Saturday, March 13, 2004
Alex quickly composes herself before heading into Waterstone. The last time she was here she witnessed a terrible crime of the attempted murder of the drag performer Miss "Busty" Bouchet. Alex sighs heavily.
This is for Brayen. I have to show him that I still care for him deeply.
As she enters the building, she is shocked to find Denver at the bar with her neighbor, Skyler, who invited her. She moves swiftly towards the two without them noticing and ends up right behind Denver. Alex notices Skyler wink at her as he excuses himself to find Hawke.
"Can a woman buy her little brother a drink?"
Denver turns around quickly.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Skyler invited me thinking I would want to apologize to both you and Brayen.'
Denver is moved at the compassion shown by Skyler inviting his sister.
"So do you think you can forgive me?"
"After all that we've been through how could I not?"
The two embrace with a hug of understanding and love.
"So where's this drink you're buying me?"
Alex punches her brother's arm while she attempts to get the attention of the bartender. Just as the woman turns around, Alex can't help but let her face go from normal to pale to a bright pink.
"Jason, please, don't let your wife exert herself too much. She still needs to take it very easy."
"Weston, I understand completely. So we will see you again next week?"
"Yes, have a good night."
"Thank you."
Weston walks away from the closing door, pondering his situation.
How did I ever get myself into this? I have to earn the trust and respect of the Stone heirs and take advantage of the only woman I've ever loved and her child.
He sighs deeply as he starts his car to drive to his next destination.
As Jason returns to the living room, he is annoyed that Kathryn has disappeared yet again. The feeling dissipates quickly as he notices his wife gliding down the stairs in her sexiest negligee. Slight concern is heard in Jason's voice.
"Buddy, you know the doctor said to not exert yourself. Why don't you just come sit down?"
"Oh, c'mon now, you know I'm perfectly allowed to exert myself a little bit."
Kathryn brushes her lips against Jason's, slowly backing him towards the couch.
Besides, your father is gone for the night. I figured we could have a romantic night in front of the TV."
She pushes her husband down on the couch.
"Buddy! What are you doing? We can't…"
"Shhh… I'm perfectly fine and it's been over a month since… well… you know."
Kathryn gives him a devilish grin then kisses Jason with a passion unmatched from any other time in their relationship.
Claire turns her head to look at the alarm clock from the couch in front of her TV.
I can't believe it's only 10:45 and I'm already home. Why does mom have to have this 11 o'clock curfew on a Saturday night? We're 16; you'd think we could at least get a 12 or 12:30…
Claire is startled by the sound of her brother's door closing. Out of curiosity and boredom, she decides to open her door to look down the hall. The light to Colby's room is off, but she can see the faint glow of his TV under the door. She tiptoes down the hall to put her ear on her brother's door. Hearing nothing but the hum of the TV, she quietly returns to her room. Claire briefly notices a flash of headlights come from the street. On any other night she would have disregarded it as a car driving by, but tonight, boredom was making her antsy. Looking out her window, Claire notices a dark shape running towards her house. She quickly turns off her TV to listen closely. Claire hears a very faint thud… then a giggle… then her eyes widen as she watches two figures running away from the house.
What the hell? Is that Colby?
Sensing her opportunity, Claire opens her door to run down the stairs to the kitchen where he mother is standing.
"Mom!"
This is for Brayen. I have to show him that I still care for him deeply.
As she enters the building, she is shocked to find Denver at the bar with her neighbor, Skyler, who invited her. She moves swiftly towards the two without them noticing and ends up right behind Denver. Alex notices Skyler wink at her as he excuses himself to find Hawke.
"Can a woman buy her little brother a drink?"
Denver turns around quickly.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Skyler invited me thinking I would want to apologize to both you and Brayen.'
Denver is moved at the compassion shown by Skyler inviting his sister.
"So do you think you can forgive me?"
"After all that we've been through how could I not?"
The two embrace with a hug of understanding and love.
"So where's this drink you're buying me?"
Alex punches her brother's arm while she attempts to get the attention of the bartender. Just as the woman turns around, Alex can't help but let her face go from normal to pale to a bright pink.
"Jason, please, don't let your wife exert herself too much. She still needs to take it very easy."
"Weston, I understand completely. So we will see you again next week?"
"Yes, have a good night."
"Thank you."
Weston walks away from the closing door, pondering his situation.
How did I ever get myself into this? I have to earn the trust and respect of the Stone heirs and take advantage of the only woman I've ever loved and her child.
He sighs deeply as he starts his car to drive to his next destination.
As Jason returns to the living room, he is annoyed that Kathryn has disappeared yet again. The feeling dissipates quickly as he notices his wife gliding down the stairs in her sexiest negligee. Slight concern is heard in Jason's voice.
"Buddy, you know the doctor said to not exert yourself. Why don't you just come sit down?"
"Oh, c'mon now, you know I'm perfectly allowed to exert myself a little bit."
Kathryn brushes her lips against Jason's, slowly backing him towards the couch.
Besides, your father is gone for the night. I figured we could have a romantic night in front of the TV."
She pushes her husband down on the couch.
"Buddy! What are you doing? We can't…"
"Shhh… I'm perfectly fine and it's been over a month since… well… you know."
Kathryn gives him a devilish grin then kisses Jason with a passion unmatched from any other time in their relationship.
Claire turns her head to look at the alarm clock from the couch in front of her TV.
I can't believe it's only 10:45 and I'm already home. Why does mom have to have this 11 o'clock curfew on a Saturday night? We're 16; you'd think we could at least get a 12 or 12:30…
Claire is startled by the sound of her brother's door closing. Out of curiosity and boredom, she decides to open her door to look down the hall. The light to Colby's room is off, but she can see the faint glow of his TV under the door. She tiptoes down the hall to put her ear on her brother's door. Hearing nothing but the hum of the TV, she quietly returns to her room. Claire briefly notices a flash of headlights come from the street. On any other night she would have disregarded it as a car driving by, but tonight, boredom was making her antsy. Looking out her window, Claire notices a dark shape running towards her house. She quickly turns off her TV to listen closely. Claire hears a very faint thud… then a giggle… then her eyes widen as she watches two figures running away from the house.
What the hell? Is that Colby?
Sensing her opportunity, Claire opens her door to run down the stairs to the kitchen where he mother is standing.
"Mom!"
Friday, March 12, 2004
"What are you doing!?"
Kathryn turns around quickly at the sound of the doctor's excitement.
"Dr. Scott, please, calm down."
"Ms. Stone, Kathryn, you should not be walking around yet.
Weston rushes over to his patient to help her into a chair.
"Dr. Scott, I…"
"Call me Weston."
"Weston, I feel great. I've been walking around, took a dip in the pool, and I even went into the office today."
"Kathryn, I understand this, but I still want you to take it easy. You were dead for 30 minutes. I don't think a month later is a good time to return to normal activity."
At this comment, Jason buts in.
"See, Buddy, I told you you should still be taking it easy. Let's put you in front of the TV and I'll go get us a movie for tonight."
"Fine… fine."
Kathryn directs her attention to Weston.
"Thank you for stopping by. When shall we expect you next?"
"I'll come by in a week to check on your progress. Till then please, please, take it easy."
Kathryn bids the doctor farewell as Jason walks Weston out of the room and to the door.
Take it easy. Why do I need to take it easy? I'm perfectly fine already, well at least very close.
With a devious look, Kathryn rushes up the stairs.
Nicole creeps down the stairs as quietly as she can. With so little of their stuff unpacked, every step seems to be as loud as a banging hammer echoing in a cave. As she reaches the floor, she notices the TV still on in the living room. Nicole pauses just long enough to realize her husband is asleep while the TV blares the opening monologue of an SNL rerun on Comedy Central. She swiftly moves to her husband’s side and kneels in front of him. Lightly running her fingers through his hair, she mumbles something hardly audible.
''Blair, my darling, when are we going to resolve this? It’s not his fault, it’s not our fault, it’s no one’s fault. There have been many studies that link hom…''
As Nicole continues, she raises her head and stares into space, not noticing her husband open his eyes. Softly, his lips brush her passing hand. Nicole stops suddenly as Blair whispers.
"Honey, we will get through this. I just need time to adjust."
Skyler and Hawke sit at the bar, joking about people that were in theirs lives years ago, while waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. The two notice Denver try to slip through the door unnoticed. As he tries to take his steps towards the bar, the door flies open and clips his foot knocking him over. The two at the bar can't help but laugh as Denver picks himself up. The beautiful, tall, blonde woman who caused the fall doesn't even acknowledge the now blushing Denver as she makes her way from the door to the back office behind one of the bars. Skyler and Hawke continue to laugh as Denver approaches them.
"Damn, girl, she just knocked you over like you were on a pair of 8-inch spikes."
Skyler laughs at Hawke's comment.
"Stop it guys, I'm already embarrassed enough as it is."
As the two continue to laugh, the woman returns from the office and looks at the three guys from behind the bar.
"Hey boys, what can I get you this evening?"
"Other than the dignity of my friend, Denver here, we are just fine."
"Oh? What's wrong with you?"
"Well you knocked me over when you came in."
"Oh, sweetie, I was wondering what you were doing on the floor. How about a drink on me for you and your friends? The name's Jersey."
Kathryn turns around quickly at the sound of the doctor's excitement.
"Dr. Scott, please, calm down."
"Ms. Stone, Kathryn, you should not be walking around yet.
Weston rushes over to his patient to help her into a chair.
"Dr. Scott, I…"
"Call me Weston."
"Weston, I feel great. I've been walking around, took a dip in the pool, and I even went into the office today."
"Kathryn, I understand this, but I still want you to take it easy. You were dead for 30 minutes. I don't think a month later is a good time to return to normal activity."
At this comment, Jason buts in.
"See, Buddy, I told you you should still be taking it easy. Let's put you in front of the TV and I'll go get us a movie for tonight."
"Fine… fine."
Kathryn directs her attention to Weston.
"Thank you for stopping by. When shall we expect you next?"
"I'll come by in a week to check on your progress. Till then please, please, take it easy."
Kathryn bids the doctor farewell as Jason walks Weston out of the room and to the door.
Take it easy. Why do I need to take it easy? I'm perfectly fine already, well at least very close.
With a devious look, Kathryn rushes up the stairs.
Nicole creeps down the stairs as quietly as she can. With so little of their stuff unpacked, every step seems to be as loud as a banging hammer echoing in a cave. As she reaches the floor, she notices the TV still on in the living room. Nicole pauses just long enough to realize her husband is asleep while the TV blares the opening monologue of an SNL rerun on Comedy Central. She swiftly moves to her husband’s side and kneels in front of him. Lightly running her fingers through his hair, she mumbles something hardly audible.
''Blair, my darling, when are we going to resolve this? It’s not his fault, it’s not our fault, it’s no one’s fault. There have been many studies that link hom…''
As Nicole continues, she raises her head and stares into space, not noticing her husband open his eyes. Softly, his lips brush her passing hand. Nicole stops suddenly as Blair whispers.
"Honey, we will get through this. I just need time to adjust."
Skyler and Hawke sit at the bar, joking about people that were in theirs lives years ago, while waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. The two notice Denver try to slip through the door unnoticed. As he tries to take his steps towards the bar, the door flies open and clips his foot knocking him over. The two at the bar can't help but laugh as Denver picks himself up. The beautiful, tall, blonde woman who caused the fall doesn't even acknowledge the now blushing Denver as she makes her way from the door to the back office behind one of the bars. Skyler and Hawke continue to laugh as Denver approaches them.
"Damn, girl, she just knocked you over like you were on a pair of 8-inch spikes."
Skyler laughs at Hawke's comment.
"Stop it guys, I'm already embarrassed enough as it is."
As the two continue to laugh, the woman returns from the office and looks at the three guys from behind the bar.
"Hey boys, what can I get you this evening?"
"Other than the dignity of my friend, Denver here, we are just fine."
"Oh? What's wrong with you?"
"Well you knocked me over when you came in."
"Oh, sweetie, I was wondering what you were doing on the floor. How about a drink on me for you and your friends? The name's Jersey."
Yes, it's true! I'm currently writing season 2 of Drags to Riches! Starting with March 12, 2004 as episode 1, there should be a new post every day or two. Isn't this exciting?! Yes I realize it is November of 2005 but I can't just jump over a year and a half in their lives, that would make writing the story difficult. :)
Thursday, March 11, 2004
"Hello?"
"Hey Claire."
"Colby where the hell have you been?"
"Dude, I've been in the mall."
Claire gets silent. She might as well just let the scene she just witnessed go unmentioned.
"I must have missed you."
"Well, I'm waiting around by the food court. Want to come get something to eat with me?"
"Sure."
Nervously, Weston approaches the door to the Stone Mansion. He had been directed to make house calls to one of his patients, Kathryn Stone. As he rings the doorbell, Weston wonders how he will push his way into the trust of the Stone family.
"Oh, hello Dr. Scott."
"Jason, how do you do?"
"Fine but what are you doing here?"
"Well. I've been instructed by the hospital to make a few house calls to ensure that your wife is okay. May I come in to see her?"
"Hmmm, sure come on in."
The doctor quickly notices the spacious living standards of the mansion.
"Wow this is amazing. So where is Kathryn?"
"Just in the other room."
As Weston enters the room to which Jason pointed, he is horrified by the sight.
Alex decides to leave the office early today. As she is leaving the building she bumps into a sultry woman a little younger than herself. Alex blushes a little at the accident.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
The woman nods to confirm it was just an accident then walks off. Alex ponders on the event in her car.
What was that all about? I blushed, can I ran into a woman? But, she was attractive; women can find other women attractive. Why didn't she talk to me though?
"Hey Claire."
"Colby where the hell have you been?"
"Dude, I've been in the mall."
Claire gets silent. She might as well just let the scene she just witnessed go unmentioned.
"I must have missed you."
"Well, I'm waiting around by the food court. Want to come get something to eat with me?"
"Sure."
Nervously, Weston approaches the door to the Stone Mansion. He had been directed to make house calls to one of his patients, Kathryn Stone. As he rings the doorbell, Weston wonders how he will push his way into the trust of the Stone family.
"Oh, hello Dr. Scott."
"Jason, how do you do?"
"Fine but what are you doing here?"
"Well. I've been instructed by the hospital to make a few house calls to ensure that your wife is okay. May I come in to see her?"
"Hmmm, sure come on in."
The doctor quickly notices the spacious living standards of the mansion.
"Wow this is amazing. So where is Kathryn?"
"Just in the other room."
As Weston enters the room to which Jason pointed, he is horrified by the sight.
Alex decides to leave the office early today. As she is leaving the building she bumps into a sultry woman a little younger than herself. Alex blushes a little at the accident.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
The woman nods to confirm it was just an accident then walks off. Alex ponders on the event in her car.
What was that all about? I blushed, can I ran into a woman? But, she was attractive; women can find other women attractive. Why didn't she talk to me though?
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Claire enters the mall expecting to find her brother.
He should have gotten off about 30 minutes ago, so he must be around here someplace.
She makes her way to Colby's place of work, doesn't find him, so decides to roam the mall in hopes of randomly running into him. A half hour and a walk through the entire mall pass and yet she still cannot find her brother. Irritated that she saw his car when she came in but still can't find him, she tries to call Colby.
Colby and Denver lie in bed holding each other.
"Colby that was amazing."
Denver turns around to look at the blonde. He only now notices such young features on the young man's face. The moment is interrupted by the ring of Colby's phone. Reaching over, he grabs his phone, then jumps out of bed.
"Crap. It's my sister, she's probably looking for me at the mall. You have to take me back."
"Okay, calm down. Let me just put some clothes on, which might not be a bad idea for you either, and then we can go."
The two quickly dress then head out the door. Once in the car, Denver ponders on Colby's actions and looks.
"Colby, how old are you?"
Braxton, Octavia, and Joyce walk into the club. Joyce still feels uneasy about the place since the injury she obtained only months ago. Braxton comforts his mother as Octavia directs the movers to unload Busty's performance wardrobe backstage. She moves back to the other two.
"Now, sugar, I've made the backstage a bit bigger to conform to your needs. There's a dressing room and space to practice anything you want. There's workout equipment so you don't have to go to a gym. Everything you need is here, backstage. Consider it like a second home to the new penthouse. Oh, and if there is anything you need that is not back there, just let me or anyone working this place know."
"Octavia this is wonderful. Thank you."
He embraces her just as two friends wander in.
"Braxton!"
"Hey you two, this is my aunt, Octavia Bouchet. Octavia this is Skyler Sterling and Hawke Stone."
"Well it's very nice to meet you two."
The two say their greetings and drag Braxton away from the others.
"So everything is ready?"
Colby stares at Denver for a moment.
"I'm 18. I'm just finishing up my senior year of high school."
Colby quickly looks away in hopes that Denver cannot tell he is lying.
"Okay good, for a minute there I thought you might be younger than that. I apologize."
Colby forces a smile as they enter the mall parking lot. The car stops and Colby opens the door. Denver grabs his arm.
"Hold on a second... it was nice to meet you."
Colby looks back at Denver's smiling face.
"It was great to meet you too. We should do this again sometime. Here's my phone number."
Denver quickly types the number into his phone and gives Colby a peck on the cheek. Hoping that no one saw that, Colby leaves the car. Denver drives off and Colby walks in the building.
From across the parking lot, Claire watches as her brother leaves the car of a guy who must be a few years older than the two of them. She notes this as more suspicious behavior. She is startled by the sound of her phone.
He should have gotten off about 30 minutes ago, so he must be around here someplace.
She makes her way to Colby's place of work, doesn't find him, so decides to roam the mall in hopes of randomly running into him. A half hour and a walk through the entire mall pass and yet she still cannot find her brother. Irritated that she saw his car when she came in but still can't find him, she tries to call Colby.
Colby and Denver lie in bed holding each other.
"Colby that was amazing."
Denver turns around to look at the blonde. He only now notices such young features on the young man's face. The moment is interrupted by the ring of Colby's phone. Reaching over, he grabs his phone, then jumps out of bed.
"Crap. It's my sister, she's probably looking for me at the mall. You have to take me back."
"Okay, calm down. Let me just put some clothes on, which might not be a bad idea for you either, and then we can go."
The two quickly dress then head out the door. Once in the car, Denver ponders on Colby's actions and looks.
"Colby, how old are you?"
Braxton, Octavia, and Joyce walk into the club. Joyce still feels uneasy about the place since the injury she obtained only months ago. Braxton comforts his mother as Octavia directs the movers to unload Busty's performance wardrobe backstage. She moves back to the other two.
"Now, sugar, I've made the backstage a bit bigger to conform to your needs. There's a dressing room and space to practice anything you want. There's workout equipment so you don't have to go to a gym. Everything you need is here, backstage. Consider it like a second home to the new penthouse. Oh, and if there is anything you need that is not back there, just let me or anyone working this place know."
"Octavia this is wonderful. Thank you."
He embraces her just as two friends wander in.
"Braxton!"
"Hey you two, this is my aunt, Octavia Bouchet. Octavia this is Skyler Sterling and Hawke Stone."
"Well it's very nice to meet you two."
The two say their greetings and drag Braxton away from the others.
"So everything is ready?"
Colby stares at Denver for a moment.
"I'm 18. I'm just finishing up my senior year of high school."
Colby quickly looks away in hopes that Denver cannot tell he is lying.
"Okay good, for a minute there I thought you might be younger than that. I apologize."
Colby forces a smile as they enter the mall parking lot. The car stops and Colby opens the door. Denver grabs his arm.
"Hold on a second... it was nice to meet you."
Colby looks back at Denver's smiling face.
"It was great to meet you too. We should do this again sometime. Here's my phone number."
Denver quickly types the number into his phone and gives Colby a peck on the cheek. Hoping that no one saw that, Colby leaves the car. Denver drives off and Colby walks in the building.
From across the parking lot, Claire watches as her brother leaves the car of a guy who must be a few years older than the two of them. She notes this as more suspicious behavior. She is startled by the sound of her phone.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
After browsing through a couple stores Denver heads to the food court. He waits patiently for the young blonde. After a few more minutes, he notices the eye candy strutting towards him.
"I got off a bit early."
"Oh do you now?"
Denver chuckles lightly at his attempt to flirt with a joke. Colby stares at him.
"Nevermind. So how do you like working in there?"
"Oh, it's great. I love the discount. Buy almost everything there."
Colby takes a twirl as Denver whistles.
"So are you looking to get something to eat, Colby was it?"
"Right, Denver?"
"Yeah."
"No, I've decided I'm not really hungry. Is there anything else we can do?"
Denver looks into Colby's eyes and sees a fire of some sort.
"You wanna just go catch a movie at my place?"
"Sounds good."
Blair opens the door to his house just to notice his wife staring into the empty TV.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"We need to talk about Denver sometime. It's been two weeks, and we haven't said a word to each other."
"Look there's nothing I want to talk about."
Blair hangs his coat in the closet and rests his briefcase on the desk. Ready to hurry off to change to more comfortable clothes, he notices Nicole's face in agony.
"Look there's nothing I can do. I'm just no comfortable with having a child like that."
"Like what? It's not his fault! He was heartbroken when we kicked him out. I miss him already even though I wouldn't normally see him in two weeks. We have to talk to him sometime."
"I just don't think I can."
"Fine, looks like you're sleeping down here tonight."
Nicole picks herself up and hurries upstairs while Blair stares at his wife in disbelief. This is not going to be easy to overcome.
"Braxton have you packed everything?"
"Yes mom."
He was getting slightly annoyed with the constant reminders from his mother. Even though his manager, Braxton becomes annoyed with her motherly habits. Octavia graciously arrives at just the right time bearing help as well. Braxton eyes them carefully.
"Now sugar, let the boys take care of that."
Grabbing the suitcases, Braxton can't help but notice the bulge of muscles on each man's arm. Octavia whispers in his ear.
"Think your old aunt doesn't have any taste?"
Braxton smiles then checks the clock one last time which was conveniently hiding behind one of the movers' butt.
"Octavia, we have to hurry! We need to move this stuff to the penthouse then get ready for the club. It's opening night isn't it?"
"Sugar, calm down. We'll be there."
Denver pops The Broken Hearts Club into the VCR.
"Yeah, it's my sister's place but I'm moving in with her soon. Well at least I think I am. She's at work for another couple hours or so."
"You think you're moving in?"
"Long story, you don't want to hear about it."
"You're right."
Colby moves close to Denver, looks into his eyes for a few moments, then kisses him feverishly.
"I got off a bit early."
"Oh do you now?"
Denver chuckles lightly at his attempt to flirt with a joke. Colby stares at him.
"Nevermind. So how do you like working in there?"
"Oh, it's great. I love the discount. Buy almost everything there."
Colby takes a twirl as Denver whistles.
"So are you looking to get something to eat, Colby was it?"
"Right, Denver?"
"Yeah."
"No, I've decided I'm not really hungry. Is there anything else we can do?"
Denver looks into Colby's eyes and sees a fire of some sort.
"You wanna just go catch a movie at my place?"
"Sounds good."
Blair opens the door to his house just to notice his wife staring into the empty TV.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"We need to talk about Denver sometime. It's been two weeks, and we haven't said a word to each other."
"Look there's nothing I want to talk about."
Blair hangs his coat in the closet and rests his briefcase on the desk. Ready to hurry off to change to more comfortable clothes, he notices Nicole's face in agony.
"Look there's nothing I can do. I'm just no comfortable with having a child like that."
"Like what? It's not his fault! He was heartbroken when we kicked him out. I miss him already even though I wouldn't normally see him in two weeks. We have to talk to him sometime."
"I just don't think I can."
"Fine, looks like you're sleeping down here tonight."
Nicole picks herself up and hurries upstairs while Blair stares at his wife in disbelief. This is not going to be easy to overcome.
"Braxton have you packed everything?"
"Yes mom."
He was getting slightly annoyed with the constant reminders from his mother. Even though his manager, Braxton becomes annoyed with her motherly habits. Octavia graciously arrives at just the right time bearing help as well. Braxton eyes them carefully.
"Now sugar, let the boys take care of that."
Grabbing the suitcases, Braxton can't help but notice the bulge of muscles on each man's arm. Octavia whispers in his ear.
"Think your old aunt doesn't have any taste?"
Braxton smiles then checks the clock one last time which was conveniently hiding behind one of the movers' butt.
"Octavia, we have to hurry! We need to move this stuff to the penthouse then get ready for the club. It's opening night isn't it?"
"Sugar, calm down. We'll be there."
Denver pops The Broken Hearts Club into the VCR.
"Yeah, it's my sister's place but I'm moving in with her soon. Well at least I think I am. She's at work for another couple hours or so."
"You think you're moving in?"
"Long story, you don't want to hear about it."
"You're right."
Colby moves close to Denver, looks into his eyes for a few moments, then kisses him feverishly.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Kathryn rides the elevator to the top floor of the building. It has been a long time since she has taken the ascent. She tries to remember the last time she was up here. Was it a month, two? The elevator dings and slows. Kathryn can hear her heart beating in her ears as the doors open.
"SURPRISE!"
Kathryn is startled at the office staff in party attire. In the middle of it all stands her husband and her father-in-law.
"Did you two do this?"
"I swear it was mostly his idea."
Jason points at his father.
"We're glad to have you back in the office, 'Ms. Owner.'"
"It's good to be back."
Denver wanders the mall in search of something.
What do I get a guy I slept with then haven't talked to for over a week?
He passes by a GAP and decides to check on the clothes they are offering. Denver quickly notices a young, cute blonde folding clothes with a head set on. Denver quickly picks up a piece in his reach with out looking and walks over to the young man.
"Do you think this looks good on me at all?"
The blonde begins to laugh. Denver looks at what he's holding up and notices it's a girls shirt.
"Are you planning on a sex change?"
His face changes from white to red quickly.
"Ha.. ha.. I just wanted to get your attention."
"Ahh, forward I see."
Denver continues to blush as he speaks.
"Well just a bit. You're cute though, how could I resist?"
"Hey my manager is coming back. I get off in about an hour. Can you wait around 'till then?"
"Sure.
"I'll meet you outside the food court. We can get some quick food there."
"Sounds good. My name is Denver by the way."
"Colby."
Alex panics at the sight of Kathryn.
This is it. I'm back to just plain writing again, just as I was getting used to this job. It's perfect.
She hears a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Alex, can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Of course, Ms. Stone."
"Please, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Kathryn."
"Of course, Ms... I mean Kathryn."
Alex's palms are sweaty. The last thing she wanted to do was go back to writing after having this job.
"My father-in-law and I have been discussing the business of this magazine lately. Well, he decided to give the ownership to me, so I would like to keep you as the editor."
"Are you serious?! I mean, thank you."
"Yes, you've done such a great job lately that I can't think of anyone better. Will you join us for dinner later?"
"Oh, I can't tonight. I'm going to a friends birthday get-together at the..."
Alex silences herself as she remembers what happened there.
"Alex, it's okay. I've gotten over my fear of that place. In fact that is where we are heading tonight to see the grand opening.. again. I hear the woman my father-in-law sold the club to added a restaurant extension. So maybe we will see you there and you can join us for just a short while."
"I would love to."
"Hawke, do you have the surprise guests lined up?"
"Haha, you bet I do Skyler."
"Do any of them know about each other?"
"Not at all."
Hawke grins widely.
"Brayen will never expect to see Denver and Alex there together. But wait 'till he sees the last person."
"Hawke you're a genius. So Brayen just thinks it's him, you, me, and Braxton, right?"
"Yup, just a little foursome."
Hawke laughs at his joke.
"To a special surprise."
The two touch martini glasses with a cling, then take a sip.
"SURPRISE!"
Kathryn is startled at the office staff in party attire. In the middle of it all stands her husband and her father-in-law.
"Did you two do this?"
"I swear it was mostly his idea."
Jason points at his father.
"We're glad to have you back in the office, 'Ms. Owner.'"
"It's good to be back."
Denver wanders the mall in search of something.
What do I get a guy I slept with then haven't talked to for over a week?
He passes by a GAP and decides to check on the clothes they are offering. Denver quickly notices a young, cute blonde folding clothes with a head set on. Denver quickly picks up a piece in his reach with out looking and walks over to the young man.
"Do you think this looks good on me at all?"
The blonde begins to laugh. Denver looks at what he's holding up and notices it's a girls shirt.
"Are you planning on a sex change?"
His face changes from white to red quickly.
"Ha.. ha.. I just wanted to get your attention."
"Ahh, forward I see."
Denver continues to blush as he speaks.
"Well just a bit. You're cute though, how could I resist?"
"Hey my manager is coming back. I get off in about an hour. Can you wait around 'till then?"
"Sure.
"I'll meet you outside the food court. We can get some quick food there."
"Sounds good. My name is Denver by the way."
"Colby."
Alex panics at the sight of Kathryn.
This is it. I'm back to just plain writing again, just as I was getting used to this job. It's perfect.
She hears a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Alex, can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Of course, Ms. Stone."
"Please, how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Kathryn."
"Of course, Ms... I mean Kathryn."
Alex's palms are sweaty. The last thing she wanted to do was go back to writing after having this job.
"My father-in-law and I have been discussing the business of this magazine lately. Well, he decided to give the ownership to me, so I would like to keep you as the editor."
"Are you serious?! I mean, thank you."
"Yes, you've done such a great job lately that I can't think of anyone better. Will you join us for dinner later?"
"Oh, I can't tonight. I'm going to a friends birthday get-together at the..."
Alex silences herself as she remembers what happened there.
"Alex, it's okay. I've gotten over my fear of that place. In fact that is where we are heading tonight to see the grand opening.. again. I hear the woman my father-in-law sold the club to added a restaurant extension. So maybe we will see you there and you can join us for just a short while."
"I would love to."
"Hawke, do you have the surprise guests lined up?"
"Haha, you bet I do Skyler."
"Do any of them know about each other?"
"Not at all."
Hawke grins widely.
"Brayen will never expect to see Denver and Alex there together. But wait 'till he sees the last person."
"Hawke you're a genius. So Brayen just thinks it's him, you, me, and Braxton, right?"
"Yup, just a little foursome."
Hawke laughs at his joke.
"To a special surprise."
The two touch martini glasses with a cling, then take a sip.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
"There, we are done. The club is all yours now."
"Mr. Stone it's been a pleasure doing business with you."
"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Bouchet. I hope things go well for you."
The two rise from the bar and bid their farewells. Octavia calls to Braxton who just got off the phone.
"It's official, this is your new performance club."
The two look around the building one last time before they leave.
Joyce marvels at the beauty of downtown Garladine. The streets are lined with renovated ancient buildings littered with giant sky-scrapers. The night-time city is bustling with people moving everywhere with things to do. The lights dazzle in her eyes.
"So Weston, where are we going?"
"Joyce, you haven't changed. You were always this impatient when I knew you long ago."
Joyce blushes at the completion of Weston's comment. He makes a right turn onto another street, then slowly brings the car to a stop. Joyce can hardly believe her eyes.
"Weston! This is the restaurant we ate at the night we..."
Joyce pauses as though slightly ashamed.
"Yes, I know. I brought you here because I thought it might stir your memory of the happy days we used to have together."
Regatta Italiano is one of the finest Italian restaurants in the city of Garladine. Back in the days of Joyce's college years, she and Weston had worked at the restaurant during its time of establishment. The dining had not been so fine back then, but they were there for the job, not the food. Over the years, the food and reputation increased to become the restaurant it is today.
"I hope this choice is okay."
"Of course, it could be more perfect."
Weston takes Joyce's arm and escorts her into the restaurant.
Skyler enters his apartment and not three minutes later, he hears a knock on his door. Quickly throwing his work clothes on his bed, he hurries to answer the door.
"Hawke, what are you doing here so early?"
"Why am I early? Did I have to come in exactly an hour?"
"It would have been nice. I have someone else meeting us."
Braxton pulls into the apartment building parking lot, parks his car, and ascends the stairs to the fourth floor. He walks down the hall to apartment 4305 and knocks softly on the door. A young man, shorter than Skyler answers the door.
"Hi, is Skyler here."
The young man's eyes widen as he realizes who is standing in front of him.
"Yes... yes he is. You're... Bust Bouchet."
"Please, call me Braxton when I'm not in costume."
As the two enter the apartment, Braxton is relieved to see Skyler.
"Hey Braxton. Oh don't mind Hawke, he's just a really big fan of yours."
"A formal introduction then, I'm Braxton Bouchet."
He holds out his hand.
"Hawke Stone."
The two shake.
"Is that in any relation to Alvin Stone?"
"Yes he's my father."
"He just sold his club to my aunt. She is turning it into a permanent performance club for me. I'll be in Garladine for awhile it seems."
Hawke is shocked at the news that his father sold the club, but is more excited about being in the presence of Busty Bouchet.
"So, Braxton, when does the club open?"
"Well, I'm actually doing the grand opening in a few days."
"That's perfect. Can we do Brayen's belated birthday party that night?"
"Skyler, of course."
"Mr. Stone it's been a pleasure doing business with you."
"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Bouchet. I hope things go well for you."
The two rise from the bar and bid their farewells. Octavia calls to Braxton who just got off the phone.
"It's official, this is your new performance club."
The two look around the building one last time before they leave.
Joyce marvels at the beauty of downtown Garladine. The streets are lined with renovated ancient buildings littered with giant sky-scrapers. The night-time city is bustling with people moving everywhere with things to do. The lights dazzle in her eyes.
"So Weston, where are we going?"
"Joyce, you haven't changed. You were always this impatient when I knew you long ago."
Joyce blushes at the completion of Weston's comment. He makes a right turn onto another street, then slowly brings the car to a stop. Joyce can hardly believe her eyes.
"Weston! This is the restaurant we ate at the night we..."
Joyce pauses as though slightly ashamed.
"Yes, I know. I brought you here because I thought it might stir your memory of the happy days we used to have together."
Regatta Italiano is one of the finest Italian restaurants in the city of Garladine. Back in the days of Joyce's college years, she and Weston had worked at the restaurant during its time of establishment. The dining had not been so fine back then, but they were there for the job, not the food. Over the years, the food and reputation increased to become the restaurant it is today.
"I hope this choice is okay."
"Of course, it could be more perfect."
Weston takes Joyce's arm and escorts her into the restaurant.
Skyler enters his apartment and not three minutes later, he hears a knock on his door. Quickly throwing his work clothes on his bed, he hurries to answer the door.
"Hawke, what are you doing here so early?"
"Why am I early? Did I have to come in exactly an hour?"
"It would have been nice. I have someone else meeting us."
Braxton pulls into the apartment building parking lot, parks his car, and ascends the stairs to the fourth floor. He walks down the hall to apartment 4305 and knocks softly on the door. A young man, shorter than Skyler answers the door.
"Hi, is Skyler here."
The young man's eyes widen as he realizes who is standing in front of him.
"Yes... yes he is. You're... Bust Bouchet."
"Please, call me Braxton when I'm not in costume."
As the two enter the apartment, Braxton is relieved to see Skyler.
"Hey Braxton. Oh don't mind Hawke, he's just a really big fan of yours."
"A formal introduction then, I'm Braxton Bouchet."
He holds out his hand.
"Hawke Stone."
The two shake.
"Is that in any relation to Alvin Stone?"
"Yes he's my father."
"He just sold his club to my aunt. She is turning it into a permanent performance club for me. I'll be in Garladine for awhile it seems."
Hawke is shocked at the news that his father sold the club, but is more excited about being in the presence of Busty Bouchet.
"So, Braxton, when does the club open?"
"Well, I'm actually doing the grand opening in a few days."
"That's perfect. Can we do Brayen's belated birthday party that night?"
"Skyler, of course."
