|
|
| [Home] [Episode Guide] [News] [Social Register] [Visitor Info] [Interact] [Links] [Credits] |
|
Episode 32 Scene 1: Ellen dropped down on her knees to the soft ground in the Four Winds rose garden. She didn't care that the dirt was spoiling her dress or that a high wind was beginning and mussing her hair. She stared glumly at the ground and wished she were anywhere but here. She had never felt comfortable in this house...no, that wasn't true. She had once upon a time when her father was still alive and paid attention to her. But that had been years ago and now all she had was his memory and the sinking feeling that she was alone in the world. Her father had been gone for four years now. Four long years. During that time, she had watched Hallie jockey for position at ME, watched Jamie lose his athletic career, watched as Dane hopped from one woman to another, watched as Jude tasted power in Washington DC, and watched Gwen take over the family as only she could. And she had watched them all from another coast. California was her legal residence but it wasn't home. As much as she hated to admit it, this dreary town with its old families and historic buildings was home. And this old mansion, with its rose garden and ball room was home too. Much as she hated to admit it. Hallie's party was winding down. She could hear cars leaving and the band had stopped playing. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted Jamie approaching her. Did she want to speak to him? After the scene with their mother, he was probably coming to chastise her. She stayed where she was, not moving even after he crouched down next to her. "What are we doing out here?" He asked. She turned her head slightly, giving him a brief look. "I don't know about you, but I just came out to get some fresh air," she replied turning her head away from him. "Okay. Hallie's looking for you. She said you were upset about something. Want to talk?" "Upset? No, I'm not upset," Ellen replied. "I made a fool of myself with Luke Conlan's brother and had a fight with our mother but I'm not upset." "Really? So what are you then?" "I guess you could say I'm depressed. Nothing has changed since I left Jamie. Nothing." "I've changed," he answered pulling at the grass in front of them idly. "I'm married and have kids. The last time we talked I was thinking up ways to break up an old girlfriend's marriage and dodging Mom. Now look at me!" He grinned playfully but she only sighed. "So you've changed. But Mom hasn't. Hallie sure hasn't except that she traded in that creep Stephen for a different guy. Not even Jude has changed! I was hoping that I would come back to the Glen and it would all be different somehow." "Ellie, Conlan's Glen will never be the idyllic place we thought it was when we were kids. But you know, I'm glad that I'll be raising my kids here. I could never raise them here at Four Winds but this town...well, it's home to them." "That's great," she replied, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "I need to find a hotel room," she added as an afterthought. "I really don't want to stay here and aside from that Mom wouldn't let me." "You can stay at my house," Jamie offered. "Michaela would love to meet you and I'm sure it would annoy Mother." "Since when did you get a kick out bugging Gwen?" Ellen asked, amused by her older brother's spiteful side. "Oh you know, since I'm the only thing that's changed in the Glen," he laughed offering her a hand to help her to her feet. "Come on, I'm ready to go if you are." Ellen nodded, never so grateful for Jamie as she just now. Staying at his house would be a relief after all the nonsense of the day. Scene 2: Noah paused at the door looking for Piper but saw only Luke headed towards him. Luke nodded at him and gestured towards Piper and her new friend. "Hi Noah. I think Piper's got a ride," Luke said politely. Noah shrugged, "That's good. I'll just see if Dinah needs a ride." He smiled at Luke until Luke's back was turned to leave. He really didn't like Luke, he decided. Jory was okay, but Luke was kind of an ass. He waved to Dinah as she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. She waved back and approached him, giving him a smile as she did so. "Hey, how are you?" She asked joining him as he walked towards his car. "I guess we didn't manage to hook up tonight. Who'd you spend it with?" "Some second cousin's neighbor, I think," he grinned. "How about you?" "His name was Garvy, I think. And he was about 40," she replied. "I could not get away!" "Yeah, I see Piper got snagged. Who was that guy anyway?" "Chase something," Dinah answered. "I think Luke introduced her to him. He's a dud if you ask me." Noah nodded in agreement. "He looks it. Hey, you need a ride home then?" He asked spontaneously. He smiled at the way her eyes lit up at his question. Dinah put on a tough act but she was just a romantic at heart, he realized. "I think that would be great. I came with the Conlan's but it looks as if the only one going home alone is Jory. And he's a little old for me." They both laughed at her joke, an easy feeling falling between them. "Did I tell you," she said suddenly. "Maura ok'd me to work at Connie's this summer?" "No! That's cool. I guess we'll be spending a lot of time together then." He watched a subtle blush creep across her cheeks at his words before continuing. "It'll be fun. But it'll be hard. Maura can be pretty tough." "You think I don't know that? I've known her since I was 13 and she has never been easy on anyone!" Dinah remarked as they neared his car. "But since we'll be spending so much time working together, I guess we won't see a lot of each other socially." "Dinah, we don't see a lot of each other socially now as it is," Noah laughed, unlocking her door and helping her into his car. He walked around to his side and climbed in, glancing over at the earnest look on her face. "What?" "We could change that. If you wanted to." Scene 3: Maura turned at the door to the Conlan home and smiled at Jude. "Thank you for bringing me home." Jude smiled and leaned against the doorway, suddenly feeling sixteen again. "Is this where I get a kiss goodnight?" He teased. Maura's expression softened as she leaned closer to him. "If that's what you want," she replied. Jude nodded and bent his head to hers, brushing her lips with a chaste kiss. Maura blushed as he pulled back from her and met his eyes. "That was so innocent! Quite surprising from a man who told me he wanted to be around me more often," she commented. "Well, if your father wasn't staring at us from the window behind you, it would have been a lot more passionate," he said nodding to Kevin. "The next time there are no prying eyes, you'll get a better kiss. I promise. For now, I'll say good night." He waved at Kevin before giving Maura a slight hug and walking back to his car. Overall, it had been a pleasant evening. Hallie had steered clear of him and he was able to enjoy his dances with Maura even though she had seemed distracted for a good portion of the night. From the way she watched her sister, Jude assumed she was worried about her and left it at that. If he had a sister that looked like Jillie Conlan, he would worry about her too. He turned the radio on and began the drive back to Four Winds. The light jazz that played made his head hurt a little so he switched to the news station and listened as the newscaster talked about the helicopter crash in Camp LeJeune. He chuckled when she mispronounced it, calling it "Camp LeGoon" instead. "Once again, our top story of the evening, Senator Derek Mitchell of Virginia died earlier today in an auto accident. His wife was also in the car and sustained minor injuries. He was 48...." Jude's jaw dropped in amazement at the news. Derek was dead and Cynthia was alive! He turned around in a driveway and drove back to the north side of town. He was going to D.C. Cynthia was going to need him now more than ever, he thought, all thoughts of Maura and Conlan's Glen disappearing from his mind. Scene 4: Maura laid her purse down on the table next to the front door and shook her head at Kevin. "You really shouldn't spy on your children like that," she said affectionately. "I wasn't," Kevin Conlan replied in his own defense. "I was looking for your sister. She's not home yet." "She should be, I saw her leave with that boy Luke introduced her to," Maura said feeling anxious for Piper suddenly. "I'm not talking about Piper. She's been home for an hour. I'm talking about Jillie. I saw her leave with that newspaper boss of hers and she's not home yet." Maura stiffened at his words. Jillie had left with Rick. Of course, it was inevitable. She had forced Rick into it after all. She shook her head clear of the thought. She had made her decision and what Rick did was Rick's business. Though if she were a betting woman she would guess that Jillie was being spiteful. "Dad, I'm sure Jillie's fine. She's an adult after all." "That's what I'm afraid of," Kevin replied giving her a reproachful look. "Dad, she can take care of herself. You have to let her grow up and make her own decisions...." She trailed off as a key turned in the lock of the front door. Both she and Kevin turned to it expectantly but only Jory entered. "What?" He said catching their expressions. "Someone die?" "No. Have you seen Jillie?" Kevin asked before Maura could say anything. Jory shook his head and grinned. "No, but I think she has a hot date. Don't worry about her Dad. She'll be fine." He glanced at Maura and raised his eyebrows slightly. "And why are you worried about her Maura?" "I'm not," she said coldly. "I could care less what Jillie does or who she sees." "Oh really? Isn't Rick the guy that stood you up a month or so ago?" She glared at him and started to respond but the door opened suddenly as Jillie slipped into the foyer. She looked up at the group, giving them a questioning glance. "Where have you been?" Maura snapped before Kevin or Jory could say a word. |
