Somewhere Else
Chapter 11 - Recipe for Confusion: Flowers, Caramel and Arsenic
Pacey and Jack were near the end of what had easily been the strangest meal either had ever had. Pacey glanced at his watch, hoping by now Charlie had enough time. Jack was looking for the restroom when a familiar figure caught his attention.
“Er, Pace, how long were we supposed to head into this dinner before I found out Joey was here?”
Pacey twisted around, frantically searching. Sure enough, there was that mound of brown hair trying desperately to duck out of view. Pacey snickered, “You know, I’d expect this from Jen, not Joey.” He gestured for Joey to approach. Sheepishly, Joey did so.
“Just what are you trying to accomplish?” Pacey demanded.
“I don’t think anyone would believe me if I told them without details,” she giggled. “I have to admit, my favorite part was when that waitress was flirting with you,” pointing to Pacey, “and you kept insisting it wouldn’t work out.”
“That’s the moment I was convinced I was stuck in hell,” Jack muttered.
“Thou doth protest too much,” Pacey insisted.
“Is this evening almost over?”
Pacey checked the plates, seeing they were done eating. “Yeah, I suppose. So, did you have a fun evening?” he asked.
“I can honestly say it’s been an experience I won’t soon forget,” Jack replied.
Joey chimed in, “Me either.”
“I’ll drop you off at the dorm then proceed on my way. Since Jo’s here, I’m sure I’ll find some way to keep occupied.” He leered in Joey’s direction to back up the statement.
Joey whined, “Now I need to find a date to get away from him.”
Jack stood up. “I have to make a phone call. I’ll be right back while you two do your usual song and dance.” He walked in the direction of the restroom, pulling out his cell phone.
Joey replied, “Seriously, how has this gone?”
“It would have been okay without him calling the answering machine. Meanwhile, I can’t say there’s a reason Charlie wouldn’t leave a message so I’ve been laying the charm on rather thick.”
“No wonder he’s anxious to get away from you,” Joey grimaced.
* * * * *
Pacey and Joey had dropped Jack off at the dorm. Jack entered the building and ran into the guard on-duty. The guard informed him, “There’s someone in the lobby who claims to know you.”
He turned around to see Michael sitting on one of the chairs. Jack had to admit he was disappointed by his presence. He nodded to the guard, “Yeah, I know him.” Jack waved Michael over to the table to sign him in.
Once they were done, Jack led the way up to his room. “What brings you here?”
“I wanted to drop off your birthday gift.” When they reached the entrance to the floor, he held out a small narrow box wrapped in silver paper.
“Look, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know you think that everything I do is to try to reunite. This is only a gift. I thought it would be nice to give you something, even if it’s just this.” Jack stopped in front of his room, determined not to let Michael enter. Michael offered the gift again. “It’s just a truce, Jack. Please?”
Jack remarked, “I have the right to throw this back in your face?” Michael nodded. Jack unwrapped the box to reveal a fountain pen. “A pen?” Jack laughed. “I never thought of you as one who would relate to Lloyd Dobler.”
Michael replied, “See, I told you it would be worth your trouble. I just wanted to show I cared. You were expecting a more extravagant surprise?”
“Given that it’s you, it wouldn’t have startled me.”
“Nah, I didn’t want to outshine the Broadway starlet. The pen seemed safe.”
Jack frowned at that painful reminder, “Well, you managed to do that anyway since he forgot altogether.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t apologize. Charlie has a tendency to get overly absorbed in his career. I’m sure he’ll be apologizing right away for this mistake.”
“But it does irritate you that he’s never there,” Michael stated.
“Of course it does. That’s why, even as I know where my heart belongs, I still seem to cross paths with you. You are here and seemingly more attentive.”
“I didn’t want this to become a battle.”
“Why did you really come here?” Jack challenged. “Am I supposed to believe you weren’t seriously trying to maneuver your way back in my life? Peace offering aside.”
“Honestly? I did come here to make the peace offering. It’s just…I stand here and I know I’m not fully capable of doing only that. I want to be comforting you over this. I want to…”
Jack finished, “Be the one who’s there by my side.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Michael shrugged the statement off, looking down at his feet. “Charlie doesn’t treat you right. I believe I would.”
“I believe you do,” Jack corrected.
Michael raised his head slowly, looking hesitantly at Jack. “Do you really mean that?” Jack nodded, a slight smile forming on his face. “If you feel the need to slap me afterwards, go ahead.”
“After what?”
Michael closed the space between them, softly brushing his lips across Jack’s. Michael backed away a little to gauge Jack’s reaction. He was ready to move should Jack attack him. “It was wrong to kiss you, wasn’t it?”
“Maybe a little,” Jack agreed. “I’ll probably regret this in the morning as well.” He circled his arm around Michael’s neck as he brought him closer and gave him a deeper kiss. “Would you like to enter?”
Michael nodded. Jack was fishing for his keys when Michael leaned on the doorknob and it turned. “Pacey’s home?”
“Uh, no. He went with Joey somewhere. Maybe he left the door unlocked. He did return here to get something…” He opened the door and was immediately greeted with something thrown in his face. He peeled the towel off his head to see where it came from. His eyes lingered on the array of scented candles lit throughout the room, then several displays of flowers, then a pair of eyes none too happy to see him.
Upon realizing what happened, Jack muttered, “Oh fuck.”
Charlie snapped, “You’re damn right about that. Some fucking surprise.”
Jack closed his eyes, willing this to go away. “You have to understand…”
“I have to understand that I’m a selfish asshole who’s so obsessed with his job that I forget important shit like his boyfriend’s birthday? Or is it that I have to understand that you need someone available 24/7?” Jack cringed at the way Charlie twisted his words. “No, you know what? You may have fooled me on Valentine’s Day but there’s no way I listening to this trash again.” He began blowing out the candles he’d set up, stuffing each one into a backpack.
“Charlie…” Jack tried to get him to stop moving but Charlie pushed Jack’s hand off his shoulder and otherwise ignored him.
When Charlie was finished packing, he stormed past Jack. Seeing that Michael was still standing there, not really sure what to do, Charlie stated flatly, “Congratulations. You won,” and exited the room.
* * * * *
“Thanks for the ride,” Joey said as she let Pacey into the apartment. Both slipped off their coats and hung them behind the door.
“I would have been driving around tonight, probably hitting a bar. Annoying you is more productive.”
“At least you have a warm place to sleep.” Joey collapsed on the couch. “Remind me to never make that trip after a full day of classes, studying, and work.” She unzipped her boots and let each drop to the carpet.
“Poor Joey Potter.” Pacey sat down next to her to console, swinging her legs up to rest on the couch.
“It was worth the trouble,” Joey amended, giggling. “Between Jack’s paranoia about hidden cameras and you actually carrying through with that routine, I’m so glad I made the sacrifice.”
“I hope it was worth my trouble,” Pacey responded. “After all, how could Charlie compare to yours truly?”
Joey laughed heartily at that, then regained her composure. “So how did the night rate for you?”
“The date?” Pacey raised an eyebrow. “I’ll never hear the end of this. Could be worse. Jen could’ve known…”
“She wasn’t supposed to?” Joey said in a kiddie voice. Pacey glared at her, shaking his head. She stuck out her bottom lip, showing off her best puppy-dog eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Now I’m prepared for her phone call tomorrow afternoon,” Pacey groaned.
“I noticed you didn’t order dessert,” Joey teased. “Couldn’t handle that?”
“Leave that to the real couple.”
Rather than continue playing the pest, Joey offered, “I have ice cream and brownies. Want any?”
“Ah. A la mode.” Joey grinned as she jumped off the couch and took out a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food from the freezer, the box of brownies and two spoons from the cabinet and returned to the living area. She handed the box and a spoon to Pacey as she uncovered the ice cream and dug in while sitting down.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, occasionally interrupted by eating sounds, Joey asked, “How much do you think about the future?”
“I usually fear such conversation starters.”
“I don’t mean that. You make decisions which could adversely affect other choices. At the time, it made sense but now you wish it never happened, hoping for a do-over.”
“Are we referring to getting drunk and dancing on a counter?”
“A little more serious than that.”
“Is it possible to correct this mistake?” He picked out a brownie while waiting for her response.
“I’m not sure. I know that I have the best opportunity I’ve had in awhile.”
“Oh?” Pacey watched her scoop a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, not sure where Joey was heading.
“Yeah, I came to that conclusion a few months ago. It’s…required some timing.” She looked up, surprised to see Pacey’s eyes on her. “What?” She felt herself blush.
“Huh?” Pacey turned away from her, embarrassed to be caught staring. “It’s…nothing. I love how evasive and confusing you’re talking.”
“Maybe that’s because I am confused. Why would I want to change everything?”
“Were you happy before your decision?” He asked cautiously, as he began to piece together that she might have meant their relationship.
“Yes, oh yes. My brain said it was the right choice but my heart disagreed. Does that make sense?” She swiftly took another spoonful to distract her from focusing on Pacey’s reaction, which she couldn’t gauge.
Pacey didn’t immediately answer, instead focusing on the brownie as he took a bite. When he did finally look at Joey, a snicker escaped from his lips upon seeing the corner of her mouth covered in caramel syrup.
Joey asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Sorry, distracted by syrup.”
She furiously attempted to wipe it away but missed. “Is it gone?”
Pacey shook his head, trying desperately not to laugh again but not succeeding. She tried again, still passing over the wrong area. “Yet?” More than anything, she wanted him to stop acting that way while wanting an answer to the previous question.
He answered by sweeping his thumb over the section on her face. He allowed his finger to linger as her gaze rose to focus on him. He leaned in to softly kiss the spot he’d just wiped. Joey was taken aback by the action, not able to move. Pacey pulled away, replying, “I think it’s gone.”
“That’s funny because now it’s on you.” She ladled out some ice cream and brushed it over his lips, then reaching over to kiss him. She broke free to add, “See?”
Rather than let her separate, Pacey rested his hand at the nape of Joey’s neck and deepened the kiss. Joey tilted her head back and parted her lips. The sweetness of the brownies could soon be tasted as she felt his tongue entwine with hers. She dropped the spoon to the floor then laid back on the couch. She yanked Pacey by the shirt collar so his body was on top of hers.
Pacey pulled away, not able to help but ask, “The mistake mentioned? Has it been remedied?”
Joey beamed, “Yes,” then following that up with a kiss.
“So it was the one you made one year, seven months and nine days ago via my answering machine? Just wanted to be clear,” flashing an impish grin, “that you’ve admitted to the error.” He hovered over her body, torturing her with every movement.
“I admit nothing,” she protested.
“Such a pain,” he muttered, being rewarded with a slight shove. Louder, he said, “If that’s true, then I suppose you couldn’t resist me because you’ve been unattached for so long.”
“Maybe so,” Joey kidded. “Because I’m known for being the type to use people in that way.”
“I don’t mind being used,” Pacey played along. “I just need to be aware that’s the situation. I could understand your predicament because I am so irresistible…”
Joey rolled her eyes, realizing she deserved him giving her a hard time. “Fine. I made an error in judgment one year, six months…”
“Seven months,” Pacey corrected.
Joey nodded, “Yeah. Seven months and nine days ago. Satisfied?”
Pacey rewarded her with a kiss, then snarled, “I will be shortly.”
* * * * *
Charlie sat on the ground at the bus stop, hands buried in the pockets of his coat to ward off the chilly air. He tried his hardest to appear invisible to the people around. Students would walk past every few minutes, reminding him of days gone by when he could enjoy an evening with a bunch of drinks. Much as he’d have greatly desired entering a bar and wasting away the remainder of the night, he knew that would have been irresponsible. The only money he had on him was for the trip home.
He wished he had brought a copy of the schedule. It hadn’t seemed necessary at the time since he had planned to catch a particular bus in the morning. It was now clear that the bus he saw as he was walking to the stop was the last bus of the day.
Charlie was brought out of his thoughts by a somewhat familiar cackle echoing through the air. He looked around but saw no one. He pulled the hat further down on his head.
A figure stood over him. Charlie kept his eyes focused on the ground, knowing that it was a person not worth acknowledging. If Jack was the person appearing, Charlie had nothing to say to him; maybe throw a punch if he attempted to apologize but that was about all.
The cackling resumed, as she pronounced, “I totally didn’t believe it was you!” Charlie closed his eyes, knowing immediately that he’d rather be anywhere else than here. Shouting out to her companion at the opposite end of the street, “Hey, Frankie. I want you to meet someone.”
Frank approached the duo, staring at her as though she was crazy. “I told you I’m meeting Lisette at the other end of town. Either come along or stay here but you’re not making me late.”
Abby huffed, “Fine. Go off with your girrrrlfriend. I’ll stay here and annoy Chucker.”
Charlie mumbled, “You’ve already succeeded by using that nickname and laughing. You may go on your way.”
Frank stared at them, realizing that Abby would be happier pestering some guy on the street than partying anyway. “I’ll see you later then.” He walked away, trying to figure out how that guy warranted Abby’s attention.
Abby didn’t say anything at first, then pointed out, “There won’t be another bus until morning.”
“Then I’ll get sick. Some loss that will be.”
“I know a bar at the other end of town that stays open until 4am. It’ll help warm you up.”
“Can’t you just leave?” He blew on his glove-covered hands, trying in vain to warm up.
“That’s where you’re wrong.” As much fun as it was to have guys such as Frank to cater to her whim, she had to admit that Charlie was the only one who proved to be her intellectual equal. Even if, at the same time, she hated everything he’d done to wreck that friendship. She offered, “I’ll pay for your drinks.”
Charlie sighed, realizing he wanted to give in to that deal. The weather was too brisk for there to be any other choice. He hoped the fact that Abby already had a couple drinks would work to his benefit. “Despite what feels like a pact with the devil, I’ll let you do that.” He stood up and followed her. “You forget that I do know the bar you mean. We were underage and they were the only one that believed the story about your dad being a giant in the beer-brewing industry…”
Abby grinned at the memory. “Yeah, fooling the idiots of this college town was so much fun.”
Chapter 12 - Out of Place
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