Letting it Out
Brady hung up the phone and began to process Belle's account of Sami's non-wedding. As he imagined Sami's tear-stained face and her shrieks as Austin walked away, Brady could feel a rumble in his gut. He covered his mouth and put his head on the table. He was shaking, nearly convulsing. He knew if he lifted his head, it would be over. But Brady had to do what Brady had to do. Brady lifted his head, took a deep breath, and threw his head back.
Br: BAHHAAAAA HAAAHAHHAAAAAAAHAA!!!!
On the balcony…
Ph: Chloe, our relationship isn't the same as Austin and Sami's. Sami has lied to him, over and over, and yet my brother forgave her, over and over. There comes a point when you have to cut your losses and move on. Austin reached that point, after ten years. We can talk about this when I get back. But I wanted to talk to you about us…
Ch: (anxious) Um, Phillip. I have to go now.
Ph: Wait a minute. We have to talk.
Ch: We will, when you get home.
Ph: Okay. I'll see you soon.
Ch: Okay. Goodnight, Phillip.
Chloe hung up. She thought about what Phillip had said. She knew that he resented Sami, especially for that dirty trick she pulled in Paris. She could understand his loyalty to his brother, but something that he said bothered her.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen…
Br: HAHHAAAHAAAAAHHAAAAAAHEEEHEEEE!!!!
Brady continued to laugh as he prepared the snacks for he and Chloe. He placed a bag of pretzels in a bowl. He took out a tray and placed the bowl on it. He used the counter to steady himself because he felt another wave of laughter coming on. He tried to hold it in, but couldn't.
Br: HEHEHEEEEEEEEEEEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEEE!!!
He rested his head on the counter and pounded his fist against it. He shook his head as he thought about Sami's smugness weeks ago and her apparent devastation tonight. Another wave of laughter consumed him. He slowly lifted his head and saw his reflection in the silver toaster. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was bright red.
Br: (laughing) Okay, Brady. You need to get yourself together. You promised Belle that you wouldn't tell anyone about this, but judging from your face, it's a cinch that something bad happened to Sami. You need to calm down and get this laughing jag out of your system. You've got a beautiful girl waiting for you in the living room. You can let Sami's misfortune, or rather, her comeuppance, ruin your evening. Get it together.
Brady went to the sink and splashed his face with cold water. He dried his face with a paper towel and threw it away. He went into the refrigerator and retrieved some sodas. He didn't open them, since he didn't have confidence that the waves would cease when he carried the tray.
Br: (picking up tray) Please, give me strength.