call or stop by." Jimmy wipes his dirty hands off on a towel and holds it
out to shake Chase's hands, "James Clayton. Call me Jimmy."
"Chase Marcum. So is there a job available or what."
"Definitely, summer is the busiest time of the year around here. There is
always a jet ski breaking or something. How long have you worked in auto
mechanics?"
"All my life. I learned to say engine before I did dad or mom. My dad
used to own a little shop and that became pretty much my second home."
"youre hired."
"That's it. You don't need any recommendations or anything."
"Nah, you look like an okay guy. I trust you know what youre doing. You
can start now if ya like."
Chase smiles, "Cool, so who's the other person that works here. Garrett
said she's your girlfriend."
A dark look passes over Jimmy's face, "that would be Callie and she's not
my girlfriend. Not anymore anyways."
"Oops, sorry."
"No problem. Actually I think she scheduled to work today so I might
split early. I really don't feel like seeing her but you can feel free to
stay after I leave."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Callie opens the door sees JT waiting at her doorstep. "JT, hi."
"Hey, Cal. Do you think we could talk?"
"About what?"
"I could use some of your sensible advice right now. See I kinda realized
that my life started going sour when I stopped coming to you for advice
so....do you think I could come in."
"Actually, I don't think that would be so great of an idea. Both Mila and
Glory are up in my room sleeping and you are not exactly their favorite
person. How about we go for a walk?"
JT nods, "Sure."
"Hold on, let me go get my coat." Callie disappears in the house, writes
a quick note to her house guest, and meets JT who is now standing on the
sidewalk, "So whats up?"
"I think you know. Has Mila told you?"
"Yes, she's told me, Sydney, and Glory. So what do you plan on doing
about this little bundle of joy that is going to appear in nine months?
And don't tell me you don't think it's yours cause you know that's BS."
"I don't know, Cal. I was so stupid not to use protection."
"Yeah, well what's done is done. You can't take it back now."
"I know."
"Okay so we've settled that you know but what are you going to do Mr.
Adams."
"Does Mila even want to have anything to do with me after the way I
treated her when she told me?"
"Well I am not authorized to speak on behalf of Mila, but I know even if
Mila doesn't want anything to do with you, you will still have to be a
part of your child's life. You know her number, you can still make things
right. I mean you were kinda drunk when she told you the news so you
figure she might realize that you were a jerk because of alcohol although
that is kinda hard to use an excuse now since well, youre a jerk even when
you aren't drinking."
"Is this supposed to be tough love or something?"
"Just telling you like I see it, It's about time someone knocked some
sense into you though."
"So...Miss. Walker how's your life going?"
"Don't try to change the subject. I heard about your latest problem with
the law what was the verdict."
"Counseling, and AA."
"AA" Callie says with shock, "what happened to you this past year? Lose
a couple dozen brain cells."
"Hey, I'm not an alcoholic. I'm just doing it to make my father shut up
about it, it was his idea."
"Well, maybe it will do you some good, hopefully it will teach you
something"
"Whatever."
"You know JT, if you want people to start caring about you, youre going to
have to lose that attitude you've gained."
"Youre tough, Walker Woman."
Callie looks down, "I guess."
"Oops, sorry. I forgot that nick name is reserved by Mr. Clayton."
"Not anymore, we aren't together anymore."
JT looks at Callie with curiosity, "Are you serious. What happened?"
"I really don't feel like talking about it anymore, I just fell in love
with someone else over the year and well....."
"But, at the club you two were all over each other?"
"Yeah, well situations changed. I don't want to go into it right now,
It's all we practically talked about last night."
"Okay, sorry."
"Forget about it."
Callie looks at her watch, "Great," she mutters, "my shift at the tool
and die starts soon."
JT nods, "Okay, well how about we head back to your place than. Callie,
thanks for talking to me."
"Even though I told you some things you didn't want to hear."
"Yeah, even though."
They make their way back to Callie's house.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Mila walks into her room and finds her mom sitting on her bed holding
pamphlets Mila got from the Planned Parenthood clinic, "Hi Mom, what are
you doing in here?" Mila asks nervously.
"I found these lying under a book on the coffee table. Why do you have
these? Mila, are you pregnant?"
Mila sits down by her mother on the bed, "Yes, Mamma."
A tear starts to roll down the Countesss face, "What d o you mean.
Mila, you have such a bring future ahead of you. How could you let this
happen to you? How could you ruin your life?"
"I'm not ruining my life, I'm starting a new one."
"In not very stable conditions. Youre too young to be a mother, youre 19,
not married, just started college, just have a high school diploma under
your belt."
"Don't you think I've thought about that already?"
"Actually I don't know what youre thinking. Mila, who is the father?"
Mila looks down, "JT," she mumbles.
"what did you say?"
"JT Adams, mother."
"JT. JT Adams," The countess shrieks. "That party hardy drinking
hooligan. What type of father is he going to be?"
"He won't be one, hes not going to be in my child's life at least not
as a father."
"What do you mean, every child needs a father."
"JT, doesnt believe the baby is his so....nothing I can do about it."
The countess's face softens a bit, "Of course he believes the kid is his,
he's just scared and that's how he reacted. Were all scared." She puts
her arm around her daughter and hugs her tightly, "It's gonna be alright
honey. We'll get through this."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Part 12:
Callie takes a deep breath and walks into the Tool and Die slowly. Jimmy
turns around hearing the door open and stares coldly at her, "Your early,
your shift starts at 11:30"
"No, it starts at 11. It's always started at 11."
"That's the old schedule."
"Fine, Jimmy. Do you want me to leave and come back in 30 minutes."
"Just stay, I'll be leaving soon so it doesn't matter to much."
Chase looks up from taking and inventory, "Hi, I'm Chase."
Callie smiles politely, "Yeah, Sydney mentioned you. Said you seemed like
a great guy. Welcome aboard."
"So, what needs to be done." Callie says looking at Jimmy.
"Those bikes over there need to be checked out, the breaks are shot."
"Fine," Callie walks over to the cabinet, puts on her overalls, and some
gloves.
The Tool and Die door slides open again, and in walks Mila, "Hi Jimmy,"
she says quietly, "is Cal, here?"
"Over there," Jimmy grunts, "Yo Cal, your supposed to be working not
having social hour."
Callie turns around noticing Mila, "You should talk. Hey girl. What's
up?"
"Sorry," Mila motions to Jimmy, "I didn't want to cause any problems
but I had to talk to you. "
"He's well, he's mad at me it has nothing to do with you. So what's
happening."
"My mom found out, well she figured it out. I was so stupid and left some
of my pamphlets laying around anyways she's not too angry but she told me
whatever I want to do she'll support me."
Callie smiles, "That's great. Did you tell her about JT," she says
quietly.
Mila nods, "Yeah, she's not too thrilled but oh well. She wouldn't be
thrilled with any guy I got pregnant with. I'm dreading this mayoral
thing tonight. I don't even have anything to wear."
"Mila Rosnovsky, has nothing to wear! Amazing."
"Oh Shut up," Mila says with a grin. "I just don't want to face JT
tonight especially with my mother there. What a Nightmare."
"Don't worry. Actually I think JT might be coming around I had little
chat with him this morning. He seems like he's regretting a lot of the
choices he has made."
"Probably, including sleeping with me."
Callie shrugs, "He's scared, I picked that up. Anyways I really don't
want to go to this thing tonight either but since it looks the Mayor is
on her way becoming my new step-mom I guess I have too."
"You think it's that serious?"
"Mila, my father does not date. He would only see the mayor if he thought
that this was going to be a permanent relationship. Ms. Rutledge is the
same way."
"Callie stop yapping and start working," Jimmy calls out to the two
girls.
Callie rolls her eyes, "I wish he could keep our personal relationship
outside of our working one."
"Well, I should go anyways."
"Wait, gosh I'm so rude. Chase," she calls him over, "This is Mila
Rosnovsky a close friend. Mila this is Chase Marcum he's going to be
working here."
"Nice to meet you," Chase says with awe as he gazes at this beautiful
girl.
"You too," Mila says with a bright smile, "Well, I'm out of here so I'll
be seeing you."
Chase watches Mila as she leaves, and Jimmy notices it, "Don't waste your
time. She's high maintenance. Her mother's a countess. She used to be an
actress."
Chase looks at Jimmy, "She's beautiful."
"Yeah, but like I said high maintenance."
"Hey Chase," Callie calls out, "What are you doing tonight?"
"Ah, nothing."
"Well, my father's significant other who also happens to be the mayor and
Sydney's mother is having this party thing. It's semi-formal so you
know just wear a jacket and tie. . Usually the first hour is kinda stuffy
but usually were able to lighten it up a bit, you want to come?"
Chase smiles and thinks to himself well if Mila's going to be there,
"Sure!"
Jimmy looks at Callie with curiosity, "You father is seeing Ms.
Rutledge."
"Why, Jimmy I believe that's the first civil thing you have said to me
all day. Anyways yes they are, Why?"
"I didn't know your father even dated."
"Well I guess he does now."
"Yeah," Jimmy puts down his wrench and goes to wash his hands, "Well, I'm
out a here for today. See you tonight Chase. Bye."
"Bye Jimmy," Callie says quietly.
Jimmy leaves slamming the door. "He still loves you" Chase comments.
"Really, he has a funny way of showing it," Callie mutters.
"Well, that's cause he can't show you cause you are with someone else so
in his mind it's kinda easier to hate you than to love you."
"Your a smart guy, you must be a Psych major."
Chase nods, "How'd ya know?"
"Cause your speaking to one, where are you in school."
"Maine Junior College, I'm transferring out this year though and am going
to start attending SCU in the fall."
"They have a good Psych department, my dad's a professor there. In
Oceanography."
"So, are you close with that girl who was in here? Mila?"
"Yeah, we hung out all through high school but were starting to become
closer now, why, you interested," Callie says coyly.
"Nah, I just think shes kinda cute."
"Really?" Callie says with a knowing smile, "sure, that's all."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Glory and Saja are sitting at a booth in Swans, finishing off their
lunch. Saja looks at his watch, "Damn, I gotta go. I am supposed to meet
my parents in like 5 minutes."
"Darn, you really have to leave? It seems like every time we are alone we
get interrupted."
"Well, tonight I will be sure to give you my full and undivided
attention."
Glory smiles, "I won't be complaining."
Saja gives her a quick kiss on the lips, "That's just a preview
of coming attractions." He gets up from the booth, Bye." He walks out of
the door and straight past Sandy who had been sitting at the bar.
Sandy walks over to Glory once Saja is out of the room, "Hey Glory."
Glory looks up, "Oh, hi Sandy."
"How have you been?"
"Okay," Glory says quickly, "And you, I hear you must be doing great with
your album deal and all."
"Oh I am, I am experiencing the most wonderful moments of my life right
now. I'll be singing at the mayor's party tonight. My voice range has
really grown, it's amazing well in my opinion."
"Humble as it is," Glory says curtly.
"Yeah, so I didn't know you and Saja were seeing each other."
"It's a new release," Glory says with a chuckle.
"Oh."
"So, have you heard from Owen lately? What's he up to."
"Oh, I really wouldn't know. Haven't talked to him since well November. I
heard he's playing with some street band in Greenwich Village or
something."
Glory stands up, "Well, I should be going. Nice chatting with you Sandy.
I guess I will see you tonight showing us all your glory."
"Jazz," Sandy calls out, "Can I get some water?"
"Sure thing, " Jazz grabs a pitcher and pours Sandy some water and brings
it over to her."
Sandy takes the water, "Thanks." She turns around and glances to make
sure no one is looking and takes these tiny red pills out of her pockets,
drops one in her mouth takes a sip of the water and swallows it quickly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Later that Day at the Mayoral Party at the Ballroom of the Swans Crossing
Hotel....
Callie, Sydney, and Garrett are standing by the dessert table watching
Captain Walker, and the Mayor, "They look so happy, I don't think I've
ever seen my dad dance like that before," Callie remarks.
"That's cause he doesn't," Garrett comments.
"So you think you and I are going to end up step-sisters by the end of
the year," Sydney says with a smile.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Hey there's Chase," Callie motions to the young
man, "He looks kind out of place."
"I would be too," Garrett says taking a sip from his sparkling cider
that a waiter has just brought him.
Chase walks over to the threesome, "Hey guys. Garrett Sydney I wanted to
thank you for putting in a good word with your friends. I started work
today."
"that's great, so I hope that means we will be seeing you around here
often," come I want you to meet my mother," Sydney leads Chase away and
through the crowd leaving Callie and Garrett alone.
Garrett looks at a lonely Jimmy sitting at a table next to JT, Callie
follows his eyes and meets Jimmy's for a second who quickly looks
away, So you don't hate me?"
"I think what you did to Jimmy was totally crappy but I don't hate you.
So who is he Callie?"
"Your brother," Callie says quietly.
"What'd you just say."
"I think you heard me, I just said your Brother Grant."
Garrett laughs, "Your banging my brother."
"If you want to put it that way."
Garrett sneers, "Your too good for him."
"I don't think so, you know Garrett you should let these sibling rivalry
thin you have with him die cause if you did you would realize that he's
a real great guy. I used to think he was kinda of a know it all, thinks
the world of himself, jerk, kinda the qualities you had when I first met
you but than I realized that I loved him."
"Whatever, you still would be so much better off with Jimmy."
"Your opinion, to each their own."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chase walks up to Mila slowly, "Hi, do you remember me?"
Mila smiles, "I could never forget eyes like yours. How'd you wrangle an
invitation to this thing and why'd you even want to come."
"Well, I kinda was hoping that this girl I met would be here?"
Mila smiles playing along, "Or really, who is she? Maybe I'd know her."
"Well, she's got gorgeous silky blonde hair, deep blue eyes, creamy
skin, you know one that matches the description."
Mila smiles, "Your quite a charmer, Chase. Do you always come on this
strong when you first meet a girl."
"Not usually, the girls I have met have never been as pretty as you.
Would you like to dance?" Chase holds out his hand.
"Well, sure but I'm going to warn you, there's a lot you don't know about
me, things that might spook you."
"Well, I think you should know that I don't get scared that easily."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JT gets up to go get something to drink when the Countess taps him on
his shoulder, "Hello, JT."
JT turns around knowing exactly who's accent that belonged too, "hello
Countess," he says nervously.
"I think you and I need to have a little chat. But not right here.
Tomorrow, at my house. You will meet me at 12, we need to talk about this
tangled web you have woven."
Jimmy walks up to his buddy, "What was that all about."
"Nothing. So I heard about you and Callie."
"Who hasn't"
"Tough break."
"Whatever, you know I would really like it if one person wouldn't mention
her name to me. It's bad enough I have to work with her."
"Sorry."
"Not your fault, I could always fire her but than I would risk the
chance of not being able to see her everyday. How'd you deal with it when
you and Glory broke up."
"Drank myself into oblivion."
"Oh yeah, so you never really did deal with it."
"Actually, I think I am just starting to deal with it now," his eyes
wander to where Glory and Saja are half kissing and half dancing on the
dance floor.
"Gotta say that's one sight I never thought I would see," Jimmy says
quietly, "To tell you the truth I always kinda thought she would hook up
with Neal, I mean they are so close not to be sleeping with each other."
"Jimmy, you know how you don't like it when people mention how sorry they
are that you and Callie broke up, well that's exactly how I feel about
people talking about Glory and other guys who also happen to be my
ex-best friend."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sydney and Garrett fumble with their key as they try to get into the room
that they rented as a getaway place during the party, "I hope my mom
doesn't notice I'm gone," Sydney says breathlessly.
"She's too busy with the Captain to notice if you are or aren't there,
and if she does I'm sure Cal will cover for you."
"Your right," Sydney says as she kisses Garrett hard on the mouth as
they walk into the room. Their tongues dart quickly in and out of their
mouths as they make their way to the bed.
"God, Syd, I have wanted you so much over the past year. I don't know how
I'm going to make it another year without you."
"I don't know either," Sydney says as she starts to unbutton Garrett's
shirt, "But hopefully we can manage, maybe weekend trips to each coast
every other week."
"Like our parents would approve of that."
"They wouldn't but who cares," she says finally succeeding getting his
shirt off and throwing it on the ground.
"Actually, I have another solution. Tell me what you think."
"Okay, but can it wait, I really don't feel like talking now."
"No, actually I need to say this now before I lose the courage."
"Okay, what is it, this sounds serious?"
"It is, marry me Sydney."
"What did you just say?"
"Marry me, we've been in love for our whole lives, known each other that
long too, getting married would solve all our problems. We could get
married this august, take a three month honeymoon in France and start
school in January next year and I could apply to UCSD for the Winter term
now and meet the deadline or you could apply to GW. I love you Sydney
Rutledge, I want you to be mine. All mine. I can't imagine living another
year living across the continent from you. Not seeing you dark eyes for
months at a time, not running my fingers through your hair. So what do
you say. Will you marry me."
"Yes," Sydney yells excitedly, "Yes, I'll marry you Garrett.
To be continued...
***If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., email Sierra at
sunflower293@juno.com
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