It was Monday and Harry had been on a bender since Joey told him that he had seen his wife and daughter. He didn't go to work today. His head was killing him. Harry called Joey and told him to meet him for lunch at Champs, the sports themed restaurant close to home. Joey was reluctant considering they hadn't spoken since Saturday night but in the end he always did what Harry said. Harry was sitting at a table watching ESPN, drinking a beer. Joey was late and Harry was getting pissed. Not that it took much for him to get angry these days. That stupid bitch. How did she think she would survive without him? She probably is fucking someone and he's playing the knight in shining armor. Joey approaches the table. He looks uncomfortable and Harry is glad. Joey sits down, "Hey Harry. How have you been?" Joey can tell Harry is already half way to drunk and in a mood. "About Saturday, I'm sorry I made that stupid comment. I hope you aren't holding it against me." Joey says trying to see where he stands with Harry. "Don't worry about it. I overreacted. I've just been worried sick about them." Harry says trying to smile. Joey's not buying. He's known Harry for over 20 years. Harry has had a bad temper since he met him in the 5th grade and he holds a grudge. Joey orders a beer and a burger but Harry doesn't want any food. Joey knows that it isn't good that Harry's not eating and drinking on top of it. "So what did you want to talk about?" Joey asks. "I want to find Bea and Debbie. I just don't know how to do it. Should I file a missing person's report? Hire a private detective? I just can't sit on my ass and do nothing. Especially since she has Debbie." Harry is frustrated. "I don't know. Do you have money for a private detective? I don't know that Bea would be considered 'missing.' Didn't she tell her boss that she was taking a leave from work?" Joey asks. "I don't want to spend the money on a private detective if I can avoid it. Hey, didn't you say that you thought you saw Franky with her?" Harry had an idea. "I think so. I doubt Bea has another friend with tatt sleeves." Joey doesn't like where this is going. "I think it's time to have a little talk with dear old Franky." Harry smiles.
That night, Allie meets Maxine for a drink. "I'm so fucked Maxine." Allie says dramatically. "What happened honey?" Maxine asks with concern. Allie simply looks at her and Maxine knows what the problem is. Maxine sighs, "What happened?" "I want to tell you what's going on in my head but, I need you not to lecture me because I am already doing that to myself." Allie says hurriedly. "I promise Allie. I am here to help not give you shit." Maxine smiles. "Ok, so I don't think that I am attracted to Bea…. I am definitely attracted to Bea. I think she may be attracted to me too even though she probably doesn't have a clue what she is feeling. I can feel it in her hugs and when our hands touch..." Maxine stops Allie mid-sentence. "I'm sorry, hugging and touching?" Allie's face turns red. "It's not what you are thinking Maxine. I'm sorry I hadn't given you the context in which they occurred." Maxine laughs, "Honey that makes a big difference. Look, I know that you aren't doing anything wrong. It sounds like you feel like you are because you are having intense feelings right now." Allie nods. "The more I talk to her, get to know her…the more intense the feelings get. I don't know what to do to control them. I don't think I can control them….hell, if I even want to control them." Allie is getting overwhelmed. "Okay, okay….Allie calm down. Talking to me is a good start at releasing the pressure. Maybe it will take some of the power away." Maxine pats Allie's hand. "Maxi, you know I am not a U-Haul lesbian….I don't fall in love after three dates. In fact, I am the opposite. It takes me time and a lot of patience from the other side before I admit that I love them. I am not saying I love Bea. I am saying that I miss her when I didn't see her. I'm saying that I can't focus on anything other than her case. I'm saying that…oh shit…..I'm fucked." Allie groans. "As much as this is not the best scenario…I am happy to see that you can feel that way about anyone. I worry about you Allie Novak." Maxine smiles. Allie smiles back. "I am sorry that every conversation lately has been about me. I promise when you contemplate having an inappropriate relationship with one of your clients, I will let you chew my ear off." Allie says laughing. Maxine whacks her arm laughing. "Seriously Maxi. I want to know how you are doing. I am sure that it was a disappointment with Joey turning out to be a jerk." Allie says with sympathy. "Yeah, it was. What are the odds that I would be out on a date with your client's abusive husband's friend?" Maxine shakes her head. "With your dating history…2:1." Allie smiles without much humor in it. "Maybe you should try dating women?" Allie teases. "Right, because there is no drama in that." Maxi smirks. "Besides, I would have to compete with your beautiful self." Maxine winks at Allie.
A few days have gone by since Allie e-mailed the release form for Bea and things have been quiet. But quiet didn't necessarily mean good. Bea was on edge and tried to keep her and Debbie busy while still staying close to home. On Tuesday, Allie calls and asks Bea to meet her in town for lunch. Bea worries that something is wrong but she is looking forward to seeing her. She found herself missing Allie, having not seen her for a few days. Bea walks into the restaurant and sees Allie waving to her from the back. Bea sits down across from her and orders an iced tea. "Is everything okay?" Bea asks worriedly. "Yes, I received your medical records and wanted to talk to you about them." Allie looks tense. Bea looks at Allie and her eyes silently ask "did you see the pictures of my injuries?" Allie's eyes are pained and answers back silently "yes." They don't say anything for a moment. "I think we have more than enough proof to back our claim that Harry treated you cruelly and inhumanly." Allie said with conviction. Although Bea heard her and should be relieved that they have what they needed, she was more concerned with Allie having seen the injuries. Partly because she was embarrassed and ashamed but also because she knew it would bring up painful memories for Allie. Bea felt protective of Allie suddenly. Allie sees that Bea is having an internal commentary and places her hand on Bea's. The spark happens again but neither one pulls their hand away. "I am sure that it is hard for you to know I looked at the pictures but please believe that I don't think any differently about you." Allie says tenderly. Bea is amazed at how well Allie can read her. Other than Franky, no one has ever paid enough attention to Bea to be able to. "I appreciate that. Will you hold on to the file? I don't want to be tempted to look at it and Debbie doesn't need to see it either?" Bea asks. "Of course, whatever you need me to do." Allie smiles softly. The server comes to the table to take their orders and Bea slowly pulls her hand from Allie's feeling slightly uncomfortable.
They order their lunch and chat about anything other than their pasts. After the server clears their plates away, Allie says, "I have something for you." She pulls out a bag and hands it to Bea. Bea is both surprised and curious. "What is it?" Bea says while taking the bag. "See for yourself." Allie grins. Bea pulls out of the bag a sketching pad and a variety of both charcoal and colored pencils. Bea looks confused. "You said that aside from loving your daughter and working in a salon those were the only things that gave you pleasure. You then said that you loved to draw but Harry had ruined that for you." Allie put her hand on top of Bea's again. "I thought you could take back something you gave up because of him. I thought it would be empowering." Allie smiled. Tears welled up in Bea's eyes. How incredibly thoughtful. How does Allie always know the right thing to say and the right thing to do? "The idea wasn't to make you cry, Bea." Allie gives a shy smile. "That's one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me…..thank you." Bea squeezes Allie's hand with one hand and with her other hand wipes away the tears from her eyes. Allie rewards Bea with a big smile. "Well, I have to get back to the office." Allie walks Bea to her car. Bea thanks Allie again. Bea suddenly feels shy and nods her head. Before Allie could walk away, Bea hugs her. "I could get used to this," Allie thought.
After dinner, Bea and Debbie go into town to get some ice cream. They are walking along the shops while enjoying their cones. Debbie sees a blonde haired lady waving at her mother from across the street. "Mom, there's a woman in front of the salon trying to get your attention," says Debbie. Bea looks across the street and sure enough it's the Australian woman that almost dropped ice cream on her. Bea and Debbie cross the street toward the woman. "Bea, hi love." Liz smiles. "Hi Liz, this is my daughter Debbie." Debbie shakes Liz's hand. "It's nice to meet you," Debbie says. "I thought you might want to see the inside of the salon. I know you are only staying in the Hamptons for a short while but, I am down a colorist and you have a talent…." Bea looks down at her feet. They all walk into the salon and Bea is surprised at how trendy looking it is. "It's beautiful in here," Bea says with appreciation. Liz says with pride, "We were written up in the New York Post. The review touts us as the best salon on Long Island." Bea is impressed. "Oi, Liz!" a large woman yells across the room. Liz laughs and shakes her head. "That's Boomer, she's our star stylist," says Liz. "Boomer?" Debbie asks. "Yeah love, her voice booms around the room when she talks," Liz laughs. Debbie and Bea laugh as well. Boomer walks over to Liz. "When are we going to get a new colorist? I've had enough clients bitching at me that we don't have one." Boomer says with frustration. "Well, I was about to try and convince Bea here to help us out temporarily when you rudely interrupted us…" Liz doesn't hide her irritation. Debbie tries not to laugh. "Oh, yeah, sorry Liz….I…um….I'm Boomer." Boomer says to Bea and Debbie. Bea likes Boomer already. She kind of reminds her of Franky. "Bea did her own color Booms," says Liz. "You did? I'm impressed. Well, you should come work here. We need someone who knows what the fuck they're doing," Boomer blurts out. Liz looks down and shakes her head. It is obvious to Bea that Boomer is always impetuous. "I don't exactly know how long we will be here. It may be through the summer though," Bea says feeling a bit of pressure. "Well, think about it Bea. We charge $300 for a cut and color and you would get half. Plus tips. We average 2-3 a day so it would be worth your while," says Liz. Bea is amazed at the amount she could make in a week. Liz sees that Bea is thinking about it. "Let me give you my number love. If you decide to give it a go, call me," Liz says. "Thank you Liz, I will think about it," says Bea. Bea and Debbie walk in the direction of their car. "You should consider it mama, we may be here a while," says Debbie. "True and we could use the money." Bea says contemplating the idea. "Let's run it by Allie and see if there are any downsides to me working there."
That night Bea calls Allie. "Hello?" Allie had just gotten into bed for the night. "Hi Allie, it's Bea. I'm sorry if I am calling too late. "Bea suddenly feels nervous. "Hi Bea, is something wrong?" Allie asks with concern. "No, everything is fine. I was just wondering…do you have an appointment at 9 tomorrow?" Bea asks. "Yes, why? Do you need to come in? I think I have an opening later in the afternoon." Allie is still concerned wondering why else would she call so late. "No, it's just that…I know you go to Starbucks every morning, can I meet you there? I don't need much of your time. I just want to run something by you and I hate talking on the phone." Bea says starting to regret calling Allie. "Ok, I can meet you at 7:30?" Allie says while stifling a yawn. "That would be good. Thank you. I will let you go. Sorry again for calling so late," says Bea. "It's fine Bea, really. I told you that you could call me any time….I will see you tomorrow." Allie says. "Good night Allie."
