"A Single Yellow Rose" – Chapter Thirty-Six

Saturday night…Penthouse Grill, Titan Publishing Building

"Umm…that's a very…interesting dress there Mimi," Philip said offer her a smile, revealing his famous dimples.

You like that?" Mimi said, propping her elbow on the table, she turned her back to Philip and Chloe so they could get the full effect of the dress. "Can you believe this used to be my mom's?"

"Your mom? Well, I'll never look at Mrs. Lockhart the same way again," Philip responded as Chloe gave him gentle nudge in his ribs for his comment.

Looking over her shoulder, Mimi laughed at Philip's words before turning back in time to see Jason dropping into the chair next to her. Due to the angle, they were now facing each other and their eyes instantaneously locking and Mimi watched as Jason trailed his gaze down the front of her dress before returning to face. 'Well, that's the reaction you wanted,' Mimi told herself as she returned Jason's stare, 'don't back down now.' Fighting to control her smile when Jason broke away first, Mimi turned to right herself in the chair as Jason did the same.

"So Shawn, what happened to-" Her words froze in the back of her throat the moment she felt Jason's leg brushed against hers beneath the table.

"What happened to what?" Shawn said with a wide grin, watching the range of emotions play over Mimi's face and the all too innocent one portrayed on Jason's.

"Umm…what happened to you?" Mimi's repeated, hoping the breathlessness of her voice was just her imagination. "You look like you've been auditioning for the WWF."

Shawn's eyes flew to Jason's before the two of them looked away but Shawn made the mistake of looking over at Philip who only responded with an arched eyebrow.

"Can you believe this guy?" Belle said, running her fingers lightly over the slight bruising near Shawn's eye, "he goes to play hockey today and ends getting a flying puck shot at him by one of the other players. He had to dive head first into a snow bank to avoid it."

"And here I thought you were a better player than that Shawn," Philip said quietly.

"Didn't you see what happened Phil? You were at the pond this afternoon too."

"I must have missed it," Philip replied.

"Probably too busy making sure the hockey punk didn't end up in your face huh?" Mimi asked.

"Are you kidding?" Chloe said, looking up at Philip, "a flying puck that got within a foot of that face would take just one look at those dimples and melt into a puddle at his feet."

Philip blushed at Chloe's words and his friend's laughter. Looking down at her, he reached out and slowly trailed his finger down her cheek. "I wish I had the same effect on you."

"You do," Chloe whispered confused by the disturbed look in his eyes. "You know that."

"I use to," Philip said dropping his hand away. "But now…I'm not so sure anymore."

 "I could have killed him when he showed up at the penthouse tonight," Belle said, leaning over to place small kisses on the side of Shawn's face, "but I forgave him when he explained it was purely self defense."

Jason cleared his throat as Shawn squirmed at Belle's words. "Hey…enough talk about me. So, what's everyone asking for from Santa this year?"

"I would love a shopping spree," Belle said with a smile, "a girl can never have too many clothes…or shoes."

"How about Salem Place all wrapped up in a big red bow?" Shawn asked.

"I think I could handle that." Belle answered him with a quick kiss. "How about you Chloe…what do you want for Christmas?"

A secretive smile played over Chloe's lips as a faraway look came into her eyes. "I think I might already have it…at least the first steps anyway."

"You gonna share what that is with the rest of us?" Philip asked.

"Not right now…later," Chloe promised.

"Well I already got what I want for Christmas," Jason said, stretching out his leg so he could easily get his hand into his pocket. Bringing out a silver ring with three keys attached he twirled it around his index finger.

"Hey…what are those for?" Philip said.

"Dad gave me the keys tonight before we left the house," Jason said with a brilliant smile. "She's sitting right outside in the parking lot."

"You got your truck," Mimi whispered.

Jason turned to look at her and saw a genuine smile on her face, which he easily returned as he remembered how much he used to talk about wanting this truck. "Yeah."

"What kind is it?" Shawn asked.

"A Toyota Four Runner Limited," Mimi answered before Jason could. "With tilt steering, cruise control, power locks, P225/75R15 tires on 6-spoke 15" styled steel wheels, multi-mode four wheel drive and a killer stereo with CD player." Mimi stopped as she ran out of breath and the rest of the table just stared at her.

"Geez Mimi how did you know all that?" Belle asked.

"Cause I've heard Jason talk about it enough," she said with a laugh, "I guess it just stuck in my brain."

"I can't believe you really remembered all that," Jason said quietly.

"Well it was important to you."

Reed suddenly stood up pushing his chair back from the table. "I think I'm gonna go socialize."

"You don't have to leave," Mimi said, turning away from Jason's intense stare.

"I think it would be best."

"Reed…"

"It's okay…really…I'll be back," Reed said with a smile. "Save me a dance okay?"

Mimi nodded, returning his smile before he turned and disappeared in the crowd. Turning back to Jason, she saw the warm light was gone from his eyes and a sullen expression was now on his face.

"So what color is it?" Philip asked.

"Black," Mimi and Jason said simultaneously.

Philip just shook his head. "Hey toss me the keys."

Jason easily tossed them over to Philip. "So what do you want K-man? Is there something that daddy Vic hasn't already given to you?"

"I'm pretty happy with the things in my life," Philip said quietly studying the keys before leaning around Mimi to hand them back to Jason, "how about you Shawn?"

Shawn's words seemed soft and distant to Mimi as Jason automatically reached around her for his keys. She gasped as his hand lightly brushed across her shoulders and she silently prayed that everyone was too busy talking to hear her quick intake of breath.

But as Jason leaned closer to her, the starched sleeve of his jacket stroked against her skin and his face so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her shoulder. She tried desperately to control the way her body responded to his nearness but it betrayed her with a gentle shiver.

"You cold?" Jason asked, his mouth so close that his words caused the loose wisps of her hair to dance against her neck.

"No."

Jason's eyes trailed past the smooth line of her neck down to the material that stretched firmly across her breasts, her earlier denial of wearing the purple satin bra reverberated through his brain. "Are you sure…it looks a bit nipp-"

"Don't even go there," Mimi whispered fiercely, snapped her head around to stare at Jason who held her gaze as he slowly moved away from her. But then suddenly he stopped and left his arm resting on the back of her chair. Looking down at his arm and then back up to his eyes, Mimi issued a silent command for him to remove it but Jason only returned her stare.

            "Mimi…did you hear me?" Belle said.

            "Umm…no I didn't…what did you say Belle?" Mimi said, forcing her gaze away from Jason's.

            "You never told us what you really want for Christmas?"

            "Oh, the list is so long I don't know where to start."

            "You mean you're not interested in a shopping spree like Belle?" Shawn asked.

            "Well sure…what girl isn't interested in shopping…besides Chloe I mean," Mimi said with a smile that Chloe easily returned. "But if I'm gonna dream…I'm gonna dream big. I would love to redo my bedroom, a trip to New York City to see a bunch of Broadway shows would be awesome or maybe to someplace warm like Hawaii. And since I am on a roll I'd think I would like Justin, or maybe Lance…of course JC is my favorite-"

            Belle shared Mimi's smile and even Chloe joined in as Jason moved back in close to her. "What's the matter," he sneered, "Brady and Reed aren't enough for you?"

            "What's that suppose to mean?" Mimi said sharply.

            "You need to add more guys to the list?"

            "You idiot…those guys are members of 'Nsync…you know, the music group?"

            Philip turned to Chloe, enjoying her laughter even if it was at his buddy's expense. "Hey…you still want to go somewhere and talk?"

            "Yes I do…do you think we can sneak away now?"

            The curiosity of what Chloe wanted to talk about had driven Philip crazy all through dinner. Hell, just the way she'd been acting this last week was driving him crazy and he hoped to finally be able to clear the air with her after she told him whatever it was that was so important to her. "Well the party's in full swing and the dance floor is full…I don't think anyone will miss us."

            "Okay…let's go."

            Philip rose and reached back to help Chloe with her chair when she suddenly turned away. "Wait a minute…what time is it?"

            "A little after eight," Philip said, checking his watch. "Why?"

            "Oh…I can't go anywhere."

            "What? Why not?"

            Turning back to the table, she spotted the program for the ball. "Umm…because they are giving out the award to Jason's dad soon…we can't be gone for that."

            "Okay," Philip said, a bit confused by Chloe's sudden desire to stay, "how about a dance instead?"

            "I'd love too."

            Chloe smiled at Belle as she and Philip left the table and soon she was in his arms as they joined the crowded dance floor filled with adults and enough teenagers and senior citizens to give it a nice mixture of the residents of Salem. As Philip gathered her in his arms and pulled her close, Chloe thought back to the very first time they danced.

            "What's that smile for?" Philip asked.

            "I was just thinking about the very first time you and I danced…it was only six months ago."

            "Yeah…a lot has happened since then huh?"

            Chloe's voice dropped to a low whisper, "yes…a lot has."

            Philip felt Chloe stiffen in his arms and he knew he had to try to talk to her now. "Chloe…about last week in the stables…I was out of line and way off base…"

            "No Philip," Chloe leaned back and stopped him by placing her fingertips against his lips. "You were behaving like a normal teenage guy."

            "With raging hormones."

            Chloe smiled. "Maybe…but that's normal….I'm the one who's different."

            "I know that Chloe and I never should have pushed-"

            "It's okay Philip…when I agreed that a lot happened I wasn't thinking about that day in the stables…I was thinking more about what happened to me…with my voice coach…" Philip nodded solemnly as Chloe continued to talk. "That afternoon opened up so many doors in life. Doors that I'd kept locked for so many years it was terrifying to even think about them being opened again. But I've learned to deal with past…at least to start to understand it…."

            "I hope I helped with some of that but I think all I've done is makes things worse for you."

            "Oh no Philip…you mustn't believe that…if it wasn't for you I never would have had the courage to talk to Nancy and Craig about what happened to me and you've been terrific about it. A lot of guys would have just walked away after finding out something like that about their girlfriend."

            "What happened to you is just a small part of who you are Chloe."

            "I'm learning that…slowly and I think I'm ready to take a step to getting back to a real important part of me…a part of me that has been missing since that day."

            "Chloe you are talking in riddles…what is going on?"

            "Well Brady had a great idea and-"

            Philip stopped circling, abruptly dropping his arms. "Brady? What the hell does Brady have to do with this?"

            "Philip just listen to me-"

            "You know his name is coming up an awful lot lately."

            "Philip…"

            Suddenly Philip felt a hand tapping him on the shoulder. "Excuse me…may I cut in?"

            Turning around Philip said his father and mother standing there. "Sir?"

            "I don't think it fair that you and I are monopolizing the two most beautiful women in the room," Victor said with a smile, looking down at Kate. "Besides, you mother would like to dance with you."

            Philip forced a small smile and turned back to Chloe. "Do you mind?"

            "Of course not," Chloe replied with a warm smile for Philip's parents as she stepped away from Philip and accepted Victor's hand. Philip watched as his father danced with Chloe overhearing their animated conversation about their favorite operas.

            "What is it honey," Kate asked her son, a concerned look on her face.

            "Something isn't right," Philip replied forcing his gaze away from Chloe and onto his mother. "And I don't know what it is."

*****

            "So do you think we should take our turn on the dance floor?" Shawn whispered into Belle's ear while giving her a quick squeeze.

            "Do you think its safe to leave these two alone?" Belle replied, shooting a quick glance over at Mimi and Jason who were busy ignoring each other when they weren't trading insults.

            "Maybe being alone is what they need."

            "You could be right," Belle said rising from Shawn's lap.

            "Belle…are you going to the ladies room?" Mimi asked.

            "Why? Do you need someone to hold your hand?" Jason sneered.

            "Actually Shawn and I were going to dance," Belle said, shaking her head. "Hey Jason…here comes your parents."

            Moments later Dr. Welles and his wife, along with Jason's younger sister Risa came over to the table.

            "Hello Dr. Welles, Mrs. Welles," Belle said turning to greet them as Jason rose, mirroring her movements. "You both look terrific this evening."

            "Hello Belle…and thank you. You look wonderful too." Jason's mother replied. "Hello Shawn."

            "Hi Mrs. Welles, Dr. Welles," Shawn said before turning to look at Jason's sister, flashing her a warm grin. "Hello Risa."

            "Uh...h-hi Shawn, Belle." Risa said, blushing at the sight of Shawn's smile.

            "You look very pretty tonight Risa," Belle said, "are you having a good time?"

            "Yes I am but I haven't dance yet so I was hoping to get my big brother to ask me," Risa said, with an impish grin.

            "Well hello there."

            Belle turned around to see her father had joined their group. "Hi daddy. You know Jason's parents don't you?"

            "Yes I do," John stuck out his hand and offered Dr. Welles a hearty handshake. "It's good to see you again Ken. Hello Jean."

            "Hello John," Jason's mother replied. "Where is your beautiful wife?"

            "The last time I saw her she was heading towards the dance floor Dr. Wesley so I decided to come over here and see if I could get my lovely daughter to dance with me?"

            "Oh dad I'd love to," Belle said with a smile after looking over at Shawn who gave her a quick wink.

            "I'll bring her right back," John said as he and Belle headed towards the dance floor.

            "Well Risa, I know I'm not your big brother but how about a dance?" Shawn asked, tearing his eyes away from the view of Belle walking away.

            "Umm…me?"

            "Sure…unless you don't want too?"

            "Oh I do! Want to," Risa said, again blushing under Shawn's gaze, "dance I mean."

            "Well let's go then," he said offering her his arm. "Excuse us everyone."

            Mimi watched as Shawn and Risa walked away and she doubted Risa's feet even touched the ground. As one who once carried a long standing crush on the handsome Shawn Douglas Brady, Mimi knew exactly what Risa was feeling and it warmed her heart to see Shawn being so sweet to her.

            "Well, aren't you going to introduce us to your co-star Jason?" Dr. Welles said.

            "Yes sir," Jason said, turning back to Mimi. "Dad, Mom…I would like for you to meet Mimi Lockhart. Mimi…my parents."

            Mimi rose and shook hands with Jason's parents before returning to her seat. "It's a pleasure to meet the both of you."

            "It's our pleasure young lady," Dr. Welles replied. "You did a terrific job in the school play. I was very impressed…considering the lack of experience in your leading man."

            "Thanks dad," Jason said under his breath.

            "Thank you Dr. Welles and I thought Jason also did a terrific job considering he joined the cast at the last minute."

            Jason turned sharply and stared at Mimi.

            "Yes…well, seeing how it was his temper that got him into the play in the first place."

            "Actually it was both our tempers sir as I was the one who volunteered him to replace Scott."

            "Yes well…I was just happy to see that Jason stuck with it. He probably didn't tell you but I very involved with the drama department while I was attending Yale."

            "Well that must be where Jason gets his talent from," Mimi said, "and his memorizing ability. I am still amazed he was able to remember all his lines in only one week."

            "That's very kind of you Mimi…I must say you are an improvement over the last young lady our son choose to spend so much time with."

            "Yeah…from the frying pan into the fire," Jason muttered so softly that no one but Mimi heard his words.

            "Thank you sir but Jason and I are just good friends."

            "Let's let Jason and his friends get back to their fun dear," Jean said, "you still have a lot of people to say hello to."

            "Yes dear," Dr. Welles said with a smile. "It was nice meeting you Mimi…and son, please be careful driving tonight."

            "Don't worry dad…I'll be fine."

            Jason watched as his parents moved onto another table before he dropped back into his seat, turning around to face Mimi. "Don't do that again."

            "What? What are you talking about?"

            Jason slid his arm along the back of Mimi's chair, leaning in close to her. "I don't need you defending me to my father!"

            "Defending you…I was only speaking the truth…you were terrific in the play, no matter how you got involved!"

            "And what was a crap about me inheriting his talent?"

            "I was just trying to be nice Jason…what is wrong with you?"

            "Well I can see I came back just in time." Mimi and Jason both turned to see Reed standing at the edge of their table. "How about that dance now Mimi?"      

            "I would love to dance Reed," Mimi said, placing her purse up near the table's centerpiece before rising from her seat.

            "Well at least you won't have to worry about him trying to flick open your bra," Jason said, the material of Mimi's dress gliding over his legs as she moved past him.

            Mimi froze shooting a quick look at Reed who didn't seem to have heard Jason's words. "Jason darling…do me a favor…" Turning around she leaned down until her mouth was next to his ear. "…go piss up a rope."

            Joining Reed on the dance floor, Mimi wished he had moved farther into the room where she couldn't see Jason every time she faced the table. He looked so alone sitting there by himself and she knew she shouldn't let him get to her with his comments but sometimes it seemed easier to fight fire with fire. 'So much for clearing the air between them', Mimi thought remembering her conversation earlier with her mom as she looked over and saw Philip had returned to the table alone. She watched as the two of them exchanged words and then Jason's nodded in her direction and their eyes locked across the room before Mimi was forced to break away as Reed turned her around.

            After the song ended Mimi and Reed made their way back to the table. Before they reached it, Dawn, a shy quiet girl from the band stopped them and stumbled so badly over asking Reed if he wanted to dance Mimi quickly came up with the excuse she needed to go to the ladies room. She smiled as Dawn's face lit up when Reed agreed to dance and she watched as the two of them headed back towards the dance floor. Making her way to the table, Mimi took a deep breath and made a silent promise not to respond the next time Jason shot a barb in her direction. In fact, maybe she would surprise him by asking him if they could go somewhere alone and talk. Of course, he could say no but with only Philip at the table perhaps he would agree that there was a few things they needed to discuss.

            But when she got back to the table, she was disappointed to only see Philip sitting there. "Hi… where's Chloe?"

            "Dancing with my father I last time I saw her. Where is everyone?"

            "We're right here," Belle said, coming up behind Mimi with Shawn next to her. "When we saw only Phil sitting here we thought maybe you and Jason decided to dance."

            "No I don't think so," Mimi said with a shake of her head.

            "Umm…guys…I think Jason took off." Philip said.

            "What?"

            "He muttered something about good friends, said he was outta here and left."

            "That's it guys…I've really blown it this time." Mimi said, taking a seat.

            "What are you talking about?"

            "One too many slams…and I never got the chance to talk to him."

            "Maybe he's just getting some fresh air out on the terrace." Shawn said.

            "He headed for the elevators," Philip said, pointing towards the archway. "Not in the other direction."

            "But his father hasn't received his award yet," Belle said. "He wouldn't miss that."

            "Don't count on it," Mimi and Philip said in unison.

            As the song ended, the orchestra suddenly played a quick fanfare as Dr. Wesley walked up onto the stage. "Will everyone please take their seats? Thank you."

            "Hey…where's Chloe?" Belle asked.

            "She'll be back in a min-" Philip's voice stopped as he spotted Chloe walking off the dance floor with Brady. "What the hell…"

            Everyone watched as Brady pulled Chloe into a quick hug that she happily returned before watching him walk away. Turning towards the table, Chloe's steps faltered as she realized they had all seen what just happened but determined not to let Philip ruin her special plans for the evening, she squared her shoulders and joined her friends.

            "You want to explain that?" Philip said quietly as Chloe sat down next to him.

            "Can I have everyone's attention please?" Craig called out over the ballroom. "I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful evening."

            He waited as applause filled the room. "We are here this evening to enjoy the holiday season but also to honor a very special member of the staff with the annual Tom Horton Memorial Achievement Award. Dr. Welles has been with University Hospital for close to twenty years now and we are very fortunate to have the leading cardiology surgeon in the country here in our small town of Salem. Please join me as I ask Dr. Welles to come up here on stage to accept this prestigious award.

            The applause was deafening as Dr. Welles left his table and made his way to the stage. He accepted the award from his Chief of Staff with a few words before he turned to the crowd and began to speak.

            "Hey…where is Jason?" Chloe asked. "Is he sitting over with his family?"
            "Maybe that's where he is," Belle said.

            "Philip thinks he left," Mimi said quietly.

            "Left? Why would he do that?"

            "Because I was more concerned at trading insults than talking," Mimi answered her.

            "Thank you Dr. Welles," Craig said, again leading the applause as Jason's father left the stage to return to his table. "Now, I would like to turn things over to Dr. Marlena Evans."

            "Hey…what's you mom up too?" Shawn asked as they watched Belle's mom take to the stage with a wooden plaque in her arms.

            "I have no idea," Belle said.

            "Thank you all so much," Marlena said as the clapping for her died away. "I am very honored to announce this evening the hospital has created a new award to be handed out yearly and this is a very special award. This award is named for a woman who personifies caring in all that she does and has done for the hospital for many decades.  She is a wonderful woman who has dedicated her life to her family and her volunteer work at University Hospital and we only thought that it was fitting that this award be named after Alice Horton."

            Marlena smiled over at table where Alice sat with Mickey and Maggie, Doug and Julie and Jennifer while the crowd gave a standing ovation to the graceful and elegant woman who acknowledged their cheers with a gentle wave.

            "The recipient of this award is a constant presence in the hospital and even while in her own life she was dealing with some troubling issues she always had a smile for those who needed her care and attention. And especially after things turned around for her and her family she decided to repay the community for their support by logging in even greater numbers of volunteer hours…very commendable as so many people her age today tend to be more interested in helping themselves than in helping others. I am so very honored to announce the first awardee of the Alice Horton Award for Excellence in Volunteerism is…Miss Mimi Lockhart."

to be continued…