Somewhere Else
Chapter 9 - Switching Paths
Pacey drove in his car, unsure of the destination. It was a Thursday night and what he should be doing was either finishing an assignment or blowing it off by driving to a party. Neither option was especially desirable this particular night so he delayed life instead.
He’d had almost a week on his own. Deep down, Pacey should have realized prior to the confrontation there was something wrong in his relationship with Lisette. How stupid could one person be!
Joey had asked him about reading Lisette’s column, out of concern. Those words haunted him as he managed to scavenge three editions, all currently residing in the passenger’s seat. There, in print, was the real Lisette Donnelly: a person who professed to want to be a do-gooder yet was drawn to the wilder, more reckless side of life.
One of the columns even had her expressing desire to have a secret affair! It was written weeks earlier yet it clearly articulated the excitement associated with, in her words, such a “covert operation”. He couldn’t determine if she had already gone through with it at that point; then again, it didn’t matter anymore.
Another column was about her attraction to a guy she knew she should avoid. That the guy in question appeared to be a womanizer who probably didn’t function on a level other than sex. While there could be nothing serious, she was inexplicably drawn to them. That was a perfect description of Frank. To think, this was written before they’d even met!
Friends had questioned Pacey’s interest in her. He supposed he’d been suckered into believing that she really could change. After all, if she could recognize her faults, wouldn’t she at least make efforts to rectify her behavior? If catching her with Frank proved one thing, it was that Lisette spoke a very good game but didn’t truly want to change. When she called, she pleaded that she wanted him to accept her for what she is. The problem is that Pacey never really understood her motives and was too tired to try to work through it any longer. It wasn’t so much that he wanted Lisette to be a model for perfect behavior; it was more like she had presented herself that way and he was led to believe she was that person.
If all this was true, why was Joey the one who got blamed? Pacey shook his head, knowing that he wasn’t yelling because of Lisette. It was still about Joey. Now he was single and the world would soon return to one in which he worshiped her. He hated being that way.
Still, it had been downright wrong for him to not apologize to Joey for his reaction that night. He knew that, eventually, Jack invited her back into the room that night. Jack felt that Joey thought it was only about Lisette - nothing more, nothing less. She wasn’t holding a grudge against him. Even knowing that, Pacey couldn’t make the phone call he needed to make. Until now.
Pacey pulled over to a convenience store - where he spotted a pay phone. He searched through the seats of his car for enough change to make the call. Having successfully scrounged up the money, he jumped out of the vehicle and headed for the booth. Dropping in the coins and punching in the number he knew by heart, he impatiently waited for a reply.
He got one, but not the one he wanted. “Welcome to the jungle.”
“Hey, Charlie. Is Joey around?”
Charlie covered over the receiver as he shouted out Joey’s name. Getting no reply, he informed, “I think she’s still at the library. Do you want her to call you back?”
“Uh, no, I’m not in the dorm. I’m giving Jack a chance at having a quiet study room while I stay out. Just…you don’t have to tell her I called.”
“I can guarantee he won’t be undisturbed for long,” Charlie said. “Okay, so have fun.”
Pacey snickered, “I’m sure you will. Later.” He settled the phone back in the cradle, resting his forehead against the cold plastic. What had to say would have to wait another day.
* * * * *
“Good evening,” Michael stated as soon as Jack opened the door.
Jack tried to shut him out, but Michael used his foot to block the path.
Michael pleaded, “I’m not the enemy! I thought you’d want to hear about a function tonight.”
“I don’t do favors for you anymore.”
“Actually, I’d be helping you. The head of the graduate English department at Boston U will be there.”
“But of course, the catch is I’d be your date. Get lost.”
Michael shrugged, “Somebody had to emphasize why they should admit Jack McPhee. I could sell this man.”
Jack rationalized, “He’s probably already made a decision.”
“Maybe, maybe not. It couldn’t hurt your chances.”
“I…” Jack couldn’t disagree with that. It was a tempting offer, one that should not immediately be disregarded due to the source.
While Jack was contemplating the proposal, Michael stepped into the room and shut the door. “For once, I’m doing the unselfish thing. I know I’m not exactly your favorite person right now but I wanted to give you the opportunity to get what you want.”
The phone rang, giving Jack a reprieve from Michael’s plea. Jack walked backwards, still watching Michael, as he went to answer. “Hello?”
“Buona sera,” Charlie warmly greeted. “I had a rare night off and thought I’d take advantage of you studying.”
Jack spoke in a low voice, turning away from Michael’s gaze. “Would you mind if I called you back?”
Charlie’s voice dropped, concerned with the way Jack was acting. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, um, I just need to settle this problem at the door.”
“Your RA is giving you grief?”
“Something like that. Later?”
“Okay. Talk to you then.”
Jack hung up, then spoke to Michael as if there was no interruption. “I know you meant well and the offer is appealing but…”
Michael interrupted, “That was him, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Jack replied, almost guilty to admit that.
“Fine,” Michael sharply responded. “Sorry for actually showing concern. I thought it might be nice to help you out. After all, you’re probably on the borderline for getting accepted.” Jack looked up to face him. Michael was staring down at the paper he was holding with the information, formulating a way not to get blown off. “Maybe I was hoping you could help me get on the good side with him as well.”
Jack peered at him through narrowed eyes. He could see the beginning of a guilt trip, along with possibly catching Michael showing his true colors. “I thought you were already in.”
“The acceptance letter isn’t actually in hand. Just because it seems to be in the bag doesn’t mean it’s there yet. But, you know, it’s not like you owe me or anything.”
The fucking liar! Of course, Michael had to gain something from this gathering. “I’ve asked you to leave. Now, it’s an order.” Jack walked past him and opened the door.
“Who’s the one who got you to meet people you’ve only seen on the news?” Jack leaned against the door, pointing to the exit, causing Michael to get angrier. “It sure as hell isn’t the person whose job requires him to act like a preppie from the Grease set!”
“You fucking elitist asshole!” Jack interjected, giving Michael a forceful push closer to the hallway.
Michael warned as he got a grip on Jack’s arm. “Don’t play games you can’t finish.” The two got into a shoving match. Unfortunately, Jack had underestimated Michael’s strength, as his foot slipped out from under him. Jack fell on the floor, banging his head against the wooden door.
He backed away, his hand covering over his face, muttering, “I can’t believe this! I’m so sorry.”
“Michael…” Jack tried to get his attention, even as the back of his head was still throbbing from the hit. He rubbed the sore spot as he tried to stand up.
Michael desperately wanted to drop down to see if Jack was all right but was frozen in his tracks by Jack’s plea. “I’m not that guy, I swear. It’s just that I was on the wrestling squad in high school, two years All-County, and I don’t appreciate being messed with….” He walked backwards down the hall, wanting to get away from the situation. “This is too fucked up. I’ve been around enough losers who try to explain away this bullshit and now I’m one of them.”
Jack knew that it had been himself, not Michael, who started the physical aspect of the confrontation. There was no need to for Michael to feel guilty. He felt he had no choice but to say, “I’ll go with you.”
* * * * *
Joey groggily walked around her bedroom, gathering everything she’d need for the day. The week had been rather crazy. She’d started work, as a file clerk for a publishing firm, just two days ago and still had to keep up with homework as midterms loomed around the corner.
She took a shower in hopes of waking up. Not even the piping-hot water worked in vitalizing her this particular morning. At least she could take solace in the fact it was Friday so she didn’t have as difficult a juggling act to handle.
Joey trudged into the main living area with her coat and backpack, going through the paces of her regular routine. She was about to settle her belongings on the couch when she noticed Charlie sleeping there. Figuring he’d fallen asleep while watching television, she called out in the most annoying voice she could muster, “Hey Chucker. Wake up!”
Charlie woke up quickly. Upon realizing it was only Joey, he grumbled, “I wish you never learned how to talk like Abby Morgan!”
Joey replied defensively, “If it weren’t for,” back to Abby’s voice, “this warped individual, you would have never gotten the reference you needed for your first acting job out of college.”
“How was I to know that Abby’s family were friends with a guy who created a retro vaudeville act…”
Joey finished, “That ended up wanting you to be the target for a guy tossing cream pies. I loved that job so much!” She walked into the kitchen and grabbed the container of orange juice from the refrigerator. “Want any?”
Charlie rolled off the couch and joined her. “Only if it’s a screwdriver.”
Joey laughed as she poured herself a glass. “Sorry. The end of the vodka ended up in the plant.”
“You’re kidding!” he exclaimed as he searched the cupboard for another glass.
“Nope. Jen was over here and was fighting with me over the bottle. She won but I concluded if I couldn’t have any, neither could she. The plant won.”
“You crazy females.” Charlie filled up his glass with juice. “What time is it?” He squinted around, searching for the clock.
“Too early,” Joey agreed. “I have two classes then six hours sorting files ahead of me.”
“You’re working?”
“Uh, ye-aaaah. Where have you been?”
“Apparently not aware that I might get paid back sometime this year.” He took a sip of juice. “Why am I awake in the morning again?”
“Because you fell asleep while watching that horror movie marathon. How could you watch that stuff and not have nightmares?”
He teased, “Because I’m not a skittish kitten?” Joey cringed upon hearing him use one of Pacey’s phrases for her. “Also, most of them were laughable. One of them tried to equate vampires with AIDS. Who really fucking cares when all you really wanted was for the guy driving around to admit he wanted to get it on with the other guy?”
“Do you deliberately watch shitty movies to find the homoerotic undertones?”
“No,” he replied defensively, “It’s just all there is to some of these films.”
“Is it that or is someone that desperate to get some action of his own?”
Charlie frowned, muttering under his breath, “The only one who’s desperate is you.”
Joey stared down at her glass, feeling ashamed for the remark. She knew it had actually been awhile since Jack and Charlie had such time on their own. The last time they were in the same place was the Valentine’s Day debacle; that night, Joey discovered later, Jack hadn’t entered the bed until Charlie was already asleep. She had been pretty sure the two weren’t alone at any point during the break between semesters so it really had been a long time. For Charlie, at least, since she couldn’t speak the same for Jack.
Charlie glanced in Joey’s direction and observed her remorseful manner. When Joey looked up, Charlie stretched out his neck, pretending that he hadn’t noticed anything. Finally, he admitted, “Maybe it’s a little too close to the truth.”
Joey interjected, “Sexual frustration, party of two.”
He let out a light laugh. “It’s not even that. I’m just frustrated in general. Sex is causing only some of that.” Indicating to his desk, piled with papers, he added, “Student loan payments which I barely cover and, there seems, no end in sight. Just when you think there’s a glimpse of sunlight at the end of the tunnel, some fucking 18-wheeler blocks the view.”
“I like that one. Have to file that away the next time I bitch about my life.”
“So I’ll hear it tomorrow,” Charlie mumbled.
Joey let a slight grin slip out, then remembered she didn’t want to drop the subject about their relationship. Jack never gave a real answer and it was driving her crazy. “Usually, I’d ask Jack this question but I don’t feel like hearing him complain about the way Pacey’s acting. Is something wrong between you two?”
Charlie sighed, “I don’t know. Last night, I called him and he claimed, let’s see - the RA bugging him was the excuse. But the tone of his voice implied something more serious than some stupid reprimand. He’s been rather quiet lately. I’m not sure if it’s about the possibility of Boston or an entirely different problem.”
“It’s an issue,” Joey reminded him.
“I realize that. But it’s not an issue worth worrying about right now. When he gets accepted, I’ll become a little more concerned. I want to enjoy the time we have. I’m not sure Jack sees it the same way.”
“Maybe Jack’s overwhelmed by the future,” Joey offered.
Charlie shrugged, not really believing that. He looked at Joey’s glass suspiciously. “Is that all you’re having for breakfast? Are you on some weird diet?”
Joey stared down at her body, confused by the question. “What? Why, do I need it?”
“No… damn you women and body image. It’s just…you should eat something for breakfast.”
“I am!” Joey protested, “I’m meeting Jen at the café. That’s why I’m awake this early. She wants me to look through bridal magazines.”
“Is she still stalking that lady?”
Joey froze. She had been skillful in dodging the questions ever since she found out that Jen’s favorite patron, Rita, was Charlie’s mother. Joey replied, as if it was the dumbest question ever, “They’re friends, remember?”
Charlie arched an eyebrow, surprised at that. “Actually, no. But if you insist…the lady probably befriended Jen out of fear, anyway. Either that or she’s equally crazy.”
“Um…well, I could say,” she stretched out her words to bide her a little time to think of what to say. “She’s a sweet lady. Very colorful. But from the stories I’ve heard… some of her family is crazy.” Joey chuckled internally upon realizing she was able to slip an insult past him.
“Ah, so the whole unit is a work of art?”
“You could say that. Hey,” Joey blurted out, “you could find out for yourself.” She knew that Charlie wouldn’t seriously take the offer.
To her dismay, Charlie considered it, “You have weird lady, Jen and her prey, and you. Somehow I’m awake. Maybe I should see what the fuss is about.”
Joey replied, “Maybe. Or you could remember that you don’t normally wake up before noon and have a rehearsal and performance tonight.”
“Thanks for the painful reminder,” Charlie groaned as he stretched his leg back. “I’ll just think of this conversation as a nightmare and move on.” He walked toward his bedroom.
She bit her lip to keep back a smile as she replied, “Then you go back to that.” Joey slipped into her coat and slung her backpack over her shoulder.
Joey was almost out the door when Charlie called out, “One more thing.” Charlie had one hand on the doorknob to his room, a smirk settling on his face as she stood still. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you this but Pacey called last night. He wants to apologize to you but, I’m guessing, doesn’t really know how to do that. He was channeling years of exasperation with the opposite sex the night he yelled at you. He hopes you have it in your heart to disregard his immaturity.” He entered his bedroom and shut the door.
It took Joey several minutes to grasp what he said. She whirled around, stunned that she was alone in the room. She exited the room, wanting to block out those last words and get started with her very long day.
Chapter 10 - The Important Set-Up
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