Sean and Marita are in his office preparing for the arrival of Henry Langston, the lawyer from MidCentral Railroads. They will be negotiating to buy a piece of land for a public hospital.
"Where are those papers from Clancy? He's trusting me to do this. I gotta do it right" Sean says anxiously.
"There right here" Marita calmly says as she hands him the papers.
"Thanks." Sean says as he takes the papers and rambles through another stack on his desk. "This Langston's more experienced than I am. He's a lawyer and he's been doing this for a long, long time. Where's that soil report" he says as he heads to the filing cabinet.
Marita calmly picks up the report from the desk Sean just left and hands it to him. Sean playfully snatches the report and looks at her. Marita can only laugh. Sean can only smile.
"What would I do without you. We are so good together. You keep me organized" SM
"I feel like this is my first day in mathematics with Mrs. Donahue. I would have never made it through that one without you remember" Sean says.
"Yeah, the back of my hand remembers her ruler" Marita says.
"Thanks for coming to work with me on this" Sean says.
"I want to see this through as much as you do" Marita says.
"I love you" SH
"I..." Sean is about to begin.
KNOCK, KNOCK
Sean heads for the door, then turns back to Marita.
"Is my tie straight?" Sean asks anxiously.
Marita straightens it. "It looks good" Marita says as she runs her hands down his chest.
"Oh, that strong chest!" MM
Sean goes to the door and opens it. He is surprised to see a handsome colored man standing there.
"Mr. Logan. I'm Henry Langston" the man says.
Sean just stares.
"Property Affairs, MidCentral Railroad" Henry says.
"Of course. Sean Logan and this is Marita. Marita Peters" Sean says.
"Miss Peters." Henry says as he removes his hat and admires her beauty.
"Welcome to Lexington, Mr. Langston" Marita says.
"I know you're a busy man but I was hoping you would join my family for dinner" Sean says.
"It would be my pleasure" Henry accepts.
"And on the way there I was thinking we could go over some reports " Sean says as he waits for Henry to go ahead of them. Henry looks to Marita and gestures to her "Ladies first". Marita smiles and goes ahead of both men.
"He just showed me up" SM
Henry follows and Sean is left feeling a little embarrassed.
**********************
The Logan house after dinner
"You travel a lot for business I understand Mr. Langston" Ned says as they adjourn to the great room.
"It's given me an opportunity to see a great deal of this country" Henry says.
"Have you ever been west. I've always wanted to see San Francisco" Alice says.
"Oh it's an exciting city. All the different people. So many nations, languages, customs" Henry says.
"When I was a boy, it was impossible to imagine that one day we'd be able to travel so easily and quickly all over this country" Ned says.
"I'm surprised you would want to leave such beauty as you have here" Henry says as he looks at Marita, who in turn smiles and blushes. Sean notices and does not like it one bit.
"He's moving in on my territory now" SM
"Maybe we should go over those reports now Mr. Langston" Sean intervenes.
"The sooner we get this done, the sooner you will be leaving!" SM
"Oh we can do that tomorrow" Henry says.
"I'm sorry. I understood you'd only be able to stay in Lexington over night" Sean says.
"You are becoming a thorn in my side already" SM
"I was planning to leave tomorrow but I can stay a few days" Henry says as he looks at his reason for staying - Marita.
Sean recognizes a man who is about to pursue a woman.
"I don't like this one bit" SH
"I'd better be getting home. Goodnight" Marita says.
"Goodnight" Henry says.
"Goodnight Marita" Sean says.
"Sean perhaps you could Mr. Langston out to the land in question tomorrow and talk about your plans" Ned says.
"I'd like to take him out, alright" SM
*****************************
The next day at the land in question
"The price you're offering isn't much more than the railroad paid for this land" Henry says.
"Mr. Langston, I'm not trying to cut the best deal. I'm telling you the truth. Five thousands dollars, a hundred an acre is all the money the assembly has allotted" Sean states.
"I understand. But we are in no hurry to sell" Henry says.
"But there's a real need here for a public hospital here Mr. Langston" Marita adds.
"Henry. Please call me Henry" Henry says.
Sean looks off to the side in DISGUST!
"Henry. Please call me Henry. He didn't ask me to call him HENRY!" SM
"Alright. Henry, there are so many people who can't afford medical care. Miners, railroad and factory workers, their employers, they use them up and they throw them away" Marita says.
Sean is feeling left out. He is suppose to be handling this transaction and it seems as if he is now a third wheel. Sean is more irritated by the fact that another man is making him the third wheel with Marita.
"I think what Marita means" Sean interjects.
"I think Marita speaks very well for herself." Henry interrupts.
Sean GRITS his teeth in TOTAL DISGUST.
"Who does he think he is trying to defend Marita to me" SM
"Members of my family labored for the railroad. I know only too well how they treat their manual workers" Henry concludes.
"Then you'll see how good this sell would be for the railroad, from a public relations point of view" Sean says.
********************
"Sean, can I ask you a question about Marita?" Henry inquires.
"NO!" SM
"Sure" he says.
"I want to call on her but I don't know if she is spoken for. Would you happen to know?" he says.
"She's mine!" SM
"That's something you'd have to ask her" Sean says with a forced smile. He is dejected.
"I'm losing her" SH begins to cry
************************
Vivian's mother, Georgina, is rambling on about the hospital project but Sean is in another world. He is staring out the window at the love of his life. She is so beautiful and he is so afraid he is losing her to a better man.
Later that evening, Sean goes to see Marita to tell her that he loves her and wants to be with her. He hears a carriage approach and comes out from the shadows. He sees Marita with HIM! He can barely catch his breath as he sees the love of his life, his soulmate being escorted by another man - the perfect man. He can't compare with Henry. When he sees Henry touch Marita and kiss her hand, he feels as if the wind has been knocked out of him. He feels hopeless as tears begin to fall.
"I've lost her. This pain is unbearable" SH cries out
***********************************
"You misspelled perpetuate" Sean says. He is covering his pain with anger.
"Oh, sorry" Marita says.
"This is a contract Marita. It has to be perfect" Sean says as he looks at her with pain disguised as anger.
"I SAID I was sorry" Marita says.
"What happens in ten years from now if the railroad decides it wants its land back and all of a sudden we have to through sick people out of the hospital because" Sean's anger is speaking.
Marita's patience has run out. "Because I misspelled a word Sean? Why don't you get the deal make first before you start worry about me killing patients who aren't even sick yet, in a hospital that hasn't even been built" she says.
She looks into those beautiful blue eyes. "What's this really about Sean?" Marita pleads.
"I love you, but where do I stand with you?" MH
"Sean. Marita." The voice that Sean has come to loath, says. Sean slowly turns to see his nemesis coming. As he turns back, he looks at Marita and lets out a deep breath as his heart begins to crumble and his eyes begin to water.
"I hate him" SM
"Good morning" Henry approaches them with flowers in his hand. "And no Sean the flowers are not for you" he says.
Sean makes an attempt to laugh as he looks at Marita and sees her slipping away from him. His insides are being ripped out.
"I'm losing the best thing that ever happened to me" SH
"Oh, they're beautiful" Marita says.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you" Henry says.
"I didn't think this pain could get any worse" SH, tears are still flowing
"I can't take this" SM
Sean looks at Marita's reaction and allows anger to rescue his sinking heart.
"I had Marita draw up a contract. I thought you might want to have a look at it before we get started" Sean interrupts the little love scene.
They head for Sean's office where Henry informs them that Georgina has made an offer for the land. Sean and Marita try to reason with Henry and tell him that the Winters are only making an offer because Sean is involved with the deal. Henry will consider what they have told him, but he can't ignore the financial aspect.
************************
Sean is angry with Georgina. He's angry with Marita. But most of all he's angry with Henry for being what he was not - the best thing for Marita.
"What's gotten into you. This isn't like you" Ned says after Sean is rude to Georgina.
"Don't you care that she's only doing this to block the hospital deal?" Sean says.
"Of course I do. But you don't solve the problem by provoking her" Ned says as Sean heads for the door.
"What's wrong Sean?" Ned asks as Sean stops and turns to his father. "This isn't just about the land for the hospital".
Sean looks at his father through unshed tears.
"I'm losing Marita, Pa. I'm dying inside" SH
He walks out of the study.
******************************
Henry and Sean are discussing their deal over drinks and Henry informs Sean that Georgina has increased her offer. Sean tries to convince Henry that he is trying to do something good for the people of Lexington.
"I have a dinner engagement," Henry says.
Sean turns to see Marita and tears threaten his eyes.
"The pain is getting worse and worse" SH
Marita feels the anger coming from Sean and takes a step back.
"Oh, Sean" MH
Sean watches as Henry walks over to Marita.
"I could kill him right NOW with my bear hands" SM
"You gettin' something out of this yourself Henry?" Sean yells in BITTER anger, anger that increases as his pain increases.
"You can consider negotiations between us finished Mr. Logan" Henry informs him.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take" SH is slipping deeper into despair
Sean downs a shot of whiskey. "Another!" Sean demands as he tries to drown his increasing pain. When drowning doesn't succeed, Sean attempts to drive away his pain. He rides Ahab as if the devil himself were in pursuit. He is unsuccessful.
*******************
"The railroad wouldn't even consider selling the land if it wasn't for us and then Mrs. Winters comes in and sticks her nose in and out bids us" Sean says.
"Still sounds like you got pretty mad at Henry" Ned says.
"Yeah I got mad Pa. Wouldn't you?" Sean defends himself.
"Usually I don't shout at people that I am trying to do business with and accuse them of bribery" Ned says.
"Yeah well he was being....."
"He's taking Marita from me" SH
Sean is tormented as he thinks of Marita being with Henry.
"Cause it doesn't work. Now when I get mad out of proportion of the cause and you know that I can, it's usually because something else is bothering me" Ned says.
Sean looks at his father but can't tell him what is tormenting him.
***************
"You have to have flowers on the table if you have a gentleman caller coming for Sunday lunch" Alice says, as she and Marita are picking flowers.
"I guess" Marita responds.
"Oh, are you going to make your peach pie? I have some preserves if you've run out" Alice offers.
"I still have some" Marita says.
"You don't seem very excited" Alice notices.
"I'm not" MH
"I am, of course I am. I mean he's, he's well educated, he's got a good job, people respect him, he's sweet and gentle" Marita says with a slight smile.
"And handsome" Alice adds.
"And handsome" Marita agrees.
"And he really likes you" Alice is playing matchmaker.
"Be quiet Alice!!" a Sean & Marita Fan says
"And I like him" Marita says.
"But I don't love him" MH
"But you're not in love with him" Alice discerns.
"Oh, it's too soon to know that" Marita says.
"I'll never love him" MH
"Have you every felt that way before?" Alice inquires.
"I feel that way now" MH
*****************************
Sean is waiting for Marita to pass by so he can apologize. He is so sorry for the way he behaved last night. After she has finished picking her flowers, Marita heads home. She sees Sean and approaches him. He sees her coming and stands to greet her.
"Hey" Sean says.
"Hey" Marita says.
"Last night I was.." Sean tries to apologize.
"You were upset" Marita says.
"Yeah" Sean admits.
"I can't stand seeing you with another man" SH
"About the land sale" Marita says.
"Please say you are upset about Henry and me" MH
"I wanna make it up" Sean starts.
"Maybe he was upset about the land deal" MM
"Maybe if I say something to Henry" Marita says.
"Hearing his name on her lips is killing me" SH
Sean rolls his eyes as his heart is sinking deeper still into the pit of despair.
"Mr. Langston for you. He's coming here for lunch" she says.
"With you and your Pa" Sean asks.
Marita nods and rage, jealously and most of all pain surges through Sean's entire body. He should be the one having Sunday lunch with Marita and her Pa.
"I'm beyond my threshold for pain" SH
"I could tell him how important it is to you" Marita offers.
"Don't worry about it" Sean says as anger comes to cover the pain.
"And to me" Marita finishes.
"You shouldn't let business interfere with your lunch. Have a good time" Sean says as he walks away.
Sean goes on a drinking binge to try and ease the pain of losing the only woman he will ever love. He realizes that he is being selfish. He has not made a commitment to her, but does not want her to commit to someone else. He does love her with all his heart and wants her to have the best things out of life. Henry is smart, successful, respected and colored. Henry could give Marita the life she deserves. The only thing he couldn't do was love her the way Sean does.
****************************
A tug of war is going on inside of Sean.
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
Sean's mind wins the battle.
"Hey" he says as he walks up to her.
"Hey" she says and continues tending to her plants.
"I guess I been a little crazy ya know with Clancy depending on me and all. But that's no excuse for the way I've been treating you... and Henry." That name is bitter on his lips. "He's just doin' his job and he's doin' it well. Henry's a good man" Sean says.
"Why are you telling me this?" Marita says.
"I don't want to hear this. I need to hear that you love me and want me" MH
"Because I've been selfish" Sean admits. "Marita" Sean looks at the precious gift that is standing before him. Marita looks at him.
"I want you to have what's best for ya" Sean says.
"Because I love you so much" SH
"And what's that?" Marita says with tears in her eyes.
"Please say it's you" MH
"He's going to say Henry" MM
"Me" SH
"Henry" SM
"Me" SH
Sean must use every ounce of strength in his being to say his next word. "Henry".
Sean's heart is shattered as he walks away. Marita's heart is shattered as she lets him.
"He's right about Henry being a good man" MM
"But I love him, not Henry" MH
"I could learn to love Henry" MM
"Leave me out of it" MH
A single tear finds it way down Marita's cheek.
**************************
Marita has convinced herself that she could love Henry. He's everything a woman could want in a man. She should be happy. Sadness is written all over her face.
"You look beautiful sweetheart" Isaac says. "Except for one thing".
Isaac looks at her and puts a smile on his face. Marita automatically returns the smile but her heart is not in it. "That's it" Isaac laughs.
"You know, now you look like your mother did the day..." Isaac says.
"PaPa" Marita interrupts.
"Well you know what he's gonna do, don't you? The man's gonna propose to ya" Isaac says.
"I'm not so sure" Marita says.
"Of course he is. He's be a fool not to. Henry Langston doesn't strike me as no fool. I don't want to tell you what to do sweetheart, but men like him are rare" Isaac says.
"He is a special man" MM
"Of course, you're pretty bright yourself" Isaac says. "Smart people sometimes think too much with their heads" says Isaac.
"Henry is the perfect man" MM
"And this is a decision that's got to come right from here" Isaac says as he points to his heart.
"Sean is the perfect man for me" MH
At the Logan home
Sean is trying to concentrate on his correspondence. He has Marita on his mind and knows he did the best thing for her - letting her go. Suddenly Sean looks up from his correspondence. He hears his mother's voice.
"Follow your heart, son" Libby says from heaven.
After telling Henry he couldn't come up with the money for the land, they agree to work together to find another piece of land. Sean eventually makes his way to the bench. Marita is there and he is glad for a chance to talk to his friend.
Sean tentatively walks up, sits down, lets out a sigh, looks at Marita then looks straight ahead. He ponders where to begin.
"I've been running around like, I don't know, thinking that buying the land for that hospital was the right thing to so it didn't matter how I got it done." Sean says.
"We'll make that hospital happen." he promises. Marita looks up at him.
"And we'll do it without me being so pigheaded about it." he teases.
"That's good" Marita says as they laugh.
Sean turns serious. "You're the only one I can talk to. Do you know how much I've missed that?" he looks at her.
"How much I've missed you" SH
"Me too." Marita looks at him.
"I missed you too" MH
Sean looks down at the hat in his hands.
"Well, sometimes you think you love"
Sean looks up.
"someone when you, you really just like them." Marita says.
Translation: I didn't love Henry
"Did you hear her" SH
Sean realizes that Marita has chosen him over Henry, just as he chose her over Vivian.
"Sometimes, it's the other way around."
"I love you, Marita" SH
"Did you hear him" MH
They look at one another with eyes that say "I love you" as they drawn closer together.
"Are you sure?" MH
"I'm sure" SH
Their lips touch and heaven is on earth. Sean parts her lips with his own and Marita offers no resistance. His tongue enters her mouth and searches for the prize. Marita accepts his tongue and relishes their sword (tongue) play.
"She had better not kissed Henry like this!" SM
"My kisses are only for you" MH
They simultaneously move to embrace one another. Sean embraces her waist. Marita embraces his neck. She moves her hands to his unruly curls.
"I'm going to enjoy this over the next 100 years. Playing in his curls, that is" MM
"You're going to enjoy the kissing too" MH
"Yeah, I guess" MM
MM is still trying to play it cool!
"Gees, I can't get enough of her" SM
"She is sweeter than honey on a honeycomb" SH
They end their kiss and look into one another's eyes.
"I've been a fool, uh." Sean smiles.
Translation: I'm sorry for the way I've been acting.
"Um Um" Marita laughs.
"Henry was a good man. He was handsome, successful and smart" MM
"He was all that, but still he couldn't measure up to Sean. I'll always be his" MH
"There's no turning back" MM
"She's mine now" SH
"There's no turning back" SM
Sean stands and takes hold of Marita's hand and they head for the lake.
"My dream is finally coming true - a life with Marita" SM
Sean can hardly believe it. He stops and just stares at the object of his affection.
"I love her so much" SH
"My dream is finally coming true - a life with Sean. Thank you LORD" MM
Marita smiles and is about to break out into giggles, she is so happy! She can hardly believe it!
"OH, I love him so much" MH
Sean opens his arms to her and Marita jumps into them, letting out a happy squeal. He picks her up and swings her around. They stare into each other's eyes and say "I love you" without a word being said. They share another quick kiss and Marita is set back on the ground. They remain in each other's arms and begin to laugh.
A heavy burden has been lifted off of them both. Now that love has blossomed and they both have stopped to smell the roses, the world is theirs for the taking. They have many obstacles to overcome, but together, with the LORD, they know nothing will be impossible to them. But for now, they are satisfied with cherishing each other, their friendship and their love.
Sean and Marita eventually make it to the lake. Sean sits with his back against a big oak tree and reaches out his hand to Marita. He pulls her down between his parted legs and she settles her back against his chest. Sean wraps his arms around her, closes his eyes and thanks GOD for the treasure he is holding.
Marita is relishing being in the arms of the man she loves. She thought about the day in the garden when he told her he had loved her, not Vivian. She never would have dreamed that they would be here, like this.
Sean was the first to break the silence "Why did you let ......Henry call on you?" he said. Though he knows Marita is all his, Sean still has a hard time thinking of her with him. "I mean, not once, not twice, but THREE times!" Sean exclaims before she could answer him. "You don't know what that did to me."
"I guess I was doing what was expected of me. I mean he was handsome, smart, and successful" Marita says. Sean understands. He was going to ask Vivian to marry him because that's what was expected of him.
"Yeah, well I understand but I still didn't like it. I hated it! I was eaten alive with jealousy, Marita" Sean admits.
"Sean, Henry was a good man, but even with all that he was and all that he had, he still couldn't compare to you" Marita says from her heart.
Sean's heart is so overjoyed that he can't begin to express what those words mean to him. Marita understands by his silence that her words have humbled him. She decides to lighten the mood by teasing him.
"Besides" she says as she turns in his arms, puts her arms around his neck and kisses him on the cheek.
"I could never" kiss on the cheek.
"marry anyone" kiss on the cheek.
"unless" kiss on the cheek.
"I felt about them" kiss on the cheek.
"the way" kiss on the cheek.
"I feel about you" Marita whispers.
There are tears in Sean's eyes as he sees all the love Marita has for him in her eyes. She gently caresses his lips with her own. She uses her tongue to taste his lips and gain entrance into his mouth. The kiss is warm and sweet. Marita pulls away, looks into those eyes that she loves and smiles. The tears that were threatening are now rolling down Sean's cheeks. Marita takes her fingertips and gently wipes away his tears before she settles back in her original position.
Sean is too overwhelmed to speak, so he just sits there, holding his life in his arms. He begins thinking about what a "gentleman" Henry was to Marita, bringing her flowers, telling her she was beautiful - things he'd never done.
"Marita.... If you want, I'll start bringing you flowers and gifts, and stuff like that, if it will make you happy." Sean says uneasily.
Marita is touched by his wiliness to do things that are uncomfortable for him just to make her happy.
"I don't need those things to make me happy" Marita declares.
Sean gently pushes Marita forward and stands up. He walks in front of her and helps her to her feet. He takes her hand, gets down on one knee and looks up into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Marita, since I feel about you the way that I do and you feel about me the way that you do" Marita is about to go into shock!!!!
"will you marry me?" Sean proposes.
To be continued...............................
"Where are those papers from Clancy? He's trusting me to do this. I gotta do it right" Sean says anxiously.
"There right here" Marita calmly says as she hands him the papers.
"Thanks." Sean says as he takes the papers and rambles through another stack on his desk. "This Langston's more experienced than I am. He's a lawyer and he's been doing this for a long, long time. Where's that soil report" he says as he heads to the filing cabinet.
Marita calmly picks up the report from the desk Sean just left and hands it to him. Sean playfully snatches the report and looks at her. Marita can only laugh. Sean can only smile.
"What would I do without you. We are so good together. You keep me organized" SM
"I feel like this is my first day in mathematics with Mrs. Donahue. I would have never made it through that one without you remember" Sean says.
"Yeah, the back of my hand remembers her ruler" Marita says.
"Thanks for coming to work with me on this" Sean says.
"I want to see this through as much as you do" Marita says.
"I love you" SH
"I..." Sean is about to begin.
KNOCK, KNOCK
Sean heads for the door, then turns back to Marita.
"Is my tie straight?" Sean asks anxiously.
Marita straightens it. "It looks good" Marita says as she runs her hands down his chest.
"Oh, that strong chest!" MM
Sean goes to the door and opens it. He is surprised to see a handsome colored man standing there.
"Mr. Logan. I'm Henry Langston" the man says.
Sean just stares.
"Property Affairs, MidCentral Railroad" Henry says.
"Of course. Sean Logan and this is Marita. Marita Peters" Sean says.
"Miss Peters." Henry says as he removes his hat and admires her beauty.
"Welcome to Lexington, Mr. Langston" Marita says.
"I know you're a busy man but I was hoping you would join my family for dinner" Sean says.
"It would be my pleasure" Henry accepts.
"And on the way there I was thinking we could go over some reports " Sean says as he waits for Henry to go ahead of them. Henry looks to Marita and gestures to her "Ladies first". Marita smiles and goes ahead of both men.
"He just showed me up" SM
Henry follows and Sean is left feeling a little embarrassed.
**********************
The Logan house after dinner
"You travel a lot for business I understand Mr. Langston" Ned says as they adjourn to the great room.
"It's given me an opportunity to see a great deal of this country" Henry says.
"Have you ever been west. I've always wanted to see San Francisco" Alice says.
"Oh it's an exciting city. All the different people. So many nations, languages, customs" Henry says.
"When I was a boy, it was impossible to imagine that one day we'd be able to travel so easily and quickly all over this country" Ned says.
"I'm surprised you would want to leave such beauty as you have here" Henry says as he looks at Marita, who in turn smiles and blushes. Sean notices and does not like it one bit.
"He's moving in on my territory now" SM
"Maybe we should go over those reports now Mr. Langston" Sean intervenes.
"The sooner we get this done, the sooner you will be leaving!" SM
"Oh we can do that tomorrow" Henry says.
"I'm sorry. I understood you'd only be able to stay in Lexington over night" Sean says.
"You are becoming a thorn in my side already" SM
"I was planning to leave tomorrow but I can stay a few days" Henry says as he looks at his reason for staying - Marita.
Sean recognizes a man who is about to pursue a woman.
"I don't like this one bit" SH
"I'd better be getting home. Goodnight" Marita says.
"Goodnight" Henry says.
"Goodnight Marita" Sean says.
"Sean perhaps you could Mr. Langston out to the land in question tomorrow and talk about your plans" Ned says.
"I'd like to take him out, alright" SM
*****************************
The next day at the land in question
"The price you're offering isn't much more than the railroad paid for this land" Henry says.
"Mr. Langston, I'm not trying to cut the best deal. I'm telling you the truth. Five thousands dollars, a hundred an acre is all the money the assembly has allotted" Sean states.
"I understand. But we are in no hurry to sell" Henry says.
"But there's a real need here for a public hospital here Mr. Langston" Marita adds.
"Henry. Please call me Henry" Henry says.
Sean looks off to the side in DISGUST!
"Henry. Please call me Henry. He didn't ask me to call him HENRY!" SM
"Alright. Henry, there are so many people who can't afford medical care. Miners, railroad and factory workers, their employers, they use them up and they throw them away" Marita says.
Sean is feeling left out. He is suppose to be handling this transaction and it seems as if he is now a third wheel. Sean is more irritated by the fact that another man is making him the third wheel with Marita.
"I think what Marita means" Sean interjects.
"I think Marita speaks very well for herself." Henry interrupts.
Sean GRITS his teeth in TOTAL DISGUST.
"Who does he think he is trying to defend Marita to me" SM
"Members of my family labored for the railroad. I know only too well how they treat their manual workers" Henry concludes.
"Then you'll see how good this sell would be for the railroad, from a public relations point of view" Sean says.
********************
"Sean, can I ask you a question about Marita?" Henry inquires.
"NO!" SM
"Sure" he says.
"I want to call on her but I don't know if she is spoken for. Would you happen to know?" he says.
"She's mine!" SM
"That's something you'd have to ask her" Sean says with a forced smile. He is dejected.
"I'm losing her" SH begins to cry
************************
Vivian's mother, Georgina, is rambling on about the hospital project but Sean is in another world. He is staring out the window at the love of his life. She is so beautiful and he is so afraid he is losing her to a better man.
Later that evening, Sean goes to see Marita to tell her that he loves her and wants to be with her. He hears a carriage approach and comes out from the shadows. He sees Marita with HIM! He can barely catch his breath as he sees the love of his life, his soulmate being escorted by another man - the perfect man. He can't compare with Henry. When he sees Henry touch Marita and kiss her hand, he feels as if the wind has been knocked out of him. He feels hopeless as tears begin to fall.
"I've lost her. This pain is unbearable" SH cries out
***********************************
"You misspelled perpetuate" Sean says. He is covering his pain with anger.
"Oh, sorry" Marita says.
"This is a contract Marita. It has to be perfect" Sean says as he looks at her with pain disguised as anger.
"I SAID I was sorry" Marita says.
"What happens in ten years from now if the railroad decides it wants its land back and all of a sudden we have to through sick people out of the hospital because" Sean's anger is speaking.
Marita's patience has run out. "Because I misspelled a word Sean? Why don't you get the deal make first before you start worry about me killing patients who aren't even sick yet, in a hospital that hasn't even been built" she says.
She looks into those beautiful blue eyes. "What's this really about Sean?" Marita pleads.
"I love you, but where do I stand with you?" MH
"Sean. Marita." The voice that Sean has come to loath, says. Sean slowly turns to see his nemesis coming. As he turns back, he looks at Marita and lets out a deep breath as his heart begins to crumble and his eyes begin to water.
"I hate him" SM
"Good morning" Henry approaches them with flowers in his hand. "And no Sean the flowers are not for you" he says.
Sean makes an attempt to laugh as he looks at Marita and sees her slipping away from him. His insides are being ripped out.
"I'm losing the best thing that ever happened to me" SH
"Oh, they're beautiful" Marita says.
"Not nearly as beautiful as you" Henry says.
"I didn't think this pain could get any worse" SH, tears are still flowing
"I can't take this" SM
Sean looks at Marita's reaction and allows anger to rescue his sinking heart.
"I had Marita draw up a contract. I thought you might want to have a look at it before we get started" Sean interrupts the little love scene.
They head for Sean's office where Henry informs them that Georgina has made an offer for the land. Sean and Marita try to reason with Henry and tell him that the Winters are only making an offer because Sean is involved with the deal. Henry will consider what they have told him, but he can't ignore the financial aspect.
************************
Sean is angry with Georgina. He's angry with Marita. But most of all he's angry with Henry for being what he was not - the best thing for Marita.
"What's gotten into you. This isn't like you" Ned says after Sean is rude to Georgina.
"Don't you care that she's only doing this to block the hospital deal?" Sean says.
"Of course I do. But you don't solve the problem by provoking her" Ned says as Sean heads for the door.
"What's wrong Sean?" Ned asks as Sean stops and turns to his father. "This isn't just about the land for the hospital".
Sean looks at his father through unshed tears.
"I'm losing Marita, Pa. I'm dying inside" SH
He walks out of the study.
******************************
Henry and Sean are discussing their deal over drinks and Henry informs Sean that Georgina has increased her offer. Sean tries to convince Henry that he is trying to do something good for the people of Lexington.
"I have a dinner engagement," Henry says.
Sean turns to see Marita and tears threaten his eyes.
"The pain is getting worse and worse" SH
Marita feels the anger coming from Sean and takes a step back.
"Oh, Sean" MH
Sean watches as Henry walks over to Marita.
"I could kill him right NOW with my bear hands" SM
"You gettin' something out of this yourself Henry?" Sean yells in BITTER anger, anger that increases as his pain increases.
"You can consider negotiations between us finished Mr. Logan" Henry informs him.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take" SH is slipping deeper into despair
Sean downs a shot of whiskey. "Another!" Sean demands as he tries to drown his increasing pain. When drowning doesn't succeed, Sean attempts to drive away his pain. He rides Ahab as if the devil himself were in pursuit. He is unsuccessful.
*******************
"The railroad wouldn't even consider selling the land if it wasn't for us and then Mrs. Winters comes in and sticks her nose in and out bids us" Sean says.
"Still sounds like you got pretty mad at Henry" Ned says.
"Yeah I got mad Pa. Wouldn't you?" Sean defends himself.
"Usually I don't shout at people that I am trying to do business with and accuse them of bribery" Ned says.
"Yeah well he was being....."
"He's taking Marita from me" SH
Sean is tormented as he thinks of Marita being with Henry.
"Cause it doesn't work. Now when I get mad out of proportion of the cause and you know that I can, it's usually because something else is bothering me" Ned says.
Sean looks at his father but can't tell him what is tormenting him.
***************
"You have to have flowers on the table if you have a gentleman caller coming for Sunday lunch" Alice says, as she and Marita are picking flowers.
"I guess" Marita responds.
"Oh, are you going to make your peach pie? I have some preserves if you've run out" Alice offers.
"I still have some" Marita says.
"You don't seem very excited" Alice notices.
"I'm not" MH
"I am, of course I am. I mean he's, he's well educated, he's got a good job, people respect him, he's sweet and gentle" Marita says with a slight smile.
"And handsome" Alice adds.
"And handsome" Marita agrees.
"And he really likes you" Alice is playing matchmaker.
"Be quiet Alice!!" a Sean & Marita Fan says
"And I like him" Marita says.
"But I don't love him" MH
"But you're not in love with him" Alice discerns.
"Oh, it's too soon to know that" Marita says.
"I'll never love him" MH
"Have you every felt that way before?" Alice inquires.
"I feel that way now" MH
*****************************
Sean is waiting for Marita to pass by so he can apologize. He is so sorry for the way he behaved last night. After she has finished picking her flowers, Marita heads home. She sees Sean and approaches him. He sees her coming and stands to greet her.
"Hey" Sean says.
"Hey" Marita says.
"Last night I was.." Sean tries to apologize.
"You were upset" Marita says.
"Yeah" Sean admits.
"I can't stand seeing you with another man" SH
"About the land sale" Marita says.
"Please say you are upset about Henry and me" MH
"I wanna make it up" Sean starts.
"Maybe he was upset about the land deal" MM
"Maybe if I say something to Henry" Marita says.
"Hearing his name on her lips is killing me" SH
Sean rolls his eyes as his heart is sinking deeper still into the pit of despair.
"Mr. Langston for you. He's coming here for lunch" she says.
"With you and your Pa" Sean asks.
Marita nods and rage, jealously and most of all pain surges through Sean's entire body. He should be the one having Sunday lunch with Marita and her Pa.
"I'm beyond my threshold for pain" SH
"I could tell him how important it is to you" Marita offers.
"Don't worry about it" Sean says as anger comes to cover the pain.
"And to me" Marita finishes.
"You shouldn't let business interfere with your lunch. Have a good time" Sean says as he walks away.
Sean goes on a drinking binge to try and ease the pain of losing the only woman he will ever love. He realizes that he is being selfish. He has not made a commitment to her, but does not want her to commit to someone else. He does love her with all his heart and wants her to have the best things out of life. Henry is smart, successful, respected and colored. Henry could give Marita the life she deserves. The only thing he couldn't do was love her the way Sean does.
****************************
A tug of war is going on inside of Sean.
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
"I love her and want what's best for her - Henry" SM
"I love her and want her" SH
Sean's mind wins the battle.
"Hey" he says as he walks up to her.
"Hey" she says and continues tending to her plants.
"I guess I been a little crazy ya know with Clancy depending on me and all. But that's no excuse for the way I've been treating you... and Henry." That name is bitter on his lips. "He's just doin' his job and he's doin' it well. Henry's a good man" Sean says.
"Why are you telling me this?" Marita says.
"I don't want to hear this. I need to hear that you love me and want me" MH
"Because I've been selfish" Sean admits. "Marita" Sean looks at the precious gift that is standing before him. Marita looks at him.
"I want you to have what's best for ya" Sean says.
"Because I love you so much" SH
"And what's that?" Marita says with tears in her eyes.
"Please say it's you" MH
"He's going to say Henry" MM
"Me" SH
"Henry" SM
"Me" SH
Sean must use every ounce of strength in his being to say his next word. "Henry".
Sean's heart is shattered as he walks away. Marita's heart is shattered as she lets him.
"He's right about Henry being a good man" MM
"But I love him, not Henry" MH
"I could learn to love Henry" MM
"Leave me out of it" MH
A single tear finds it way down Marita's cheek.
**************************
Marita has convinced herself that she could love Henry. He's everything a woman could want in a man. She should be happy. Sadness is written all over her face.
"You look beautiful sweetheart" Isaac says. "Except for one thing".
Isaac looks at her and puts a smile on his face. Marita automatically returns the smile but her heart is not in it. "That's it" Isaac laughs.
"You know, now you look like your mother did the day..." Isaac says.
"PaPa" Marita interrupts.
"Well you know what he's gonna do, don't you? The man's gonna propose to ya" Isaac says.
"I'm not so sure" Marita says.
"Of course he is. He's be a fool not to. Henry Langston doesn't strike me as no fool. I don't want to tell you what to do sweetheart, but men like him are rare" Isaac says.
"He is a special man" MM
"Of course, you're pretty bright yourself" Isaac says. "Smart people sometimes think too much with their heads" says Isaac.
"Henry is the perfect man" MM
"And this is a decision that's got to come right from here" Isaac says as he points to his heart.
"Sean is the perfect man for me" MH
At the Logan home
Sean is trying to concentrate on his correspondence. He has Marita on his mind and knows he did the best thing for her - letting her go. Suddenly Sean looks up from his correspondence. He hears his mother's voice.
"Follow your heart, son" Libby says from heaven.
After telling Henry he couldn't come up with the money for the land, they agree to work together to find another piece of land. Sean eventually makes his way to the bench. Marita is there and he is glad for a chance to talk to his friend.
Sean tentatively walks up, sits down, lets out a sigh, looks at Marita then looks straight ahead. He ponders where to begin.
"I've been running around like, I don't know, thinking that buying the land for that hospital was the right thing to so it didn't matter how I got it done." Sean says.
"We'll make that hospital happen." he promises. Marita looks up at him.
"And we'll do it without me being so pigheaded about it." he teases.
"That's good" Marita says as they laugh.
Sean turns serious. "You're the only one I can talk to. Do you know how much I've missed that?" he looks at her.
"How much I've missed you" SH
"Me too." Marita looks at him.
"I missed you too" MH
Sean looks down at the hat in his hands.
"Well, sometimes you think you love"
Sean looks up.
"someone when you, you really just like them." Marita says.
Translation: I didn't love Henry
"Did you hear her" SH
Sean realizes that Marita has chosen him over Henry, just as he chose her over Vivian.
"Sometimes, it's the other way around."
"I love you, Marita" SH
"Did you hear him" MH
They look at one another with eyes that say "I love you" as they drawn closer together.
"Are you sure?" MH
"I'm sure" SH
Their lips touch and heaven is on earth. Sean parts her lips with his own and Marita offers no resistance. His tongue enters her mouth and searches for the prize. Marita accepts his tongue and relishes their sword (tongue) play.
"She had better not kissed Henry like this!" SM
"My kisses are only for you" MH
They simultaneously move to embrace one another. Sean embraces her waist. Marita embraces his neck. She moves her hands to his unruly curls.
"I'm going to enjoy this over the next 100 years. Playing in his curls, that is" MM
"You're going to enjoy the kissing too" MH
"Yeah, I guess" MM
MM is still trying to play it cool!
"Gees, I can't get enough of her" SM
"She is sweeter than honey on a honeycomb" SH
They end their kiss and look into one another's eyes.
"I've been a fool, uh." Sean smiles.
Translation: I'm sorry for the way I've been acting.
"Um Um" Marita laughs.
"Henry was a good man. He was handsome, successful and smart" MM
"He was all that, but still he couldn't measure up to Sean. I'll always be his" MH
"There's no turning back" MM
"She's mine now" SH
"There's no turning back" SM
Sean stands and takes hold of Marita's hand and they head for the lake.
"My dream is finally coming true - a life with Marita" SM
Sean can hardly believe it. He stops and just stares at the object of his affection.
"I love her so much" SH
"My dream is finally coming true - a life with Sean. Thank you LORD" MM
Marita smiles and is about to break out into giggles, she is so happy! She can hardly believe it!
"OH, I love him so much" MH
Sean opens his arms to her and Marita jumps into them, letting out a happy squeal. He picks her up and swings her around. They stare into each other's eyes and say "I love you" without a word being said. They share another quick kiss and Marita is set back on the ground. They remain in each other's arms and begin to laugh.
A heavy burden has been lifted off of them both. Now that love has blossomed and they both have stopped to smell the roses, the world is theirs for the taking. They have many obstacles to overcome, but together, with the LORD, they know nothing will be impossible to them. But for now, they are satisfied with cherishing each other, their friendship and their love.
Sean and Marita eventually make it to the lake. Sean sits with his back against a big oak tree and reaches out his hand to Marita. He pulls her down between his parted legs and she settles her back against his chest. Sean wraps his arms around her, closes his eyes and thanks GOD for the treasure he is holding.
Marita is relishing being in the arms of the man she loves. She thought about the day in the garden when he told her he had loved her, not Vivian. She never would have dreamed that they would be here, like this.
Sean was the first to break the silence "Why did you let ......Henry call on you?" he said. Though he knows Marita is all his, Sean still has a hard time thinking of her with him. "I mean, not once, not twice, but THREE times!" Sean exclaims before she could answer him. "You don't know what that did to me."
"I guess I was doing what was expected of me. I mean he was handsome, smart, and successful" Marita says. Sean understands. He was going to ask Vivian to marry him because that's what was expected of him.
"Yeah, well I understand but I still didn't like it. I hated it! I was eaten alive with jealousy, Marita" Sean admits.
"Sean, Henry was a good man, but even with all that he was and all that he had, he still couldn't compare to you" Marita says from her heart.
Sean's heart is so overjoyed that he can't begin to express what those words mean to him. Marita understands by his silence that her words have humbled him. She decides to lighten the mood by teasing him.
"Besides" she says as she turns in his arms, puts her arms around his neck and kisses him on the cheek.
"I could never" kiss on the cheek.
"marry anyone" kiss on the cheek.
"unless" kiss on the cheek.
"I felt about them" kiss on the cheek.
"the way" kiss on the cheek.
"I feel about you" Marita whispers.
There are tears in Sean's eyes as he sees all the love Marita has for him in her eyes. She gently caresses his lips with her own. She uses her tongue to taste his lips and gain entrance into his mouth. The kiss is warm and sweet. Marita pulls away, looks into those eyes that she loves and smiles. The tears that were threatening are now rolling down Sean's cheeks. Marita takes her fingertips and gently wipes away his tears before she settles back in her original position.
Sean is too overwhelmed to speak, so he just sits there, holding his life in his arms. He begins thinking about what a "gentleman" Henry was to Marita, bringing her flowers, telling her she was beautiful - things he'd never done.
"Marita.... If you want, I'll start bringing you flowers and gifts, and stuff like that, if it will make you happy." Sean says uneasily.
Marita is touched by his wiliness to do things that are uncomfortable for him just to make her happy.
"I don't need those things to make me happy" Marita declares.
Sean gently pushes Marita forward and stands up. He walks in front of her and helps her to her feet. He takes her hand, gets down on one knee and looks up into her beautiful brown eyes.
"Marita, since I feel about you the way that I do and you feel about me the way that you do" Marita is about to go into shock!!!!
"will you marry me?" Sean proposes.
To be continued...............................
