Hey Guys!
Hope you all had an awesome week! Won't keep you too much longer as I know you've all been waiting to see how the game starts up again and let me tell you, you will all see it start again by the end of this chapter with plenty more to come. T.E./Team Evil are at large, but the question is who are/is this Team Evil.
So just quickly getting back to some of you.
DannyBoy7 – Thank you for your nice words. Yes Mel did well standing up to them didn't she? Yes this does mean Debbie is back and you will see more of her soon I can assure you.
Emily.D. – Yes Lauren is a good person to talk to isn't she? Zandra is here to stay, you'll see more on her soon. Yes Team Evil are still around but the question remains as to who is on it this time? Will it be the same people, different people or a combination? Time will tell. Thanks again.
Mdexter2010 – Thanks Mdexter, I'm getting there slowly, but feeling better than I was. Yes it was a good time for them all to get back together wasn't it? I'm glad you liked it. Yes the case will undoubtedly test Andy, we'll see how he goes there for sure. It's interesting how different people have different opinions isn't it? I'm sure she will ultimately decide for herself. Thanks again.
And now, let's now wait in suspense any longer, here it is Chapter 7…
Love Hurts.
Dear Diary,
What can I say? Life has improved immensely since I first arrived here. For one thing the teachers all seem to like me and I'm just doing that well that I'm even being offered extra-curricular work which from what I've heard comes in handy when you face the parole board. Speaking of which I know I'm due to face them in 3 months and I am literally crossing off the days! Nurse Stevens gave me a small calendar which was so nice of her and I circled the day that I'm due to meet them. I finished my latest art work, a painting inspired by my wife, ex wife…semantics who cares right? And I starred in a Telenovela recently for Spanish class, boy am I muy bien! Anyway better get to sleep, who knows what tomorrow will bring. I can't believe I'm saying this while trapped inside a Sanatorium but you know what Diary? Life is actually going well,
Xoxo Linds.
CHAPTER SEVEN – Game back on!
Mel smiled as she thanked the receptionist.
"No, thank you!" she replied raising the coffee Mel had brought in for her. "I've worked here twenty years and nobody has ever brought anything in for me."
"Well there's to life turning around!" Mel smiled.
The receptionist grinned and taking a sip pushed the button to let Mel in. With only 3 months left until Lind's parole to potentially be released from this place she was grateful for one thing. She had decided, regardless of if they would get back together or not, that she had forgiven Lindsay which would instantly make things a heck of a lot easier were she to be released in 3 months.
Passing Nurse Stevens' room, Mel knocked on the door.
"Good morning Mel!" Nurse Steven's smiled. "Nice day isn't it."
Mel smiled back politely. She was beginning to like this woman very much, especially for everything she had done for her ex.
"You know I was just thinking the same thing," Mel smiled taking another coffee from the cup tray and placing it onto her desk. "Gotta keep up those liquids."
"Oh you're a life saver!" Nurse Stevens replied. "I've been chained to my desk all morning and don't see myself getting out of here for at least another couple of hours."
"You're welcome," Mel replied. "And thanks for everything you've done with Linds, she really does seem to have improved."
"Don't think for a minute it has nothing to do with you missy," she smiled taking a grateful sip from the paper cup.
Mel took a seat in the vacant chair and looked at the nurse quizzically.
"So any word from dragon-lady?" she asked quietly.
"Oh Ms I-love-my-son-too-much-to-give-him-time-with-my-daughter?" the nurse replied. "No, not since the first time you asked thank god. Been too busy around here to deal with that on top of e-"
But just then a siren wailed throughout the ward.
"Code white room 702, code white room 702!" it blared.
"And it never ends!" she finished. "Thanks again for the coffee."
Both ladies stood and exited the room. Nurse Steven's locked her door and Mel went down the hall in pursuit of Linds.
"*"
Andy sat in the court room waiting for Ms Newman to arrive. Having now turned to Autumn Andy had come dressed to the nines including a black Autumn jacket to combat the slight morning chill and a tan scarf that suitably matched the look. Taking them off hastily and placing it behind his chair he looked up to see the defendant walking towards him in a brown and white pants suit with gold earrings and a gold necklace with a leaf pendant to match.
"Well someone looks lovely this morning," Andy commented, smiling up at Ms Newman.
"Thank you Mr. Thompson," she replied. "I do want to look my best if I am to get onto the stand today."
"Oh I don't think that's likely to happen," Andy thought out loud. "I mean the prosecution will begin and they will likely start off with Mr. Newman Senior."
"Oh," Ms Newman replied seemingly slightly crestfallen.
But there wasn't time for much else discussion as just then Judge Santos arrived and the bailiff called everyone to order.
"You can sit," Judge Santos replied. "Except for Ms Gladdins. Let's began Ms Gladdins, while we're young."
Andy had no idea if something had happened recently to the judge, but she certainly didn't seem as cheery as she was during the opening.
"Certainly your honor," Ms Gladdins replied. "Prosecution calls Mr. Newman Senior to the stand."
"*"
When Mel finally found Lindsay she was sitting in the lunchroom finishing her lunch as though the alarm from earlier hadn't even fazed her. But then Mel spied the earplugs in her ex wife's ears and smiled tapping her on the shoulder.
Lind's spun around just as she had placed a forkful of spinach into her mouth.
"Mmmny!" she grunted and quickly swallowed the food.
Taking her earphones out she got up and hugged the woman.
"It's so good to see you. I didn't know you were coming today!" she exclaimed.
"It's good to see you too Linds," Mel smiled taking a seat opposite her. "How are you? How's class and everything? I see they upgraded your food."
"Oh this?" Linds smiled shoving it across the table. "Try it. It's nice, I mean better then the mush I used to eat. But now this is all they seem to give me. Spinach and more spinach."
"Mmmm," Mel replied genuinely after swallowing a mouthful. "It's nice."
"Well I suppose if you're not forced to eat it every day, it tastes good," Linds laughed. "No classes are going well, I finished my latest art piece actually. Remind me to show you before you leave. Otherwise Nurse Lopey is amazing; she says my Spanish is ah, mucho perfecto!"
Mel laughed.
"If only Carmita were around, you two could have a full on conversation," she smiled.
"What did she die or something?" Linds asked neutrally taking back the food and shoving another forkful into her mouth.
"No, no," Mel replied. "She's actually here in New Haven."
"Urgh!" Linds answered recalling the Latina. "No doubt performing her number one single mid-eh-night and us dancing ameer!"
Mel rolled her eyes. Linds had made it quite obvious in the throne room of the warehouse exactly what she'd thought of Carmita's singing and let's just say she wasn't in favor of it to put it politely.
"Changing topics," Mel continued picking up a leaf from the dish. "I've decided to forgive you."
"Yew H-b?" Linds replied her mouth full once more.
It seemed Mel was starting to have a gift for this and Linds decided not to take another mouthful until she could be certain she was safe to.
"It was time," Mel stated simply, placing the leaf into her mouth to avoid having to say more on the topic.
"Oh Mel," Linds said now having swallowed her food and holding out her hand to her ex's. "You have no idea how much this means to me. Now we can get back together and-"
But Mel interrupted her swiftly.
"Whoa cowgirl!" she replied. "I never said we'd get back together…yet. I just said I can forgive you for what you did. Small steps… you know?"
Linds felt heartbroken, but there was no way she was going to show this to Mel. If they were going to need to take small steps here, there was no way she was going to take 3 proverbial steps back after taking 1 step forward.
"I get it. I do," she replied. "Small steps."
She looked deeply into Mel's eyes and Mel reflected the same in hers.
"Besides," Mel finally continued now looking away. "Who says we should get back together?"
But then she saw the look of disappointment in Linds' eyes.
"Like I said…small steps," she finished smiling weakly and helping herself to another leaf.
"You know," she continued. "If they added some balsamic vinegar or something to this, it would raise the whole dish. I wonder if they have any."
As Mel looked around for any sign of the key saving ingredient Linds smiled. Maybe, just maybe this could actually all work out. After all she seemed comfortable enough to work her way through the kitchen and don't they say something like the kitchen is the heart of the home?
"*"
"So you knew they were having problems then?" Ms Gladdins asked the witness who Andy noted had been doing a very good job so far.
"Yes," Mr. Newman Senior replied. "My son had told me about their issues and how she…has a type."
He spat the last part of his response out as though in disgust and Andy was revolted.
"Objection your honor!" he cried outraged.
"On what grounds Mr. Thompson?" Judge Santos asked.
"Where do I begin?!" Andy demanded. "Here say for one, and speculation for another. Unless the witness has any proof that my client had a 'type' I suggest that suggestiveness be stricken from the record."
"While I understand your point Mr. Thompson," the judge replied. "I don't quite have enough incriminating information to strike that, so objection over-ruled. But I do have a question of my own for the witness."
"By all means your honor," Ms Gladdins replied smiling the sickly sweet smile she had used all morning that continued to make Andy nearly gag.
She walked back over to the prosecutor's table to gather some things while the judge continued.
"Mr. Newman Senior," the judge started. "I'd like you to elaborate. What do you mean when you say the defendant had a type?"
"Well your honor I don't want to speak out of turn," the man half smiled. "But if I must say so, let's just say she had advised my son many times that she had married the wrong…gender…if you get my point."
"Objection your honor!" Andy said shooting right back out of his chair and not even waiting to be asked the grounds continued. "Speculation and defamation! Also if the witness is saying his son told him this information it's also nothing more than here say!"
"Your honor," Ms Gladdins chimed in. "Clearly my client has ruffled the D.A. who I am sure hasn't even asked his client if the allegations are true and yet his show-boat objections are something I'm starting to question myself."
Again she smiled the same sweet smile at the judge. But clearly Judge Santos was seeing right through it and smiled an even faker smile right back at her.
"And I suppose you think I too came down in the last shower Ms Gladdins?" she asked.
"Your honor," Ms Gladdins replied now adopting a very serious face indeed. "That's not my intention at all-"
"Objection Sustained!" The judge ruled over the top of her. "The information regarding Ms Newman's alleged sexuality will be stricken from the record."
"Thank you your honor," Andy replied before himself mustering up a fake smile at the Prosecutor and taking a seat.
But just as he went to sit down someone caught his eye. Right behind him, sat next to one of Ms Newman's friends was Lauren who Andy noticed was not kidding when she said she'd bring pom-poms to the courtroom. Trying hard not to let it distract him, Andy smiled at her and sat back down next to his client.
"*"
"Shame about there being a rule against vinegar," Mel said to her ex as they walked together down a hall in the Sanatorium.
"Yeah, ever since someone used some back in '08 to affectively pepper spray another patient the only real flavoring they can use is butter," Linds replied.
"No wonder you have such a healthy glow," Mel teased.
Playfully, Linds hits Mel in the stomach and the pair shared a smile.
"So here it is," Linds announced. "Class room 7. Where all the magic happens."
"You talk as though it's a kissing class," Mel joked.
"Oh no," Linds replied. "They outlawed that years ago. Ever since the Smith Kensington debarkle. Believe me, don't go there."
Linds opened the door and Mel could see right away how perfect this room was. Sitting in the shape of a semi-circle that seemed to face the front of the room, were no less than 10 easels all with fresh paper attached as though ready for the next class.
"And this…" Linds continued walking to the front of the room, opening up a closet to taking out a painting. "Is my latest work."
Mel couldn't help but admire the work. In front of a yellow background sat a purple painted heart with the world 'Melanie' written in white inside of it. Surrounding the heart on either side flew two cupids wearing white skirts in place of diapers with heart tipped arrows prepared to launch at the heart.
"Linds…its…" Mel began making her way over to the painting. "Beautiful."
"I thought you'd like it," Linds beamed. "Besides, it's yours. I only kept it here so that you could take it home with you."
As much as Mel would have preferred to not take the painting lest she invoke feelings of romance that were still not there, she couldn't help but admire the effort that her ex had put into it. It had been a very long time since she had even began to paint something, let alone complete it.
"Thank you Linds," Mel replied taking it from her and compromising with a peck on the cheek. "It's lovely."
Linds beamed.
"*"
"So you're telling me that your son phoned you the night of the incident?" Ms Gladdins asked Mr. Newman Senior back in the court room.
"Yes," Mr. Newman Senior replied. "He wanted to discuss the latest shenanigans she had gotten herself involved in."
Andy meanwhile was hastily writing down notes so as not to forget anything. Though Ms Gladdins had done a thorough job of examining the witness, in Andy's opinion she hadn't really exposed anything factual. Indeed everything seemed nothing but circumstantial and Andy wondered why she'd even wasted her time putting him on the stand.
"And what 'shenanigans' had she gotten herself involved in?" Ms Gladdins pressed.
"Well according to my son she had gambled the last of her government cheque away," he replied.
"But Mr. Newman Senior," Ms Gladdins theatrically replied. "Ms Newman is not eligible for welfare, why would she be receiving assistance from the government?"
"You'll have to ask her," the man replied.
"Believe me," Ms Gladdins shot back, now looking directly at the judge. "I will."
She walked confidently back to her chair and sat down into it.
"No further questions your honor," she said quickly, almost as though she had forgotten to in the first place.
"Mr. Thompson, your witness," the judge said in what was definitely a bored tone.
Andy rose and carefully buttoning his suit, picked up the papers he was writing on and approached the man.
"Mr. Newman Senior," he began. "Could you state your first name to the court?"
"Charlie," he replied.
"Charlie," Andy acknowledged. "I only have a few questions for you believe me I won't keep you long at all. My first is do you have any proof whatsoever that my client was accepting welfare while married to your son?"
"Only the true words of my child Mr. Thompson," Charlie replied. "Are you calling him a liar?"
Normally this would have started a whole argument from Andy, but thankfully the classes he'd had, had prepared him for this moment.
"I'll ask the questions here Charlie," he replied. "Are you aware that hearing something from someone else is known as here say and is therefore inadmissible as proof in a proceeding such as this?"
"Yes," Charlie replied. "But-"
But Andy stopped him right there.
"And Charlie are you aware that," he looked down at his notes. "Yes indeed everything you have testified to today is here say, so also not admissible?"
"Well yes," Charlie replied. "But my son-"
"With all due respect Mr. Newman," Andy barged in. "Your son is gone and while I feel for your loss, the courts simply cannot take what you are saying into consideration."
He turned away from the man, but only for enough time to notice Lauren smiling up at him. Quickly he turned back around to face the witness.
"Allow me to demonstrate Mr. Newman," Andy continued. "Let's say I ask you what happened between your son and my client on December 19th when she ran screaming from their apartment?"
Just then the sound of scraping on the floor could be heard as Ms Gladdins pulled her chair back.
"Oh, Ms Gladdins," he replied innocently. "Have I said something wrong?"
"Are you kidding me with this?" she hissed. "Objection your honor!"
"On what grounds Ms Gladdins?" the judge asked.
"Oh, let me answer that one your honor," Andy chimed in. "She is objecting Mr. Newman because I, like she did this whole time, asked you a question based souly on…Ms Gladdins?"
"Here say," Ms Gladdins replied through gritted teeth before taking a seat once more.
"Exactly," Andy smiled. "So Mr. Newman as you can see none of what you have said so far is even remotely evidence based. So I'll leave you with this one question."
By now Mr. Newman Senior appeared as red as a beetroot and Andy knew he was close to blasting away. It almost seemed comical if not for the serious nature of this being a trial.
"When your son allegedly informed you about what happened that day with the alleged welfare cheque, what advise did you give him?"
"I told him to put her in line, like any self-respecting husband would!" he replied.
A collective gasp cried out from the gallery as Andy slowly made his way back to his seat looking at the jury along the way.
"I'm sure you did Mr. Newman," Andy replied. "I'm sure…you did. No further questions your honor."
The judge who also looked quite perplexed at the man's answer rightened herself.
"Well that will be all for today," she said quickly. "We'll reconvene tomorrow at 9am. We're adjourned."
With that she banged her gavel making the adjournment official and guards came over to take Ms Newman back to custody.
"It's not fair that I should be in jail, while loons like him get to stay out," she whispered to Andy.
Like a light bulb switching on, something in her words seemed to catch Andy's attention elsewhere in his mind.
"I know Ms Newman," Andy replied. "I agree."
The guards took Ms Newman away and Lauren leaned over the gallery railing.
"Damn dude!" she exclaimed. "Maybe you were better prepared than I thought. Come on let's go get some latte's."
Andy locked his suitcase and smiled genuinely at Lauren.
"Thanks Lauren, but there's somewhere I need to be. Rain check?"
"Sure thing dude, I better get back to the hotel anyway," she hugged Andy tightly. "I am so proud of you!"
"Thanks," Andy smiled before confidently heading out of the room.
"*"
"OK everyone welcome, welcome!" A kind and yet energetic hostess announced a little later that day. "So here's the deal ladies the seat you have chosen will be yours for the evening, Gentlemen you will choose a seat opposite a lady and every five minutes you will move one seat to your left. Happy mingling!"
The lady walked off assumedly to put on a timer or something and Lauren looked around wondering for the millionth time why she had let Rein rope her into this gig. Sure she'd been single for the past 3 years but who cared? It's not like she wasn't so fabulous without a man by her side.
Speaking of men a guy dressed in a grey knitted sweater and brown jeans took a seat opposite her.
"Hi my names Randy, I'm 49 years old and I enjoy hunting," he finished smiling at her.
"Oh," Lauren started trying hard to get her bearings. "Ah hi, I'm Lauren, I'm ah 30 and enjoy-"
"30?" he questioned. "Yeah right, I'm sure you have braziers older than that."
He laughed heartedly and Lauren tried to look around for any sign of the damn timer she was hoping would ding at any moment.
"Not much of a talker huh?" he asked quickly. "That's ok, leaves more time for me. So I'm a farmer by day…"
But Lauren by now had tuned out. Who cared if this guy worked for the queen of England herself? He was a pig and a half and was definitely motivating her to leave.
Ding!
Somewhere in the distance thankfully the timer went off and the hostess stepped forward.
"Ok ladies, you can now rate the gentlemen while the men switch seats. Remember fellas one seat to your left."
Lauren found Randy's name and very quickly wrote a zero next to it as she looked up to see a man in a grey overcoat and blue skinny jeans take the now vacant chair.
"Hi," Lauren smiled. "So I'm Lauren and I'm ah…let's skip the age thing yeah?"
The man laughed politely.
"Only if you'll let me do the same," he smiled.
What a nice man Lauren thought to herself.
"Deal," she smiled back. "Ok so I run a hotel, you may have heard of it the Dètendez-Vouz?"
"Oh of course!" The man smiled clasping his hands together. "That's where I took Brad-Andy, Brandy…my girl that I, ah…met in the…"
"Land of the parent's miracles?" Lauren smiled.
"That obvious huh?" the man laughed sweetly.
"Oh honey the skinny jeans should have given you away. I swear my gaydar is so off these days! So, why are you here?"
"See that woman in the brown overcoat at the bar?"
Lauren looked and indeed a stuffy woman in a brown overcoat seemed to be giving them a look that screamed murder.
"You mean the ice-queen?" she asked. "Sort of hard to miss."
"Yeah, she ah…let's just say doesn't approve of my lifestyle."
"Oh honey," Lauren sympathized. "Anytime you need an ear you know where to find me."
Ding!
The timer went off again and Lauren reached out to shake his hand.
"Thanks Lauren," the man smiled. "By the way, the name's Kent."
"Thank you Kent," Lauren smiled back. "Makes it easier to give you a high score on this card thing.
"*"
Meanwhile Andy sat waiting for the person he had come to see.
There was no way he was even going to consider telling Jay what he was doing, god only knew the love of his life would probably end their relationship then and there. But something about how Mel was coping seeing Linds had inspired him and now that he had finally worked up the nerve there was no going back.
"Take seat 5," the pushy woman had instructed. "You get 10 minutes tops!"
Andy took the seat and waited impatiently. Something about this room was giving him a really bad vibe and if it wasn't for the need to see this person he would have most likely left by now.
But just then the man he came to see came into view. Ai yi yi Andy thought to himself. Orange is so not his colour.
With the man now taking a seat in the chair opposite him, Andy picked up the phone next to him and waited to hear the voice he hadn't heard in over 9 months.
"I can't believe you came to see me," Rick said darkly. "Didn't anyone else tell you how I'm going?"
Anyone else? Andy wondered. Who else had been to see him? Whoever they were, they were a very good secret keeper.
"I needed to see you for myself," Andy replied equally as darkly, trying very hard to cover the fact that he'd had no idea anyone had come to see him.
"Well, here I am," Rick replied. "Inmate 506, gotta love the irony."
The irony of course was that Rick had stayed in room 506 while at the Dètendez-Vouz when he was secretly undercover working for Lindsay.
"Yeah," Andy replied. "And the color. Orange is so not you."
"Oh I'm sorry Andy," Rick chimed in sarcastically. "I asked them if I could be put in a black jump-suit just to see you but wouldn't you know it, they were all out."
"Well I see your humor never left you," Andy replied. "What 9 months in and your now the prison's new standup comedian?"
Rick sighed and ran his free hand through his hair, which Andy couldn't help but notice was still as full and luscious as it always was.
"Andy I know why you're here and you deserve it so I'm just going to say it," Rick said seriously.
"Ah ok," Andy replied having no idea where he was going with this.
"I'm sorry," Rick eventually said. "The whole torture thing was such a bad idea and god only knows I should have told everyone at the time but…"
But Andy took this moment to jump right in on the offence.
"That is an excellent point!" he stated. "You had so much time to tell us about the whole evil project. Why didn't you?"
Rick sighed and looked towards the floor.
"It was a troubling time," he eventually replied. "I had slept with Jay and gotten to the stage where I was ready to leave Andrea and Jonas for him-"
"What?!" Andy blurted out shocked.
He knew that Rick had slept with Jay and the information had still haunted him to this day, but the saving grace had been that Rick was completely straight and so most likely had only done it because he had gotten drunk or was lonely. Now that he was mentioning he would have left his wife and kid for his boyfriend, had Andy shocked to the core.
"Yeah," Rick replied. "I mean, I don't know, he was such a great guy and really seemed to just…I don't know…let me be me, you know?"
"Screw Jay for a minute," Andy said.
"No I think I'll do the right thing and leave that to you," Rick winked smiling.
"Oh ha-ha!" Andy replied giving Rick a greasy look. "Do Andrea and Jonas even know you're in here?"
"Oh yeah," Rick replied. "My stupid government appointed attorney rang them. Didn't even ask me if I wanted them to know either."
"Oh how terrible," Andy stated sarcastically. "Yes leave the wife and child in doubt of your whereabouts that's what I always say."
"Yes you," Rick replied. "But Andy I'm not you. I don't want them to know what I did. I'd rather Andrea think something bad happened to me."
"Uh-huh," Andy said his voice dripping with disapproval. "Anyway, why didn't you say anything? I mean you could have told me at any time and yet you never did!"
"Well," Rick began. "After the whole desert issue with me finding out you knew about Jay and I, I knew nothing was going to work out. Jay was never going to love me like he did you. You were never going to be my friend again and no one else really would've cared about me either, so I actually planned on leaving until your chika friend took me under her wing and back to her place."
"Yeah and what about that too?!" Andy demanded. "Carmita took you away from the drama, gave you a home to live in, cared for you and you repaid her in the most awful way possible!"
"*"
"So, my name's Lauren, let's skip the age, but I love horseback riding and own a hotel and you?" Lauren said to the 6th man who had taken a seat opposite her.
It seemed that 6 was the number it took to get the five minute date down to perfection. She could just skip over the age by mentioning she would, state a hobby and where she worked and wah-lah, everything else would be up to the guy.
Speaking of guys this one was charming. Dressed in a black fitted shirt and blue denim jeans he had also adorned a black cowboy hat and had sat it down on the table seemingly out of respect. Any fear that the hat was covering up bald patches was put aside instantly as Lauren notice the luxurious black mid-length hair that was so thick and full she knew she could lose a hand in it easily.
"Wow, that's a lot to live up to," the man replied. "Well my name's Palmer, I'll also skip the age thing, I love coffee and own a café not too far from here."
"Wait a minute," Lauren replied. "I've got to be dreaming right?"
She laughed nervously.
"What makes you say that?" Palmer asked curiously.
"Well," Lauren replied holding up her left hand and pointing to fingers with her right as though checking things off a list. "Gorgeous guy, couldn't care less about age, loves coffee and actually owns a café!"
Palmer looked at Lauren skeptically.
"Ok, so I know it's not the best job in the world," he replied seemingly hurt.
"You're kidding me right?" Lauren jumped in. "I'm complimenting you. I love coffee ask anyone. In fact I can guarantee you right now I wouldn't be here alive if not for the heavenly sent liquid. Remind me to tell you about a time recently where I ah…"
Just in the nick of time she stopped herself from mentioning being at the old warehouse and changed the story even if just slightly.
"Camped outdoors, and I thought we'd ran out!" she finished.
"Wait, you're being serious?!" Palmer asked.
"Of course I am!" Lauren replied. "Oh if only Jay and Andy were here, they'd tell you."
"Jay and Andy? Your kids?" Palmer asked.
"Oh no," Lauren replied. "I mean ok yes on a bad day their like my kids. But no they're my friends."
Lauren laughed and Palmer joined in.
Ding!
The timer went off and Palmer went to get up but Lauren grabbed his arm and yanked him back down into his seat. The aghast look on the man's face made Lauren laugh.
"I'm sorry, I just feel like we deserve more than 5 minutes of I like coffee you like coffee," she explained shooing away the next man to the next table.
"You know what?" Palmer replied. "I agree."
"Excellent!" Lauren replied happily. "So down to the serious stuff then. When did you first realize you loved coffee?"
"*"
"So by that time I was so obsessed with getting money to get home that I wasn't even thinking about what I was doing or even who I was hurting. But I've seen now what I've done is wrong and I just hope you can forgive me." Rick finished.
"Rick, my dad died because of you!" Andy cried.
"Not to pass blame, but technically he died because of Lindsay, I wasn't calling the shots on that one. I was too busy dealing with the whole Jay debarkle. You have no idea how hectic it was running back and forth between B and Linds. Seriously the only break I got was when we finally convened in the throne room."
"What so I'm supposed to feel sorry for you?" Andy asked.
"No, not at all," Rick replied. "I'm just explaining how it was. Anyway I really feel like I would benefit from going back home and getting some counseling about this. I mean, you know me Andy! I mean you knew what I was like before all this!"
"I must admit," Andy started. "I was surprised that you got jail time and she got to go to a Sanatorium. That always did confuse me."
It was true, when Rick's sentence had been handed out Andy was thrilled at first. But when he'd heard that Linds' was to get treatment and therapy he also felt like Rick had been unjustly done by.
"Well that's good," Rick replied. "Because I'm looking for a lawyer to help me draught up an early release or even get me a transfer back home to California."
"Oh that's good I'm sure he'll be P-" Andy stopped as the dreaded realization hit him.
"Wait a minute, Me?!" he spat at the prisoner. "You want me to get you out of here?"
Just then a security guard came over to Rick's chair and Rick became quite flustered.
"Please say yes Andy, I'll do anything. You name it," he begged.
"Come on Stappord," the guard called out. "Time to go."
"Andy please!" Rick called out.
Having no idea what to say, but considering the guards were taking him away, Andy said the one thing he knew he could.
"I think about it Rick," he cried. "I promise I'll think about it."
"*"
"So then my uncle set me up with the shop," Palmer continued. "And I said, what's better than a coffee shop right?"
"Exactly!" Lauren replied joyously. "So what happened from there?"
Ding!
The timer went off for the 3rd time since Palmer had sat down. A guy in a black skivvy and black jeans to match went to take the seat opposite Lauren, but she took care of that very quickly.
"Move it along! Move it along!," she cried. "Nothing to see here, the next table is that one."
She pointed to the lady on her right who by now seemed to be used to having Lauren's rejects come her way.
"Well," Palmer continued not even batting a single eyelid. "That's when I started working there and honestly, it's been a blast every since. You never know the sort of people you'll meet in a coffee shop."
"Mmm-hmm," Lauren agreed. "Say, speaking of coffee – I could do with a cup right about now. Is the store still open?"
"Of course, we hardly ever close. We're even open at midnight."
"Midnight?" Lauren questioned.
"Of course," Palmer replied. "You know I never got why people closed café's early. I mean hello, its stoner hour! I make my best money during those hours of the morning."
"I'll bet," Lauren laughed. "Midnight is out best time too. That's why we never close at the hotel. Well, except for the Christmas period anyway."
Laughing together Palmer got up and grabbed his coat, then taking Lauren's arm lead her towards his café.
"*"
Having left the art room, Linds had rushed to show Mel the Spanish classroom. While they were there she had also managed to squeeze in a quick 2 minute reenactment of her part in the annual Sanatorium Telenovela.
Mel recalled the memory humorously.
"Oh Buena Noches Señor Diaz, Buena Noches!" Linds had said rather dramatically before picking up a Spanish fan and waving it ever so emphatically. "Dios Mio! Señor Verzala está muerto!"
For Mel it had been an overly dramatic and yet convincing Telenovela and Linds had played the 'one man show' role very well as far as she was concerned. But now sitting back in the visitor's room drinking coffee, Mel knew she couldn't leave without asking the question that she had wanted to know the answer to since first arriving.
"Linds?" she asked tentatively.
"Mmm," Linds' replied having just taken a sip from her coffee cup.
"Why should I take you back?" Mel asked.
"Wow Mel, subtle!" Linds couldn't help but comment.
Subtle or not it needed to be addressed. After all these mixed feelings if anything were almost certainly going to end up hindering their relationship. But a decisive right or left turn would set them in motion and stop the craziness that continued to form in Mel's mind.
"Well?" Mel asked prodding her. "Why?"
But Linds just sat there thinking. It wasn't as though she didn't want to be back with Mel, far from it. She just couldn't seem to think of the right thing to say. And knowing her ex as well as she did Linds knew that if she said the wrong thing, everything would turn pear shaped.
"It's getting late," Mel started now noticing the time and thinking that it must be dark outside by now.
"Mel!" Linds whined.
"Why don't you have a think about it and we'll discuss it next time I come," Mel smiled genuinely getting up and giving Linds a brief peck on the cheek.
"Thanks Mel," Linds replied. "For today I mean, I don't remember the last time we spent this long together."
"You know come to think of it," Mel agreed. "Nor do I."
"*"
As Mel got back to reception she noticed that indeed the sun had gone down. Signing out and handing her pass back over to the receptionist Mel put her coat on and prepared to walk out into the chilly night when suddenly the receptionist called her back.
"Oh Miss, erm…" she quickly looked at the name Mel had signed with before looking up again. "Marcus?"
Mel turned back around.
Frankly the receptionist was lucky she'd caught her as she was literally 2 steps away from being out the door.
"Yes?" Mel asked, re-approaching the bench.
The nurse held up a folded piece of paper.
"This was left for you earlier, but Nurse Steven's said not to interrupt you. No matter how urgent it was."
"Oh," Mel replied hoping against all hope that nothing terrible had happened whilst she was with Linds.
Making a mental note to have a word with Nurse Stevens next time she came, Mel put Linds' painting down onto a chair and opened up the folded note.
Thank goodness there was a chair nearby or else Mel surely would have collapsed to the floor immediately.
"Oh…my…god!" she couldn't help but whisper.
Looking down she re-read the note that took her from joy to fear in a matter of moments.
Your wife played a game and it was fun,
Until she was sent to the nut house farm.
Took Ben's life, nearly Jay's too.
And let's not forget she nearly got you.
With her locked away you thought it was over,
But it's my turn to step in and say.
Keep your wits about you Mel
Get ready it's now my turn to play.
Xoxo T.E.
"*"
Well there you go! As the letter stated we'd all better get ready because it's now T.E.'s turn to play!
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. What did you think of the first witnesses examination in the Newman case? What about Andy going to visit Rick? Has Lauren now found love? Will Mel and Linds get back together? And what else does T.E. have up their sleeve?
Next Monday on an all new Love Hurts…
Some character returns we love to see.
(B): "I decided to come down and say hi, see how the lovebirds are getting along."
Some characters returns are an instant classic.
(Debbie): "5 counts of indecency! You should have been there it was a stitch!"
But next Monday…prepare to say hello to a character that some may have thought completely forgotten.
(Svedantcha): "Ms Carmita, you return!"
(Carmita): "Svedantcha it has been far too long!"
But that's not all.
What has Debbie shocked to her core?
(Debbie): "What?!" "Spreading lies and making up rumors will get you nowhere."
(Zandra, laughing): "You think I made it up? Oh honey you wish!"
And just when you begin to think A.E. has done all they need to do. Just wait until you see what Jay's about to go through.
(Jay, looking at his phone): "But that can only mean…"
(Jay panicking to someone): "I'm sorry I have to go."
And what he finds out…
BEAT-BEAT-BEAT-BEAT…WHAT-HAS-JAY-DISCOVERED?
Will open up endless questions!
(Jay, staring at a PC): "Oh…my…god!"
All new Love Hurts, Next Monday.
