Episode
60
Scene 1:
With each day at
rehearsal, Piper seemed to find herself more. She found herself playing
and teasing with the male actors and growing antsy with each day that
opening night neared. It delighted her and terrified her all at once.
"Alright, tomorrow will be a full costume rehearsal. Get here as soon as
possible so everyone will have time to get their hair and make-up done,"
Frank Farley said, scanning his notes. "Piper, you're projection has
improved greatly, but I need you to speak a little more loudly, dear."
Piper nodded, accepting his words with eagerness instead of embarrassment.
She hopped off the stage, noting a text message on her cell phone for her.
Working late tonight, can't pick you up from rehearsal. Sorry. Chase.
Piper wasn't surprised. Chase would work himself to death if possible. She
could walk home, it was only about a mile or two. Grabbing her backpack
she heaved it over her shoulder. Of course, several large college books
would make the walk a little harder. As she entered the foyer, Piper saw
Noah talking with the co-director. She ignored him and hurried out the
door, silently seething. She couldn't believe Noah would hit Chase. She
didn't think Noah would hit anyone. Of all the nerve, she was so sick of
Noah's protective attitude. He had no right to be so anymore.
Dinah waited in the parking lot for Noah to come back outside. He was in
giving his two week notice, thank God. After what that jerk Chase did to
him she was relieved he would be far away from Piper and her Neanderthal
boyfriend.
"Speak of the devil," she murmured as Piper hurried out of the building.
She turned down the sidewalk and slowed her pace just a little. "I don't
think so," Dinah mumbled running after Piper. She would give someone a
piece of her mind. Might as well be Piper. "Hey!" She yelled at her
ex-friend.
Piper arched an eyebrow at who was calling her name. Oh great. Piper
turned around to see Dinah. Her day had been going so well, why did it
have to go wrong now?
"Yeah, thanks for stopping," Dinah said sarcastically, reaching her after
a brief jog.
"You're not welcome," Piper returned with the same sarcasm.
"Real mature. You and your boyfriend are a perfect match," Dinah shot
back.
Piper rolled her eyes and turned to walk off. She didn't particularly want
to deal with Dinah. "Don't ruin my good day, Dinah, it's enough I have to
see you."
"Wait a minute," Dinah said grabbing the hem of Piper's jacket. "I haven't
said what I wanted to say yet. And you are going to stand there and listen
to me."
"Get your hand off me," Piper growled, slapping Dinah's hand away. Dinah
now brought out sides in Piper that Piper had never known she possessed.
"And I'm not going to stand here and listen to a damn word you say because
I don't have to and I don't want to. I don't even care what you say or
what you think so you might as well not waste your breath." Piper again
turned to walk off and if Dinah grabbed her again, Piper had a feeling she
might resort to something she couldn't control.
"I'm going to whether you like it or not! I suppose you're happy that your
creep boyfriend broke Noah's ribs?" Dinah said tagging along beside her.
"Excuse me? Your boyfriend." Oh, that left a bad taste in her mouth.
"Broke my boyfriend's nose and your boyfriend started it." And Piper was
tempted to break Dinah's nose, that was how much she despised Dinah now,
enough to resort to violence...of course, Piper couldn't break anything in
someone if she tried, but it relieved some tension just to think it.
"No he didn't. Take your head out of your ass and think about what you
just said!" Dinah snapped, her temper getting the best of her. "Noah
started it? That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Noah has never
ever hurt anyone without be provoked. You should know that."
A broken nose and a rib were two completely different things and Piper
knew that. She knew Noah wouldn't fight if not provoked, too. She had
thought that from the first time Chase said anything. Piper would rather
talk to Noah than Dinah any day, just looking at Dinah now disgusted her.
How could anyone do such a thing? If it had been Dinah who fell in love
with Noah first, Piper would never have touched him no matter how much she
liked him. But, Dinah, selfish bitch that she was didn't care. She
sacrificed friendship for a guy, another girlfriends for life rule broken.
"I can't even stand to look at you," Piper said finally, her voice was low
and calm, but hostility trembled just beneath the surface. "Bye, Dinah."
This time, Piper pulled some headphones over her head, completely
discarding the conversation with that movement. She stuffed her hands in
her pockets, turned up Alien Ant Farm as loud as it would go and walked
off.
Scene 2:
"You're asking me to leave?" Morgan blinked again. Gwen was really
starting to tire of his puppy dog expressions when his feelings were hurt.
"I'm not asking, I'm telling," she replied coldly, picking up her purse.
"Hallie heard us mention Isabelle. I don't want her to find out. I'm very
sorry darling, but you have to leave. And not let Hallie contact you
again."
"It's not my fault," he started to protest, but Gwen held up a hand to
silence him.
"I never said that it was, Morgan. But the fact remains that you like your
liquor and you have a loose tongue when you drink. You're a liability just
now. Please, Morgan, I'll pay for a lovely cruise in the Mediterranean if
you just leave now." He eyed her suspiciously for a moment before nodding
his head. "Good. Now go pack. I'll have Arthur take you to the airport.
Once you get back to New York, don't answer the phone. I'll be up to see
you before Hallie's wedding and we'll settle on your vacation, all right?"
"I've kept your secret for a long time Gwen. I'm insulted that you would
think I would give it up now."
"I'm sorry you feel that way. But the fact remains I have a lot at stake
here. If anyone were to find out, it would upset the balance I've finally
won after all these years. I'm done fighting with people. Everything is
almost as I would wish for them to be. Jamie is here with his family and
he's happy. Jude is here and he's happy. Ellen may not be here but at
least I know she's happy in California. the only thing missing is James
and seeing as how I can't have him back, I think I'll take the children's
happiness as compensation. Be a dear and let me have this, Morgan."
"I'll let you have it, Gwen. I would never try to take anything away from
you. I know what you've been through...what's happened to you. No one
should find out. I only hope sending me away serves your purpose. Isn't
that what I am on this planet for anyway?" He muttered, bitterness
tainting his remarks. He stood and went to the staircase. I'll be gone by
the time you get back," he added dramatically.
Gwen rolled her eyes and left the house. Morgan was a dear friend but he
really was an old queen at times. Far too sensitive. This was for the
best. Hallie could never find out what had happened so long ago. It would
tear Gwen's family apart and she would never allow that. She would die
first.
Scene 3:
Four Winds. Just hearing the name of her family home made her dread going
home again. But home was where she had to go right now, Ellen Mason
reminded herself. She owed Hallie that much. She checked into a hotel
rather than staying at Four Winds. Too much hassle to stay there, she had
told herself. A hotel would be much easier. Actually, it was a bed and
breakfast, but who was really going to care whether it was a hotel or not?
No one. She chose her B&B for proximity. It was within walking distance of
downtown right on the edge of the historical district. Perfect location.
Stepping out into the brisk autumn night, she was reminded though, of how
much she loved her hometown. Quiet and peaceful, almost too picturesque,
Conlan's Glen was ideal for small town life without the small town. If her
mother didn't still live here, Ellen doubted she'd ever leave. She turned
down Crown Road and headed into the heart of Conlan's Glen. The leaves
were turning bright shades of red and yellow and even some orange. Above
her, the sun dipped below the horizon, turning the sky a fabulous shade of
pink and purple. If only California looked more like this, she would be
happy to stay there.
She took her time, strolling by storefronts and gazing at their window
displays. She paused at Tia Rosa's to inspect a unique black cocktail
dress with a gather of white roses at the waist displayed in the window.
She made a mental note to come back again for a closer look before turning
back to her trek to Connie's and Hallie's bridal shower. Marlene's Bakery
was at the corner of Crown and Main and if she hadn't dawdled outside of
Tia Rosa's, she would have missed him completely. Jory Conlan exited the
bakery, just as she hit the front door. Turning a brilliant shade of red,
that she prayed he couldn't see in the waning light, Ellen paused long
enough to greet him properly.
"Hello, Jory. How are you?" She asked formally. Jory juggled the box in
his hands, balancing it quickly, obviously as much surprised by her
presence as she was his.
"Ellen. I didn't expect to see you here," he replied. "But then, I guess
you would be here for the bridal shower. Is that where you're heading?"
"Yes. I think I'm a little late," she added, glancing at her watch.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Jory answered, suppressing a smile.
"Hallie's not even there yet. Well come on, I'm heading there myself.
Might as well keep you company." Ellen flushed again, but let him pick up
his stride next to her. It was only a block, she reminded herself. Just
don't say something stupid. "When did you get into town?" Jory asked,
making conversation.
"Oh...last night. I'm staying at a Bed & Breakfast off of Lee Boulevard."
"That's quite a walk. Why not stay at Four Winds? It's probably big enough
for one more person," Jory added.
"Long story. So is this cake for the shower?"
"Yes. I was tricked into picking it up. But once it's delivered, you won't
see me again. Last place I want to be is at Hallie's bridal shower." The
last wasn't meant for her ears, but she picked it up anyway.
"You don't like her do you?" Ellen asked with a grin. "It's okay, I mean,
there are a lot of people who think she's self-centered and childish. But
Hallie really isn't that bad. A product of the environment, really. It's
sad, but you know that House. It makes everyone in it nuts."
"Present company included?"
"Well...yeah to an extent. It's sort of why I'm not there."
"Fair enough," Jory remarked as they hit Connie's. "You wouldn't want to
take this cake inside with you, would you? Maura will be happy to see it
no matter who brings it. Please? If you do, I'll...I'll buy you lunch. Is
it a deal?"
Ellen nodded, relieved that she hadn't made an ass of herself yet again.
Jory was a pleasant enough man. Good looking too, she added somewhere in
the back of her head. Who knows what could happen? Stop that! "Okay, you
know where to find me," she said taking the cake from him. He waved at her
before running to a car parked on in front of the building and climbing
behind the wheel. Yes, who knew what could happen.
Scene 4:
There was a small risk in letting Stephen drive her back to Conlan's Glen.
But Hallie wasn't thinking about the risks just now. She was more
concerned with the fall foliage and the romantic evening she and Stephen
had shared. It was more than likely her last night like that before she
married Luke. He was a dear but not a romantic at all. She knew being with
Stephen right now was probably a mistake, but she didn't care. She didn't
regret a moment of it.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Stephen asked, interrupting her thoughts. She
turned back to him, smiling gently.
"I don't think they're worth that much," she replied, taking in his
unkempt appearance, the product of a hurried departure. After all, she had
to be back for her own bridal shower. Not that she was in much of a mood
for it after her disappointing venture to Savannah. "You're awfully quiet
too. Thinking about something deep and meaningful?"
"I suppose," he replied, keeping his eyes fastened to the road before him.
"I was wondering when you were planning on asking me if I found out your
aunt's dirty little secret."
Hallie sighed. She had wondered when he would bring that little issue up.
Truth be told, she had avoided the subject out of guilt. She didn't think
Stephen would take her challenge seriously, but apparently he had.
"Did you?" She asked giving him a pointed gaze that he ignored.
"Maybe I did," he replied.
"Did you?" Hallie repeated.
"I know you went to see one Isabelle Allen in Savannah. And I also know
that the Isabelle you saw was not the real Isabelle Allen."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, you said that Isabelle was a heavy woman with jet black hair and
garish make-up, right?" She nodded in reply. "Well, it just so happens,
that the real Isabelle has let her hair go gray, is petite and slender and
quite a southern lady. Now, it doesn't take a genius to know that she
obviously had a stand in for your little meeting. You, yourself, said her
information was pitiful. I'd say Isabelle has something to lose as well,
should you find out Gwen's secret that is," he added.
Hallie turned his revelation over in her head. It made sense that she was
a phony. No acquaintance of Gwen's would be seen as that woman had been.
And if she was her phony than the ridiculous story about Gwen being
pregnant when she married Uncle James was a phony as well. Of course,
Hallie had figured as much on that one. It didn't take a brain surgeon to
figure out that Jamie had been born an entire year after their wedding.
She chewed her lip, lost in thought. Isabelle had sent someone in her
place. Isabelle was afraid of Hallie...as was Gwen. Did Gwen know about
her visit to Savannah? Hallie had to assume she did. This was all getting
a little more complicated every day.
"Okay, so I didn't meet the infamous Isabelle Allen. What else? Do you
know what Gwen is hiding?"
"No, I don't," Stephen replied, his face going stony for a moment before
relaxing again. "But I do know that Gwen is sending Morgan Birch away.
Apparently he knows the whole story. Whatever her secret is, it happened
before she and your uncle even got married."
"Well, you seem to know quite a bit," Hallie said eyeing him suspiciously.
He had gotten that from someone close to Gwen and the only person who knew
Gwen's plans was... The thought made her turn red with anger. He wouldn't!
In a tight, controlled voice, she asked, "How is Maggie anyway?"
"Don't do this Hallie. How does it matter how I got the information? I got
it didn't I?" Stephen remarked calmly. Hallie stared at him in disbelief.
His affair with Maggie had ruined them the first time and here he was
using her again? Unbelievable. "The reason I went to Maggie should be
obvious, Hallie. Don't punish me for doing something that will help you."
"Did you sleep with her?" Hallie demanded.
"That isn't any of your business, but no, I did not."
"I don't believe you!" She stormed. She should have known better. Stephen
had always tried to play her like a fool. She had tried her best to steer
clear of him, but had weakened lately. Well, no more. She would commit
herself to Luke from this moment on, she told herself. Stephen had
betrayed her for the last time. She turned her head to stare out the
window in tense silence. Let him have Maggie Stewart. Who ever wanted such
a mealy mouthed wimp like her anyway? She thought Stephen had more taste
than that!
"Hallie? Knock it off. Your wounded routine isn't going to work this time.
I didn't sleep with Maggie so quit acting self-righteous. Besides, you
have no room to judge me. You're the one having an affair on your fiancé.
I didn't do anything but take her out to dinner. Okay?"
"Fine," she snapped, twisting in her seat to face him to deliver one last
comment. "But you still didn't find out Gwen's secret. I'm afraid that
you'll just have to watch as I marry Luke Conlan in three weeks." She
smiled, but the smile was bitter and spiteful.
The car came to a lurching stop, brakes squealing on the asphalt. Stephen
turned to her, his eyes blazing dangerously. Hallie's heart skipped as his
eyes bore into hers. He unbuckled his seat belt and leaned forward into
her.
"If you touch me...so help me God, Stephen, I'll scream bloody murder,"
she told him through clenched teeth.
"Get over yourself," he growled, reaching beyond her to open her door.
"Get out."
"What?" She blinked. He couldn't possibly be serious.
"I said get out. I don't need your judgment on me, Hallie. I did what I
did to help you. I didn't sleep with her but you are intent on using me as
only you can. Well, not this time. You go on and marry Luke Conlan. I
won't stop you. But when you're bored with him and want something a little
more...interesting, don't bother calling. Now get out." With a slight push
from Stephen, her door swung open. She stumbled from the car, too stunned
to protest. He pulled the door shut and left her standing by the road to
watch him drive away in surprise. |