Before Eleven
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Brady jolted out of bed.
Br: What the hell…
Brady grabbed his pants, pulling them on quickly. Buttoning and zipping them, he went to the door.
Br: (under his breath) I've heard the Wesleys were crazy, but damn…
Ch: (through the door) You ain't got to go home, but you can't stay here…
Br: (opening the door) Is this the Wesley's version of a wake-up call?
He stared at her. She stopped banging the pot with the wooden spoon and smiled.
Br: Well, a suggestion… that's not a pleasant way to wake up.
Ch: (walking into the guest room) Oh yeah? What do you suggest?
Br: Well… knocking.
Ch: I did that…
Br: …gently shaking a person awake.
Ch: (slyly) Me, entering your room without permission? What kind of person do you take me for?
Br: You know, as well as I do, that you defy categorization. (looking for his shirt) What time is it, anyway?
Ch: (sitting on his bed) It's just before eleven.
Br: How you kept this house quiet, this long, on a Saturday morning, I have no idea.
Ch: What, Saturday mornings aren't peaceful at chez Black?
Br: Not really. (looking for his shirt) Where is it? (looking at her) Why did you wake me up like that? Have you lost your mind?
Ch: (biting her lip) Oh, I've lost something.
He stopped searching for his shirt and looked at her.
Ch: (standing up) Typically, chez Wesley is pretty noisy on Saturdays too. Well, except today.
Br: (sitting on the floor) What was so unusual about today?
Ch: Well, I had an appointment with my doctor. (extending her arm) Do you want to stand up?
Br: (nervous) No, I'm fine. Go on.
Ch: Well, Brady, I have lost something… mainly the presence of leukemia cells in my body. (biting her lip) I'm in remission.
Brady sat on the floor, in shock. Many emotions flashed across his eyes: relief, joy, anxiety.
Ch: (extending her hand) Well, are you going to stay on the floor?
Br: (shocked) I'm just… keeping my jaw company.
She began to giggle as he grabbed her hand and stood up. He looked down at her, caressing her cheek. His eyes questioned her. Her giddiness confirmed it. He scooped her up, twirled her around, squeezing her contentedly. He let out a sigh of relief, hiccupping the air as if it was his first breath. She melted into him and he into her. He felt a tear on his bare shoulder as he carefully put her down. He looked into her eyes, as he brushed away her hair. He pulled her to him.
Br: (whispering) Oh my God… oh my God… Thank God.
She rubbed his back reassuringly and stepped away.
Ch: (wiping away tears) What is it about you, Brady?
Br: (breathless) Why do you always ask me that?
Ch: Because I never get an answer. (touching his cheek) What is it about you? You are always there, at my lowest moments. You're never the cause of them, and yet, by you being you, abrasive, caustic, and at times, loving and caring, you make them the best moments of my life?
Brady looked confused.
Ch: (quietly) Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to have leukemia again, but your presence, during this whole thing, has made this one of the most memorable, serene, and believe it or not, fun periods of my life. Why didn't I see it sooner…
Br: (cautious) See what?
Ch: … that you are an omen. A good one…
Br: (smirking) The Devil Woman believes in good omens?
Ch: I do now.
She watched as Brady kneeled on the floor and looked under the bed.
Ch: B, what are you looking for?
Br: (lifting the blanket) My shirt.
Chloe stood up and moved a blanket.
Ch: Here it is.
Br: (grabbing it) Thanks.
Brady shook out the wrinkles of the shirt and pulled it on. As he looked down to button it, he noticed Chloe staring at him intently.
Br: (standing up) Um, Chloe, can you give me some privacy?
Ch: (roused) Why?
Br: I need to get dressed.
Ch: You are dressed. You just need to put on your shirt.
Br: I know.
Ch: Since when have you been shy?
Br: I'm not.
Ch: For the last five minutes, I've talked to you, (eying him) while you were shirtless. I've even placed my hands on the body beautiful, so what's the problem?
Br: (annoyed) It begins…
Ch: What?
Br: The fights.
Ch: We always fought. It was one of the few constants throughout this ordeal.
Br: (fastening the top button) I know, but…
Ch: (leaning on the bed) I just find it funny that you had no problem peeling off your T-shirt on the basketball court, but you have a phobia about someone, namely me, watching you dress? And it's not even dressing, really, you're just buttoning your shirt.
Br: (exasperated) When are you going back to school? I mean, you don't want to waste your talent of being a pain in the ass on me. Share the wealth!
Ch: (feigning anger) School? (standing up) Why did you have to mention that? (eying him) Buzzkill!
She tackled him, knocking him to the floor.
Br: (laughing) Damn, Diva. I hope this isn't your idea of conflict resolution.
Ch: (pinning him down) Maybe it should be. It was awfully easy to do. Not 'Mr. All-State Football' anymore, are you?
Br: Cut me a break. I just woke up.
He squirmed as she tickled him. Her sheer delight turned into a frown when she felt his ribs. He stopped moving and stared at her, with concern. His hands followed hers to his ribs.
Ch: (voice cracking) Oh, Brady.
Br: (touching her hand) Hey, hey. Don't get upset.
Ch: But you haven't been taking care of yourself.
Br: It looks worse than it really is. A couple days of sun, some hearty meals, some sessions with free weights (smiling) … and I'll be as good as new.
She placed her head on his chest.
Br: (kissing her head) Now that you're well, I'll have the time to do that.
Tears flowing, she caressed his ribs. He could feel the warm droplets of tears on his chest.
Br: (rubbing her cheek) Hey, Diva… no tears, not for me.
She looked into his eyes as he wiped away her tears with his finger. She placed her head back on his chest.
Ch: (sniffling) No more tears.
She wrapped her arms around him and sighed.
Br: (softly) I have to go home soon.
Ch: (sadly) I know. (looking at him) But I'll help my mom put together a care package for you. (rubbing his ribs) It's painfully obvious that this measure is necessary. (sitting up) Besides, it's about time that I take care of you.
They smiled at each other. Her smile faded as she looked at his opened shirt. She leaned forward and pulled his shirt opening together. He watched as she pulled the button toward the buttonhole. She pulled the button through and gently smoothed his shirt down.
She looked in his eyes and smiled. Her smile changed into a look of alarm.
Ch: (surprised) Mom!
Brady sat up and turned around.
Ch: (quickly standing up) Mom, I can explain…
N: (hugging Chloe) No need to. I heard everything. (whispering in her ear) We'll talk about what I saw later… (looking at Brady) So… I assume that Chloe told you the good news.
Br: (quickly buttoning his shirt) Yeah, she did.
N: (smiling) Well … aren't you going to congratulate me?
Br: (embarrassed) Of course.
Brady hugged Nancy, tentatively, until he felt the warmth in her hug.
N: (whispering in his ear) This couldn't have happened on a better day for you, Brady. Your mom's 21st anniversary.
He hugged her tighter.
N: (stepping away from him) Well, I heard my daughter volunteering me to make a care package for you.
Br: It's not necessary, Mrs. Wesley.
N: Yes, it is. Your presence here is largely responsible for Chloe's recovery. It's the least I could do.
Br: Thanks, Mrs. Wesley.
N: Come on, Chloe. (looking at Brady) Maybe you should call home and tell them what's going on.
Ch: (eyes sparkling) I have a better idea. Why don't I tell them in person?
Br: Excuse me?
Ch: I can go home with you.
N: (grabbing her am) I thought the purpose of this weekend was to let Brady rest.
Ch: (looking at Nancy) It is, but I think I'm the one who should explain this to Belle. You can pick me up later. (looking at the bureau) Besides, Brady isn't in the condition to drive.
Br: Uh, yes I am.
Ch: (grabbing his car keys) No, you're not. You're exhausted and I don't want you to take any risks.
Br: As if you driving my Jeep isn't risky.
Ch: (mockingly) Ha-ha! (looking at Nancy) Come on, Mom. Can I go over to the Blacks?
N: (looking at Chloe, suspiciously) Okay, but I don't want you to spend the whole day over there and I don't want you to bother Brady.
Br: (smirking) Too late!
Ch: (mockingly) Again, ha-ha!
Chloe and Brady smiled at each other as Nancy watched them. There was an uncomfortable silence, which Nancy broke.
N: (grabbing Chloe's arm) Come on sweetie, let's leave Brady to freshen up.
Chloe stood there, staring at him.
N: (pulling her arm) Come on, Chloe.
Ch: (roused) Okay. (looking at Brady) I'll be waiting.
Picking up the pot and wooden spoon, Nancy led Chloe out of the room, closing the door behind them. She guided Chloe through the hallway toward the kitchen. The silence between the two of them was as uncomfortable as the silence in the guestroom, but Chloe found solace in the darkness of the hallway. Nancy walked into the kitchen and took some melon from the fridge. Chloe sat at the table, staring at Brady's car keys.
N: (unwrapping the melon) Brady may need to freshen up, but you, my girl need to cool off.
Ch: (turning around) What are you talking about?
N: (looking up) Do you two usually have conversations while lying down?
Ch: (defensive) No, of course not.
N: (inquisitive) Well…
Ch: (hesitant) We were …playing around.
N: You were flirting with him.
Ch: (covering) I was not.
N: (sarcastically) Oh, my mistake. You were practicing… you should have told me sooner…
Ch: (confused) Told you what?… practicing what?
N: (looking at her) You decided not to be an opera singer. You're going to follow in Craig's footsteps and become a doctor. And Brady was your patient. You should have told me that an exam was in progress.
Ch: (rolling her eyes) Stop it, Nancy.
N: I mean it, Chloe. You were seconds away from asking him to cough.
Ch: (mortified) Mom!
N: (shaking her head) It's all my fault. I opened the box. I shouldn't have teased you about him…
Ch: Calm down, Nancy.
N: And you were so shameless about it. Flirting in front of me, your own mother… Chloe, you are coming on too strong, not that I'm trying to advise you…
Cr: (from the living room) Hey, Nanc …can you come in here, for a minute?
N: (yelling) Sure, hon … (looking at Chloe) Think about what I said.
Nancy went into the living room, as Chloe twirled Brady's keys.
Ch: (to herself) I wasn't flirting with Brady. Now that my leukemia is gone, Nancy's just looking for something else to worry about. (grasping his keys) Things will return to normal and Brady and I will be as we were: just friends.
Chloe frowned as she squeezed his keys tightly.