Chapter 10 Will She/Won't She Part II
"Hi Jeffrey!" Fitz heard his son call out as soon as they got out of the car.
"Dad could I play outside with Jeffrey for a little bit?"
That sounds perfect considering his mother is probably a little angry in there. That's most likely an understatement.
"Yes, but if you're still playing when it's time to come in for dinner you need to stop and come in. Without whining." Fitz told his son.
"Alright." Jerry said before he took off next door.
Fitz took a deep breath and walked into the house. He looked around before spotting Mellie sitting at the kitchen counter with a drink in her hand.
Vodka. Her best friend. The first thing she goes for when she's sad, angry, happy whatever.
"Where's Jerry?" She asked.
I know she's trying to keep it together in case Jerry's in the house.
Fitz tentatively walked over to the opposite side of the counter.
"He's playing over at Jeffrey's house."
Mellie finished off what was left of her drink. "Did you enjoy yourself at the game today?"
She's trying to bait me but I'm going to strike first. Let her just get all of her anger out now.
"At times it was a nice game. You know the times you weren't bitching about something."
"When I wasn't," her breathing started to quicken, "When I wasn't...ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? I went there because you, not me, you suggested I need to spend more time with our son and then all you do is make me look like a fool!"
"I made you look like a fool?" Fitz let out a laugh. "The shit that was coming out of your mouth made you look like a fool. Actually it made you look like an ASS!" Before Mellie could respond Fitz continued. "Jerry asks Olivia a question and you feel the need to point out that she's not his mother. Then glare at her as if she did something wrong. Oh and let's not forget when you called Jerry a monkey for cheering on the team. IT'S A DAMN GAME! THAT'S WHAT YOU DO!"
Mellie slowly approached Fitz. Her finger pointed at his face. "Don't you dare yell at me. You have no right. How did you even know what was going on when all you did was drool over your new teacher. In front of every fucking person at that game! Who knows what you and Olive would've done if I wasn't there!"
I don't care that she's in my face. I won't back down.
"Her name is Oli-"
"I DON'T GIVE A FUCKING RAT'S ASS WHAT HER NAME IS! HELL NEITHER SHOULD YOU!"
"I care because she's one of the teacher's at my school and a good person."
Mellie let out a sarcastic laugh. "Do you know just how insulting that statement is? I'm not an idiot Fitz. You're interested in her. Probably because she's a fresh piece of ass who seems to have some interest in you too. Your dick probably pops up like a jack in the box when you're around her." Mellie said as she calmly walked back to the other side of the table. "Just know this. I'm the one with the ring on my finger. You're tied to me. If that bitch steps on any of my territory she'll learn what Hell's like ahead of time." Mellie grabbed her bottle of Vodka, her glass and headed towards the bedroom.
Fitz sat at the counter. How did I allow myself to be trapped in this life with her? What was I thinking 8yrs ago? I wasn't thinking. Too much of a coward to do my own thinking. Some lessons are learned too late.
After the third movie Olivia was ready to call it quits.
"Hey guys, I think I'm just going to go relax for the rest of the evening." She told Harrison and Abby.
"What you're really doing is kicking us out." Harrison said jokingly.
"I could lie but kicking you out is pretty much what I'm doing." Olivia said with a laugh.
"If you need anything call me." Abby told her as she gathered her things.
"I will. I had a great time this afternoon."
Well, an interesting time. She thought to herself.
"If I don't see you tomorrow I'll definitely see you on Monday. Bye Liv." Harrison gave Olivia a hug.
Abby walked over and hugged Olivia. "Let me know if you meet up with the principal." She whispered.
"That's her business Abby!" Harrison told her. Abby turned around with a look of surprise. "I got ears like the Greater Wax Moth."
"Like the who?" Abby asked.
"Never mind. Come on." Harrison said as he got a hold of her arm and guided her out the door.
Olivia shook her head with a laugh as she closed the door behind them. She turned the tv off and plopped on the couch.
Hmm...tomorrow? If only there was an easy way to go about this. If I see him tomorrow night there can only be trouble, but who's to say there won't be trouble when I have to see him everyday at work? Monday will be completely awkward if we don't talk about things ahead of time. Maybe-
Before she could finish her thought she heard her cell phone ring.
No. I was hoping he wouldn't contact me for at least another 10yrs.
"Hi father," Olivia said trying to add as much enthusiasm as she could. She could sense her father smiling smugly on the other end.
"Olivia. So nice to hear your voice. I've missed you."
Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes Olivia."
"What?"
She heard him laugh.
Ugh! I hate that arrogant laugh.
"I know you too well my dear. Now I haven't got much time but I wanted to see if you would be available for lunch tomorrow. I'm going to be passing through on my way to check out a new exhibit at a nearby museum and thought it would be the perfect time for us to get together."
"Um well..."
"It's settled I'll meet you at your place around 1130 and you can take me to your favorite place in town. Strike that. I know you'll try to pick somewhere where we can't do much talking so I'll look up some reviews and pick the restaurant. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow Olivia. Bye."
Olivia let her phone drop onto the couch next to her before she placed her head in her hands.
The last thing I need is to spend time with my father. Talking on the phone is one thing but having to go out to lunch with him...
And it won't matter how fast I finish my food because as I've learned from previous experience he'll just eat as slowly as possible.
I need a drink.
Fitz had taken his time getting out of bed Sunday morning..
I'm so glad we have a house with a guest room. I would have the worst back trouble if I had to spend all the nights I do in the guest room on a couch. I can probably count on my hands and toes the number of times I've actually slept in my own bed over the last couple of years. He had thought when he first woke up.
Since waking up he mainly had one thing on his mind.
Olivia.
I wish tonight would get here already. I just want to get to my spot and find out if she's there. If she's not, hopefully she'll be on her way. This talk needs to happen. I need to know where things stand with us. I want to hear her actually say how she's feeling. I can read her body just fine but I really want to hear the words. Today is going to take forever to get through.
"Dad where's that burning smell coming from?"
Fitz snapped out of his thoughts. "Damn," he looked at his son, "I mean dang! I burned the bacon. No worries though there's more."
"Get used to it Jerry. Daddy's mind is not focused on what it should be focusing on." Mellie said.
"What do you mean?" Jerry asked her.
"Well, do you remember that lady from yesterday named Ol-"
"Mellie..." Fitz said in a tone of warning. "Jerry go get washed up and dressed. Breakfast will be ready by then."
"Ok."
Once Jerry was out of the room Fitz turned angrily to Mellie.
"If you had any sense you wouldn't try to involve your own son in this drama you're trying to create. What's happened to you." He stated more so then asked.
"Oh he just might be involved." She replied.
"Mellie get away from me. Seriously. Unlike you I don't want to say or do anything in front of Jerry that will upset him."
I need to get out of this house asap. Maybe Jerry can visit next door again while I'm gone. I don't trust him to be alone with Mellie in her current state.
Just need to get out.
Liv watched every tick and tock of the clock.
1128 and I'm going to be sick. All I can do is hope that this is painless. Maybe this will be a low key enjoyable time for the both of us. I should've at least tried to have us meet at a restaurant instead of my apartment. I don't even want to know what he's going to think about it.
Olivia heard several knocks on the door.
Here we go. She thought as she opened the door and pasted a smile on her face.
"Hi father! Glad you found the place ok."
Wait I don't even remember giving him exact directions to my place. Come to think of it I purposely didn't give him my exact location.
Rowan smiled. "It's called GPS Olivia."
Olivia tried to keep her smile from faltering as her father looked around.
"Place isn't as big as I thought it would be."
"It's the perfect size for me. I love it."
Olivia watched as his smile turned to a frown in which the corners just dropped further and further down.
"It's a little drab in here. Why don't you add some color. Some artwork. I thought you loved the artwork at home. Especially in your room. It's still the same as you left it."
All that artwork was picked out by you so of course you loved it.
"That's nice, but I really love it here. I've only been here a short while. I'll add things as I go along."
Rowan opened the fridge. "Is this the best bottle of red wine you could afford? Dear Olivia I could've brought along some wonderful wines had you asked."
"What restaurant are we going to?" She asked in an effort to distract him away from her apartment. " I'll meet you there."
"Not necessary. I had my driver bring me so we can ride comfortably together."
Oh great...
Fitz knocked on Cyrus's door.
Thank god the Macklin's said it was no problem for Jerry to hang out with them. They said the boys could have a football party. Hopefully Jerry will enjoy his day and I'm going to try to make my day go by as fast as possible.
"Fitz! You know you're supposed to call ahead of time in case I have some special company over..." Cyrus whispered.
Fitz laughed. "Cyrus I hope you actually reach that point in life when you will have company."
Cyrus let Fitz inside. "Hey I've had plenty of company over the years in this house."
Fitz sat in a chair in the living room. "Yes, I remember. Two ex-wives."
"Two ex-wives are better than one fucked up current wife."
How true that is.
"I didn't see you at the game yesterday. You know you should at least show up for the homecoming game Cyrus."
"I was there. I just stayed clear of you."
Fitz looked at him puzzled.
"Remember what I said about having one fucked up wife. Well, I saw Mellie and ran for cover."
Fitz burst out laughing. A laugh that was much needed after what happened yesterday.
"I'm not kidding. I made James duck behind the hot dog stand when I saw you guys coming in. Needless to say we didn't stay long. I made my appearance and poof I was gone."
"You went out in public with James?" Fitz asked. A wide grin spread across his face.
"Stop that ridiculous smiling. I'm trying my best. I understand that the secrecy of us is frustrating to him so I'm doing my best to at least be seen standing by him in public."
Fitz shook his head. "We all know you're gay Cyrus so you really have nothing to hide from your friends. In fact I'm your best friend and I haven't gotten to meet him face to face."
"Oh stop complaining it will happen within the next five years or so."
Secrecy. How would a relationship kept hidden from everyone work? Could it work? I shouldn't even entertain thoughts like that. I'm not going to be in a secret relationship. I'm going to talk to Olivia about what happened at the dance and how we both feel and that's it. Maybe just apologize for it all and leave it at that.
Shit that's easier said than done. As soon as I see her I'm lost. I can't focus on what my plans are supposed to be to end something that I don't want to end.
"...Fitz...Hello...Fitz..."
Fitz blinked several times. "What did you say?"
"I asked if you'd like something to eat or drink?" Cyrus said.
"No thanks."
Unless you got something I can drink that will show me the future so I know how hell I'm supposed to handle tonight.
"How's the food? It must be good because you've hardly said a word."
"It's alright." Olivia told her father.
"Are you living on fast food now the you've forgotten the taste of real food. I'll have to come down and cook dinner for you sometime. Though you can't be eating a lot of fast food because you seem as if you've lost some weight. Are you struggling to pay for food?"
"Father," Olivia took a deep breath, "I'm not struggling for anything."
Rowan smiled. "You're too proud anyway to admit whether or not your struggling. It's ok if you want to come back home. I never saw you as a mere High School teacher anyway. You're much too good for that."
"I'm done eating." Olivia said through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry. Now I've upset you. I'll change the subject. I met a very nice man who I would love to introduce you to. Maybe you could actually come to my house and I'll cook dinner for the both of you."
I don't know how much more I can take of this!
"I don't think-"
Rowan let out a laugh. "Silly me I didn't even tell you his name. His name is Franklin Russel and he is the new head Curator at the museum I'm visiting today. Very nice boy."
I don't want a boy. I want a man. Either way I don't want someone picked out by you. Olivia thought deviantly.
"If you're not done. I'll just pay for my half and catch a taxi back home. Great visit father." Before her father could say anything she put some money on the table and left.
Thank goodness I only got a small salad. He always has to pick ridiculously high priced places in hopes I'll have to rely on him to cover me.
Olivia ducked into a store and ran out the back and down the next block to avoid her dad and his driver. She then caught a taxi to the nearest McDonalds.
Fitz spent the day at Cyrus's house and only returned home when it was time to put his son to sleep. It took two Dr. Seuss books before Jerry was completely knocked out.
Mellie must be in the bedroom. Fitz figured when he say the light on and didn't see her anywhere else. He looked at the clock.
10:01.
Now's the time. I mean last time when I made it there she was already there. I hope that's the case this time.
Olivia stared at the clock as she had earlier but for a completely different reason.
10:01.
I have to go. What other choice do I have other than to suffer the awkwardness we would experience at work. Actually the not knowing what's happening between us would be the worst.
10:06.
Fitz looked ahead and felt nothing but disappointment. He walked over to the bench and slowly sat down.
There's still a chance she'll come. Just give it time. She'll come. I know it. I feel it.
10:50.
Damnit!
He looked to the sides of him and then behind him.
"What am I going to do now?" Fitz asked himself a loud.
"About what?" He heard the most beautiful voice behind him say. He turned around to find Olivia smiling down at him.
He took her hand and guided her to the spot next to him.
This woman's going to shake up my whole life and I might not give a damn about it.