Chapter 7
"No, No, No." Shelley began banging her head on the cafeteria table.
"Shelley please, people are looking" Rose beseeched, trying to hide her head from her fellow workers.
"I can't do this again. She's just had four months to get over the guy and now we're back to the beginning again?"
"Well, I'm not sure exactly, she was a little vague on the phone, I'm sure she'll tell us as soon as she arrives".
"You have to tell her".
"No way – Shelley you can't do that to her and anyway, we're not even sure it was true – it was just gossip & it was probably just a fling. Anyway, Z knows that Tamara Sims has been after Justin for years".
"I over-heard two nurses in X-Ray say they went off for a week in Mexico together – hardly a fling!".
"Don't do it Shelley. Justin is an honourable guy. If there is something that Z needs to know, I'm sure he will tell her".
Shelley looked at Rose incredulously. "Would you stop always thinking the best of people - Justin is an Asshole. He'll try to get away with anything he can".
"Please Shelley, Z is coming over now, please don't say anything?"
The two girls watched as their friend placed her tray on the table and tried to untangle a chair from the legs of the chair beside.
"Hi guys" Zoe declared brightly. " First day back and it feels like we were never away. How did Friday night go for everyone?".
"I'm pretty sure it went better for some than for others" said Shelley dryly "Come on, tell all".
Zoe couldn't hold back her smile "Well, I'm not complaining. Rose, you go first - has he rung yet?".
Rose blushed. "Yes, he rang last night. We're going out tomorrow night – a movie or something".
"And you like him right?".
"What's not to like? He's cute and sweet and he's from Utah like myself, he likes skiing and hill walking and comedy shows and he's really interested in photography."
"Rose! Where's the conflict? He sound's like your clone – you can't agree on everything surely?".
"No" Rose replied proudly "We support different football teams".
"Oh dear God. I can hear the wedding bells already".
"Shelley, leave her be. Rose, he sounds perfect for you. We should double date".
Shelley made a vommiting gesture. "Okay, Z, Rose and my lunches are firmly in our stomachs, we're ready to hear about the big re-union".
"You know, I know that secretly you are pleased for me, Shelley, and that this cynicism is just an act". Zoe laughed, not seeing the kick Rose gave Shelley under the table. "Justin and I had a very special night and we seem to be in a really good place and we're got another date set up for tomorrow night".
"So you're back together then?".
"Well, not yet" Zoe hesitated. "He wants us to take it easy and not jump into anything because once we do, he said it was obvious, there was only one way we were going".
"So am I right?" Zoe asked uncertainly "he's saying that once we get back together, a proposal is inevitable?".
Shelley glanced at Rose in concern. "Zoe honey, I guess that could be what he meant but maybe you're getting a bit ahead of yourself? Did he mention for how long you two should 'take it easy'?"
"Well no, not specifically but he kept saying how much he missed me & he says he's bringing me out for a 'special' dinner tomorrow night and that I'm to look extra nice".
Shelley and Rose shared another concerned look which, this time, Zoe caught.
"Guys, relax, I'm not expecting anything tomorrow night I promise. All I know is that we really did have a fabulous time together on Friday and Saturday – it was as if we never broke up. And now that he's decided to stay in New York for another two years, which everyone knows pretty much ties in to when I finish my residency, I think that it's obvious he's got a bigger plan in mind for us".
"I'm sure you're right" assured Rose trying to sound sincere.
"So is it my turn yet?" Shelley demanded, not sure she would be able to hold her tongue any longer if the Justin conversation continued. "What about Wade and me? - do you think the whole vomiting thing will have affected my chances?"
X X X
"Zoe, please stop smiling, it's beginning to scare me".
"Make fun all you like Lavon, but I am getting brought on a proper date tonight – nice meal, candles, music – I have already been instructed to dress up smart".
Lavon raised an eyebrow "Zoe – you always look just fine to me. What kind of guy don't trust his girl to look nice?" he grumbled.
"Lavon, there is nothing you can say to take the gloss off my day" declared Zoe, finishing off her coffee and extracting her jacket from the back of his kitchen stool. "And now I must go – for if I get to work early, then I can finish early and come home and spend several hours beautifying myself to prepare for being wined and dined at one of New York's finest restaurants by the man of my dreams ..." Zoe gave him a beaming fake smile and then headed for the door.
The door was opened before she got there. It was Wade returning from his run.
"Hey Doc, wait up a second. I need a girl for something".
"Wade, we have been through this already, the answer is no, no and no".
"Funny!" Wade noted dryly taking in her animated state and the fake smile which she refused to let go. "Don't flatter yourself Doc, I just need some book recommendations. I promised someone, a girl, that I would buy her some books and I need some recommendations - and you're all I've got".
"No problem Wade, anything I can do to help other people fall in love I will. And the fact that she can read is very promising ..." continued Zoe sweetly picking up the nearest pen and paper.
Wade looked over at Lavon confused.
"Don't take it personally Wade, she's got her first date with Justin tonight and she's a bit over-excited".
Zoe thought for a moment and then wrote down two of her favourite books. She handed the piece of paper to Wade with a beaming smile, and shut the door behind her.
"How many different personalities does that girl have?" remarked Wade, looking at the closed door with confusion.
X X X
Red. It had to be red. Tonight was a red night decided Zoe happily. The slim fitting dress clung to her curves and managed to be both classy and sexy. Her phone bleeped with a new text from Justin "I'm downstairs". Oh. She had thought he might come up – he had not been to her apartment in so long. It didn't matter though, she thought, as she grabbed her bag and a light jacket, because nothing but nothing was going to ruin the night ahead.
She didn't see them until she left her building and started towards Justin's car. The people. The people in the car with Justin. There was a man in the front seat and a petite blonde in the back. Justin got out of the car to greet her.
"Baby you look spectacular – hey, I think that's the same colour dress that Margery is wearing".
The man in the passenger seat got out of the car politely and went to introduce himself. "Hi Zoe. Philip. Philip Merriweather. I've heard so much about you – it's great for Margery and I to finally meet you". Justin had by this point, opened the back door for Zoe, allowing her to get a flattering view of Margery who was indeed, wearing the exact same colour dress as Zoe.
Justin had insisted that Philip return to the passenger seat so that 'the girls' could get to know each other in the back. By the time the car had left the pavement, Zoe had worked out who these people were. This was Philip, Justin's school friend from Boston and his lovely wife Margery, who's wedding Zoe had not been able to attend a few months back because herself and Justin were a few weeks into their break. Predicting that their issues would not be resolved in time for the wedding, she had written to them to say that she had a prior commitment and would not be able to attend.
Justin reached his hand into the back of her car and squeezed her knee which, she guessed, was his way of saying 'I'll explain everything later' ...
X X X
That evening Wade arived back from work to find Lavon on the sofa playing video games.
"How was Leah today, Wade? I spoke with the doctor earlier and he's pretty happy with her progress. He says your visits are really helping and and thinks that she's ready for a visit from me tomorrow. So if it's okay with you, I'll take the visitors slot tomorrow?".
"Of course – there's loads I can do here and some phone calls I can make back home. She was good today I guess. We just chat you know Lavon? I'm not doin' anything special – just catching up with an old friend. I promised I'd bring in a pack of cards next time – see how rusty her poker has got - she if she still cheats".
Lavon laughed. "Strangely enough, it would be very comforting if you managed to motivate her enough to cheat". He paused and said quietly "Thanks Wade – thanks again for all you're doing for Leah and me". He looked over to make sure Wade knew how sincere his thanks was.
Wade waved off his thanks as he bent to grab a beer from the fridge. Coming over to join Lavon on the sofa he replied "Lavon, it's nothing – anyway, hold your thanks as you are about to be well and truely beaten ..."
Wade had only just picked up the controller when there was a small knock on the door.
"Lavon?"
"Zoe, come on in." Lavon called out.
"Hi" Zoe said nervously, a little disappointed to see that Lavon was already occupied.
Lavon knew that look. He put down the controller. "Hi Zoe – no, leave the door open – Wade was just going downstairs to buy us some more beer".
Wade looked over at Lavon in confusion gesturing to the two full beers on the table but quickly understood, from the look he got back, that he was being instructed to make himself scarce. Damn – he was tired tonight and had been looking forward to a few games before packing it in.
He took a quick glance at Zoe as he grabbed his hoodie and headed towards the door. Jeez, how bad can a date go that a girl looking that good ends up coming home on her own?
"Coffee or alcohol Zoe? I can offer you both".
"Neither Lavon, thanks, I just wanted some company. You probably didn't need to get Wade to leave, I don't think I'm even in the mood for a chat. But thanks anyway – the fewer witnesses to my misery the better". At this, Zoe dropped her bag on the floor and stepped out of her shoes. She headed towards her usual corner of Lavon's sofa and curled her feet under.
"What happened? I thought this was a hot date to a fancy restaurant?"
"It was a hot date and it was a fancy restaurant but the table was for four – he had arranged to bring another couple along and the other guy and Justin talked about college the entire night and I was left talking to his new wife, Margery, who was probably very nice, but we had very little in common, and I just wasn't in the mood to discuss her new home, and her baby plans, and her friends in the tennis club. I just wanted Justin to myself".
"Oh, sorry," Zoe remembered "we did have one thing in common – she was wearing the exact same colour dress as me which obviously doesn't matter in the overall scheme of things" she muttered sadly "but it did matter to me".
"Does it help if I say you look spectacular?".
"No. Yes. Sorry Lavon – thanks for trying. You are really sweet".
"Okay, rant over. Sorry. You can call Wade back from whatever street he's wandering down. I've really nothing to rant about – it wasn't Justin's fault. Philip called him at short notice and there was nothing he could do. And he did help me escape early - Philip wanted us all to go back to their hotel for a nightcap but Justin made an excuse for me and dropped me home early. And he apologised profusely to me and has promised to take me out again on Thursday night to make it up. So really, I've nothing to complain about – I guess it just didn't go the way I had hoped".
"Sorry Zoe. I know you were looking forward to it."
"Really it's fine. Can I stay here for a while? – I won't disturb your game I promise. I'll watch and learn".
"Sure thing – will I get you a rug?".
No, I'm fine. Thanks Lavon. And thanks for listening to me – I know I promised no more boyfriend rants – I promise that will be the last".
Lavon resisted the temptation to reply.
X X X
Not knowing how long to stay out for, Wade had wandered the streets for an hour. Zoe was curled up asleep in the corner of the sofa when he returned.
"Is she going to sleep here?" Wade asked curiously.
"Nah, I'll wake her when the game is over. She just wanted some company" said Lavon ruefully, handing Wade back his controller. "You still up for a game?"
"Definitely" Wade decided, returning to his position in the middle of the sofa. He realised that he now had Lavon on one side and a sleeping Zoe on the other. He looked over at Zoe. She looked like a twelve year old when she was asleep – a twelve year old playing dress-up in her mother's good clothes. He followed the generous curves of her tight red dress – well okay, he corrected himself, maybe a pretty mature twelve year old – either way, he realised, she was too distracting to sit beside for an entire game.
"Lavon – maybe you should wake her now and get her to bed" Wade suggested helpfully.
"Nah – I'm all comfortable here. I'll bring her home when we finish"
"Com' on Lavon she's going to ruin her nice dress – she's not going to thank you for that – take it from me. Anyways, she'll sleep better in her own bed"
"Bring her yourself if you're that worried" suggested Lavon calmly.
"Com'on Lavon – she's distracting – it's gonna put me of my game. At least swap seats?
"Nope"
"You know, this is same as cheating" Wade complained "I'm at an unfair disadvantage over here".
Lavon smiled thoroughly enjoying Wade's growing aggitation. Who did Wade think had taught Leah how to cheat?
