Into High Gear?
A lot can change, in a matter of minutes. A child can be born, an accident can alter a person's future, or worse, a person can draw his last breaths. Dining at Tuscany's ruled out any of those calamities, at least, that was what Brady thought. But alas, death, the only entity that can overrule everything, has invaded Tuscany's and taken hold of the party. Brady glanced at his family and his friends and wondered what happened to the freewheeling revelers who populated Tuscany's, mere moments ago. Where did these people come from, these staunch sterile patrons, assuming postures both cool and formal?
Yep, this was officially a wake, where the once ever-present chatter, laughter, and singing seemed grossly inappropriate. And the feeling of responsibility and obligation, the feeling you had to be cordial, even to the opportunistic vultures, feeding off the stun and shock of the participants. Brady glanced at Nicole, who was in full vulture mode, perched at her corner table for the impending feeding frenzy. Brady was surprised that he wasn't angrier with Nicole, since her behavior throughout the night was cringe-worthy. Nicole was being Nicole. She couldn't help herself, just like Phillip couldn't help himself.
In break-neck speed, the worship began. But the worst thing was Chloe. She was the embodiment of the party, pre-Phillip: joyful, frivolous, frothing over with warmth and laughter. Now, she was the embodiment of the party, post-Phillip: rigid, silent, and overruled, like a corpse. Brady hated his feeling of complete helplessness. Again, he sat and watched as Chloe struggled silently, but now, he couldn't even offer a comforting word, without starting World War III. And while he wasn't averse to a fight, tonight wasn't the right time. He knew that Chloe was the key to everything. She made the party and now Phillip's interpolation of her was breaking it. The last thing Brady wanted or expected was to be dependent on Chloe, but throughout the many ups and downs of her illness, he knew that was the way things are and the way things will remain. He wanted the last 24 hours back, that brief window of time, when everything were simpler. Awaking to the scent of bacon, prepared by her. Sharing a nectarine and falling asleep, while watching Sound of Music, with her. Awaking to the news that he wanted to hear for months. Her chocolaty fingers and her, nibbling pieces of melon from his waiting fingers. A lot of time was spent eating, including those few moments, in his bedroom and on the Tuscany terrace, when they nibbled and sampled each other…
Vic: (in an elevated tone) Brady!
Br: (roused) Yeah, Grandpa?
Vic: (looking in Chloe's direction) Your mind was…
Br: Elsewhere.
Vic: (looking at Phillip) That seems to be the trend, tonight.
Br: (noticing Victor) I'm just… hungry.
Vic: (looking at Chloe) It happens, but you have to be careful about what you crave. It may not be good for you. (looking at Brady) Brady… join me in the bar?
Br: (smiling) What… are you buying me my first drink?
Vic: (skeptical) Your 'first' drink?
Br: (sheepish) My first… 'legal' drink.
Vic: (standing up) Maybe… come on.
Victor headed to the bar and Brady followed. With the attention of his father and nephew off of him, Phillip focused on Chloe. Chloe didn't know if it was if it was Phillip's stares or Nancy's reaction to them, but she knew she needed to get out of there. She looked at Nancy as she stood up.
Na: (quietly) Do you want me to come with you?
Chloe shook her head. She gently patted Nancy's shoulder as she left the table. Nancy's eyes followed Chloe until she saw Phillip get up. But before he could give chase, Belle grabbed his hand and guided him back to his seat. As Chloe walked toward the hallway, she noticed disappointment cloud Nicole's eyes. Realizing that this could be her only chance, she turned around and looked for Brady. When she saw that he was talking to Victor, in the bar, she realized that she was on her own. She turned around and proceeded to the restroom. Brady watched her, as she retreated and saw Belle, as she struggled to keep Phillip, under control. He turned his attention to Victor, who was staring at him, intently.
Br: (uncomfortable) Grandpa… why are you looking at me, like that?
Victor looked in the dining room, just as Belle excuse herself from the table.
Vic: So, Brady… what have you been up to?
Br: (avoiding eye contact) The same ole, same ole…
Vic: The same ole, same ole, huh? That's funny…
Br: What is?
Vic: Well, 'the same ole, same ole' implies something mundane or routine, not something that requires you, avoiding eye contact…
Br: Grandpa…
Vic: … although I noticed that you had constant eye contact with Chloe, or rather, with her shoulders…
Br: Grandpa, you're being…
Vic: What… paranoid, suspicious…?
Br: (coolly) Ridiculous.
Vic: Has 'ridiculous' become a synonym for dead on?
Br: I haven't heard anything on the news about it…
Vic: (getting angry) Stop it!
Br: Stop what?
Vic: You know what, Brady. It's bad enough to engage in this dance with Phillip, but with you…
Br: (defensive) Listen, you're the one who wanted to talk, not me.
Vic: I did. I do, but you aren't cooperating…
Br: Actually, you're the one, not cooperating, because in order for you and me to talk, you need to listen.
Vic: (defensive) I've always listened to you…
Br: True, but you usually go deaf, whenever a certain subject comes up.
Vic: The subject, being Chloe?
Br: (matter of factly) You're damn straight!
Chloe stood in front of the mirror, trying to calm herself. As the restroom door opened, she looked in the mirror, finding Belle in the doorway.
Be: (walking into the restroom) Chloe…
Ch: (closing her eyes) Belle… don't.
Be: Don't what?
Ch: Please don't say 'This was bound to happen, sooner or later', because I was hoping for later. (looking up) I'm not ready.
Be: (closing the door) Not ready for what?
Ch: (breathless) I'm not ready to see him… to deal with him…
Be: … to tell him, about your leukemia?
Chloe nodded.
Be: (sighing) Well, in the wake of Sami's scene, everyone has some idea that you were seriously ill. Someone is bound to ask him about it. Imagine how he's going to feel if he gets the news about you, from a stranger.
Ch: (taking a labored breath) I know you're right. I just need time… that's all.
Be: I'm sorry, Chloe, but I don't think you have it. I'm willing to bet that he's waiting outside, right now.
Ch: (trying to smile) And I wouldn't take it, because it's a sucker's bet.
Be: (somber) Chloe… I know that you touched on it this morning, but I still don't understand why you didn't want Phillip around.
Ch: (looking at her) Trust me, Belle. There is a lot you don't know about Phillip… and about me. But I can't tell you, right now. I have too much on my plate, as it is.
Be: Well… do you want me to get your mother? (trying to smile) She can run interference…
Ch: (slightly smiling) No… I could use the support, but I think I need to deal with Phillip, one-on-one.
Be: (touching her shoulder) Okay.
Belle left the restroom, nearly bumping into Phillip.
Be: (startled) Geez, Phillip…
Ph: I'm sorry, Belle. I just…
Be: … wanted to see her?
Ph: Yeah.
Be: (slightly agitated) Well, you need to back off!
Ph: (hurt) Belle… why are you mad at me?
Be: I'm not, Phillip. It's just that… you're too much. Too much, even for me, to handle and I'm your friend. So, as a friend, I'm asking you to lay off Chloe.
Ph: Belle… all I want to do is talk to her.
Be: Really, Phillip?
Ph: Well… yeah.
Be: Okay… first of all, I don't believe you and second of all, Chloe intends on speaking to you…
Ph: (lighting up) Thank God…
Be: (adamant) But… she needs time and space. Will you, at least, try to give it to her?
Phillip nodded.
Be: So… are you coming back to the table or not?
He shook his head.
Be: (frustrated) Fine…
Brady watched as a worried Belle return to the dining room, without Phillip.
Br: (looking at Victor) Look… I'm sorry that I snapped at you…
Vic: Don't worry about it. It's symptomatic of contact with her…
Br: (getting angry) Grandpa…
Vic: And the fact that Phillip's in the vicinity…
Br: Okay… I want you to listen to me, very carefully. Phillip is not the only reason why I'm tense.
Vic: I assume Chloe is the reason…
Br: Yes.
Vic: … because she hasn't declared, one way or the other, how she feels about you?
Br: That's not it.
Vic: Or maybe she hasn't ruled Phillip out?
Br: (exasperated) If she wants Phillip, that's fine, because until this morning, I was living with the possibility that she…
Vic: She… what?
Br: (sighing) I'm not going to talk about…
Vic: (adamant) Tell me, right now.
Br: (in a hushed tone) She was going to die.
Vic: (turning grim) She… dying? What the hell are you talking about?
Br: (taking a deep breath) Chloe has leukemia, or rather, she had it. (quietly) She went to the doctor and was told that she was in remission.
Vic: (calmly) Okay, Brady. I want you to start from the beginning and don't leave anything out.
Chloe stared at herself in the mirror, contemplating what to do. While she wished that she would've accepted Nancy and Belle's suggestions, she knew that it would prolong the inevitable. Applying more mascara or lip gloss would accomplish the same thing. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door. Closing her eyes, she opened the door and stepped into the corridor. Cautiously, she opened her eyes, looking into the dining room.
Ch: Where is he?
As she searched the dining room, she felt uncomfortable, a feeling she was becoming reacquainted with, after months of relative peace. Slowly, she turned around.
Ch: (coolly) Phillip…
Phillip slowly walked toward her, looking at her, intently.
Ph: (drinking her in) Chloe… You cannot know how happy I am to see you, after all this time.
As he slowly lifted his arm, she flinched. Slowly, his hand approached her face, gently caressing her cheek.
Ph: (sighing longingly) My God… you're just as beautiful as the last time I saw you. You haven't changed a bit…
Ch: (nervous) Phillip…you're wrong…
Ph: (looking at her) You're right… you're more beautiful…
Ch: (gently removing his hand from her cheek) No, Phillip… there are some things that we need to talk about, and trust me, you won't be happy with what you're about to hear.