Back to the Glen

I do not own the copyrights to either Fantasy Island, or Monarch of the Glen.

NOTE: Some of what I have happening happened in the show

Ch. 10

The McKenzie house would have been quiet except Gully was standing by the sink chewing out Jesse. "My own daughter, what were you thinking?" He'd been caught totally off guard upon seeing Lizzy on the hillside and was embarrassed by it; a fact he'd hid from the gal at the expense of coming across as absolutely rude and ungrateful.

"That it was supposed to be a date. It was supposed to be fun." Jesse was not one bit pleased her father had reacted the way he had, nor that Lizzy had stormed off clearly upset by Jesse's father's reaction to the meal.

"She half my age at the very least." Gully didn't admit the real reason he'd turned down the meal; nonetheless, when Jesse dug a little deeper her father confessed he was scared.

"Dad, you like her and she seems to like you; go for it." Her father only turned back to cleaning his gun, and Jesse was left to wonder if he'd take another chance or turn it down like he had that afternoon.

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The sun shone over the bungalow where Janet sat fuming. The gal had not been one bit pleased to get Lizzy's note and had finally come back to the island to demand more answers… only Roark was now standing in the doorway telling her there was no way he was going to have Janet go back to get Lizzy.

"You're friend stayed of her own accord." Roark folded his arms. "I gave my consent to let her stay. I will not go back on my word."

"Roark, Lizzy was talking to thin air and you let her stay?" Janet was still dumbfounded her host would let anyone stay who was not in their right mind.

"Oh, your friend was perfectly sane." Roark could easily read what the look on the gal's face said. He insisted she reread the letter; especially the last line; which Janet did.

I have decided, with a very sound mind, I am not leaving Glenbogle. Your place is not here; please, do not come after me.

"She really wrote this?" Janet sighed and glanced up at Roark.

"I would not lie to you." Roark was not surprised when Janet folded the note, stuck it in the top drawer of a white dresser saying she'd think about not pushing the issue.

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If I'd known about the conversation between Roark and Janet, I'd have wanted to knock some sense into my friend. I'd have also clearly, and loudly, told that gal to back off. As to the talk between Gully and his daughter; well, at that point it wouldn't have been any of my business anyway. No, the only thing which held any concern for me was figuring out the music piece Mrs. Bryant wanted me to play for an upcoming local event.

"Seven sharps should be illegal." I mutter to no one in particular as my fingers worked on figuring out which notes to play and which ones to ignore. Somehow, the piano and my fingers came to a meeting of the minds and the piece eventually came together.

"You really are good. Have you ever played professionally?" The female voice turned my head, and I saw Molly standing there with her famous sweet smile. Personally, I liked her period. The gal was friendly, didn't appear one bit judgmental and was a hundred percent authentic; except her face. I wouldn't dream of saying that to her, or anyone in town, but it was true. Everything was real, but her face. It looked like she was wearing a plastic mask. However, that did not take one ounce away from her loveable spirit.

"Thanks, but I doubt any musician is in danger of losing their jobs." I straddled the bench and faced her. "And even if they thought they were? I'd ensure them they aren't."

"How come?" Molly smiled as she sat down on a chair near the piano.

"Because they have something needed which I don't have, something I've never even attempted to get." I shoot my own grin back.

"And that would be?" She asked wide-eyed with no hint of malicious in them.

"Drive," I leaned forward with my hands on the bench. "I don't have the drive needed to have a career as a musician; and I don't want the moving wheels. I want my roots deep in the soil." We start to chat some more only the door opened and Gully walked in.

"I'll chat with you later." Molly excused herself before I have a chance to tell her it's okay to stay.

Gully faced me with his mouth slightly turned down as he apologized for his behavior and said he probably didn't deserve a second chance. Part of me figured that was true, but I was already here so why not? "I'll give you a second chance, but be that rude to me again and I'll not hesitate to give you a brain duster."

"Fair enough…" Gully's frown left and a wide smile took its place. …want to go to lunch?"

"Okay, but touch my fish and you die." That just sets him to laughing and we head out the door.